Monthly Archives: July 2013

Letters to Nowhere by Julie Cross – a Review

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Letters to Nowhere by Julie Cross – a Review

Letters to Nowhere

Links to order Letters to Nowhere: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo


Description:
A Mature YA almost NA set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics. Grief, love and pursuing dreams are at the forefront of this emotionally powerful love story.

Seventeen year old Karen Campbell has just lost both her parents in a tragic car accident. Grief stricken and alone, her gymnastics coach opens his home to Karen, providing her a place to live while she continues to train, working toward a spot on the world championship team.

Coach Bentley’s only child, seventeen year old Jordan is good-looking and charming enough to scare away a girl like Karen—someone who has spent ten times more hours on balance beams and uneven bars than talking or even thinking about boys. But the two teens share a special connection almost immediately. It turns out Jordan has a tragic past of his own, grief buried for years.

As Karen’s gymnastics career soars, her nightmares and visions of the horrible accident grow in strength. She can only avoid facing her grief for so long before it begins to surface and ultimately spin out of control in a very dangerous way. Can discovering love and lust (simultaneously) help with the grieving process or will it only provide a temporary distraction while waiting for reality to hit full force.

 

Review:

This is an early reivew on Letters to Nowhere by Julie Cross, which is a contemporary novel. Julie is in the midst of her successful Tempest trilogy, for which we await the final book.  However, Letters to Nowhere was something she had in the back of her mind for awhile, and finally decided to write what was in her heart, using her Gymnastics background, and is self publishing this book;  because it was totally different then what Julie Cross normally writes.  I loved Letters to Nowhere.  I am a fan of her Tempest series, but LTN was something totally different, and yet a fabulous close to home read. 

Letters to Nowhere is about tragedy, grief, hope, relationships, competition, and growth.

The heroine in this story is 17 year old Karen, an elite gymnastic athlete and we totally identify with her from the start. When the story starts, Karen has lost her parents in a car crash, and her life is in turmoil, filled with grief and anxiety.  Where will she go?  Will she be able to continue with her gymnastic dreams?  Can she rise above her anxiety attacks and live a normal life?  So many questions early on, but Karen’s Gymnastics coach, Bentley offers to allow Karen to remain with the team, and stay at his house with his son, Jordan. 

An agreement is made, and Karen tries to cope without her parents, with the hidden grief  & fears she tries to hide, as well as moving into a different environment.  But Karen most of all, wants to continue to reach her goal to make the Olympics in the future.  Throughout this book, we feel Karen’s pain, especially as her outlet, she writes short letters to her parents, her coach, and Jordan, who will become an important part of her life.  These letters are Karen’s ways of expressing her fears, but these go nowhere, as she keeps them for herself.  They are truly The Letters to Nowhere.  But each letter, though short, allows us to share her emotional grief, and we follow her every step of the way. 

There are so many wonderful parts of this story.  Karen and Jordan take a slow journey to friendship and then eventually something that could possibly be more.  But Jordan is the right person to help Karen get through her grief and anxiety. He helps her with basic things to get past it, as Jordan has gone through his own grief (as has Coach Bentley), having lost his mother and sister to a different terrible tragedy a few years earlier.   But this friendship between the two of them is beautiful and it is Jordan, who comes across as her savior.  What family wouldn’t want a Jordan in their daughter’s life. 

I am in awe of Julie Cross doing something so heartwarming, so emotional, and yet give us the enjoyment of seeing what it’s like in the world of gymnastics.  It was fun to be with Karen, Coach Bentley and the wonderful secondary characters that Julie has created.  Stacey, the assistant coach; Stevie, Ellen, …… her gymnastic friends, as well as other characters who play a large part in this book.  I just loved the practices, competitions, and how each of the athletes handle the daily stress of being an elite gymnastic athlete.  Julie uses her own gymnastics coaching background perfectly to let us see it all.  So well done.

But the heart of the story is Karen, whom we love from the start; and Jordan, who totally grows on us, as their friendship grows.  They are both wonderful, being so realistic, as both have to rise above their own flaws & tragedies.  The focus is though on Karen, if she can overcome her anxiety, come to terms with her grief, and not allow this to ruin her chances to make the US teams that lead to the Olympics.  Watching Karen’s growth in this book was amazing, as we felt her every emotion.  I can’t say enough about Julie Cross’s writing, as Letters to Nowhere is a wonderful and heart wrenching story. The ending does have resolutions, but I do feel there is so much more to go for Karen and Jordan;  the Olympic goal for Karen and her friends, and for those wonderful other secondary characters.  Please please…Julie, do another book.  Letters to Nowhere is a touching, emotional, & gripping story; and yet a fun read with the gymnastic background, the competitions and great the characters.  I never use ratings on my reviews here, but this one is a 5 star all way, it is a must read.  Well done Julie Cross.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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A Time of Dying (Araneae Nation #3) by Hailey Edwards-a review

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A Time of Dying (Araneae Nation #3) by Hailey Edwards- a review

A Time of Dying

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Araneae Nation – Book 3
Release Date: July 30, 2013

Once the future Segestriidae maven, Kaidi lived a privileged life. Now she spends her nights haunting cities ravaged by the plague. Spade in hand, she stalks rows of freshly dug graves for corpses…and then she takes their heads.

