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I am a sucker for a good contemporary romance... It lightens up the darkness--war and fighting, good-vs-evil, and save-the-world-or-else --that we get in urban fantasy and fantasy.
About the author:
Gwyn Cready is the recipient of the 2009 RITA Award for Best Paranormal Romance and the author of Tumbling Through Time, Seducing Mr. Darcy, Flirting with Forever, Aching for Always and A Novel Seduction. She has been called "the master of time travel romance." A Novel Seduction is her first foray into contemporary romance as well as men in kilts, and she found both eminently satisfying. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.
About the book:
When snobbish book critic Ellery Sharpe screws up at Vanity Place magazine, her boss assigns her the ultimate punishment: write an ode to romance novels, a genre she considers the literary equivalent of word search puzzles. To make matters worse, he hires her sexy former party boy ex, Axel Mackenzie, to shoot the photos. Axel really wants the project to succeed. For one, the magazine will double his fee if he convinces strong-willed Ellery to write a story no woman can resist. Besides, getting Ellery to fall for romance novels might be just the push she needs to believe people can change . . . even him. At his sister’s advice, Axel gives Ellery a copy of Kiltlander, a much-adored romance whose warrior hero is utterly irresistible. To her dismay, Ellery finds herself secretly falling in love with the story—and with Axel, who’s drawing his own lessons from the book’s compelling hero. With her carefully crafted image of herself crumbling and her dream job on the line, will Ellery risk it all to make the leap from tight-lipped literati to happily-ever-after heroine?
drey's thoughts:
I was really in the mood for something light and heartwarming when I picked up A Novel Seduction. And how could I go wrong with a half-nekkid dude in a kilt? (Yes, even though I can tell this half-nekkid dude isn't wearing his kilt like a true Scots! ;)
Anyway. Ellery is stubborn and opinionated. Alex is a reformed rake who still loves her, and has no idea why they broke up five years ago. Well, he has an idea, but no confirmation, as Ellery has steadfastly avoided the entire topic--and him. For us readers, A Novel Seduction has back-flashes to provide some insight into the state of their relationship then, to go with the reminiscing today, especially in Ellery's case. And I'm sorry, but I think she totally made a mountain out of a molehill and placed the responsibility for said mountain squarely on Alex. Not that he's all shiny-halo blameless himself. But still.
In any case, these two find themselves thrown together in an assignment she doesn't want to do, and he can't afford for her not to. And he makes a feeble attempt at keeping her on track, but mostly just brings along romance novels to see what all the fuss is about. The story was mostly so-so for me, until they got to Edinburgh and Alex dons a kilt. Ah, that savior of all romance novels, that kilt. :D The plot was believable enough--but I have to say I didn't care for the scenes with her boss and his paramour. What I did enjoy was the banter between Ellery and Alex. It swings from almost-hostile to downright warm-fuzzy, and had plenty of "awwww" moments that romance fans love. All in all a pretty good read.
drey's rating: Pick it up!
Have you read A Novel Seduction? What did you think?
Title: A Novel Seduction
Author: Gwyn Cready
ISBN-13: 9781451612646
Paperback: 373 pages
Publisher: Pocket Star, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Pocket Books
I'm pleased as punch to be part of the blog tour for Christopher Meeks' Love at Absolute Zero... I mean, the main character is a geek, he's in Wisconsin, and his method of finding love is unconventional to say the least!
About the author:
Christopher Meeks began as a playwright and has had three plays produced. Who Lives? A Drama is published. His short stories have been published in Rosebud, The Clackamas Literary Review, The Santa Barbara Review, The Southern California Anthology, The Gander Review, and other journals and are available in two collections, The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea and Months and Seasons. He has two novels, The Brightest Moon of the Century, a story that Marc Schuster of Small Press Reviews describes as "a great and truly humane novel in the tradition of Charles Dickens and John Irving," and his new comic novel, Love At Absolute Zero.
"Love at Absolute Zero" is the story of Gunnar Gunderson, a 32-year-old star physicist at the University of Wisconsin. The moment he’s given tenure at the university, he can only think of one thing: finding a wife. His research falters into what happens to matter near absolute zero (−459.67 °F), but he has an instant new plan. To meet his soul mate within three days--that’s what he wants and the time he can carve out--he will use the Scientific Method. His research team will help. Can Gunnar survive his quest?
“As if Einstein didn’t struggle hard enough failing at a unified field theory,” says Philip Persinger, author of Do The Math, “Meeks ups the ante by tossing philosophy, anthropology, hashish, and love (with a capital L) into the mix. And while we’re so sorry, Uncle Albert, in 'Love At Absolute Zero,' Meeks succeeds absolutely.”
drey's thoughts:
Gunnar Gunderson is a geek (yes, he is) who gets hit with the revelation that he doesn't want to live out the rest of his life alone. So he decides it's time to find love. But where? And how? And oh my gosh, he's only got three days to do it!
So the scientist sets out to conquer matters of the heart, scientifically (of course). And what follows is sheer entertainment, as he sits thru speed-dating, runs into former classmates, fends off an over-zealous student, and falls--hard--for a Danish visitor. One of my favorite parts of the story is when Gunnar is giving his lecture in Copenhagen. If my Physics professor had started out my class with that, I might not have lost interest completely...
Love at Absolute Zero is funny and warm. Gunnar is so smart, yet has a sense of humor he rarely let show through. His buddies are hilarious, with references to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Extreme Makeover as they attempt to help Gunnar get set up right for his "dates". And boy, the things Gunnar does... I guess when you really want something, you go all out.
There's a lot of physics references thrown around--don't let that intimidate you. You don't need to know what he's talking about, to know this man on a mission isn't going to let anything stand in the way of finding true love. I'm just impressed that Christopher Meeks makes it all sound so easy.
Will Gunnar find his happily-ever-after? Well, you'll have to read Love at Absolute Zero to find out...
drey's rating: Pick it up!
Giveaway!
Thanks to Virtual Author Book Tours, I have one copy of Love at Absolute Zero for you. This one is open internationally--an international winner will receive an e-copy, a US/Canada winner will get their choice of an e-copy or a paper copy. To enter, just fill out the form below before October 28th. Good luck!
Today's tour is for a historical romance laced with mystery and a sweeping backdrop... Say hello to Carrie Lofty and Flawless...
