Tag Archives: Kelley Armstrong

Deceptions (Cainsville #3) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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DECEPTIONS (Cainsville #3) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

Deceptions

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 18, 2015

Olivia Taylor Jones’s life has exploded. She’s discovered she is not only adopted, but her real parents are convicted serial killers. Fleeing the media frenzy, she took refuge in the oddly secluded town of Cainsville. She has since solved the town’s mysteries and finds herself not only the target of its secretive elders but also her stalker ex-fiancé.

Visions continue to haunt her: particularly a little blond girl in a green sundress who insists she has an important message for Olivia, one that may help her balance the light and darkness within herself. Death stalks both Olivia and the two men most important to her, as she desperately searches to understand whether ancient scripts are dictating the triangle that connects them. Will darkness prevail, or does Olivia have the power to prevent a tragic fate?

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: DECEPTIONS is the third installment (of five) in Kelley Armstrong’s adult Cainsville paranormal/fantasy series focusing on Olivia Taylor Jones’s (aka Eden Larsen) and her struggles to prove, one way or another, that her birth parents Pam and Todd Larsen may or may not be the notorious serial killers who murdered eight people, over twenty years before. Olivia’s continuing search for the truth finds our heroine facing the past, the present and the future through nightmares, memories, and magical travels.

Cainsville is a small town in Illinois, secluded away from the rest of the world, while its’ inhabitants of otherworldly beings struggle to keep their dying species alive. But a battle between the dark and light finds Olivia caught in a world she knows nothing about and has been forced to make choices that affect everyone and everything that she knows. Along with Gabriel Walsh-her mother’s former attorney and Olivia’s friend and current boss- Olivia continues to ‘see’ omens and portents of death and destruction in her search for answers about her present and her past. Olivia’s visions find our heroine entering the dreamscape and memories of long ago; a void or wasteland of visions, flashbacks and a consciousness that aren’t her own. Olivia will be witness to horrific acts of violence and death; her psyche will be forced to accept that which she is unable to understand. All clues lead to everywhere but nowhere; nothing is as it appears to be. Magic covers a host of sins-some sins run closer to the truth than others.

Once again, Kelley uses Celtic lore, myths, magic, fabled legends and supernatural beings to reveal a storyline filled with mystery, suspense and the fear of the unknown. There are Druids, Elves, Fae and other paranormal creatures all vying for Olivia’s attention-some are portents of death or disaster, while others seek Olivia for their own agendas.

The potential for a love triangle between Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky continues to build although Olivia’s heart currently belongs to only one man. The underlying sexual tension between Olivia and Gabriel is high; the attraction and impassioned desire is intense. Gabriel breaks my heart and I am unsure as to his future happiness, if any at all. I am not a fan of the ‘love-triangle’ trope-someone will always be hurt and in many cases it is the reader whose heart will break regardless of the outcome of the love triangle.

DECEPTIONS is a wonderfully detailed and amazing storyline that reveals many secrets and stories; the truth about what happened years before; and the reasons Olivia’s parents are currently serving time for the murders they may or may not have committed. Kelley Armstrong takes the reader into a fantasy world where the future of Cainsville rests upon the outcome of Olivia’s choices and acceptance. There are moments of heartbreak and sorrow; mystery and suspense; action, death and destruction. The premise is intoxicating and addicting; the characters are intense, enthralling and magical; the happily ever after is still to come.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

series spotlight

OmensOmens
Cainsville #1
by Kelley Armstrong
Genre: adult, paranormal, suspense
Release Date: August 20, 2013

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of OMENS

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2013

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

___________

Visions Aug 14Visions
Cainsville #2
by Kelley Armstrong
Genre: adult, paranormal, suspense
Release Date:September 3, 2014

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Click HERE for Sandy’s review of VISIONS

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 19, 2014

As #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s new Cainsville series continues, Olivia’s power to read omens leads to the discovery of a gruesome crime with troubling connections to her new hometown.

Omens, the first installment in Kelley Armstrong’s exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes.

Their success, however, is short-lived. While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel’s past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most.

Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia’s convinced it’s another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago—the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?

Olivia’s effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don’t want revealed.

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Visions (Cainsville #2) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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Visions (Cainsville #2) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

Visions Aug 14

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 19, 2014

As #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s new Cainsville series continues, Olivia’s power to read omens leads to the discovery of a gruesome crime with troubling connections to her new hometown.

Omens, the first installment in Kelley Armstrong’s exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes.