Her new life is caked in blood and spattered with gore, but it’s hers. At least until-to her fury-she’s caught napping.

A plague survivor by the skin of his teeth, Murdoch risks his neck to solve the mysteries left in its wake. Bodies have gone missing. Guards have left their posts and never returned home.

When he rouses a female dozing among the dead, he’s unprepared for the violence of her response. Or his. Beneath the grime, she’s lovely. Too bad the blood under her fingernails belongs to his clansmen.

He has no choice but to follow this alluring creature deeper into her world of winged beasts and flesh-eating monsters. She holds the knowledge he craves, but the price is high-and they may both pay for it with their lives.

Warning: This book contains one heroine in desperate need of a bath and one hero willing to wash away her sins. Expect threats, swears and general cursing. Love is a slippery slope, and these two are sliding.

Review:

A Time of Dying begins shortly after A Feast of Souls ends. The plague is still ravaging the countryside and everyone is wary of newcomers. And, the newcomer that Murdoch encounters among his clan’s dead is no exception. She is taken into custody by Murdoch and taken back to Cathis to be judged for her crimes: desecrating the Cathis clan’s dead, or so it seems. Once the Cathis Maven, Mana, and her husband, Vaugn, the Cathis Paladin, figure out that Haidi was to be the Maven of a neighboring clan, they send for the Paladin in hopes of striking some kind of alliance with their clan. After all, he’ll be glad to get his future wife back, right?? The problem is that Haidi does not want to return. There are things happening that are horrendous, and once Murdoch starts to trust in Haidi, which she does not make easy for him, he is determined to keep her safe and away from what has frightened her so much. To add to the complications, Murdoch wants her for himself. Murdoch and Haidi are drawn to each other, but how can they be together, when, after all, she is betrothed to the Paladin of another clan? Oh, you’ll just have to read to find out.

This is, without a doubt, my favorite book of the series so far! The action starts in the first sentence and doesn’t stop. I don’t know how Edwards comes up with the creatures that she writes about, but I hope she continues for a long, long time. I always feel that maybe I should be appalled by some of the characters “nature”, but it’s so well written, that you absolutely fall in love with them. The winged creatures that are preying on the various clans are some of the best I’ve read about in years. Totally original and once that part of the story line starts rolling, you can’t turn the pages fast enough. Oh, and it makes your heart pound!! I became so engrossed in the story that I could NOT put this book down. There is humor, loyalty, a little intrigue, action and a sweet romance. I always feel that my reviews do not do this series justice. I’m sure I’ve said it before, but if you are wanting a diversion from the usual paranormal series that you read, this is the one! Her originality grabs you and doesn’t let go.

Copy supplied by the author.

Vickie M

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Six Saviors Series by Carly Fall-Interview and Promotion

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Six Saviors Series by Carly Fall-Interview and Promotion

Six Saviors Banner

Interview and Guest Post with Carly Fall

Interview

 

Carly Fall 2TRC: Hi Carly and welcome back to The Reading Café.

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Carly: Thank you for having me again, Sandy.

TRC: For anyone who does not know Carly Fall, please tell us something about yourself?

Carly: I am a wife, a mother and a slave to the dog, Nicky. I love to laugh, I think chocolate and wine should be considered their own food group, and I wish Christmas happened twice a year.

TRC: The Six Saviors blog tour is to help promote your paranormal/sci fi series about the heroes and heroines from planet SR44. Would you please tell us about the premise of the series?

Carly: Two hundred years ago, terrible criminals escaped from SR44 and came to Earth. The Six Saviors were sent to eradicate them, but things didn’t go quite as planned. This series is the stories of the Saviors, their hunt for the criminals, and falling in love. Each book focuses on one specific Savior.

TRC: What and who do you have planned for the next Six Savior’s installment?

Carly: HA! I knew you’d ask this 🙂 The next installment of the Six Saviors will feature Nico. He’s interesting because he’s a Dream Walker. Without giving too much away, there will be drama (of course), danger, and hopefully love for Nico.

TRC: I had to ask. You know that 😉


TRC: What or who was your inspiration behind the premise of the series?

Carly: The inspiration for the series was a tour of a decommissioned missile silo in Tucson (the Six Saviors live in a missile silo). I started thinking how cool it would be to live in one, and then my husband and I started joking about aliens living in missile silos (I know – we’re weird), and the premise of the story was born.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters for the Six Saviors series, which models or actors would be represent your ideal images?

Carly: The guys on the covers are pretty close to how I see them in my mind. I spend hours going through pictures to get them as close as possible.

TRC: Do you have a favorite character or one that tugs at your heart more than the others?

Carly: I don’t. I love all the Saviors and their mates for different reasons. Noah is temperamental, Rayner is sweet, Hudson is suave and deadly, Jovan is also sweet, but very rough around the edges, and Cohen is brooding and somewhat dark. In the next book, we will see him lighten up a bit and get back to the guy he was before the tragedy.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception about the series?

