This review was originally done for The Romance Reviews: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1546
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Roped and Ready
This review was originally done for The Romance Reviews: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1546
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hump day...better late than never!
Hades Squad 2: Lucifer’s Choice, Jianne Carlo, Loose ID
Who doesn’t love a good Alpha male? Certainly no exception, Sax Anders, code name Lucifer, is fierce, focused and passionate. Like a Viking raider, he spies what he wants. And what he wants is the exotic beauty from the flamenco bar for one night. Nalini Marajh doesn’t even stand a chance. Book 2 of the Hades Squad, Lucifer’s Choices hooks readers from page one, heck – paragraph one. Grab a fan and some ice water because this little treat has some major heat!
Nalini has fantasized about big brother Tarak’s friend Sax forever. Having run away to escape an arranged marriage, Nalini forges a new life and career until her ship is captured and the Hades Squad comes to the rescue. A plan comes together and Nalini capitalizes on a fantasy come true. Nalini’s web of lies unravels when she and Sax pose as engaged for publicity sake only to find emotions getting the better of them. Can she overcome her fear of confinement long enough for him to convince her to stay?
Jianne Carlo writes sizzling romance scenes with passion and creativity. What initially begins as a quick, albeit hot, encounter continues into a growing sexual infatuation that morphs into more. Alpha male Sax and naïve Nalini generate the kind of heat that deserves a re-read at leisure.
Nalini’s character fights the culture clash between her parents’ wants and desires with her own. The author explains cultural issues sensitively without proselytizing. The evolution of the parent-child relationship mirrors the romantic one but feels effortless – the story so engaging that its subtleties are worth a second read as well!
Truly an action packed drama in addition to erotic romance, Lucifer’s Choice takes the reader on an exotic journey which explores passion, truth and consequences and the choices that are made on the rocky road to romance. Like fine tequila, the men of Hades Squad are spicy and a little hard to get down but the warm afterglow must surely be worth it.
I give this tasty little treat a yummalicious five chocolate dipped strawberries and will be keeping my eyes peeled for new additions to this author's repertoire!
This review was previously written amd published for The Romance Reviews.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Black Gold
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Initiation of Miss Holly
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1601
Sunday, March 27, 2011
South of the Border
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Danielle's Touch
This is a four strawberry book. It's a nice read.
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can be seen by clicking on:
http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=1544
Friday, March 25, 2011
Absolutely Crazy for Absolution
Absolution deserves five chocolate dipped strawberries. (And if you won’t tell the girls, I’d even steal an extra and give it six!) It’s an indulgence every reader should make the time for.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sexy Special Ops Soldiers
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Happy Hump Day - Make Mine Relentless!
So, phfew - where were we? Oh yes, more of the fab Ms. Kaylea Cross. I am pleased to give you my dish on the next in line, Relentless. Now, usually Tyra starts this rant, but I must say - do not read this book series out of order. You will enjoy this book so much more if you have already read Cover of Darkness and No Turning Back.
Relentless, Kaylea Cross, Wild Rose Press, June 2010.
Former Delta Force operator Rhys Sinclair defied the odds by recovering from a traumatic brain injury that should have killed him. Given the chance to repay the beautiful doctor who saved his life by guarding hers, he can't say no--even if it means facing an unknown threat from the cunning terrorist his CIA-sanctioned team had been hunting in Afghanistan. The catch is, she can't know about it without blowing their cover. Trauma surgeon Neveah Adams is finally putting her life back together after her horrific experience in Afghanistan. Giving the keynote speech at a medical conference in Vancouver is her starting point. With Rhys there to watch over her she feels safe for the first time in months, and her biggest problem is trying to hide her intense feelings for him. But Rhys knows something Neveah doesn't. The terrorist who targeted her in Kabul is coming after her again, and he's relentless enough to ensure all his past mistakes are erased with one final strike. Now that the nightmare from her past has resurfaced, Neveah has no choice but to put her trust in the one man who has the ability to break her heart, never knowing an assassin is closer than they realize.
