Tag Archives: Robin D. Owens

Heart Fire by Robin D. Owens – Review & Giveaway

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Heart Fire by Robin D. Owens – Review & Giveaway

Heart Fire Banner

 

Heart Fire
Celta series – Book #13
by Robin D. Owens
Release Date: November 4, 2014

Heart Fire
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
On the planet Celta, accepting a HeartMate can be the greatest challenge in the universe…

Antenn, an architect hired to build a cathedral in Druida City, dares not think of his HeartMate. Even though he yearns for her, he’s taken steps to ensure she will be forever unknown to him. After all, how could he, a commoner who grew up in the slums, the brother of a murderer, be worthy of any woman?

Tiana, a priestess, has her own fears about being a HeartMate. She’s watched her friends struggle with such a stormy destiny. She’s sure her HeartMate has never claimed her due to a terrible scandal involving her Family, and she’s set aside hopes for love.

Antenn’s gotten the commission of his life. The cathedral will make him famous, but more, it will last for ages and prove to others he can contribute to Celta…if the controversial structure isn’t destroyed while being built. Tiana, too, is an integral part of this process, but the villain who wrecked her Family is ready with firebombs. Can they trust each other in dangerous circumstances to succeed…and to love?

 

 

Review:
Heart Fire by Robin D. Owens is the 13th book in her wonderful Celta series. I have been waiting a long time for Tiana’s story and was thrilled to find out Heart Fire was hers. Antenn is our hero, and Tiana’s Heartmate; however, it will take awhile before they both realize they are mates.

They each have a past that has left marks on them both which were caused by terrible tragedies that marred them. We have known that Tiana’s family was wrongly accused years ago, and lost their titles and home. Tiana is a priestess, and resents that her families past has held her back. She believes she is good enough to become the high priestess. Tiana has also searched from time to time the feel of her Heartmate to no avail. Of course, she blamed the inability to sense her heartmate on her family’s history, that he will never acknowledge her. Tiana is assigned to handle all the religious aspects worthy of a priestess on the new Cathedral. She meets and works closely with Antenn, as they both must face the difficulties involved with those against this project.

Antenn life’s was also wrecked when he was very young, by his brother being a murderer. Antenn was lucky that one of the High families adopted him. Now Antenn, who is an architect, has won a huge contract to build a Cathedral, which he hopes will earn him the respect he feels is now due to him. When he was growing up, he and his family did a spell to block him from sensing or finding his heartmate; because he was not ready at that time for any kind of emotion. Both Antenn and Tiana feel some attraction to each other, but neither suspects they are heartmates.

Without giving spoilers, what follows is wonderfully written romance that builds slowly. The villain behind Tiana’s family ruin is in the background of this story, and very nicely handled. Friends and family come together to help resolve a wrong. The romance and suspense throughout this storyline, held in the wonderful land of Celta, made for an enjoyable heartwarming and fun relaxing read. But what I have always loved about this series, are the Fams (animal familiars who telepathically talk to their fam). In Heart Fortune we got to meet some of the others we have met before, and Anteen’s cat fam, Pinky, whom he had since he was a young boy. But we meet Tiana’s cat fam at the start. Shock of all shocks, he is a stray dirty cat, who is called RATKILLER, and is feared by other cats. But from the start, as he speaks to her very loudly, you know Ratkiller is the perfect fam for Tiana…tough, protective, loyal, independent and cocky. Of course he gets a new name to add on, but we will never forget Ratkiller. I also loved TQ (the residence).

Once again Robin D. Owens takes us on journey through Celta, giving us another wonderful couple, terrific storyline, and the fun fams, as well as the residence. Very well done.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

giveaway

Robin’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of  HEART FIRE to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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

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

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE ROBIN D.OWENS on FACEBOOK.

7. Giveaway is open US only

8. Giveaway runs from November 6 – November 10, 2014, 2014

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Ghost Layer by Robin D. Owens – Review & Giveaway

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Ghost Layer by Robin D. Owens – Review & Giveaway

 

Ghost Layer Banner

Ghost Layer
Ghost Seer series – Book #2
by Robin D. Owens
Release Date: September 2, 2014

Ghost Layer Sept 14

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Clare Cermak’s adjusting to a new man in her life—and a lot of ghosts. The passing of Clare’s aunt gave way to a sizeable inheritance of not only money, but also the ability to communicate with the dead. At the same time, she met Zach Slade, a private detective with a rough past, and just like Clare, he’s not yet ready to accept her gift—or his own.