Carly: The biggest misconception about the series is people thinking – yuck – aliens! And I get that because of Hollywood’s portrayal of them. However, my aliens are beautiful in their original form, as well as their human forms. It used to be that vampires and werewolves were vilified, and we see where that has gone. I think it’s time for some hot aliens to get some love.

TRC: If you could go back and change something/anything about the series would you? Why or why not?

Carly: I thought about this for a long time before answering, and honestly, I can’t think of anything that I would change about the series. There are some plot lines that people have been very upset about, but to me, that’s good. That means that my readers are emotionally invested in the stories.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Carly: I try to direct them, but they are stubborn and sometimes more creative than me. Let’s call it a collaborative effort

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (historical, research, logistics) did you encounter writing this particular story/series?

Carly: Time. There’s never enough time. That and when the characters aren’t cooperating.

TRC: How do you keep the plot(s) unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Carly: The thing I love about writing the fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal is that boundaries can be pushed. Everyone can love a little harder, the drama can be ratcheted up, and the twist and turns in the stories can go beyond “real life.” I try to push those boundaries to the limit without “jumping the shark,” so to speak. When I do go too far, my editor is there to reel me in and get me back in line.

TRC: How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of deadlines while still having time to raise a family?

Carly: I try to keep it in perspective. I know my readers are waiting for the next book – I get emails every single day asking when the next one is going to come out. However, I also have a son who is eight. He needs his mom, and his mom needs him. He’s my number one priority, and when I get stressed and start thinking about books and deadlines, I’ll go play with him or curl up on the couch with him and watch WWE Wrestling. It’s very soothing and relaxing being with my son. He doesn’t know it, but he keeps me grounded.

TRC: If you were stranded on a deserted island with whom would you like to be partnered and why? Which three items would be your ‘must haves and can’t do without’?

Carly: Well, I would want my son there, and I suppose I would have to take my husband, although he might just drive me crazy complaining about bugs or something. I would also take Joe Manganiello because he’s big and strong and I would enjoy watching him work. Really enjoy watching him. And he’s big. And strong. And pretty.

TRC: What are your thoughts on book reviews-good or bad?

Carly: Book reviews are both good and bad. I realize that every book is not for everybody. I do a little reviewing myself, and sometimes I will pick up a book and wonder where in the heck all the good reviews came from because I HATE it. However, as an author, it can hurt when you see a bad review. I would much rather get a bad review that is well thought out and has valid points (or at least the reviewer thinks they are valid :)) than one where the reviewer just slams the book without backing up their statements. You need a tough skin and a bottle of gin to be an author.

On the other hand, a good review can have an author walking on air for hours, if not days.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Carly: The next installment of the Six Saviors.

TRC: 🙂

LIGHTNING ROUND

Vampire or Werewolf
Vampire

Cat or Dog
Dog

Lily or Rose
Rose

Coke or Pepsi
I don’t drink soda, but every year or two I will have a Rum and Coke

Summer or Winter Olympics
Summer

Iron Man or Thor
I haven’t seen either, but my son said Iron Man was pretty good

Biggest Pet Peeve
Liars and passive/aggressive people

Secret celebrity crush
It’s no secret – I’ve got it bad Joe Manganiello

TRC: Thank you Carly for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best with your writing career.

Carly: Thank you again for having me, Sandy!

Series Spotlight

The Six Saviors Series by Carly Fall

The Light Within Me

THE LIGHT WITHIN ME
Release Date: October 2011

THE LIGHT WITHIN ME (e-Book #1) is FREE for a limited time: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

When Abby and Noah meet, there is an explosive attraction between them that neither can deny…

As a shy, awkward, social misfit, Abby has gone her whole life feeling as though she’s different from everyone else and she simply doesn’t fit in well with society as a whole. She longs to feel a real connection with someone, and she finally does when she meets Noah.

Unbeknownst to Abby, Noah is from another world and his sole purpose is to hunt down the evil of his people that was unleashed on Earth hundreds of years ago. He’s certain he isn’t going to be able to return to his home, and anger and the need for revenge are his constant companions. His focus has been eradicating the evil and making them pay for taking his life on his world away from him.

Noah tries desperately to fight his attraction to Abby so he can keep his focus on his mission. But when Abby gets dragged into the evil and mayhem from Noah’s world, he realizes that maybe with Abby he can find a home here on Earth…if he can save her in time.

••••••••••••••••••••••

FINDING MY FAITH
Release Date: February 2012

Finding My Faith

Click HERE for our review of FINDING MY FAITH

Order Links: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

Growing up in a small Northern Arizona town, Faith Cloudfoot’s life was spent playing in the forests surrounding her house under the protective eyes of her father, and learning about the legends of her Native American heritage. Yearning for more out of her life, she moves to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of twenty-three where she is kidnapped and almost killed.

Rayner has a special ability, one that weighs on him like a curse. He can see spirits trapped in between life and their final resting place. Because he can’t do much to help them, he studiously ignores them. He concentrates, instead, on working with his fellow warriors to right the wrongs caused by the evil criminals from his home planet.

When Rayner sees Faith in her spirit form while investigating a lead in Phoenix, his attraction to her is immediate, yet he follows his own personal code and ignores her cry for attention. When he realizes that she may be a stepping stone to getting him home to his own universe, he engages Faith and begins to use her as a means to an end: going home.