About the author:
Carrie Lofty holds a Masters degree in history, which she puts to good use as a devoted historical romance writer (What a Scoundrel Wants and Scoundrel's Kiss), teacher and lecturer on the craft of writing, and as founder of the blog Unusual Historicals. An active member of the Chicago North and Wisconsin chapters of Romance Writers of America, she lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two daughters.
Sir William Christie, ruthless tycoon and notorious ladies’ man, is dead. Now his four grown children have gathered for the reading of his will. What lies in store for stepsiblings Vivienne, Alexander, and twins Gareth and Gwyneth? Stunning challenges that will test their fortitude across a royal empire . . . and lead them to the marvelously passionate adventures of their lives.
Lady Vivienne Bancroft fled England for New York, hoping to shed the confines of her arranged marriage to unrepentant rogue Miles Durham, Viscount Bancroft—though she never forgot the fiery desire he unleashed with his slightest touch. And when the gambling man arrives on her doorstep for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he is met with Vivienne’s dilemma: She must earn her father’s inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa. Swept together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, will Vivienne and Miles discover that the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare—or the most treasured reward?
Title: Flawless (Christie Saga #1)
Author: Carrie Lofty
ISBN-13: 9781451616385
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Pocket Books
drey's thoughts:
Carrie Lofty's Flawless sets up the story for the series quite nicely, with the Christie children getting together for reading of their father's will. Of course, it's not exactly what they'd expected, which throws them into quite the tizzy. Vivienne doesn't have much of a choice other than to do as she's directed to--you can't live on nothing, after all. So after packing and preparing and waiting for the fighting to be over, she heads to Kimberly and her father's diamond mine.
What she doesn't expect is to see her rogue of a husband there. And she definitely doesn't know what to think of his efforts to get back in her good graces--or into her bed. The fireworks between the two are zingy hot. And the dialog deliciously cutting.
Carrie Lofty's vivid descriptions cover both the lush landscape and the workers' pitiful living conditions. And her characters are moving and beautifully written. I just have one teeny tiny problem. All throughout the book were missed punctuation errors, specifically where it referred to Miles in the possessive form. That would be "Miles'" not "Miles's". Yes, I'm nit-picky like that. Feel free to blame it on my English-teacher mother. And I'll volunteer to proof-read the other books in the series, just in case... *grin*
Thank goodness! We're at the end of the posts for the Forever Texas tour. This last post is for the giveaway! You can admit it, you've been waiting for this alllllllllllllllllllllllllllll day! *grin*
Giveaway!
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, have I got the giveaway for you! Up to 3 winners will receive a copy of each book (yes, that's one copy of EACH TITLE). One winner is guaranteed, the second will be picked when there are over 100 entries, the third when there are over 200 entries. Feel free to share away!
Here's Part 2 of the 3-parter that is today's Forever Texas tour organized by Hachette Book Group for two delish contemporary romances.
The second book in the Forever Texas Tour is Jane Graves' Heartstrings and Diamond Rings.
About Jane Graves:
Jane Graves is the author of eighteen contemporary romance novels. She is a seven-time finalist for Romance Writers of America's Rita Award, the industry's highest honor, and is the recipient of two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Booksellers' Best Award, and the Golden Quill, among others.
Jane’s books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, with three titles reaching the Top 100 on Amazon Germany. Her most recent release, TALL TALES AND WEDDING VEILS, appeared on the Barnes & Noble Bestseller List. Jane lives in the Dallas area with her husband of twenty-nine years and a beautiful but crafty cat who rules the household with one paw tied behind her back.
In a world full of frogs, Alison Carter is determined to find her prince. Maybe her dating past is more Titanic than Love Boat, but she's seen enough happy marriages to know that true love is possible. No matter what, she won't give up on happily-ever-after. If she can't find Mr. Right, she'll simply hire someone who can.
SHE JUST DOESN'T KNOW IT YET
When Brandon Scott inherits a successful matchmaking business, he thinks his prayers have been answered. Set up a few lonely ladies, collect the fee, how hard can it be? No one needs to know he's not really a professional matchmaker-especially not his first client, the beautiful, spirited Alison. Soon he's falling for her-and her dreams of kids and carpools. But Alison is getting close to figuring out his secret, and if she learns he's deceived her too, she'll walk right out the door, taking Brandon's heart with her.
ISBN-13: 9780446568487
Paperback: 402 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Hachette Book Group
drey's thoughts: Heartstrings and Diamond Rings is a sweet contemporary romance with a matchmaking man at the heart of it. A man who has nothing left to lose, except maybe his dignity... And his heart. Brandon is charming and smart, not to mention gorgeous. He's in this matchmaking gig temporarily, just until he makes enough money to move on to what he's really interested in--real estate. His attempts at matches for Alison are seemingly normal, but end up to be completely ridiculous. I think he subconsciously did it on purpose just to have her banging on his door after each date... *grin*
Alison. Now Alison I have a wee problem with. I'm not much of a fan of a gal who's so stuck with the idea of marriage and family that she'd settle to get it. Yes, it's a pain digging thru crap to find the diamond, but if you don't dig thru it, you end up with it. And that's no way to start a happily-ever-after. She eventually comes to her senses (who wouldn't, it's Brandon we're talking about!), but is it too late?
Never mind that. This is a romance novel after all. Come and check this out--"watching" Brandon figure out matchmaking is worth it!
drey's rating: Pick it up!
A note from Jane Graves:
Plano, Texas is a perfect setting for my series because it's an exercise in contrast, just as my characters are. In West Plano, people live in McMansions, drive Lexus SUVs, drink a lot of Starbucks coffee, and play a lot of golf. West Plano is upper-class Texas living with a sprinkle of glitter and a swimming pool in every backyard. East Plano used to be home only to blue collar folks who live in fifty-year-old tract homes with pickup trucks out front. Then the light rail came through and connected Plano to downtown Dallas, and the old downtown area was revitalized with trendy condos, restaurants, and bars. East Plano is middle-class Texas living with a touch of urban cool.
Alison Carter from HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS owns a condo in downtown Plano, while the hero of that book, Brandon Scott, lives in a Victorian house on the edge of downtown he inherited from his grandmother. Because of its diversity, Plano, Texas gives me a great opportunity to show who my characters are by where they choose to live.
Hoo boy! Hold on to your horses everybody, today's going to be a busy busy day!
