Monthly Archives: July 2012

The Throne of Glass YA Novella series by Sarah J Maas

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THRONE OF GLASS YA FANTASY SERIES: Novellas

ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD (YA novella #1) by Sarah J Maas

ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD (Jan 13, 2012) is the first novella of four, introducing Celaena Sardothien, a 16year old trained assassin and member of the elite Assassin’s Guild. Sarah J Maas, by way of some earlier novellas guides the reader through the early adventures of Celaena leading to her new YA fantasy novel Throne of Glass in August 2012.

Celaena found it difficult to learn that fellow Guild Assassin and second to Arobynn Hamel -Ben was missing and presumed dead. But when his death was confirmed as well as the death of 3 other members, Celaena and Sam Cortland are sent on a mission to Skull’s Bay (by Arobynn Hamel-King of the Assassins) to retrieve some merchandise from the Pirate Lord. But the merchandise was not what they expected and neither was the mission. To add to their troubles, Celaena must keep her identity a secret and therefore is required to wear protective cloak and mask at all times. As the only 16year old female assassin, Celaena knows she would be targeted if her identity were ever to be known.

Sam and Celaena have trained together most of their lives, but when the cargo they were seeking forces the pair to make a life and death decision, it is Celaena’s reaction that surprises both herself and Sam. Failing the assignment would bring punishment upon their return home.

Assassin and The Pirate Lord is a quick read. The story introduces a few of the characters as well as builds a base for the upcoming YA series. 4 short stories leading to a full-length novel that will be released later this summer, the Throne of Glass novellas are a necessary read allowing the reader a glimpse into the personality and premise of a new YA series.

THE ASSASSIN AND THE DESERT (YA novella #2) by Sarah J Maas

The second novella The Assassin and the Desert (March  30, 2012) in the Throne of Glass series finds 17year old Celaena Sardothien-Adarlan’s greatest assassin severely punished and sent to train with the Silent Assassins in the Red Desert. For defying the King of the Assassins, Celaena is ordered to earn the trust and respect of the Mute Master before returning to Adarlan. But her hopes of an audience with the Mute Master soon vanish when she is forced to undergo the training regimen of the other Silent Assassins. When Celaena catches the eye of the Master’s son, she is suddenly saddened by the memory of her best friend Sam. Not knowing what ever happened to Sam eats away at Celaen’s conscience.

Celaena finds a friend and roommate in Ansel. A young woman with a few secrets of her own, Ansel helps guide Celaena on their daily duties and introduces Celaena to some of the others.

Lord Berik is the cruel and abusive ruler of Xandria. Berik’s men routinely attack the hall of the Silent Assassin, but following the latest attack, Ansel is ordered to seek out the Lord to discuss a form of cease-fire. But Ansel has other plans that do not include a friendly form of peace. When Celaena finds herself drugged and abandoned in the Red Desert, she knows that Ansel’s true intentions were never to protect the Master, but to bring his head to the Lord. Betrayal and death at the hand of a friend, force Celaena to make some decisions that could affect her career as an Assassin.

The Assassin and the Desert continues to tell the story of Celaena as she traverses the pitfalls and traps in her life as an assassin. Building on the premise of her upcoming storyline, Sarah J Maas once again introduces a cast of characters that we will assuredly meet in the new YA release of Throne of Glass.

THE ASSASSIN AND THE UNDERWORLD (YA novella #3)

THE ASSASSIN AND THE UNDERWORLD (May 1, 2012) is novella #3 in the Throne of Glass novella series by Sarah J Maas. Celaena has returned from her summer training with the Mute Assassins of the Red Desert not knowing what to expect from Arobynn. The last time she saw the King of the Assassins, he had brutally beaten her for disobedience, and her and Sam’s interference in a slave trade deal. But returning to the home she has always known would be an enlightening experience and one that she would never forget.

But things had changed. Arobynn welcomed Celaena home with apologies and gifts-something that was completely out of character. Although Celaena was reluctant to accept the gifts as a form of apology, she knew that not to accept could anger Arobynn. And Sam had changed as well and an unknown disappointment surfaced when she realized that perhaps Sam no longer cared. But looks can be deceiving especially when one is always watched. Sam too had suffered for his disobedience, and the thought of losing Celaena, was difficult knowing, he could not protect the most important person in his life.