As the attraction grows stronger, Rayner finds himself breaking all sorts of self-set rules, as well as the code of ethics set by him and his fellow warriors. When Faith nears death, Rayner realizes that he must do everything in his power to save her, because if he doesn’t, he may just lose himself

••••••••••••••••••••••

REBORN
Release Date: August 2012

Reborn

Click HERE for our review of REBORN

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Warrior Hudson from the Six Saviors seems to have it all – good looks, fine clothing, expensive jewelry and women just waiting for their turn to sleep with him. But, what he safely keeps hidden from the world is the terrible pain he’s suffered for many years. As he fights his internal demons, he joins his fellow Warriors in waging war on the evil from their planet that has been let loose on Earth.

Beverly Devlone was a highly respected doctor, until tragedy hit her and a drug addiction destroyed her career and reputation. As a lonely woman fresh out of rehab, she’s now uncertain of her place in the world, what her purpose is, and where she belongs.

When an explosive event brings Hudson and Beverly together, the instant attraction between them cannot be ignored. As the two grow closer and share secrets, they help each other heal from the shackles of their pasts.

But true happiness eludes them when they are forced to go their separate ways, until Beverly returns with an admission that will rock the very fabric of Hudson’s world.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

BEVERLY’S REBIRTH
Release Date: January 31, 2013

Beverlys.Rebirth. Click HERE for our review of BEVERLY’S REBIRTH

Order Links: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

This is the book that was never supposed to be written. It was inspired by fans of the Six Saviors Series who wanted a little more of Beverly and Hudson from REBORN. If you haven’t read REBORN, this book is not for you.

There’s no doubt that Beverly has had her share of ups and downs. When we last left her in REBORN, she had told Hudson that she was pregnant with his child, he was happy about it, and they were about to be mated.

In Destiny’s Shift, we see Beverly and Hudson happy with their baby, but what happened in between those two books?

A lot.

This is Beverly’s journey into motherhood.

And it’s not an easy ride.

This book also answers the question that many readers emailed me about: What are they going to do with Beverly being fully human?

••••••••••••••••••••

DESTINY’S SHIFT
Release Date: December 15, 2012

Destiny's Shift

Click HERE for our review of DESTINY’S SHIFT

Order Links: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

One hundred and fifty years ago, Warrior Jovan of the Six Saviors realized he had a gift: the ability to feel emotions through touch. Over the years, the gift has intensified allowing him to hear others thoughts, and this uncontrolled skill has forced him to keep his distance from both humans and those of his race. He fears the impact on his sanity if he doesn’t.

Liberty, an SR44 female has come to Earth by a set of circumstances beyond her control. Born into a life of servitude on SR44, she is alone, afraid, and stumbling her way through learning the customs and language of her new home on Earth. When Jovan meets Liberty, it becomes clear that they are of the same species, and Jovan takes Liberty under his wing, despite his commitment to himself to limit interaction with others.

As Liberty reveals the reasons for her coming to Earth, it becomes apparent that the Six Saviors are in danger, not only from the FBI, but also from those who have journeyed to Earth with Liberty, and they are seeking revenge. Jovan must quickly learn to control his gift, and Liberty is the only one who can help him. As they deal with danger from all sides, Jovan and Liberty must find a way to compromise on the lives they desire, or they will be forced to go their separate ways

•••••••••••••••••••••••

TANGLED FATES
Release Date: April 20, 2013

Tangled Fates

Click HERE for our review of TANGLED FATES

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“SR44 is no more.”

With those words, Cohen of the Six Saviors feels like his whole world is unraveling at the seams. Consumed by sadness, anger, and guilt for breaking his mating vows to his beloved SR44ian mate, Cohen makes a sacrificial oath to honor her in death.

Annis, a female SR44 Warrior, was sent to Earth right before SR44 was destroyed. But her new human body has restrictions—during the day she is blind, but once the sun goes down, her vision returns. As she struggles to find her place among the Six Saviors, she finds herself the target for Cohen’s unwarranted anger. An explosive argument between them ensues, changing their relationship forever.

Blake, a half-human half-Colonist, has finally discovered a place he calls home. As he and Annis grow closer, his feelings for her can’t be ignored, and he must figure out a way to stay true to his heart or risk losing her forever.

As the Six Saviors are forced into the underbelly of humanity to catch a Colonist’s offspring, and danger from The Platoon threatens to rip the Six Saviors apart, Cohen, Annis, and Blake must face the ghosts of their pasts and try to sort out the tangled web of their lives.

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Reunited in Danger by Joya Fields-a review

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REUNITED IN DANGER by Joya Fields-a review

Reunited in Danger

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 8, 2013

Keely Allen’s life goes into a tailspin when her adoptive father is viciously attacked. And the detective who offers to help her? None other than the sexy, love ’em and leave ’em man who once broke her heart. Homicide Detective Logan North carries a haunting secret that has always kept his emotions on lockdown. But when he is forced to work alongside his former lover, the heat is still there between them, burning hotter than ever. Logan is determined to keep the luscious and tempting Keely at a distance…but he made a vow not to leave until all are safe. On their race to solve the tangled web of crime, drug deals, and human trafficking, dangers abound—both to their lives…and to their hearts.

