Tag Archives: Crista McHugh

The Sweetest Seduction by Crista McHugh – a Review

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The Sweetest Seduction by Crista McHugh – a Review

 

The Sweetest Seduction
The Kelley Brothers – Book #1
by Crista McHugh
Release Date: December 26, 2013

The Sweetest SeductionLinks to order The Sweetest Seduction:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Lia Mantovani has created one of the hottest restaurants on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, but all that could disappear if she loses her lease with Kelly Properties. Having had her dreams ripped away from her before, she’ll do everything in her power to keep her restaurant. Her fate hangs on the whims of the frustratingly handsome Adam Kelly.

Adam has spent years trying to convince world famous chef Amadeus Schlittler to open a restaurant in Chicago, but he wants the prime location held by Lia. Business has always come first… until sparks fly when Adam meets her. When things get hot outside the kitchen, though, they’re both in danger of getting burned.

 

Review:

At the start of The Sweetest Seduction by Crista McHugh, we meet Lia, who is an up and coming chef, and a good one.  She also has a meddling mother.  When they arrive at the Kelly’s home for Lia to prepare a dinner for the Kelly family, which Mother Kelly bought at a charity auction, Lia has no idea what she’s in for, or how much her life is about to change.

Once they arrive at the picturesque Kelly home on the lake, she can’t help but wonder what her mom is up to.  And once she sees all of the hunky Kelly brothers, she sighs in resignation.  Seems her mom and Mrs. Kelly have an ulterior motive.  Lia heads to the kitchen to start her preparations.  Enter Adam Kelly.  Sparks?  No.  More like spontaneous combustion.  Both try to ignore the other, but what’s the worst that can happen to just indulge…………a little?

But, once Lia realizes that Adam is the one who owns her restaurant space and wants to lease the space to the pompous Amadeus Schittler, will she be able to change his mind? Will Adam be able to satisfy both his and Lia’s needs?  Both, professionally and personally?  Well, my friends, you will just have to read to find out.  And, what a read it is!

Crista has ONCE AGAIN written a story that grabs you from the very first and leaves you wanting more!  The chemistry between Lia and Adam is off the charts and the steam factor will leave you panting.  Crista’s writing style is second to none.  You are completely engrossed in these two characters from the beginning and do not want it to end.  If you are looking for a new author, or just looking for a quick, sexy read, this book will not disappoint.  I have touted Crista McHugh as one of my must-read authors since the first time I read one of her stories.  She writes in several different genres and they are all spectacular.  Well done, Crista McHugh!!  Very, very well done!!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

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Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh – a review

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Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh – a review

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Eight Tiny Flames
A WW2 Hanukkah Novella
A Very Scandalous Holiday Anthology
by Crista McHugh
Release Date: October 14, 2013
Genre: historical, romance

Eight Tiny flames

 

Eight Tiny Flames by Crista McHugh

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

1944 Ardennes, WWII

Lt. Ruth Mencher has always secretly admired Capt. Joseph Klein, but it takes the lighting of a Hanukkah candle to uncover the spark of mutual attraction. Each night awakens a new facet of their relationship, but as the Battle of the Bulge begins, the approaching Nazi forces threaten to tear them apart.

 

Review:

Faith. And love. Those are the two words that describe this story. During a time when the Nazis were blazing their way through Europe, Ruth Mencher was unabashed with her faith. She was a nurse in an evac unit and prided herself in her work. Joseph Klein, an army surgeon, with his movie star good looks and Texas drawl, made most swoon. Until he started barking orders. He intimidated most, but not Ruth. She was drawn to him for some reason, and decided to take a chance. Being so far from home, and the holiday season approaching made her yearn for more than just her work. So, with her dime store menorah, she decides to include Joe in her Hanukkah celebration. Will Joe accept her invitation and her faith? Well, of course he will. Not only is this a romance, but it’s a holiday story as well! And, once she discovers Joe’s “secret”, she falls so very hard over the next eight nights while they burn Eight Tiny Flames…………..