But Clare has another matter to look into. A multimillionaire needs her help after relocating an old ghost town to his mountain estate. The bones of a murdered prospector are making nightly appearances in his guests’ beds. When the gold miner’s ghost contacts Clare, she promises to help find the name of his killer—but someone doesn’t want the past revealed and might find her first…

 

Review:
Ghost Layer by Robin D. Owens is the 2nd book in her Ghost Seer series. If you have not read my review of Ghost Seer, I will give you a brief description of this series. Clare Cermak is our heroine, and she is a straitlaced accountant, until her aunt dies and she inherits her estate, as well as the ability the see ghosts. Seeing ghosts is something Clare has trouble accepting until she knows if she doesn’t open up to this, she will go mad and die. She meets our hero Zach Slade, a former cop, who had to leave the force due to a crippling injury to his leg. Zach finds himself helping Clare solve the mystery, as well as helping her come to terms with her ability.

Ghost Layer finds Clare learning a bit more about her ability, but still not totally comfortable with her new life. As Enzo, the ghost dog who is her sidekick, tells her, she is helping those ghosts stuck in limbo to move on. Though Clare only sees ghosts from a period in the 1800’s and usually in the western towns, this is a modern day story taking place in Colorado.

Zach and Clare have become closer, and work very well together in this new mystery. Clare is hired by the detective agency that Zach works for to help a millionaire rid himself of a ghost leaving bones on his guests’ beds.   When Clare meets the ghost, J Dawson Hidgepath, she finds out he was murdered, which is why he is still in limbo.

What follows is an engaging mystery to find the truth behind what actually happened so many years before. Zach, who also has some gifts, which he refuses to still acknowledge, is the one who will use his expertise to put the pieces to this puzzle together. Clare is able to find more information to give Zach, with the help of the ghost and of course, our adorable Enzo.

However, while she is staying at the millionaire’s mansion, Clare finds herself in danger from an unknown source who is out to stop her from finding the truth. This is a fun mystery laden story, with some great new additional characters, as well as enjoying the romance between Zach & Clare. The ghost was a ladies man, which gave us some humor throughout. Desiree was a wonderful character that I enjoyed very much, and hope she continues to be part of this series. What can I say about Enzo? So delightful and very funny….especially when he continually leaps through people out of nowhere, and is constantly shouting to Clare how much he loves her & Zach. Fun and cute, but he also helps & advises Clare (he was her aunts real dog).

This was a fun, exciting story with a bit of everything; romance, mystery, humor, suspense. In the future books, I look forward to seeing Clare accept her gift fully, and become a strong and tough ghost seer. I always enjoy anything by Robin Owens, and I recommend you to read this series. It is best to start with the first book, Ghost Seer to understand better.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

About the author
robin owens

RITA® Award Winning novelist Robin D. Owens credits the telepathic cat with attitude in selling her first futuristic/fantasy romance, HeartMate, published in December 2001. Since then she has written thirteen books in the series, Heart Fortune the latest in August, 2011.

Her five book Luna series included average American women Summoned into another dimension to save a world. Her Mystic Circle series is a mixture of contemporary urban and romantic fantasy set in Denver.

And her newest stories, about an uptight accountant who sees Old West ghosts and helps them move on, will start with Ghost Seer in April of 2014. She is profoundly thankful to be recipient of the 2004 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Writer of the Year award as well as the 2011 Writer of the Year Award, the Colorado Romance Writers Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2010 Best Paranormal and Best of the Best Daphne Du Maurier Award…actually, after winning an award she tends to dance around bored cats.

Webstie / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

 

giveaway

Robin’s publisher, Berkley is graciously offering a paper copy of Ghost Layer to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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

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

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. LIKE Robin D. Owens on FACEBOOK

6. Giveaway is open U.S. Only

7. Giveaway runs from September 5, 2014 to September 8, 2014

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Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens – a Review & Giveaway

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Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens – a Review & Giveaway

Ghost Seer Banner

 

Ghost Seer
Ghost Seer series – Book #1
by Robin D. Owens
Release Date” April 1, 2014

Ghost SeerLinks to order Ghost Seer: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
There’s just something about Clare. Apart from the ghosts……

When her eccentric aunt passes away, no-nonsense accountant Clare Cermac inherits more than just a small fortune. She receives the gift of communicating with ghosts. While Clare may not believe in spirits, it’s hard to overlook the shadowy talking dog appearing on her bed or spectral cowboys tipping their hats to her in the streets of Denver. And when she locks eyes with sexy—and living—Zach Slade, there’s certainly no ignoring him either.

