Giveaway Blitz: Accidental Abduction

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

I have an ecopy of Accidental Abduction up for grabs courtesy of the lovely Eve Langlais!

Simply fill out this form to enter!

Giveaway ends June 12th.

Open Worldwide

Synopsis:

Abducted by a space pirate, she fights the temptation to let him plunder her goods.

A boyfriend’s attempted murder leaves Megan floundering in the ocean. Sinking without hope, the bright light she sees in the night sky isn’t her doorway to heaven, but rather the beginning of her accidental abduction by a space pirate. While thankful of his rescue, Megan stays true to form and just can’t keep her mouth shut, even when he keeps threatening to kill her--or auction her off to the highest bidder. Even odder, despite her decision to not get involved with her wickedly hot captor, she can’t help craving his touch.

Tren retired from his job as a mercenary so he could enjoy life, but he never counted on the boredom of normalcy. The acquisition of rare items has somewhat filled the void, but his accidental abduction of an outspoken earthling, who doesn’t know when to shut up, turns his life upside. Her fiery spirit draws him while at the same time drives him insane. Struggling with his urges, he must decide-- throttle her barbarian neck or ravish her delectably lush body?

Despite what his heart tries to tell him, he’s determined to sell her to the highest bidder even as he seduces her body. However, despite his best intentions, he discovers he can’t let her go. And when a foe from his past thinks to steal her, he’ll do anything to get her back

About Eve:

So you want to know a little about me? Well, I'm in my mid thirties, married 11 years to a wonderful supportive man--yes, he's a hunk-- who gave me three beautiful--noisy-- children aged ten, seven and four. I work as a webmistress/customer service rep from home and in my spare time--of which there is tragically too little-- I write, read or Wii.

I was born in British Columbia, but being a military brat lived a little bit everywhere--Quebec, New Brunswick, Labrador, Virginia (USA) and finally Ontario. My family and I currently reside in the historic town of Bowmanville, about an hour or so out of Toronto.

Wow was that ever boring!!! Now for the fun stuff.

I'm writing fantasy the way I like it--hot with a touch of magic. I enjoy reading and writing stories that push the envelope of what we consider normal, and I love to cross the line into fantasy. I tend to have alot of sexual tension in my tales as I think all torrid love affairs start with a tingle in our tummies. My heroes are very male, you could even say border line chest thumping at times. So if you want a truly sensitive man, I am not for you. But that said, my men will do almost anything for the one they love. Even babysit.

I'd love to tell you more, but judging from the sounds in the living room the children are at it again, which means I'll need a mop and loads of patience. What I really need is a robot maid like Jane Jetson! Thanks for checking me out and hope to see you again soon.

Be sure to visit all the other wonderful blogs on the Giveaway Blitz for more chances to win a copy of Accidental Abduction.

Friday Finds [56]

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.

My Finds This Week:

Paper Covers Rock :: Jenny Hubbard

Falling for Hamlet :: Michelle Ray

Geist :: Philippa Balantine

Solitary :: Travis Thrasher

You'll Like It Here (Everybody Does) :: Ruth White

Chloe Doe :: Suzanne Phillips

Play Dead :: Ryan Brown

TimeRiders :: Alex Scarrow

Mostly Good Girls :: Leila Sales

Sign Language :: Amy Ackley

Subject Seven :: James A. Moore

The Reformed Vampire Support Group :: Catherine Jinks

Review: The Promises She Keeps

The Promises She Keeps

Erin Healy

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: February 2011 (paperback)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 352

Author Site: http://www.erinhealy.com/

My Rating: 3.5/5

Source: Received for review from Phenix & Phenix Publicity

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

It's her destiny to die young. The man who loves her can't live with that.

Promise, a talented young vocalist with a terminal illness, is counting on fame to keep her memory alive after she dies. Porta is an aging witch and art collector in search of the goddess who will grant her immortality.

When Promise inexplicably survives a series of freak accidents, Porta believes that Promise is the one she seeks. But Chase, an autistic artist who falls in love with Promise and opposes Porta, comes between the women with his mysterious visions and drawings, and plunges everyone into a flesh-and-blood confrontation over the true meaning of eternal life.

Review:

I’ve noticed that Erin Healy’s novels are very different from most books I read. The paranormal elements she weaves into her stories are very unique. She writes characters that grab you emotionally and refuse to let go. Her plots, while very modern and relatable, always have an additional twist that makes it stand out. Her writing style is easy to follow but still extremely thought-provoking. I admire her ability to remain true to her faith and interweave it subtlety into her writing so as not to scare off the non-Christian fiction fan. I myself am not a big religion-based reader. However, I’ve found some really great Christian fiction that has been a real treat to read and all of the books I’ve read by Erin are in that group.

The Promises She Keeps is about many different things that are linked together. There are a few different story arcs happening but the primary one is the story of Promise. She wants nothing more than to make a name for herself before she dies and she’s counting on her vocal talent to pave the way. Promise has cystic fibrosis and is fighting it as best she can like all of her closest friends who share her illness.

Despite her ill health Promise survives numerous freak accidents that draw the attention of a local art gallery owner that is in search of immortality. Porta’s paranormal abilities as a witch can do nothing about the fact that she is aging and quickly coming to the end of her time. Porta slowly realizes the perfect way to get Promise and her apparent immortality in the form of her recluse son – Zach. Zach has mysteriously been with Promise on each of her deadly escapes and Porta will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

Meanwhile, Chase is an autistic artist who spends his time with his devoted twin sister Chelsea. Chase has a special sort of gift that comes out in his beautiful drawings and causes visions that lead him to Promise. He quickly falls in love with her and sets out to keep her safe and out of Porta’s hands. They are all eventually brought together in a very dangerous and life-altering confrontation that will test the very limit of their faith and mortality.

Now I would be lying if I told you that the book’s content wasn’t confusing at times. It takes some time getting used to if you’re not familiar with Erin’s work. I knew the story would make sense sooner rather than later. I was rewarded with a really thrilling story! I think Chase was my favorite character. I’m not personally involved with autism but I liked to read about his mannerisms and the way he acted. His artist abilities were amazing to read about and I was actually upset that I couldn’t visually see all the drawings he did. He had this strange and fascinating passion for trees that was a really interesting aspect of the story.

I admire the sacrifice Chelsea showed and the love she had for her twin brother. She was stubborn and hard-headed when it came to letting herself be happy though. I found Chelsea hard to really care about as a character. There were times when I sympathized with her and I did like her but she just wasn’t a favorite for some reason. Porta was truly an evil character. She was evil in the sense that she had little to no remorse for any of her actions. It was a great contrast to the good side of the story.

The Promises She Keeps is a book that will stay with long after you finish its pages. It’s emotionally driven with a lot of suspenseful moments. I enjoy Erin’s unique work and I have a feeling I always will.

P.S. (cover talk)

I like both covers I’ve seen. They both tie in to the book, which I absolutely love. If I had to choose I’d probably go with the green one since it’s sort of similar to Never Let You Go’s cover.

The Vampire Relationship Guide, Vol 1 Winner

Congrats to:

Diana

You have until the end of Friday, May 27th (extended) Sunday, May 29th to email me back . Thanks to everyone who entered!

Review: Faustine

Faustine

Imogen Rose

Series or Stand Alone: The Bonfire Chronicles series, book one

Release Date: February 2011

Publisher: Imogen Rose

Pages: 322 (ebook)

Author Site: http://www.imogenrose.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from The Bookish Snob Promotions

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Who is Faustine? When Faustine Spencer was five years old, she discovered a secret that changed her life forever. At twelve, her parents sent her to Bonfire Academy in Switzerland to ensure that she received the training needed to control her increasing powers.

Three years later, Faustine returns to Manhattan. All she wants is to be a typical teenager, at least, one that’s part of the in-crowd at her Upper East Side High School. When drop-dead gorgeous Ryker, her long-time crush from the Academy, finally notices her, she couldn’t be happier.

However, her desire for a normal life is shattered when her father, a prominent sovereign, disappears after naming her as his successor. Her siblings begin to disappear, and Faustine finds herself in the midst of a power struggle. With her life in danger, Faustine must learn to follow one of Bonfire Academy’s most important rules: Trust no one.




 

Review:

I’m definitely not one for spoilers and since the synopsis leaves so much of the story out I’m afraid I won’t be able to really go into detail about Faustine. I can say that the story is absolutely packed with paranormal creatures and they are used in ways I have yet to come across. I am really amazed at the creative story Imogen Rose has created. Faustine is fifteen years old and has just returned from Bonfire Academy. She’s been there for three years learning how to harness and control her growing powers. Now that she’s back in Manhattan with her mother and best friend Neave, she’s looking forward to going to school as a normal teenage socialite.

But normalcy is definitely not an option when she learns that her father has disappeared and she’s next in line to rule in his position. Her entire world is flipped upside as she tries to figure out what to do in her position and try to keep the ones she cares about the most safe. Faustine just has to uphold the most important rule she learned at Bonfire Academy: Trust No One!

Although I couldn’t really relate to Faustine I enjoyed her sense of humor and the fact that she grew in maturity as the book went on. I must say there is an overwhelming number of characters that are introduced who are extremely interesting but almost a little too much to swallow. I love how complex the story is but sometimes things seemed forced together or a little too chaotic. Take for example Ryker and Faustine’s relationship. I love how cute they are together. There’s definitely more to Ryker’s character that I’m excited to learn about. But their relationship seemed very strained and slapped together with very little interaction. There wasn’t much time for feelings to develop or romance to grow. The two of them went to Bonfire Academy for two years together and after meeting in Manhattan they instantly became a couple. Eh, just a little too pushy, maybe…

Despite the cluttered number of characters I still loved the idea Imogen had. I wanted more of everything which was my major issue. There was so much going on that there wasn’t much time for a satisfying development in my opinion. I liked the mystery and loved all the creative paranormal aspects. But since I can’t really go into much detail I feel like my review is too vague. Simply put I really enjoyed Faustine! I will definitely be reading more in the Bonfire Chronicles and I was already planning on reading Imogen’s other YA series. Faustine is an excellent YA paranormal read that I know a lot of people will enjoy.

P.S. (cover talk)

I like it. I like the font choice and the fact that Faustine has red eyes…or eye for that matter =) (Trust me it ties into the story)

Q&A with Jools Sinclair & Giveaway

Please welcome author Jools Sinclair to P.S. I Love Books!








Jools Sinclair lives in Bend, Oregon. She is an avid reader, movie watcher, orange cat lover, Frye boot wearer and Komodo Dragon coffee drinker. She admits to having an intense passion for opera and loves faraway lands where espresso bars and pastry shops line the streets. Finally, she is absolutely crazy about her family, who in turn thinks she is absolutely crazy.

Welcome Jools! I appreciate you taking the time out to visit P.S. I Love Books while on your blog tour.

Hi Mishel and Friends! It’s my pleasure to be here and thank you so much for having me! You’ve got a fabulous blog and I was thrilled to be asked to join in the fun.

Can you tell us a little bit about your newest release 44?

44 is about 17-year-old Abby Craig who, after drowning in a lake, wakes up from death into a world she barely recognizes. She can’t see colors, memories have been erased, and her friends all hate her. And then there’s Jesse, who she loves, but who refuses to forgive her the one mistake she made long ago.

The book is about her journey of going through this transformation, having to adjust to the changes in her life with some paranormal events sprinkled in, of course! I think basically the story is about life and the changes we all face at one time or another. 

 What was one of your favorite and least favorite things about writing it?

One of my very favorite things about 44 was writing about Bend, Oregon. I used Bend as the setting, with a lot of its landmarks and popular locations. It was so much fun to do this! Bend is a small, fun city in Central Oregon with seven snow-capped mountains to the west and a flat desert to the east. The town has a lot of character and I loved being able to write about real events and the scenery. A river runs through it too, and it’s quite beautiful.

The least favorite thing about writing 44 wasgetting a solid first draft down. Writing is always about faith, especially in the beginning. Faith that there is a story worth telling.But once I’m able to get past those first 30,000 words or so, I get caught up and excited. And then, it really becomes fun, even though its hard work.

Which of the characters did you enjoy working with the most?

I loved writing about Abby, the main character. In the beginning, she is vulnerable, depressed and unsure because she has gone through this terrible, life-changing accident.And people are treating her strangely and she just can’t figure it out. But that’s because she doesn’t have all the pieces yet. It takes her a while to put everything together. She was a great character to write. She was very clear in my head and spoke easily.

If you had the chance to do it all over again would you change anything in 44?

I don’t think I would change anything. Maybe another revising, but nothing major. I’m pretty happy with it.I love Abby’s journey. It’s a classic mythological story, Abby being the herowho is on a journey that transforms her.

What do you think of the cover?

I absolutely love the cover! My artist showed it to me on one chilly morning and my heart started pounding hard! Seriously, I did have an emotional reaction, which I always think is a good sign.

When did you first realize that you wanted to write?

Age 5, Dragon Story, Sherman Oaks Elementary School!

If 44 was made into a movie who would be your ideal cast for the main characters?

I would definitely need some help on this one. Any suggestions from your fabulous blog readers?Abby is definitely a tomboy, low energy, slightly depressed. Kate, her sister, is a Type A personality, beautiful, andambitious. And Jesse, well, we would need someone very tall because he’s a basketball player!

 If you could write a book about absolutely anything with any other author (dead or alive) what would it be about and who would you choose?

Wow, Mishel, what a great question! Hands down, Ernest Hemingway.I’ve read every book and short story and The Old Man and the Sea is one of my all-time favorites.

I’m always looking for books to add to my ginormous TBR (to be read) pile. What books are you currently reading or have read recently? Any good recommendations?

OMG, I know what you mean about a ginormous TBR pile! My Kindle is stuffed with books just waiting to be read…. But, really, isn’t it the best?

I just finished Allison Karras’ Drowning in the Dark and loved it! It’s another paranormal book set in Oregon and it’s so well written and good. Also, JL Bryan’s Jenny Pox, Megg Jensen’s Anathema and Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant. I also love Stephen King,Aimee Bender and Richelle Mead.

What are some of your favorite things to do when given a break from the writing life and other work-related things?

Any and everything outdoors here in and around Bend! It’s the best of the best of the best for hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and skiing and I try to get out and do all that as much as possible. Also, reading and cooking. And traveling. I love to travel.

Are you currently working on any projects that we may see from you in the future?

Yes, indeed! 44 goes on! Book 2 will be out in the summer. It’s going to be a trilogy, with Book 3 coming out in autumn.

Thank you so much for stopping by Jools! Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

Thank you so much, Mishel! Your blog is absolutely fabulous and I’ve bookmarked it and will checking in regularly. I’m always so appreciative of you book bloggers!! Thank you so much for taking the time to read 44 and for having me as a guest.

I have a blog of my own, but it’s new and basic…let’s just say that it’s a work in progress, so I imagine it can only get better. I would love for you and your readers to stop by and say hello!

http://joolssinclair44.blogspot.com/

Thanks again and happy reading!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Want to win an ebook copy courtesy of the lovely Jools Sinclair?

Simply fill out this form to enter!

Giveaway ends June 6th!

Open Worldwide

**be sure to check out Jools' website for her final stop!**

Can't wait and want to purchase a copy of 44??

Click one of the links below!

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

  

Next Stop on Tour : Star Shadow Blog

2011 Reading Challenge: E-Book Challenge *COMPLETE*

I just got myself an eReader for Christmas and I'm pretty excited to start using it. Print books will ALWAYS be my first love but I hope to have a long and fulfilling affair with my eReader lol.

I think signing on for 12 e-books (The 'Addicted' level) in a year is pretty reasonable. That's only one ebook a month and I feel pretty confident and I can do that.

To learn more about the challenge, or to sign up, visit The Ladybug Reads here

1. Surrender the Dark :: L.A. Banks
2. Jaq's Harp :: Ella Drake
3. The Lipstick Laws :: Amy Holder
4. Tyger Tyger :: Kersten Hamilton
5. A Vampire in Whitechapel :: Scarlet Blackwell
6. Rhiannon :: Neil Plakcy
7. Angel Burn :: L.A. Weatherly
8. Two-Fisted Tweets :: James Hutchings
9. The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess :: Leanna Renee Hieber
10. The Vampire Relationship Guide, Volume 1 :: Evelyn LaFont
11. Cameo the Assassin :: Dawn McCullough-White
12. Cameo and the Highwayman :: Dawn McCullough-White

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!

May 19th, 2011

** additional reads:

1. 44 :: Jools Sinclair

 

 

Review: 44

44

Jools Sinclair

Series or Stand Alone: 44 planned trilogy, book one

Release Date: March 2011

Publisher: You Come Too Publishing

Pages: 67

Author Site: http://joolssinclair44.blogspot.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from The Bookish Snob Promotions

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Last year after falling through the ice, seventeen-year-old Abby Craig woke up from death.

But she woke into a world she barely recognizes. She can’t see colors, memories have been erased, and her friends all hate her. And then there’s Jesse, who she loves, but who refuses to forgive her the one mistake she made long ago.

Just when she thinks it can’t get any worse, the visions begin. In them, she sees a faceless serial killer roaming the streets. While the police believe that there have been a lot of accidents in town lately, Abby knows differently. And she soon realizes that it’s up to her to find him.

But to stop him, she’ll have to confront more than just the killer. She’ll have to face something else that was lost in those dark waters. The truth.

In the tradition of Amanda Hocking, 44 is a thrilling paranormal romance mystery novel that keeps readers at the edge of their seats and glued to the very end. The ending will haunt you forever.

Review:

I was very taken aback at the detail 44 had since it barely came in at 67 pages. I worry with short novels and novellas because I feel like it’s never enough for me for some reason or another. But 44 was a lovely surprise! The characters were pretty much spot on. The story-telling was nicely paced and the plot was really entertaining. After Abby comes back to life after a drowning accident her entire world has changed. She’s lost the sight of color, a lot of her memories, and the friends she was once closest too. The only constants in her life are her best friend Jesse and her strong-willed sister Kate. She may be in love with Jesse but he’s crossed that bridge long ago and Abby failed to reciprocate his feelings. But despite the strained emotional tug Abby feels for Jesse he still remains to be the rock she leans on.

When terrible visions start to plague Abby she thinks everyone may be right about her: maybe she is just a freak. But then the visions turn out to be accurate and Abby knows there’s a deadly serial killer hunting the streets of her hometown and she may be the only one who can stop him…

It took a little bit of time for me to get to know and care about Abby. She’s extremely vulnerable and depressed in the beginning of the story. But it isn’t until she breaks from her shell and realizes how much courage she possesses that I really got a sense of who she was. I didn’t really understand why she was treated so horribly after she came back from her accident. I know people can be cruel for no reason but it still baffles me (both in reality and fiction) when people act cold and callous. Even after the ending I still didn’t really get why her friends (i.e. Amanda) starting acting so differently. There’s an obvious cause for Amanda’s dislike towards Abby but again, after the ending is revealed, I was still not okay with her behavior.

I was surprised at how much I liked Kate. I really loved how supportive she was for Abby. It was refreshing and I was happy Abby had someone like Kate in her life. Despite the fact that Kate can be impossibly stubborn she’s very smart. Jesse was great too although he was somewhat confusing with certain actions, but things pieced together like a frustrating puzzle at the end. It was very satisfying…well, not satisfying in the sense that the ending was what I wanted but I still liked how everything started making sense towards the end.

The serial killer part of the novel was interesting and a nice addition to the story. I can definitely see another book coming and Jools herself says she is planning on a trilogy for Abby. I’m excited to see what happens next for her. 44 is a very thrilling and enjoyable read surprised me in many ways. I definitely recommend it!

P.S. (cover talk)

I defnitely like the creepy feeling. The purple color...eh, not so much.

Giveaway: 'Cameo' Series

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Thanks to Dawn I have signed (print) copies of the first two books in the Cameo series for one US/Canada winner.

And for one international reader, Dawn has generously offered e-copies of the first two books in the Cameo series.

To enter simply fill out this form!

Giveaway ends June 4th

Good Luck!

Robot Review: Angel Burn

Angel Burn

L.A. Weatherly

Series or Stand Alone: Angel Trilogy, book one

Series Order: Angel Fire (2011), Angel Fever (2012)

Release Date: May 2011 (US)

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Page Number: 464

Author Site: http://www.angelfever.com/

My Rating: 4.75/5

Source: Received for review from publisher for Rex Robot Reviews

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

Willow knows she’s different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people’s dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces, and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil. In the first book in an action-packed romantic trilogy, L. A. Weatherly sends readers on a thrill ride of a road trip — and depicts the human race at the brink of a future as catastrophic as it is deceptively beautiful.

Review:

Willow has been different her entire life and it’s not because she dresses differently or has a passion for cars.  With just a touch she can see a person’s future, their feelings, and their past… She may not know where her abilities come from but she’s come to accept them. But there is someone who knows where Willow’s powers come from. Alex is an assassin. Barely an adult himself, he’s on the hunt for Willow because he knows the damage her powers can cause. Willow isn’t just psychic; she’s half angel.  Angels may be impossibly beautiful but they are deadly. They’ve taken everything away from Alex and he won’t stop fighting until his last breath. But neither Willow nor Alex is prepared for the powerful attraction they feel towards each other. The two go on a very dangerous and action-packed road trip where they discover that things are never as they seem and human existence is in more trouble than either had previously thought.

To read the rest of my review click here!

Review: Cameo and the Highwayman

Cameo and the Highwayman

Dawn McCullough-White

Series or Stand Alone: Cameo series, book two

Series Order: Cameo the Assassin (2010), Cameo and the Vampire (TBD)

Release Date: November 2010 (ebook)

Publisher: Claypipe Press

Pages: 210 (ebook)

Author Site: http://www.dawnmccullough-white.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received for review from author

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

The land of Shandow is a place of arctic cold. It was the scene of the bloody revolution, and is the location of the item Cameo's master wants so badly.

In the dark of winter a vampire lies in wait...

...Opal is unable to run from his past... and Cameo must make a choice that will cost her the last shred of humanity she has left.

Review:

I really enjoy seeing the growth authors go through with their writing styles and story development. I had a few personal issues with the first book, Cameo the Assassin, and I’m very happy with the turnout of Cameo and the Highwayman. Even though it’s the second book in the series, Cameo and the Highwayman can be read without having previous knowledge of the story. It does pick up days after the first book ends though.

Cameo is on the hunt for something for her Master and Shandow is where she’s headed. There’s another vampire in Cameo’s life and even though he may not be as brutal as her Master he’s still equally as dangerous. His interference in Cameo’s life will be the first of many things that drastically change for Cameo and the friends she’s traveling with.

I’ve come to really like and care for Cameo. She’s an ex-assassin who is starting to let people into her heart and life, despite the fact that it’s extremely dangerous to get close to anybody. Her Master, Haffef, is cruel. He destroys any and everything that is important to his thralls and he does it just for the fun of it. So it was really great to see Cameo risk everything for the love of friends. And of course Black Opal remains to be a favorite character of mine. This installment of the series was quite a roller coaster ride for him with some of his past revealed. I refuse to spoil anything but it was an exceptional twist in the story. The plot was a little bit slower but it makes sense and fits into the storyline.

I enjoyed the background political scenes as well which has a lot to do with this installment. I felt I needed more information on the setting of the story in the first novel. I’m happy with Dawn provided in Cameo and the Highwayman. Overall, I felt the second book was a very good improvement for Dawn and a great addition to the series. I can’t wait to read the next book!!

P.S. (cover talk)


I love the fact that it features Opal!

 

Review: Cameo the Assassin

Cameo the Assassin

Dawn McCullough-White

Series or Stand Alone: Cameo series, book one

Series Order: Cameo and the Highwayman (2010), Cameo and the Vampire (TBD)

Release Date: June 2010 (ebook)

Publisher: Claypipe Press

Pages: 190 (ebook)

Author Site: http://www.dawnmccullough-white.com/

My Rating: 3.25/5

Source: Received for review from author

Synopsis:

[from goodreads.com]

The Kingdom of Sieunes is rife with taverns, dirty streets, and clay pipe smoking citizens all toiling to feed their families and keep themselves in something little better than rags. With a foiled revolution just ten years prior still burning in the hearts of many, the royals enlist the aid of assassins to keep things in order. The townsfolk entertain themselves by dreaming of better times to come and regaling in stories of the undead said to walk the graveyards at night... and of Cameo the killer with corpse-like eyes...

Scarred and jaded Cameo is one of the most effective assassins in the employ of the Association, moving from one mission to the next as long as the alcohol keeps flowing. Her acceptance of the murder-for-hire lifestyle is thrown into doubt when she meets a local highwayman with a penchant for fine clothes and women, and then she begins to think about breaking with the company but no one ever breaks with the Association under good terms.

Review:

Cameo the Assassin is definitely a nice breath of fresh air in the dark fantasy/paranormal realm. Unique and entertaining, the first book looks to be a great opening into a very interesting series. I did have a few minor issues with the writing-style and technical execution. However, the characters are enjoyable, the storyline is fast-paced and engaging, and I’m looking forward to starting book two.

Cameo has a few dimensions to her character although she is very one-note throughout most of the book. I absolutely loved seeing her open up on those rare occasions with Opal and Kyrian. Not only is Cameo an assassin but she has supernatural abilities thanks to a near-death experience when she was younger. Being a vampire’s thrall and an assassin for the Association, Cameo doesn’t have much control over anything in her life. Killing is what she knows and what she does best and her personality mimics the distant and cold life of a killer. That is until she starts to care for the unruly company she has later on in the story. So even though she isn’t the most compelling character it’s really tough to rule her out as a great character.

Black Opal and Bellamy are two notorious highwaymen that Cameo comes across and actually starts to travel with despite her reluctance. The two of them really stand out when next to Cameo. Their personalities are loud and fun despite the fact that they are thieves and sometime killers. I think Opal is definitely my favorite character. He’s so full of himself and he’s incredibly weird but he’s so likeable.

My personal issue with the writing-style was nothing too major. I just found myself a bit confused during the novel. I felt there were occasions where the writing was incomplete or transitioned so abruptly that it didn’t quite fit. It wasn’t enough to deter from the actual story but it was enough to make me have to re-read certain parts. It felt as though there were passages missing and it left me a puzzled.

Overall I’m very impressed with the story Dawn has created. The pace is quick and enjoyable. There is tons of action that succeeds in not being over the top and over-detailed. And the teasing amount of romance is a great addition. I feel that Dawn’s got a lot up her sleeve concerning Cameo and I’m curious to see what she has in store for her readers.

P.S. (cover talk)

I like the details with the blood and making sure the cover model’s eye color stays true to Cameo’s.

Q&A with Dawn McCullough-White

Please welcome author Dawn McCullough-White to P.S. I Love Books today!