I'm participating in the Forever Texas tour organized by Hachette Book Group for two delish contemporary romances. There's lots of stuff for this tour, so take your time and grab a cup of tea/coffee. I split up the post into three segments that'll all go up today, so keep an eye out!
First up is Christie Craig's Don't Mess with Texas. Who would, with a title like that?
About Christie Craig:
Award-winning author Christie Craig grew up in Alabama, where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and regularly rescued potential princes, in the form of bullfrogs, from her brothers. Today, she's still fascinated with lightning bugs and mostly wears shoes, but focuses on rescuing mammals and hasn't kissed a frog in years. She now lives in Texas with her four rescued cats, one dog (who has a bad habit of eating furniture), a son, and a prince of a husband who swears he's not, and never was, a frog.
Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect.
Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy--though skittish--suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it . . .
ISBN-13: 9780446582841
Paperback: 428 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Hachette Book Group
drey's thoughts:
Christie Craig always makes me laugh, and Don't Mess with Texas is no exception... The cast of characters are interesting and varied. Their issues are all love-related. And the murder-mystery is a doozy. What's a suspect to do?
Well, how about not falling for the hunky PI who swears he's just helping her out? Never mind that he's gorgeous, oh-so-earnest about helping her out, and have I mentioned gorgeous? I have? Well, I guess it bore repeating... And I guess the "don't fall in love" warning really doesn't belong in a romance novel, does it?
Anyway. Prepare to be entertained if you pick this up. And you'll pick this up if you like your love stories hot, funny, and with more than a dash of cheek.
drey's rating: Excellent!
Have you read Don't Mess with Texas? What did you think?
Christie Craig presents: 15 Things you’ll learn from Don’t Mess With Texas that might surprise you
Never, ever feed a dog broccoli.
You might be surprised how the weight of a dead body in the trunk of your car can go unnoticed.
Don’t ever joke about killing your ex . . . in front of witnesses.
In the right situation, vomiting on someone can endear them to you.
When a good-looking detective steals your underwear, he may not be a pervert; he could just be looking for blood splatter evidence.
Some men think hospital gowns are sexy, especially when a breeze comes by and a detective already stole your underwear.
When your grandmother is getting more action than you are, something’s not right with that picture.
Bed bugs are nasty little creatures but they can come in handy when trying to get someone to fall back in love with you.
In the right set of circumstances, morphine can be an aphrodisiac.
The consumption of five cupcakes when your heart is hurting is not always a bad thing.
The way a couple shares an ice cream cone tell the viewing public if they’re sharing bodily fluids.
Nothing can bring all the unresolved issues to the surface in a romance more than finding a naked woman in your boyfriend’s bedroom.
The journey to fall in love isn’t all sweetness and light; it can also have its darker moments where you hurt like hell but it’s still a journey that makes life worth living.
Love can make you laugh so hard you pee in your pants, but it can also make you feel like as though a pit bull just used your heart as a chew toy.
Today's tour is for Heather Lynn Rigaud's Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star... How can any Austen fan turn down a title like that?
About the author:
Debut author Heather Lynn Rigaud is fascinated by the comparisons between life in earlier times and modern times. She spends much of her time thinking about how Regency-era characters would exist now. She is a professional writer with degrees in Music Therapy and Teaching who lives with her husband and two sons in Kingston, NY.
Heather wrote a guest post for us... How lucky are we? *grin* Actually she wrote two. I had a couple suggestions for topics, and she's sooooooooooo cool she did both. So enjoy!
The first is on re-imagining the classics: the good, the bad, and the ugly. How do you decide what to do with which characters? How much do you stay true to the original character and story?
Well, I'm a plotter and I view the plot as the landmarks on where my story should go. My thought process goes something like: I know Elizabeth and Darcy fight here--how will that work? Here's where they meet at Pemberley--what can I do with that? In working those points out early, I can stay close to Austen's work, and I get a feel for what would be 'right' for each character. Would Elizabeth say this, would Charles do that?
Sir Laurence Olivier 1940
Once I have that framework plotted, I'm able to focus on the characters and really develop them. I spend an insane amount of time thinking about how each one will feel, and then act in each situation--what is Elizabeth like when she gets mad? What is Darcy like when he's uneasy? And then, when everything is in place and I know my characters, I just write. (And sometimes they hijack my story anyway--Richard and Charlotte were terrorists when it came to that.)
David Rintoul 1980
I was committed to keeping Darcy and Elizabeth as true to Austen as possible. The other characters I tried to keep their roles in place--Charles is Darcy's friend and he feels protective of him, Jane is Elizabeth's closest sister and confidant. The roles remained the same, but I was somewhat free in playing with their personalities. For example, Charles got a bit of a spine (but not too much). And then there are clear places where I just went my own way, like Caroline Bingley and Richard Fitzwilliam. In those cases, I developed the characters to fit what I needed in the story--Caroline shows how Darcy acts with most women, and so by contrast the reader can see how differently he treats Elizabeth. Richard is everything Darcy won't allow himself to be--he drinks, he sleeps around, he's somewhat lazy. In contrast, we can see how driven Darcy is.
The second guest post thrills the geek in me. I asked her to compare video game heroes (*cough* Alistair) to paperback heroes. Which format works better (& when)? If you play video games, you'd know exactly who Alistair is. *grin*
This is a cool question. It all comes down to what makes a fictional man attractive. Darcy is very sexy in Austen--even at Hunsford where he's insulting Elizabeth to her face (worst marriage proposal ever!) he is still able to make it swoon-worthy. How does that work? Taking this sexy character, and then amp'ing that up by making him a Rock Star? Well, there you go. It's no surprise that this is a very sexual book.
Colin Firth 1995
I'm a big fan of a video game, Dragon Age, in that your character works very closely with this Knight-type character who is amazingly good at pulling at your heart while also turning you on. And while I was enjoying that, my writer side was wondering how does this work?
So, what makes a guy loveable and hot? And what make him not hot? Universally, Charles Bingley is seen as not hot. (Except to me-because I'm a freak.) Another example is Dr. John Watson from the Sherlock Holmes series. Now, Charles is nice, he's friendly, he's somewhat funny (well, you can laugh at him). He's wealthy and generous--so what doesn't work for him? Watson is brave (war veteran who's the one always carrying the gun, handsome, tough, smart (but not as smart as Holmes, of course) and yet, he's never the hot one.
