Tag Archives: Terri Herman-Ponce

Covet (In This Life #2) by Terri Herman-Ponce: a review

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COVET (In This Life #2) by Terri Herman-Ponce: a review

Covet

Amazon

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release date March 25, 2013

COVET is the story of threatening secrets, risky espionage, and one man’s discovery that instinct can be more powerful than reason.

All professional soldier David Bellotti has to do is steal a wallet from drug lord Zev Sahin. A simple operation to snag the key card to Sahin’s compound and hand the card over to the woman who hired him. But when David finds a photo inside the wallet of his lover, Lottie, kissing another man, he discovers his life isn’t what it seems and that the people in it are keeping dangerous information from him.

Ex-lover, Monica, is carrying the biggest secret of all. Determined to get David back into her life, her secret will become her strongest weapon against him. But protecting his love for Lottie won’t be easy for David. As images of Lottie’s murder start surfacing, David realizes he’s reliving ancient memories from over ten thousand years ago—from a life that’s linked to Lottie and Monica now, and that will once again end in Lottie’s death if he can’t find a way to stop it.

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REVIEW: COVET is the second storyline in Terri Herman-Ponce’s continuing saga of past life regression and the complications it reveals.

In This Life (Book #1) centered on Lottie Morgan as she journeyed between present day and flashing back to ancient Egypt where her life begins to unravel. But the past continues to haunt Lottie only this time, her lover David is along for the ride.

Covet is told from two POVs. David Bellotti is the main POV with third person narration to keep the reader abreast of what is happening. David’s life begins to fall apart when his past life regressions reveal more than he ever thought possible. And like reincarnation, there are people from his past willing to make amends, seek revenge or continue where their past lives left off. Only this time, the number of players is much larger and involves present day criminals and suspects. And his recent past, as in twelve years earlier, will come knocking on his front door to add further complications to an already uneasy peace in his relationship with Lottie.

Terri writes an amazing and fascinating storyline of suspense, mystery, betrayal, hatred and love-a love that transcends the ages and a hatred that follows with every incarnation and life. And like the first storyline in the series (In This Life), Covet is fast paced, well written and will keep you on the edge of your proverbial seat. Many new players with many more potential storylines and a hint of a possible betrayal from someone too close to the action had me wondering where it was all going to lead. Terri’s imagination crosses the distance of time as do her characters and stories.

READING ORDER
1. In This Life
2. Covet

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Terri Herman-Ponce: Interview with the Author

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TRC: Terri Herman-Ponce: Interview with the Author

FROM: Terri Herman-Ponce Website

I’ve been curious about past lives for the longest time. I’ve also always been enamored with Ancient Egyptians and their belief in the afterlife. Imagine if you kept coming back until you ‘got it right’. You know, fixing past mistakes. Meeting up with people you’ve known before. Finding your soul mate and spending forever, literally, with that special someone because you simply can’t live any life without them.

Sounds a bit romantic, right? But I’m not all that romantic. I can’t resist giving the stories in my head a twist and the characters I’ve created a really hard time. They’re not facing challenges to get together. They’re facing challenges to stay together, millennia after millenia. For me, the best reads are the ones that make you sit on the edge of your seat. I hope I do the same for you.

TRC:  Hi Terri and welcome to The Reading Café.

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

Terri:  Well, I’m a communications manager by day and a storyteller by night. I was born on Long Island and that’s where I live now with my husband and son. I’m also the youngest of five children and would love to come back as an astronomer in my next life (if there is one!) because I’m as fascinated with the night skies almost as much as I’m fascinated with ancient Egypt.

TRC: Your bio states that you are a huge foodie and wine lover.  How do you sate your desire for the various types of wines and food available from around the world? 

Terri:  Oh, this passion was years in the making! I’m lucky to live on Long Island and be near New York City, which is a mecca for everything food and wine. Mostly my husband and I search out wine boutiques and we spend a lot of time at the vineyards on the East End. I’m also a huge fan of Zagat to find new places to eat. That’s one app I can’t live without on my iPhone!

TRC: You have stated that you have a fascination for Ancient Egypt and your current novel IN THIS LIFE touches on your fascination.  Have you ever travelled to Egypt?

Terri:  Sadly, no, but it’s on my bucket list. I’m enamored with the majesty of ancient Egypt – the pyramids, the temples at Abu Simbel, the Temple of Karnak – it just amazes me at what these people built, what they believed in, and the lifestyle that shaped their culture. Fascinating stuff.

TRC: Many authors discover their love of writing early in life.  What sparked your interest in writing?

Terri:  Star Trek fan fiction! I know, that either makes you roll your eyes or sit up and say, wow, that’s kinda cool. But that’s where I started writing sixteen years ago and, after a short time doing that, my best friend stopped me and said, “why not write something of your own?” So I did. And then I couldn’t stop.

TRC: What difficulties or challenges have you faced as an author?

Terri:  Wanting to give up in the face of rejection. It’s hard when you have all these stories inside your head that you want to tell, but yet can’t seem to catch the right attention to see them through to publication. There were days I wondered why I bothered, but yet I just couldn’t give up the writing. It’s my passion.

TRC: IN THIS LIFE is your October 2012 release.  Would you please tell us something about the premise?

