Blue Like Me by Aaron Philip Clark-Review & Author Interview

Blue Like Me (Trevor Finnegan 2) by Aaron Philip Clark-Review & Author Interview

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 8, 2022

A brutal homicide sets an ex-cop and his former partner on the hunt for an enigmatic killer in a gripping thriller by the author of Under Color of Law.

When former detective Trevor “Finn” Finnegan became a PI, he adopted a new mandate: catch the LAPD’s worst in the act. While on surveillance in Venice Beach, Finn tails two potentially dirty cops: Detective Martin Riley and Finn’s ex-partner, Detective Sally Munoz. Things take a deadly turn when an unknown assailant executes Riley and wounds Munoz. In an instant, Finn goes from private eye to eyewitness.

Munoz needs Finn to help find Riley’s killer, but doing so could blow his cover. She’s an officer shaded by rumors. Maybe she’s still a good cop—but maybe she’s not. Finn’s reluctance ends when his dear “uncle,” an ex-LAPD detective, is murdered, and it might be connected to Riley’s death.

To prevent more bloodshed and avoid becoming the next targets on the killer’s list, Finn and Munoz will have to bury their complicated past, trust each other, and come face-to-face with painful secrets that could destroy them both.

••••

REVIEW: BLUE LIKE ME is the second instalment in Aaron Philip Clark’s contemporary, adult TREVOR FINNEGAN murder, mystery, thriller series focusing on former LAPD Detective turned PI Trevor Finnegan. BLUE LIKE ME can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading book one UNDER COLOR OF LAW as most of the events of Blue Like Me are as of a direct result from the previous instalment.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person perspective (Trevor) BLUE LIKE ME is set in 2016, and follows former LAPD Detective turned PI Trevor Finnegan as he is tasked with tailing two LAPD police officers thought to be involved in $ex trafficking crimes but a new assignment finds Trevor following two more detectives, detective of whom he has personal knowledge but all does not go according to plan when a gunman kills one of Trevor’s targets, and injures the other while on the run. Trevor knows that to get involved means facing the wrath of the department for which he once worked, a department that labelled our hero, just another dirty cop. As Trevor works in tandem with injured LAPD Detective Sally Munoz, secrets begin to reveal a connection to a case long thought buried and gone. While his life as a PI is getting more dangerous and dark, his personal life begins to spiral out of control.

Trevor Finnegan lost his job as a detective two years earlier in the wake a scandal, accountability in law enforcement, and the death of a murdered black academy cadet. Fast forward to present day, Trevor now works as a private investigator but quickly discovers many of his targets are members of the LAPD, men and women for whom he once worked. From dirty cops to murder, evidence tampering and bribery, secrets and lies, Trevor uncovers a trail dating back several decades, decades in which time served resulted in the death of a possible innocent man.

BLUE LIKE ME is a gritty and impassioned story of desperation and reprisal, power and control, betrayal and injustice, exposure and lies. The premise is tragic and dramatic; the characters are desperate, determined and broken.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Aaron, and welcome to The Reading Cafe.

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

Social Media Links: Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Website/ Amazon Author Page /

Aaron:I’m a native Angeleno, but I lived on the east coast for twelve years and experiencing both coasts influenced my writing.

I’ve always loved the power of fiction. Before pursuing novel writing, I worked as an independent script doctor revising scripts for clients while working on my thesis. After publishing my thesis novel, I decided to focus solely on fiction. However, I recently returned to screenwriting and found more enjoyment this round than before.

TRC:What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your stories?

Aaron:Admittedly, the road to publication came easier for me than for some. I published with an independent press for my first three novels and then with a larger publisher for my recent books.

TRC:Would you please tell us something about BLUE LIKE ME and the Trevor Finnegan series?

Aaron: Blue Like Me is the second book in the series. Trevor is no longer an LAPD detective and is working as a private investigator whose mandate is exposing crooked cops. Trevor’s character pays homage to the antiheroes of classic noir. He plays by his own rules, and the path of doing the right thing sometimes means operating in a gray area. Right and wrong are subjective, which makes him complicated and someone the reader will route for because he truly strives to do the right thing.

TRC:Is the lead character Trevor Finnegan based on a real person or a mix of people/ law enforcement members?

Aaron: Trevor’s an amalgamation of police officers I knew in the academy and my personal life. In many ways, he’s an ode to Black law enforcement officers who have had to contend with obstacles both within their respective departments and out on the street.

TRC:Are / will any of Trevor’s stories be based on real-life events or a mix of them?

Aaron: I wouldn’t describe the novels as “ripped from the headlines,” but they do crib aspects of their plots from cases I studied in the police academy.

TRC:What kind of research and plotting was involved in the writing of BLUE LIKE ME? How long did you spend researching the premise?

Aaron: It took me two to four months to outline the novel, including researching cases involving the LAPD that inspired aspects of the story. Some cases are well-known, while others are obscure and typically don’t receive media coverage.

TRC:How many books do you have planned for the series?

Aaron: Likely five or six.

TRC:Are the stories stand-alone, or would the reader benefit from reading the series in order?

Aaron: The reader would surely get more out of the series if they read the books in order, but the stories hold up on their own and can be read as stand-alones.

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

Aaron: I spend considerable time ensuring my novels are grounded in reality and authentic police procedure. I don’t have any secret formula, but many twists come from characters’ behavior rather than being heavily plot-driven.

TRC:Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Aaron:The cover image is part of branding and marketing. If a cover is poorly designed or fails to catch a reader’s attention, that could hinder the book’s success unless they’re well-known authors. Debut authors or authors that are publishing with a large commercial publisher for the first time need dynamic covers–it’s a must. Unfortunately, publishers often go with the most cost-effective design, which isn’t always eye-catching.

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

Aaron: It’s 50/50. I set the scenes and plot the narrative, but once the characters begin to take shape and act from their established beliefs and motivations, it’s their show.

TRC:The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavor?

Aaron: Point-of-view plays a considerable role in eliciting a vicarious experience for the reader. Writing in the first-person or close third can facilitate that connection more seamlessly, depending on the writer’s goal. Keeping a distance from the reader can also prove useful, especially if it’s an unreliable narrator.

TRC:Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Aaron: I tend to complete a draft, then elicit feedback if I think something needs refinement.

TRC:What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Aaron: Many people presume you’ve sold thousands of books if you have a New York Times Bestseller. That’s often not true, and the New York Times Bestseller distinction is predicated on a reviewer’s taste. So, I always tell people to support books that interest them rather than be swayed by any trade list.

TRC:What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

Aaron: I’m a classic car enthusiast.

TRC:On what are you currently working?

Aaron: I’m writing a thriller set in the music industry inspired by The Talented Mr. Ripley and other works by Patricia Highsmith.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Aaron: My novel, Blue Like Me, will be published on November 8th and is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Lamb Dry Pot

Favorite Dessert: Apple pie

Favorite TV Show: Homicide: Life on the Street

Last Movie You Saw: The Batman

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark

Secret Celebrity Crush: Issa Rae

Last Vacation Destination: Hawaii

Do you have any pets? No

Last book you read: The Force by Don Winslow

TRC: Congratulations Aaron on the new release. We wish you all the best.

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Siege by Robert DeSimone Jr-Review & Guest Post

SIEGE by Robert DeSimone Jr-Review & Guest Post

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 14, 2022

Year 2096. Earth is at war with a reptile-like alien race known as Architects who have invaded the planet alongside their android armies. Rain Tessio and his brother Jax are drafted into the war and assigned to an isolated military supply depot called The Krag. Their sleepy assignment soon turns into a full-scale conflict when a small Architect army surrounds The Krag. To make matters worse, when one member of the unit is mysteriously killed, they discover that the killer is one of their own.

••••••

REVIEW:  SIEGE by Robert Desimone Jr is a post-apocalyptic, sci-fi thriller set in the year 2096.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including graphic violence, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective SIEGE focuses on Unit 27 Romeo, a group of 19 nineteen humans conscripted to protect an isolated military supply depot called The Krag. With very little experience between them, and hundreds if not thousands of androids surrounding the depot, the rag tag team of unskilled and non-miliary fighters are forced to defend something they know nothing about. One by one, each member of Unit 27 Romeo is plucked off and killed, and some begin to suspect a killer from within. A war between the humans and the aliens reveals a secret hidden deep within the Earth’s surface, a secret that may threaten the existence of the rest of humanity.

SIEGE is a quick read; a story focusing on an alien invasion of Earth wherein the inhabitants of Earth are struggling to survive, struggling against an enemy who themselves are battling to thrive. The fast paced premise is dramatic, imaginative and tragic ; the characters are energetic, ill-fated but determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

The Many Sides of Morality in Siege by Robert DeSimone Jr.

Probably the most important part of writing any story for me is having likeable characters you can get attached to. To know their histories, wants, fears, etc. One important theme that goes into most of my stories is morality. As something of a goody-two-shoes since I can remember, I love exploring the idea of morality in my characters. And it is the main theme I try to (and hopefully) convey in the science fiction/mystery novella Siege.

What’s interesting about morality is that it is completely subjective based on the individual and/or the culture. Some say that there are universal truths regarding morality including not killing or stealing, however, if you consulted a Viking raider from the 9th century, he may disagree based on the norms of his culture. Regardless, when I wrote the characters of Siege, I installed some of my own ideas on right and wrong.

The four aspects of morality I explored was separated into four characters: Rain, the serial killer, Sofia, and Binder. Rain, as the de facto protagonist, is a character who has a strict black-and-white sense of right and wrong and generally follows the universal truths of morality. After finding the alien infant Crocadelia, he spends a great deal of time making sure she is safe and fed despite some of his teammates voting to have her killed. In this instance, his teammates argued that because she was the same species as their enemy and because she may one day, far in the future, be a threat, she should be killed, but Rain chooses to advocate for her life because she has done nothing wrong and is an innocent regardless of her species. To him the decision is easy: she’s innocent so she must be protected. Nothing else matters.