Matthew Macfadyen 2005
So what is it? The only thing Darcy and Alistair share is a reluctance to admit their feelings at first, and a great intensity when they finally do. So, is that it? Is it the 'still waters run deep' thing? Or is it the way we as a reader/player travel on an emotional journey with them? We start with them in a bad place, and watch them/help them move to a stronger, better place. Darcy goes through, well, a lot--first he falls for Elizabeth and gets flat out rejected (and you know that hurt) then he mends his ways and reconnects with her at Pemberley, only to have that bastard Wickham pull the rug out from under him. Again. (I hate Wickham with the heat of a thousand suns.) So Darcy's a hurtin' boy.
Alistair
Alistair is in a terrible war against the demon-types who are mounting an attack, and in the middle of that, he loses his mentor/father figure through a terrible betrayal, that incites a civil war among the people. On top of that, he's the bastard child of the former King and next in line for the throne, so he's got some issues there that he's in denial about. He's emotionally a wreck, and the player takes charge of the war effort, and slowly draws Alistair out of his grief. (Plus, he was raised by monks, so he's a virgin.)
Both these men are very passionate, but they've had to keep a tight reign on that passion, because it's dangerous when it breaks out. Now, if I can pull on an anthropologist hat for a moment--the idea of 'passion that is dangerous if let run free' is exactly the way many, many cultures view women's sexuality--that it has to be kept bound by strict social mores, otherwise, its as destructive as a wildfire. Now, I'm not saying that either of these characters are women, but it's possible that as women we recognize something familiar about them. They remind us of our sexual side, and we can relate to them in a very deep way. And that's important, because how many times have you looked at a man who's just done something typically male and just "Wha????"
Elliott Cowan2008
So, we have characters who've suffered, (and boy, we loves us some suffering) and who trust us with something very private and important to them. (Letting Elizabeth stand in for us, of course...) They are familiar in that they don't have those annoying man-traits that we don't understand, but at the same time, they're hyper-manly physically and in their actions. And they're leaders of men.
Clearly, I don't have a good answer here and I'm not sure I could explain it if I did. But, it's really interesting. I'd love to hear what makes a man really 'Work' for them. What makes him hot, sexy and loveable? Thanks for having me here today and for those interesting questions.
About the book:
Darcy's as hot as he is talented...
Fast music, powerful beats, and wild reputations-on and off stage-have made virtuoso guitarist Fitzwilliam Darcy's band into rock's newest bad boys. But they've lost their latest opening act, and their red-hot summer tour is on the fast track to disaster. Now Darcy and bandmates Charles Bingley and Richard Fitzwilliam are about to meet their match...
But she's about to rock his world...
Enter Elizabeth Bennet, fiercely independent star of girl-band Long Borne Suffering. Elizabeth, her sister Jane, and friend Charlotte Lucas have talent to spare and jump at the opening band slot. Elizabeth is sure she's seen the worst the music industry has to offer. But as the days and nights heat up, it becomes clear that everyone is in for a summer to remember.
ISBN-13: 9781402257810
ARC: 566 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc., 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Sourcebooks
drey's thoughts:
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite classics, and I jumped at the chance to read a re-imagining of it that doesn't have zombies, vampires, or other other-worldly creatures.
Anyway. Darcy as a rock star. Yum. (Yes, even if I can't really imagine Colin Firth as a rock star... Can you?) He's still arrogant and aloof. He still doesn't know how to talk to Elizabeth without pushing all the wrong buttons. Some things shouldn't ever change...
I enjoyed Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star. It's a bit long at almost 600 pages, and I got a bit annoyed at Richard and Charlotte--way too much angst. Darcy and Elizabeth had the sparks going like crazy, and Jane and Charles were totally mushy. The boy-band meets girl-band plot is almost too convenient, and the creepy Mr. Collins was almost creepier than George Wickham. Ugh.
All in all, this is a pretty fun read for Darcy fans, not least because it's fun imagining the Darcy-rock-star strut... *wink*
drey's rating: Pick it up!
Have you read Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star? What did you think? And if you haven't, here's your opportunity to win a copy...
Giveaway!
Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star for you! This one's open to US/Canada residents only. To enter, fill out the form before September 30th. Good luck!
I'm thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Alma Katsu's The Taker!
About the author:
Alma Katsu is a writer living in the Washington, DC area with her husband, musician Bruce Katsu. She was born in Fairbanks, Alaska but spent most of her childhood in Massachusetts, in the middle of the area where colonial history was made. She started writing as a stringer for local newspapers while still in high school and continued as a freelance writer through her college years at Brandeis University, mainly in music journalism. She moved to Washington, DC to take a job with the federal government and stopped writing fiction for about twelve years to concentrate on her career. She returned to writing fiction at age forty and was accepted into the writing program at Johns Hopkins. The Taker is her first novel and is published by Gallery Books/Simon and Schuster. She's not much for writing short stories but has had a few published, most recently in Enhanced Gravity, an anthology of work by Washington DC women writers, published by Paycock Press.
Alma was gracious enough to take the time to do a Q&A, so here you go!
drey: Hello Alma! Thank you for taking the time to visit drey's library and do this Q&A.
When did you know you wanted to write?
Alma: When I was very young, I was an artist. I actually sold my first work commercially when I was 10 years old. Everyone expected me to be an artist when I grew up, but I discovered that I enjoyed writing more. It was more of a challenge. I figured whatever career I chose, it would have something to do with writing, although not necessarily fiction. I never expected to be able to make a living as a novelist.
drey: What was the first story you wrote, and what happened to it?
Alma: The first story I remember writing was in the fifth grade. It was about a Victorian-era detective who lived with his sister and had to wear gloves all the time because he’d ruined his hands with acid while conducting an experiment. An obvious Sherlock Holmes rip-off. My teacher liked it, though, and encouraged me to continue writing.
drey: How did you celebrate the UK release of The Taker? Any plans for the US release?
Alma: I held my breath when The Taker was released in the UK, not knowing what to expect. It came out right after the London Book Fair. The Taker got a few nice mentions in the press, from Cosmo UK and Marie Claire, and good support from bloggers. But since I was a debut author and no one knew me, there were no plans to tour and it was hard to get much attention from the press.
