Book Review: Molly Lee

Title: Molly Lee
Author: Andrew Joyce
Release Date: March 2015
Length: 240 pages
Series?: Sequel to REDEMPTION
Genre: historical, classical

Find the book: Goodreads | Amazon

It’s 1861 and the Civil War has just started. Molly is an eighteen-year-old girl living on her family’s farm in Virginia when two deserters from the Southern Cause enter her life. One of them—a twenty-four-year-old Huck Finn—ends up saving her virtue, if not her life.

Molly is so enamored with Huck, she wants to run away with him. But Huck has other plans and is gone the next morning before she awakens. Thus starts a sequence of events that leads Molly into adventure after adventure; most of them not so nice.

We follow the travails of Molly Lee, starting when she is eighteen and ending when she is fifty-six. Even then Life has one more surprise in store for her.

Molly Lee is the sequel to the best-selling novel REDEMPTION: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. It is the story of a woman who knows what she wants and starts out to get it. Molly is about to set off on the quest of a lifetime . . . of two lifetimes.

*****REVIEW*****

This book picks up where Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, masquerading as a Confederate lieutenant and captain, respectively, left behind Molly Lee after saving her family from Union soldiers intent on plundering. You can read all about Huck’s adventures in REDEMPTION here.

Not for one minute did I have pause to regroup as I was reading. Just like Redemption, Molly Lee is fast-paced. I was so intrigued that there were a few times that Molly ended up in the same places Huck had been and learned of his exploits and I was wondering if she’d ever find him like she set out to do.

I was also incredibly blown away by the amount of money that Molly comes into and loses over and over again through her ventures. I can’t imagine that much money during the Civil War time, but somehow she is always on the high side of luck…and then right back in the pits on the downward slope.

It seems Molly’s life is just one sad story after another, but it turns out that she got more than she bargained for when she meets Jeff McMasters, and he winds up leaving her more than she could ever have imagined.

Molly Lee meets a lot of interesting people along the way, and she ends up one hardened, experienced woman. In the end, she gets the surprise of her life.

I can’t say much more than that, except that I’m wondering what will come next.

*****About the Author*****

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written three books, and a collection of almost one hundred stories that is comprised of his hitching adventures, written as veiled non-fiction called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS, and his latest novel, REDEMPTION. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his dog Danny.

Find the author: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

99¢ Sale: REDEMPTION ~ The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer

I am excited to share with y’all today that one very special author (and dog, Danny!) dear to my heart is offering his debut novel, REDEMPTION, at that “Oh, why not?” price of only 99¢….

….ALL WEEK LONG! 

I adored REDEMPTION. You can read my review here and check out more about the book below. 

The sale runs December 6-13, so go out and grab it. I will say there is a sequel, and I’ve already read the first four chapters. I am absolutely hooked! 

REDEMPTION is averaging 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 285 reviews, and is the winner of the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Western of 2013. 

Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | Apple Store | Kobo | Website

 

***** About the Book *****

Title: REDEMPTION: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer
Author: Andrew Joyce
Release Date: August 2013
Length: 195 pages
Series?: no
Genre: historical, classical
Format: e-book
Source: author

Find the book: Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Three men come together in the town of Redemption, Colorado, each for his own purpose. Huck Finn is a famous lawman not afraid to use his gun to protect the weak. He has come to right a terrible wrong. After his wife’s death, Tom Sawyer does not want to live anymore; he has come to die. The third man, the Laramie Kid, a killer Huck and Tom befriended years earlier, has come to kill a man. For these three men Death is a constant companion. For these three men it is their last chance for redemption.

 

***** About the Author *****

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written three books, and a collection of almost one hundred stories that is comprised of his hitching adventures, written as veiled non-fiction called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS, and his latest novel, REDEMPTION. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his dog Danny.

Find the author: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Guest Post: The Preacher by Andrew Joyce

My name is Andrew Joyce and I’m here at the invitation of Ms. Anderson (my favorite Charlie). I’m also here to hip you to one of the best books I have ever read. The title is The Jacket (The Star Rover) Jack London wrote it in 1914. The jacket refers to a strait jacket.

Because I cannot explain the book (it is mind blowing), I’m sending you a crime story instead. I know it’s not what you are looking for . . . but  maybe you can use it. It is very short.

The Preacher

Standing on the graveyard grass, looking down at the freshly filled grave, stood the Preacher dressed in black, wearing a black, circular wide-brim, flat-crowned hat. There was no headstone as of yet, but the Preacher knew the name of the grave’s occupant. It was his brother. Five days previously, the Preacher had murdered the man who now lay at his feet, under the earth. The Preacher did not want to kill this one, but felt he had to, and he knew with a certainty that he would have to kill again . . . and soon.

After saying a prayer for his brother’s soul, the Preacher walked slowly back to the highway. As he walked, he thought of how unnecessary the killing of his brother had been. All his brother had to do was not interfere in the Lord’s work. It should have made no difference that the work involved the killing of Junior McGuire.

As the Preacher walked, he thought back to his last conversation with his brother.

“You must not interfere.”

“You’ve been killing since you was a boy. But you was family, so I held my own peace.”

“I am family to man.”

“You always were different, even when we was kids. But now you come to town and tell me you must take Junior McGuire. Well, Junior is a friend of mine. He’s the mayor of this town for God’s sake.”

“Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. Are those your last words on the matter?”

“Yup, I just can’t let you kill Junior McGuire.”

The conversation replayed itself repeatedly in the Preacher’s mind.

Now that there were no more obstacles, The Preacher could be about the Lord’s work. And this time the Lord’s work was the quick dispatch of Junior McGuire.

The Preacher had been at this work for a long time. Sometimes he wearied of the mission the Lord had bestowed upon him. However, he believed that no matter how weary, he must persevere until he was allowed a rest or brought to his just reward.

The walk from the graveyard into town was a short one. Before he knew it, the Preacher found himself standing in front of McGuire’s Dry Goods Emporium. Without hesitation, The Preacher entered and sought out the McGuire.

The store was empty of people. It made no difference to The Preacher. He was about God’s work. He proceeded to the back room where he encountered a man of about fifty years of age stacking cartons in a corner. The Preacher inquired of the man, “Are you McGuire?” When an affirmative response was forthcoming, the Preacher laid his hands upon the sinner.

The Preacher had been at this for so long he felt as though he could see the soul of the damned leave its body and pass through the floorboards on its way to perdition.

As the Preacher left McGuire’s, he thought to himself, I pray the time never comes when I enjoy this work.

 The End

***** About the Author *****

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written three books, and a collection of almost one hundred stories that is comprised of his hitching adventures, written as veiled non-fiction called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS, and his latest novel, REDEMPTION. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his dog Danny.

Find the author: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

***** About the Book *****

Title: REDEMPTION: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer
Author: Andrew Joyce
Release Date: August 2013
Length: 195 pages
Series?: no
Genre: historical, classical
Format: e-book
Source: author

Find the book: Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Three men come together in the town of Redemption, Colorado, each for his own purpose. Huck Finn is a famous lawman not afraid to use his gun to protect the weak. He has come to right a terrible wrong. After his wife’s death, Tom Sawyer does not want to live anymore; he has come to die. The third man, the Laramie Kid, a killer Huck and Tom befriended years earlier, has come to kill a man. For these three men Death is a constant companion. For these three men it is their last chance for redemption.

You can read my review of REDEMPTION here.

Guest Post: Recipe for Crime

Recipe for Crime

~ Madhvi Ramani ~

When Charlie told me she was dedicating October to books about crime, murder and mystery, I was thrilled! (yeah, I know that sounds sordid – or even morbid…)

​I love crime fiction (Gone Girl!), true crime shows (48 hours!), crime dramas (How to Get Away with Murder!), killer films (Psycho!), books about real-life psychos (The Devil in the White City!) – you get the picture. Love crime.

Crime fiction can hold a mirror to society and tackle important subjects – life and death, morality, revenge, desire, greed…

Plus, it’s about story-telling. Crime fiction is all about penetrating surface impressions and character lies to get to an underlying truth. The detective, or reader, collects pieces of a puzzle, shuffling and re-shuffling them, until they arrive at a narrative that fits. As a storyteller, I find this fascinating.

As I’m currently working on a crime novel, I’ve been thinking about what makes a great crime story. These are my top five ingredients:

An Interesting Investigator

The original private investigator was Chandler’s smart-talking, hard-drinking Marlowe, who came up with lines like, “From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class. From ten feet away she looked like something made up to be seen from thirty feet away.” – The High Window

Of course, now, this type of lone male investigator has become a cliché and writers must find ever-more interesting characters to delve into the world of crime.

There are down-and-out actor sleuths (The Charles Paris Mysteries), computer-hacking troubled Swedish girls (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), homely Botswanan women (The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency) and 4’11” French Commandants with artistic talents (Alex).

An original, interesting investigator to accompany us on our journey is essential. Who’s your favourite investigator?

Setting

Whether it’s the bleak Swedish town of Ystad in the Wallander novels, American Psycho’s New York, or The Weight of Blood’s Ozark wilderness, setting is key to crime, murder and mystery novels. Just consider the creepiness evoked here:

“The land was rocky and gummed with red clay, the thorny underbrush populated by all manner of biting, stinging beasts. The roads twisted in on themselves like intestines. The heat sucked the breath from your chest.” – The Weight of Blood, by Laura McHugh

As well as atmosphere, the setting provides clues about what happened, why, and mirrors the psyches of characters.

Keep Us Guessing

Don’t you just hate it when you’ve sussed everything out halfway through a book?

I want to be kept in suspense until the very end.

Even if I know who the murderer is, there must always be unanswered questions to keep me reading, like:

Will the investigator figure it out?

Will the culprit get away with it?

Why did he /she commit the crime?

And why was that giraffe-shaped balloon left at the crime scene?

Simple Plots, Complex Characters

Plots that are overly complicated, with constant twists and turns, are tiring. I prefer simpler plots that focus on character psychology, the intricacies of relationships and the grief of victims, thus giving the story more depth and making it seem more plausible.

Language

If something is badly written, it jolts me out of the story.

On the other hand, when the language is rich and subtle, like in the novels of Tana French’s, or when it leaps off the page, disturbed and unusual, like in Joyce Carol Oates’ Zombie, which is told from the point of view of a serial killer, it adds so much to the reading experience.

What do you think? Which essential ingredients do you think make a good crime story?

Guest Post: Danny and the Viking Funeral

Today I have a scruffy friend taking over the blog today. He is a very nautical little fellow, and keeps his master, author Andrew Joyce, in line!

I am proud to present to you, Danny the dog! 

Danny and the Viking Funeral 

I’m not too happy with humans at the moment, but I’ll say hello anyway. My name is Danny. To my legions of fans I’m known as Danny the Dog.

Today I want to talk about my human, his name is Andrew and he is a real idiot! Andrew wants a Viking funeral. Do you know what a Viking funeral consists of? I didn’t think so, and neither did I until Andrew opened his big yap!

When a Viking died, they put him on his boat, set it afire and pushed it out into the fjord. Oh, and one more thing, they killed his dog and laid him at the feet of the dead Viking so the friggin’ Viking could have his dog with him in Valhalla!

I mean . . . what the hell? What had the poor pooch done to warrant death?

So I talked to Andrew last night and told him if I went first into the good night, then I would want his buddies to kill him and put him at my feet before they set the boat ablaze.

And guess what? He didn’t think that was such a good idea. So we agreed to just have a simple Lutheran service regardless of who goes first. And if he keeps up with that Viking funeral stuff, I’m pretty sure it will be him that goes first. I’ll make certain of it.

***** About the Author *****

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written three books, and a collection of almost one hundred stories that is comprised of his hitching adventures, written as veiled non-fiction called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS, and his latest novel, REDEMPTION. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his dog Danny.

Find the author: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

***** About the Book *****

Title: REDEMPTION: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer
Author: Andrew Joyce
Release Date: August 2013
Length: 195 pages
Series?: no
Genre: historical, classical
Format: e-book
Source: author

Find the book: Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Three men come together in the town of Redemption, Colorado, each for his own purpose. Huck Finn is a famous lawman not afraid to use his gun to protect the weak. He has come to right a terrible wrong. After his wife’s death, Tom Sawyer does not want to live anymore; he has come to die. The third man, the Laramie Kid, a killer Huck and Tom befriended years earlier, has come to kill a man. For these three men Death is a constant companion. For these three men it is their last chance for redemption.

You can read my review of REDEMPTION here.

Author Interview: Stan Swanson

The Misadentures of Hobart Hucklebuck by Stan Swanson is a middle grade fantasy and the tour runs October 13-17 with reviews & author interviews. Check out the tour page for the full schedule.

This book is geared toward ages 8-12, but I read it this summer and I found it to be quite funny and entertaining even as an adult. You can read my review of The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck here.

*****About the Book*****

Things are not as they should be in Pennywhistle. Enchanted toasters are not toasting, enchanted sprinklers are not sprinkling and Hobart Hucklebuck’s origami messenger birds are suddenly attacking him. Someone seems to be draining the power from all of the enchanted items in the village. But who could it be and why have they implicated Hobart’s grandfather? The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Magic & Mayhem follows Hobart and his friends, Specks Spacklethack and Rosie Rumpleskirt, as they try to solve this mystery and free Hobart’s grandfather from the Tower of Tribulation on Mumblemonk Mountain. The trio’s investigation into the mysterious happenings on Druid Lane gets them into hot water more than once and ultimately brings them dangerously close to disaster not only for themselves, but the entire village of Pennywhistle.

Find the book: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

 

*****Author Interview*****

Since I had previously read and reviewed The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Magic & Mayhem, I had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Stan Swanson. Enjoy!

Thank you for your interview. Can you tell readers a little about yourself?

My name is Stan Swanson and I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. My first poem appeared in the local paper when I was about nine years old. I have written 8 or 9 books including fiction and nonfiction and covered every age group from picture books to novels and short stories aimed specifically at adults. I am also a singer/songwriter and split my time between the two “occupations.”

In your own words, can you tell us a little bit about your book?

While The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck falls basically into the middle grade fantasy category, it is also an adventure book as well as a mystery. There is also a great chunk of humor thrown in. I think humor is very important not only in writing, but in everyday life as well.

 **There is definitely an adventure going on in Pennywhistle, and the characters are humorous!

Where did you get the idea to write about Hobart and the happenings in Pennywhistle?

I never have a problem coming up with ideas for books. I have pieces of paper, notebooks and computer files with hundreds of ideas for stories and books. The biggest problem is that I always want to start on the newest idea that pops into my head. Sometimes it’s hard to keep myself from dropping a novel that is half-finished and starting something new.

Can you tell us about the characters in your book? Who is your favorite character?

I love creating characters and it is important to me that they are believable. If I am writing a book for middle graders (like The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck), I want each character to feel like a real person to the reader. Although I am partial to Hobart as he is my main character, I like all of my characters – even if they are “bad guys.” 🙂

What makes your book different from other books within the same genre?

Probably my use of humor. Humor is important no matter what age a reader might be. I’m not sure that makes it different from other books in the genre, but I feel my use of humor is genuine and that readers will find the humor in my writing believable as well as enjoyable.

Where do you like to write?

I have no favorite place to write and can write pretty much anywhere. I also don’t write at any particular time of day. I know many authors have their favorite writing desk and write in the early morning or late at night. It doesn’t matter to me. You just have to sit down and write. I don’t really believe in writer’s block. Writing is work just like any job. It’s just a matter of sitting down and doing it.

Middle grade books aren’t your typical genre to write. What brought about the change?

I don’t think there was ever a change from writing for one particular age group to another. I’ve written picture books, middle grade books, young adult books and books for adults including nonfiction. But I enjoy the middle grade and young adult genres the most.

What is your favorite part of being a writer?

The beginning and the end of the writing process are my favorite times. I love it when that fresh idea hits me and I get to roll it around there inside my brain as it takes form. It is a very enjoyable process. Of course, I also enjoy that moment when I get that first printed copy of a finished book in my hand from the publisher. It lets me know that all that time and effort was worth it.

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

Although The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck has many small “messages” a reader can come away with (bullying is just one of those), I really just want a reader to turn that last page and say “I really enjoyed reading that. I wish I wasn’t finished.” Of course, that’s why there are more Hobart Hucklebuck books in the works. LOL.

Do you have any other books in the works? Will Hobart and his friends develop into a series of books? 

The second book in the series is already with the printer and I’m hoping for a 2015 release. The third book is also in the works with ideas for several more. I am also working on two young adult steampunk novels as well as an adult “end-of-the-world” novel I am writing with Bram Stoker award-winning author Joe McKinney.

*****About the Author*****

Stan Swanson is a Bram Stoker award finalist and author of eight books including Horror High School: Return of the Loving Dead (the first book in a young adult horror series co-written with Araminta Star Matthews), Wind Up Hearts (a romance novella with a hint of steampunk), Forever Zombie (a collection of short stories), Write of the Living Dead (a highly-praised writing guide written with Araminta Star Matthews and Rachel Lee) and Return of the Scream Queen (co-authored with Michael McCarty and Linnea Quigley). He is also editor/publisher for Dark Moon Books and Dark Moon Digest. Upcoming titles include Dead Sparrows (a collection of apocalyptic poetry), The Methlands (a horror novel co-written with award-winning author Joe McKinney) and The Misadventures of Hobart Hucklebuck: Pandemonium in Pennywhistle.

Find the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review + Giveaway: Blade Singer

I’m excited to announce my blog stop for Blade Singer, a middle grade fantasy by Aaron de Orive and Martha Wells.  The tour runs September 29th – October 10th with reviews, author interviews, guest posts and more. To see all the tour goodiness, visit the tour schedule page.

Title: Blade Singer
Author: Aaron de Orive & Martha Wells
Publisher: Cloak & Dagger Studios
Release Date: July 2014
Length: 202 pages
Series?: no?
Genre: MG, fantasy
Source: CBB Book Promotions

Find the book: Goodreads | Amazon 

*****Synopsis*****

Manuel “Manny” Boreaux, a troubled adolescent from Texas, is magically transported into the body of a goblin pickpocket in an alternate world inhabited by faerie creatures. Manny must quickly adapt to the danger all around him and try to find a way to get back home, a feat complicated by the pickpocket’s association with a notorious gang of thieves. But when Manny uncovers a plot to assassinate a young king, he must enlist the aid of an elf cavalier and a cat burglar to thwart a Sidhe witch’s scheme to ignite a civil war between humans and the Fae.

*****Review*****

Manny hails from the capital of Texas: Austin! I had an instant connection with him. He’s been taken in by his aunt and he’s a bit of a handful. She’s not very happy with his doings and troublemaking.

One day Manny gets transported to an alternate world after riffling through some books at the local, independent bookstore. He finds this book that is very old, and a coin inside. The coin is like a portkey to the other world.

When Manny arrives, he has no idea what is going on. Things are so different and strange. There are all kind of creatures, and he comes to learn he has inhabited the body of a young goblin pickpocket. All Manny wants to do is get back home. He can’t help but wonder what his aunt is thinking – is he unconscious in his world? Does his aunt think him dead?

Little does Manny know that the body he now has ownership of – belonging to one Remy – belongs to a gang of thieves. A wanted gang of thieves. It kind of reminded me of the gypsies in The Hunchback of Notre Dame II and how they have taken up a hiding residence within the city. Like in his world, Manny is also in a bit of hot water and has to get himself out of some scrapes.

With a shake of his head, Etienne started away down the side street. 

“Dad, wait!” Manny called after him. “You have to tell me -“

Etienne waved a hand without looking back. “I have no time, boy.” 

He doesn’t recognize me? Manny started after him. 

Manny stumbles upon an elf guard who has a striking resemblance to his father. The guard just thinks he’s crazy. He also stumbles upon fellow thief Adrianna, who also bears striking resemblance to his mother. Adrianna is like a mother to Remy, so she kind of takes him under her wing. She doesn’t know what happened to Remy, but she doesn’t want anything happening to his body.

The figure leaned close to whisper. “Don’t panic,” it said, adn the voice was familiar. “It feeds on that. You can hide from it, trick it. It can’t catch you if you use your head. Trust your instincts.”

But Adrianna and Remy (or as the table turns, Manny) are indebted to one hag witch: Morrigan. And a powerful witch she is. Through happenstance, Adrianna and Remy uncover a sordid plot for revenge and power – and the real identity of Morrigan.

Manny and Adrianna do their best to gather all the help they can – starting with the elf who so resembles his father, but someone has other plans for Manny.

This book was full of action and fast-paced. I did go through a couple of lulls when there was so much action and no dialogue, but I would recommend this book. It is interesting and yes, it does play off of some Arthurian legend, with Morgan le Fay and Merlin both appearing in the book, as well as a sword that is basically Excalibur (but called Amechanteur).

“But only when wielded by a swordsman whose cause is just and whose heart is true. The spirit of the blade bonds with the soul of that swordsman and he becomes a Blade Singer, a champion without equal.”

*****About the Authors*****

Aaron De Orive

A graduate of the University of Texas’ film program, Aaron de Orive began his professional writing career in the video game industry, serving as a lead or senior writer on Metroid Prime 3: Corruption,Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided, Tabula Rasa, Anarchy Online, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. He is also the creator of the fantasy role-playing game SHARD: World of the False Dawn. Blade Singer is his first novel. Aaron lives in Austin with his wife, daughter, and two very spoiled terriers.

Find the author: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Martha Wells

Martha Wells is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including The Cloud Roads, The Siren Depths, The Wizard Hunters, Wheel of the Infinite, and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer. Her YA fantasy, Emilie and the Hollow World, was published by Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry in April 2013, and the sequel, Emilie and the Sky World, was released in March 2014. Two collections of Books of the Raksura novellas will be published in September 2014 and Fall 2015. She has had short stories in Black Gate, Realms of Fantasy, Stargate Magazine, and Lightspeed Magazine, and in the anthologies Elemental, The Year’s Best Fantasy #7,Tales of the Emerald Serpent and The Other Half of the Sky.  She has essays in the nonfiction anthologies Farscape Forever, Mapping the World of Harry Potter, and Chicks Unravel Time. She has also written media-tie-in novels, Stargate Atlantis: Reliquary and Stargate Atlantis: Entanglement, and a Star Wars novel, Empire and Rebellion: Razor’s Edge.

Find the author: Website | Twitter | Goodreads

*****Giveaway*****

There are TWO $25 Amazon or B&N gift card up for grabs! Open internationally.

Click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

Review: Bluegrass State of Mind

Title: Bluegrass State of Mind
Author: Kathleen Brooks
Publisher: Laurens Publishing
Release Date: January 2012
Length: 236 pages
Series?: Bluegrass Series #1
Genre: Romance, Crime

Find the book: Goodreads | Amazon

McKenna Mason, a New York City attorney with a love of all things Prada, is on the run from a group of powerful, dangerous men. McKenna turns to a teenage crush, Will Ashton, for help in starting a new life in beautiful horse country. She finds that Will is now a handsome, successful race horse farm owner. As the old flame is ignited, complications are aplenty in the form of a nasty ex-wife, an ex-boyfriend intent on killing her, and a feisty race horse who refuses to race without a kiss. Can Will and McKenna cross the finish line together, and more importantly, alive?

*****Review*****

This is the first of both the Bluegrass Series and the second series set in the same town, Bluegrass Brothers. Since I previously read Bluegrass Undercover, the first book in the Bluegrass Brothers series, I already knew some things that happened before they happened in Bluegrass State of Mind.

McKenna Mason, better known as Kenna, flees New York terrified and in earnest pursuit of two things: familiar and obscure. This leads her to small town Kentucky, which houses the family of her deceased grandmother’s best friend…and first crush Will Ashton.

The Ashtons are a prominent family in Keeneston, and Will Ashton has returned to run the family’s horse racing business. McKenna rolls into town in hopes of fulfilling a district prosecutor position, and she needs all the help she can get. In sweet little Keeneston, that’s not too hard when the entire town is heralding her as if she’s lived there her whole life. Family connections and strong ties can do that for a person!

“Here’s to girls, their rifles, and law degrees.” 

As things heat up between Will and Kenna, several other things are also in the mix.

• Kenna strikes up a friendship with the sheik, whom everyone in town suspects of sabotaging the Ashton farm with an increasingly dangerous and alarming number of incidents and accidents. The sheik is a very loyal and loving man, and has a bodyguard who has lethal interrogation skills. Thankfully, this comes to Kenna’s advantage a few times, and proves the sheik’s loyalty and intentions to the town.
• Kenna keeps in contact with her friend from New York, who was with her that terrible night. Unlike Kenna, her friend elected to remain in New York and is backtracking upon the powerful and dangerous men. She has determined that one of the men is a state senator, which the Men In Black (Suits) keep referring to as The Senator. Kenna is getting a little intel, but is also very worried for her friend.
• Kenna endears herself to the town of Keeneston, at the heart of which are the Rose sisters and John Wolfe. When strangers come to town, they uncharacteristically keep quiet.
• Will’s wife, Whitney, comes to town. Except, Kenna doesn’t know she’s his EX wife until much, much later. Whitney has the upper hand for almost the duration of the novel, even though everyone in town hates her. It is made quite clear that the girl ain’t nothing but a gold digger.
• Kenna becomes the good-luck charm for the Ashton’s prized racehorse.
• Kenna discovers the exact identity of The Senator.
• Kenna endears herself to the town, who take her into the fold.

This novel has a bit of everything: big city, small town, crime, drama, suspense, thriller, action, romance, humor. I loved reading about Keeneston and meeting all the locals in Bluegrass Undercover, and I loved seeing even more of them in the beginning!

This novel focused more on the foil characters to those in Bluegrass Undercover, where the Davies family and the Rose sisters who run Blossom Cafe were the focus. In Bluegrass State of Mind the sheik, the Ashtons, Paige, and the third Rose sister are the town focus.

Kathleen Brooks did an excellent job keeping readers interested in just what it was that made Kenna flee New York in fear for her life. When it was revealed, it was clear Kenna was up against some of the most powerful men in the country, and it was a battle she would most definitely lose.

“I know this is a serious situation, but come on! Blowing up a car? That’s true friendship.”

What I loved most about Bluegrass State of Mind, besides the love and devotion of the town, was how the main set of characters worked together to get their shit straight, solve the Ashton farms incidents and most of all to protect Kenna.

*****Atbout the Author*****

Kathleen Brooks is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleen’s stories are romantic suspense featuring strong female heroines, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her Bluegrass Series and follow-up Bluegrass Brothers Series feature small town charm with quirky characters that have captured the hearts of readers around the world.

Kathleen is an animal lover who supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations, such as Friends and Vets Helping Pets, whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family members.

Kathleen will begin a new series in 2014 called Women of Power. This series will follow the lives of successful businesswomen as they fight off dangers to their lives and careers while searching for true love.

Find the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Bluegrass Undercover

Title: Bluegrass Undercover
Author: Kathleen Brooks
Publisher: Createspace
Release Date: April 2012
Length: 224 pages
Series?: Bluegrass Brothers #1
Genre: Romance, Crime

Find the book: Goodreads | Amazon

*****Synopsis*****

In her first follow-up to the Best Selling Bluegrass Series, Kathleen Brooks brings Keeneston back to life through the Davies Brothers. Cade Davies had too much on his plate to pay attention to newest resident of Keeneston. He was too busy avoiding the Davies Brothers marriage trap set by half the town. But when a curvy redhead lands in Keeneston, the retired Army Ranger finds himself drawn to her. These feelings are only fueled by her apparent indifference and lack of faith in his ability to defend himself.

DEA Agent Annie Blake was undercover to bust a drug ring hiding in the adorable Southern town that preyed on high school athletes. She had thought to keep her head down and listen to the local gossip to find the maker of this deadly drug. What Annie didn’t count on was becoming the local gossip. With marriage bets being placed, and an entire town aiming to win the pot, Annie looks to Cade for help in bringing down the drug ring before another kid is killed. But can she deal with the feelings that follow?

*****Review*****

Annie reminds me of Sandra Bullock’s character at the beginning of Miss Congeniality – rough, tough, no man wants to work with because she’s a woman – in combination with a plot line very similar to 21 Jump Street.

Annie Blake is a DEA agent who has been working on a drug ring that’s producing a new drug, S2, targeting high school athletes. The big problem? Lots of these high school football stars are dropping dead, having heart attacks and other heart issues, not to mention some crazy aggression and other unhealthy things.

Unlike the Kenney Chesney song, she did not find the tractor sexy.

After a quick clean-up in Miami, she’s sent off to Kentucky, where they believe the drug is originating. She infiltrates the school under the guise of the guidance counselor, and is easily getting inside intel on the football team by simply doing her counselor job…if curtailed specifically, just a bit.

But there’s a problem. Every time she runs into biology teacher/football coach Cade Davies, she’s breaking up a fight, and keeping a kid hyped up on S2 from beating his face in. After a while, Cade gets the distinct impression that Annie is not quite who she says she is, and thanks to some of his fed brothers, discovers her DEA identity.

It wasn’t very often she met someone she instantly liked, but Father James was one of them. He was kind of portly, balding on the top of his head and had a smile that made you want to sit down and tell him your whole life story. He could be trouble.

Keeneston is a small town – the kind of idealistic town where nothing of major consequence ever happens, where you can send your kid off down the street and know it’s safe, and where the whole town gathers at the local eatery. In Keeneston, the Rose sisters and John Wolfe run the town…and the gossip mill grapevine. After a few casual dinners together, Annie and Cade are at the center of attention throughout the town.

Within a minute, a picturesque town with its old buildings painted in whites, yellows and tans came into view. Barrels of pink, purple, yellow and white flowers lined Main Street. Some people stood talking on the corner and waved at Margaret as she drove by. There were little shops that sold antiques, a stately courthouse and more people waving at her. 

What I loved was how no one in the town was immune. Each person was in on the gossip, filling in everyone else, and if anything, Keeneston residents have mastered the phone tree better than some schools. People were finding out things that were going down before even Cade knew, and were calling to tell him to get somewhere and do something. News in Keeneston travels at the speed of light.

And with that “news” also comes the bets for Cade and Annie. Everyone around town keeps asking, or letting on, about a particular month being the best month because they’ve placed their bets. It’s a little much, but it’s characteristic small town where everyone knows everyone…and their business.

“He brought your dog into it? Wow. That’s low.”

This book also had a personal backstory for Annie, who grew up in foster care. She has lived alone her entire life since entering foster care, and is dealing with coming to terms with staying alone or becoming part of a family, which after being in Keeneston it’s not hard for her to make up her mind. There’s just one problem…she does have a nearby relative, who wants to be a part of her life. Annie has to deal with a lot of past anger and pain from years of being unwanted.

Cade is also got a handful going on with his football team. Several of his players have become engrossed in the new S2 drug, a steroid on steroids that goes undetected in the normal drug testing. He ends up spending the majority of the season fighting one particular player using S2, who is throwing his talents and his team down the toilet.

Annie also thinks Cade has no clue…and is kind of, well, incapable. Just like Cade checks out Annie’s story, Annie checks out his.

Annie couldn’t believe it. Shock had her frozen as she stared at the computer monitor in front of her. “Son of a …,” shoe groaned. She buried her face in her hands and muttered, “I told him to learn self-defense, and he’s a freaking national hero with a higher clearance level than I could ever dream of…”

I love the way the novel ends and wraps up – in more ways than one, none of which I can share without spoiling anything. I’ll just say that one lucky football player ends up being able to go to his first choice college.

“That’s it, Miles Jackson Davies. No dessert!” Marcy reached over and grabbed the slice of pumpkin pie sitting in front of him. Annie watched in disbelief that this big, serious, tough guy hung his head and pouted when his mother took his desert away.