When Arobynn enlists Celaena’s skills as one of the foremost Assassins, she is more than willing to accept the deal. Hoping to put an end to the slave trade, Celaena is given the directive to assassinate a powerful man ‘involved ‘ in the matter of the slaves. But once again, not is all that it seems. Although Celaena is concerned about the mission, she dismisses her feelings and puts all of her efforts into taking out the man she has been ordered to kill. But when the truth is finally revealed, many will have died at the hands of the young assassin and the one person to whom she owed much, will be the one person to whom she will vow vengeance. The Assassin and the Empire (Novella 4) has yet to be released.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Maya Banks-KGI series reviews

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The KGI Series by Maya Banks

The Kelly Group International (KGI) is a group founded by brothers of the Kelly family.  They all have military backgrounds and deal in hostage rescue, intelligence gathering and black ops for the U.S. Government.  There are several teams, introduced throughout the books that you will fall in love with.  The Kelly family is a huge one, with six brothers.  And, once you’ve been taken in by Marlene Kelly, mother extraordinaire, you’re part of the family.

The Darkest Hour – Book 1

Ethan Kelly has shut himself off from everyone and everything.  He lost his wife Rachel a year ago in a plane crash in South America where she was on a mission of mercy.  He can’t forgive himself for things he had done and said before she left on the trip.  He was convinced that she was having an affair with one of his brothers and served her with divorce papers.  So, he is wallowing in self pity and staying drunk.  Until, one day, he receives a letter with pictures of a wild looking woman being held captive by a drub cartel in Columbia, South America.  And the letter that came with the pictures turns his world inside out.  Your wife is alive.  He immediately doesn’t believe it, but after looking at the pictures, he thinks that it could be Rachel.  Is this real?  Only one way to find out.

He enlists the help of his brothers at KGI.  They aren’t convinced this is real either, but have no choice but to act.  If it is her, they’ll get her out.  Once they locate where Rachel is being held, they spring into action.  After a fierce battle, Rachel is rescued.  Everyone is so relieved, but then they soon discover that Rachel is a shell of her former self.  They had been injecting her with heroine and she is now an addict and suffers from PTSD.  And, she has trouble remembering things.  Ethan tries his best to start over with Rachel, still reeling over what had transpired between them before she left on her mission trip.  She has no memory of the divorce papers, so he isn’t quite honest with her about their life together.  He is trying to help her, so he feels justified.

Once Rachel is settled for a while, he takes them to the Kelly home.  Marlene Kelly, the Kelly boys’ mom, and a force to be reckoned with, is determined that they’ll love Rachel back to her old self and so are the other Kelly brothers.  But, they aren’t aware of what transpired between the two before her trip either.  Ethan has been to ashamed to tell them. And, there’s the matter of the drug cartel wanting Rachel dead.  Once an attempt is made on Rachel’s life, KGI goes into full protection mode.  After all, no one messes with a Kelly!

The Darkest Hour is about rebuilding love and a fractured relationship.  Once Rachel’s memories start coming back, she and Ethan truly start to rebuild their relationship.  Despite what Rachel has been through, she is surprisingly strong.  And, despite Ethan’s major screw ups in the past, he proves himself worthy.

No Place to Run – Book 2

Sam Kelly is the oldest brother in the Kelly clan.  He is sent on a mission in Mexico and has a brief, hot affair with a waitress he meets there, Sophie Lundgren.  However, he doesn’t know that she is the daughter of the arms dealer he is there to gather information on.  While in a hotel room, Sam receives a mysterious message and he has to leave abruptly.  There is something else he doesn’t know.  Sophie sent the message in order to get him out of the way so that she can keep him safe and do what she has to do.  Sophie’s dad is a horrible human being and has done unimaginable things, robbing Sophie of her childhood.  She confronts her father and shoots him.  She makes her escape, only to be chased by her uncle, who is trying to take over her father’s empire.  But, in order to do that, he needs something that she stole on her way out.

Five months later, the Kelly boys are at the lake, grilling and hanging out when a body floats up.  They dive in and Sam discovers that it is Sophie, who has been shot and is pregnant.  It’s now up to them to protect her and figure out what’s going on.  Sam learns that he is the father, but his brothers don’t trust her.

It doesn’t take long for her uncle’s men to find out where she is and they lay siege on the Kelly family.  Frank Kelly, the patriarch of the family, has a heart attack and while at the hospital, Marlene is taken hostage.  Needless to say, all hell breaks loose.