What a sweet sweet story. Even though this is a short story, the impact it makes will stay with you. Ruth is such a feisty woman and the depth of her faith will humble anyone who reads this story. I absolutely adore this type of historical romance. I have read several over the years that have taken place during wartime, and this is by far my favorite. The one problem with the story? It was too danged short!!!! Another great story as told by one of my must-read authors. Well done Crista McHugh!!!

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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Crista McHugh – Deception’s Web- Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Crista McHugh – Deception’s Web- Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Deception’s Web
The Deizian Empire series
 Book #3
 Release Date: December 9, 2013

Deception's WebLinks to order Deception’s Web:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The BookDepository

Description:
 A soldier looking for redemption falls into the arms of the empire’s Black Widow… Galerius, former Captain of the Legion, is honored to be given a chance to redeem himself by discovering who is behind the failing barrier. A series of anonymous letters all point to Hostilius, governor of Lucrilia, but Galerius thinks he’ll learn more about the plot by seducing the governor’s thrice widowed daughter, Claudia. Although he warns himself not to fall into snare of the empire’s most deadly temptress, one kiss leaves him begging for more. Claudia has spent years as a pawn in her father’s political games and longs to break free of his rule, even it means betraying him to the emperor. When Galerius arrives in Tivola, she’s not sure if he’s there to aid her father or stop him. She willingly submits to his seduction, despite their class differences, in order to find the truth. What she doesn’t expect to find is a man who indulges her secret fantasies, satisfying her in a way none of her previous husbands did, and treats her as something more than a conquest. As time runs out to thwart her father’s plans, she must decide if she can trust Galerius not only with her life, but her heart

Review:

Deception’s Web by Crista McHugh begins with more threats against the Emperor and the Empress and the empire that Titus and Azurha are working ever so hard to bring together.  Someone is trying to sabotage the barrier that protects their planet from the barbarians and they both know that they will need someone that they can entrust such secrets with.  And to add to the secrecy, we discover that Azurha is pregnant and Titus will do anything to keep the love of his life and his unborn child safe.

 

When Galerius is summoned to the palace, he’s not quite sure what to make of it.  After all, he failed the emperor and resigned his post as Captain of the Legion, even though Titus and Azurha protested, he felt he had no other choice.  Once he is brought up to speed regarding the new threat to the empire, he still doesn’t feel that he is the one for the job.  But, once Azurha plays him like a fiddle and gets him riled, he jumps at the chance to redeem himself in their eyes and to himself.  However, when he finds out that he will have to interact with the empire’s notorious Black Widow…………  Gods help him…

 

To say that Claudia has been a pawn in her father’s quests to take over the empire is like saying that Moby Dick was a sardine.  She has bore the brunt of her father’s ire as well as her brother’s.  But, once she realizes that her father is planning something big and strike at the Emperor and seize control of the empire, she knows that she can no longer be his pawn.  And, once she realizes that Galerius is there to stop her father, she sets out to aid him without his knowledge.  The one thing that Claudia didn’t count on was Galerius making her wish for things that she dared not to ever wish for.  Could they place their trust in each other and, just maybe, find happiness together?  Well my friends, you will have to read to find out.

 

Oh my sweet Jesus, where to begin?!  McHugh has once again left me astounded with her storytelling skills.  Everyone knew that Galerius was being too hard on himself when he left the Legion, which made us love him even more.  And, when Titus and Azurha played good cop/bad cop in order to have him help them once again, the pride with which he embarked on this mission made your heart swell.  BUT, how in the world would McHugh make us accept Claudia?  After all, she had made a play for the Emperor and was horrid to Azurha.  Seems Azurha knew there was more to Claudia than met the eye and Crista McHugh did a fabulous job in letting us see even more than what Azurha seemingly already knew.  The absolute disdain that Claudia’s father and brother had for her will make your heart break, but once she knows she can no longer accept her role in her father’s machinations, she holds her head high and does what she has to do to right the atrocious wrongs reaped upon their people by her father.

 

Crista McHugh has once again written an awesome story full of political intrigue and steamy romance.  There is also a wonderful path of self discovery after a life full of self doubt for both Galerius and Claudia.  One that will absolutely leave you wanting more from this wonderful world that McHugh has so effortlessly created.  Very well done Crista McHugh, very, very well done……  Oh, and, by the way, there will be more, right?!?!?!!?  =D

 

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

Deizian Series

 

 

Guest Post-White and Aqua

The Isle of Capri, Tiberius, and Caligula

crista picture 1

When creating my fictional setting of Tivola (in the province of Lucrillia) , I turned to the Isle of Capri for inspiration. In addition to being the home of the beautiful Blue Grotto and other amazing scenery, it was also home to several emperors during their reigns. This was where young Caligula spent his formative years under the care of Emperor Tiberius (who was fond of tossing people he didn’t like off the cliffs). And when I decided to create a power-hungry villain and son, I didn’t have to look much further than that pair.
Crista picture 2

Completed in 27 AD, Villa Jovis was where Emperor Tiberius basically ruled the Roman Empire during the last ten years of his reign. Rumors of sordid behaviors, from the aforementioned executions for entertainment to the orgies that last for days, filtered back to Rome. The people were so appalled by Tiberius’s behavior that they publically rejoiced when his ward, Caligula, smothered him in his sleep. But of course, we all know about Caligula’s reign… If you could set a story in any place, where would it be?

Giveaway
Crista has graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Café a copy of her first two books in her Deizian Empire series, Tangled Web & Poisoned Web.

Deizian Series 2

1.  Please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open Internationally

4.  Contests runs from December 10 to December 14, 2013

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Poisoned Web by Crista McHugh – a Review

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Poisoned Web by Crista McHugh – a Review

 

Poisened Web

Links to order Poisoned Web:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository
Description:
The fate of the empire hangs on one slave breaking her silence…

As the Deizian Empire prepares for the upcoming wedding of Emperor Titus Sergius Flavus and Azruha, one mystery remains unsolved—the sudden and unexplained death of the former emperor. And as her wedding gift to Titus, Azurha wants to give him answers. She suspects an unknown poison was involved, and her search for the truth enlists two unlikely allies.

Modius Varro’s thirst for knowledge caused an uproar in Emona three years ago and exiled him to the border town of Madrena. But when Titus falls victim to the same poison, his expertise in medicine becomes essential in solving both the riddle of the former emperor’s death and finding a cure to save the current one. His search leads him to far reaches of the Alpirion realm, to an ancient culture shrouded in secrets, and into the arms of one slave who must break her silence to save the empire.

 

Review:

Poisoned Web by Crista McHugh picks up shortly after book one, Tangled Web.  As Titus and Azurha are preparing for their wedding, Azurha can’t seem to let go of her questions surrounding his father’s death.  If someone got to Titus’ father, what would keep them from getting to him?  Once Modius arrives and Azurha tells him of her suspicions, he sets out to see if he can unravel the mystery.  And, when Azurha confides in Izana, a slave and Azurha’s attendant, and asks for her to help Modius, who has been away for some time.

When Izana meets Modius, they are immediately attracted to each other and act on that attraction rather quickly.  And once they begin their quest into finding out exactly what happened to the former emperor, they each question whether or not they should continue to act on their feelings.  Seems they both think that once the other learns of the other’s past, that will somehow change things.  Then, the unthinkable happens.  Titus is poisoned as well, and time is now as much the enemy as the person who poisoned both Titus and his father.  Once the mystery starts to unravel, Izana and Modius are placed in grave danger and have only each other to depend on.  And, depend they do.

What makes an author great for me is when they grab you from the very first and don’t let go.  That is exactly what Crista McHugh has done with Poisoned Web.  I didn’t think that she could top, or even equal, how much I loved Tangled Web.  Pfffftt!! What in the world was I thinking?  McHugh’s world-building abilities astound me.  Her characters are so relatable and so real, as is the world she builds.  Once again, there is no “filler”.  She simply tells her characters’ story and you are immediately immersed into their world.  She does a fantastic job with the secondary characters as well, of which I can’t wait to read more about.  Poisoned Web lets us see the continuation of Azurha and Titus’ relationship as well.  But make no mistake, this is definitely Izana and Modius’ story.  Izana was a great heroine.  She was fearless in her quest to help save her emperor, as well as trying to save herself and Modius.  And Modius was fearless as well in their quest as he realizes that he will do anything for the woman he loves. 

If you’ve not read any of Crista McHugh’s stories, you are doing yourself a HUGE disservice.  She is on my “must read” list and I look forward to all of her works.  I will sum this up by saying that I’d read a phone book if it were written by her.  Yep, she’s that good.  Well done Crista McHugh, very very well done……..

Review by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

 

GiveawayCrista is having a big giveaway as part of her Poisoned Web release tour — a $100 Amazon gift card or 1 of 20 autographed copies of the first book in the series, Tangled Web. Details here: http://bit.ly/1aebTrN

 

 

 

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Crista McHugh – A Soul for Vengeance Guest Post & Giveaway

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Crista McHugh – A Soul for Vengeance Guest Post & Giveaway

Guest Post=Black and Red

A Soul For Vengeance is the final book in The Soulbearer Trilogy. Don’t let the title fool you – this novel isn’t some dark tale about people obsessed with getting revenge on their enemies.

Soulbearer Collage

Well, OK, maybe just a little.

After all, foreign invaders have ransacked Kell’s kingdom and killed off his family. Oh, and let’s not forget how Arden dumped him in the last book. But a handsome prince like Kell won’t little things like that eat away at him.

Not for too long, anyway.

And then there’s Arden, who still has some daddy issues. Unfortunately, her father has the one thing she treasures above all else – her mother’s necklace. Sure, she can do the mature, polite thing and ask nicely for it back, but where’s the fun (and payback) in that? Especially when she has the power of a chaos god to call upon when confronting the man who knocked her mother up and left her behind.

And speaking of Loku, the chaos god has his own agenda. He wants what’s hidden in a secret vault in Lothmore Castle, and he’s willing to drag Arden along for the ride.

Lastly, there’s Zara, who’s constantly side-lined because she’s a woman, even though she’s the brains behind the rebellion “led” by her brother. But a brilliant woman won’t stand for that for very long. If you were Zara, how would you get back at your brother?

A. A pie to the face, because it’s always good for a laugh… and might sully up his expensive silk shirt.

B. Start a rumor around the kingdom that he has a very small… *insert object here*

C. An archery contest because, you know, it worked for Merida in Brave

D. Rally the troops by doing her best Braveheart impression (“They may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!”)

E. Get him really drunk and lead him to the bed of a woman who has a very over-protective father.

F. Steal all the clothes from his room while he’s sleeping so he’s forced to look for them in his underwear (or naked, if he sleeps in the nude)

Thankfully, Zara didn’t resort to any of the above – way too mature for that – but she does get the credit she deserves in the end.

 

About the Author Black and Orange

crista mchugh picture
Growing up in small town Alabama, I relied on story-telling as a natural way for me to pass the time and keep my two younger sisters entertained.

I currently live in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with my husband and daughter, maintaining my alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while I continue to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

I am an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the FF&P , Greater Seattle Chapter, ESPAN, Passionate Ink, and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), Absolute Write, and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs I’ve had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And I’m also a recovering LARPer. (I blame it on my crazy college days)

For the latest updates and answers to any burning questions you have, please check out my blog.

You can learn more about Crista at the following links:
Website:
Goodreads:
Twitter:
Facebook:

 

A Soul For Vengeance
Book 3 of The SoulBearer Trilogy
Release Date: April 20,2013

 

A Soul for Vengeance

Nothing stirs up Chaos like Vengeance.

When Prince Kell returns to Ranello, he finds his homeland in ashes. The invaders from Thallus destroyed everything he held dear, leaving him heir to a throne he can’t claim. The thirst for vengeance consumes him and drives him right into the arms of the most unlikely of rebel leaders.

Zara has fought for months to keep the hopes of the Ranellian people alive. Finding Kell is just the thing their dying rebellion needs. But as she tries to soothe Kell’s bitterness and turn him into the leader he’s meant to be, she finds herself desiring the one man she believes she’ll never have. A man whose heart was broken by a yellow-haired witch named Arden Soulbearer.

Available in ebook at  B&N, Amazon, All Romance Ebooks,  Kobo and Apple!

Available in print at  Amazon, B&N, Book Depository, Powells, and IndieBound!

Read the first chapter  here!

 

Giveaway Black and Orange

Crista is graciously offering one lucky member of The Reading Cafe a print copy of the complete Soulbearer trilogy (1 BIG book containing the 3 Soulbearer books).

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in please post your email address along with your comment.

3. Please comment on Crista’s scenario

4. Giveaway runs from May 18 to May 22, 2013

5. Giveaway is open US & Canada Only

 

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A Soul for Vengeance by Crista McHugh – a Review

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A Soul for Vengeance by Crista McHugh – a Review

 

A Soul for Vengeance

Links to order A Soul for Vengeance:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / Kobo

About the book:
Nothing stirs up Chaos like Vengeance.When Prince Kell returns to Ranello, he finds his homeland in ashes. The invaders from Thallus destroyed everything he held dear, leaving him heir to a throne he can’t claim. The thirst for vengeance consumes him and drives him right into the arms of the most unlikely of rebel leaders.Zara has fought for months to keep the hopes of the Ranellian people alive. Finding Kell is just the thing their dying rebellion needs. But as she tries to soothe Kell’s bitterness and turn him into the leader he’s meant to be, she finds herself desiring the one man she believes she’ll never have. A man whose heart was broken by a yellow-haired witch named Arden Soulbearer.

Review:
 
Oh, how I love Crista McHugh’s writing style.  A Soul for Vengeance begins shortly after A Soul for Chaos ends.  Prince Kell has been taken hostage by the invaders to his homeland, and thankfully, they never discovered Kell’s identity.  Zara, who is Kell’s best friend’s younger sister, and her troupe of men finally find Kell, rescue him and take him back to their homeland.  Once Kell finds out that his family has basically been decimated, he sets to find out all that he can about the Thallian invaders who have devastated his people.  And, surprise, surprise, it seems Zara knows more than anyone.  The problem with that?  She’s a strong woman in a time where men have the final say.  But, once Kell finds himself falling for Zara, he knows things will never be the same. 
 
Zara is immediately enthralled with Kell, whom she has had a crush on since she was a young girl, but knows she can never be with him.  She was injured during the uprising and she fears that once he sees her scars and learns her secret, that he will shun her.  Silly girl………….
 
I have so many thoughts running through my head as I try to write this review.  I’ve said in my reviews of the previous books that this trilogy is so different from what I normally read that I literally can’t put these books down once Crista sends them to me.  We’ve been following Arden, the yellow-haired witch, through all of the books and her and Dev’s story is continued throughout this story.  Kell once thought he loved Arden, but once he falls for Zara, he knows down to his toes that he had been a fool.  I loved when he realized that little tidbit.  Of course, Arden and Dev travel to Kell’s homeland to help overthrow the invaders, and once Arden sees how Zara and Kell react to each other, she knows that Kell’s heart is in good hands. 
 
A Soul for Vengeance is a WONDERFUL story about loyalty, misunderstandings, redemption and most of all, love.   The one thing that I hated about this book???  It’s the end of the trilogy!!  It literally hit me when I finished the book that there were no more.  What in the world was she thinking?!?!?!?  LOL!  And, I mean that with all of the love in my heart……….  I’ve said it before, but I have to say it again.  Crista McHugh is on my “must read” list and she should be on yours!  I swear to you, I’d read a phone book that she wrote!!  Well done Crista McHugh, very well done.


Review by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

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A Soul for Chaos by Crista McHugh – a Review

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A Soul for Chaos by Crista McHugh – a Review

 

Description:
Life is dull without a little Chaos.

Trouble is more than just a nickname for Arden Soulbearer. It seems to follow her wherever she goes. And no one knows this better than her protector, Devarius Tel’Brien.

Dev thought that by moving Arden to Gravaria so she could learn how to control Loku, the chaos god whose soul inhabits her body, life would be simpler. Wrong. Not only is he continually torn between his duty and his growing feelings for the Soulbearer, but he also has to contend with the rival prince who wishes to claim her heart. Adding to his problems, a group of powerful mages have banded together to rid the world of the disembodied chaos god once and for all. Of course, that means they have to destroy Arden in the process.

 

Review:

A Soul for Chaos by Crista McHugh is her 2nd book in her Soulbearer Trilogy.

As we find out in A Soul for Trouble (Book 1 in the Soulbearer Trilogy), Arden, aptly nicknamed Trouble, was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and is now possessed by Loku, the God of Chaos.  Well, his soul anyway.  His body was destroyed long ago.  So, in order to carry on, his soul inhabits a mortal and ends up driving them insane in time.  And, if the “soulbearer” is killed, Loku must possess the body closed to him, or be lost forever.  But he has decided he likes Arden.  She is a witch untrained in how to use her powers and wants to keep her and will do all in his power, most of the time, to prevent her from being killed.

A Soul for Chaos begins with Arden needing to return to Gravaria with her protector, Dev, in order to begin her training.  Not only does she need to work on her powers, but also learn how to control Loku.  Prince Kell has fallen in love with Trouble and doesn’t want her to leave, but she knows she must.  Together the night before they are to leave for Gravaria, an earthquake occurs and, if not for her magic, she and the Prince would have both been killed.  Unfortunately, someone wants Arden and Loku dead and they’re pulling out all of the stops to see that come to fruition.

Arden, Dev and Prince Kell start a long voyage across the sea to Gravaria.  There is another attempt on Arden’s life during the voyage.  Thankfully Dev dives in and is able to save her.  If only he were brave enough to admit to himself, and to Arden, his true feelings for her.  But he has a duty to fulfill and as a Knight of Gravaria, he will continue to protect Arden, not matter the cost personally.

Gravaria is supposed to be the safest place for Arden.  She begins her training and everyone soon discovers that Gravaria isn’t as safe as first thought.  Thankfully, Arden’s powers are developing at a fast rate.  Because she’s going to need them.  There is a play for power amongst the Gods and Arden is caught in the middle.  There is also a play for Arden’s heart.  A prince or a knight?  Decisions, decisions………..

A Soul for Chaos is another great story by Crista McHugh.  I love the way she writes.  The story starts on page one and builds at a very readable pace.  Arden is surrounded by very well written characters that don’t get lost along the way.  There is a little humor and a little mystery.  And yes, a little heartbreak.  I look forward to the third and final book in this trilogy.  Crista McHugh is quickly turning out to be one of my must read authors.

Reviewed by Vickie  

Copy provided by Author

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An Interview with Crista McHugh

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An Interview with Crista McHugh

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Crista McHugh our guest today.

Crista is here today to discuss her new book, just recently released, as well as to tell us a little bit about herself.

Let’s meet Crista.

 

Hi Crista and welcome to The Reading Café.  We would like to start with some background information.

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?

Crista: In real life, I’m a doctor and a mother of 2 small children (which may explain some of my insanity). I refer to writing as “therapy”. In the past, I’ve some odd jobs like being a morgue attendant and autopsy assistant. I’ve also been a contestant on Jeopardy

TRC: Have you always been interested in writing?

Crista: Always. I’m a Southerner, and we’re known for our tall tales. I wrote my first book while in high school (which will never see the light of day, thank heavens), and even when I had to step away from writing in med school and residency, I still couldn’t shake the stories from my mind.

TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Crista: Finding time to write. I’m a doctor with two small children (a 3yo daughter and 5mo son), so my time to write is usually on my one day off or when my sitter comes over on Saturday mornings. The next challenge would the middle of the story. I know how to open the book, and I know how I want it to end, but it’s all the little details and character growth in the middle I find challenging. I want a smooth journey from beginning to end, but I don’t want the reader to fall asleep.

