Fate Intended by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

Fate Intended by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

Fate Intended

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

About the book: Release Date November 22, 2013

Trip is the last of the Coulter sons to find love. He’s smart…he’s handsome…he’s a shadow op. He’s a man with all the skills a spy needs. But when it comes to relationships, he misses the target. Jane is sweet…she’s beautiful…she’s a cleaning lady. She’s a woman with all the skills a lady needs to sweep a man’s heart right into her hands. She may be wanted for murder, but she has her sights set on Trip. Trip sees her every day, but he never really sees her at all until fate and his bitchy girlfriend bring them together. Nothing about Olivia is average. Not her looks, her body, nor her obnoxiousness. When Olivia turns her full fury on Jane, it’s Trip to the emotional rescue. For him, it’s an opportunity to make amends. For Jane, it’s an opportunity to make dreams come true…to make reality as it was intended to be.

Review:

Wow………I’ve been waiting a long time for Trip’s book, and it’s not at all what I thought it would be. It was that and so much more! Jane is such a sweet, albeit a little naïve, character. When she is belittled and humiliated by Olivia, she basically runs from the apartment. She has no idea what Trip sees in Olivia. Jane has been enthralled with Trip for a long time and dreams that one day he’ll see her as she sees him. Little did she know that when he came to find her and apologize for Olivia’s behavior, that things between them were going to change big time. He’s finished with Olivia and wants to get to know Jane better.

Trip has to leave town for his new job, a new job that his family doesn’t really know a lot about, so he asks Jane if she’ll dog sit his new puppy while he was gone. Of course, she jumps at the chance. While Trip is out of town, they email frequently, quietly getting to know each other better, and then the emails stop. Jane doesn’t quite know what to make of that, but finally Trip shows back up and things get rolling. As they begin to date and get to know each other even more, Jane knows that she can never be with Trip forever, as she’s hiding a secret. A big one. She’s the daughter of a prominent Russian, who was killed over some shady business transactions. And, she’s wanted for the murder of man who killed her father. She and a friend fled to the U.S. with new identities, trying to stay one step ahead of the law…..If only Jane had known the reality of said steps, her fate intended may have been more clear…….

What a great story Elizabeth Seckman has written. You will absolutely fall in love with Trip. He’s kind, he’s sexy and he’s a spy! As the story unfolds, there are more twists and turns than I would have ever imagined. When Jane’s past finally catches up with her, holy.crap. There is a huge reveal that I totally didn’t see coming and it leaves Jane, and Trip, reeling. Fate Intended is a story of retribution, love, and forgiveness. You will absolutely fall in love with the characters in this book. Well done, Elizabeth Seckman, very well done.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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Cover Reveals-June 11, 2013

Cover Reveals-June 11, 2013

Bayou Heat 3jpg

 

TITLE: Sebastian/Aristide

AUTHOR:  Aexandra Ivy/Laura Wright

SERIES:  Bayou Heat (#4)

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

Fate Intended 2014

 

TITLE:  Fate Intended

AUTHOR:  Elizabeth Seckman

SERIES:  N/A

RELEASE DATE:  2014

 

 

 

Claiming His Mate new cover

 

TITLE:  Claiming His Mate (re-release)

AUTHOR:  Savannah Stuart (Katie Reus)

SERIES: Crescent Moon

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

 

 

 

Law Man

 

TITLE:  Law Man (new cover)

AUTHOR:  Kristen Ashley

SERIES: Dream Man

RELEASE DATE:  available

 

 

 

Motorcycle man-new cover

 

TITLE:  Motorcycle Man (new cover)

AUTHOR:  Kristen Ashley

SERIES:   Dream Man

RELEASE DATE: available

 

 

 

Dark Heat

 

TITLE: Dark Heat

AUTHOR: Donna Grant

SERIES: Dark Kings (previously released in ebook)

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

 

 

 

Dragon Awakened Dec 13jpeg

 

TITLE: Dragon Awakened

AUTHOR: Jaime Rush

SERIES: The Hidden

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

 

 

 

Magic Possessed Jan 2014

 

TITLE: Magic Possessed

AUTHOR: Jaime Rush

SERIES: The Hidden

RELEASE DATE: January 2014

 

 

 

Waterfell.nOct 13jpeg

 

 

TITLE: Waterfell

AUTHOR: Amalie Howard

SERIES: Aquarathi

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

Infinite 2014

 

 

TITLE: Infinite

AUTHOR: Jodi Meadows

SERIES: Incarnate

RELEASE DATE: 2014

 

 

Reaver.Dec 13jpeg

 

