Tag Archives: Out of Time

Out Of Time (The Lost Platoon #3) by Monica McCarty-Review & Giveaway

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OUT OF TIME (The Lost Platoon #3) by Monica McCarty-Review & Giveaway

OUT OF TIME
The Lost Platoon #3
by Monica McCarty
Release Date: December 31, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, military, suspense

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 31, 2018

A team of Navy SEALs goes on a mission and disappears without a trace–they are the Lost Platoon.

With his men scattered to all corners of the globe after a disastrous secret op in Russia, Lieutenant Commander Scott Taylor is trying to find out who was responsible for leaking the information that killed half his platoon. Were it not for Natalie Andersson, the woman he had been secretly dating in the Pentagon who had warned him of the danger, he knows they would all be dead. Scott is devastated when he hears that the woman he loved and hoped to marry has been killed for helping him–until he learns that Natalie was the spy who betrayed them. But when his search to clear his name brings him face-to-face with a very-much-alive Natalie, Scott realizes that justice and vengeance might not be as clear-cut as he thought.

Natalie Andersson, or, as she was born, Natalya Petrova, has put the memories of her early childhood in Russia behind her. She never dreamed that she would be at the center of an elaborate “sleeper” espionage program. Even when she learns the truth, she refuses to spy for the country of her birth, until the Russians threaten the lives of the only family she has ever known. But Natalie is the worst spy in the history of spying, falling for her target. When her attempt at misdirection leads to irreversible consequences, she is forced to run for her life, with her lover hot on her tail.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: OUT OF TIME is the third instalment in Monica McCarty’s contemporary, adult THE LOST PLATOON romantic, military suspense series focusing on SEAL Team Nine whose members are MIA or dead following an unsanctioned and undercover mission to Russia than went horribly wrong. This is thirty-three year old Lieutenant Commander Scott Taylor, and former executive assistant to the deputy secretary of defense, twenty-nine year old Natalie ‘Natalya Petrova’ Andersson’s story line. OUT OF TIME can be read as a stand alone but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an on-going theme and premise throughout including the rekindling relationship and romance between former husband and wife duo Colt Wesson, Team Nine’s former chief, and CIA agent Katherine ‘Kate’ Wesson.

NOTE: If you have not read the previous instalments there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from several third person points of view including Natalie and Scott, and Colt and Kate, OUT OF TIME follows in the aftermath of SEAL Team Nine’s disastrous mission to Russia in which eight men didn’t make it out alive, and the survivors have found themselves in hiding around the world. Thirty-three year old Lieutenant Commander Scott Taylor struggles to get past the betrayal of his former love, a woman now deemed a Russian spy for her supposed role in the attack against Scott’s former Team but also a woman presumed dead in an accident meant to cover a trail of betrayal and spies. Determined to uncover the truth, Scott goes in search of a someone with connections to the past but discovers the woman he once loved is alive, with more secrets that are about to change the course of their lives. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship and romance between Natalie and Scott, and the potential fall-out as a suspected mole has sent their sights on the remaining members of Team Nine.

The relationship between Scott and Natalie is one of second chances. Scott wants nothing more than to take down and crush the woman he once loved but once the truth is uncovered and revealed Scott must come to terms with what was, and what is about to be. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Meanwhile, former husband and wife duo Colt Wesson, Team Nine’s one-time chief, and CIA agent Katherine ‘Kate’ Wesson find themselves working together in an effort to bring home one of their own. Colt’s past treatment of his former wife is reprehensible and heart breaking in light of the revelation of secrets and truth, and as such Colt works tirelessly to win back the woman who’s heart he destroyed.

The world building continues to focus on the search for the truth. Secrets and lies are exposed; betrayal and treason come at a cost.