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: REUNITED IN DANGER is a contemporary romance, suspense storyline focusing on children’s social worker Keely Allen and Homicide Detective Logan North. Keely has not seen Logan in over ten years and, the heartbreak and betrayal felt by Logan’s absence has left Keely with too many unanswered questions and a lifetime of sorrow.

The storyline premise surrounds the assault of Keely’s father and theft of a black briefcase and the connection to human trafficking, drug wars and a youth ministry program where everyone becomes a suspect.

The previous relationship between Keely and Logan has already been established. High school sweethearts and new lovers, Keely had plans to spend the rest of her life with Logan. But Logan’s disappearance and subsequent enlistment in the military will find Keely alone, heartbroken and wondering where it all went wrong. Fast forward ten years, and Logan is once again in Keely’s life-ready to run-like in the past.

The storyline is well written, fast paced and the sexual tension between our leading couple is just enough to keep the novel flowing. It is apparent that this couple belong together-their history proves that they are both compatible and right for each other-but Logan’s need to run is more out of a promise and duty rather than from fear. The bigger issue is Keely’s heartbreaking secret that could force Logan to run again. Logan is a man who has suffered at the hands of his father and he refuses to become that man.

The world building is smooth. The character development flows and builds with the story and we are not overwhelmed with too much information at one time. The ‘bad guy’ scenario and outcome was predictable but overall Reunited in Danger is a story that will keep some readers in suspense until the end-because at one time EVERYONE is a suspect. If you like a story with a little bit of romance, a little bit of sex, a little big of suspense and a whole lot of love, Reunited in Danger by Joya Fields is the perfect read.

Copy supplied by the publicist.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Amy Plum-Interview with the Author

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Amy Plum-Interview with the Author

With the May 2013 final installment IF I SHOULD DIE in Amy Plum’s Young Adult Revenant series, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce the author and ask her some questions about the series and life in Paris, France.

Amy PlumTRC: Hi Amy and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the May 17,2013 release of IF I SHOULD DIE, the third full-length storyline in your
young adult Die For Me series.

We would like to start with some background information. Please tell us something about yourself?

Follow Amy: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Amy:  I grew up in Alabama in a super-religious family. When I was eighteen I went as far away as I could imagine (Chicago). And realizing that wasn’t far enough, I went even farther once I graduated (Paris). I taught myself to read when I was 4, and books have been my life ever since. I have two kids who refuse to speak English because they know I understand them when they speak in French. And I have a thirteen year old Ridgeback-mix (dog) name Ella who was very happy to move from New York City (she’s a rescue dog) to the French countryside where she chases cats and lizards all day.

TRC: You are currently living in Paris, France-The City of Light. Aside from the obvious ambiance, culture and fashion, what was the precipitating factor behind your move and eventually your decision to remain in France?

Amy:  I went to France when I was 22 and FELL IN LOVE with Paris. Like crazy mad I-must-live-here in love. So I found an office job through an American company and moved here when I was 23. My five years in Paris furnished me with the most amazing experiences, many of which I used in the DIE FOR ME books. Kate kind of re-lives my twenties, minus the evil zombies.

More recently I was living in the countryside, in the Loire Valley, which is really beautiful but really boring. Every time I visited Paris I got this rush like I had drunk 20 coffees, and walked around its streets trying not to smile too big. (And thus look like a crazy tourist.) So last year I took the plunge and moved back to the city that I love. And now I will never leave.

TRC: How much of an influence have your experiences in Paris France had on the DIE FOR ME series?

Amy:  Every place I talk about is a place that I’ve been. Which helps with the descriptions! ☺ I kissed a boy on the Pont des Arts. (He was British, and wasn’t immortal, so it didn’t work out.) I rode around Paris on a scooter behind a handsome French artist. I have eaten in the restaurants I describe, have hung out in the antiquities gallery that I stole to be Papy’s, and constantly hang out in the museums that are in the book. Without my Paris experiences, DIE FOR ME wouldn’t exist.

If I Should DieTRC: May 17, 2013 saw the release of IF I SHOULD DIE. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Amy:  I like to describe my series this way: DIE FOR ME is a romance. UNTIL I DIE is a mystery. And IF I SHOULD DIE is a thriller. There is murder, passion and magic galore, as well as an epic battle between good and evil. That’s all I can say. ☺

TRC: Do you have any plans to continue the series e.g. perhaps with a short story or novella for each of the ‘secondary’ characters similar to DIE FOR HER?

Amy:  Well, I wrote DIE FOR HER because my readers voted for it. HarperTeen had asked me to do a novella, and I let my fans vote on which character’s POV it should be from. If HarperTeen asks me to do anything else with the revenants, it wouldn’t take much arm-twisting for me to comply.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (e.g. logistical, research, geographical etc) did you encounter writing this particular series?

Amy: I’m a “pantser.” (Flying by the seat of my pants.) I don’t outline. I don’t even know what I’m going to write every day until I sit down in front of my computer and start typing. And that is rather stressful, especially when you’re creating a new type of supernatural being who needs rules for functioning and a complete history since the beginning of time. I just had to wait for the story to come to me, and sometimes it took a while!