I’m very lucky in that the US publisher is very supportive of the novel. They’ve already had a day of events for The Taker during BEA this past May, and sent me to Comic-con in San Diego, and we have appearances lined up for two months following the release. We’re having the launch party in Arlington VA at a friend’s independent bookstore, One More Page Books, with a special wine (Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, in case you want to drink along at home) picked out specially for The Taker, and my husband’s band is going to play. It should be a great party and anyone in the DC area is welcome to join us.
drey: I'm wishing I lived in DC, I'd love to join you guys!
I loved Adair--he's so villainous, and yet can be so charming. Where did you find the inspiration for his character?
Alma: Adair is getting quite the fan club—I was just on a panel on crafting the villain at The Writing Show, the monthly meeting for the James River Writers in Richmond, VA and the moderator confessed that she loved Adair. He has a huge personality and he believes his own PR, if you know what I mean.
I drew partly on what I learned from analyzing genocides and mass atrocities on the job. (I used to be an intelligence analyst.) You see really horrible people involved in what usually amounts to people killing their neighbors. You have a charismatic leader and followers (whose buttons the leader knows how to push), all of these people feel justified in doing something that they must know, on some level, is wrong. Most people can rationalize just about anything to themselves, if not to others. So that’s part of why Adair is such a convincing villain—he believes he has the right to do what he does.
The other inspiration for Adair is Bill Sykes, from Oliver Twist. Sykes had such simmering menace.
drey: In your opinion, what's his most redeeming quality?
Alma: I don’t know if it’s redeeming or not, but the thing about Adair that doesn’t make me completely throw up my hands is that he believes he considers all sides to a situation before he makes his decision. That is, he thinks he’s open-minded. You actually might be able to talk him out of doing something, but you’d have to make a really strong argument. He is so lacking in self-awareness that it’s almost endearing.
drey: Lanore's love for Jonathan spanned centuries, even if (in my opinion) he wasn't deserving of such devotion. Were Jonathan's flaws a conscious decision, or just how he ended up getting written?
Alma: One thing I noticed about some of the handsome men I’ve known is that they can be very passive. They know when a woman is drawn to them. If that woman wants to act on her attraction, they won’t stop something from happening, but they’re not going to make any commitments, either.
I agree that Jonathan didn’t deserve Lanny, but you know how it is: you can’t tell your best friend that she’s involved with the wrong fella. And everyone has flaws. The characters in The Taker are like most people, in that they act in their own self-interest most of the time. The question is what line won’t they cross? At what point do they realize they’re lying to themselves in order to justify doing something they know is wrong?
drey: How true. And I loved how Lanny's character did not seem to want to think that she could be wrong in loving Jonathan...
What, in your opinion, is Jonathan's worst trait?
Alma: He’s selfish, but not actively selfish. He’s not only handsome but he’s used to people doing things for him because of his family. It’s easy to see where he might come to believe that it’s not his fault if people want to please him. He’s not encouraging it—but he’s not refusing their favors, either.
drey: Where are Luke and Lanore headed next?
Alma: You’ll find out about that in the next book, The Reckoning. At the end of The Taker, we see that they’re living together in Paris, thinking they’re going to start this life together but you know we can’t make it as easy as that for them.
drey: Lanore is so introspective at the end of the book. What is her greatest regret?
Alma: I think she regrets having put her life on hold for Jonathan, wandering aimlessly while hoping for his return. But if you knew everything that happened to her during those years—and you’ll hear a little about them in The Reckoning and in the last book, The Descent—you’ll see that she had a wonderful full life and many adventures, and she finds someone who loves her as completely and fully as she deserves.
drey: That's good to hear! I can't wait to read the next books! *grin*
The Taker hits the big screen--Who do you see in the roles of Lanore, Luke, Jonathan, and Adair?
Alma: I’m really bad at this question because I don’t watch movies very often and so I don’t know many young actors and actresses. (drey: that's ok, I don't either!) Several people have said Jonathan Rhys Meyers for Adair but lately I’m thinking Jason Momoa wouldn’t be a bad choice. He’s a bit muscly but he’s got that hot & sweaty thing going. All my choices for Jonathan are dated, I’m afraid. A few people have mentioned Mia Wasikowska for Lanny.
drey: What's next? Is there a sequel (or two)?
Alma: There are more books, as mentioned. I’m wrapping up The Reckoning now. You’ll see lots of the characters return and get to see what they’ve been doing for two hundred years. One comes back that you might not expect (hint, hint.) All three books are a bit different from each other. Lots of adventures, more surprises, but at the end Lanny gets what she wants after learning a lot about herself and the true meaning of love.
drey: Thank you so very much for doing thsi Q&A! I can't wait for The Reckoning!
About the book:
True love can last an eternity . . . but immortality comes at a price. . . .
On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.
Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.
Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption.
Title: The Taker
Author: Alma Katsu
ISBN-13: 9781439197059
Hardcover: 436 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Pocket Books
drey's thoughts:
Alma Katsu's The Taker is a surprisingly mesmerizing tale of childhood fancies and grown-up realities. We start with a childhood infatuation that grows into so much more. Love? Well, Lanore is certain it is. Who knows what Jonathan thinks... Especially when he's got all the girls vying for his attention already.
But Lanore is convinced that she's the one for him, that they're meant to be together, and it's all going to work out. Until the day she's sent to Boston in shame, heartbroken because he's betrothed to another.
Lanore meets up with Adair and his group in Boston, and winds up staying with them. Smart? Maybe not. But it's not like she had much choice. Destitute women rarely do. As she tries to make the most of her opportunities though, she finds that her new friends have a darker side. And is drawn irrevocably into their web when she tries to run away... Now they want Jonathan too. Can she give him up, even after he broke her heart?
The Taker is a dark story, set in a time when women don't have options other than do as you're told, or take to the streets. And Alma Katsu makes it even darker with Jonathan's callousness, and Adair's motives and inclinations. Luke is a refreshing change from the other characters, but he seems to pale in comparison to the rest--maybe because he isn't just like them? In any case, there's something for everybody here, whether you like mysteries or the paranormal or just plain fiction.
drey's rating: Excellent!
Have you read The Taker? What did you think? And if you haven't, here's your chance...
Giveaway!
Thanks to the publisher, I have two (yes, TWO) copies of Alma Katsu's The Taker for you, if you live in the US (no PO Boxes, please). To enter, just fill out the form below. Remember you can come back and tweet this daily! Good luck!
I'm so excited to be part of the blog tour for Kelly Gay's The Hour of Dust and Ashes!