Sophie knows that she is the key to getting Marlene back, so they all travel to where Marlene is being held and Sophie pulls a fast one.  She trades herself for Marlene.  Sam is reeling, thinking that Sophie betrayed him, but when Sophie slips him the item that her uncle so desperately needs, he realizes that she didn’t dupe him and the she does love him.  And, they find out that her dad is not dead.  Once she trades herself, the Kelly boys spring into action.

In the end, the Kellys save Sophie and take care of her dad and uncle.  She is now a part of the Kelly family, which is just fine by her.

Hidden Away – Book 3

Garrett Kelly accepts an assignment to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who has witnessed a murder committed by her half brother, which was done in retaliation of what had been done to Sarah, and an enemy of the KGI team, namely Garrett.  The CIA wants to use her to find her half-brother.  And she is trying to protect the only family she has left.  Sarah has no idea what a truly bad man her brother is, but, she will find out.  She finds herself on the run to hide from the brother of the man her brother killed.

Sarah goes to a tropical paradise to hide out.  She notices the hot guy next door, but doesn’t think too much about it, at first.  They eventually meet up and start spending time together. And, Garrett finds himself starting to have feelings for her.  He’s falling hopelessly in love with her.  He slowly wins her trust.  But, when Sarah thinks those looking for her have found her, she runs.  Leaving Garrett to chase her down to ensure her safety.  Sarah finally finds out that Garrett has lied to her about why he is there and that he was sent there to watch her and keep her safe.  She has a hard time believing that a bad man her brother is.

Sarah eventually realizes that she loves Garrett and will do anything to protect him, once she gets over her initial feelings of betrayal, and is welcomed into the Kelly fold.

Whispers in the Dark – Book 4

Nathan Kelly, twin to Joe, and the youngest in the Kelly clan, is on his last tour of duty when he and others are taken prisoner.  He is tortured beyond belief and forced to watch unimaginable things done to fellow soldiers.  He and Swanson (Swanny) are the only two left.  The only thing that has kept Nathan sane was “voice” in his head.  Shea.  But is she real, or has he really lost his mind.  She comforts him in his mind during the endless time he has spend imprisoned.  She also has the ability to take away the person’s pain that she is linked with.

Nathan and Swanny are taken out once again for another round of torture.  Just when Nathan is losing all hope, they manage to make an attempt at escape.  They are running when their captors start falling to the ground.  They look up and see American soldiers swarming in.  Lead by whom else??  KGI!!!  Nathan and Swanny are both injured, but KGI manages to get them out.  Nathan is mumbling about Shea, much to his brothers’ surprise.  When asked who is Shea, he simply replies “Mine”.  She severs the link and Nathan and his buddy are taken back home.

Nathan is conflicted about whether Shea was real or not, until one day, she telepathically calls out to him.  She is in trouble and needs his help.  He knew she was real!!  He takes off without letting his brothers know and dashes to save Shea.  Of course, his brothers follow.  Come to find out, Shea, and her sister Grace, have been living on the run for quite some time.  They have found out that their entire life had been a lie.  They were part of a group that was trying to use her and her sister’s abilities for nefarious purposes. Shea, with the ability to take away pain and Grace, who could actually take away diseases and injuries and make people well.  But, not without great personal pain.  In order to save Shea and Grace from whomever was chasing them, they had to figure out what exactly had happened to them.

Nathan and Shea are in the process of healing, thanks in large part to the Kelly clan, but Shea’s healing will only be complete when her sister Grace is found and rescued.  The next book, Echoes at Dawn (07/03/12), is Grace’s story.  The hero is Rio, a leader of one of the KGI teams, and I for one, can’t wait!!!

I love this series for so many reasons.  I loved the fact that she added a paranormal twist to this series. The large, loyal, and extended family, make it so believable for me.  It makes me wish I was a Kelly.  J  Love the fact that it’s set in the south. And, the fact that it takes place around Kentucky Lake.  Myself, living just outside of Memphis, makes this real for me.  My family and I have camped at Kentucky Lake many many times.  So, in my mind’s eye, I can see their place on the lake and feel the air.  And, when they talk about the Kellys’ drawl, I hear it perfectly in my mind. I also love the action, the suspense and the romance.  The Kelly boys are hot and I love how Maya shows their vulnerability, despite being tough as nails.  This is truly a series that I am always eager for the next installment to be released.  The possibilities with this series are endless.  There are team members to be written about.  There are two brothers that still have their story to be told and I look forward to each and every one of them!!!  Oh yeah!!  Have I mentioned that Maya is one of my all-time favorites??  😀

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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Cover Reveals-Kenyon/Rossi/Galenorn/Tyler