Rain’s biggest moral dilemma, perhaps, is the perceived temptation of the beautiful electrical engineer Sofia. Because Rain has a girlfriend named Annabelle back home, the question is: will Rain betray Annabelle in favor of Sofia or will he stay loyal? While I present this dilemma to the reader as if it is a possibility, Rain never actually considers betraying Annabelle. He simply admits to himself that he’s attracted to Sofia and that’s as far as he’ll ever take it. Because he has a cookie-cutter sense of right and wrong, he sees everything in black and white and would never betray someone he made a promise to. And he would never delve into the world of grays to satisfy his lust because that’s not in his moral programming.

Sofia, on the other hand, represents the gray area of morality. Partway through the story, it is revealed that Sofia is afflicted with a disease that will kill her by her mid-fifties and there is no cure in sight. Because her life will be cut almost in half, in her I explored morality mixed with mortality. She has a clock that is constantly ticking in the back of her mind, which is further exacerbated by the threat of being killed at any point during the siege, which leads her to make decisions she may not normally make if she were completely healthy. While she is empathetic, caring, and very protective (especially towards Crocadelia), she is more than willing to steal Rain away from Annabelle because she feels she may not have the time a healthy person would have to find a partner she truly loves.

The serial killer lurking within the walls of The Krag represents amorality. After the serial killer’s childhood and upbringing is explored, it is revealed he suffered trauma, lacked a mother figure, had a non-existent social life, and murdered his first person at a young age. Due to this, he grew up without morality being a factor in his life. Morality, in a practical sense, serves as a buffer to keep people from engaging in horrible

Immorality was explored, mainly in the character of Binder, but also in a few other minor characters as well. Binder is presented as a selfish person with little sympathy towards anyone but himself. This is shown in his treatment of Osman, one of his subordinates. He also has no empathy towards the animals he paralyzed during his time as a research assistant. He remarked that he preferred paralyzing the test subjects from their necks rather than their backs because it was more convenient for him. It didn’t matter to him that he would cause extra suffering to the animal who would no longer have use to any of its limbs.

I enjoyed being able to explore these themes in Siege. When writing the immoral and amoral characters in Siege, I tried to present them as cautionary tales to those who have no regard for others because I can’t imagine one can have a fulfilling life without empathy towards others and no moral code whatsoever. Consequences usually follow bad deeds.

And while these are my opinions on morality, others may find that people who do the right thing simply use morality as  the excuse for being a coward. Another may not think animal experimentation is an immoral act, rather a practical one to obtain data. What importance do you think morality plays in a story or life for that matter?

 

Follow the Author: Facebook /  Website/ Goodreads

Robert DeSimone Jr. was born in Long Beach, CA on June 9th, 1987. He is the second of six children. His first job was as a computer technician before he began working various jobs in the fire service including as an EMT, fire cadet, and finally fire inspector.

Robert published his first short story in 2021. His favorite book is Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy. He spends much of his free time building his business as a writer and spending time with his wife and two dogs.

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Irrevocable (Guardians 1) by AJ Reid-Review, Interview & Giveaway

Irrevocable (Guardians 1) by AJ Reid-Review, Interview & Giveaway

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 23, 2022

When Tess nosedives into Ethan, it’s a genuine accident. But when she trespasses? Maybe not so much.

When Tess Williams, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse, finds her fiancé in bed with another woman, she is done with dating. Even if it means she won’t have a family of her own, because trust and honesty are that important to her. Hellbent on avoiding any temptation of the male kind, she makes one devastating mistake: nosediving into the solid chest of a Delta Force operator.

Her second far-reaching mistake? Trespassing.

Ethan Mitchell, only son of a Texas billionaire, joined the Army to turn his life around. Adamant all women are only after money and can’t be trusted, and to keep his past secret, he is only interested in casual flings. Until a stubborn and infuriating five-foot-seven firecracker crashes into him, insisting he is mistaken, and he needs to apologize.

Sure. Like hell he is. And like hell he will.

Ethan may admit he is wrong (about one woman specifically), but will he risk exposing his secrets to keep her in his life? And Tess may give in to the attraction between them, but will she risk her heart for someone who, all too often, is sent on life-threatening missions?

•••••

REVIEW: IRREVOCABLE is the first instalment in AJ Reid’s contemporary, adult GUARDIANS erotic, romance series. This is billionaire/Delta Force operative Ethan Mitchell, and NICU nurse Tess Williams’ story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives IRREVOCABLE follows the turbulent but building romance and relationship between billionaire/Delta Force operative Ethan Mitchell, and NICU nurse Tess Williams. A night out with friends found Tess Williams stumbling into a sexy and brooding but cantankerous man, a man she would meet not once but two more times, several weeks later, where in she would discover our ill-tempered hero is one of her brother’s Delta Force Operatives, and a man who believes women are after him for only his money. A whirlwind affair between Tess and Ethan would end dramatically when Tess catches Ethan with someone else, the end of which Tess will suffer like she had never before. Life as she knows it is about to spiral out of control but Ethan refuses to listen or accept anything Tess has left to offer. What ensues is the building relationship between Ethan and Tess, and the fall-out when Tess walks away, pushing Ethan to close his heart, one final time.

The relationship between Tess and Ethan begins acrimoniously. Ethan believes Tess is a stalker; after his wealth and power; a woman who only sees Ethan as a final payday. Tess, on the other hand, has no idea as to Ethan’s identity, and crossing one another’s paths was nothing more than a coincidence that was about to become something more but Tess doesn’t do ‘army’, having watched from the sidelines as her parents’ marriage imploded. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Tess’s brother Joshua Williams; fellow Delta Force Operator Hayden Cooper, as well as Tess’s mother, and several co-workers at the hospital.

IRREVOCABLE is a story of mistaken beliefs, accusations and mistrust; jealousy and misunderstand; forgiveness and love. The fast paced premise is intriguing yet heart breaking; the characters are captivating, determined and animated; the romance is seductive but struggles in the face of issues of trust. Saying that, I made every effort to sympathize with our story line hero but his attitude and actions left something to be desired.

I would like to add, I wish there was more insight into the Delta Force operations-most of the missions and events are behind the scenes and off page.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC:  Hi AJ and welcome to The Reading Café.Congratulations on the release of IRREVOCABLE.

AJ:  Thank you so much, and for having me today!

TRC:  We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself

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AJ: I’m an Aussie from Perth, Western Australia and am married to a wonderful husband who still makes me laugh after 24 years. We have two boys, 19 and 17 years old, and 3 dogs. We’ve been living in the US for almost 8 years, and our oldest son is starting university beginning of next year. Our baby, who isn’t a baby anymore, just started his senior year. I honestly can’t believe how quickly they’ve grown up. It feels like yesterday when I was sitting next to the pool writing while they had swimming lessons.

TRC:  Who or what influenced your career in writing?

AJ:During a 10-week work trip to the US in 2006, I joined a library when I had finished all the books I had brought with me and came across a Cynster novel by Stephanie Laurens. I couldn’t put it down, or the next one, or the next. When I was done with every Cynster, Bastion Club, and Cobra novel, I decided to try my hand at writing. I’ve never regretted this decision for one moment.

I initially thought I’d write Regency novels, but while I was researching potential historical events as the backdrop for my first book, I stumbled across the Reivers of the English-Scottish borders. I immediately knew I wanted to not only learn more about their turbulent past and history, but also that I wanted to write their stories. I immersed myself into research for almost 2 years before I started writing the first book.

After many years of research, learning the craft of writing, completing the first manuscript, and moving to the US, I needed a break from the past and returned to my other grassroots love, Contemporary Romance. Once I finish the GUARDIANS series, I plan to return to the 16th century border for their Happily Ever Afters.

TRC:  What challenges or difficulties have you encountered writing and publishing your stories?

AJ:Finding time for writing between my professional career, family, and my other interests like reading and traveling. I have a lot of support from my family which helps tremendously.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about the premise of IRREVOCABLE and the GUARDIANS series?

AJ:Tess is a neonatal intensive care nurse who has gone through several bad breakups. She really wants a family, but after catching her fiancé cheating on her three weeks before their wedding day, she’s done with relationships and decides to have a baby on her own when the time is right.

She’s also dealing with the loss of her Special Forces brother during a classified operation, a dad who has put his Army career ahead of his family, and suspects her only remaining brother has just made Delta Force selection which renews her fears she might lose him too.

Ethan is the only son of a Texas billionaire, and had joined the Army to turn his out-of-control life around. He grew up believing that women are only after his family’s money and can’t be trusted, and is only interested in short-term flings to keep his past buried.

When they meet by accident in the hottest “It” lounge in Dallas, Ethan insists Tess is hitting on him. She doesn’t take being wrongly accused lightly. The second time they encounter each other, all kinds of sparks fly between them, but they assume they can ignore all of that because they are never going to see each other again. Which they of course do!

Every book in the GUARDIANS series take place in Dallas with heroes who are stubborn Delta Force operators and heroines who are NICU nurses with wills of steel. There will also always be horses, dogs, and of course, annoying and interfering family members! The main characters of the subsequent books are introduced in the previous ones, but they can all be read as stand-alone.

I should also mention that I don’t sugarcoat the more realistic aspects of neonatal nursing experiences. Where I can’t draw on my own experience, I make every effort to ensure I handle these very personal and sensitive themes with the utmost care.

TRC:  How many books do you have planned for the series?

AJ:I have 3 books planned for the GUARDIANS series.

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

AJ:By making sure the motivations and emotions match the characters’ responses to the unexpected and don’t catch readers by surprise. Foreshadowing is also something I like to use to make sure, even though my characters have no clue what’s coming, that my readers are suspecting a little something.

My critique groups and beta readers are also a huge help to keep me on the straight and narrow, and they let me know when something doesn’t work or is confusing or unbelievable.

TRC:  Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

AJ:Absolutely. Most of the time the cover is the first thing to draw a reader’s attention and should make them want to read the blurb, which should make them want to read the first few pages, and then the rest of the book. They’re all tied together, and each plays a critical role.