A former deputy sheriff, Zach is leaving a painful past behind in Montana for a new life in Denver as a private investigator, a job that has him crossing paths with beautiful Clare. Not that she minds. After the restless ghost of a Wild West gunman demands her assistance, Clare finds herself needing Zach more and more—and not just for help.

 

Review:

Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens is the first book in her new Ghost Seer series.  I love Robin’s Celta series, and was excited to see she would be writing a new series.  Ghost Seer is a modern day contemporary paranormal story.  I guess the title tells it all. 

Clare is our heroine, and she is having a difficult time trying to cope with a major change in her life. Clare, who was an accountant, has inherited a house and millions from her aunt.  But that is not all she inherited….she now sees ghosts.  In fact, when we meet Clare, she is desperately trying to ignore a ghost dog, named Enzo, who follows her every move.  Enzo, who is adorable, for a ghost, of course talks to Clare.  Though it is disturbing for Clare trying to get used to seeing ghosts, we have a wonderful time enjoying Enzo.   Clare has to make a decision, if she cannot cope with seeing ghosts, her life will deteriorate and she will eventually die early. Will Clare be able to accept her calling and rise to the challenge?

Zach Slade is a former cop, who moves to Denver, as his career is over from a disabling leg injury, after he was shot on the job. Zach accepts a job with a private investigation firm.  He meets Clare, and is immediately attracted to her.  Zach does have some physic gift, though he refuses to accept this possibility.  He does not see or believe in ghosts; but he does see crows, who show up in various numbers, giving him warnings.  Will Zach be able to accept the fact that Clare sees ghosts or his own physic sight?

What follows is a different, interesting, fun storyline, with a bit of everything. There is the slow to build,  but hot romance between Zach and Clare. A wonderful world building by Owens, that includes, suspense, mystery, danger, excitement, and quite a few humorous parts.  A lot of the interesting parts revolves around Clare trying to solve issues presented to her by some ghosts, which requires much research into the past, and has a western theme in old Colorado. As Enzo constantly reminds Clare, her job is to help the ghost move on from being in limbo to the afterlife.  The last half of the book was exciting, as the danger escalates.

Ghost Seer was a fun read, different then what I am used to with Robin.  But Robin Owens is a wonderful writer, and she proves it by writing a completely different type of story, and does it very well.  I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher


giveaway

Robin and her publisher are gracioiuslyi offering a paper of Ghost Seer to one lucky commenter of TRC.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

 4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway open to USA & Canada only.

6. Giveaway runs from April 3 – 8, 2014

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Second Anniversary Celebration-Robin D. Owens prize package

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Second Anniversary Celebration-Robin D. Owens Prize Package

Anniversary Giveaway Banner

Today’s SECOND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION giveaway prize package has been donated by the amazing Robin D. Owens. Robin is offering the following:

1. Three (3) commenters will each receive an ecopy of FERAL MAGIC.

2. One commenter will receive a pdf copy of Robin’s upcoming GHOST SEER (April 2014)

3. One commenter will receive a paper copy of HEART FORTUNE (Celtas Heart).

There will the five (5) winners

Follow: Facebook /Goodreads /Website / Twitter

Robin Owens prize package

REMINDER: ALL giveaways require a comment to be eligible for the prize.

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

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

3. Please tell us to enter you into the giveaway.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

7. Giveaway runs from February 18 to February 28, 2014

Click HERE for all of our 2nd Anniversary Celebration Giveaways

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Heart Fortune by Robin D. Owens – a Review

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Heart Fortune by Robin D. Owens – a Review

heart fortune

Links to order Heart Fortune: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
On the faraway planet Celta, there are some forces you cannot fight?

Jace Bayrum has always been a loner. Concerned more with getting an adrenaline fix and making money to live on his own, Jace cares little for family ties or matters of the heart. On the other hand Glyssa Licorice, Jace’s former fling and true mate, is both loving and loyal. She is determined to track down her HeartMate and have him claim her.