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Cover Reveals-Kenyon/Rossi/Galenorn/Tyler

 

TITLE:  Born of Fury

SERIES:  The League

AUTHOR:  Sherrilyn Kenyon

RELEASE DATE:  TBA

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Haunted Moon

SERIES:  Otherworld

AUTHOR:  Yasmine Galenorn

RELEASE DATE:  January 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Through The Ever Night

SERIES:  Under The Never Sky

AUTHOR: Veronica Rossi

RELEASE DATE: January 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Black Moon

SERIES:  Alpha Pack

AUTHOR:  J.D.Tyler

RELEASE DATE:  December 2012

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Maya Banks-Pregnancy and Passion series reviews

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Pregnancy and Passion Series by Maya Banks

 

Maya Banks’ Pregnancy and Passion series revolves around four wealthy friends:  Rafael de Luca, Devon Carter, Ryan Beardsley and Cameron Hollingsworth.  They are business tycoons who have made their money developing world class hotels and resorts.  Each is a hard as nails business man, until they meet their match in the fierce heroines of each story.

 

Enticed by His Forgotten Lover – Book 1
Rafael de Luca is a no nonsense kind of guy.  Upon a trip back from acquiring some undeveloped land for a planned resort, his plane crashes.  He survives the crash, but has selective amnesia.  He doesn’t remember events that happened before the crash and has issues remembering people’s names, etc. whom he has known from his past.  His earlier memories are intact, and some things come back in flashes.

 

The story starts with him and his friends/business associates at a social gathering where they are wooing backers for their newest development on a small island off the coast of Galveston, TX.  He notices a woman across the room whom he feels that he “may” know.  When he approaches her and asks “Have we met?”, he is answered with a right hook!  She is furious and leaves to return to her hotel room.  He follows, and this is where things start to unfold for him.  He notices that she, Bryony Morgan, is pregnant.  After he talks her into letting him into her room, they talk and that is when she realizes that he has amnesia and doesn’t remember her.  Yes, the baby is his, but he, of course, isn’t entirely convinced.  But, something in his gut tells him that she is telling the truth.  He finds out that she is the one who sold him the land for his development on the island and that he had promised not to build a resort that would change the laid back ways of the island and its inhabitants.  One problem.  They are set to break ground in the next week. 

 

As the story unfolds, he and Bryony start to reconnect.  He goes back to the island with her to try and regain his memories.  Eventually, his memories come flooding back and he is disgusted with himself.  And so is Bryony and the colorful characters of the small island.  All except Bryony’s Mamaw.  She tells Raphael that he is a good man and things will work out the way they’re supposed to.  He admits his feelings for Bryony and once she gets over the betrayal, admits that she has never stopped loving him.

 

Wanted by Her Lost Love – Book 2

 

Ryan Beardsley had been engaged to Kelly Christian, until things went terribly wrong.  Ryan thinks that Kelly cheated on him with his brother.  When she tries to tell him what happened, he writes her a check and throws her out, refusing to listen to one word she has to say.

 

Once Raphael and Bryony’s wedding is over, Ryan heads to Houston.  For some reason, he can’t get Kelly out of his mind.  And, why hasn’t she cashed the large check he had written her?  It’s been six months since he threw her out, but he feels compelled to search her out.  His private investigator has located Kelly in Houston.  When he shows up in a shabby diner where Kelly is working, his entire world is rocked when she turns and he sees she is pregnant.  VERY pregnant.  The problem?  Is it his baby or his brother’s?

 

He convinces Kelly to return to New York with him so that he can take care of her and the baby and they can try and work on their relationship.  It’s hard for both of them.  He thinks she betrayed him and she is angry over being thrown out.  Once Kelly convinces him of what really happened, he is devastated.  He threw out the woman he still loves due to something that his mother and brother concocted. His mother never thought Kelly to be worthy of her son.  He, of course, confronts his family and tells them that he still loves Kelly and they are going to be together. 

 

Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss – Book 3

 

Devon Carter is a driven man.  When one of their business deals hinges on his marrying their lucrative business partner’s daughter, Ashley Copeland, to ensure a merger between the two companies, he jumps in with both feet.  Even though his friends are weary for him, as well  as for Ashley, Devon is convinced that this is the right thing for him to do.

