Thursday’s Thought…
Kelly reviews Beauty And The Curse by KM Fawcett & Cathy Tully
TITLE: Beauty and the Curse
CHARACTERS: Chase Singleton & Anabel Charming
AUTHOR: KM Fawcett & Cathy Tully
PUBLICATION DATE: March 19, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Cursed by a jealous witch, wealthy recluse Anabel Charming is destined to grow uglier with each passing year. Only by having sex before her twenty-first birthday can this virgin’s spell be broken. Yet no man will agree to sleep with the humpbacked, pockmarked, one-leg-shorter-than-the-other “Freak of Park Avenue.”
When handsome Chase Singleton shows up on a quest to retrieve his grandmother’s long-lost talisman, which Anabel now possesses, Anabel is willing to give up the jewel…if Chase agrees to break her curse. With two days left before her chance at a normal life is lost forever, Anabel and Chase discover the reality of beauty, the power of sexual healing, and the meaning of love.
REVIEW:
This was a quick read. I like the story but was not totally in love with it. The first chapter was a little slow and didn’t pull me in, but as the story when on I found myself hoping for the best with these two.
I really like the room of toads 🙂
If you are looking for quick, sweet read I would suggest giving Beauty and the Curse a try.
Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Interview & Giveaway with Dennis Willis author of Barca’s Jackpot
Books-n-Kisses would like to welcome new author Dennis Willis. Dennis is the author of Barca’s Jackpot.
Welcome Dennis. Thanks for stopping by BnK.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
I suppose. When I was younger, I thought I would author the great American screenplay! But I suppose every 20-year-old thinks they’re going to conquer the world. I backed into being a film critic, which I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to continue doing for over 20 years. The byproduct of that, is that I get to watch a lot of films and when you absorb that much content, you begin to not only spot trends, but get a pretty clear sense of what speaks to you creatively. I wrote or co-wrote a good 12 to 15 scripts over the years, some that are terrible, some that continued to poke around in my brain. One of those was Barca’s Jackpot, so after publishing a few books of movie reviews and commentary, I tried my hand at adapting my own screenplay into a novel.
Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
I don’t have a typical writing day. Much of what I do concerns radio production or editing (I produce a weekly radio show and am in pre-production on a film). So when I do sit down to write, it’s generally because I can’t stop thinking about what I’d like to work on. And also, having run my own business with a storefront in the past, I became adept at getting up to help a customer, holding on to my thought, and resuming once the customer left! I have an 8-year-old son, and believe me, that muscle comes in handy!
Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Well, I don’t have an ego in this fight. I know what I know, and it’s a little more than most, but I’m also acutely aware of what I don’t know, and that is where my thirst for knowledge comes in. The very first thing I did as soon as I was done with a first draft was to hand it off to colleagues who I knew would be honest with me about the work. I told them to tear it apart! The rewarding part, I suppose, is finding out that the work is decent.
Can you please tell us about your first book?
It’s about a guy who gets himself into a little bit of trouble! I love this character because he was a police officer who stuck around for one too many hands of poker with a gangster and ended up owing the bad guy money. So he’s a guy who has friends on both sides of the law, and is in a bit of a tight spot. I love that dichotomy of the character, & am thrilled about moving forward with future adventures.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
Believe it or not, it was in a dream and the first time and only time I ever woke up and wrote the idea down. It’s a scene in which one person is staking out a ballroom with a sniper rifle to do some damage, and realizing somebody else is there to do the same thing. I immediately found that idea intriguing, and the story took off after that.
Can you share with us your current work in progress?
I had so much fun with the first book that I immediately started thinking about second. But having seen so many horrible sequels as a film critic, and comparing those against the few that actually work, it’s more about starting with that list then an actual story. I’m big into theme and structure, and of course a list of don’ts. So it’s a question of continuing the forward path of the character without repeating yourself, changing the elements that the character has to navigate without altering things too much, but also about dramatically shaking things up. My favorite stories in a continuing series whether it be James Bond, Star Trek, or anything else is when something completely different or shocking gets my attention and makes me lean forward as a viewer or reader.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
I was a huge fan of Elmore Leonard, and still am. My dad was a big crime fiction fan so there was an all there was always a copy of a John D. MacDonald novel, or Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, etc. around the house. I also appreciate strong writing in films and have found myself more attracted to who wrote the screenplay than the actors in some cases!
Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
I’d be lying if I didn’t say Leonard. I’m also a huge fan of his book “10 Rules of Writing.” It’s a very handy guidebook to whittling away the fat to get to the actual story. He was fond of cautioning other writers about getting in the way of the story with their prose and I agree completely. Anything more than “He said” is too much.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Thanks to the movie Cold in July, I just discovered Joe R. Lansdale and I’m reading that book. I’ll probably move on to the next five or six Lansdale novels after that.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Only that I think the 21st century is an amazing time for content creators. We have heard much about the demise of the printed book, and the retail bookstore. And to a degree, as there is evolution with everything else, walking into a bookstore is getting to be a rarefied thing. But I don’t believe that love of the written word will go away anytime soon, and I have always been a fan of removing the gatekeepers that keep the little guy out of the system. Now everybody has a chance to make an impression, and that is very exciting!
Bio:
Dennis Willis is an award-winning producer, editor, writer and film critic. He produced and co-hosted the TV programs Soundwaves, and Reel Life (later called FilmTrip) and anchors the weekly Flick Nation Radio show. In addition, he hosts the weekly radio features At the Movies and Home Media Guide.
He is a member of the San Francisco Film Critics Circle and the Broadcast Film Critics Association; and the director of All You Need is Myth: The Beatles and Gods of Rock.
ONLINE:
twitter.com/denniswillis
flicknation.net
thebarcafiles.com
If you didn’t see it on Monday check out Kimberly’s review of Barca’s Jackpot HERE
GIVEAWAY:
For a chance to win a signed copy of Barca’s Jackpot by Dennis Willis comment below or on the BnK Facebook page. Winner will be selected one week from today, Wednesday the 18th. Good Luck!
Kelly reviews Fighting Fate by Carrie Ann Ryan
TITLE: Fighting Fate
SERIES #: Redwood Pack#7
CHARACTERS: Logan Anderson & Cailin Jamenson
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: June 10, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon │ Barnes & Noble │ ARe │ Kobo │ iTunes
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
With her blue-black hair and striking green eyes, Cailin Jamenson is the epitome of beauty and the exemplar of strength. She has fought the enforced boundaries of being the lone Jamenson daughter and Redwood Pack princess, but it is the potential future with the dark wolf in her path that threatens everything she thought she desired.
Logan Anderson’s own darkness provided the reasoning for his abandonment of his former Pack, the Talons. Now, newly accepted into the Redwood Pack, this jade-eyed wolf and all she represents could be his own undoing.
In this final installment of the Redwood Pack, unimaginable tragedy strikes, and the two wolves who have fought the longest for their independence now face the uncertainty of fate and the epic battle that could end the war… and their lives.
REVIEW:
We finally get the Princess of the Redwood Pack’s story. Cailin has been a long time favorite of mine. Maybe because she is standoffish, maybe because she is tough, or maybe it is because what Fate has in store for her might just save them all. Only problem is that Cailin is stubborn, tough, and standoffish that she just might lose out on what is most important.
This was really good way to end the Redwood Pack series, although it looks like there might be a novella here an there still to come. If you have not read any of the Redwood Pack books you need to start from the beginning. There is to much history in each book and to much interconnected events that reading Fighting Fate first would be a huge mistake.
I will warn you that if you can make it through chapter 2 you may be golden. There is a few Oh My GOD moments that left me speechless.
Looking forward to what Carrie Ann has in store for the Talon Pack.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Fated Desires Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly reviews Animal Attraction by Paige Tyler
TITLE: Animal Attraction
SERIES #: Alaskan Werewolf #1
CHARACTERS: Hunter McCall & Eliza Bradley
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: Re-release
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Frustrated when none of the real newspapers will hire her as a reporter, Eliza Bradley takes the only job she can get – at a paranormal magazine. Her first assignment takes her to Fairbanks, Alaska to investigate the possibility that a werewolf has killed two local hikers.