Their success, however, is short-lived. While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel’s past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most.

Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia’s convinced it’s another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago—the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?

Olivia’s effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don’t want revealed.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: VISIONS is the second storyline in Kelley Armstrong’s adult, paranormal contemporary Cainsville mystery/suspense series. Told from alternating first person (Olivia) POV and close third person, VISIONS is the continuing story of Olivia Taylor-Jones aka Eden Larsen-a twenty four year old woman whose biological parents-Todd and Pamela Larsen- were accused of multiple murders and sit in prison awaiting the truth. Discovering she was adopted and not knowing the truth behind her early years, Olivia finds refuge in the small town of Cainsville where mysterious omens, visions and portents of doom focus their power and intensity at Olivia Taylor-Jones. The people of Cainsville are just as perplexing with their secrets, double speak and touch of magic-everyone in Cainsville is connected and everything happens for a reason.

In the first instalment OMENS, Olivia sets out to prove her biological parents are innocent of the charges but VISIONS takes an abrupt turn and the spotlight no longer focuses on proving the Larsen’s innocence but on Olivia’s visions and their connection to the town and people of Cainsville. Using specific animals, speech patterns and language referencing the mythological HUNT, Kelley weaves a tale from long ago and adds contemporary settings and suspense filled action.

Kelley Armstrong pulls from Celtic lore, the myths and tales of fabled legends and supernatural magic. In Cainsville, the town is not that far removed from the old ways, and our heroine will learn she has a deeper connection to Cainsville than just a place to escape.

The secondary characters all play a role in Olivia’s life. From the café regulars we learn a little more about the people of Cainsville-their history and their connections to one another. When one of their own goes missing, the population of Cainsville appears to be more concerned with Olivia’s research and reaction than with the whereabouts of a young woman whose history is questionable and not without some interesting facts.

There is the potential for a love triangle developing as Kelley brings back biker dude/business student Ricky who captures Olivia’s heart but there is also the underlying sexual tension between Olivia and Gabriel-her mother’s former lawyer and the person in whom Olivia will come to depend upon for direction and comfort. Gabriel’s character development was colorful, revealing and not without some heartbreaking realizations. Olivia’s relationship with Ricky brings to question, his connection to Cainsville when the elders push Olivia towards someone else. Because Kelley Armstrong is not known for her sexual or romantic storylines, the sexual imagery is light; mostly implied but the tension is high.

Kelley Armstrong forte is the paranormal storyline. With colorful and interesting characters, she cleverly weaves an intense and wondrous series where the past meets the present; where fables become real; where Celtic magic is at the heart of a town where everyone knows your name.

Click HERE for our review of OMENS (book #1) in Kelley Armstrong’s CAINSVILLE series.

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends #1) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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Sea of Shadows (Age of Legends #1) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

Sea of Shadows

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RELEASE DATE: April 8, 2014

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: SEA OF SHADOWS is the first instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s new YA fantasy series-Age of Legends. With the focus of the storyline on sixteen year old twin sisters Moria and Ashyn (the famed Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood) the reader is pulled into a world of death and destruction; warring empires; magic; fabled Shadow Stalkers, Death worms and Thunder hawks.

Sea of Shadows follows Ashyn on the annual trek into the Forest of the Dead to retrieve the bodies of the damned and send their spirits to the after life while Moira protects the village from those wishing to cause them harm. This is Ashyn’s first solo hunt. When the spirits focus all of their energy to destroy the village of Edgewood and everyone who lives within, Ashyn and Moria are pulled into a war between good and evil where everyone will suffer-in the end.

The premise and storyline are told from two distinct voices-Ashyn and Moria. Sea of Shadows is a novel that blends Native and Asian mythology where monsters and demons control the dreams and subconscious of the living and the dead. We are introduced to Ashyn and Moria ‘animal familiars’ who are as attuned to their human companions as they are to the environment in which they exist.

There are also two young males introduced as potential love interests for the sisters-two men who have experienced more in their short lives than any one knows.

The world building takes the reader beyond Edgewood into a forest rife with murderous beasts and zombie-like creatures. We follow Ashyn and Moria as they encounter mythological animals, once thought not to exist and a kingdom of betrayers who want nothing more than to use the young adults as pawns in a war.

The storyline is slow to develop as much of the premise focuses on the building relationship between Moria and Ashyn and the two young men who have sworn their loyalty and protection. In the end, all is for naught, when betrayal is first and foremost on everyone’s mind.