OUT OF TIME is a suspenseful and revealing story that follows several paths towards truth and retribution. The premise is heart breaking, engaging and real; the characters are animated and colorful as they struggle to make sense of it all; the romance is seductive. OUT OF TIME is a compelling and energetic read but I struggled with the quick resolution, and the lack of information regarding the guilty party’s demise.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Going Dark
Off The Grid
Out Of Time

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Click HERE to learn about Monica McCarty

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The Reading Cafe and Monica’s publisher are graciously offering a paper copy of OUT OF TIME to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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9. Giveaway runs from December 31 -January 5, 2019

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Monique Martin-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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Monique Martin-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

Today, The Reading Cafe welcomes fantasy author MONIQUE MARTIN

TRC: Hi Monique and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of your third novel in the Out of Time series-FRAGMENTS. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

LINK to Monique Martin’s Website

Monique:  Hi and thanks for having me. I was one of those annoying kids who insisted on reading Nancy Drew out loud to the family on long road trips. (Imagine the points I scored with my older brother; I still have the scars.) I loved books and movies and TV. I was always writing goofy little stories like The Case of the Missing Underwear and later, during the joys of puberty, fanfic of my adventures with the Dukes of Hazard and my very own episode of the Love Boat. Aspire to greatness! The shame…

For some reason, I got it into my head that I wanted to be an actress and gave up writing until college. (I even auditioned for the part of Mallory on Family Ties. Yeah. Didn’t get it.) At university, I majored in filmic writing and pursued that for several years before eventually being sucked into the vortex of a struggling family business.

TRC: Your bio states that you worked in television for several years-would we know any of the TV shows that you are connected (with)?

Monique: I was lucky enough to work as an assistant to one of the writer/producers and eventually become post-production coordinator for Murder, She Wrote and In the Heat of the Night. Working on the Universal Studios lot was even more fun than it sounds. I got to have lunch on the steps of the Psycho house!

TRC: You have a degree in BFA in the Filmic Writing department. Do you feel that your education has helped with your writing style?

Monique: Absolutely. Part of me still feels like I’m writing screenplays in prose form. That’s both good and bad, but mostly good. I hope. I know that my education gave me a terrific sense of story structure and plot. Screenplay format is very “just the facts”. Being allowed to wax on is both a gift and curse. I’m still learning. I hope I never stop.

TRC: What do you feel is your particular writing style and what does it say about you?

Monique: Good question. I’ve always been a “Jack of Trades, Master of None” sort of person and I think that comes across in my writing. It’s a mishmash of styles and genres. Hopefully, there’s enough of each to please or at least the strange lovechild that comes out is appealing. What that says about me? I’m not sure. I didn’t really set out to have a style and I really haven’t thought much about what style I might have, hence my tap-dancing around this question. *jazz hands*

TRC: Currently you have written three books in your Out of Time series? Would you please tell us about the premise of the series?

Monique: The books are part romance, part time travel and part mystery. The basic setup is that Professor Simon Cross, a sexy, broody British professor of the occult who sees the glass as half empty falls in love with his fun-loving, charming assistant, Elizabeth West, who sees it as half full. The two of them travel back in time, at first by accident, and later by choice where they fall in love, solve mysteries and work to set things right.

TRC: OUT OF TIME is the first book in the series. Would you please tell us about the premise?

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Paper Books
Amazon Kindle
B&N Paper Books
The Book Depository

Monique: The premise is that love is the most powerful thing on earth; it can provide redemption, conquer fear and no one can ever take it from you.
My hero, Professor Simon Cross, has spent his life searching for proof of the occult that will clear his grandfather’s name and avoiding emotional entanglements. A mysterious accident transports Simon and his assistant, Elizabeth West, back in time, to 1929 New York City where Simon finally finds both the proof that he’s been looking for, and the romance that he hasn’t. Wackiness ensues. Maybe not wackiness, but adventure, romance and a little dab of the paranormal.

 

TRC: What challenges did you face writing this series e.g logistics, research, historical accuracy?

Monique: I love research. Too much. It’s far too easy for me to get caught up in the minutia of a time period because it’s so damn interesting, but, in the end, isn’t vital to the story. I try to be as accurate with the time period and location as I can. I think it’s so much fun to see history at “ground level”, so to speak. I use books, films, photographs and phone calls to various museums and historical groups to make sure my history is accurate. Immersing the characters and the readers in the setting is half the fun!

One of the difficulties in writing time travel is the inevitable paradox. It gives me a headache. All you can really do is establish a set of rules and stick to them as best you can. Paradoxes be damned!

 

TRC: FRAGMENTS is your latest instalment in the Out of Time series. Would you please tell us about the premise?