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

AJ:I’ve only once let the characters do the directing, and never again. It was a disaster of epic proportions to sort that plotline out and make sense of things. So these days, I keep them on a short leash!

TRC:  The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

AJ:It’s key to really understand what the character is going through at that moment. I also consider how I would feel and respond to a similar situation, and then I dig deeper into what the character would feel and respond. There’s a fine balance to ensure the level of detail is appropriate for each scene, otherwise it can completely undo any emotional connection again.

TRC:  Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

AJ:I develop the storyline and characterization first before I compile a playlist, but I don’t always have one. When I do, I listen to the songs while I’m planning the next scene in my head or when I’m driving, and once in a while when I’m writing and am in the mood for music.

This is how I know the hero in the second book of the GUARDIANS series is going to be a handful. I mean, Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance is on that playlist…

TRC:  Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

AJ:I have two small, close-knit critique partner groups on Scribophile. We’ve been together for ages and know each other very well. It’s great being able to work with writer-friends who know my writing style, challenge me to take risks, and who I can ask all kinds of questions, anytime. I met some of them in person on a trip to Yellowstone National Park last year, which was fantastic. Yellowstone also lived up to its reputation. It was absolutely stunning!

I’m also part of bigger Scribophile groups where I can get answers for about just anything from doctors, nurses, lawyers, veterans, other Border Reiver gurus, and of course, writing, publishing, and marketing.

TRC:  What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

AJ:That most of us write full-time, and writing is our main/only income source.

TRC:  What is something that few, if any people, know about you?

AJ:I absolutely love everything netball, and recently, started to get into American football. I still love Aussie footy rules, too!!

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

AJ:The second book of the GUARDIANS series which I hope to have out early next year.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Butter chicken with white rice and veggies

Favorite Dessert
Black Forest Cake

Favorite TV Show
The Blacklist

Last Movie You Saw
The Lost City with Sandra Bullock & Channing Tatum and I only have good things to day about it!

Dark or Milk Chocolate
This is a really easy one, milk chocolate all the way, right?

Secret Celebrity Crush
Ryan Reynolds

Last Vacation Destination
On the back of a work trip to the UK earlier this year, I added a few days to hunt down the spirit of the Border Reiver on the English/Scottish border. It was so much more than I ever expected, and I had wonderful conversations with many awesome people who shared their personal stories, love of the border, and their family history.

Do you have any pets?
One Dachshund and two South African boerboels. The boerboel boy is still a puppy which means I’m dedicating a bit of my writing time to teaching the little guy the difference between furniture, shoes, and dog toys. But so far, so good. He’s smart and catching on quickly!

Last book you read
FINDERS, KEEPERS by Chloe Holiday. It’s a short, exceptionally satisfying read and I highly recommend it. The next one on my list is HERS TO KEEP by Avery Samson.

TRC:  Thank you, Janet for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on your new release.

AJ:Thank you again for having me, and for a fun interview!

AJ Reid is graciously offering a signed, paper copy of IRREVOCABLE to ONE (1) USA reader: and an ebook copy to TWO (2) international readers

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9. Giveaway is open to USA only (paper) and INTERNATIONAL (ebooks)

10. Giveaway runs from October 8-13, 2022

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Fire and Amulet by Helen B Henderson -Review & Interview

FIRE AND AMULET by Helen B Henderson-Review and Interview

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release March 29, 2022

Trelleir is a true dragon whose magic allows him to take on human form. The last of his kind, he longs for companionship. However, his only friend is not only a human female, but a slayer. Sworn to kill all dragons, including him.

Summoned by the village council, Deneas is sent on a quest to kill any and all dragons, and cannot return without proof of her success. Finding the mythical creature and avoiding its deadly talons and fire are not her only problems. Another slayer follows with orders to kill her. As she retraces her slain mother’s footsteps, she learns the world is not what it seems.

••••••••

REVIEW: Deneas is a skilled dragon hunter, so when the council order her to hunt and kill the last dragon, she has no choice.

Trelleir is a dragon (shifter) well actually he’s a dragon that’s shifts into a man (totally different) he’s also the last of his kind. He knew Deneas’s parents, and promised her mother to always look out for her.

This story gives a whole new twist on shifter stories. So I’d say it’s more magic and myth rather than shifter.

It’s also divided into three stories, we have a dragon slayer who’s been sent out to kill Deneas! And Deneas needs to find out what really happened to her parents, and more about the dragons her mother was sworn to kill (and didn’t, her mother was also a slayer before being tried as a witch and killed!)

Written with a very sense of old fashion wordage and tone. It’s slow and sluggish at times, and it does wander around looking a little lost!

I did like the part where Deneas reads her mother’s journal. I’m also interested in finding out if there are any other dragons alive, or is Trelleir really the last of his kind. (Have to admit I cried when he found the nursery empty of hatchlings). It’s not a romance book by any sense of the imagination. No fade to black, no sweet romance, nothing. So if Trelleir wants a mate this book doesn’t give that impression. And the ending…. Well that gave me the feelings of guardianship rather than a grand love!

Left on not really a cliffhanger, but an opening to a series. Which I’m really hoping will happen because I enjoyed the book once I realised there wasn’t going to be any steam.

Copy supplied for review

? Reviewed by Julie B

TRC: Hi Helen and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of FIRE AND AMULET.

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

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon Author Page /

Helen: Although the author of several local histories and numerous articles on the topics of American and military history, antiques and collectibles, my first love is fiction. My work in the museum and history fields enables a special insight into creating fantasy worlds. The descendent of a coal-miner’s daughter and an aviation flight engineer, my writing reflects the contrasts of my heritage as well as that of my Gemini sign. My stories cross genres from historical westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of romance fantasy (or if you prefer more romance with your action, fantasy romance), I authored the Dragshi Chronicles and The Windmaster Novels. IMPRISONED IN STONE takes a darker look at magic. A special work of love was a collection of short stories and poems dedicated to those in my family who served in the military. HEARTH AND SAND: STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES AND THE HOMEFRONT presents a continuity of service from the past to today and into the world of tomorrow of those who served on the battle front, and the stories of the loved ones left behind who preserved the homefront.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Helen: For the Old West call to my soul, Louis L’Amor, because he walked the ground he wrote about. His Sackett series has a special place on my bookshelf. For the worlds of fantasy, there is a special love of Anne McCaffrey, especially her Talents Universe series. Barbara Hambly and Katherine Kurtz influenced my writing with their sharing of magic. Lastly, a pair of authors that have been a large part of writing life, but who I have never met in person have earned a special place in the list. Carol McPhee whose romantic suspenses taught romance to share my works with action. And Judy Griffith Gill whose suggestions improved my craft beyond measure.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Helen: The most difficult part of the story to write involved Trelleir’s secret. The reader had to be told so they knew his true identity early in the story. My problem came when the secret was revealed. How would Deneas react? Her actions had to be realistic, but the betrayal couldn’t disrupt the desired ending.

TRC:Would you please tell us something about the premise of FIRE AND AMULET?

Helen: Trelleir is a true dragon. Fire and flight are not his only abilities. He can use his magic to take on the shape of a human which is dangerous as dragons and humans don’t always coexist in a peaceful harmony. Trelleir’s family was murdered by slayers. Alone since he cracked his shell, he believed he was the last of his kind and longs for companionship. Even if it is only that of a human female. However, she is a slayer. Sworn to kill all dragons, including him.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning FIRE AND AMULET?

Helen: Most of the research involved collecting images to help me visualize the settings such as Merlin’s Well below Tintagel Castle for Trelleir’s secret glen. Fingal’s Cave on the Island of Staffa, Scotland served as inspiration for the hatching cave. Plotting the storyline was another matter. As a rule, I am more of a plotter than a pantser. A detailed storyline from start to finish never happens. The creation of scene storyboards of various detail from bullet points to full draft invariably gives way to the characters. At that point the storyboard format shifts into full-fledged draft.

TRC: Is FIRE AND AMULET a stand-alone story line? Or if not, how many books do you have planned for the series?

Helen: The tale of Trelleir and Deneas started out as a short story. It nagged at me until it became a full-length novel. Having recently completed a series, there were no plans to make FIRE AND AMULET anything other than a stand-alone. However, due to reader requests, there is the possibility of another one or two books.

TRC: You write both fiction and non-fiction stories. Which genre do you find more difficult to write and why?

Both genre have their own challenges. Non-fiction requires a lot more research. Each fact needs to be verified and re-verified using primary sources. Another issue with non-fiction is finding suitable images to accompany them. The images must be eye-catching and copyright free.

I write fantasy, so research and facts are not as important since I create the world. I do have to be careful not to include contemporary terms or phrases. When I started writing telling a good story was sufficient. Now readers expect more. A challenge for me is making sure the characters change and develop.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories with a paranormal premise-readers like to think ‘what if?’. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Helen: There has to be something in the storyline that resonates with the reader. It could be the character’s backstory or his needs. An other-worldly setting has to have some element of reality so that the reader can suspend belief. Creatures and magic are part of legend. People who can shapeshift would not be unreasonable. A reader may not have experienced a night-time blizzard on the planet Hoth, but they can relate. So when Han Solo saved Luke Skywalker from certain death by using a carcass as shelter it is not unbelievable. As long as the reader relates to the characters and their world, they can remain in the tale. Push things too far, make them too outlandish, and you risk throwing the reader out of the tale. They need some anchor.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Helen: A cover can definitely influence a reader’s selection. While all of the covers created for me by Michelle Lee of Stardust Creations have been great, the eye-catching vibrancy of the FIRE AND AMULET cover grabs attention. If you look closely, you can even see the dragon’s tear.