Kelley Armstrong has written an engaging and interesting tale where those who control the magic control the world. As our young heroes fight to save the lives of the people that they love, they will discover that the fight is one they may not win.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

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Brazen (Otherworld 13.1) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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BRAZEN (Otherworld Stories 13.1) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

Brazen

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 15, 2013

Nick Sorrentino knows everyone in the supernatural world considers him the Pack’s playboy, the pretty but not very useful werewolf whose only reputation involves his amorous exploits.

Usually, Nick couldn’t care less what anyone outside the Pack thinks of him. But when it affects his hunt for Malcolm Danvers, a psychotic bogeyman from the Pack’s past, it matters.

Necessity forces Nick to team up with mercenary half-demon Vanessa Callas to run Malcolm to ground in Detroit. Together, they discover Malcolm is more deadly than ever. And he wants to play.

It’s time for Nick to prove he’s not just a lover.

••••••••••••••••••••

SPOILER alert

REVIEW: BRAZEN is the latest novella from Kelley Armstrong focusing on the werewolves of The Otherworld series. The storyline premise finds Nick Sorrentino on the hunt for Malcolm Danvers-one of the most powerful and dangerous werewolves known to the pack. Malcolm, once believed to have been killed by a rogue mutt, has returned in all of his former psychotic glory in the hopes of luring out those he believes betrayed him. As the father to the former alpha, Malcolm knows that the New York pack won’t be far behind. But sending Nick is an insult as Malcolm knows that Nick is less than capable of going for the kill.

Malcolm’s brief reappearance in THIRTEEN, the final Women of the Otherworld instalment, was a shock to readers as he was presumed but never proven deceased. BRAZEN will find Nick partnered with a half-demon mercenary whose field agents have gone missing and presumed dead; but Nick is reluctant when the mercenary is a beautiful woman who is a complete distraction on the job.

Many of the New York wolf pack including Reese, Noah, Elena and Clay make a brief appearance but the bulk of the storyline centres on Nick’s hunt for Malcolm. Malcolm leaves a trail of dead bodies in his wake and Nick knows that one wrong move could find himself at the receiving end of one of Malcolm’s deadly attacks.

BRAZEN is a storyline that ends without a resolution. I am a bit disappointed that we seem to be going around in circles as it pertains to Malcolm and his ability to a evade capture with every encounter. Nick was given an opportunity to take down Malcolm but a moment of hesitation finds Malcolm on the run once again. Kelley Armstrong is obviously planning several more short stories and novellas where our favorite wolf pack goes on the hunt for a psychotic killer and in the end, there is only one wolf who should be allowed to take down the man who has destroyed so many lives.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wild Justice by Kelley Armstrong – a Review

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Wild Justice by Kelley Armstrong – a Review

 

Wild JusticeLinks or order Wild Justice: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository


Description:
Protect the innocent. If there is any one principle that drives hit man Nadia Stafford, it’s this. In her own mind, when she was thirteen, she failed to protect her older cousin Amy from being murdered. Now she fails again, disastrously, when she botches a hit. To help her find her equilibrium, her mentor, Jack, brings her a gift: the location and new identity of the predator who killed her cousin and disappeared after the case against him failed.

Vengeance, justice? With the predator in her sights, nothing seems more right, more straightforward, more easy. But finding justice is never as simple as it seems

 

Review:
Wild Justice is the 3rd and final book in Kelley Armstrong’s Nadia Stafford series.  I am a big fan of Kelley, as I loved her Woman of the Otherworld series.  Nadia Stafford is a totally different genre, but I have loved this series also, and have waited patiently for this final piece.  Kelley does not disappoint, as Wild Justice was perfectly done. 

Nadia Stafford is our heroine, a former cop, who has two jobs. As Nadia, she is a lodge owner; and on occasion in secrecy, she is Dee, a hitwoman.  From the start, we had learned that Nadia performs these hits on assignments to kill very bad people, such as mob hits, abusers, murderers (who may have gotten away with it).  She uses this well paid income to build up her lodge.  We know from previous books, the three main characters that Nadia will work with, are also hit people.  Jack, Quinn and Evelyn are major characters in this series. 

Wild Justice starts off as Nadia misses an opportunity to eliminate a wife abuser, since she did not want to endanger the other people around.  When she finds out the husband killed the wife a short time later, Nadia becomes distraught and blames herself. It is Jack, who comes to her aid, and gets her to focus on what he has found for her from her dark past.  Nadia, as a 13 year old child, saw her cousin raped and murdered, but the person who did this was acquitted, and disappeared. Jack has found the man of Nadia’s constant nightmares, but by the time they get to him, he is dead.  The bases of the story begins here, with Nadia, Jack, Evelyn and eventually Quinn who will work together to find out who killed Drew Aldrich and why are they trying to kill Nadia.