LINK TO ORDER: Amazon

Terri:  In This Life is the story of a psychologist, Lottie Morgan, who starts reliving memories of a lover she’s never had – until she meets a mysterious man with whom she shared a passionate relationship thousands of years ago. Galen’s revelation about their stormy history entices Lottie into wanting to know more about her past, but her decision comes at a price. Galen may hold answers but he’s a growing temptation as well. One that could destroy the devoted, lifelong relationship Lottie has with her current lover, David. And one that could also cost her life. Someone else knows of Lottie’s past and is determined to stop her from uncovering secrets they want kept hidden. 

TRC: How much research was involved writing this particular novel e.g. Ancient Egypt/ Psychology etc?

Terri:  A lot! Mostly because I wanted the past life story to feel authentic to the reader and I wanted Lottie, as a psychologist, to feel off balance because those around her think she might be losing her mind. Did I get everything perfect? I’m pretty sure I didn’t. But I researched texts and professionals as much as I could. And I read a lot in the genre. That helped immensely.

TRC: What challenges have you faced getting IN THIS LIFE to publication?

Terri:  Rejection. Rejection. Rejection. ‘Nuf said. 

TRC: If you could virtually cast IN THIS LIFE using models and actors, with whom would you cast the main characters and why?

Terri:  I wouldn’t, and here’s why. Ever since I started writing this story six or seven years ago, I had a hard time picturing Lottie in my head. But once I contracted with Crimson Romance and they provided me with the cover artwork, I knew I had her. As for David? Nope. Not a single actor comes close. I have a picture of a really sexy guy that I found years ago and that’s stuck with me ever since. And, I don’t want to ruin that mental image of him, you know?

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Terri:  Oh, book 2 for David and Lottie! It’s currently titled Mine and I intend to pitch it to Crimson Romance in November. And I’ve already started book 3.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Terri:  Just that I’m happy to be here and very grateful for your hospitality! 

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – Pizza

Favorite Dessert – Oreo cookies

Favorite TV Show – Two and a Half Men; Homeland

Favorite Movie – Iron Man; Finding Nemo

Last Movie You Saw – The Avengers

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Dark!

Do you have any pets? – I have a koi pond that I love. Very peaceful to sit there and drink wine while the sun sets.

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

You can follow Terri at: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook /

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In This Life by Terri Herman-Ponce : a review

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IN THIS LIFE by Terri Herman-Ponce:  a review

IN THIS LIFE by Terri Herman-Ponce

IN THIS LIFE is the first novel and October 18, 2012 release from author Terri Herman-Ponce. Written in a combination of fantasy, mystery and contemporary suspense genre, In This Life will keep you attention until the very end.

Dr. Taletta (Lottie) Morgan is sick at home with the flu, but a mysterious call from a stranger has Lottie considering she has lost her mind. The previous evening she had dreamed about an ancient lover from a time long ago, and the man on the phone claimed to be the man in the dream. But a call from a counselor at the Amrose Counseling Center where she worked pushed all thoughts aside, when one of her clients is reported missing and possibly suicidal. Shortly after her arrival, the dream-like visions and music from the night before begin to invade once again, only to be interrupted by a knife held to her throat.

Throughout the morning, Lottie moved in and out of lucidity. The voice from the earlier phone call continues to intrude in her mind and she is having difficulty focusing on her client who claims that no one cares, when she suddenly finds herself facing three strangers that she have never met before. But a resurgence of awareness will bring her back to the present where her boyfriend David is sure that something has gone terribly wrong. She was losing moments and hours of time. She was blacking out and having visions, and each was preceded by an exotic scent or smell. As well, no one else is able to see or believes that her life is in danger.

David Bellotti was an ex-marine and a contract soldier for Professional Recruitment and Operations- a global military corporation. Three weeks earlier he lost his best friend and fellow soldier Eddie while on military manoeuvres in the Sahara and David was having difficulty with the death. When a replacement is brought in for Eddie, David became suspicious and asked Lottie to do an evaluation before he joins the team. But a dinner together with friends would find Lottie in the hospital with no memory of what had occurred. Hoping to analyze what has been happening Lottie sits downs with fellow counselor and one-time lover Paul to discuss what has been happening in her life. Everyone believes she is losing her mind.

Throughout the storyline Lottie continues to travel what can only be called ‘back in time’ in her dreams, but the visions are no longer locked into her dreams, but through her waking hours. The people in her dreams are strangers yet she knows each and everyone intimately as though they have known each other for a very long time. Meanwhile the strange phone calls continue and several mysterious packages arrive-all perceived as a threat against her life. When her fiancé begs her to get help, Lottie is too consumed with the visions and knows with whom she has to speak only she is risking her relationship and her life. All too soon she will discover that her visions, the threats, her clients and a one-time friend are all connected.

IN THIS LIFE is a fast paced, well-written and an amazing read. I found myself on edge in a few spots especially when Lottie was willing to risk everything to find the answers. She was also irritating when she kept so many secrets to herself, but then again, no one would have believed a word she said. In This Life is a fascinating tale of lost love, lost souls and finding the one person with whom you were always meant to be-in this life or the next. A fantastic new novel and a great start for Terri Herman-Ponce.

LINK TO ORDER: Amazon

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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