After hearing that Jace has been involved in an accident, Glyssa sets out to find him, departing for the excavation site of the lost starship Lugh’s Spear. Though her goal is to help Jace and finesse him into recognizing her as his mate, the excavation itself draws her in?

Thrust by fate into working side-by-side, Jace and Glyssa’s electric connection from years before sparks once more. She intrigues him, and Jace begins to realize that a HeartMate can make a difference. And one as magnetic as Glyssa could be exactly what he has been searching for.

 

Review:

Heart Fortune by Robin D. Owens is the 12th book in her Celta series.  This is such a wonderful series, and Robin continues with another fabulous book. The destined mates in  Heart Fortune are Glyssa Licorice, whom we have met previously, as she is best friends with Camellia and Tiana; and Jace Bayrum, who is a loner in so many ways.  

Jace and Glyssa had been sexually involved awhile back, and Jace wasn’t interested in any kind of long term relationship.  Glyssa, though knew Jace was her heart mate, but she wants him to come to her and accept their true relationship.   Glyssa is a second level Librarian, with her family all first level librarians.  After talking to her friend, Camellia, Glyssa decides to travel to where the excavation of a lost starship is going on, and where Jace is.  She is going to use this to record her findings to help her become a first level Librarian, and take the same opportunity to work on Jace, and make him recognize her as his heart mate.

The story focuses on the excavation, and the danger involved, as someone is trying to sabotage the site.  Jace is being framed, and though Glyssa tries to defend him, he gets angry at her for what he calls interfering.  Jace has always been a loner, having blamed his mother for his father’s death, and remembering how she ruled him.  Jace wants nothing to do with a permanent relationship with any women who would try to tell him what to do.  Glyssa has her hands full, and though they do have steamy sex, and often, she does know that something is holding Jace back.  I loved Glyssa, who was a strong heroine, well liked, very personable, and smart.  She would stand by Jace, but he was too blind to see her.  Personally, I did not like Jace, until closer to the end. He enjoyed his sex with Glyssa, and knew there was something more; but he steadily refused to open himself up, and in doing this, he hurt Glyssa.  There were times I wanted to smack him, and for the most part, I felt Glyssa was too good for him.  However, I understand Jace’s childhood issues.

What I love the most about this series is the world of Celta; the ability to teleport, and the different flairs many have.  Robin always has wonderful characters that come to life in her books.  Most of all, I adore the Fams.  If you remember from my previous reviews, the Fams are animals who become the persons familiar, and they talk telepathically to each other.  In most cases, the fams are cats, but there have been many different animals.  In Heart Fortune, I adored Lepid, Glyssa’s young fox fam., who was so cute, vocal, and rambunctious.  Jace’s fam was Zem, a hawkcel bird, who became fast friends with Lepid.   The Fams are a big part of this story, the mystery and become involved in the danger surrounding Jace and Glyssa.

I won’t reveal any spoilers, other then to say this is a fun, fast and enjoyable read. Heart Fortune is a wonderful book, with a romance that was slow to build, due to Jace’s stubbornness; the wonderful Fams; a marvelous heroine in Glyssa; and a very exciting last 1/3 of the book, as the danger escalates, putting lives in jeopardy.  It is also a story of friendship, family, mystery, all in the wonderful world of Celta  I love this series, and Robin Owens is another one of my favorite authors that I will not miss a book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

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COVER REVEALS and MORE

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COVER REVEALS and MORE

 

 

MOVIE POSTER REVEAL

Cassandra Clare’s THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS City of Bones will be coming to the big screen in August 2013 and the first MOVIE POSTER has been revealed.  

I have no doubt there will be several variations before August revealing the cast of characters.

 

 

And for your further enjoyment, the official trailer for CITY OF BONES.

 

 

 

TITLE:  Twice Tempted

AUTHOR:  Jeaniene Frost

SERIES:  Night Prince

RELEASE DATE:  March 2013

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Cloak and Silence

AUTHOR:  Sherrilyn Kenyon

SERIES:  The League (Maris’s story)

RELEASE DATE:  N/A

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Fall of Night

AUTHOR:  Rachel Caine

SERIES:  Morganville Vampires

RELEASE DATE:  May  2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Suddenly Royal

AUTHOR:  Nichole Chase

 SERIES: N/A

 RELEASE DATE:  N/A

 

 

 

TITLE:  Ink

AUTHOR:  Amanda Sun

SERIES:  The Paper Gods

RELEASE DATE:  June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Highland Betrayal

AUTHOR:  Deborah Gafford

SERIES:  Heart of the Highlander

RELEASE DATE:  N/A

Exclusive to The Reading Cafe from Deborah Gafford–HIGHLAND BETRAYAL Teaser:   Was the night they spent trapped together in the castle cellar really an accident as she claimed or was it merely a way to entrap him into marriage?  And did he even care?