About the author:
Kelly Gay is a two-time RITA Award finalist, a 2010 finalist for Best First Book from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, and a recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council’s fellowship grant in Literature. She also writes a YA series as Kelly Keaton. Kelly lives in North Carolina.
*squeal* Kelly took some time to answer some questions for us. How lucky are we?? *grin*
drey: Hi Kelly! Thank you for taking the time to visit drey's library
and answer some rambly questions for me... :)
Kelly: Hey Drey! Thanks for having me!
drey: Do you listen to music as you write? If so, what's on the writing-Charlie-Madigan soundtrack playlist? How does this differ from the writing-Ari soundtrack playlist? :) OR do you prefer to write in quiet?
Kelly: I usually write without music. I tend to get distracted by lyrics. But I do sometimes listen to music to get into a certain mood. I did that a lot with Ari's books, but not so much with Charlie -- and I'm not sure why that it is... Hmm.
drey: What inspired your world--the blend of Atlanta and portals into other dimensions?
Kelly: My love of mythology and ancient civilizations. I 'm very inspired by the notion that there is a grain of truth (if not more) in ancient myths and legends, that there was some kind of truth, or personal experience, or witnessed event that inspired the myths we know today. And in my case, the idea is that the beings from Elysia and Charbydon were the inspiration and basis for many of the world's ancient myths of gods and demons.
drey: Are you as kick-ass as Charlie is? How much of her is based on you or someone you know?
Kelly: Yes, but only in my mind! Physically I couldn't hold a candle to Charlie. She'd kick my ass in a heartbeat. Picture me going, "Ow! Stop it! That hurts!". But that aside Charlie and I are very much alike in terms of force of will and our love of family. I draw on a lot of those protective feelings that I have for my own daughter when I write certain scenes. I might not be physically trained to take down bad guys, but put my kid or family in danger and I'd stop at nothing to protect them, and Charlie is no different. Charlie isn't really based on anyone I know or myself even, but more of someone who I'd admire and root for and relate to in many ways.
drey: Did you research Charlie's fight scenes? How/where?
Kelly: To some extent, yes. Mostly, I just see the fight in my mind and try to show it on paper. Sometimes I'll get hung up on details and will turn to research or ask my resources (you know like, what does a bone breaking in a certain part of your body really sound like) or I enlist my kid to reenact a move to see how my arm bends or if something is even possible. She relishes those moments (which usually involves me saying something like, "Not *that* hard!") and somehow we always end up on the floor laughing.
drey: What's going on with Charlie and Hank? Is there any chance for a something between these two? Pretty please?
Kelly: Haha! I wish I could tell you everything. I think Charlie and Hank are noticing and considering each other on a level they never have before, but the timing really stinks for Charlie as well as Hank with his past coming to light. But I promise there is more to come on them both in the 4th book.
drey: Where do I get my own hellhound? I love Brim!
Kelly: Well, if Emma has her way and rescues every hellhound she can find, you'll have more than enough to chose from! Just
head to Atlanta's Candler Park and listen for the howling. ;-)
drey: I'm on my way! Every girl needs her own hellhound...
When can I get more Charlie?
Kelly: The 4th book comes out next summer. So a year, but I hope it'll be worth the wait!
drey: I'm pretty darn sure it will be! Gotta find out what happens with Hank... Can't wait! *grin* Thank you so very very much for stopping in today!
About the book:
To save her sister, she must stop a silent killer. . . .
Protecting Atlanta from the off-world criminals of Underground is tough enough, but now Detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner, Hank, learn that the addicts of the offworld drug ash have begun taking their own lives. Ash makes humans the perfect vessels for possession, and something or someone is leading them to their deaths. Charlie is desperate to save her addicted sister, Bryn, from a similar fate.
As New Year’s Eve approaches and time runs out, Charlie makes a deadly bargain with an ancient race of beings and embarks on a dangerous journey into hellish Charbydon with Hank and the Revenant Rex to save Bryn and make it back before it’s too late. Only, for one of them, coming home means facing a fate worse than death. . . .
Title: The Hour of Dust and Ashes (Charlie Madigan #3)
Author: Kelly Gay
ISBN-13: 9781451625479
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Pocket Books
drey's thoughts:
The job never stops when you're Charlie Madigan. Now that the fate of the world is in good hands (for the time being!), she's got to track down the reason ash addicts are committing suicide, preferably before anything happens to Bryn... In the course of her investigation, she finds that not all is as it seems, and the fate of the world may not be quite as happily-ever-after as she'd thought.
Charlie is one of my favorite female characters in an urban fantasy. (Now why does that sound like an award category? Hmm...) She's not perfect, but she'll do the right thing no matter what it takes--and if it involves her family or her friends just doing the right thing isn't going to be enough.
In this third installment she goes all out to help her sister and in doing so finds out that there's so much out there she doesn't know. She gets to meet sylphs (eek!) and go to
hell. Literally. How much more fun can she have? Shall we talk about the shadowy creature who shows up whenever she uses her power? Or how about Hank's past--that comes back to bite him in the behind, as pasts are wont to do? Never mind that he didn't do anything wrong.
Juggling everything takes a lot out of Charlie, and the ending leaves even more for her to pick up in book four. Which I want to get my hands on, like right now!
drey's rating: Excellent! Kelly Gay does not disappoint with the action in The Hour of Dust and Ashes, or with the story and character development. And I love that her cover girl's covered up (except for the lil' midriff shot in The Better Part of Darkness)!
Have you read The Hour of Dust and Ashes? What did you think? And if you haven't, here's a chance to win a copy for yourself!
Giveaway!
The publisher has generously provided two copies of The Hour of Dust and Ashes for you, if you live in the US (no PO Boxes, please)! To enter, fill out the form below. Good luck!
Boy oh boy, wait till you see what we have here for you today... A guest post from Laura Griffin AND a giveaway!
About the author:
New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. Her books have won numerous awards, including a 2010 RITA (Whisper of Warning) and a 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award (Untraceable). Visit her online at her website www.lauragriffin.com or on Facebook.
The Story Behind the Story
I started my career as a newspaper reporter, so I’m a big believer in doing some legwork before sitting down to write a word. Some people call this “research” or “procrastination.” For me, it’s a little of both and an important part of my writing process.
