Interview with Author Vivi Andrews

I'd been looking forward to Reawakening Eden by Vivi Andrews for months and devoured it as soon as it was released. Vivi has a way of combining humor, emotion, adventure and romance that makes her readers fall in love with the characters. I knew her post-apocalyptic story would be amazing. I was thrilled when she said she had the time to answer a few questions. Below is our interview, and the post before it has my thoughts on Reawakening Eden and all the details.

Brenda: I finished Reawakening Eden and truly enjoyed the characters and the story. I had a few questions for you on the world and the characters. I promise they won't be too painful:)

Zombies are all the rage right now, as is steampunk, cyberpunk and everything in between. I loved that your story took a more realistic scenario where an epidemic kills off much of the world's population. Your characters aren't fighting zombies, but sadly their fellow humans are almost as dangerous. Did you consider another option, or did you like the human vs. human plot all along?

Vivi: I love a brain-devouring zombie as much as the next girl and I'm sure I'll be tempted to write a feel-good zombie apocalypse book at some point, but for Reawakening Eden the idea was always to play with a realistic speculation on what a post-apocalyptic world could be. What fascinated me about rebuilding the world when most of the population has been wiped out was the way our memory of what society should be would bump up against what our world had become. What happens when the rules are thrown out the window and we're starting from scratch, but still remember how things used to be? In Reawakening Eden, what happened was a dysfunctional commune in what had once been Seattle... and a heroine whose idea of motherhood has been modified to include automatic weapons.

Brenda: I don't want to give any spoilers, but Connor is a no nonsense kind of guy. I loved his response to the bad guys. Did you have an inspiration for him?

Vivi: He's the strong, silent action hero to the core. My editor said she always pictured Chris Hemsworth when she was reading Connor, but I'd mentally cast him as a Sam Worthington. Definitely more likely to grunt than launch into a soliloquy, but the man knows how to get the job done. Who needs words?


Brenda: Will we see any more stories from this world?

Vivi: I don't have immediate plans to write more stories in this particular post-apocalyptic world, but I can't give an absolute no because as soon as I do a honey of an idea will pop into my head and I won't be able to resist a little sequel action.

Brenda: Did you listen to any certain music while you were plotting and writing Reawakening Eden?

Vivi: I don't often pull inspiration from music. I did have multiple sing-alongs to The End of the World as We Know It by REM, but it was more for dancing around the living room breaks than actual plotting or writing time.

Brenda: Was there a certain part of the story you struggled with in some way? What is your favorite part of the story?

Vivi: I struggled a bit with end, actually. Trying not to give anything away, but I worried about my crazy cult leader feeling authentic and not over-playing his part. My favorite part is definitely the relationship between Eden and the kids, Lucas and Hannah Rose. I tend to fall in love with a certain line in each of my books and it echoes around in my head making me smile. For Reawakening Eden it was "Not now, baby. Momma's holding a gun on the nice man." That scene is my hands down favorite. Eden and Connor testing one another out for the first time.

Brenda: I agree because I loved that scene too! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I loved Reawakening Eden and will be reading it again and again, especially now that I can picture Sam Worthington as Connor. *swoon*

To read an except from Reawakening Eden, and find out more visit Vivi's website:
http://www.viviandrews.com/eden.html

~Brenda

Interview With Shirin Dubbin

Dreams Dark Kiss is an amazing, unique novella that made me laugh, but at the same time made me think of experience in my life and how they shaped me. There are parts of this story that are dark and gritty; not for the faint of heart, but there is also romance and humor. It almost has a feel of a horror tale, but with the action and magic of an urban fantasy. The romance is what made me smile the most, and the quirky characters, whom I loved.

As soon as I finished reading Dreams Dark Kiss I emailed Shirin begging for an interview so I could pick her brain. She graciously agreed to answer my questions, which are below.

Brenda: I have to ask you first how and why you decided on A Hawaiian hero? I loved Keoni, especially his sense of humor and the banter between him and Ciaran. I think he might be the first Hawaiian hero I've run across in a book.