Eliza forgets about the story, however, when she meets Hunter McCall, a local college professor and an expert on wolves. The man is an absolute hunk, and she finds herself spending more time in his bed than worrying about werewolves. That is, until she finds out that Hunter isn’t just an animal in the sack, he’s an animal out of it, too – of the werewolf variety! Talk about a complicated relationship!
But Eliza can’t dwell on Hunter’s little shapeshifting issues. There’s another werewolf out there with a taste for human blood, and she and Hunter are the only ones who can stop him.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Animal Attraction the re-release of Paige Tyler’s first book in her Alaskan Werewolf series.
Being unemployed sucks. That is how Eliza ends up finding herself in the middle of Alaska trying to track down a killer werewolf. Of course Eliza doesn’t believe in such things which makes working for a Paranormal newspaper a little hard. But once she is on the trail Eliza realized that there is much more to this story then just the paranormal. So with the help of the hunky professor and wolf expert Hunter McCall, Eliza is going to solve this case even if it kills her.
I enjoyed this book. I really like how Eliza’s mind worked and her openness to the paranormal world. And Hunter was just great. I really enjoyed the first interaction with Hunter and Eliza. Who knew ketchup could lead to true love. What to know what I am talking about? You need to pick up a copy of Animal Attraction and find out for yourself.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Paige Tyler in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Spotlight feature of The Given by Vicki Pettersson + giveaway
THE GIVEN is the final novel in New York Times bestselling author Vicki Pettersson’s acclaimed Celestial Blues series. Readers have been eagerly awaiting this dramatic conclusion, and THE GIVEN (Harper Voyager Trade Paperback Original; May, 2014; 9780062066206; $14.99), delivers on Pettersson’s renowned creative hallmarks: innovative world building and darkly sexy supernatural intrigue.
THE GIVEN resumes the thrilling saga of fallen angel/private eye Griffin Shaw, and the spirited, rockabilly reporter Kit Craig as they battle long odds in Sin City. Incredibly imaginative, THE GIVEN spotlights Vegas’s Rat Pack glory days, its flinty present-day turmoil, and the immortal realm of the Everlast, where Centurions (mortals turned angels) and Pure angels co-exist on the celestial plane. What results is a perfect mix of classic noir mystery, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance—and just the right amount of crime scene grit and drama to intrigue readers until the very last page.
After learning that his wife survived the attack that killed him fifty years earlier, angel/PI Griffin Shaw is determined to find Evie—no matter the cost. But his obsession has come at a price. Grif has been forced to give up his strong, burgeoning love for reporter Katherine “Kit” Craig – the woman who made life worth living again – while dedicating himself to finding a woman he may no longer know.
Yet when Kit is attacked for a second time, it’s clear that there are forces in both the mortal and heavenly realm determined to protect secrets long buried in the past. In order to survive his second go-round on the Surface, Grif must convince Kit to reunite with him professionally and help uncover decades of deceit from dangerous enemies both old and new. Yet a prophecy also looms, threatening to upend Grif’s every sacrifice, testing his limits as an angel, his dedication to Evie … and his love for Kit. Gritty scenes and heartfelt emotion propel the dramatic finale to the Celestial Blues trilogy, finally giving readers the answer to the one deadly question that they’ve been dying to know: Who killed Griffin Shaw?
About the Author:
Vicki Pettersson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Signs of the Zodiac novels, a six-book urban fantasy series set in her hometown of Las Vegas. Though she’ll always consider that glittering dustbowl home, she now divides her time between Vegas and Dallas, where she’s learning to like good Tex-Mex (easy) and the Dallas Cowboys (easier than you’d think). THE GIVEN is the third novel in her supernatural noir trilogy, Celestial Blues.
*****
THE GIVEN
Celestial Blues: Book Three
by Vicki Pettersson
Publication Date: 5/27/14; Price: $14.99
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Pettersson continues her breakout new supernatural noir mystery series as a fallen angel and a reporter team up to stop a drug cartel
After learning his wife survived the attack that killed him fifty years earlier, angel/PI Griffin Shaw is determined to find Evelyn Shaw, no matter the cost. Yet his obsession comes at a price. Grif has had to give up his burgeoning love for reporter Katherine “Kit” Craig, the woman who made life worth living again, and dedicate himself to finding one he no longer knows.