This becomes a very exciting suspense story, with some surprises and twists.  Nadia’s nightmares bring forth more memories of that awful night years before.   In between, Nadia tries to justify her ending her romance with Quinn; and at the same time act on what has been hidden between her and Jack. Who will Nadia choose?   Will Nadia learn the secrets of her past?  Who is trying to kill Nadia, and why?    

Wild Justice is a fabulous story that ends it all.  This is different type of story, in the world of hit people, who justify what they do to remove miscarriages of justice, and the evil people who get away with commiting awful crimes.  In Wild Justice, Kelley Armstrong saved her best for last.  Thank you, Kelley Armstrong for giving us Nadia Stafford, who was a wonderful smart, savvy, and tough heroine.  Wild Justice was a great series that I will miss.

Reviewed by Barb

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Time Changes Everything by Melinda Dozier-A Review and Interview with the Author

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Time Changes Everything by Melinda Dozier-A Review and Interview with the Author

LEAD Technologies Inc. V1.01

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 2013

Amanda Larson is dedicated to her job and doesn’t want to make time for anything else. Until she runs into Jake Edwards. He used to be the cute boy next door; now he’s a sexy, big shot lawyer.

Jake Edwards isn’t interested in commitment. He’s successful, sexy, and single–and that’s how he likes it. When he reconnects with Amanda, Jake realizes he might have to rethink his philosophy on the carefree, bachelor lifestyle.

But, is it too late for them? Or can he convince her that he’s ready to give her his heart?

••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  Times Changes Everything is a great short story.  If you want a romantic story with a happy ending, this is the one for you.  Amanda is an on the rise fashion designer, living her own life and making her own way.  One night, she reunites with Jake, her high school crush.  Jake is a sexy hunk of a man who is a self proclaimed bachelor.  Once reunited, sparks fly and both are swept off their feet.  BUT Amanda is afraid of getting hurt.  Jake kissed her all those years ago then ran off, breaking her heart in the process.  She is scared of getting hurt again.  Plus she wants to focus 100% on her career and getting involved with Jake might derail her plans.   Bachelor Jake is shocked to realize that Amanda is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with.  He sets out on a mission to win her heart and her love forever.

Don’t let my comment about the book being a “romantic story with a happy ending” leave you to believe the book is boring.  There is just the right mixture of passion, humor and sweetness to make the story a good one.  Amanda and Jake are the type of characters that we all love to read about.  It seems in real life, happy endings can be few and far between so it’s nice to escape into a book and read about one!

 

Copy supplied by the author
Reviewed by Tricia


Interview

melinda dozierTRC: Hi Melinda and welcome to The Reading Cafe. Congratulations on the release of TIME CHANGES EVERYTHING.

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

Melinda: First, thank you so much for hosting me at The Reading Cafe. It’s great to be here.

Being a mom, wife, teacher, blogger, writer and reader keeps me busy. I live in Central America with my family and teach at an American School. I love living overseas and experiencing the life and beauty of another country.

LEAD Technologies Inc. V1.01

 

TRC: TIME CHANGES EVERYTHING is your May 2013 release. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

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Melinda: Time Changes Everything is a friends to lovers story. Jake and Amanda have known each other their whole lives. But when they run into one another in New York City, their teenage crushes turn into something much steamier and they soon realize time changes everything.

 

TRC: There is a prequel novella THE BOY NEXT DOOR-released April 2013. Would you please tell us something this storyline?

The Boy Next Door

 

Melinda: The Boy Next Door takes place seven years before Time Changes Everything when Amanda is still in high school and Jake a college freshman. They both had crushes on each other and Jake comes to the rescue when Amanda’s  Homecoming date dumps her. Sparks fly throughout their date and there may even be a first kiss. What happens after? You’ll have to read to find out!  It’s free at Smashwords and a short read!

 

 

Click HERE to order your FREE copy of THE BOY NEXT DOOR

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

Melinda: I’m currently working on the second in the series called New York Minute and hopefully will have it published next year.

TRC: Are any of the characters or situations based on reality or an amalgamation of ideas and information?