Shy, brainy surgeon Naveah Adams struggles to recover from her hostage experience while working in Afghanistan with several other doctors with the group Doctors Without Borders. Rhys Sinclair, one of her ex-CIA military ops rescuers struggles to recover from the physical devastation of a land mine accident immediately afterward. He saves her, she saves him, he saves her again....can you dig it!
They each go on to their new post-trauma lives, until a terror cell gets activated by an old enemy, Farouk Tehrazzi, and the targets include Bryn McAllister, Luke and his family, and even Naveah herself. Luke puts the team together for secret security to ensure the joy of a family wedding doesn't end in tragedy. Naveah coincidentally will be in Vancouver at a medical conference as a keynote speaker. Rhys decides the best way to keep her safe is to ask her to be his date. She's had a thing for him since the rescue. He has a thing for her but feels he can't act upon it. The solution? A little bit of vino and a lot of bawdy talk at a bridal shower and voila - incentive for seduction (I would not mind if Rhys did room checks for me on a nightly basis...just sayin!). Ms. Cross does an outstanding job of peppering a truly well written military suspense with some spicy romance. When they say opposites do attract - they must have been talking about Naveah and Rhys - so different and yet so perfect for one another. They have chemistry and a soul deep connection borne of trauma and tragedy.
Trust becomes an integral issue in this particular book. With the focus more on the romance than perhaps the previous two books, one would think this was a natural consequence. However, this is no formulaic thriller - how the events unfold, who to trust and what happens with misplaced trust play out. There are some well crafted plot twists and that caught me by surprise. There has also, quite obviously, been some detailed research on the author's part to make the story feel seamless and prevent the reader from getting bogged down in all the military details (probably more prevalent in the last two books).
However, I think for me, the most enjoyable parts were the growth and evolution of Rhys and Naveah's relationship. I love when the smart girl gets the perfect guy - makes us leaders of the Nerd Herd feel hopeful that our brawny alpha male is out there waiting! I love a good "Ops" series and this one has the potential to go on this GI girl's keeper list. I am definitely looking forward to more sweet treats from Ms. Kaylea Cross! I happily give Relentless four chocolate dipped strawberries! Yummmmm.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
No Turning Back
Next Tuesday is a BIG release day for me. Several of my favorite authors have books coming out that day so I was thinking about taking a day off just for me. Then I realized that it's Spring Break week for my kids and they would be home with me....so now I am re-thinking that plan. LOL Don't get me wrong I love my kids but the only time they want to talk to me is when I am trying to read. And it's always obscure, random, why did you need to ask me that now, kind of questions. Big plans for the weekend, Jenn has a birthday on Friday and we and doing super duper secret things on Saturday. I love that my friends are like me in that we go out of our way to make birthday's a big deal for each other. It doesn't have to be anything expensive it's just all about being together and showing that person they are important to you.
So this week is Kaylea Cross week and if you have not read one of her books what are you waiting for?? She was a new to me author and I am so glad to have found her because her books are well written and suck you right in.
No Turning Back, Kaylea Cross, The Wild Rose Press, March 2010
CIA communications expert Samarra Wallace is on the run from a faceless enemy when she learns terrorists have kidnapped and threatened to execute her cousin. She will do whatever it takes to free her, including breaking cover to contact the former teammate she is dangerously attracted to. Now all she has to do is convince him she's not working for the bad guys. Ex-Army Ranger Ben Sinclair isn't sure he can trust Sam, but he can't turn her away. Lives are at stake and she may be the only way to capture the terrorist mastermind his team is hunting. Despite his reservations, he finds himself falling for her. But when Sam's innocence is questioned again during a botched operation in the remote mountains of Afghanistan, the team pays a terrible price for trusting her. In the wake of that staggering betrayal Ben must decide if she's the innocent woman he fell in love with, or if she's a traitor who'd set them up to die.
Sam works for the CIA as a communications expert and Ben is an ex-army ranger/body guard working on the same team. Sam believes she is being followed by either a terrorist cell or the CIA, panicking she flees and sets off a series of events that lead people on her team to believe she is a traitor.
When the one person Sam cares about the most, her cousin, is kidnapped by a terrorist group she has no choice but to return to her team and prove her innocence to help save her cousin's life. She is in a very difficult position, her team and Ben continually question her loyalty throughout the book. Whenever something goes wrong during the rescue mission, it is Sam's loyalty that is questioned.
As you know I am a stickler about books being read in order, never has that been more important than with this series. This book picks up basically where Cover of Darkness ends. It reads so true to life it could have been a story on CNN. It is suspenseful and scary and everything that I have come to expect with Kaylea's books. I completely connected to Sam's character and had so much empathy for her. To know that the people you work with every day suspect you of being a traitor would be so difficult. I could also understand Ben's concerns,so many things pointed to Sam being a traitor that it was hard to believe otherwise. I appreciate the strong female characters that exist throughout Ms. Cross work. I love when an author shows how incredibly strong and capable women are without making them come across as a bitch. The chemistry between Sam and Ben leaps off the page and is smoking hot. Strong secondary character's and a plot line that never stops made this a great read. I couldn't wait to get to the next story. I give No Turning Back 5 chocolate dipped strawberries.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Military Men Monday
Cover of Darkness by Kaylea Cross
Targeted by a terrorist cell, Bryn McAllister survives a bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut only to be left to die in a desert cellar. When she is rescued by Navy SEAL Lieutenant Declan McCabe and his team, Bryn must rely on the handsome officer to get her to safety. But just when she thinks the nightmare is over, family friend and legendary CIA operative Luke Hutchinson recruits her and McCabe to help track down the terrorist mastermind responsible for the attack.
With Bryn determined to see the terrorist brought to justice, Dec joins up to protect her, prepared to do whatever it takes to keep her safe during their dangerous mission. Battling the explosive attraction between them, Dec fights to keep his distance from her so he can do his job and keep her alive. But when plans falls apart and Bryn is captured, he must make the agonizing choice between his duty as a SEAL and the life of the woman he loves.
The main characters Dec and Bryn are great. I also enjoyed Ben, Bryn’s bodyguard/head of security. Ben has feelings of more than friendship for Bryn but knows that she doesn’t feel the same. She loves Ben like a brother. Which must be difficult for Ben to deal with on a daily basis since they spend so much time together. I look forward to his book!
I give this book 3 chocolate dipped strawberries and a spa day. I really felt for Bryn as she trudged thru the desert and survived the hostage situations.
For another review of this same book: Cover of Darkness by Kaylea Cross, see Rebecca's post from January 1, 2011.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Out of Her League
Out of Her League by Kaylea Cross
Kaylea builds her main character Christa in a believable manner that allows for the reader to stay with the storyline from the first page. Christa is a strong, independent woman has goals beyond her desperate need to one day get married and have a family. (Amen Sister!)
The author has taken a real threat that many women either have heard and commiserated around or just plain out-right experienced and brings it out in this book. I found myself clenching my fists and squirming at times given the level of fear that was invoked by Christa’s story. Rayne…my oh my…a man with military background and a delicious physique (as described by Christa). Whew. What’s not to like about that? He has the role of hero and plays it well. With a sordid past filled with a long line of women, no one - not even Christa, believes he has the ability to figure out what he wants and stick with it.
As the reader, you better get ready for sleepless nights because it is very difficult to put this book down and focus on anything else! 5 chocolate covered strawberries.
Review by Liz
CONTEST ALERT!
Kaylea Cross is giving away FREE BOOKS to some of our lucky followers. To enter, follow us and make a comment to any post throughout the week. Kaylea will be here to "talk" with anyone who comments so feel free to ask questions or give your thoughts on the books. WINNERS will be drawn and notified once the week is complete.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Sleepy Hollow Dreams
Taryn Kincaid puts a sultry, sexy twist to the Washington Irving tales we grew up with. Be warned: This is not the tale your parents read to you; it is much hotter! Ms. Kincaid has taken two stories that most of us grew up hearing and turned it into an erotic short story that stands on its own. She has taken aspects from The Headless Horseman and Rip Van Winkle and put a completely different twist to them.