Yet when Grif is attacked again, it becomes clear that there are forces in both the mortal and heavenly realm who’d rather see him dead than unearth the well-buried secrets of his past. If he’s to survive his second go-round on the Surface, Grif will have to convince Kit to reunite with him professionally, and help uncover decades of police corruption, risking both their lives… and testing the limits to what one angel is really willing to give for love.
Make sure to check out Kelly’s review of The Given HERE
*****
Harper Collins is giving away three copies of THE TAKEN,
the start to the Celestial Blues trilogy
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What releases the week of June 9th? Check here!
Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Scene of the Climb by Kate Dyer-Seeley
I’m excited to have Kate Dyer-Seeley here today to talk about her new book, Scene of the Climb. The book takes place in the Pacific Northwest and I loved reading all the places that Meg visited because I’m quite familiar with them myself. 🙂
1. Tell me about your new release.
SCENE OF THE CLIMB is set in the ruggedly beautiful Pacific Northwest and features Meg Reed, a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventure in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme Magazine. In reality, she’s a total klutz and terrified of heights. The magazine sends her out to Angel’s Rest trail (a steep climb up to a breathtaking view of the Columbia River) to cover an adventure race filming on location. Meg prefers vintage fashion and artisan coffee to scaling cliffs, but she’s desperate for a job and to prove herself. So she laces up her kicks and hits the trail. Once she finally huffs her way to the top, she sees a body sail off the summit and from there things just get worse.
2. Where did you come up with the idea for this story?
One of my all-time favorite holiday movies is Christmas in Connecticut. I have clarify that I mean the original with Barbara Stanwyck, not the 1992 remake with Kris Kristofferson. The premise of the movie is that Elizabeth Lane is a food writer for a major magazine in the 1940s, with a country home in Connecticut and a family. Of course she has none of these things–she can’t cook, lives in a small apartment and is single. I love the idea of trying to be something you’re not, and how quickly things can unravel when you’re not being authentic. I think we’ve all had experiences like that, and it provides a great opportunity to watch Meg grow in the series.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and do a lot of hiking with my family. Angel’s Rest is one of my favorite hikes. It’s a relatively easy climb and the payoff at the top is truly stunning. However it seems like every year someone falls up there. I guess it’s sort of a case of life imitating art. I spent a semester in college on an eco-tourism trip in New Zealand and Australia which I used as inspiration for the storyline too.
3. What was the most interesting thing that you had to research as a writer?
I feel like writing this was kind of like cheating because most of my “research” entailed me going out to hike the trails featured in the book. My dad, who’s a retired English teacher, was my hiking partner on many of the climbs and a great sounding board for plotting and structure. I interviewed the Crag Rats, who are the first-ever mountain rescue team in the United States. It was really interesting to learn about the kind of work they do. They’re all volunteers who literally put their lives at risk to rescue others. Very impressive.
4. Which authors do you feel have influenced you to become a writer?
How much time do you have? I was so lucky to have parents who were readers and ignited that passion for me at an early age. As a kid, I loved Maud Lovelace, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Willa Cather. In terms of cozies, Jacqueline Winspear, Rhys Bowen, Cleo Coyle, Michelle Scott, Louise Penny. I could keep going…
5. What are you working on now?
I just finished the second book in the series which is set up at Timberline Lodge during opening weekend of the ski season. I had so much fun researching Timberline’s rich history, getting up to speed on snowboarding lingo and thinking about putting Meg out in the cold. I’m getting ready to start work on book three which will take Meg out to Hood River, Oregon for a windsurfing competition. Poor Meg. She can’t catch a break.
6. Favorite TV guilty pleasure? Favorite Food? Favorite book that you’ve read recently?
Great question. I love Castle. I mean, Nathan Fillion–he’s such a dream. I could watch him all day. Food…hmm. I love anything with cilantro. It’s so versatile–Thai, Mexican. I’m itching to plant a new vegetable and herb garden. It’s the best when you can pop out to the backyard to pick dinner. In terms of books, I read pretty much everything I can get my hands on. When I’m working on a new manuscript it’s hard to read the genre, which is a bummer because I LOVE cozies. Beautiful Ruins is probably my top pick. I read it a little while ago, but it’s one of those books that has stayed with me.