One of the best parts of being a writer is that it gives me an excuse to do interviews. Over the years I’ve had a chance to interview all sorts of people who later became characters in my books: Navy SEALs, FBI agents, artists, crime scene techs, anthropologists. Once I actually interviewed a fingerprint expert, which would have been a fairly routine, except that the guy was standing there holding a glove made of human skin as we talked. I found this to be a bit distracting. But as with all good interviews, I learned something. (In this case, it was that once a body reaches a certain stage of decomp, the skin slips off like a glove and can be used by a skilled technician to recover prints for identification purposes.)
Not all of the research I do has such a high gross-out factor. Some of it is really fun. There was the time I jumped out of an airplane in Tennessee. This experience inspired the skydiving scene in my second book, One Wrong Step. One of my most memorable research excursions was visiting the FBI Academy at Quantico. There, I had a chance to meet dozens of interesting people who would later answer my pesky story questions. I also got to tromp around the grounds and visit Hogan’s Alley, where special agent trainees practice making arrests. The highlight of the trip was learning to shoot a Glock on the FBI firearms range.
My latest book Snapped opens with a sniper scene, so I interviewed an array of law enforcement experts before writing the story. A police sniper gave me some tips on SWAT tactics that helped me pack the opening pages with as much tension as possible. This book is a romantic suspense--a mystery intertwined with a love story. This book is especially close to my heart, and I hope readers will connect with it, too.
About the book
SOPHIE BARRETT THINKS SHE’S LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. SHE MAY BE DEAD WRONG.
On a sweltering summer afternoon, Sophie Barrett walks into a nightmare. A sniper has opened fire on a college campus. When the carnage is over, three people—plus the shooter—are dead and dozens more are injured. Sophie escapes virtually unscathed. Yet as details emerge from the investigation, she becomes convinced that this wasn’t the random, senseless act it appeared to be. No one wants to believe her—not the cops, not her colleagues at the Delphi Center crime lab, and definitely not Jonah Macon, the homicide detective who’s already saved her life once.
Jonah has all kinds of reasons for hoping Sophie is mistaken. Involving himself with a key witness could derail an already messy investigation, not to mention jeopardize his career. But Sophie is as determined and fearless as she is sexy. If he can’t resist her, he can at least swear to protect her. Because if Sophie is right, she’s made herself the target of a killer without a conscience. And the real terror is only just beginning. . . .
Title: Snapped (Tracers #4)
Author: Laura Griffin
ISBN-13: 9781451617368
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Pocket Books
drey's thoughts:
Laura Griffin's Snapped is fast and tightly-paced, and will have you at the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down--from the first shot to the very last page, because I just had to find out who the bad guys are and what the deal was.
I really liked Sophie--she doesn't make excuses for herself or her past, and she's not going to sit back and wait for someone else to fix the problem. She charges in with her charm and her brains, and actually manages to dig up stuff that the cops hadn't looked into. Now to get the cops to pay attention to that...
Jonah is a good guy--and true to typical romance-novel hero typecasting. He's gorgeous (of course), stubborn (*rolls eyes*), and does his utmost to keep Sophie safe--including from herself. Which means that he'll take her information and then tuck her back under lock and key until he has time to get answers. Which is so not how Sophie works.
Of course, that means that their interactions come with lots of sparks, which means this book is not only suspenseful, but fun to read as well. Fans of romantic suspense will love Snapped.
drey's rating: Excellent!
Have you read Snapped? What did you think? And if you haven't, here's your chance to win a copy!
Giveaway!
Boy oh boy, do I have a giveaway for you to enter! Laura has very graciously offered up a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky duck. And thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of Snapped for you, too! This one's for US residents only. To enter, fill out the form below. Good luck!
Today's post is a blog tour organized by TLC Book Tours for Connie Briscoe's Money Can't Buy Love...
About Connie Briscoe
Connie Briscoe is the author of seven novels, one novella, and one nonfiction book. Her third novel, A Long Way From Home, the story of her ancestors, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her work has appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly.
Her nonfiction title, a photo-essay book featuring luminaries such as actress Ruby Dee and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, was coauthored with celebrated photographer Michael Cunningham. The collection of novellas was coauthored with Lolita Files and Anita Bunkley.
Lenora Stone used to say if she didn't have bad luck, she wouldn't have any luck at all. At age thirty-eight, instead of socializing with Baltimore's A-list, she photographs them for Baltimore Scene, a glossy magazine filled with beautiful people who, unlike Lenora, never have to worry about car trouble and overdue bills. As much as she'd love to slam the door on her overbearing boss, quitting isn't an option. She's barely making her mortgage payments and, though her condo might not be a palace, it's hers. Lately even things with her boyfriend Gerald haven't been right. They've been together for three years but he can't seem to ask the one question she's been waiting for. But what Lenora doesn't know is that her luck is about to change...
Just when she thinks things can't get worse, Lenora wins the jackpot in the Maryland lottery. In a heartbeat, all her dreams become possible. She quits her job and indulges her every desire-starting with a shiny, silver BMW and a million-dollar mansion. Gerald is finally ready to put a ring on her finger and the city's most exclusive women's group is dying for her to join, officially moving Lenora from behind the lens, into the limelight. But in Lenora's lavish new world, all that glitters definitely isn't gold. Her old friend's are concerned about her sudden changes, and Ray, a sexy, young landscaper Lenora covered for the magazine is looking for more than a purely professional relationship.
As her life starts to come together, the things Lenora holds dear begin to fall apart. Has her world really changed for the better, or does fortune come with a heavy price?
Title: Money Can't Buy Love
Author: Connie Briscoe
ISBN-13: 9780446534840
Hardcover: 287 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Hachette Book Group
drey's thoughts:
Connie Briscoe's Money Can't Buy Love is a cautionary tale--of what not to do if you happen to win the lottery... Case in point: Lenora Stone. Lenora has bills up the wazoo, a commitment-phobic boyfriend, and a boss we'd all love to hate. But then she wins the lottery, and becomes lost in the glee of spending it all.
She was briefly anxious about winning all that money, and worrying about how she'll manage it. But that went flying out the window with her first purchase, and she doesn't slow down. She ignores her friends' advice, cheats on her boyfriend, and generally displays a definite lack of good judgement...
The saving grace here? Lenora's also someone any of us could know in real life (though I know I don't know anyone
who's won the lottery!). Sure, she doesn't do what I'd rather she did, but she's just an
insecure woman who let money get the better of her. She's still a talented, smart, good person, and you'll want her to get her head straight before she loses it all.