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper books
B&N Paper Books

Monique: I suppose the premise is that you can go home again, but you don’t have to! Or, more to the actual point, as Kennedy or Churchill said depending on whom you believe, “A man does what he must–in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and danger and pressure–and that is the basis of all morality.”

In Fragments, Simon and Elizabeth are drawn back to 1942 war-torn London to save a fellow time-traveler. In the midst of rescuing him, they realize something far bigger is afoot. A mysterious artifact that could change the outcome of the war is missing and the Nazis will do anything to find it. Simon and Elizabeth risk their lives to find it first.

TRC: I must commend your writing on the romance between Simon and Elizabeth. The sensuality of Simon’s love for Elizabeth is almost palpable, yet in Fragments, there is very little one on one time due to the nature of the storyline. Will we see their relationship, once again, brought to the forefront of a future storyline?

Monique: Thank you! My friends and I call him Sighmon for a reason. *sigh* It’s true; the story in Fragments didn’t lend itself to much romantic time. Although, I hope there’s enough to satisfy. I do plan on increasing the romance quotient in book 4. It’s always a balancing act. The mystery/adventure has become more important as Simon and Elizabeth’s relationship has steadied. But, there’s always room for love. I have plans to bring that a bit more to the fore in book 4.

TRC: Um, without giving away too much about Fragments ending, will the visitor from the past, remain in the future with a possible story to tell?

Monique: I can say that he does not return to his own time. He will play a role in book 4 and might have a book or two of his own in the future (ours and his). 😉

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

Monique: It’s an open-ended series, which is writer-speak for I have no idea! I have lots of stories that I’d love to tell for future books. I love writing Simon and Elizabeth and could easily see three or four more books.

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

Monique: Trusting myself. I think anyone who does anything creative knows what I mean. You’re your own worst enemy. It’s an emotional roller coaster. Having faith in your ability, day after day, especially in the vacuum that writing often is, is the hardest part. The other big challenge is finding an audience. As an indie, I don’t have a marketing department. I’m it. Getting exposure is an enormous challenge.

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

Monique: I cry a little, and then mope. Seriously though, it is a very real thing and can be paralyzing. I don’t have any magic bullet. I know, for me, sometimes I just need to step away from it. Stop trying so hard and do something else. Read. Go the movies. Clean the house. Sometimes, just shifting gears and writing something else works. A trick I learned recently is to write what wouldn’t/couldn’t happen next. Surprisingly, that can get the juices flowing again. Also, it helps to have friends who are writers, who understand, and can lend an ear and then kick you in the pants when the time is right.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas between other authors, and family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Monique: I’m a very talky writer. Some of my friends go into the bat cave and emerge with a book. Not me. I love, need, to talk about it. I bounce ideas of friends and family, especially my mom and dad. My mom is a voracious reader and my dad is a terrific editor, and they’re both very supportive. I also have a long-time friend, Robin, who helps me explore ideas without any fear of looking like an ass. That’s a gift!

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Monique: I’m currently working on a literary fiction novella and book 4 in the Out of Time series. I’m in the research mode and loving it. It’s like getting paid to learn stuff. How awesome is that?

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Monique: I just want to thank you and your readers for giving me this opportunity. There are so many talented writers out there and fabulous books, I’m honored you’ve given me the chance to show you a little bit about my books and me.

LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food – Lobster (Note to self: make reservations to visit father in Maine)

Favorite Dessert – An old-fashioned, hot fudge Sunday

Favorite TV Show – Too many. M*A*S*H, Foyle’s War, Gunsmoke. On-air now? 30 Rock

Favorite Movie – Another toughie. This week, To Kill A Mockingbird

Last Movie you saw – In the theater, Spider-Man (yay!). On Netflix – Transformers 3 (wtf?)

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Yes

Favorite Flower – Gardenia

Do you have any pets? – Yes! I have one thoroughly insane Siamese cat (is there any other kind?) named Monkey.

TRC: Thank you Monique for taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to your next storyline in the Out of Time series. Best of Luck with all of your future projects. Keep us in mind when you release book 4 in the series.

Monique: Thank you!

Monique Martin is offering an e-copy of her latest novel-FRAGMENTS 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 a Twitter, please leave your email address with a comment, as Twitter does not allow for email addresses.