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

Helen: A project starts with a few lines of background for the main one or two characters, a working name for them, and the completion of the following statement. “Character wants to achieve XXX because YYY but can’t because ZZZ.” I think I am in control, I have my character and storyboard forms. It works well for a few chapters. Then the characters start to take over and before I know it the road map I had envisioned for their journey is tossed aside for the character’s telling of the story.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Helen: I admit I don’t always have music on when writing. Jotting notes in a doctor’s office while waiting for your appointment or typing on a tablet in the wee hours of the morning isn’t conducive to playing tunes. But that doesn’t mean that music is not part of my writing life. Although each book tends to have its own playlist, certain songs trigger a mood or emotion so that the some tunes transfer from book to book. For FIRE AND AMULET, an old standby, Celtic music where the lilting voices, flute and harp send my mind to a fantasy world where magic rules and dragon fly. Music for a quest, hopelessness, and loneliness is conveyed by the haunting piano solo played at the end of each episode of The Incredible Hulk. Perfect for a dragon impersonating a human. Magical horses are inspired by the light aire of “Garryowen.”

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Helen: There are so many misconceptions. I think it is a toss-up as to the biggest. It could be that writing a novel is easy, you just toss words on a page and have a best seller. Watchers of the television series, Castle, could believe that all authors are rich.

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Helen: Let me think. Most don’t know that I originally wanted to be a pilot and even studied for a pilot’s license. But back then women in the right seat, let alone the captain’s chair, were a rarity so I gave up that dream. I have background in two quite different areas: history and computer science. I’ve participated in archaeological digs and directed a local history museum. Stepping out of my comfort zone was attending historical re-enactments in period costume and riding in a World War II-era jeep as part of a convoy of military vehicles. For the one I wore a long skirt and hid more modern items such as camera and keys in a wicker basket. For the other, I was in olive drab military uniform.

TRC: Who or what influenced your path towards writing?

Helen: My mother and both grandmothers taught me a love of reading. Which evolved into storytelling and the creation of my own tales. Although my writing experience includes non-fiction, journalistic pieces, computer software and technical manuals, fiction was my first love.

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

Helen:  I just completed the A to Z Challenge my blog with each post based on the characters and world of FIRE AND AMULET. At present I’m shifting gears and looking to my next project. Two concepts are fighting for dominance at this time. A futuristic scifi and another volume set in the world of Trelleir and Deneas. It may take an executive decision maker (aka a vintage quarter) to see which story goes next.

TRC :Would you like to add anything else?

Helen: I love to hear from my readers and invite them to join me join on travels through the stars or among fantasy worlds of the imagination.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food Pizza

Favorite Dessert Boston Cream Pie

Favorite TV Show With no time period specified, I won’t consider programs from earlier times in my life, only contemporary shows. And, there are several depending on my mood. NCIS, Hardcore Pawn and Cajun Pawn, Secrets of the Dead and Nova.

Last Movie You Saw The Shadow Riders

Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark, definitely

Secret Celebrity Crush David McCallum in two of his roles, first as Illya Kuryakin then as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.

Last Vacation Destination It has been so long since I took a real vacation it is hard to remember what the last destination was so I’ll pick one of my favorite spots – a lakeside cabin in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.

Do you have any pets? An “aristocatic” feline with tuxedo markings ruled my home for over 15 years. While I have no pets in residence at the moment, I often visit a husky who have adopted me as one the pack.

Last book you read MURDER AND MINT TEA by Janet Lane Walters

TRC: Thank you Helen for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of FIRE AND AMULET. We wish you all the best.

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My Lord, My Rogue by Anna St. Claire-Review, Interview & Giveaway

My Lord, My Rogue by Anna St. Claire-Review, Interview & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

Lady Honora Radcliff was betrothed to the most sought-after man of the Season— just not the man she loved. Too much champagne and too many dances with a handsome stranger leaves her life in tatters and she finds herself married to an abusive man whose only interest is the dowry her father refuses to release. Desperate to save her life and that of her unborn child, she fakes her death and disappears.

Lord Benjamin Crewe, the Marquess of Willington, planned to enjoy the Christmastide season relaxing. Instead, he accepts a dangerous assignment from the Crown and while working it, comes face to face with the woman he always wished he had married. Only she has been thought dead for three years.

Needing answers, he pursues her at the same time a treacherous enemy of England surfaces, and the two of them become tangled in a web of danger, espionage, and deception.

Can Honora and Benjamin survive the danger in which they find themselves and gain a chance for love and happiness?

•••••••

REVIEW:Book four in the Noble Hearts Series, I get the impression you don’t need to read the previous books in this series (I haven’t).It’s a tale of mystery and intrigue and a little romance, of lost loves and maybe a second chance at happiness.

Honora made a mistake years ago, and she paid for it…

When I first read about our FMC (Female Main Character) I thought her immature, selfish and shallow! But following her through her story, you get to know her better, and had to admire her in the end.

Benjamin doing his duty to king and country comes home to find his betrothed had not only jilted him, then taken her own life! Continuing his duty to the Royal family has Benjamin enjoying the intrigue, his mother wants him to settle down, but losing one lady love has him not wanting to experience the pain again!

We jump three years and Honora has a quiet life, bringing up her son. No one knows her, and so she moves back home to be with her family, but in doing so, brings her face to face with the one man she couldn’t forget! Benjamin is shocked to see what looks like his dead betrothed riding one day, hunting down the ghost of his past, he’s shocked to find out the ghost is real!

How can you forgive someone who not only disgraced themselves, but you as well? In this period of time ladies of society weren’t given the same rights as we have today. Dignity and propriety were everything, so being jilted was a big thing.
He can’t understand why she didn’t just tell him!

It’s a shortish read (13 chapters just over 200 pages) and apparently it’s an extended version from an anthology. Maybe that’s why it feels a little rushed in parts! And that’s why I couldn’t really connect with the characters.

It is a little rushed in places, it also feels like a few things needed exposing more (a little more detail about a certain few things that happened in the book)But I still enjoyed the intrigue, I liked how Benjamin wanted to do his duty to his country, but also to Honora.

So can this pair find a second chance at happiness? Can Benjamin find and apprehend the person wanting to steal from the royal family?
And will Honora be able to finally be free of her past?

? Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

TRC:  Hi Anna and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of My Lord, My Rogue.

FOLLOW Anna: Goodreads/ Website/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Bookbub/ Amazon Author Page

TRC:  We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Anna: I grew up in a single parent household in the South during a time when our society was challenged by constant change and opportunity. Luckily, we had family in the area, because childcare as we know it today, was rare. It was a boon to me my grandmother (who died shortly after I turned six), began teaching me to read before I started kindergarten. Reading and writing quickly became two of my favorite past times. I particularly enjoyed books with happily-ever-after and mysteries, two things you will often find in my stories.

I was fortunate to have an exciting Human Resources career and while I still do consulting, and related things, I have more time to write and be there for my two young granddaughters, my husband, and my pets. In fact, I have two rather spoiled dogs, a Parson’s Russell Terrier, and a Cockapoo. Both have found their way into my stories, which I love.

My writing career started a few years ago, but while it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever tackled, it’s the most fun career I’ve ever had!

TRC:  Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Anna:My maternal grandmother (whom I’ve already mentioned) and my mother, who would read with me when she got home from her second-shift job. She went to school full time to get her teaching degree and worked fulltime afterwards and was a tremendous influence in my life. She also influenced my style of writing, because she would sit with me when I had massive writing homework and give me pointers on how to write.

TRC:  What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Anna:This was one of those stories that had to be written. I cannot say there was much difficulty. The story practically wrote itself every time I sat behind my desk, and it quickly became one of my favorites.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about the premise of My Lord, My Rogue?

Anna:A saying my husband is fond of saying gave me inspiration for the book. It goes: You can never know what is going on in someone else’s life unless you are standing in their shoes. This story follows (book 3) The Duke’s Golden Rings, and without giving away the plotlines for each, I will say the heroine in My Lord, My Rogue was the foundation for The Duke’s Golden Rings. Additionally, the heroine’s character in this fourth book of the series gets a chance at redemption. These two books are the two most closely tied stories in the series, although each one of them can be read as a stand-alone.

TRC:  What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning My Lord, My Rogue?

Anna:I would describe myself as a pantser. I have never enjoyed plotting things to the “nth degree,” and don’t even try anymore. Once I establish the main theme of the story, I do try to come up with a secondary plot—which is usually some sort of mystery or intrigue. I research the main historic points and then, LOTS throughout the story writing. If I speak about flowers, I have researched the genre of including the events that I include in the story, Once I have the hero and the heroine well-defined in my mind and a skeleton of the story in my head, I begin to write, and the story materializes.

TRC:  How many books do you have planned for the NOBLE HEARTS series?

Anna:At this time, I think there will be two more stories in the Noble Hearts series. There are some characters that are begging for their own stories.

TRC:  Is any of the story line premise based in fact?

Anna:Parts of these stories are based on historical fact. For example, in My Lord, My Rogue, Queen Catherine visited Bath, and I used that visit for part of the storyline.

TRC:  Do you have any interest in writing, or have you ever written for another genre? Contemporary romance?

Anna:I have not considered Contemporary romance, although I have considered Edwardian and Victorian. I already write Civil War era, so it will not be a very large leap.

TRC:  Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories with a historical feature. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Anna:I focus on keeping things consistent with the way of life during the period I write, and my manuscripts are edited for consistency, including expressions and other things that can take the readers out of the story. I read a lot of books and find that some authors do not edit closely enough for these things. These types of problems could throw a reader out of the story.

TRC:  Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Anna:Definitely! I think the cover and the blurb play important parts in selecting the story. I use a wonderful cover editor.

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

Anna:A little of both! I’ll have an idea of where we are going and as I start writing, the characters will take me in a different direction. This happens so often! I think it’s very common, especially with pantsers.

TRC:  The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Anna:I try to bring the reader in within the first few pages with a lot of colorful description, emotion that a reader can readily identify with or be interested in, and an entertaining storyline.

TRC:  Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Anna:I love having music in the background; however, it’s usually some mix of songs that I enjoy for the motivation and the uplift of the beat of the music. If there is any influence, it is motivation that keeps me writing. There is nothing really associated with the story being written.