*****Atbout the Author*****

Kathleen Brooks is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleen’s stories are romantic suspense featuring strong female heroines, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her Bluegrass Series and follow-up Bluegrass Brothers Series feature small town charm with quirky characters that have captured the hearts of readers around the world.

Kathleen is an animal lover who supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations, such as Friends and Vets Helping Pets, whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family members.

Kathleen will begin a new series in 2014 called Women of Power. This series will follow the lives of successful businesswomen as they fight off dangers to their lives and careers while searching for true love.

Find the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Author Interview + Giveaway: Kelbian Noel

I am delighted to have author Kelbian Noel, author of The Witchbound Series, on the blog today!

Thank you for your interview. Can you tell readers a little about yourself?

Thanks for having me!

I’m a mom, technical writer and editor by trade. I’m a writer just for the pleasure of it. 🙂

In your own words, can you tell us a little bit about your books, the Witchbound series?

The series is about four witches with the extraordinary abilities to control the four elements. Their families’ kept them in the dark about their abilities with the intention of keeping them safe. But this plan has backfired and the story begins.

Which came first, the titles or the books?

Elemental came first. It was Baltimore’s story. After writing it I mapped out the rest of the series. A year after I released that book, I decided to revamp it, changing the name and hiring a cover designer (Rachel Rivera of Parajunkee.net who is AMAZING). I changed the name to Roots and then came up with the other three titles, Sprung, Smolder and Surface.

Can you tell us about the characters in your book? Who is your favorite character?

First we meet Baltimore who has been raised Wiccan but isn’t really interested in her parents’ religion. And she considers it just that, a religion and nothing more. Then comes Skye, who has just discovered magic, thanks to her grandmother’s slip of the tongue. Following her is Calida, who is completely oblivious to everything–including who her own family is. Later on, I’ll introduce know-it-all, Mohana, who is a breath of fresh air when it comes all things magic. She’s knowledgeable, straight forward, cocky and just tiny bit in over her head.

Right now, Mohana is my favorite. But I think that’s because I’m in the midst of writing her story. They’ve all been my favorite at one point.

Which character would you have dinner with?

That’s a tough one, but I think I’d choose the “bad girl”, Joslin. I’d love to really get to know her, to figure out why she’s gone through such lengths to get the one thing she’s not allowed to have. I explore it a little bit more in Smolder, but there’s a lot more to her story.

If you could invite any three fictional characters to a dinner party who would be extended invitations? Why did you select these three characters?

Aladdin, because he’s the star of my favorite movie.  Genie, because, well, he’s a genie and that has to be an interesting life to learn about. And Verbal Kint from The Usual Suspects because that guy is just brilliant.

Where do you like to write?

I write in the living room, usually, or my bedroom (but I try to avoid that). The room always has to be dark, curtains drawn and absolute quiet.

Why did you decide to become a writer?

I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid, so it’s always just been something I’ve done. Being able to publish them for anyone to read has been an incredible adventure.

What do you do when you aren’t writing?

When I’m not writing I’m being a mom or working. The small amount of time I have off from those two things I spend engaged in a good book.

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

The most important thing I’ve tried to relay is that despite differences people can have a heck of a lot in common. And sometimes it’s the difference among members that make the best teams.

The first three books in the Witchbound series have been published. Each book corresponds to one of the Elementals. What’s in the works after finishing the final book?

The final book is actually entitled Spirit. It’s four-part novel in the form of novellas told from Ramon’s point of view. But it is a retelling of all four books–closure so to speak.

Surface is in the works, but I haven’t released a date for publication yet. This story is fun to tell. It’s a little lighter than the other three. All four girls are together throughout the entire story. And like with real sisters there will be ups and downs.

*****About the Author*****

Kelbian Noel was born on a warm June night in Moncton, New Brunswick. From a very young age, she loved to read. She found herself engulfed in novels by Janette Oke and L.M. Montgomery, but never seemed to find herself in the pages. At the age of 11 she declared she would simply have to rewrite them, and become the youngest author in history. But life was full of baseball, homework, BFFs and boys. Decades later, having studied writing in college and pursued it as a career, she rediscovered her hobby. She is excited to introduce The Witchbound Series to the world with hopes someone will love this story as much as she does. Kelbian lives in Toronto, Ontario with her two children (where, thanks to a thick layer of smog, Junes are much warmer than they used to be).

She is the founder of www.diverse-pages.com and blogs there often, in the company of some pretty cool people.

Find the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****Giveaway*****

There is a $25 Amazon gift card up for grabs!

Click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!