3. The giveaway is open internationally.

4.  The giveaway is August 21-23, 2012

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Fragments (Out of Time #3) by Monique Martin-a review

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FRAGMENTS (Out of Time #3) by Monique Martin-a review

FRAGMENTS (Out of Time #3) by Monique Martin

FRAGMENTS is the third instalment (June 2012 release)  in Monique Martin’s Out of Time series featuring the time travel adventures of Sir Simon Cross and his lady love Elizabeth West. This time, Elizabeth has made a plea with Simon to travel back to war-torn 1942 England in search of a missing member from the Council for Temporal Studies. Knowing the man never returned from a 1906 mission, Elizabeth and Simon will find Evan Eldridge’s photograph in a picture dated from 1942.

Simon was taking Elizabeth back to England to meet his Aunt Victoria, but like many estranged family members, Simon’s anxiety level rose exponentially as the couple’s journey was reaching its’ destination. Knowing the visit would not end well, Simon finally agreed to travel back to 1942 to find the missing man and return him to his own time period. But preparations for a war-ravaged London, England did not prepare themselves for the very real possibility that their presence and investigation would bring them into contact with British Intelligence, the German SS, a military sector of M15 and an America spy named Jack Wells and his British counter-part Blake. But during war, no one is ever who they claim to be.

Evan’s mysterious disappearance continued to baffle Elizabeth and Simon, especially when they finally locate and get permission to visit. Finding Evan in a military hospital under armed guards would throw the couple into a deadly game of espionage and intrigue. Evan’s body and mind were on a slow road to recovery following a massive head injury and bout with pneumonia, and his mind at times tended to wander. But a whisper of cryptic words would send Elizabeth and Simon on a search for the final missing Shard, that not only did the US and British Intelligence want, but the German SS and the Nazi regime. The mythological history surrounding the ancient sword and it’s many broken shards, was a tale that the Nazi’s were willing to prove true.

Simon’s love for Elizabeth is the stuff of fairy tales, and throughout the story his plans to ask her to marry him were continually thwarted and interrupted by a series of events and the continuing saga of war. Once again, I can only hope that there are real men who feel the same about the women in their lives as Simon feels for Elizabeth. Monique’s handling of their relationship is beautiful, but in this particular storyline, their romance and love scenes are few and rare. And Monique’s ability to weave humor into their adventure can only be explained by Zog- good luck to any child with a name like Zog.

Monique’s description of 1942 London England adds to the depth and passion of the storyline as the search for a missing man and the missing shard takes the couple to many of the buildings that will suffer at the hands of the German bombers. From a quiet secluded English countryside to the nightly black-outs in a city hoping to survive another day during the war, FRAGMENTS takes the reader on an adventure- a time warp of sorts- and one that will keep you guessing til the end. And of course, back to the future has a whole new meaning, when Simon and Elizabeth bring someone from the past back to the present.

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper books
B&N Paper Books

Copy supplied by Author

Reviewed by Sandy

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When The Walls Fell (Out of Time #2) by Monique Martin- a review

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When The Walls Fell (Out of Time #2) by Monique Martin-a review

“WHEN THE WALLS FELL” by Monique Martin

“WHEN THE WALLS FELL” is a sequel of Monique Martin’s Out of Time Series.  Bringing about another dangerous assignment for Professor Simon Cross and his assistant, Elizabeth West, as they yet again traveled back in time.

Just a few months after returning home from their first accidental time-travel, and the discovery of their new formed relationship, The Council for Temporal Studies needed Simon and Elizabeth to travel back to the Easter Week of 1906 in order to save a present time-traveler Council member, Charles Graham…and possibly the entire council members in the process. Someone is viciously out for revenge and has planned to alter history with the murder of Victor Graham. Simon and Elizabeth must find out the potential assassins and their motives to prevent the murder of Victor and return home before the disastrous earthquake that hit San Francisco in April 9th, 1906.

Simon’s distrust of The Council had him refusing the assignment in the first place. For Elizabeth though, needing to protect Simon’s future and because she loves the bloody Brit, readily accepted and time traveled alone with only The Councils prepared instructions. Simon wasn’t too far behind as he decided to follow through with the task. Knowing Elizabeth’s luck with bad situations, he wasn’t about let her go alone no matter what. This time he was going in well prepared with money, and title for quicker acceptance in its society…and the fastest way to finding Elizabeth and Victor Graham.