 

Ashley could not have asked for her life to be more perfect.  She had been dating, and was now engaged, to Devon Carter.  Handsome, wealthy and seemingly head over heels in love with her.  They have a fairy tale wedding and leave for their honeymoon.  While Ashley is in the master suite, preparing for her wedding night, she accidentally discovers the reason for their marriage.  To say that she is devastated is an understatement.  Devon enters and sees what is on the screen of his laptop.  He tries to talk to her, to try and explain that he does have feelings for her, but she wants to hear none of it.  After she has sat on the balcony for the entire night and thought about what has happened, she decides that she will do her duty and become the wife that he needs her to be.  They head back home after only a couple of days due to Ashley’s migraine, which she is plagued by when she is stressed.  Once they get home, she tries to gather her pride and trudge forward.  Unfortunately for Devon, that means that she is being something she isn’t.  He misses the socially awkward, impulsive Ashley that he has fallen in love with.  Love??  Yes, he decides, that he does love her.  But, trying to convince her of that is an uphill battle.

 

Ashley finally throws in the towel and goes to confront her parents.  Her mother is appalled by what has happened.  She had no idea of the “arrangement” Ashley’s father had made.  Needless to say, Ashley’s dad has some making up to do.

 

In the end, Devon convinces Ashley that he does love her and she reveals that she is pregnant. 

 

Undone by Her Tender Touch – Book 4

 

Cameron Hollingsworth has experienced horrible tragedy in his life.  He lost his wife and child in a horrible accident and has closed himself off from any real emotion.  The story starts with a house warming party at Devon and Ashley’s new home, which is catered by Pippa Langley, one of Ashley’s best friends.  Cam and Pippa had met at Ash & Devon’s engagement party.  When only one of Pippa’s waiters show up, Cam swoops in and offers to help.  Pippa is a feisty, independent woman, and is suspicious of him offering to help her out, but what can a girl do?  She needs the help.  It is obvious that they are attracted to each other, but they try to stay away from each other.  This doesn’t go unnoticed by his friends, namely Devon.  Once the party is over, Cam tells Pippa that he wants to be with her and takes her to his home.  He tells her that he will not call her once the deed is done.  He doesn’t do relationships, only one night stands.  Pippa is all in.  They spend a wonderful night together and Pippa leaves the next morning.  She is trying to open a catering business and has things to take care of.

 

The next day, she is surprised to receive a call from Cam telling her that one of their “precautions” may have failed.  She is convinced that it isn’t a big deal.  But, you guessed it, she discovers a little while later that she is pregnant.  She calls Cam to tell him and tells him that she needs space.  To Cam’s credit, he tells her that he will take care of her and the baby.  He wants to go to the doctor visits with her and be a part of her pregnancy.  He helps her start her business and she is thrilled.  They spend more and more time together, seemingly growing closer.  But, he is so overprotective and domineering that Pippa tells him to back off.  He convinces her to let him go to a doctor’s appointment where she is to have an ultrasound.  When they see the baby, Pippa is over the moon, but Cam leaves the office without a word.  Pippa is devastated at his reaction to the baby.  She refuses to see him for a while after that.  She finally summons the courage to confront him about his reaction and goes to see him.  He devastates her with his words and she returns to her apartment crushed.  She falls asleep on the couch and wakes to a raging fire.  Firemen break down the door and rescue her.  She is taken to the hospital via ambulance for smoke inhalation and exhaustion.  Just as the ambulance leaves, Cam pulls around the corner and sees the building engulfed in flames.  He makes his way to the hospital, only to be denied access to Pippa per Ashley’s mom’s (Mrs. Copeland) insistence. 

 

Finally, Cam gets to talk to Pippa and spills everything.  He didn’t want to love anyone else for fear of losing them as well.  He felt like he was replacing one child with another and felt horribly guilty, but, he knows he is wrong.  He declares his love for her and she for him.

 

I love this series.  They are all quick and easy reads.  I have to be honest though.  I kept putting off this series because of the series name.  For some reason, I thought they would be different than what they are.  But, I love Maya’s work and am so glad I did.  Yes, some of the stories are predictable, but, in Enticed by His Forgotten Lover, there was a twist that I didn’t see coming.  And, as I’ve said before, that doesn’t happen to me often.  I love how all of the men support each other and show up in all of the stories.  And at the end, they are all loving, doting fathers.  This is a fun, hot and sexy series that is worth the read!!   And I have to tell you, Maya Banks is one of my all-time favorite authors.  Love the way she writes.  Her stories, for me, are simple and go straight to the heart.