Click HERE for a direct link to Deborah’s website.

 

TITLE:  Soulbound

AUTHOR:  Tessa Adams

SERIES:  Lone Star Witch

RELEASE DATE:  February 2013

 

 


 

TITLE:  The Red Plague Affair

AUTHOR:  Lilith Saint Crow

SERIES: Bannon and Clare

RELEASE DATE:  May 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE:   Emblaze

AUTHOR:  Jessica Shirvington

SERIES: Violet Eden

RELEASE DATEL  March 2013

 

 


 

TITLE: Heart of Iron

AUTHOR:  Bec McMaster

SERIES:  London Steampunk

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

 

 


 

TITLE:  With All My Soul

AUTHOR:  Rachel Vincent

SERIES:  Soul Screamers

RELEASE DATE:  March 2013

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Heart Fortune

AUTHOR:  Robin D Owens

SERIES:   Celta Heartmates

RELEASE DATE: August 2013

 

 

 


 

TITLE:  Bronze Gods

AUTHOR:  A.A.Aguirre (Ann Aguirre)

SERIES:  Apparatus Infernum

RELEASE DATE: April 2013

 

 

 


 

TITLE:  Enthralled

AUTHORS:  Lora Leigh/Alyssa Day/Meljean Brooke/Lucy Monroe

SERIES:  anthology

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Towering

AUTHOR: Alex Flinn

SERIES: N/A

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Nightbound

AUTHOR: Lynn Viehl

SERIES: Lords of the Darkyn

RELEASE DATE: May 2013

 

 

 

TITLE: Malice in Wonderland

AUTHOR: H.P. Mallory

SERIES: Dulcie O’Neil

RELEASE DATE: Available Now

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE: The Keep

AUTHOR: Veronica Wolff

SERIES: The Watchers

RELEASE DATE: June 2013

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Exotique (Summoning) by Robin Owens – A Synopsis

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Exotique (Summoning) by Robin Owens – A Synopsis

I loved this series, as I thought it was  a fantastic and fun read. Below is the short description from Robin Owens website, giving some details of each book.  Exotique Summoning takes place in another world….Lladrana.

In each book a new female is summoned from our world to Lladrana to help save their world from evil, with the appropriate name of “the dark”.  Each woman has a specific ability that is needed to enable them to work together to help defeat this evil.  After each woman completes her task, she experiences an opportunity to choose to go back to her life on earth, or stay in the alternate dimension.  This is urban fantasy at its best, and it is also a wonderful romance for each of the ladies.

Guardian of Honor (Book 1)

With their magic boundaries falling and terrible monsters invading, the Marshalls of Lladrana Summon a savior from the Exotique land. 

Armed with only her wits, a mystical companion and the help of chevalier Bastien, Alexa Fitzwalter must use her very human mind and skills to fight the encroaching evil and resist the Marshalls’ manipulation. 

Now torn between her affinity for this realm and Earth, will she return home if given the chance? Or dare she risk everything for a land not her own?

Sorceress Of Faith (Book 2)

Another American woman is Summoned to Lladrana…

With evil invading evil Lladrana, the Sorcerers must Summon an outsider to stop the insidious darkness slowly taking control of their land and targeting the Sorcerers — draining their Power and destroying the Sorcerers themselves.

Arriving in Lladrana, grad student Marian Harasta is stunned to find herself the center of a dispute among Sorcerers who want to augment their Power with her own. She must quickly learn her new magical Powers—and decide who she can trust in this strange land.

She has prayed for a miracle to save her brother—could Lladrana offer that knowledge, and can she somehow return to Earth with it?  She knows she must offer the Sorcerers something in the exchange, and ridding them of the Evil Sorcerer is what they want, but how will she fare in her first magical duel?

Protector Of The Flight (Book 3)

If horses could fly…then Calli Torcher might ride again. But a devastating accident left her in such pain she thought the chimes and chanting in her ears were a hallucination…until she found herself transported to another world, and met the Lladranans who had Summoned her.