The hour is coming to a close and both Simon and Elizabeth are finding it harder to solving the mystery.

Monique Martin mixes a special blend of mystery and suspense, with a touch of paranormal and a good dash of witticism. In addition there is a sweeter romance as Simon and Elizabeth tackle one of the most important aspects in their new relationship. We are also introduced to other fun characters in this story, one of whom was the founding father of the travel watch, of which, The Council members are currently using to time-travel. Though it looks like they will not be having a story of their own, but will have been fun to see them again in future books.

NOTE:  At the time of this posting WHEN THE WALLS FELL is only .99cents from Amazon Kindle

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Books
B&N Paper Books
The Book Depository

Copy Supplied by Author

Reviewed by Neni

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Out of Time (Out of Time #1) by Monique Martin-a review

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OUT OF TIME (Out of Time #1) by Monique Martin-a review

OUT OF TIME (A Time Travel Mystery #1) by Monique Martin

OUT OF TIME is the first novel in Monique Martin’s Time Travel Mystery series. A series based on the premise of Temporal Explorers (Time Travelers) Monique takes the reader back in time to the Prohibition era of 1929 approximately 12 weeks prior to the Stock Market crash. Professor Simon Cross and his classroom for the study of occult anthropology never saw this one coming.

Professor Simon Cross had fallen for Elizabeth West. Once a student in his Occult Anthropology class, Elizabeth was now his assistant. But the shy and reserved British scholar refused to acknowledge his feelings. For weeks he has been suffering nightmares that end in the death of his beloved Elizabeth and always the guilt ate away at his soul. Remembering the last time (30 years before) his nightmares turned to reality, Simon had pledged to avoid another death that would plague at his conscience.

Elizabeth West was working on her Master’s degree in the study of the Occult. A much maligned subject by many of the upper classmen and professors at the university, Elizabeth knew one of the reasons for her interest was the man at the front of the class. And Simon’s refusal to acknowledge the attraction only fueled Elizabeth’s desire. But on the night of the eclipse with Simon’s grandfather’s mysterious pocket watch the couple would find themselves in Prohibition Era1929 New York, with no money, only the clothes on their backs and an apartment with one double size bed.

As the story progresses, Elizabeth and Simon pretend to be a newly married couple. Hoping to find a means to earn money, the pair soon finds themselves working in a speakeasy where the liquor flows and gangsters rule. But it is the reports of the mysterious deaths that will have Simon on alert. When a powerful player has eyes for Elizabeth, Simon starts to wonder just how powerful is this stranger and where in the hierarchy of the paranormal did he stand.

Simon and Elizabeth’s relationship will start off rather bumpy when Simon refuses to admit his feelings. But when the nightmares persist, he must gather his nerve and reveal his reluctance to and love for Elizabeth. Only then will her love for the man melt the ice on his frozen heart. The love scenes are sensual when Simon finally allows himself to love for the first time in a very long time. Simon’s love for Elizabeth was palpable. I was swept away by the intimacy of Monique’s writing. I wish all men felt the same way as Simon does for Elizabeth. But as the date of the next eclipse finally draws near, it will be his love for Elizabeth that will be tested when one of them may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the other.

OUT OF TIME is a fascinating look at a fantasy-mystery storyline. I must admit I was not crazy when the story took an abrupt turn and veered towards the paranormal. The time travel premise was interesting, as well as the couple’s struggles to fit into a period in history they would have only read about in books, but the addition of a paranormal sub-plot caught me short.

I fell for the character of Simon immediately and he broke my heart with his trepidation and fear for the woman that he loved, but it took a strong woman like Elizabeth to bring the shy professor out of his shell. OUT OF TIME, even with the paranormal sub-plot, is a well-written story. I enjoyed Monique Martin’s tale of love and mystery, and her attention to detail that could not be ignored when one travels back in time. I am looking forward to reading about the next adventures of Simon and Elizabeth.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Paper Books
Amazon Kindle
B&N Paper Books
The Book Depository

Reviewed by Sandy

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