 

Reviewed by Vickie M.
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THE WINEMAKER’S DINNER: Appetizers– Cover Reveal

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The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers-Cover Reveal

Authors: Dr. Ivan Rusilko and Everly Drummond
Genre: Fictionalized Erotic Romance
Release date: July 31, 2012

Summary: Recently named executive chef at one of Miami Beach’s hottest restaurants, Jaden Thorne is determined to make her culinary mark and fulfill her professional dreams. When Jaden is given highly coveted tickets to the ultra-exclusive Winemaker’s Dinner, she jumps at the opportunity to meet South Florida’s wealthiest and most influential food and wine enthusiasts.

Jaden’s eyes are drawn to the VIP section even before the appetizers appear, but she soon finds herself thinking less about networking and more about the intriguingly sexy stranger eying her from across the room. After dinner, what begins as a light-hearted flirtation unexpectedly catapults into a night of explosive passion. But when morning dawns, Jaden leaves her sleeping Mr. Oh So Sexy behind, sure they’ll never see each other again.

Dr. Ivan Rusilko, a handsome, young physician, boasts an extensive resume’ and a well-established position on Miami Beach’s social scene. But despite his success and glamour, he’s routinely had to suffer uninspiring dates and doomed relationships. With a romantic heart, Ivan’s not the love-‘em-and-leave-‘em type. But when he awakens to find that the girl in the red dress has done exactly that, he resolves to find her–only if it’s just to ask why she left without even a kiss goodbye.

The Winemaker’s Dinner is a fictionalized erotic memoir inspired by the romantic triumphs and tragedies of Dr. Ivan Rusilko’s real life. Weaving fact with fantasy, authors Everly Drummond and Dr. Ivan Rusilko have gifted readers with a swoon-worthy flesh and blood romantic hero and the intoxicating bouquet only a heartfelt tale of passionate love can create.

Twitter: @EverlyDrummond and @IvanRusilko and @winemakersbooks
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BLURRY by Sherri Fulmer Moorer-a review

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BLURRY by Sherri Fulmer Moorer – a review

BLURRY by Sherri Fulmer Moorer

BLURRY is a novel written by Sherri Fulmer Moorer that can be classified as a murder-mystery. Most of the characters are under 18 years of age, therefore I would classify it as Young Adult, but perhaps Mature Young Adult as the storyline contains several murders. There is mystery, murder, intrigue, secrets, lies and deceit. The story centers around Woodland, South Carolina and the illegal business of street racing.

Kirsten is a young woman, in her last year of high school, but her past relationship with bad boy Danny Elkman has strained the already frazzled edges of her friendship with the girls at school. But her sudden death in a mysterious car accident will start the rumor mill running with reports of tampering, jealousy and lies.

Rachel is the main protagonist. And while away at a weekend Band Clinic for musicians, she meets Layne Vance, who sweeps her off her feet and promises the moon and stars. But a mysterious call to Rachel’s cell phone goes unanswered, and when the police question Rachel, she is unaware as to the nature of the call. Her phone had been missing for several days and she had no idea what had happened.

Once a life-long friend of Kirsten’s, their relationship has been strained since Kirsten started dating Rachel’s ex-Danny. And to complicate the scenario, Kirsten had been accused of seeing someone else-Jake Sonders- on the side that only added to the anger between friends. But as the young teens begin to investigate the truth behind their friend’s secret life, it becomes apparent that there is more than meets the eye.

Josh Miles has been one of the group since childhood. His secret crush on Rachel has been apparent to everyone but Rachel- herself. And when Josh begins to act mysteriously, the others begin to suspect depression or drugs. Warning Rachel off Layne puts another strain on their friendship, but when Josh discovers a connection between Danny and Rachel’s new friend, there is another death in small town South Carolina, that will once again be connected to the illegal pursuit of street racing.

Along the way, we are introduced to many of Kirsten and Rachel’s high school friends. Marielle who vehemently defends Danny: Sasha is a former cheer leader who has been relegated to color guard due to an accident: Zeke, the freshman who has the inside scoop on the police movements in town: Zeke’s brother Micah, who knows more about the investigations and the connections to illegal racing: Natalie who is Rachel’s best friend and soon to be model: and Brooks-Jake Sonders cousin. At some point throughout the storyline every character will be connected by blood, friendship, street racing or revenge.

The night of the senior prom will bring everyone together once again. But friendships have been strained and trust is no longer a fact of life. Deceit and the power of manipulation will reveal that even a life-long friendship or new love relationship is only as true, as the person involved. If a relationship has been based on lies from the start, continuing the lie will only complicate matters throughout the course of events. But everything will catch up when senior prom starts to resemble a scene from Carrie and everyone is locked into their rooms. Someone else will die, but the truth will finally be revealed, that a death during an illegal street race had a far more range of connections and complications than any had thought possible.