Shirin: Oh, I luv Keoni too. All the credit for his sense of humor and sexiness goes to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. =dreamy sigh= I’ve been hoping he’d do a romantic comedy for years. With nothing like that on the horizon I had to write my own version of him. The Hawaiian part (The Rock is of Samoan descent) came about when I envisioned Keoni as a surfer and knew he had to be from famous surfing waters.

Brenda: Mmm...I love Dwayne Johnson and yes, I did use this interview as an excuse to put a picture of him here for us. Dreams' Dark Kiss is such a unique story; a little bit horror, urban fantasy and some very steamy romance too. Did you have a certain genre in mind when you wrote the story, or did the words just flow that way?

Shirin: A few people have mentioned horror elements in Dreams’ Dark Kiss, which is hilarious because I am an absolute wuss when it comes to scary stuff. If you tried to touch me with the DVD for a horror movie I’d run screaming. =giggle=

Perhaps those dark moments came out of my desire to build real nightmares for my h/h to overcome (or maybe I’m as obliviously dark and twisty as my friends suggest). I’m not sure, but I did set out to straddle the line between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Since then one of my favorite writers, Ilona Andrews, created the term romantic urban fantasy and I’ve adopted it for myself.

Brenda: Ilona is one of my favorite writers too:) There were some very cool side characters in Dreams' Dark Kiss, will you be writing any more stories in this world?

Shirin: I’m glad you liked the bachelor squad! Who’s your favorite?

Brenda: I loved them all, but I was pretty fascinated with Archer. Bossy, but damn, he sounds hot.

Shirin: Ah, a Lords of the Dreaming series? I’ve been meditating on a story for Jay but it hasn’t fully materialized yet. In the meantime, I’m writing an urban fantasy set in the same universe as Dreams’ Dark Kiss. It deals with the souls who slip through the psychopomp’s (soul conductors) fingers and remain in the waking world. Somebody has to clean up the mess and that’s when psychomancers (soul charmers) come to play. It’s a cool story. Think Supernatural meets Dreams’ Dark Kiss with hints of Ghost Busters. LOL. Or… Nah, that’s pretty much it.

Brenda: You're really an eclectic writer; graphic novels, screen plays, urban fantasy and you're a graphic designer too! Dang. Is there one of these you enjoy more than the others? I know for me, I write nonfiction to pay some of the bills, but love writing fiction. Will we be seeing more fiction from you?

Shirin: I’m addicted to storytelling and each of those is a form of it. Graphic Design tells stories in fonts and shapes, screenplays in moving images and sound, and so on. I’m happy when I’ve got a tale to tell so I adore them all. And I have news, my urban fantasy retelling of Goldilocks, CHAOS TRYST, is set to release from Carina Press in the fall. It’s romping action—featuring a chaos-magic Goldilocks and a Russian shape shifting bear.

What genres of fiction do you like writing best?

Brenda: I love paranormal romance and urban fantasy, and I can't imagine now having some type of magic or power in the stories I write. Plus, it's just so cool. Oooh, a shapeshifting bear. I'm so there...

I see from your website that you are a comic and graphic novel fan and writer. What movie made from a graphic novel are you looking forward to this year and why?

Shirin: I’m behind on which books are being adapted…but I can share my dream project. I’d luv to see HBO take on 100 Bullets by Eduardo Risso and Brian Azzarello. 100B is a grippingly original take on crime drama and HBO knows what to do with a series. Ooh, or a film version of Scalped by Jason Aaron, also because of it’s singularity (I think I just drooled a little bit.) ^_~

Brenda: It's okay to drool, I do it a lot:) Thanks for chatting with me.