TRC: You blend a paranormal storyline with the reality of the modern world. How did you keep the plot unpredictable without sacrificing believability or content?

Amy:  I thought of a term when I started writing the book: “plausible paranormal.” I wanted my story to feel like it could be happening right down the street from you. Like it made sense enough that you wouldn’t be incredulous if you found out it was true. That for me was important because I really wanted my readers to feel like they knew the characters and live the story with them.

TRC: How thoroughly do you plan out your characters and story before you begin the first draft?

Amy:  Zero. ☺ The first thing I thought of for the book was that I would have a female main character. And the first thing I got was the sentence, “Ten days after my sixteenth birthday, my parents died in a car accident.” Everything else sprung from that, and I “met” the characters at the point where they showed up in the storyline.

TRC: Do your characters direct the storyline or do you have a semblance of control?

Amy:  They tell me what they’re doing. I just listen the best I can and write it down as truthfully as possible.

TRC: What was/is the inspiration behind the Revenant storyline and the characters we have grown to love?

Revenant Series

Click on the links for our reviews of:   Die For Me / Until I Die / If I Should Die

Amy:  I wanted to write about a supernatural being, but couldn’t find an existent being that I wanted to write about. I ended up mixing “god,” “zombie,” and “guardian angel,” and that’s how the revenants were born.

TRC: Is there anything you would like to have changed in the series now that you look back on the storylines?

Amy:  Nope. I’m just happy I got through the whole thing without having the parts I love edited out. The end product is exactly what I want it to be.

TRC: Writer’s block is a very real phenomenon for many writers. How do you handle the pressure and anxiety of writer’s block?

Amy:  I don’t get writer’s block. (Knock on wood.) I get lots of days where I don’t feel like working, but that’s because I have a problem focusing. Once I force myself, the stories come.

TRC: What five things would you like to accomplish in the next ten years?

Amy:  I would like to be able to start writing 2 books per year and to write a range of YA, middle grade, and adult books. My goal since about ten years ago was to get a story in The New Yorker magazine. Maybe in the next 10 years I’ll achieve that too! ☺

TRC: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Amy:  There are so many people who have influenced my life. The person who inspired me to become a writer was probably Madeleine L’Engle, who I met briefly in New York when I was 22. The biggest influence on who I’ve become was probably my dad. He was the cruel dictator type—abusive and intolerant—and I have, both unconsciously and consciously become who I am by reacting against everything he stands for.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Amy: I am currently working on AFTER THE END, a 2-book series that HarperTeen is releasing starting May 2014. It’s totally different from DIE FOR ME! Set in the U.S. with a different type of magic. 😉

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: caramel

Favorite Dessert: crème brulee

Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch t.v.

Last Movie you saw: AFTER EARTH.

Dark or Milk Chocolate: dark

Favorite Flower: for smell—lilacs, for beauty—peonies

Last Vacation Destination—Texas, for a writer’s retreat

TRC: Thank you Amy for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the amazing success of your DIE FOR ME series. We wish
you all the best.

Amy: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure.

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If I Should Die (Revenant #3) by Amy Plum-a review

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IF I SHOULD DIE (Revenants #3) by Amy Plum-a review

If I Should Die

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 7, 2013

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

Revenant Series

REVIEW: IF I SHOULD DIE is the third installment in Amy Plum’s Young Adult Revenant-Die For Me series.

A bit of background into the storyline: Revenants are immortal, re-animated humans who feel the need to continuously sacrifice themselves to save humans. As part of their immortality, the Revenants must enter a once-monthly hibernation where their spirit becomes Volant and they have the ability to separate mind from body, and communicate with other Revenants while not in corporeal form. And in these cases-their bodies are protected from harm by family and friends.

If you have not read the first two storylines, this review may be a bit spoilerish as the events of this particular book focus on re-animating a Revenant whose body has been destroyed by their enemy. Believing he is the Champion who would have saved the Revenants from certain destruction, his powers were to be used in the war between good and evil-stolen by a one time Revenant who had plans to usurp control of former kindred and friends. But this particular Revenant is not the Champion and his Volant spirit is continuously pulled towards his final death. When the true Champion is discovered, the aura will be a beacon for others to follow.

As the Paris House of Revenants prepares to go to war with the Numa, they struggle with their feelings and emotions. Once again unrequited love will force two of their household members to make decisions that will affect the lives of the others, while another will sacrifice himself to save a friend. In the end, the Paris Revenants numbers will dwindle as two will face the final death and another must come to a decision regarding who and what it is he wants.

Amy Plum has written a storyline that has brought some finality to this particular ARC of the series but has also opened up several potential avenues for a spin-off series for a couple of former Paris Revenants. Amy has taken the world of Revenant’s and Volant’s and, written a storyline for the young and the young at heart. As a YA storyline, Amy (thankfully) avoided the messy love triangle although there was a definite possibility for a heartbreaking end. The love between Vincent and Kate is strong enough to withstand death and it would have withstood competition from one of their own.