Katy lives in Sleepy Hollow, and every night, her dream man comes to her and gives her the most amazing sex of her life, and then she wakes up. Ryck Van Winkle has been cursed by a Succubus to enter women's dreams and satisfy their fantasies while never finding release himself, until he enters Katy's dreams. Ryck thinks Katy is the one person that can release him from his curse and help him defeat the Succubus before she takes over the town of Sleepy Hollow.
The writing is descriptive and the story line moves quickly. The main character's relationship burns up the pages and you can't help but root for them. I enjoyed this book and would visit the world of Sleepy Hollow that Ms. Kincaid created again, if she should ever venture back there.
This review origianlly posted at The Romance Reviews: http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=237
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Friday, March 18, 2011
Happy dance! Happy dance! Sunday is the first day of spring! I’ve seen the daffodils popping up and it makes my heart happy. March is a fun month regardless of the first day of spring celebration. Two of my favorite people have a birthday this month which calls for girl time and super top secret planning. Some deal with the secret keeping better than others and you know who you are. One day all this is gonna come back and burn me they say but until then……
I hope you go out and add this book to your to be read pile because I promise you that you will love it! I can’t wait for the next one. Note cute shoes on the cover (just saying) and the scythe (I would totally carry one of these if they would let me but they keep telling me no. Why?). I also have a soft spot for Charley. Gotta love a girl who names her boobs and ovaries. My girls Barbie and Buffy and my ovaries Federico and Xavier salute you!
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
Private investigator Charlotte Davidson was born with three things: a smoking hot ass; a healthy respect for the male anatomy; and the rather odd job title of grim reaper. Since the age of five, she has been helping the departed solve the mysteries of their deaths so they can cross. Thus, when three lawyers from the same law firm are murdered, they come to her to find their killer. In the meantime, she's dealing with a being more powerful, and definitely sexier, than any specter she's ever come across. With the help of a pain-in-the-ass skip tracer, a dead pubescent gangbanger named Angel, and a lifetime supply of sarcasm, Charley sets out to solve the highest profile case of the year and discovers that dodging bullets isn't nearly as dangerous as falling in love.
I loved this book! I laughed out loud so many times I lost count. One can only imagine the entertainment you can get from being able to talk to the dead. I love the variety of dead people she hangs out with. On the other hand it could be extremely painful. The scene with the Johnson girl’s mother was a heartbreaker and also the one with the teenage girl hanging out at the school office where her grandma worked got me too. Of course this “gift” of sorts has to be a HUGE load to bare alone. Every girl needs a best friend to share the burden with and who better than a chick named Cookie. Because let’s face it, it takes a special friend to understand the super hot sex life you’re having with a guy no one can see or hear but you! Being in love is hard enough but when you’re the only one that can see or hear him it can get really interesting. Charley knows she’s connected to her invisible lover Reyes Farrow somehow but she doesn’t know how. She just knows that she must save him before his time runs out.
I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a scythe. If you’re gonna be the Reaper you got to have a scythe (and if it matches your shoes that’s a plus too). Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
I have always been a fan of St.Patrick's Day and it hasn't always been about the green beer. It means that spring is right around the corner and I am usually in the throes of March Madness! Filling out brackets is a family event in our house, and while I know some of you may frown on the fact that we allow our children to gamble, I won last year and didn't have to cook for a whole week! So you might want to re-think your stance.
I am pretty sure I was the first one in the GI club to finish this months book and it just about killed me to not be able to talk about it right away. Frequent readers of this blog know that I am a BIG fan of books that have a sense of humor, so when I read the blurb about this book I was very excited. There has been a lot of hype and good buzz surrounding it which can sometimes lead to disappointment, but I am very happy to say this book not only lived up to the expectations for me it exceeded it.
First Grave on the Right, Darynda Jones, St. Martin's Press, February 2011
Charley Davidson is a P.I., and to help her father and uncle, who are both police detectives, she also consults for the Albuquerque Police Dept. Oh yeah and one other thing...she's The Grim Reaper. Now I know what you are thinking....how does she walk around in that hood and robe in the New Mexico heat??? Well she is not your stereotypical Grim Reaper, for starters, she doesn't wear the robe or carry the scythe, but she does talk to dead people and that helps her with her paying gigs.
So what happens when 3 lawyers from the same firm are all murdered in one night? If you are Charley's Uncle Bob you call her for some help. While working on this case and trying to convince 3 stubborn lawyers to "cross over" she is also trying to figure out the secret of who is coming to her in the night and giving her some seriously HAWT dreams. While the mystery man is familiar he is also kind of scary.
I swear as I was reading this book I felt like I was listening to one of my best friends tell me about her life. I loved the flow of the book and the snarky way that Charley talks to everyone. The banter between her and sexy skip-tracer Garret Swopes is some of my favorite dialog. The attitude and snappy comebacks made for a fun read. A full cast of lovable and interesting secondary character's keep the story line moving. I love when a book makes me laugh out loud and this book did on more than one spot. I give First Grave on the Right 5 chocolate dipped strawberries!!And I am anxiously awaiting the second book in this series, Second Grave on the Left due out in August.
Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of First Grave on the Right.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Hump Day Hello - Darynda Jones style
A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.
Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
Let me first say that Darynda Jones' needs to stay out of my head....and I mean that lovingly! This book could totally be my journal, if I saw dead people, and were the Grim Reaper, and had even a 1/10th the sex appeal of hot mess Charley Davidson. Ok, maybe not completely my journal, but the snarkatude, sassy heroine and ever present coffee mug amongst friends is totally me! There are so many little tiny details that I adore in this book that I cannot begin to name them all...but the chapter headings (from bumper stickers and rude t-shirts) are case in point!
There are other's of us who will gush about the characters - the heroine, Charley Davidson, who is part bionic woman (better, faster, stronger, heals quicker!) and part hot mess (constantly falling, fighting, leading with her mouth at all times) charms the reader so quickly. And BFF/Asst Cookie with her ever present coffee mug holds the ability to roll with the punches as figuratively as Charley does literally. How can you not love a character than means to do the right thing and realistically rarely succeeds? Jones' talent lies in creating a madcap cast of characters that somehow feel like folks we all know, situations that "might happen" and mixes in crazy with the sane. Secondary characters are every bit as crucial to the plot as main and through them, the real truths about Charley and Reyes leak out. Furthermore, any writer that can make an insubstantial "smoke-like" hero rank up there with the all time hotties of paranormal romance has got some bad-assed writing skills! For those of you who doubt, get to Charley's shower scene and tell me that urban fantasy/paranormal romance doesn't capture sexy in a whole new way!
Well crafted story, snappy dialogue, sexy characters makes for this first in a series well on it's way to being a "keeper" on this reader's shelf. The only sad note is the wait until August of 2011 for Second Grave on the Left, it's sequel!
Most deserving of all five of the chocolate dipped strawberries this week - Ms. Jones has given me something to indulge in and enjoy!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
LOVE THIS BOOK!!
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones. I loved this book. Darynda has a wicked sense of humor – filled with sarcasm to-boot! I found I couldn’t wait to start a new chapter just to see the little tag line at the beginning that was taken from a t-shirt, bumper sticker, etc. The main character, Charley is a female Grim Reaper and has been since birth. Her life was pretty bumpy as she learned to accept her role in the world and lost many a friend because of it. Reyes is the antithesis of Charley and yet follows her relentlessly. He is mysterious to the very end. The humor in this book pushes the reader forward in an unsuspecting way towards a number of “who knew” twists and turns in the plot. Darynda has a nice way of combining action, depth of plot and character with her wicked sense of humor. This is a must read as I am anxiously awaiting her next book. Hurry up Darynda – please! 5 chocolate strawberries.