About the Author:
Kate Dyer-Seeley’s work has been featured in a variety of regional, national and international publications. She writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Books. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, was released June 3, 2014 and is now available at bookstores and online.
Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.
She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.
– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.6fAz8TSu.dpuf
Kate Dyer-Seeley’s work has been featured in a variety of regional, national and international publications. She writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Books. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, was released June 3, 2014 and is now available at bookstores and online.
Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.
She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.
– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.6fAz8TSu.dpuf
Kate Dyer-Seeley’s work has been featured in a variety of regional, national and international publications. She writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Books. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, was released June 3, 2014 and is now available at bookstores and online.
Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe. She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.
But a girl needs a job, so Meg bluffs her way into writing for Northwest Extreme magazine, passing herself off to editor-in-chief Greg Dixon as an outdoor adventure enthusiast. Never mind that Meg’s idea of sport is climbing onto the couch without spilling her latte. So when she finds herself clawing to the top of Angel’s Rest – a two-thousand-foot peak – to cover the latest challenge in a reality TV adventure show, she can’t imagine feeling more terrified. Until she witnesses a body plummet off the side of the cliff. Now Meg has a murder to investigate. And if the climbing doesn’t kill her, a murderer just might…It includes Adventure Guides.
Jennifer’s Review of Scene of the Climb
Review (4.5. Stars): I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this book because it takes place in the Pacific Northwest which I’m quite familiar with since I live here in Portland. Meg Reed is down on her luck, living on her best friend’s couch, trying to find any job that will utilize her Journalism degree. A chance meeting with the editor-in-chief of Northwest Extreme gives Meg the opportunity that she has been hoping for. An actual job that will pay her to write for a magazine but the kicker is that Meg must be an outdoor enthusiast and Meg is the exact opposite. On her first exclusive assignment, Meg finds herself climbing cliffs to cover the final leg of the popular reality show, Race the States. What she doesn’t expect is to witness a contestant flying over the side of the cliff to their death and now she has to investigate a murder before the killer claims another victim.
I really enjoyed Scene of the Climb and I was amazed at how quickly I got involved with the story. Meg was a great character and I enjoyed following her through the course of this book. I think that we’ve all done something to help us get a job when we are just starting out and there were times that I was laughing out loud by some of the things that she did. Scene of the Climb was a delightful start to what will be a great mystery series. I loved having the Pacific Northwest as the backdrop to the novel and I knew exactly where each location was that Meg was visiting as part of her new job. I’m looking forward to reading more from Ms. Dyer-Seeley and reading the next book in the series.
Giveaway
I’m excited to give away a copy of Scene of the Climb. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by June 15th, answer me this question in the comments:
What is your favorite place to hike/camp or just visit?
Kate Dyer-Seeley’s work has been featured in a variety of regional, national and international publications. She writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Books. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, was released June 3, 2014 and is now available at bookstores and online.
Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.
She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.
– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.NSHO2GJN.dpuf
Kate Dyer-Seeley’s work has been featured in a variety of regional, national and international publications. She writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Books. The first book in the series, Scene of the Climb, was released June 3, 2014 and is now available at bookstores and online.
Kate also wrote a memoir Underneath the Ash (published in 2011) that chronicles her experience becoming a mother for the first time while losing her mother to young-onset Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, Kate writes and co-produces a monthly online magazine Broadsheet360. The magazine has a steady readership from all around the globe.
She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband and son.
– See more at: http://www.katedyerseeley.com/about#sthash.6fAz8TSu.dpuf
Kelly reviews The Given by Vicki Pettersson
TITLE: The Given
SERIES #: Celestial Blues #3
CHARACTERS: Griffin Shaw & Katherine “Kit” Craig
AUTHOR: Vicki Pettersson
PUBLICATION DATE: May 27, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Pettersson continues her breakout new supernatural noir mystery series as a fallen angel and a reporter team up to stop a drug cartel
After learning his wife survived the attack that killed him fifty years earlier, angel/PI Griffin Shaw is determined to find Evelyn Shaw, no matter the cost. Yet his obsession comes at a price. Grif has had to give up his burgeoning love for reporter Katherine “Kit” Craig, the woman who made life worth living again, and dedicate himself to finding one he no longer knows.