What would you do if you won a five-million-dollar lottery? My first stop would be to an accountant and financial planner. *grin* Then again, there's no chance of winning if I don't ever buy tickets!
drey's rating: Pick it up!
Have you read Money Can't Buy Love? What did you think? And if you haven't, read on...
Giveaway!
Thanks to TLC Book Tours and Hachette Book Group, I have one autographed copy of Money Can't Buy Love for you! This is open to US and Canada only, no PO Boxes please. To enter, fill out this form before 6pm CST August 24th. Good luck!
Justice was supposed to post last Thursday for a blog tour, but I was out of town and didn't get the book in time... Hopefully I'm not too late with this, as it's definitely one for the to-read pile!
About the author:
Karen Robards is the author of thirty-four novels and one novella. A regular on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, among others, she is the mother of three boys, ages 12, 17, and 23, and lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Find her online at www.karenrobards.com.
About the book:
Feisty criminal attorney Jessica Ford has done her best to comply with the orders of the Secret Service’s unofficial witness protection program ever since she became the lone witness to the First Lady’s murder. She changed her name, dyed her dark hair blonde, and traded her sturdy black-rimmed glasses for contact lenses. Unfortunately, winning her first high-profile case for prestigious Washington, D.C., law firm Ellis Hayes, and subsequently landing her face all over the news, is not exactly “keeping a low profile.” Or so says hunky Secret Service agent Mark Ryan, whose newest assignment—despite Jess’s stubborn protests—is keeping her safe at all costs. It just so happens he’s also her ex-boyfriend.
The trial earns Jess a permanent spot on the firm’s elite legal defense team, replacing an associate who eloped suddenly and never came back. It’s the chance of a lifetime. But Jess’s mind has raced with questions from the moment the prosecution’s star witness shocked the courtroom with an electrifying revelation involving the handsome son of a powerful U.S. senator. Was the pretty, young mother intimidated into changing her story on the stand? Why will she not return Jess’s calls? Did Jess’s ambitious predecessor on the case really just abandon her successful career? Or did both women mysteriously disappear?
After Mark rescues Jess from an attacker outside her apartment, she begins to consider the possibility that she is a target. Maybe it’s not so bad to have her irresistibly charming and hard-bodied former lover around for protection. Maybe. The question is, which of the many inadvertent enemies Jess has made recently is he protecting her from? The investigation leads her to some startling coincidences—and to a teenage runaway who may just hold the missing link . . . if Jess can find her.
As Jess hurtles closer to the truth—and the sexual tension between her and Mark grows hotter than ever—she finds herself in a race against the clock to find the answers before what she doesn’t know gets them both killed.
Title: Justice
Author: Karen Robards
ISBN-13: 9781439183700
Hardcover: 342 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Pocket
drey's thoughts:
Karen Robards' Justice is a gripping read that you will not be able to put down. It starts off with a woman getting killed while two teenagers are hiding under her bed. And moves to a courtroom scene where Jess is surprised by the outcome because, well, she's absolutely certain her client is actually guilty.
Then danger shows up on her doorstep. Literally. And Jess has to figure out who's trying to kill her, and why. Luckily she has Mark to watch out for her, and luckily he has skillz. However, she hasn't quite figured out if she can (or wants to) put up with him, skillz notwithstanding.
The story moves quickly and flows nicely. When the action picks up, it doesn't quit until everything's over and the bad guys are done for. You'll definitely want to add this to your reading pile.
Today's TLC tour is for Keith Donohue's Centuries of June...
About Keith Donohue:
Keith Donohue is the Director of Communications for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the grant-making arm of the National Archives in Washington, DC. Until 1998 he worked at the National Endowment for the Arts and wrote hundreds of speeches for chairmen John Frohnmayer and Jane Alexander. He has written articles for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other newspapers. Donohue holds a Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America. His dissertation on Irish writer Flann O’Brien was published as The Irish Anatomist: A Study of Flann O’Brien (Maunsel Press, 2003).
Keith Donohue has been praised for his vivid imagination and for evoking “the otherworldly with humor and the ordinary with wonder” (Audrey Niffenegger). His first novel, The Stolen Child, was a national bestseller, and his second novel, Angels of Destruction, was hailed as “a magical tale of love and redemption that is as wonderfully written as it is captivating” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Centuries of June is a bold departure, a work of dazzling breadth and technical virtuosity.
Set in the bathroom of an old house just before dawn on a night in June, Centuries of June is a black comedy about a man who is attempting to tell the story of how he ended up on the floor with a hole in his head. But he keeps getting interrupted by a series of suspects—eight women lying in the bedroom just down the hall. Each woman tells a story drawn from five centuries of American myth and legend in a wild medley of styles and voices.
Centuries of June is a romp through history, a madcap murder mystery, an existential ghost story, and a stunning tour de force at once ingenious, sexy, inspiring, and ultimately deeply moving.
Title: Centuries of June
Author: Keith Donohue
ISBN-13: 9780307450289
Hardcover:
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Crown
drey's thoughts:
Keith Donohue is a new-to-me author, though I have The Stolen Child sitting on my shelves (and it's been sitting there for a while now). But I couldn't turn down the opportunity to check out his latest, Centuries of June. I mean, the blurb had me at "black comedy about a man who is attempting to tell the story of how he ended up on the floor with a hole in his head"... How do you turn down something like that?
I will admit to reading this slowly at first. Really slowly... In fact, it probably took me a good 3-4 days to get through the first two stories, which is unheard of in my reading. And here I will state that while I thought those two stories were entertaining, I didn't quite get the whole picture then. In fact, I didn't even get a glimpse of what might be the whole picture. The parts involving the guy-with-the-hole-in-the-head were hazy and confusing enough, and then all these other characters showed up.
Then I picked it up again--because, hey, I had to read it and review it--and started really getting into the stories. Which is where Donohue shines, because the women and their stories were something I really enjoyed. Each character was interesting, each story had a different style about it, and it all wrapped up nicely at the end... And now that it's done, I think reading each story and savoring it slowly is the way to go here. But don't take my word for it, enter the giveaway to win your own copy. *grin*
drey's rating: Excellent!
Giveaway!
There's one copy of Centuries of June up for grabs, US/Canada only (no PO Boxes, please). To enter, fill out the form below before 6pm CST August 1st. Good luck!
About the author:
About the book:
