Friday, July 30, 2021

#Review: NOT THE KIND OF EARL YOU MARRY by Kate Pemberton

 

3.5 stars of 5
 

William Atherton, Earl of Norwood, never expected to read a betrothal announcement for him in the morning paper. Fearing it was another attempt to trap him into marriage, he soon confronts Miss Charlotte Hurst and accuses her of placing the announcement. Unfortunately for Norwood, this is the worst timing for a scandal as he hopes to land a prominent assignment in Parliament. Charlotte is outraged that Norwood storms into her home and accuses her of such a horrendous trick. Norwood finally calms down, realizes it wasn't Charlotte and suggests they continue with the engagement to avoid scandal for both of them. Charlotte is reluctant at first, but finally agrees fearing the damage to her reputation if she does not agree. What starts out as a fake engagement soon becomes real for Norwood, but can he convince Charlotte of his true feelings?

This book started out so well. It was a unique premise to bring Norwood and Charlotte together. I loved the letter writing sequences and wished they had continued. I found Norwood more likeable than Charlotte. She spent much too time internalizing why she and Norwood didn't suit and it made the middle of the book drag. I began skipping pages to get to the end. Ms. Pembrooke is a new author for me and while this book had its good points, it wasn't my favorite. I'd love to read more from this talented author.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.



Wednesday, July 28, 2021

#Excerpt: ON MISSION by Aileen Erin

On Mission
Aileen Erin
(Off Planet, #3)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: July 27th 2021
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

“Action adventure, space drama, political schemes, and just the right hit of romance has this series turning into an absolute must-read. Whether you think you’re a fan of sci-fi or not I’d urge you to give this series a try….”Angela, Pooled Ink Reviews

From USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Erin comes the fourth book in the Aunare Chronicles

Amihanna di Aetes has finally accepted her place in the Aunare world. In a matter of weeks, she’ll be their High Queen, but no matter how hard she tries, she finds that she’s always doing the wrong thing. At least that’s what the High Council keeps telling her…

There’s only so much rejection a girl can take, which means she’s spending her afternoons trying to get out of High Council meetings. And yet, every time she leaves the council room, she sees the disappointment on her father’s face, and worse, on Lorne’s face. It pains her, but she can’t say what they want her to say.

The council is refusing to see the truth. War isn’t just upon the Aunare – they’re about to lose.

Training her guards to invade Earth is a much better use of her days. She spent too much time hiding, obeying, forcing herself to do what she had to do to survive.

She’s used up all her pretending and can only be who she is. A fighter. A leader. A warrior.

When SpaceTech attacks the Aunare colonies, she’ll do what needs to be done –she’ll fight to defend the Aunare alone if she has to. Because Amihanna is a di Aetes. She’ll never give up. Not until SpaceTech is dismantled and Jason Murtagh is dead.

Amihanna isn’t the queen the Aunare want. But she is the queen the Aunare need.

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EXCERPT:

“Go, but leave knowing that I’m okay. Earth didn’t kill me. I didn’t die on Abaddon. And SpaceTech? They’re not going to get me while I’m here. I’m going to win.” I brushed a quick kiss against his lips. “I hate that you’re having nightmares about what I played in that interview with Himani, but if you’re having them, that means that you’re forgetting that I survived. All of it. Everything. And I’ll survive whatever comes next, because I’m a di Aetes, and I never—”

“—give up,” my father said with me. “Not ever.”

I glanced at him. How did he know that’s what I always told myself to keep going? “Right.”

“I’m glad to hear that my teaching stuck with you despite everything.”

I blinked a few times. His teaching?

It made sense that my secret motto—the rallying cry that I gave myself to get through everything—came from him, but I’d never thought about it before. I don’t know why. It was obvious. Of course it came from my father. “It really did stick. Telling myself that over and over got me through a lot of tough times. When I was scared or hurt or burning to death on Abaddon, I told myself that and it made me keep going. Keep fighting. If I wasn’t dead yet, then I wasn’t going to give up. I couldn’t quit. Because I’m a di Aetes.”

“Good.” My father considered me for a moment and then his skin lit, just ever so slightly. “Good.

There was approval and pride and respect for me in that second good that made me feel like I’d done something really right.

Author Bio:

Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd–from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2021

#Review: THE VISCOUNT MADE ME DO IT by Diana Quincy

 

3 of 5 stars

Living in London, Hanna Zaydan, has endured discrimination for her Arabic heritage, being a woman, and most of all for being a bonesetter. While most doctors believe bonesetters are frauds, Hanna is different. She's a gifted healer. Lord Griffin, Griff, to his friends has been plagued with pain and misery since he was injured in the war. As a last resort, he visits the bonesetter, but initially not for her healing skills. She wears a sapphire necklace that belonged to his murdered mother and he's bent on finding the truth of why she has the necklace. During Hanna's healing treatments, Griff's reason for returning for each treatment begins to change. He's drawn more and more to Hanna, but can he get past the fact that her family could be implicated in the murder of his parents?

I loved Hanna. She's a strong, talented and resourceful woman. She learned the craft of bonesetting from her father and she's very good at what she does. Her Arabic family especially her grandmother add much interest to the story. I wasn't so enamored with Griff. For someone who was falling in love, there wasn't as much sexual tension in the interactions between Hanna and Griff that I would have liked to see. The story is driven mostly by unraveling the murders of his parents. I know who the villain was very early on so it wasn't a surprise when everything is revealed. I enjoy Ms. Quincy's stories, but this one was just okay for me.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.



#Excerpt: SHADOW QUEEN by K. Rea

The Shadow Queen
K. Rea
(The Wolfrik Trilogy, #2)
Publication date: July 22nd 2021
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

A SMOLDERING COURT.
A DIVIDED PEOPLE.
A WARNING FROM THE GODDESS.

With the Court of Shadows in ruins, Evelyn Wolfrik has one goal – to rebuild.
After an encounter with the God of the Forest himself and a summons from the Court of Light, Evelyn’s future seems anything but certain.

Leaving the forests, her pack, and fledgling Court behind, Evelyn travels to the white mountains of the Court of Light. Deep in the mountains, navigating not only a frigid court but also challenges and trials she never could have foreseen, she risks losing more than just her crown.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Gryphons in the Night

I snuck up the mountainside as quickly and quietly as I could. The rocks beneath my feet slid, the goats noticed. The ones awake went on alert as I ran towards them, weaving through the coverage. They darted. The sleepy one, though, was slow. Its instincts kicked in, and it ran for open ground away from me. I herded it up the mountainside to the snow in its panic. It floundered in the snow as I stalked it. The goat recognized me as a predator; its bleats became screeches on the wind as I lunged.

With the goat’s neck in my jaws, the screeches I heard grew louder, to an unbearable volume. I snapped the goat’s neck as a roar erupted around me, and the screech kept going. They did not belong to the goat. I pulled my prey free from the snow and ran with it down the mountain to a boulder I had seen earlier.

A shadow crossed over me as a gryphon collided with Ares; both creatures were engulfed in Ares’s cloud of flame. Training in the woods, watching Aiden and Ares tussle, did nothing to prepare me for the violence I now witnessed. The goat carcass slowed me down, but we needed the food, and I knew I needed to get out of Ares’ way. I’d only be a distraction on the ground. A second shadow passed over me, more screeches echoed through the mountain. I reached the boulder and dropped the damned goat in the shadow of the large stone before peeking back around the rock.

There in the fading light, Ares fought in his dragon form, swooping and diving between two gryphons. Their lion bodies were dark, like their avian heads and wings, a silhouette against the darkening sky. Their beaks were sharp and screeching, yet Ares didn’t hesitate or run. He maneuvered around them as if it was all a choreographed dance; to him, maybe it was. The ribbon of light from the protective barrier grew brighter in the growing darkness.

A rake of Ares’ claws along the gryphon rendered its wings useless. As it fell from the sky, its cries rattled the mountains. It was disorienting enough that Ares did not focus back on the other gryphon until it was too late. As if time had stopped, I watched, frozen, as the gryphon launched itself at Ares’ back and ripped his wings to shreds in the same fashion Ares had done to his companion. Ares’s roar of anguish struck a chord deep in my soul. Still in my wolf form, I scrambled to the top of the boulder, and I launched myself into the air.

Author Bio:

K. Rea is a part-time romance writer and full-time mom. When she isn't writing or playing with her daughter, she's reading and crafting. She lives with her husband and family in Florida.

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Monday, July 26, 2021

Interview with Christina Bauer, FAIRIES AND FROSTING


Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?
My newest release is called FAIRIES AND FROSTING. It is the seventh book in my Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series. This is a modern retelling of classic fairy tales. In this case, the book reimagines the story of Cinderella.

 

Do you have a favorite character?
These days, my favorite character in the series is the werewolf, Knox. I miss him and will be bringing back both him and his mate, Bry, in a future release.

 

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all?
Since FAIRIES AND FROSTING is a retelling of Cinderella, I included a mousey friend for Cinderella (named Elle in the book). This is a character from a previous novel who is called Gustav. He ended up being so much fun to write and pretty much stole every scene he joined! Go Gustav!

 

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
Oh, sure. I spent years trying that route! I’m just not traditional publisher or agent material. Now I’m a happy indie.

 

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?
I work with all the major retailers, which to me means Amazon, GooglePlay, Kobo, Nook and Apple. I’m also in a lot of smaller retailers as well. 

 

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?
Here are my main channels:
Blog: http://monsterhousebooks.com/blog/category/christina
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBauer/
Twitter: @CB_Bauer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinacbbauer?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_cb_bauer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-bauer-481b12139/
Web site: http://monsterhousebooks.com/authors/cbauer

 

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?
I worked in high-tech marketing for thirty years before I became a full-time author. As a result, the marketing side is second nature to me. 

 

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?
My non-writing life is all about my husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

 

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?
Dogs. Chocolate. Coffee. Talk. Day. Great questions!

 

What’s next for you?
You may know me as the author of more than 35 books. Normally, I focus on young adult fantasy, but some older readers want steamy scenes where the door doesn't shut, if you get my meaning. So I'm thrilled to announce my new alter ego, CEE BEE (in all capital letters because why not?)

This new pen name will launch with a hot vampire romance series that's exclusive to Kindle Vella, AKA Amazon's new service for delivering serialized content. That way, it should prevent my young adult readers from getting confused about adult-adult content. In terms of timing, Kindle Vella is slated to launch in late July, so watch for more details as the date closes in.
 

Thanks for having me stop by for this interview! I hope to see you on a future book tour!

Fairies and Frosting
Christina Bauer
(Fairy Tales of the Magicorum, #7)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: July 20th 2021
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

At last, Elle (never call her Cinderella) is reunited with Alec, the Prince of Le Charme Jewelers. Yay! But the pair soon discovers that Alec’s gemstone empire is about to go bankrupt. Boo. So our favorite couple devises a kick-ass scheme to save Le Charme. To announce their plan, Elle and Alec will hold a Glass Slipper Festival complete with music, dancing and cake. Lots of cake.

There’s only one problem. The Unseelie fae have returned.

Talk about bad news. No one combines lovely looks with dark intentions better than the Unseelie. Now, those nefarious fae want to destroy Elle, Alec and any hope for Le Charme. It doesn’t end there, either. The Unseelie are also targeting Elle’s stepsister, Agatha, as well as her old friend, Jacoby. And when will the Unseelie launch their deadly schemes? The Glass Slipper Festival.

Because fairies and frosting don’t mix.

“I thought the Angelbound series was my favorite, but Fairy Tales of the Magicorum may have stolen my heart.” – Smada’s Book Smack Blog

FAIRY TALES OF THE MAGICORUM
1. Wolves And Roses
2. Moonlight And Midtown
3. Slippers And Thieves
4. Shifters And Glyphs
5. Bandits And Ball Gowns
6. Fire and Cinder
7. Fairies and Frosting
8 Towers and Tithes

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Author Bio:

Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

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Wednesday, July 21, 2021

#Excerpt: FLASH POINT by Luna Joya

Flash Point
Luna Joya
(Legacy Series, #5)
Publication date: June 29th 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Banish the demon, stop the prophecy, and do not fall in love. Easy, right? Yeah, not so much.

Mina Donovan is a woman of many talents. Fire elemental, psychic, Legacy witch, magical asset for an FBI paranormal task force…she does it all. Her latest struggle? Not crushing on her sexy best friend. Logically, she knows they can’t be together. Too bad her heart has never bothered with logic.

The friend zone is the last place pyro expert Josh wants to be with Mina. Not that he has any choice in the matter. A witch hunter falling for a witch? Not smart. He’ll just have to learn to ignore his attraction to the gorgeous woman who already owns so much of his heart.

If Mina and Josh have any hope of finding their way to happily ever after, they’ll have to banish an all-powerful demon and take down an evil magical organization. Oh, and they’ll also have to figure out how to stop the prophecy that warns a dragon will consume Mina.

It’ll take more than magic to fix this supernatural dilemma.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Chapter One

The staked witch burst into flames. Mina swore and jumped clear of the blaze. By the powers, she’d lit the wrong target with her elemental magic.

Again.

At least it’d only been a mannequin.

The camera above the door blinked a steady red, a judgment of her failure. Her boss could be watching right now. Or worse—her sisters.

Embarrassment sent hot tingles across her skin, and her pulse thudded louder in her ears than the massive fan above. Why couldn’t she control her powers?

If this had been one of her video games, she’d wield her magic with precision worthy of a stupendous title. Something inspiring. Something enviable. Something that would make her, Mina Donovan, legendary.

Second spare to the heir of a ruling witch family? Yeah, not so much.

Reality sucked in every supernatural way. Or at least it had these last few weeks.

Her actual targets—giant cotton balls tacked to a wall across the room—mocked her with their bright white while the mannequin and its formerly Mean-Girls-esque you-can’t-sit-with-us designer threads burned like a tiki torch.

“You missed.” Of course her district attorney sister picked that moment to walk into the room. Delia was everything Mina wasn’t—accomplished, distinguished, polished. Never mind how her sister’s blue-eyed, blonde-haired dressed-to-the-elevens flawlessness compared to her own frizzy-curled, height-deprived, rolled-out-of-bed look. “Unless you’re practicing to light one of us up like a witchy sparkler?”

“Hardly.” Being recruited to a secret FBI task force right after college had seemed cool. But it should’ve come with a neon warning: “All loved ones may be collateral damage.” Last night, her oldest sister and baby niece had almost died. Not her fault entirely, but that didn’t ease her guilt. Or help her get a grip on her powers. The now flaming mannequin was proof of that. “What happened to safety cones and boring bulls-eyes for training? Whose idea was it to put humanish targets in here anyway?”

“The boss’s. A13 wanted to test your aim so you won’t torch us out in the field. After this little demonstration, I’ll be sure to stay out of the line of—”

“Don’t say it.” Mina jabbed the button for the secondary exhaust system to blast out her know-it-all sister’s opinions as much as smoke. If she’d heard one bad fire joke, she’d heard them all from her snarky sisters.

The roar of the combined fans wasn’t enough to shut Delia up. “Good thing this place is retrofitted for magical elements training. One wrong spark in LA, and the whole city burns.”

Not the reminder Mina needed right now. She changed the subject. “Who decided on the witch hat and the giant demon dummy?” Red-sequined horns sparkled in the light from the fire.

“My fiancé has a sick sense of humor. You started that little inferno. You going to put it out?”

“Yes.” She hoped. But when she pulsed a thread of magic toward the mannequin, the flames shot higher than its pointed hat.

“Did you mean to make the fire worse?”

“Yep.”

Delia’s yeah-right look was a speed dial straight to Mina’s self-doubt.

If the place had been made of anything but concrete, the fire would’ve raced across the room taking everything out. As it was, black circles spread in a messy scrawl on the ceiling.

Mina closed her eyes. The orange glow burned behind her lids, a flashing pyrotechnics show that didn’t help her maxed-out stress levels. With a deep breath, she imagined darkness where there was light. When she dared a peek, the fire was gone. Thank the powers.

“Quick work.” Delia sounded almost impressed. “Maybe we should race sometime.”

“Right, except if you’d used your air element, we’d both be unconscious. Me from oxygen deprivation and you from magic drain.” Petty, but true.

Delia’s powers would have her blonde butt on the floor within seconds—the price of her whirlwind-slinging element. Then the designer diva would be pissed off that she’d gotten soot on her suit. The tornado-tosser looked anything but amused. “Okay, super witch.” Which sounded like a not-so-subtle reference to another word ending in –itch. This was big sister bossiness at its worst. “Care to hit any of the real targets now? I thought you’d been working on this during your training sessions.”

“Don’t you have something better to do? Like making out with your fiancé? Since that’s all I see you doing these days when you’re training.” Mina wiggled her fingers in air quotes with the last word.

“Jealous?”

“Nope.” She totally was. Legacy daughters—those witches born to rule the witch Senate—were traditionally forced into arranged matches for powerful bloodlines and big bank accounts. But not her sisters. No. They’d each risen above that to find true freaking love. “So why don’t you get back to your guy instead of interrupting me?”

“Don’t be such a brat. I was just checking on you.”

Because Mina was the screw-up baby sister. Not as bad as their brother, but he’d set the bar low. As in conspiring with the Revelare, a demon-led organization looking to overthrow the witch Senate—that kind of low. “I can do this by myself.”

Author Bio:

Luna Joya writes sexy hexy romances in the award-winning Legacy Series.

Fluent in sarcasm and penal code, Luna prosecutes by day and writes at night. She loves history, especially Los Angeles and Hollywood lore.

A survivor of traumatic brain injury with steel body parts, she lives in SoCal with her combat veteran husband and their two-pound terror of a rescue pup.

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Monday, July 19, 2021

#Excerpt: THE MOON SHADOW by K. Rea

The Moon Shadow
K. Rea
(The Wolfrik Trilogy, #1)
Publication date: February 3rd 2021
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

AN EXILED WOLF.
A VAMPIRE PRINCE.
A LOVE THAT WILL BRING A COURT TO ITS KNEES.
——————————————-

When Evelyn Wolfrik, an exiled wolf-shifter, walked into a Court of Shadows nightclub she had one plan — find the vampire that executed her parents, put a dagger in his heart, and get out.

Being caught by Aiden Kensley, the dark vampire prince, before she could exact justice wasn’t part of the plan. Now that the little wolf is in his hands, Aiden refuses to let her go….

With a wolf rebellion rising, if Evelyn makes one wrong move the Court of Shadows, her people, and her heart could be lost forever.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

One second [Aiden and Jude] were huddled in the semidarkness; the next, a ring of fire surrounded them. Then their swords were aflame

Musicians beat out a rhythm on the drums. Jude and Aiden touched blades briefly, then, as the music shifted, so did they. They turned into two men fighting tooth and nail against each other, with each other, for each other. One went high, the other low; their sparring a dance. They went round and round. The flames circled higher and closer than I expected. Still, they dueled. I saw as Jude stumbled. Jolie gasped, and one of Jude’s swords went flying. The crowd cheered as his other sword was also knocked away with a flick of Aiden’s wrist.

Jude stepped away from Aiden. Aiden stepped back in turn, allowing Jude to back away unscathed. Jude melted into the darkness, yet Aiden’s swords kept moving, never stopping. The fire appeared to engulf him but didn’t stop. His swords spun and danced around him, giving him the illusion of wings made of flame until suddenly they were gone. The entire circle pitched into complete darkness and silence as the drums ended. The crowd cheered, I alongside them as my eyes adjusted to change in light.

The black figure that was Aiden strode toward me. With the swords in his hands, sure-footed, unmarked, and smelling of hot metal, he wrapped his arms around me carefully and kissed me soundly. The clapping and delight from the fae around us rose into a happy ruckus. He slipped into his shirt, then maneuvered us through the fae to the other side of the clearing, away from the bonfire and into the shadows…

Author Bio:

K. Rea is a part-time romance writer and full-time mom. When she isn't writing or playing with her daughter, she's reading and crafting. She lives with her husband and family in Florida.

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Friday, July 16, 2021

N.N. Lights Bookheaven CHRISTMAS IN JULY FETE featuring A VISCOUNT'S HEART FOR CHRISTMAS

 


I'm thrilled to be participating in N.N. Lights Bookheaven event with my Christmas book, A VISCOUNT'S HEART FOR CHRISTMAS, at a sale price of ONLY .99


An innocent young beauty, a seasoned spy and a mystery in the north that rages out of control sending their worlds on a collision course no one could foresee.

Charles Bainbridge, Viscount Edgerton, is the regional spymaster and has no time for a wife. His work for the Home Office is a top priority for him, that is, until he meets Lady Courtney Darkin, the sister of his best friend the Duke of Wetherby. The last time he saw her, she was running wild, her pigtails flying behind her at the duke’s country estate. She wasn’t a little girl anymore and Edgerton felt like a thunder bolt had struck him when he first laid eyes on her. But he wasn’t the only one with an eye on the young beauty.

Lady Courtney Darkin is excited to come to London in preparation for her debut Season. There would be teas, musicals, dinners and balls—everything she’s been dreaming about for years. The first time she meets Lord Edgerton, however, her knees go weak. She’s smitten. No man had a right to be so beautiful—like a marble statue come to life. Can Courtney melt the tough exterior Lord Edgerton shows the world and open his heart to love?

 Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Viscounts-Heart-Christmas-Book-Innocence-ebook/dp/B08LCP8XTH


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Interview with Amanda Deich, BECOMING BROOKLYN

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

BECOMING BROOKLYN is a contemporary YA novel with a superpower/sci fi element. It’s book one of a four-book series that follows the story of 9/11 babies who find out they’ve inherited superpowers from their deceased parents, powers their parents used saving people on that horrible day. 

 

Here’s the blurb:

Eighteen-year-old Brooklyn Blackburn never knew her father.

Rex Blackburn died in the 9/11 attacks five months before she was born. And even though she never met him, she always daydreamed about what he must have been like before he died. In her mind, he was a hero.

 

Little did she know.

 

Brooklyn learns that her father had been a member of an elite military, anti-terrorism task force, made up of a very select group of people. The Army believes she inherited his same gifts, and suddenly Brooklyn is invited to train at West Point. She and five other 9/11 babies learn to hone their abilities in order to protect our nation.

 

While they’re training for war, war comes for them.

Do you have a favorite character?

I love Brooklyn and identify with her in many ways, but my favorite character is probably Liam. His superpower is healing, and while he makes the readers’ hearts beat a little faster, he heals them, too, with his sweet and protective nature.

 

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

I was introduced to Sarah Anderson by a mutual friend. After I told her about the novel and Brooklyn’s personality, she said “yes” to the project immediately! I told her I wanted to honor the 9/11 victims with the dust jacket and hard cover design, and she listened and executed my vision beautifully. I may be a bit biased, but BECOMING BROOKLYN’s cover still makes me pause to study it a bit further. It’s my favorite.

 

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?

I don’t belong to an “official” critique group, but I had two editors and around ten writers or beta readers (who I knew would give me hard truths) read it and offer feedback. I wanted everyone  to have the very best version of BECOMING BROOKLYN in their hands when they read it. Her story is very important to me, so I wanted to make sure I did it justice by having it studied thoroughly for any mistakes.

 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

I prefer to write to silence, but truly, in my case...beggars can’t be choosers. With two kids and a job teaching and coaching, I have learned to be flexible and write anywhere rather than demand perfect conditions.

 

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you? I typically write to an outline, but I’m not scared to go a different direction if the characters tell me to.

 

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?

Absolutely. I hired two: one for content and the other for copy. Readers deserve the best!

 

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?

Yes. BECOMING BROOKLYN is available online anywhere books are sold. If it’s not in your local bookstore or library, I’d love for you to request it so it can be found there, as well!

 

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

I adore my husband and kids. They will always be my home. I also love teaching and playing and coaching volleyball. I have the very best core group of friends a girl could ask for, so any time I can sneak away with them for a few hours or even a couple days, I do. They remind me of truth and the gifts and  power I carry. They have incredible gifts, too, and I learn from them every day.

 

What’s next for you?

At the moment, I’m writing the next portion of Brooklyn’s story. She and her friends are headed out of the country and very much into uncharted waters, using their gifts to save not only each other, but quite possibly the world.

Becoming Brooklyn
Amanda Deich
Publication date: January 5th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Eighteen-year-old Brooklyn never knew her father. Rex Blackburn died in the 9/11 attacks four months before she was born.

And even though she never met him, she always dreamed about what he must have been like before he died. In her mind, he was a hero.

Little did she know.

After an attack at a 9/11 memorial gala, Brooklyn learns her father had been a member of an elite, anti-terrorism, military task force, made up of a very select group of people who had superhuman abilities. On the day the towers fell, he died using his power to save people.

The Army believes she inherited his gift, and Brooklyn is invited to train at West Point in order to hone her skills. Knowing deep down she is different than anyone else her age and wanting to learn more about a father she never knew, she readily agrees to become a cadet at the prestigious military academy.

She and five other 9/11 babies strengthen their superhuman abilities and spend weeks preparing themselves for their future in the army, fighting terrorists at home and abroad. And in the process of training, they identify with their deceased parents in a way they never knew they could.

Brooklyn knows she’ll go to war someday, but when terrorists find out about the group’s gifts, they don’t bother to wait.

They bring the war to West Point.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble


Author Bio:

Amanda Deich is an author out of Littleton, CO. In her non-writer life, she is a teacher and coach to hundreds of kids, and she is a mama to two. If you meet her, she'll talk Jesus and identity like no one's business.

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Thursday, July 15, 2021

#Review: DISCOURAGING THE DUKE by Alexa Aston

 

  4 of 5 stars

Miles Notley never expected to become Duke of Winslow and when he returns home from the war he's in for a surprise. Emery, the stewart's daughter is actually the one managing the duchy because her father is failing. He greatly admires her. That admiration turns to something more and he wants Emery to become his duchess but she feels there is too much difference in their station in life. Can Miles convince her that he cares nothing for her rank and that he wants to marry her?

I was on the fence about this book whether to rate it 3 or 4 stars. I would have preferred a 3.5 rating because I thought the opening chapters about Miles's childhood were very well done and gave a great foundation for each of his "Terror" friends. It did take quite a bit into the book to get to adult Miles though. I liked Miles. He cares about his tenants and servants and treats everyone well. Emery was a interesting character. I liked that she was smart and could run the duchy keeping it profitable by herself. The romance between Miles and Emery was a little too rushed especially on Miles's part. Upon meeting her, he immediately knew he wanted to marry her. I would have preferred a bit more slow-burn type of romance for them. The villain came way too late in the book to really have the impact it should. It would have been better for the story if he had been woven in sooner. That plot twist helped explain his mother's behavior.

I liked the idea of the "Terrors" and look forward to reading more of their stories. I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.