Lladrana was a parallel, magical earth filled with exotic creatures, noble humans and enchantments—all threatened by an encroaching evil.

And when the mighty volarans stopped obeying the Chevaliers, the flying horses’ unexpected rebellion had thrown Lladrana into an uproar. In desperation, the sorcerers had sought help from afar—and gotten Calli.

If she could fulfill this mission, perhaps she would also finally find all she had longed for—a mate, a home, a family. She can have all she ever wanted, if she can only believe in herself and in magic, and if she’s willing to pay the price.  But against this great darkness, she had no battle experience, no strategy plans. She had only a bond with horses.…

Keepers Of The Flame (Book 4)

Two sisters born to serve…

The sorcerers of Lladrana have already Summoned three women to help fight the evil attacking their world. Yet their fourth Summoning brings the unexpected—twin sisters. And ones with strong ties to Earth.

Both have a special gift to heal. But while Brigid Drystan has explored that gift through unorthodox means, Elizabeth has poured herself into getting a medical degree and denying her powers.

Now, stuck in a strange land, fighting a plague sent by the Dark to weaken Lladrana, they must use all their resources to save lives. And one twin will risk her own on an experiment that might doom them both.…

 Echoes in the Dark (Book 5)

The planet is dying, slowly being drained by an alien Dark, and only one last, desperate plan can save it.

Deep in another dimension, a disillusioned young singer is summoned as Lladrana’s last hope. Uncertain of her future, unaware of her extraordinary magical talent, Jikata will be the sixth and final outsider—Exotique—to step through a dangerous portal of prophecy and magic. Survival will require her to forge closer friendships than she has ever known. The price of those bonds will threaten the very fate of Lladrana: a world where music holds the key to an ancient mystery—and six women will wage the ultimate battle against the forces of Dark.

 The last battle looms…

Synopsis Compiled by Barb

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An Interview with Robin Owens

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An Interview with Robin D. Owens

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Robin D. Owens as our guest today. Tuesday was the release of her latest addition to her Celta series….Heart Secret, which we reviewed yesterday.

Let’s begin our interview with Robin

 


Hi Robin.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today.  We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC: Would you please tell us about yourself?

Robin: I’m single and living with cats in Denver, Colorado – and have used the cats for characters in my books.  I love to read and write (though that’s different now it is actually my job and deadlines come with that job).  I’ve picked up a few awards along the way…and I am ever hopeful of revising my website.

TRC: When and how did you become interested in writing?  Have you always liked to write?

Robin: Yes, I've been interested (and writing) since I was a child.  One of my relationships demanded most of my attention and when that crashed I had so much free time I decided to do what I'd always longed to…write.

TRC: Many writers bounce ideas and information with either a family member, a Friend, or another writer.  Who inspires you?  Do you have a muse?

Robin: I had a critique group long before I was published, and though it has morphed, I still have a critique group.  I have beta readers for my work who help with it…as for a muse, that would be the cats.  I’m firmly convinced that the telepathic cat with attitude (redundant) sold my first book, HeartMate.  I still watch them and use them.

TRC: I love your cats with an attitude.  I want a Fam Cat. 🙂

TRC: Would you tell us your steps to writing a novel? 

Robin: Um, sit down and write?  Actually I DO love to "pantz," write by the seat of my pants, but I sell on proposal now, which means I must have some kind of plot ahead of time.
Note: As a pantzer and before I was published, I compared my latest manuscript to the archetypical one described in Christopher Vogler's The Writers Journey and found that my plot points matched his…so that's what I keep coming back to. 

TRC: When you published Heart Mate in 2001, did you know how far you wanted to go in this series?  Now that Heart Secret being released this month, and it is your 11th book in that series, do have an end in sight?  We hope not.  🙂

Robin: THANK YOU!  I am hopeful for at least 3 more books in the Heart series…and until I tire of them.  I love doing them.  I’m also on my second series for Luna.  The first, the Summoning series, was about average American women summoned to another dimension to fight hideous evil – that was a run of five.  The urban paranormal series I’m writing now, Mystic Circle, I am hoping for nine.  I’m also thinking about epublishing some stories/novellas/novels out.

TRC: For new readers, please tell us the premise of the Celta Heartmates series, and how you came up with the idea of this world?