BLURRY is a mystery with many potential outcomes. The writing is simple, without graphic violence or language, and although there are murders, there is no graphic detail to fuel the imagination. Like most YA storylines, the adults are conspicuously absent, but the teen’s investigative work rivals that of many cases of corporate espionage and national secrets, and in this particular scenario, I found it difficult to believe their actions. But, BLURRY is a work of fiction and was not an actual accounting. Perhaps some of the storyline is drawn from real life-like the ramifications of illegal street racing, but teens with the ability to ferret out secrets and re-wire the inner workings of an entire city’s closed circuit system, was beyond my imagination. And saying that, BLURRY does keeps the reader in suspense until the end, and that is what a mystery novel should do-believe it or not!! I have no problem recommending this novel.

Copy supplied by author

Reviewed by Sandy

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Katie W. Stewart-Interview with the Author

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Katie W. Stewart-Interview with the author and illustrator

Today we welcome Katie W. Stewart-the author of the middle grade fantasy novel The Dragon Box.

 

TRC: Hi Katie and thank you for answering some of our questions at The Reading Café. It is always great to meet the author behind the books.  We would like to start with some bio information.


NAME:  Katie W Stewart
MARITAL STATUS:  Married
CHILDREN:  3
RESIDENCE:  Western Australia
FORMAL EDUCATION: B.A.(Hons); Grad.Dip.Ed

 

TRC:  Would you please tell us about yourself?

 

Katie:  I’m an English-born Australian, wife of a farmer, mother of three lovely children and I work in the library at a small private school. I love art, music and history as well as writing and reading, of course. I’ve worked as an archaeologist, ethnohistorian and teacher, but I enjoy what I’m doing now most of all. To relax, I’m teaching myself to play the celtic harp.

 

TRC:  As a child, were you always interested in writing/illustrating?

 

Katie:  I came from a large family and we were always encouraged to entertain ourselves. I took up art because it was one thing my clever older sisters didn’t spend a lot of time doing (though they were good at it, too.) It gave me a label for people to use when they didn’t know my name – ‘the artistic one’. I liked it better than ‘the fat one’. It was a great pastime to have. Writing was something I did at school to start with, but as I got older I found I really enjoyed it. I wrote my first horrendous novel when I was 16. What I really wanted to do, though, was to write and illustrate books. I’d still love to publish my own picture book.

 

TRC:  Will you please tell us about some of the covers that you have illustrated?  Which one is your personal favorite?

 

Katie:  I’ve done illustrations, including covers for a number of children’s books, including the ‘Scoot, Scoot, Bandicoot’ series by Karen Treanor. The covers were all done as Karen wanted them. I loved doing those as I really love drawing animals. More recently I’ve been doing covers for ebooks. I don’t think I have a favourite. I just love doing then and I always really like the one I’ve just finished (and as far as I’m concerned, if I don’t love it – it’s not finished).

 

TRC:  As an illustrator, what type of formal education/training did you enlist?  Did your talent come naturally as an illustrator?

 

Katie:  I don’t have any formal training beyond Year 12 Art, so yes, I suppose it’s something that comes naturally. I learned to illustrate by copying other people’s work, experimenting to find out how they created effects. I wouldn’t have been a good art student. I hate people telling me what to do. I’d much rather work things out for myself.

 

TRC:  Were you the illustrator for each of your novel covers? 

 

Katie:  Yes, I designed all my own covers for my novels and short story. I tend to use my own drawings and photographs and Photoshop them until I get to something I like. I think it’s sad to see the same royalty free photos used again and again by different authors. I’m a great fan of Photoshop (though I’m by no means an expert). It fascinates me what effects you can get. Take the tree design on the cover of  ‘Treespeaker’, for example. I was really happy the way it came out from what was originally a very simple black and white pen design.

 

TRC:  Your first published novel (as an author) was Treespeaker.  Would you please tell us something about the premise of Treespeaker?

 

Katie:  Treespeaker tells the story of Jakan, a seer and healer in a small forest village. The forest protects itself from the outside world, but one day a stranger breaks in. The villagers believe that the forest has let him in and are soon under his mind-bending power, but Jakan knows otherwise. He is forced to go on a journey outside the forest, where the environment has suffered from overuse of resources. So it’s a book about environmentalism, but also about faith and what it can do.