What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Anna:I’m not sure it’s the biggest misconception, but one fallacy is that writing is their only career, when many have had other careers before turning to writing—or work another job in order to write. I had a robust career in human resources before ever starting to write.

TRC:  What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Anna:This is a tough question. I’m very much a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of person. As a child, I was an early entrepreneur and used to do things to make money, during a time when things were tight in my home. I created a bike repair shop in my garage and taught myself to fix tires, gears, broken chains, and things like that. I would put handmade flyers in mailboxes to drum up business. I even built a bike out of pieces of old bike pieces and painted it for my mother, hoping she would conquer her fear and learn to ride. Mom loved that I built the bike for her but could never bring herself to learn to ride it. True story.

TRC:  On what are you currently working?

Anna:I’m writing my second book in the Lyon’s Den Connected World Series, a series by Dragonblade Publishing. Lyon’s Prey was the first book I wrote in the series.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: spaghetti

Favorite Dessert: popcorn

Favorite TV Show: Masterpiece – almost anything they show!

Last Movie You Saw: It’s been such a long time, I cannot recall, unless you can count the pile of Christmas movies (I love Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Story) that I watch every year.

Dark or Milk Chocolate : DARK…but I love all chocolate.

Secret Celebrity Crush: PIERCE BROSNAN

Last Vacation Destination: DISNEYLAND

Do you have any pets? :YES! Two dogs that I adore. And I sometimes write them in my stories.

Last book you read:  I’m almost finished with Eloisa James’ My American Duchess.

TRC:  Thank you Anna for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release. We wish you all the best.

Anna St. Claire is graciously offering an ecopy of  MY LORD, MY ROGUE to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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3. Please FOLLOW Anna St. Claire on Facebook

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8. Giveaway open internationally

10. Giveaway runs from March 19-23, 2022

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Dreaming of a Devilish Highlander by Vonda Sinclair-Interview & Giveaway

Dreaming of a Devilish Highlander (Highlander Shifters 1) by Vonda Sinclair-Review, Interview & Giveaway

 

DREAMING OF A DEVILISH HIGHLANDER
Highland Shifters #1
by Vonda Sinclair
Release Date: February 9, 2022
Genre: adult, historical, Highlander, paranormal, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

A devilish Highlander cursed to change form…

After defending himself in an ambush and defeating his attacker, Gavin MacTavish finds himself cursed by a woman of the enemy clan. Lady Wilona MacRae is a witch of the dark arts and the mother of his slain foe. Ensnared in the curse, Gavin spontaneously transforms into a hawk at dawn each day, then shifts back into a man at sunset. Devastated that his father has been struck with madness because of the curse, Gavin has no choice but to become chief of a dwindling clan. Fearing him as if he were the devil himself, most have fled.

A wayward lass from the future…

When Dani MacRae, a 21st century English lit professor, is given an ancient family heirloom—a brooch—she begins having sensual dreams of a gorgeous Highlander. These spellbinding dreams threaten to take over her life. But when she holds a 400-year-old claymore at a Highland games event, she’s stunned to find herself thrust back in time to 1630 Scotland, into the bedchamber of the intriguing man who invaded her dreams.

A profound love…

After kissing the bonny, unusual lass, Gavin knows she’s the only woman for him, the woman his eccentric father insists he must marry to destroy the curse. But can Gavin conceal from her what he becomes during the daytime? Surely she will reject him and leave if she finds out.

In an effort to help his ill father and his clan, Dani reluctantly agrees to marry Gavin… at least until she can find his enchanted sword, which could return her to the future. Being ripped from her beloved modern day relatives and successful career, Dani is unsure whether she can sacrifice everything for Gavin. That is… until she falls hard for him.

Once Lady MacRae learns Dani is attempting to break her evil spell, she uses any means possible to thwart the union. Can Gavin and Dani seize the magnificent love that will shatter darkness, banish evil, and restore their good fortune?

••••••••

REVIEW: Historical Romance with a hint of magic and I’m there.

This book did remind me a little of Outlander and The Discovery of Witches (with the time travel) but also a film that I love (Ladyhawke) but that’s where the similarities end.

A book I couldn’t put down once I started, really well thought out and written. Descriptions of the scenery had me easily imagining myself walking alongside Gavin and Dani. Loved the Scottish dialect and its usage in the book (some authors don’t use it correctly, and for me spoils the read.)

Gavin is the Laird of his small clan, he became the Laird after his father became mad after a curse settles on his clan! A lot of the villagers left (frightened off) so Gavin is working hard to restore both his name and reputation. Gavin is such a solid character, he’s frightened and angry at the curse, but he’s trying to live his life as normally as he can (a little hard when you turn into a hawk as the sun rises!)

Dani is our time travelling damsel. But the only distress she had was getting back to her own time, oh and avoiding marriage to Gavin! She’s an English literature professor from the 21st century, a no nonsense woman who had me in stitches with her wit and inner dialogue. Being thrown back in time would unsettle most people, and it certainly keeps Dani on her toes.

Lady MacRae is the villain in this book, casting spells and doing her best to keep the marriage from happening. She cast the curse after Gavin. I did feel a little sorry for her, and at times I wanted her to repent and change (if she does that you’ll need to read the book) but we also need a good villain to boo and hiss at, and Wilona more than adequately fit that remit.

Reading about this pair did have me chuckling as you watch them skirt around their feelings for one another. Can Gavin tell Dani about his predicament without scaring her away? Will Dani want to stay in a world that has no wifi, no lighting and no running hot water? Can the pair break the curse? Can they live as man and wife, or will Dani be forced to live a half life with her”hawk” husband?

This is the first book in a new series, and although I’ve not read this author or any of her previous books, I’m adding this series to my “watch for” list.

? Reviewed by Julie B

Copy supplied for review

TRC:  Hi Vonda and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of DREAMING OF A DEVILISH HIGHLANDER.

<Vonda Sinclair: Thanks so much! It’s an honor to be featured on your site.

TRC:  We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow: Goodreads /Facebook /Twitter /Website /Amazon Author Page

Vonda Sinclair: I live in beautiful North Carolina but my favorite place to travel is bonny Scotland. I haven’t visited since 2017, so I’m really starting to miss it. Writing stories set in Scotland is always a great joy. My hobbies include gardening and amateur photography.

TRC:  Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Vonda Sinclair: Several years ago, before I started writing romance, I was addicted to reading it. I loved all types… historical, paranormal, contemporary, etc. One day I thought… I wonder if I could create characters and write a story. Writing romance novels started as an experiment but became a huge part of my life and a wonderful career. I became obsessed with words and how they sound together, how they evoke images and emotions. I love to create a story world full of characters and experiences for readers.

TRC:  What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing this story?

Vonda Sinclair: I experienced a lot of stress in 2020 and 2021 for obvious reasons, as I’m sure everyone has. The stress, lack of focus, and difficulty concentrating hampered my creativity and inspiration. The book took much longer than it should have to complete. I hope I can keep going with a good momentum. In addition, I’m writing part time now instead of full time due to other responsibilities.

TRC:  Would you please tell us something about the premise of DREAMING OF A DEVILISH HIGHLANDER?

Vonda Sinclair: The basic premise is can true love break a curse? Most of my stories are based on the healing power of love.

When Gavin MacTavish and his party are attacked in the forest on the way home, they’re forced to defend themselves or die. Unfortunately, the man Gavin kills is the son of a witch. Literally. She places curses on Gavin and his two friends. Gavin’s life becomes a living hell. Help comes in the form of a modern day woman. Dani has a wonderful career as a professor and a good life, but she cannot find love until she falls into the past. They complement and contrast each other in many ways. This story has a lot of steam and humor.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning DREAMING OF A DEVILISH HIGHLANDER?

Vonda Sinclair:  I’m always researching when I write. I like to get specific about which foods were eaten in Scotland in the early 1600s. When the characters move about the castles, details of what they’re seeing and experiencing are important. For instance, how the windows worked, how the door locks operated. What does it feel like and smell like in a castle dungeon? I’ve been fortunate to have explored several Scottish castles, both ruins and inhabited ones. This research has been invaluable for getting the details right. When I write rough draft, I don’t always include all the specifics. I’ll research the exact detail I need on later drafts. It helps that I’ve written several books set between 1618 and 1630. A lot of it sticks in my mind, and I might only have to go back and double check something. For instance, sending a missive back then required several more steps than writing a letter or email today. Everything was done differently four-hundred years ago, and I like to give readers a sense of what that was like.

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Vonda Sinclair: I plan to do three books, stories about Gavin, Torr, and Brodie. Of course, I could come up with a creative excuse to add more. One of my other series, Highland Adventure, has ten books so far and I’m not finished with the series. Secondary characters keep demanding their own stories which is wonderful fun.

TRC: Believability is an important factor in writing story lines especially stories with a paranormal premise-readers like to think ‘what if?’. How do you keep the story line believable? Where do you think some author’s fail?

Vonda Sinclair: For me, believability comes from specific details, which ties into research. You have to make the story feel real by inserting the reader into the story, making them experience every aspect of the world you’ve created. Sensory details are important and so are historical setting details. Scotland has changeable, tempestuous weather, and I like to include it when I can. I would include emotions here too. Help the reader to feel exactly what the character is feeling. For paranormal elements, show how and why something so farfetched is really possible. In other words, the explanation is shown in vivid detail. In any type of story, the author has to convince the reader to suspend disbelief. I suppose this is done via the author’s craft, skill, experience, intuition, creativity, etc.

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Vonda Sinclair: Yes, it does for me. I’m sure a lot of readers feel the same way. Most people ignore the old adage of don’t judge a book by its cover.

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

Vonda Sinclair: I would say it’s a little of both in my case. Sometimes a scene will come to me almost fully formed. Other times, I’ll brainstorm on paper… maybe this could happen or maybe that could happen. This will spur other ideas until something gels.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?