Robin: Ah, well I am Welsh (like Patty Briggs), and there wasn’t much of Celtic culture out there worldbuilding wise when I began writing it.  I’d been writing historical Regency romances, but they hadn’t been selling. 🙂  So I started something off the wall, which was HeartMate – with an alpha hero who not only consulted runes, but believed them, which, of course, doesn’t often happen on this planet.  I got T’Ash, surly blacksmith and jeweler.  Also the cats – my Maddox (Zanth in the book) strolled onto the page burping and complaining about the chef, and I got my story rolling.

TRC: Please tell us a little about Heart Secret?

Robin: I’ve introduced both the hero, Garrett Primross, private investigator, and Artemisia Panax (Mugwort) earlier.  Again, Garrett is a very alpha guy (and I LOVE the sexy cover!), and survived the most virulent form of a sickness that killed everyone around him.  The plague is back and the Healers want to study why he might have stayed alive.  Artemisia is assigned to him – a HeartMate he’s been avoiding.  Of course there’s also a murder.

TRC: Your Exotique Summoning series was wonderful, and your female heroines were great. Love that your female heroines in this series are as equally strong as the men.  Is there anything that made you want to make the women in your stories so strong?

Robin: I think women are strong.  It hurts to be strong, to gain that strength and use it sometimes, but we are certainly as strong as men mentally and emotionally.

TRC: Tell us about your Mystic Circle series, which is now in the second book .. Enchanted Again.  What is the premise behind this series, and how many books do you plan?

Robin: I live in a very fun neighborhood (bought when it was low and it grew up around me) and Denver’s mixture of architectural styles has always fascinated me.  And I wanted to do a contemporary urban series – women with magic.  Enchanted No More was about a half-human, half-magical woman; Enchanted Again is about a cursebreaker that must learn to take care of herself first (as many women must do) and Enchanted Ever After features a totally human woman who becomes a mermaid.

TRC: What are you currently working on? Any thoughts of a new series?

Robin: I always have an abundance of ideas!  I'm thinking of epublishing a lot – maybe some stories in the Summoning series that didn't get into the books, maybe some Celtan stories (through my publisher), and I have a urban shapeshifter story that's calling my name.

TRC: Who is your favorite Female Character in your books?

Robin: I love them all, as I love all my heroes. 🙂  But the one I had to watch like a hawk every time she sauntered on stage so she wouldn't steal the show (like most of the Fam animals do), was Alexa Fitzwalter of Guardian of Honor.  Not sure if this makes sense, but I think she is the true daughter of my father, the most like him. 

  TRC:  LOL Alexa was great.

TRC: Do you have any advice for new authors?

Robin: This has absolutely changed since the epublishing world has opened up!  I used to say, Never Quit, but before I'd say, as I do now: Read, read, read!  Make sure you hit those archetypical plot points that will satisfy your reader.  If you plan on writing in a genre, know what it is so you don't break some "readers' rules" (like having the heroine in a romance commit suicide at the end).

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Robin: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INTERVIEW.  You really came up with some thought provoking questions that I hadn't considered before. 


LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: (as I am writing this now, at breakfast: croissants)

Favorite Author: Eileen Wilks, J.D. Robb, Patricia Briggs, Iona Andrews

Favorite Movie: Ladyhawke, The Three Musketeers, Singing in the Rain 

Favorite TV Show: Once Upon A Time

Last Movie that you saw: The Avengers

Last book that you read: Shelly Laurenston’s Beast Behaving Badly

Favorite character (male & female) not written by you:  How can you top Eve Dallas and Roarke?  Though I do love Lily Yu and Rule Turner (rather like Eve and Roarke), and Anna and Charles of Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega world.

  TRC: sigh  Eve and Roarke are my all time favorite couple.  🙂

TRC:  Thank you, Robin for answering our questions. We look forward to continuing to read your books, and to work with you in the future.

Robin: Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.

If you would like to find out more about Robin, you can visit her at the following sites:

Website: http://robindowens.com
Twitter:
Facebook:
Author’s Den:
Goodreads:

Robin has graciously offered to give three members of The Reading Café a chance to each win a choice of one of her backlist books, which includes her Luna series. 

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.  Please post a comment and say hello to Robin.

4.  Giveaway open U.S. or Canada Only

5.  Contests runs from August 9th – 11th.

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