Yet when Grif is attacked again, it becomes clear that there are forces in both the mortal and heavenly realm who’d rather see him dead than unearth the well-buried secrets of his past. If he’s to survive his second go-round on the Surface, Grif will have to convince Kit to reunite with him professionally, and help uncover decades of police corruption, risking both their lives… and testing the limits to what one angel is really willing to give for love
REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts By far my favorite book of this trilogy! Honestly I was not sure what to expect in this book. I have liked Grif & Kit in the first two but was still on the fence about them. But was in love with them after this book. The world that Vicki has created was very different and interesting. It makes me wonder if we will see any more trilogy’s set in this world (I think Dennis needs a book or two). The twists and turns in this trilogy were great. Vicki kept me wondering the whole time. And yes The Given is highly emotional, I did cry.
This was my first set of books by Vicki Pettersson and I am so glad that I pick up this trilogy. I do plan on checking out more of Vicki’s books in the near future. If you are looking for a really good trilogy I would suggest picking up this series and find out for yourself “Who Killed Griffin Shaw”.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Edelweiss & Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kelly’s interview with Samantha Young
Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome first time guest Samantha Young to the blog. We are chatting about her newest release Fall From India Place.
Samantha, can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I hate broccoli. Really, I do. Also, I’m addicted to Diet Pepsi, buying furniture and Kindle book one-clicking. I’m also the author of Scottish-based romance series ON DUBLIN STREET.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Always, always. I never imagined one day I’d be a full time author so I have moments every now and then when I shake my head at how surreal my career is. Surreal good 😉
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I create character profiles and histories before I start writing a book. It’s so I feel like I know my characters as well as I possibly can before I start their story. I have stats for them—I could probably upload them onto dating sites. But I won’t. Promise.
Can you please tell us about FALL FROM INDIA PLACE?
FALL FROM INDIA PLACE is Hannah Nichol’s story. If readers have been reading the series from the beginning it will be fun for them to see little Hannah all grown up. If this is a reader’s first time reading a book from the series then Hannah’s humor and determination will be refreshingly new to them. FFIP follows Hannah as she begins her first year as a high school English teacher and reconnects with her first love Marco D’Alessandro. Marco is the ultimate hero in pursuit of his heroine. He wants Hannah back and will do whatever it takes to win her over. However, both Hannah and Marco are hiding secrets from their past that could threaten to ruin everything for them.
We’ve been waiting for Hannah and Marco’s story for some time. What about their love story were you most excited to share with readers?
Readers who have been following the series got sneak peeks into Hannah’s romance with Marco when they were teens. In FALL FROM INDIA PLACE readers not only get to experience their present romance but also they get to go back and see all those moments in depth from Hannah’s perspective. As a reader, I love when I’ve been teased by a secondary character interaction and then later on I get to read all about it for myself. I’m hoping readers are excited to find just exactly how Hannah and Marco’s romance sparked and what went wrong when they were younger.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m working on Untitled (ON DUBLIN STREET #5)
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
I can’t choose just one! I’d love to meet Patrick Ness, Suzanne Collins, JK Rowling, Karen Marie Moning and Richelle Mead. They’ve all inspired me so much as a writer and each written a favourite series of mine. I’d love to meet them but I don’t know if I’d be able to string a coherent sentence together.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Practice, practice, practice. It sounds so simple, but really it’s hugely important to hone your writing skills over time and the only way to do that is to write lots.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
As a Scot I haven’t been exposed to much baseball, but I have a fascination for the nostalgia surrounding the game. I also have a fascination with Boston so I’d love to see the Red Sox play at Fenway Park one day.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just thank you for having me and a massive thank you to all my readers for their continued support. You rock, folks.
A little more about Samantha:
New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young is a 27 year old book addict who graduated from the University of Edinburgh. She lives in Scotland. Connect with her online at her Website | Twitter @SYoungSFAuthor | Facebook | Goodreads
*****
Fall from India Place
Release date June 3, 2014
| The New York Times bestselling author of On Dublin Street and Down London Road returns with a story about letting go of the past and learning to trust in the future…
When Hannah Nichols last saw Marco D’Alessandro, five long years ago, he broke her heart. The bad boy with a hidden sweet side was the only guy Hannah ever loved—and the only man she’s ever been with. After one intense night of giving into temptation, Marco took off, leaving Scotland and Hannah behind. Shattered by the consequences of their night together, Hannah has never truly moved on.