Vonda Sinclair: As I mentioned earlier, I feel it has to do with the details. Emotions are one of the trickier parts of writing. If it doesn’t come naturally to the writer, they’ll need to learn the skill through reading books, noticing how great writers do it, taking workshops and practicing. This is especially important in romance because it’s an emotional genre. Some new writers tell emotion (She was sad.) instead of making the reader cry. The best writers make the readers bite their nails, cry, laugh, yell, etc. You really want to get the reader involved in the story. Connected to this is creating characters that readers love. If readers care about your characters, they’re going to be invested in their emotions.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Vonda Sinclair: I sometimes listen to Celtic instrumental music or music designed for concentration and focus. I don’t want to listen to distracting music or singing. It has to fit the mood of the story, and I keep it at a low volume.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Vonda Sinclair: If their books are flamboyant and over the top, then the author will be too. A lot of us are introverts. Or maybe they think we are just like our characters. (We’re not. lol)

TRC: What is something that few, if anyone, know about you?

Vonda Sinclair: Most readers don’t know I have a BS in psychology and a minor in studio art. I studied French for four years. Believe it or not, these do tie into my books. lol

TRC: Who or what influenced your path towards a young adult, paranormal story line.

Vonda Sinclair: I wanted a short break from historical romance. Sometimes it’s fun and refreshing to work on something unusual like shapeshifters and time travel.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Vonda Sinclair: The second story in this series, the one about Gavin’s friend Torr. I haven’t finalized the title yet.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Vonda Sinclair: I just want to say thank you for this interview. It has been fun!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
I love a lot of foods, but since I’m currently doing low-carb, I’ll say bacon. lol

Favorite Dessert
Cheesecake

Favorite TV Show
Downton Abbey

Last Movie You Saw
Downton Abbey (See a pattern here?)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Either

Secret Celebrity Crush
Jason Momoa

Last Vacation Destination
Scotland

Do you have any pets?
Yes, cats.

Last book you read
I listened to an audiobook about meditation by Emily Fletcher.

TRC: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of DREAMING OF A DEVLISH HIGHLANDER. We wish you all the best.

Vonda Sinclair: Thanks so much!!

Vonda Sinclair is graciously offering a paper copy of DREAMING OF A DEVILISH HIGHLANDER to ONE (1) lucky commentator at The Reading Cafe

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9. Giveaway open to USA and CANADA only

10. Giveaway runs from March 12-17, 2022

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Arachniss by Shawn C Butler-Review & Guest Post

Arachniss by Shawn C Butler-Review & Guest Post

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 2 2022.

Who would you sacrifice to save what you love?

David just wants to write children’s books and spend time with his infant son Jason. The only problem is, something’s eating Jason.

Something’s eating everyone, bit by bit, inch by inch, and no one else notices. They have great stories about how they lost a limb here or a body part there, until they lose something they can’t live without and just…vanish.

Jason’s just missing a pinky today. No, wait, two. And a toe. His son is dissolving in front of him, and David will do anything to save him.

But how can David save his son from something no one can see?

•••••••

REVIEW: ARACHNISS by Shawn C Butler is a stand alone, adult, sci-fi, horror thriller focusing on children’s book author David Chambers in the months and years after a ‘viral pandemic’ has killed or maimed most of the world’s population. Known as the vanishing or erasure but formally called SHAS-selective human autosarcophagic syndrome-a virus of unknown origins, SHAS ‘eats’ away at body parts, sometimes eating away at the entire human existence.

WARNING: Due to the detailed and graphic nature of the story line premise including domestic abuse, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective (David ) ARACHNISS follows children’s book author David Chambers as he struggles in both his personal and professional life but a struggle that also includes years of potential hallucinations in which spider-like creatures are slowly or sometimes quickly devouring the people of Earth. David believes he is going mad. Every day millions of people are losing body parts from an unknown cause, memories erased without knowing what happened or why, but at some point David will discover that his hallucinations are real, a virtual albeit actual front row seat, into the demise of the human existence. The majority of Earth’s population have accepted their fate as a side affect of the SHAS pandemic but a few ‘lucky’ inhabitants, including David Chambers and his neighbor Franzia, bear first-person witness to the truth that lies beyond the veil of human acceptance and comprehension.

ARACHNISS reads like a study in social psychology; a sociological study of humanity and human nature; a psychological test of power and control bearing similarities to the Milgram Yale Obedience experiments of the 1960s. With a slight nod to more famous works of science fiction -War of the Worlds by HG Wells, Twilight Zone’s TO SERVE MAN episode, The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham, and Soylent Green by Harry Harrison-ARACHNISS is a graphic, detailed, haunting and complex story of artificial intelligence, alien invasion, human nature in opposition to everything around us, and the obliviousness of mankind. The thought provoking premise is dramatic and visceral; the characters are tormented, desperate, dismayed and vulnerable. ARACHNISS follows David Chambers as he must come to terms with those in charge, terms that would choose between life and death for the people he loves.

Heed my warning, ARACHNISS is a graphically detailed story line that will not be suitable for all readers.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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As a relatively new author, one thing I’m constantly focused on is how to build the most compelling worlds for my readers. This means not just things that are cool or make you say “Wow!” when you’re supposed to be sleeping, but all the details that make a story and its characters feel real and thus relatable.  So, here are some of the rules I try to follow

Ten Sci-Fi World-Building Rules

As with all systems, you can probably come up with a hundred rules for world building, some vital, some trivial, and spend the rest of your writing life making sure you’re doing things “right.” There is no absolute right in science fiction world building, but there are pretty basic rules that will help you avoid obvious issues that will cost you readers.

The following are ten of those rules, which are a bit random because they reflect where I am in my writing career and process. A year ago, I probably focused on more basic issues. A year from now, I’ll be worried about something else, like what to do with all this money (buy one gumball, or two?). These are the ten that most concern me in my current WIPs.

1 / Know why you’re building worlds in the first place

All of my published works take place on Earth within 100 years of the present, in locations you can find on a map today (or close). The world building for these books was therefore the minimum necessary to encompass new technology, politics and the occasional alien invasion. I wanted this proximity to reality because each book is clearly about today’s society and/or warnings for things to come. You, however, might want to escape the planet, solar system, universe and time-space continuum entirely. Which is great. Just keep in mind that the more you leave the known, the greater obligation you have to build a world the reader can understand…and appreciate.

So ask yourself, are you building a world because it’s a cool way to procrastinate, and it’s fun, or because that’s what you need to tell the story? Neither answer is correct, but the more time you spending building the less time you spend writing…unless you’re building a world that will be used for multiple works, in which case, build away.

2  / Be internally consistent

Whether you’re writing fantasy or science fiction, the structure and behavior of your world should remain consistent by whatever set of rules you’ve defined for that world. If they’re not, you’re going to lose readers and, if you care, get worse reviews.

In Dune, there are rules about (not having) computers and artificial intelligence that allow for the semi-religious power dynamic of the books (not to mention the dependence on spice for navigation in space). Frank Herbert can’t then have robots magically appear later on to solve some poorly thought-out plot issue.

In Star Wars, you can’t jump straight from one point to another in space without running into things, which at least retroactively explains why the Kessel Run record was expressed in distance and not time (using the shortest safe route). The same franchise runs into massive consistency problems in later installments when, for instance, we learn that you can fly any ship into another at “lightspeed” (which in Star Wars is much faster than the speed of light) and destroy it, making it obvious that you could have obliterated the Death Star or anything else just by ramming it with a small ship. This breaks the plotline of almost every Star Wars film.

So, if you give readers a rule, you need to follow it unless there’s a clear and rational reason not to, and all other rules should make sense in that context. To understand how hard this is, look at Marvel’s Avengers. It’s practically impossible to keep clear which superhero has which relative power because they keep changing according to the needs of a movie or scene. We overlook this because we love the movies, but you probably won’t be as lucky in your books…

3 / If it’s in the near future, there should be a clear path from here to there

In writing Run Lab Rat Run, I had in mind a series of prequels that explained how the world got to where it was (as a hierarchical genetic dystopia), and thus left a lot of this backstory out of the book. A few readers asked how all this madness happened, and I realized that (absent the prequels), I’d left the backstory too vague. I can’t fix that now, but in future novels, this will be a key checklist item for me. Meanwhile, the prequels are coming!

4 / If it’s in the distant future or after a disaster that breaks the connection between the past and present, that should be clear

This is rarely a problem, as authors love to write about disasters / end of the world / plagues / meteors / viruses / invasions / loud noises that result in the rapid decline of society so they can talk about a woman and her dog lost in the radioactive wastelands of wherever, but it’s vitally important that you as an author understand what happened, when, why and how it impacts the world of your story–and communicate enough of this to give the reader an anchor.

Don’t get me wrong; sometimes this horrific event is the very thing you want to hide. In Planet of the Apes, the surprise is that the planet of brainy but mean apes is …Earth! Spoiler? Hmm. Anyway, you might be intentionally hiding parts of the world’s history to allow for this type of reveal, but it should still be very clear how the world got from A to B (at least by the end). I’m assuming the apes drank too much Red Bull.

5 / No matter what the world looks like, your story should be more about people / beings and the obstacles they face than the technology itself

I remember reading Larry Niven’s short stories, including one about how someone died inside an allegedly impenetrable General Products hull. But even with a black hole, killer gravity, an invincible ship and concerns about warranty violations, the story is still about a guy trying to solve a problem before he dies. Which is basically the same story as The Martian, where we care about Mark Watney a lot more than the technology he’s trying to salvage.

6 / You should have a massive backstory that never goes in your book

Because this gives your world a feeling of fullness / richness that you don’t get if there’s just a skeleton and no flesh. In world building articles, they’ll often talk about this in terms of hard vs. soft world building, which is different from hard vs. soft science fiction. Hard SF concerns itself heavily with science and the details of technology, while soft SF tends to use technology and science as (important) background that’s not central to the story. Hard world building is about how much of the world you know and show to the reader (a lot), whereas soft world building means more is implied and less is shown. I tend to think that even if you’re writing soft SF and doing soft world-building, you should still know far more about the world than the reader does.