The world of the Paris Revenants is awash in French history and the sights and sounds of Paris at night: and more of the history of the Revenants and the Volant is revealed when the search for a way to save one of their own requires a history lesson that dates back hundreds of years if not more. Amy reunites the characters from her previous storylines in a final struggle against a common foe and along the way, reintroduces the readers to a Revenant who has struggled to find his place among his kind.

The storyline is fast paced. There is rarely any down time to consider what has happened as the plot pushes forward with the impending war between the Revenants and the Numa. The central characters are likeable and the reader is able to relate to and empathize with their sorrow and pain. 

Overall, IF I SHOULD DIE is a fitting conclusion to this particular series. There is nothing overwhelming or philosophical in its presentation but in the grand scheme of love and ever lasting life-what would you sacrifice to save your one and only?

Reading Order
1. Die For Me
2. Until I Die
2.5 Die For Her
3. If I Should Die

Reviewed by Sandy

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Love at High Tide by Christi Barth – a Review & Guest Post

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Love at High Tide by Christi Barth – a Review & Guest Post

 

Guest Post-White and Fuscia

Pick Up Lines To Avoid When Initiating A Summer Fling by Christi Barth

The summer fling is always a sexy and fun storyline. All those flings have to start somewhere, and for better or worse, it is usually with a pick-up line. When I was in grad school, I had a guy offer me his minor league baseball card. His pick-up line was to tap the photo and say, “That’s me!” and leer at me. (I’ll give you all time to gasp at that horrificness.) And even though I was crazy desperate to snare a summer fling that year, I’m proud to say that his line did not work on me.

I’ve got another horrendous example for you, courtesy of my best friend (who has happily moved on and is now happily married to a man who had much smoother lines). She was enjoying a concert at a lakeside bandstand when a strange man took her hand and declared, “This is the night dreams are made of!” (the bad grammar is all his).

So how do you initiate a summer fling? Parading across the beach in swimwear and a tan gets you noticed, but it doesn’t necessarily get you a date. Here’s an example of a good, flirty start from my beach book, Love At High Tide:

An unreadable emotion flickered across his eyes so fast she almost missed it. In a low mutter, he said, “Don’t call me a hero.” He hit the hard-packed sand at the edge of the water and stopped walking.

Modest, heroic and gorgeous. And it didn’t take even a fraction of her eight years of training in cultural anthropology to figure out he was attracted to her. They’d long since hit land, and yet he made no move to put her down. Not that she was complaining. She’d happily continue to sit cradled in his arms. It gave her an up-close view of his chiseled cheekbones, sharp enough to etch glass. Her fingers brushed through the salt-spiked tips of his blond hair. No doubt about it: she’d found the man candy Trina had promised. One bite of him would be as sinful and addictive as a chocolate honey truffle.

“Well, I can’t call you Mr. In-The-Right-Place-At-The-Right-Time.” When his lips curled up showing off his dimple, Darcy’s interest kicked up a notch.

Problem is, that doesn’t count as a pick-up line. The heroine’s convinced she barely survived drowning, and the hero is lugging her to shore. So when he runs into her later, Coop realizes he’s got a chance to do it right. To officially hit on the hot girl he’s already had in his arms once. Here’s his swing…and a miss:

Yet when he spotted the curves under a navy two piece now burned into his brain, he stopped. Meeting Darcy had been the high point of his month. Probably of the last several months. When he looked at her heart-shaped ass, he remembered the firm shape of it on his arms. An invisible string of red-hot need ran directly from her to his crotch. A different kind of hunger replaced his anticipation of lunch. Following an impulse, he changed his route to intersect with the umbrella she was in the midst of resetting.

“Hey there.” Coop bumped her with his elbow. Meant to be a friendly tap, it lurched her against the pole and flopped the bright red canvas to the ground. Damn. A monosyllabic pick-up line and a downed umbrella. Way to make a good impression on the beautiful woman, Hudson.

Good thing he’s gorgeous and regroups quickly! I wrote this post because I thought it would be super fun to hear from all of you about your best—and worst—experiences with summer fling pick-up lines. We’ve all been there. We’ve all rolled our eyes at a lame attempt. Or quickly succumbed to a sexy smile. Either way, please share!

 

About The Author

ChristiBarth-amyjphoto-680x1024

 

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.
A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.
Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

 

 

 

Love at High Tide
by Christi Barth
Released: July 8, 2013

love at high tide

Links to order Love at High Tide:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
Darcy Trent is lucky Cooper Hudson is on hand to sweep her off her feet—literally—when she nearly drowns while swimming in the ocean. But life-saving aside, Mr. Perfect’s timing stinks: Darcy’s career is about to take her to the complete opposite side of the Atlantic. Still, a little summer loving with the tall, blond and sexy former cop is far too tempting to pass up.

When his plans to enter the Secret Service went south thanks to a bum knee, Coop retreated to the family beach house to mull his future. Romance is the last thing on his mind, until he fishes a curvy brunette out of the sea. Now, spending time in Darcy’s arms seems like the ideal distraction, even if it is just for a week.

But with Darcy’s departure date fast approaching and their careers on the line, can they realize in time that their beach fling might become the real thing?