FINDING SHIRIN & DREAMS DARK KISS
About the book:
Dreams' Dark Kiss
Author: Shirin Dubbin
Publisher: Carina Press
Released: 12/20/2010
Available for the Kindle

They’ll come for her tonight…
The ankou. A legion of nightmares, fugitive from the Dreaming, have set their sights on Ciaran Letang. She is the key to their darkest purpose. But Ciaran has been used before, and she won’t let it happen again.

Keoni Maka patrols the dreamscape, keeping humankind safe. When he senses Ciaran’s distress, he offers to fight by her side—forever. She accepts, but she has vowed not to let a man invade her heart, not even this man.

Read an excerpt here: http://fan-fatale.com/2010/12/dreams-dark-kiss/

You can find Shirin here: http://fan-fatale.com/

~Brenda

Blog Tour: Author Rie McGaha

Today I have an interview with Rie McGaha, the author of Closure. I'm participating in the blog tour for Rie today. You can read my review below the interview.

Rie, I just finished Closure, and have a few questions for you. I enjoyed the story, especially the main characters. Thanks for letting me pick your brain:)

Brenda: How do you research a crime novel like this one? I could tell you knew what you were talking about when it came to the procedures and details.

Rie: Funny you should ask. I watch the true crime channels at least eight hours a day. I also used to work in drug court, in community corrections, and I was the only woman on a unit with 120 male inmates. I've studied criminology and have been very involved with the justice system.
Brenda: I liked your explanation of why women who are abused don't leave their partners. Did you feel it was important to make that clear in the book for those that didn't understand?

Rie: I think there are a lot of people who have the attitude, well, if you don't leave him, you deserve to get beat, and they don't understand the dynamics between an abuser and the abused. An abuser doesn't just start beating his SO the first time they meet. There's a psychological aspect most people are unaware of.

Brenda: I noticed in one of your interviews that you have 12 children and 26 grandchildren:) Has your writing changed over the years as your kids have grown and you've experienced more of life?

Rie: You must've read an old interview because I now have 33 grandkids and counting! :) Of course my writing has changed. I wrote my first novel in the 8th grade and I'm quite sure it is very different from what I write now, at least I hope so! lol I've changed over the years, have gained knowledge and a great deal of wisdom and experience. I think some of my writing reflects who I wish I could be, or maybe the life I wished I had lived instead of the one I did live. Some of what I write is based on the lives of others, or on fantasies, but I tend to put at least one older person in every story that is the fount of wisdom, or an older loving couple with a rich sex life. I didn't receive a manual on being middle aged, and really have no clear idea what it means to be in my forties, and now in my fifties. But I hope to put just a little insight into middle age into each story. Being old ain't for
sissies!

Brenda: You've written many books, do you have a favorite; one that you'd love everyone to read first if you had a choice?

Rie: Oh yes. CROSS THE LINE will be released Dec. 1 from Solstice Publishing and it is my personal favorite, followed closely by DEEP WITHIN MY HEART and WRITTEN IN STONE from Silver Publishing. Cross The Line was 5 years in the making and is about former southern belle, Carrie Robertson, who, after the Civil War destroyed the plantation, finds herself living in a cabin in Indian Territory. The hero in this story is Noah Mosely, a runaway slave who was adopted into an Indian tribe. The pair meet when Noah is hunting and his horse is spooked by a mountain lion and throws him. His leg is broken and his horse is gone so he has to drag himself to safety before infection sets in. He finds himself at Carrie's cabin, and finds Carrie greeting him with a gun to his head.

I have used actual historical events and inserted my characters into the action, which I have done in Deep Within My Heart as well. Both of these are family sagas that take the reader through the lives of the characters. In Cross The Line, however, the family line comes all the way to current times.

In books I've read the reader is taken from the time the H/H meet and the trials that befall them until they overcome and wind up a couple with a happily ever after. But I always wondered what happened next, so in these stories, I've answered those questions.

Brenda: Thanks Rie. I can't wait to read Cross the Line in December.

You can find out about Rie's book on her website at http://www.riemcgaha.com/. (She's having a cool contest where someone will win her ENTIRE backlist. Details are on her website.)