The challenge here is, of course, that you’ve built this cool world and you want to show it to everyone. Trust me, almost no one cares. Share the parts that move the story forward and hide the rest. If you want to add adjunct materials to your website, great (I have a massive glossary for Run Lab Rat Run), but leave it out of the book. The story will move faster, the reader will stay more engaged, and your books will do better.

Why develop all this if you’re not showing it? Because you need to know how, when, where and why things happen even if the reader doesn’t. Otherwise, you’ll have trouble fleshing out the story and remaining internally consistent (See #2).

7 / The same is true of characters

Meaning, you should know the backstory of your characters even if the reader doesn’t need to. Where did they go to space laser college? Did they graduate with a minor in Babble Fish? What’s the scar from? Is they cybernetic right arm haunted or just made by the lowest bidder? Do they have past trauma their working through, and how does it affect them in your story? Do they prefer Twizzlers or Red Vines (there is a right answer, and it rhymes with lead mines).

Whenever I read something by Margaret Atwood, for instance, I know she knows way more about the characters than she’s telling, and that brings them to life. You know, until they die horribly. And then you’re really sad about that.

8 / If you’re doing hard science fiction, get your science right

Let me correct that: If you’re writing anything that is based on fact, even if it’s only the facts in your world, get it right. Don’t leave the reader picking up your bad math, physics, chemistry, laser optics or (in fantasy) spells. That’s not their job. This is especially true if you’re writing in areas that have…hobbyists. Enthusiasts? For instance, never screw up military ranks, military history, guns (even space guns), gravity, relativistic math, time travel paradox magicology, genetics, etc. At least one of your readers is going to have a PhD in that thing, and they’ll let everyone know you screwed up.

9 / In soft SF, the feel of your world matters more than the details (but see #2)

And because the feel of your world and its characters matter more than detailed scientific exposition, I’d suggest changing the minimum number of things from present reality and culture to tell your story. If having nineteen genders isn’t relevant or important, then leave it out. If you’re not comfortable changing languages and dialects, don’t. Tell your story using the world you build; don’t let the world take over your story. For instance, I love the lingo in Clockwork Orange and Blade Runner, but I try to minimize linguistic quirks in what I write so I’m not constantly explaining what a word means. Change a few things that matter, and move on. A little goes a long way.

10 / Minimize jargon, abbreviations, acronyms, etc.

One thing I know is technically “wrong” about Run Lab Rat Run is that there will be far more changes in language than I present in the book (whether my predicted future comes to pass or not). The reason is simple; if you’re not a native of that future world, you’ll need a while to learn the language, culture, usage, etc., and you don’t have time for full-immersion language class in the middle of your book. Your novel isn’t Lord of the Rings (sorry), where you can spend time developing entire languages and the reader will go along for the ride. They probably won’t. They won’t even look at a glossary if you put it in the book. You’ll just frustrate and lose your audience. For instance, I used “WIP” in the intro paragraphs (for Work in Progress). Many probably knew what it meant, but many didn’t, and I didn’t gain anything by using the acronym.

11 / Have a Little Fun

World building is a blast, and a great way to procrastinate. Don’t focus just on the serious stuff. What changes / new things are in this world that your reader will find humorous, disgusting or both? Put some of that in there. Science Fiction is about imagining alternate worlds and futures, including all of their glorious absurdity. If your dominant species is dogs, there should be some butt sniffing and dry humping because that’s what dogs do. If it’s about genetic engineering, like some of my books, then there’s going to be some random, stupid, irresponsible genetic experimentation that’s worth a joke or two (e.g., the sex model references in RLRR). Include eleven items in a list of ten. Get crazy.

In Blade Runner’s infamous “I only do eyes scene,” a replicant eyeball is placed on a man’s shoulder. It’s disturbing, threatening, and darkly funny, but it also reveals how truly synthetic the replicants are. In The Martian, we learn that you can’t grow potatoes on Mars without poop, which is both funny and pretty essential to not dying. If you’re enjoying your world, your readers will too. Unless they’re Vogons, in which case, run before the poetry starts.

Other Resources

It might surprise you to know that I’m not the first one to write about world building in science fiction. Here are some other articles that do a good job, especially the John Fox one. Most of them conflate SF with Fantasy as if all speculative fiction is just one big blob, but the rules are pretty much the same (just replace magic with science or vice versa).

Thanks your time. I look forward to hearing about your new worlds.

Peace, Shawn

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Last Duke Standing by Julia London – Review, Q&A & Excerpt

Last Duke Standing by Julia London – Review, Q&A & Excerpt

 

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Description:
When Crown Princess Justine of Wesloria is sent to England to learn the ropes of royalty, she falls under the tutelage of none other than Queen Victoria herself. Justine’s also in the market for a proper husband—one fit to marry the future queen of Wesloria.

Because he knows simply everyone, William, Lord Douglas (the notoriously rakish heir to the Duke of Hamilton seat in Scotland, and decidedly not husband material), is on hand as an escort of sorts. William has been recruited to keep an eye on the royal matchmaker for the Weslorian prime minister, tasked to ensure the princess is matched with a man of quality…and one who will be sympathetic to the prime minister’s views. As William and Justine are forced to scrutinize an endless parade of England’s best bachelors, they become friends. But when the crowd of potential grooms is steadily culled, what if William is the last bachelor standing?

 

Review:

Last Duke Standing by Julia London is the 1st book in her new A Royal Match series.  We meet Crown Princess Justine of Wesloria at the start, as she is the heir to the throne. Justine’s father is the King, and his health has been failing; he wants her to find herself a husband suitable for her becoming the Queen.  He sends her to England, with her sister, Amelia to learn the ropes of royalty from Queen Victoria, as well have a matchmaker introduce Justine to men that are wealthy and suitable to be her Prince Consort.

Lord William Douglas, the future Duke of Hamilton in Scotland, is well known, and considered a rake; not considered as husband material, but he is approached by Justine’s advisors (prime minister) to be a friendly escort to help her meet the man suitable for her to marry.  William is surprised at the request, especially since Justine hates him and they have not seen each other in many years. 

When Justine sees William, she immediately coldly ignores him, but they both need to put the past slights behind them and work together.  The banter between them was fun, and in a short time they did become friends, with William using his knowledge of the well-known wealthy bachelors that the matchmaker brings forth to meet Justine, and just about everyone were not suitable or too stupid for her.  I did get a kick out of William constantly bringing them down, with a little bit of jealousy. 

William finds himself falling hard for Justine, though he knew his reputation stopped him from being even considered.  It did take a while, but slowly Justine realized she was falling in love with William.  I loved how William was always there for Justine, weather she had anxiety in front of crowds, or if one of the suitors leaned toward Amelia, as he stepped up to help her deal with each situation.  The flirty banter between them was awesome.

Last Duke Standing was a fun, flirty, charming romantic historical story, with a couple that was sensual and had us rooting for.  Was the man Justine found herself falling for suitable to be the perfect husband? You need to read this book to find out.  Last Duke Standing was so very well written by Julia London