Melinda: I think every writer uses some part of their own experiences in some way. For Time Changes Everything, my characters are from Louisiana. Guess where I’m from? Yep! So, their fictional town, Lake Cooley, takes after a town near where my family lives called Lake Charles. As for the New York City setting, I’ve never been, but I dream about it and that’s why I wrote about NYC. I live vicariously through my characters!

TRC: If you could virtually cast the lead characters for this series, which models or actors would be represent your ideal image of Amanda and Jake?

Melinda: Amanda resembles Alexia Bleidel, the girl next door type with good fashion sense. Jake would take after Colin Egglesfield.

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

Melinda: My characters are definitely in charge! No matter how much planning, they lead the story!

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

Melinda: For Time Changes Everything I had to do a lot of research about New York City and about the character’s professions as a Buyer at Macy’s and a Sports Attorney. I wouldn’t say it’s a difficulty. I love the research part of writing. If someone could read my Google Search History, I might have to hide for a month from embarrassment.

Breaking The Rules

 

TRC: BREAKING THE RULES is your July 2013 release from Crimson Romance. Would you please tell us something about the storyline?

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Melinda: This book is closer to home since it’s about a klutzy middle school principal who always follows the rules. Hope Robinson is very much like me in that sense. She meets Doctor Colin Calaway, a widower and father of a student, who pushes her to break the rules and follow her heart.

 

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

Melinda: I have an amazing network of writing friends who I’ve found online or through my publishers. I feel tremendously lucky to have them. They often beta read for me or email back and forth to hash out ideas.

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

Melinda: I think it has to be a balance of plot and characters. Characters drive a story, so if they are believable, then the overall storyline will be too.

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

Melinda: Ha! This is a tricky one! I always have pressure and anxiety, but I’m organized enough to schedule writing time in order to meet deadlines. I’m a stickler on time. I love making calendars, spreadsheets and to-do lists. Being a mother, teacher, wife and writer is hard work, but so worth it!

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

Melinda: I appreciate the good and the bad as long as they are specific enough that I can learn from them. Of course, I’m always grateful for a positive review. My heart swells knowing someone enjoys my words and my creations.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Melinda: I’m happy to announce that I have a new sexy NA novella to be released in October from Swoon Romance. Trouble With Gold is part of a Winter Olympics themed anthology, Love and Other Games. I had the pleasure to work with three other amazing writers: Aria Kane, Ana Blaze and Kara Leigh Miller. Expect my cover reveal on August 23!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Melinda: I appreciate you having me today! I love to hear from readers. You can find me at: Website/ Goodreads / Blog/ or Twitter (since I’m addicted)

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
New Mexican

Favorite Dessert
Cheesecake

Favorite TV Show
Bachelor (I’m a reality T.V. nerd)

Last Movie You Saw
Despicable Me 2 (or in Spanish, Mi Vilano Favorito)

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Dark Chocolate! Yum!

Favorite Flower
Lily

Last Vacation Destination
Portland, Oregon

Pet Peeve
Not picking up after yourself (I’m a mom of two teenagers and a teacher to twelve year olds!)

Famous Secret Crush
Hey Girl, I love Ryan Gosling, but it’s not much of a secret!

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

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Omens (Cainsville #1) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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OMENS (Cainsville #1) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

Omens

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 20, 2013

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: OMENS is the first storyline in Kelley Armstrong’s new contemporary mystery (slightly paranormal) CAINSVILLE series focusing on Olivia Taylor and her fight to prove, one way or another, that her birth parents Pam and Todd Larsen may or may not be the notorious serial killers who murdered eight people over two decades earlier.

Olivia Taylor-Jones has just discovered that she was adopted as a child and her life is making headline news around the world. Needing to leave town, her parents and her fiancé behind, Olivia, also known as Eden Larsen, finds herself penniless in a small, cloistered town known as Cainsville and things have gone from bad to down right strange. Hoping to uncover the details about the twenty year old murders, Olivia enlists the help of her mother’s former lawyer -Gabriel Walsh-only to discover he is out for one thing and money is the bottom line.

Kelley Armstrong takes the reader on a mysterious journey that will see our heroine Olivia aka Eden on the run and settling in a strange town. ‘Reading’ omens and symbols that give warning of danger and death at every turn, Olivia begins to wonder who or what is determined to keep her from discovering the truth behind her parent’s conviction and the real people behind the murders. With a town full of ‘gifted’ seers and prophetic elders, Cainsville can only be considered a town with a paranormal undertone of Celtic ancestry.