Review by Liz
Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Darynda's book!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
You Never Have A Second Chance to Make a First Impression!
Romance, of course, is not too far away, as Charley is a hottie with skills and attitude. There is only one man for her, Reyes Farrow, and much of the novel is spent trying to figure out who and what he is. I will not spoil the fun, you have to read it to find out! I really loved this book and immediately went to look for other books in the series to download and read. Unfortunately, this is the first one and the others aren’t due out for awhile. That is one reason I like to pick up a series around book three. Now I have to wait, ugh! The only thing I didn’t get was her nickname ”Dutch” as it sounded male to me and doesn’t have some secondary meaning that we have guessed or have been told. I am hoping there is some good reason that Reyes likes to call her Dutch. One of the best reads I have read in awhile, especially for a first book in a series. I am hooked and definitely give it five chocolate dipped strawberries!!
Cat Devon
Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of this book!!!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Welcome Darynda Jones!!!
Hello, I hope everyone is having a great weekend and you all remembered to set your clocks ahead. We are having beautiful day here in the Shenandoah Valley. We have a new author with us this week, Darynda Jones will be blogging with us today and will stop in and answer any questions you might have. Darynda's first book First Grave on the Right will be spotlighted all this week, so be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of her book!
So we have all heard the story of how Harry came to J.K. while on a train, and Twilight came to Stephanie in a dream, how did Charley come to be?Charley came to me as I lay in bed one morning, waiting for my turn in the shower. I wanted to write something paranormal because I love the stuff, but as an aspiring writer trying to catch New York’s eye, I wanted something different, something that would grab an agent and editor’s attention. So probably my main inspiration to write a grim reaper was desperation. I lay there contemplating paranormal entities, what had been done and what hadn’t, came up with the grim reaper, and thought, “Hey, that would be so fun to write about.”
We have a couple of aspiring authors as members any words of wisdom for them?
Absolutely. First, never give up. It took me seven years of writing seriously, ie toward publication, and three complete manuscripts to sell. Have faith in yourself when no one else does.
And second, finish the book! Keep typing away until you’ve completed the manuscript, polish it until it shines, start the query process, then start another manuscript. Don’t rest oh your laurels. For one thing, I have no idea what laurels are, but apparently they don’t like to be rested upon. And for another, you will learn SO much with each new manuscript you write. Trust me, you won’t get anywhere fast with incomplete manuscripts lying about. I have dozens and they aren’t doing me any favors. So do yourself a favor and finish what you started.
Do you write full time or is this a part time gig? I am living the dream, baby. I now get to write full time and am thankful everyday to be able to say that. I’ve been a sign language interpreter for many years and loved that job, but it was still that. A job. When all you want to do is write, anything that takes you away from that is a job.
Have you ever experienced writers block and how did you get past it?
This is interesting, because I have. I think you must be able to step back and take a look at what’s going on around you. Stress is probably the main culprit of writer’s block, but mine, I realized after months, was actually because I’d messed with my process. I know that sounds silly, but let me just say, I do NOT mess with my process any more. I have a certain way of doing things, and when I try to skip ahead or change it in anyway, I pay the price.
Have you always been interested in paranormal things?
Ever since I saw my first vampire movie when I was five, I’ve been interested in the paranormal. When I was 7, I wrote my first paranormal play. It was a mixture of Dracula and Cinderella. I’ve always been a romantic.
What's a typical working day like for you?
Well, right now I’m still promoting my first release, First Grave on the Right, so I start out every morning answering emails and doing the whole social networking thing, which I love way too much. Then I get down to business in the afternoon. This depends on what I’m working on. At the moment, I’m doing revisions on a YA that sold to St. Martin’s Press called Grimsight. Soon, I’ll have copyedits for book three in the Charley Davidson series, Third Grave Dead Ahead. I’m also working on another YA I hope to have completed soon. So it just depends on what is on my plate for that day. I usually try to call it quits by around 9pm. Otherwise, I’m just exhausted the next day. Twelve hours at the computer is plenty. LOL.
When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?