TRC: What was your first book published?  Can you tell us your reaction to seeing your first book published?

Crista: That’s a tricky question since I was epublished with shorter works for several years before I sold my first “novel”. The first book I actually had in print was The Tears of Elios, which was the first book I finished once I really got serious about writing for publication. I admit, I petted the cover quite a bit. Regardless of the how the story was published, there’s always that small, heart-stopping thrill when I first see my name on the cover.


TRC: Can you please tell us the premise of your new novel, Tangled Web, which is the first book in your Diezian Empire series?

Crista: In a brief sentence, Stargate meets Ancient Rome (or, if you want, Game of Thrones meets Fifty Shades of Grey, but without the incest and improperly used kitchen utensils). The deadliest assassin in the empire finds herself caught in a tangled web of lust, lies, and politics and is faced with the dilemma of killing the man she loves or placing both their lives in danger.

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon /Barnes and Noble / Book Depository / Books a Million

TRC: You have the second book of your Soulbearer Trilogy series being released…”A Soul of Chaos”.  Can you please tell us the premise of this series, as well as A Soul of Chaos?

Crista: The Soulbearer Trilogy revolves around Arden (aka, “Trouble”), a witch who unintentionally finds herself as the Soulbearer for the disembodied god of chaos, Loku. The benefit? She can channel his power. The downside? She can’t get him out of her head, and he’s threatening to drive her insane. Each book in the series focuses on one of the three main characters. A Soul For Chaos is Dev’s book. He’s Arden’s protector, a man who never let anything compromise his duty… until he met her. Now, he’s torn between his vow to protect her and his growing feelings for her, and his life is utter chaos.

TRC: You write Paranormal and Fantasy.  Do you have a preference?

Crista: Fantasy, without a doubt. My fantasy will always have a touch of romance in it, but I’m allowed to have more fun with the world-building in fantasy. Mages and knight and elves are interesting to me than vampires, and I like the broader scope of the story I’m allowed to tell.

TRC: Your website lists a number of open projects.  Would you like to tell us about what we have to look forward to?

Crista: I had a bit of a challenge writing the sequel to Tangled Web, but I’m really proud of how it turned out. And I’m looking forward to wrapping up the Soulbearer Trilogy (which will be Kell’s book). After I finish that, I’ll start working on the sequel to The Tears of Elios, which so many of my readers have emailing me about. There will be some familiar characters from the first book, but the story will focus on Seron, a character who made a few brief appearances in Tears. I’m also toying around with a few non-fantasy ideas, including a spicy contemporary romance and half-finished historical romance.

TRC: Do you have a favorite female or male character from your books, if so why?

Crista: My favorite female characters to write have been Ranealya (from Tears), Oni (from The Alchemy of Desire) and Azurha. All three of these women have been intense, independent, and “outsiders”. I loved their strength and their journey to find true love. As for male characters, Gergor (from Tears) will always hold a special place in my heart because there are little things about him that remind me of my husband. Dev (from the Soulbearer Trilogy) has been another I’ve come to love because the way his character has been tested and the way he’s grown throughout it all.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information between each other and their family and spouses.  With whom do you bounce ideas?

Crista: I’m blessed with a circle of writing friends (Dani Monsch, Anna Alexander, and Gwen Mitchell) that listen to my crazy ideas and let me know if going too far out in left field. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with some great editors who’ve helped me refine my ideas through the editing process.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Crista: A big thank you for having me over today. 🙂

 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: pasta

Favorite Dessert: brownies

Favorite TV show: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Favorite Movie: Ever After

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark

Favorite Author: I plead the 5th (too many to name)

Favorite Literary Character (male & female) not your own: Hermione Granger

Thank you, Crista, for taking the time to answer our questions.  The Reading Café wishes you good luck with both Tangled Web & A Soul for Chaos.

If you want to know more about Crista, you can find her at the following links:

Website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Goodreads:

Crista has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win a copy of Tangled Web.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Giveaway open to U.S. or Canada only

4.  Contest runs from November 10th – November 13th.

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