CLOSURE REVIEW
Closure
Author: Rie McGaha
Publisher: Champagne Books
Released Aug 02, 2010

Summary: High in the hills above Albuquerque, New Mexico Detective Zachariah Ellison arrives at the scene of a murder, and not just any murder, but one that definitely falls into the “gruesome” category even for a seasoned cop like Zach. When another body is found murdered in much the same fashion, Zach knows he’s got a serial killer on his hands, and to top it off he’s got an assistant district attorney hounding him about the case. As Zach tries to investigate the crimes while sidestepping nosey Amy Logan, a third body is found and Zach hasn’t a clue as to whom the perpetrator might be.

Amy Logan has worked hard to put herself through school and pay for law school on her own and now that she’s secured a position as assistant district attorney in Albuquerque, she’s determined to do everything she can to be the best prosecutor this office has ever seen. And as if luck was following her, she’s been assigned to the biggest homicide case the city has ever seen. The only problem she’s having is the homicide detective who’s leading the investigation—Zach Ellison.

I was asked to review Closure and agreed since I really like suspense, and hadn't read that much of the genre lately. The author has combined steamy HEA romance with a gritty suspenseful plot. It's fast paced, and moves easily between the romance and the investigation of a serial killer case.

I thought the contrast between Amy and Zach's relationship and the killer's experience with abusive men a nice touch to the story. Zach is protective and stubborn, but he treats Amy with respect and love. She finds herself explaining to him why a woman would stay with an abusive man because for him it's black and white-why wouldn't they simply leave? I've had this same conversation with my husband, and it rings true. Good men can't imagine abusing a woman, so they have trouble comprehending the horrible toll it takes on someone that is being abused.

Closure is a great read for those who love romance and suspense. It does have detailed crime scenes and autopsy details which may be disturbing to some readers. The romance is sweet, but the sex is steamy and erotic. So be prepared to say "Ewwww" and then "Oh, my...".

About Rie
Rie McGaha was born and raised in northern California along the shores of Humboldt County where her grandmother often took her to dig for clams and watch the whales migrate. Being raised with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, gave Rie a deep love for nature. She has resided in the Kiamichi Mountains of SE Oklahoma for more than ten years with her husband, Nathan, where they rescue animals, nurses them back to health and tries to find homes for them. She is the mother of 12 and Nana of 33.

Science Fiction Romance: Author Interview

Midnight's Ghost
Star Runner's Saga #1
Author: Sara Brookes
Kindle Edition, 207 KB
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Release Date: May 10, 2010
Available for the Kindle

SUMMARY: Taran has three days to get her former lover—whom she's barely speaking to—and the mysterious teenager she knows nothing about from one planet to another. Given the fact her ship, Eidolon, is the fastest in the star runner fleet, Taran knows she can make the run in the time Wallace has allotted. As the best—and only—female pilot, she's got something to prove. As if things weren't complicated enough, Wallace, and the teenager he has in tow, are both escapees from the harshest prison facility in seven galaxies.

I won a copy of Midnight's Ghost back in May, but sadly it was put in my Kindle and hidden among the other books. Why is that sad? I loved Midnight's Ghost with it's bold heroine and brooding but sarcastic hero. I wish I had read it as soon as it popped into my inbox. I've long been a fan of science fiction, but this is my first sci fi romance read. I didn't know what to expect, but Sara Brookes captivated me from the first page with kick-ass action to introduce her main characters. I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading until my eyes wouldn't stay open any longer. As soon as I woke up in the morning, I grabbed my coffee and started reading again until I finished.

The sexual tension and banter between Taran and Wallace make for a great read, not to mention the steamy sex, but it's not the sole focus of the book. The author has given her characters depth and her plot substance. Midnight's Ghost has plenty of sci fi elements to make it a cool book for fans of space adventure. It's a fast paced read that will leave you wanting more romance and adventure with Taran, Wallace and their crew. On a side note: My fellow Serenity and Firefly fans will love Midnight's Ghost, as it has that feel to it.