 

Review:

Love at High Tide by Christi Barth is another one of her fabulous contemporary romances.  I have read quite a few of Christi’s books, and she continues to amaze me how she can keep producing such fun books to read.  Love at High Tide is a novella, but a perfect read either on the beach or in your air-conditioned house getting away from the extreme heat.  Either way, this is a fun perfect read.

Darcy Trent is our heroine, and I thoroughly liked her from the start.  Darcy is not only beautiful, nice, loyal and a great friend, but she is also very smart, having just completed her Phd.  Darcy is on vacation with her best friend, Trina, relaxing on the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.  Darcy, having spent a few years in the African desert, has a few days to make a decision to accept a wonderful career opportunity, but it will force her to go back to Africa for a few more years.  She loves the beach, the water, and truly does not want accept the offer; however, she has no other job opportunities at this time.

While Darcy relaxes and enjoys the beach, she finds herself almost drowning, but saved by a handsome blond hunk, who is truly our hero, Cooper (Coop) Hudson. Coop is also on the beach trying to come to terms with returning to his job as a detective, currently on leave due to the loss of his partner.  I have to say, I loved Coop right from the start.  He was not only a hunk, but the kind of guy any mother would want for their daughter.  He was awesome throughout.  That is not to say Darcy wasn’t great either.  They made such a great couple, and we impatiently waited for them to devour each other. Barth did a great job teasing us early on, as we knew they both had the hots for each other.  But so many times they were interrupted by mostly Trina and her crazy antics.  I did like Trina, she was funny, not to mention her and Darcy were very close friends.  But Trina was practicing to be a private eye, and I thought her antics trying to solve a mystery (yes there is a mystery in this wonderful romance story), was a bit too much & kind of got on my nerves.   Both Trina and Darcy were getting themselves in trouble constantly trying snoop on someone they suspected was doing something illegal.  Despite Coop telling them to be careful, Trina kept going and putting herself and Darcy in danger. 

Perhaps I loved the relationship between Darcy and Coop, I didn’t want Trina constantly pulling her away.  Oh well, it was an interesting mystery.  When Coop and Darcy finally have steamy sex, it was all worth it though.  Their chemistry was hot, and they made such a wonderful couple.  I think I have said that a few times.  There are other mysteries that have to be resolved as you read the story.  Will Darcy take the job in Africa?  Will Coop be able to go back to being a Detective?  What happens when they find out the truth about the mystery person?  Will Coop and Darcy call it a fling or will they stay together?  Read this book to find out.

Rather then tell you more about the mystery, let me just say the romance between Darcy and Coop makes this a must and fun read.  This is not erotica, but a perfect contemporary romance with some mystery, and hot steamy sex. Christi Barth has once again created a wonderful pure romance to fully enjoy. I love Christi’s Aisle Bound series, and I so would love to see her do more with Coop and Darcy. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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The Midnight Breed Companion by Lara Adrian-a review

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The Midnight Breed Series Companion by Lara Adrian-a review

The Midnight Breed Companion

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

About the book: Release Date June 6, 2013

Part human, part otherworldly, the Breed has lived among humankind in secret for thousands of years . . . and now fans of the popular, best-selling Midnight Breed Series can delve deeper than ever before into this hidden, seductive race of vampires and the dark, thrilling universe they inhabit.

A book that’s been years in the making, the Midnight Breed Series Companion includes insider info on all of the novels, author notes on the creation of the story world and how the eleven-book (and counting!) series has evolved since its beginning as a contracted trilogy, a complete character guide, series trivia, questions from readers and more.

This special series companion also includes “A Touch of Midnight”–an all-new, never-before-published, original novella featuring Gideon and Savannah, which finally reveals the story of how this reader favorite couple met and fell in love, and answers many questions that fans have been curious about since the series began!

•••••••••••••••••••

Review of ATouch of Midnight (Novella):

A Touch of Midnight takes place in 1974 and begins with Savannah and her friend Rachel doing some extracurricular work for one of their professors at Boston University. Savannah is taken a little aback when Rachel is attracted to the professor and ultimately ends up going out with him. Oh well………. But, when Savannah shows up on campus for class the next day and sees the police, she knows in her heart something has happened to her friend Rachel. Of course, we know that Savannah is a Breedmate. All Breedmates have a special gift. Seems Savannah’s is the ability to touch an object and see it’s past. So, when she touches an object from the crime scene, she sees that Rachel and Professor Keaton were attacked by something that wasn’t quite human and has no idea how profoundly her life is going to change. Factor in the huge and hunky blonde man with the British accent, and she’s in for the ride of her life.

Having been a fan of Lara Adrian’s for a long time now, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that she has finally told us Gideon and Savannah’s story. Gideon is The Order’s IT Guru and doesn’t go out into the field with the other members of The Order, in search of rogues preying on humans………..And, now we know why! Gideon has been a fan favorite for years and folks (and me) have been clamoring for more on how he and Savannah came to be mates, and, oh what a story it is. It had just the right amount of background to fulfill any fan’s quest for more things Gideon.

I do feel the need to say that the Companion Guide was very well written and very easy to follow. I actually found out a thing or two that I’d either missed, or forgotten. A must have for any Midnight Breed fan. Very well done Lara Adrian, very well done!!!!

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Vickie M

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