I have a killer office in my home that I love and can be found writing there most afternoons. When I’m working on a deadline, I do indeed have a daily writing goal, at least until I get the first draft finished. It changes, depending on how much time I have and how far I have to go. Then it’s kind of a free-for-all. Occasionally, I do have to set a daily goal for revisions and the like, especially if I am taking too long. I have been known to procrastinate a time or two. (Understatement of the millennium.)
Coffee seems to play an integral part in your story, is that taken from real life?
You know, I really didn’t start drinking coffee like I do now until I started writing First Grave. I think this is a case of reality mimicking fantasy. Now I’m so hooked on it, I bought a mini-microwave for my office so I can heat and reheat my coffee without having to make a trip to the kitchen every five minutes. (Remember the procrastination thing? Yeah, that was one of them.)
What is your guilty indulgence? Probably television. I always feel guilty when I watch TV, but some days it’s my reward to myself for a job well done. Others, it’s just me procrastinating. Again. And of course, I have to have popcorn when I watch movies with a large Diet Coke by my side.
Thank you so much, Tyra, for having me!
Darynda, thanks so much for being with us. I know we are all already looking forward to your next book, Second Grave on the Left!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Quicksilver
Quicksilver, Joy Spraycar
A recurring nightmare holds Serry Miller in its grip and has for most of her life. In spite of her fear of the man who becomes a monster, she’s in love with him. Not only does she have nightmares while she sleeps, she’s living in one with an abusive, alcoholic husband. When, Serry’s drunken husband hit’s Quinton Worthington’s car, she sees the face of the man from her nightmares on a stretcher entering the hospital. When he looks at her and calls her by her name, she is plummeted into a life that she has only dreamed about. Quinton Worthington has suffered for over a hundred years. That’s when his evil father ripped Serenity, the love of Quinton’s life, from him. At the same time, he changed Quinton into a monster. When Quinton sees Serry’s face in the hospital, he believes that Serenity has come back, and he will do anything to be with her. There’s only one thing that stands in their way of having the life they want: Quinton’s father.
Unique – is the word that I want to use to describe this book. I am saying that because I just can’t lump it into any one category or for any one particular type of reader. When I first started reading the book I thought about how I felt when I read Twilight. Everyone wanted me to read Twilight – I wasn’t thrilled about it but I gave it a try because of my friends. I remember reading it and thinking – “where is the story really going” but “hmmmm - intriguing”. Quick Silver is the same type of feeling. It grabs you enough that you want to keep turning the page. Like Twilight, it is a simple love story, no hard core sex scenes or vulgar language. If you took out a couple pages of implied sexual violence it would be perfect for teens. It isn’t even just for women. I can see where it could appeal to men as well. For a person who throws books down, I can honestly say that I didn’t drop it once .
Quinton’s character is great. He is a 150 year old werewolf, turned by his father. His father is a tyrant and is into everything dark and evil. The werewolves in this story aren’t the kinds that are hunky and you want to date. These are the ones that nightmares were made out of. Quinton wants nothing more than to be normal and have a normal family. His love of all time, Serenity, was taken from him when his father turned him into a werewolf. He hates himself and doesn’t want to hurt anyone so with the help of the mob, he locks himself away during the full moon. Serry’s character is a little bit like an old fashion June Cleaver in modern times. She is happy and only sees the good in everything. She loves deeply and without question.
Quinton and Serry meet again by accident, when Serry’s abusive husband runs into Quinton’s car. The story grows from there, not just into a love story but also a battle of good versus evil. The love scenes are implied which makes it great for younger readers, guys and women who like the milder romance.
There are several parts in the book where the writing is a little juvenile and repetitive but most of the book flows nicely. There is a lot of suspense and the “oh no girl don’t go there” moments. It was refreshing and worth taking the time to read it. Keep in mind that it isn’t filled with hot sex scenes or horrible blood and gore -Just a really “unique and intriguing” story. I would read another of Joy’s books. Good job! I would give Quick Silver 3 ¾ chocolate dipped strawberries.
Review By Shari