Dawn McCullough-White writes mainly dark fantasy and horror. Her novels tend to favor the use of anti-authority anti-heroes as the main characters, most commonly with a strong, female protagonist.


Dawn was born in 1969, in Rochester, NY, and began writing prose at age 14. Ms. McCullough-White is married and has a young son. She is fascinated by history and social psychology. She is a vegetarian and animal lover. Her favorite drink is Gewürztraminer. She's fan of Alice in Chains, U2, and Stabbing Westward, her favorite books include The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, A Movable Feast by Ernest Hemingway, and The Social Animal by Elliot Aronson.

 
 
 
   
 

 
Welcome Dawn! I appreciate you taking the time out to visit P.S. I Love Books.
Thanks very much for having me!

Can you tell us a little bit about your first book in the Cameo series, Cameo the Assassin?

Well, it's a Historical Dark Fantasy/Paranormal Fantasy novel that follows the life of Cameo, an unwilling assassin with some supernatural abilities. Scarred and jaded Cameo is one of the most formidable assassins in the employ of the Association. She moves from one mission to the next as long as the alcohol keeps flowing, until the day she meets two dashing highwaymen who unwittingly throw in with the dangerous and otherworldly Cameo. But that's really where the story begins...

What was one of your favorite and least favorite things about writing Cameo the Assassin?

My favorite thing was immersing myself in this world, creating the characters and watching them interact. My least favorite... hmm, rewrites I guess. At one point I ripped out a plot thread that I'd laid the foundation for, for several chapters, well, it didn't pan out so I had to go back and rip out everything that dealt with that concept and then rewrite. That was no fun at all.

Which of the characters did you enjoy working with the most?

Black Opal. He's just sort of full of life, and full of himself, and a joy to write about.

If you had the chance to do it all over again would you change anything in Cameo the Assassin?

No.

What do you think of the covers for your novels?

I love them! I worked with good friend and artist Kurt Hanss (http://www.hanssdesign.com/), who designed the original artwork (also designed my website). They were also recently touched up by artist Glendon Haddix (http://streetlightgraphics.com/), who gave them larger font and made them stand out a little more if viewing them on an ereader.

When did you first realize that you wanted to write?

I was fourteen years old when I first started writing novels.

If the Cameo series was made into a movie who would be your ideal cast for the main characters?

I like Rachelle Lefevre as Cameo, James Franco as Jules, Daniel Day Lewis as Haffef, and I'm torn about Black Opal... a young David Bowie type. Kyrian and Bellamy... no idea.

If you could write a book about absolutely anything with any other author (dead or alive) what would it be about and who would you choose?

I've thought I'd like to write something with David McAfee (who wrote 33 A.D.) because we both write sort of similar tropes, and he's a friend. I think that might be fun. I'm sure this will be news to David. What would it be about? I don't know, Cameo and Theron throw a tea party?

I’m always looking for books to add to my ginormous TBR (to be read) pile. What books are you currently reading or have read recently? Any goodrecommendations?

Have you ever read Kafka's House by Gabriela Popa? It's a beautifully written novel about a young girl growing up in Communist Romania. I also really enjoyed Fatal Purity: Robespierre and the French Revolution by Ruth Scurr.

What are some of your favorite things to do when given a break from the writing life and other work-related things?

The Sims... it's an addiction. I'm also constantly downloading new music which in turn inspires me to write. And admittedly I'm on Facebook more than a person with a life really should be.

Are you currently working on any projects that we may see from you in the future?

I'm currently writing the third book in the Cameo Trilogy- Cameo and the Vampire. If all goes well it will be released this summer.

Thank you so much for stopping by Dawn! Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

My Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dawn-McCullough-White/125763474137312

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3106563.Dawn_McCullough_White

My website is: http://www.dawnmccullough-white.com/

Be sure to stop by the next couple of days for reviews of the first two books in the Cameo series and an awesome giveaway!!