TITLE: Reaver

AUTHOR: Larissa Ione

SERIES:  Demonica

RELEASE DATE: December 2013

 

 

 

Crash Into You Nov 13

 

TITLE: Crash Into You

AUTHOR: Katie McGarry

SERIES: Pushing The Limits #3

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

High Risk Love July 13

 

TITLE: High Risk Love

AUTHOR: Shannon Mayer

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Wild Justice Oct 2013

 

TITLE: Wild Justice

AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong

SERIES: Nadia Stafford #3

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

Wild Things Feb 14

 

 TITLE:  Wild Things

AUTHOR:  Chloe Neill

SERIES: Chicagoland Vampire

RELEASE DATE:  February 2014

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Elizabeth Seckman-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Elizabeth Seckman-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Elizabeth SeckmanABOUT THE AUTHOR: I am a former social worker, constant day dreamer, and mother of four fabulous boys. My first book, PAST DUE, is for sale from World Castle Publishing. It’s available online in E-Book and print.

I also have a house in desperate need of cleaning. No set date on completion.

FOLLOW Elizabeth on: Goodreads / Website / Twitter /

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Interview Seafoam

TRC: Hi Elizabeth and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the December release of HEALING SUMMER.

Elizabeth: Thanks for having me here! It really is my pleasure. I had some laundry to do, but this is waaaayyyy more fun!

TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Elizabeth: I’m the mother of four boys. I’m married my college sweetheart. And I used to be a social worker. That covers it all right?

TRC: Many authors develop their love of writing at an early age. What sparked your desire to write?

Elizabeth: Writing has always been my bliss. I was a late reader. It took me two years of kindergarten and half of my first grade year to learn! I remember getting the story “Heidi” for Christmas. I loved the cover and I WANTED to read that book so badly! I remember stumbling through it with my sister helping me. When I got done, I read it again. Then when I realized people made up those stories, I started writing my own. I used my mother’s “McCall’s” magazines for illustrations. They were some awesome reads.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties have you faced as a writer?

Elizabeth: Plain old insecurity. I don’t mind the hard work, but there is always that worry that the story won’t connect with the readers. I don’t fear rejection from editors, I fear being hated by readers!

Healing SummerTRC: HEALING SUMMER is the latest release in your contemporary romance series focusing on the three Coulter brothers. Would you please tell us about the premise?

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Elizabeth: I started with the story of Jenna and Tres and it was only going to be one story. When I finished the final chapter with poor Craig licking his wounds in Montana…I felt like he had to have his say and his happy ending. Then when I finished “Healing Summer”, the youngest brother, Trip, seemed to be yelling in my ear, “Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” So, he gets his story too.

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters in your storylines which models or actors would best represent your ideal images?

Elizabeth: I’ve been fired from the job of casting director by my niece. In all honesty? I hardly ever watch TV and my knowledge of Hollywood is sorely lacking. Let me call Kari…be right back…Okay, Mollie will be played by Rachel Bilson and Craig will be played by Joe Manganiello.

TRC: Mmmmm Joe Manganiello!!

TRC: FATE INTENDED is the final book in the trilogy. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Elizabeth: Since Trip is the youngest Coulter, he’s been at the brunt of big brothers’ shadows and attitudes. He needed a big story. So, Trip will leave his boring life and controlling girlfriend behind when he joins a group of shadow ops and starts dating a cute cleaning lady…who unfortunately is the daughter of a Russian . Oh, and she is on the lamb for murder. It’s complicated, but love often is.

TRC: Are any of the characters or premise of the storyline based on real people or situations in your life?

Elizabeth: Not really. Jenna is loosely based on my oldest sister in that she can’t cook and she is obsessive with her privacy.

TRC: If one of your characters could speak for themselves, what would they have to say?

Elizabeth: Barbara, the mother of the Coulter men, would say, “I just want my boys to be happy. After losing their father, the only thing that mattered to me was my sons. And I’m not turning them over to just any female.”

TRC: While writing or working on your storyline, have ideas or characters ever come to you in dreams?

Elizabeth: No. I hardly ever remember any dream. Have you ever dreamt about your storylines or leading characters? No, but I do plan plots as I wait for the sandman.

TRC: What have you learned writing this particular series?

Elizabeth: In “Healing Summer”, I had antelopes on the plains. The final editor caught the mistake and noted it. The publisher called to inform me that there are no antelope in Montana. I guess when you’re home on the range, it’s the deer and the pronghorn that play.