 

TRC:  Did you have to do any research to uncover aboriginal lore and stories to aid in writing Treespeaker?

 

Katie:  Treespeaker is actually set in temperate forest, in a sort of Late Mesolithic society, but entirely in a different world than ours. Having studied archaeology and written a major essay on Late Mesolithic Britain (and I have to admit to enjoying European archaeology a lot more than Australian), I had a fair bit of prior knowledge. But there were still some things I had to research, like how to use a sling and herbal remedies.

 

TRC:   The Dragon Box was your second release–a middle-grade storyline that would fascinate children of all ages.  Would you tell us about the premise?

 

Katie:  James is new to town and a victim of bullies on the football field. He’s befriended by his next door neighbour, a rather eccentric inventor, who gives him an electronic game he has built. When James turns it on, he’s taken physically into the game and finds himself in a fantasy world where a witch is threatening to take over the kingdom. He’s sent on a quest to get a crystal that will help the Queen’s champion, a wingless dragon, to rid the kingdom of the witch. In the process, he becomes a lot more self-confident and self-reliant and learns to deal with the bullies, who appear in the game as two rather pesky goblins.

 

TRC:  Have you considered writing a series of adventures with Mack and James, around The Dragon Box?

 

Katie:  Along with umpteen other books, yes, I have! I’m interested in doing something with the story Mack mentions in the book about the music box he gave to James’s mother when she was young. There’s a very sad story behind it that I think would help children who are grieving. I did originally tell the story briefly in The Dragon Box, but it was cut when I went to tighten the writing.

 

TRC:  Mark of the Dragon Queen involves Kira and the use of magic (as does The Dragon Box).  Would you please tell us about Mark of the Dragon Queen?

 

Katie: All my books contain magic in one form or another. Kira’s father has been banned from using magic, after he was found guilty of using it to kill a man. When he uses it to save a child’s life, he is sentenced to spend the rest of his days in a cruel prison. Kira overhears one of his students talking about going to the prison and presumes he is going to save her father, so she follows him. But she has a lot to learn about the student, her father and herself.

 

TRC:  Do you have plans for a series involving Kira and the dragons?

 

 
Katie:  I’m very fond of the character of Kira’s father, so I feel obliged to write a sequel, having left the poor man in a bit of a sad way at the end of Mark of the Dragon Queen. So yes, I do I plan to write a sequel. I have most of it planned in my head.
TRC: Are all of your novels only available in ebook format?

 

 
Katie:  At the moment, yes. I’ve been trying to do this with as little cost to myself as possible. With ebooks I can do that pretty well. I Would like to go into print, though. I’m not sure how somewhere like Createspace works for someone in Australia, so if I go down that road, it will probably be with a local printer.

 

TRC:  Have you ever written or considered writing any adult storylines?  If not, why?

 

 
Katie:  Treespeaker is actually written for adults, but it reads like a Young Adult novel because that’s how I write. I’m not really interested in including ‘adult’ themes. I like to keep things simple!

 

TRC:  Many authors bounce ideas and information between friends and family.  Who do you plot and strategize ideas (with)?

 

 
Katie:  I belong to a site called Critique Circle where I can get chapters critiqued by other writers and brainstorm ideas. I’ve been there for about six years and I’ve learned a lot about the art of getting a novel together from there. I also belong to a local writers’ group who help and encourage me a lot.

 

TRC:  What are you working on today?

 

 
Katie:  At the moment I’m working on the sequel to Treespeaker, which is called ‘Song of the Jikhoshi’. It’s coming along rather slowly because I keep getting sidetracked, but I’m hoping to have it finished in the not too distant future.

 

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?
 

 

Katie:  Thank you for inviting me to talk to you. If anyone would like any more information, they can have a look at any of the following links –

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

 

FAVORITE FOOD Bulgogi (Korean barbecued beef)

 

FAVORITE DESSERT Pavlova

 

FAVORITE MOVIE To Kill A Mockingbird – an oldie but a goodie.

 

FAVORITE TV SHOW I don’t watch TV often, but two series I like are ‘Doc Martin’ and ‘Kingdom’

 

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW  ‘Tintin’ with my children

 

DARK OR MILK CHOCOLATE Milk

 

RED OR PINK ROSES  Red

 

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS My family has four dogs (1 pet, 3 working), 2 cats, a budgie and a duck.

 

TRC:  Thank you Katie for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you the best of luck with all of your work.  Let us know about any upcoming releases.
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