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

                                           PROLOGUE

1844

When Justine was fourteen, her father took her to the mountainous north country of Wesloria. He said he was to meet with coal barons because they were restless and in need of appeasing. Why? Justine had wondered.
“Because coal barons are always restless and in need of appeasing, darling,” he’d said, as if everyone knew that.
She’d imagined large, heavily cloaked men, faces covered in soot, pacing their hearths and muttering their grievances. But the coal barons were, in fact, like all well-dressed Weslorian gentlemen with clean faces.
They peered at her with expressions that ranged from disgust to indifference to curiosity.
“Don’t mind them,” her father had said. “They are not modern men.”
Justine and her father were housed at Astasia Castle. It was a fortress that jutted out forebodingly from a rocky outcropping so high on the mountain that the horses labored to pull the royal coach up the steep drive. It was purported to be the best of all the accommodations in the area, afforded to Justine and her father by virtue of the fact Justine’s father was the king of Wesloria, and she was the crown princess, the invested heir to the throne.
Justine said the castle looked scary. Her father explained that castles were built in this manner so that armies and marauders could be seen advancing from miles away, and runaway brides could be seen fleeing for miles.
“Runaway brides?” Justine had been enthralled by the idea of something so romantic gone so horribly awry.
“Petr the Mad watched his bride run away with his best knight, and then watched his men chase them for miles before they got away. He was so angry he burned down half the village.” Her father did not elaborate further, as the gates had opened, and the castellan had come rushing forward, eager to show the king and his heir the old royal castle he proudly kept.
Sir Corin wore a dusty blue waistcoat that hung to his thighs, the last four buttons undone to allow for his paunch. His hair, scraggly and gray, had been pulled into an old-fashioned queue at his nape. He kept a ring of keys attached to his waist that clanked with each step he took.
He was a student of history, he’d said, and could answer any question they might have about Astasia Castle, and proceeded to exhibit his detailed knowledge of the dank, drafty place with narrow halls and low ceilings. A young Russian prince had died in this room. An ancient queen had lost her life giving birth to her tenth child in that room.
Sir Corin showed them to the throne room. “More than one monarch’s held court here.”
Justine was accustomed to the opulence of the palace in Wesloria’s capital of St. Edys. This looked more like a common room of a public house—it was small and dark, the king and queen’s thrones wooden, and the tapestries faded by time and smoke.
Another room, Sir Corin pointed out, was where King Maksim had accepted the surrender of the feudal King Igor, thereby uniting all Weslorians under one rule after generations of strife.
“My namesake,” her father said proudly, forgetting, perhaps, that King Maksim had slaughtered King Igor’s forces to unite them all.
They came upon a small inner courtyard. Stone walls rose up on three sides of it, but the outer wall was a battlement. Sir Corin pointed to a door at one end of the battlement that led into a keep with narrow windows. “We use it for storage now, but they kept the prisoners there in the old days. Worse than any dungeon your young eyes have ever seen, Your Royal Highness.”
Justine had never seen a dungeon.
“Is this not where Lord Rabat was beheaded?” her father asked casually. To Justine, he said, “That would have been your great-great-uncle Rabat.”
“Je, Your Majesty, the block is still here.” Sir Corin pointed to a large wooden block that stood alone, about two feet high and two feet wide. It looked to have been weathered by years of sitting in hard sun and wretched winters.
“Oh, how terrible,” Justine said, crinkling her nose.
“Quite,” her father agreed, and explained, with far too much enthusiasm, how a person was made to kneel before the block and lay their neck upon it. “A good executioner could make clean work of it with a single stroke. Whap, and the head would tumble into a basket.”
“If I may, Your Majesty, a good executioner was hard to come by. More miners in these parts than men good with broadswords. Fact is, it took three strikes of the sword to sever Rabat’s head completely.” Sir Corin felt it necessary to demonstrate the three strikes with his arm.
“Ah…” Justine swallowed down a swell of nausea.
“Three whacks?” her father repeated, rapt. “Couldn’t get it done in one?”
Sir Corin shook his head. “Just goes to prove how important it is to keep the broadsword sharp.”
“And to keep someone close who knows how to wield it,” her father added. The two men laughed roundly.
Justine looked around for someplace to sit so that she could put her head between her legs and gulp some air. Alas, the only place to sit was the block.
“Steady there, my girl. I’ve not told you who ordered the beheading,” her father said.
Sir Corin clasped his hands together in anticipation, clearly trying to contain his glee.
“Your great-great-aunt Queen Elena!”
Queen Elena had beheaded Lord Rabat? “Her husband?”
“Worse. Her brother.”
Justine gasped. “But why?”
“Because Rabat meant to behead her first. Whoever survived the battle here would be crowned the sovereign.”
“Ooh, a bloody battle it was, too,” Sir Corin said eagerly. “Four thousand souls lost, many of them falling right off the battlement.”
Justine backed up a step. A quake was beginning somewhere deep inside her, making her a little short of breath. Her knees felt as if they might buckle, and her skin crawled with anxiety, imagining the loss of so many. “Could she not have banished him?”
“And have him slither back like a snake?” Her father draped his arm around her shoulders before she could back up all the way to St. Edys. “She did the right thing. Why, minutes before, she was on the block herself.”
“Dear God,” Justine whispered.
“But at the last minute the people here saved her,” her father said. “She sentenced her brother to die immediately for his insurrection and stood right where we are now to watch his traitorous head roll.”
“Well,” Sir Corin said. “I wouldn’t say it rolled, precisely.”
The two men laughed again.
“Don’t close your eyes, darling,” her father said, squeezing her into his side. “Look at that block. Elena was only seventeen years old, but she was very clever. She knew what she had to do to hold power and rule the kingdom. And she ruled a very long time.”
“Forty-three years, all told,” Sir Corin said proudly.
“Queen Elena learned what every sovereign must—be decisive and act quickly. Do you understand?”
“I don’t…think so?” Justine was starting to feel a bit like she was spinning.
“You will.” Her father dropped his arm. He wandered over to the block to inspect it. “We almost named you Elena after her. But they called her Elena the Bi—Witch,” he said. “And your mother feared they might call you the same.”
“You said she was a good queen.”
“She was an excellent queen. But sometimes it is difficult to do the things that must be done and keep the admiration of your people at the same time.”
The spinning was getting worse. She gripped her father’s arm. “Why?”
“Because people expect a woman to behave like a woman. But a good queen must sometimes behave more like a king for the good of the kingdom. People don’t care for it.” He shrugged. “No king or queen can make all their subjects happy all the time.” He suddenly smiled. “You look a bit like Queen Elena.”
“The very image,” Sir Corin piped up.
Later that day Justine saw a portrait of Queen Elena. She wasn’t smiling, but she didn’t appear completely unpleasant. She simply looked…determined. And her dress was elegantly pretty, with lots of pearls sewn into it.
Later still, when her father and his men had retired to smoke cigars and talk about coal or some such, Justine returned to the courtyard alone. No one was there, no sentry looking out for marauders or runaway brides. She looked up at the tops of pines bending in a relentless wind, appearing to scrape a dull gray sky. She walked up the steps to the battlement and gazed out over the mountain valley below the castle. She spread her arms wide, closed her eyes and turned her face to the heavens.
That was the first time she truly felt it—the pull from somewhere deep, the energy of all the kings and queens who had come before her, rising up to the crown of her head, anchoring her to this earth. She felt the centuries of warfare and struggle, of the people her family had ruled. She felt the enormous responsibilities they’d all carried, the work they’d done to carve a road to the future.
Her father had often said that he could feel the weight of his crown on his shoulders. But Justine felt something entirely different. She didn’t feel as if it was weighing her down, but more like it was lifting her off her feet and holding her here. She didn’t believe this was a conceit on her part, but a tether to her past. She would be a queen. She knew that she would, and standing there, she felt like she should be. She felt born to it.
A gust of wind very nearly sent her flying, so she came down from the battlement. She paused just before the block and tried to imagine herself on her knees, knowing her death was imminent. She imagined how she would look.
She hoped she would appear strong and noble with no hint of her fear of the pain or the unknown.
Being queen was her destiny. She knew it would come.
But she hadn’t known then it would come so soon.

Excerpted from The Last Duke Standing by Julia London. Copyright © 2022 by Dinah Dinwiddie. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

 

 

  1. Tell us about your latest book. Who are the main character(s) and what can readers expect when they pick up Last Duke Standing?

Princess Justine Ivanosen is going to be queen of Wesloria sooner than she hoped—her father, the king, is dying from tuberculosis. Because he is declining, a marriage becomes very important. The Prime Minister is dead set against having a young woman ascend the throne without a man to guide her, and her mother is still smarting over Justine’s disastrous affair with a charlatan, the reveal of which has left her without great prospects at home. The Prime Minister convinces the queen that they ought to employ a matchmaker to make quick work of it. They can ship her off to England to apprentice with Queen Victoria, bring some suitors around to court her there instead of here, where all of Wesloria will be watching, and give strict instructions that she is to return with a fiance. The prime minister won’t leave the selection of the lucky fellow to chance, and persuades one of his old cronies to send his handsome son to London to keep an eye on the selection process.

William Douglas, the future Duke of Hamilton, has been flitting around Europe for ages. He’s met the princess before, but she was hardly more than a snippy girl who didn’t like losing parlor games. The last thing he wants to do is babysit that child. But he discovers the girl in his memory is now a very attractive grown woman. She’s still a challenge, however—she likes to be called Your Royal Highness a lot more than he likes saying it, and expressly forbids him from offering his advice. He’s one of those people—if someone says don’t do it, he’s going to do it. And he has some advice about every man that comes to meet her.

Lady Aleksander, the matchmaker, sees that these two might be perfect for each other. The only way to find out is to bring some gentlemen around that she knows will unite Justine and William. But they are too busy pretending they aren’t falling in love to even notice.  

  1. Who was your favorite character to write in THE LAST DUKE STANDING and why?

I like all the main characters. Justine and William were so meant for each other. Little sister Amelia has some growing up to do. Beckett Hawke and Donovan are back from A Royal Wedding series. But I really enjoyed creating Lady Aleksander, the matchmaker. She is the third point of view in this book, and her observations of what is happening is like the Greek chorus—she can see clearly what the leads can’t see. It liked that she’s in her forties, very much in love with her husband, and she just wants everyone to have what she has. She makes no apologies for who she is or what she does and she has the patience of Job. She also likes to eat. We have that in common.

  1. What do you like about writing in the historical subgenre? What are the challenges?

I fell in love with historical fiction when I was a girl. Castles and princesses were a long way from a ranch in West Texas, but I loved the stories of balls and gowns and the idea of a rich gentleman. I was surrounded by farmers and ranch hands, so the idea of a pretty dress and fancy dinner had a fairy-tale appeal. I loved history in school, and I minored in British history. The fairy-tale appeal still persists—through the last election and the pandemic, it was a great relief for me to slip off to another world where people were genteel and the biggest problem they had was the strict rules of etiquette putting a damper on their moves. The challenge of writing historical romance today is to make it interesting for the new generation of readers. There is a lot more competing for their attention than there was for mine at a similar age. But a good love story is a good story, no matter the era.

  1. Who are some authors you look to for inspiration?

One of the best romances I ever read was Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman. It is a history of Wales, and of King Llewellyn and his very young wife Joanna. The history is dark and bloody, but they truly loved each other.

I have also found a renewed admiration for Julia Quinn. I can look back at her Bridgerton series now and see how clever she was at giving us a large family with a lot of issues to enjoy for years. She must have taken excellent notes from her own books to keep up with all the twists and turns in that family.

  1. What is your writing routine like? Do you have a specific place you write? Time of day?

My routine is to do it every day. I usually do some physical exercise in the morning, but once I’ve done that, and picked up the house, and done my Wordle, I get to work. I write every day. I have an office, but the pandemic has made me sick of it. So I move around the house now. I am done with the day’s work by the time school is out—I used to be able to keep my head in two places (the book and family) but I can’t do that anymore. I don’t know what happened to my ability to multi-task, but it has been obliterated.  So I work as much as I can during school hours and then hit the wine fridge like any red-blooded working mom.

  1. What’s next for the Royal Match series?

I am just finishing The Duke Not Taken. It’s about Princess Amelia, who is also sent to England under Lady Aleksander’s care to find a husband. Amelia really wants a husband and a family. Her problem, however, is she’s too much of a straightshooter for most people. And she’s not willing to settle. Enter the Duke of Marley, who has to be the only man in one hundred square miles who is not the least interested in a beautiful, rich, young princess. He has his reasons…

 

Julia London is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels of historical and contemporary romance. She is the author of the popular Highland Grooms series as well as A Royal Wedding, her most recent series. Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. She lives in Austin, Texas. Visit her at www.julialondon.com.

 

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