The writing style grabs the reader’s attention and keeps you on the edge. There is the mystery of the crime of murder; a town of strangers who know more about Eden Larsen than does Olivia Jones; and a lawyer whose motives are questionable and the bottom line always reverts back to money. There is intrigue, suspense, mystery and betrayal and when the truth about Olivia’s birth parents is revealed she will discover who are her real friends and just how lonely life can be without the support of parents and family. The storyline is detailed and the premise is intriguing.

Kelley Armstrong is a proven winner with her Women of the Otherworld series and she has introduced another strong female character in Eden Larsen/Olivia Jones that drives the storyline and the series into another dimension of mystery,suspense and the paranormal.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cover Reveals July 6, 2013

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Cover Reveals July 6, 2013

The Winter King.Nov 13jpeg

 

TITLE: The Winter King

AUTHOR: C.L. Wilson

SERIES:

RELEASE DATE: August 2014

 

 

 

First Rapture Aug 19

 

TITLE: First Rapture

AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: August 19, 2013

 

 

 

 

Dragos Takes a Holiday nov 13

 

TITLE: Dragos Takes a Holiday

AUTHOR: Thea Harrison

SERIES: Elder Race Novellas

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

 

First Ink

 

TITLE: First Ink (3rd Cover !)

AUTHOR: Laura Wright

SERIES: Wicked Ink Chronicles

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

 

othersphere Dec 13

 

TITLE:  Othersphere

AUTHOR:  Nina Berry

SERIES:  OtherKin

RELEASE DATE:  December 2013

 

 

 

Eternal Hunter Jan 14

 

TITLE:  Eternal Hunter (re-release)

AUTHOR:  Cynthia Eden

SERIES:  Nightwatch

RELEASE DATE:  January 2014

 

 

 

Tale of Two Dragons Nov 13

 

 

TITLE: Tale of Two Dragons

AUTHOR: G.A.Aiken

SERIES: Dragonkin 6.5 (novella)

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

Finding it Oct 13

 

TITLE: Finding It

AUTHOR: Cora Carmack

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: October 2013

 

 

 

Cipher July 13

 

TITLE:  Cipher

AUTHOR:  Cindi Madsen

SERIES:  N/A

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

Origin Aug 13

 

TITLE: Origin

AUTHOR: Jennifer Armentrout

SERIES: Lux

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

17999681

 

 

TITLE: River of Dreams

AUTHOR: Lynn Kurland

SERIES: Nine Kingdoms

RELEASE DATE: January 2014

 

 

Crash Into Me Sept 13

 

 

TITLE: Crash Into Me

AUTHOR: K.M. SCOTT

SERIES: New Adult

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

Face of Death Jan 14

 

TITLE: Face of Death (YA)

AUTHOR: Kelly Hashway

SERIES: Touch of Death #3

RELEASE DATE: January 2014

 

 

 

Simple Perfection Sept 13

 

 

TITLE: Simple Perfection

AUTHOR: Abbi Glines

SERIES: New Adult

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

Forever Us by Sandi Lynn

 

 

TITLE: Forever Us

AUTHOR: Sandi Lynn

SERIES: Forever #3

RELEASE DATE: November 2013

 

 

Sea of Shadows .April 14jpeg

 

 

TITLE: Sea of Shadows

AUTHOR: Kelley Armstrong

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: April 2014

 

 

Prince of Shadows Feb 14

 

TITLE: Prince of Shadows

AUTHOR: Rachel Caine

SERIES: A Novel of Romeo and Juliet

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

Compelled Feb 14

 

TITLE: Compelled

AUTHOR: Shawntelle Madison

SERIES: Coveted

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

Angel Seduced.Feb 14jpeg

 

TITLE: Angel Seduced

AUTHOR: Jaime Rush

SERIES: Hidden

RELEASE DATE: February 2014

 

 

 

The Shadow of Mist Sept 13

 

TITLE: The Shadow of Mist

AUTHOR: Yasmine Galenorn

SERIES: Otherworld Novella

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

 

Fatalism Aug 13

 

TITLE: Fatalism

AUTHOR: L.K.Collins

SERIES: New Adult

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 

Revealing Us

 

TITLE:  Revealing Us

AUTHOR:  Lisa Renee Jones

SERIES:  Inside Out #3

RELEASE DATE:  September 2013

 

 

 

My Unexpected Forever Sept 13

 

TITLE:  My Unexpected Forever

AUTHOR:  Heidi McLaughlin

SERIES:

RELEASE DATE:  September 2013

 

 

 

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