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

Elizabeth: A good book review is priceless. And by good, I don’t necessarily mean glowing. Good reviewers know books. They understand literature and the elements of a story. They can pinpoint what works in a story and what doesn’t. These reviewers know how to express themselves without being snarky or taking personal jabs at writers. There is much to be learned from them. I pay close attention…it’s a great way to learn.

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

Elizabeth: My best writer buddy and fellow World Castle author, Celeste Holloway, is my word lifeline. She is my moral support too. I had lost faith in “Past Due” after a measly eleven rejections and Celeste had to put a foot in my hiney. The story was headed for the trash and I was moving on, but she refused to let me give up.

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

Elizabeth:
1. All my kids will be happily raised and on their own. (Wow! I’m a little depressed now.)
2. My house will be clean.
3. I will finally stop using the treadmill as a clothes hanger and do daily exercise.
4. My husband will finally take me on a honeymoon. (We’ve been married twenty years and we’re still trying to work this out!)
5. More books. Books that hopefully have a large following of loyal readers!

TRC: Is there a question that you would like to be asked in an interview, but nobody has asked? If so, ask away!

Elizabeth: “Elizabeth, would you like a cup of tea and some homemade cookies?” Most certainly!! How kind of you to ask.

TRC:  **Offers Elizabeth a cup of tea and some homemade chocolate chip cookies**

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Elizabeth: I am currently researching and polishing up the final book in the series, “Fate Intended”. I also have a historical romance I am polishing up and working on a new book I have been dying to get on paper and out of my head!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Elizabeth: Thank you!

LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food chocolate
Favorite Dessert strawberry shortcake
Favorite TV Show “Supernatural”
Favorite Movie “Gone with the Wind”
Last Movie you saw “The Hobbit”
Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark chocolate
Last Vacation Destination Outer Banks of North Carolina (Avon to be exact!)

TRC: Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to answer our questions.  We wish you all the best.

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GIVEAWAY-WHITEwithblue

Elizabeth Seckman is offering a paper copy or ecopy of both of her novels PAST DUE and HEALING SUMMER to ONE lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

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 the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address along with your comment as Twitter etc does not allow for contact information.

3. Giveaway is open to INTERNATIONALLY.

4. Giveaway runs from January 20 to 23, 2013

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Past Due by Elizabeth Seckman-a review

Past Due by Elizabeth Seckman (Coulter Brothers #1)-a review

Past Due

Description: Release June 2012

Jenna Austin is a young, widowed artist raising a teenage son on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As the costs of living in paradise rise, she struggles to make ends meet. Life isn’t easy, but she manages.

When her car breaks down, she trudges on. She assumes life can’t get any more complicated than it is. But it can…

Chance brings her nose to well-formed chest with Tres Coulter, the handsome, affluent aid to Governor Hunt. Jenna and Tres share a history; they also share a love they thought long lost. Their lives are about to be altered forever as the deceptions of the past transform the very foundation of the present.

The price of happily ever after may be too steep to pay once the past comes due…

Review:

Jenna Austin is one tough cookie, but she’s tired. She works tirelessly to try and make a good life for herself and for her son, Tanner. Without moral support from Maureen, Jenna’s deceased husband’s mother, she wouldn’t have made it this far. To say that Jenna has had it tough all of her life would be a gross understatement. She is estranged from her father, with whom she lived with after her mother died. And, boy, what a back story there is with that bunch!! And, things just seem to get more complicated when Tres Coulter comes to town.

Once Tres runs into Jenna, he knows that he’s in trouble. Even though it’s been years since he last saw her, he knows that he still loves her more than anything. But, in typical Jenna fashion, she pushes him away. Seems she’s been keeping a secret for 15 years that has the possibility of hurting everyone she loves and tearing apart what family she has left. And, once that secret is revealed, an avalanche of things happen that throws everyone and everything into chaos. Will the secret truly cost Jenna everything and everyone she’s ever loved? Or, will true love conquer all? You’ll have to read to find out.

I really enjoyed the world that Seckman created in Past Due. The real life struggles of a single mom trying to raise her child really hit home with me. It is set on the outer islands of North Carolina, a place where I have been many times myself. I could hear the gulls calling each other and feel the wind……. The one downside, at least for me, is that when the secret is revealed, it leads to more secrets and disclosures from numerous people and the details got bogged down just a little bit for me. The upside to that is that we get to meet some great folks along the way and I can’t wait to read more about Tres’ family, namely his two brothers, Craig and Trip. And, the boys’ mom, Barbara Coulter? Let’s just say she adds a whole new dimension to round out the Coulter clan. This is, in a nutshell, a story about life, love, family, hope and forgiveness. I have a feeling that the family dynamics in future books will be well worth the read!!

ORDER LINKS: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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