Leaving Hannah was the biggest mistake of Marco’s life, something he has deeply regretted for years. So when fate reunites them, he refuses to let her go without a fight. Determined to make her his, Marco pursues Hannah, reminding her of all the reasons they’re meant to be together.…
But just when Marco thinks they’re committed to a future together, Hannah makes a discovery that unearths the secret pain she’s been hiding from him, a secret that could tear them apart before they have a real chance to start over again…
Natasha reviews Knight Of Love by Catherine LaRoche
TITLE: Knight of Love
CHARACTERS: Lenora & Wolfram
AUTHOR: Catherine LaRoche
PUBLICATION DATE: 6/9/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In this saucy romance, an English lady turns the damsel-in-distress tale on its head as she escapes her malicious fiancé and fights for both her life and that of the lustful rebel that has become her protector.
Lady Lenora Trevelyan, a naïve yet stubborn young lady born to the highest noble houses of England and Germany, finds herself betrothed to the brutal Prince Kurt von Rotenburg-Gruselstadt cruelly. But after she is cruelly bruised and flogged by her fiancé, she decides to take the reins of her fate. In the midst of a German revolution, Lenora escapes Kurt’s iron fist and embarks home to England. She quickly finds herself in the hands of a rebel group and their robust, gentle, and handsome leader, Wolfram von Wolfsbach und Ravensworth, the English Earl of Ravensworth.
Lenora struggles to deny the passion she feels towards the frustratingly chivalrous Earl but her desire for him continues to bloom. Wolfram hungers nothing other than to fight for democracy and civil rights in uniting Germany and to protect what he assumes is his damsel in distress. Through nights of immeasurable pleasure, Lenora and Wolfram learn that their passion is no match for the revolutionary chaos that ensues. And when Lenora discovers that her protector’s life is threatened, she must risk everything to save her Knight of Love.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Wow, so many things going through my mind about this book. I still can’t decide on my feelings, so I’ll just concede to them all. I fell in love with Lenora very early on in the book when in she said, “…don’t let me fall. I don’t want them to see me fall.” I knew instantly that this was an incredibly strong character who would never be swayed by anyone else save herself. I wish I’d known how true that really was! Lenora did not pull any punches, especially when it came to Wolfram! That naïve, sweet, hopeful man. He did not understand what he was getting into when she walked into his life. I will say, a pretty traumatic event happened to cement these two together and I found it VERY difficult to get past that throughout the book. I was convinced I would not be able to look past this to let myself enjoy the book. However, Wolfram and Lenora turned things around for each other and I was pleased with the outcome of this book. I’d definitely read more by this author!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Kimberly reviews Barca’s Jackpot by Dennis Willis
TITLE: Barca’s Jackpot
SERIES #: Nick Barca #1
CHARACTERS: Nick Barca
AUTHOR: Dennis Willis
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Nick Barca is a former cop in debt to a notorious gangster. He’s offered a one-time deal to even the score and save his family. All he has to do is kill a maverick Vegas cop at his own retirement party.
Once in Sin City, he encounters Sable, a former stripper he had an affair with years earlier, and D-Man, a cocky loner who appears to be gunning for the same target.
Barca will need more than lady luck to survive.
REVIEW:
I will be honest and say this is not usually the type of book I read but since I managed to read it in one sitting with very few interruptions I may have to add the genre to my list of likes. The story has a old time feel though it is set in modern times. There is enough description of the characters that it is easy to see it in your minds eye. I can imagine a weathered man in Barca who has seen too much and never imagined it hitting so close to home. He seems lost and yet knows what needs to be done. This story takes us into Barca’s world but there is still so much about him we do not know and I really look forward to finding out more. The writing is well done. The story is easy to read and enjoyable. The characters are well formed and intriguing . I found I wanted to keep reading to know what happened. Was Barca really good or really bad? Was he willing to lose his life to save his family? Was it all a set up? So many questions that all get answered but leave the reader with more like where does Barca go from here?
Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free from the author/publisher.