AN INTERVIEW WITH SARA BROOKES
Sara graciously allowed me to fire off some questions to her about Midnight's Ghosts.

Brenda: Midnight Ghost is my first science fiction romance read and I loved the characters, the action and the adventure.

Sara: Oh, that's wonderful!! Glad to hear it was something new for you - it's a great and fun set of characters to work with.

Brenda: What type of research did you have to do for the sci fi elements? I'll admit that would intimidate me.

Sara: Let me just say what a wonderful, wonderful research tool Google is. Most of the knowledge about starships is what I already possess because I have a knowledge of sailboats and such--odd as it sounds. It's not that much different to take that information and apply it to starships. Plus, handy thing about writing "fantasy" elements that don't exist - you're only limited by your imagination.

Brenda: Will we be seeing another book in the series soon?

Sara: Yes! Liquid Silver just contracted the next book in this series, Midnight's Shadow, to be released in early 2011. It'll pick up a few months after Midnight's Ghost ends. Plus, I've been playing with the idea of spinning off the series and giving Kerr his own story. But I'm going to finish off Taran and Wallace's story first.

Brenda: I thought you did such a good job mixing in the steamy elements with the action, so neither overshadowed the other. Did you have to cut back on either when you were editing, or did it flow together pretty nicely?

Sara: Thank you! With this story, the two integrated themselves well without a lot of work on my part. From experience, I know it doesn't always work that way, so I realize I was very fortunate to not struggle to make it happen.

Brenda: Why science fiction? What is it about the genre that drew you to write about a female smuggler in space?

Sara: I cut my teeth on science fiction. My dad is a science fiction nut, so I was surrounded by it when I was a kid. I wanted to write something with a lot of action and adventure, but still had a romance story at it's core. Science fiction romance is a growing genre and I wanted to add my own contribution where the woman was the one who was behind the controls of the starship. I love writing strong women who aren't afraid to show their vulnerability when they find the right man--or have him come back into her life as in Taran's case.

Brenda: What are some of your favorite sci fi television shows, movies or books?

Sara: I loved all of the Star Trek shows when they were still airing, the movies as well. It was a thrill be to able to take my teenage daughter to see the Star Trek movie--I think she's more of a sci-fi geek than I am. Like most kids of the 70's, Star Wars holds a special place for me, and I grew up watching the original Battlestar Galactica, too and loved explaining the differences between it and the newer BSG to my daughter as well. Ann Aguirre and Linnea Sinclair have put out some wonderful science fiction romance books recently, both with series books and stand alone titles.

Brenda: Thank you for taking the time to satisfy my curiosity. I enjoyed Midnight's Ghost and look forward to reading more of your work.

Find Out More About Sara
Visit Sara at her website: www.sarabrookes.net/
Follow Sara on Twitter: twitter.com/sara_brookes
Sara on GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3213630.Sara_Brookes

~Brenda

The Viking Goodness of All Fired Up

All Fired Up
Author: Kristen Painter
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 1011 KB
Print Length: 272 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
This book is available on Amazon.

Summary: Alrik Gunn knows from bitter experience that change isn’t always for the better. From the woman who annihilated his Viking clan to the goddess who tricked him into centuries of slavery, betrayal has dogged his existence. The Goddess of Love is going to let him avenge his family, but for a price. As a Phoenix—a merchant of change—he must grant a human woman three chances to change her life.

When former Irish dancer Calleigh McCarthy tosses a carved-bird statue that belonged to her ex into a roaring bonfire, she unwittingly summons an honest-to-god Phoenix. A sexy, irresistible Viking who offers her an unbelievable bonus—three get-out-of-her-crappy-life-free cards. She’ll take it, even if it means guarding her cautious heart against the dark pain behind Alrik’s eyes.

I bought All Fired Up on a whim because, as many of you know, I've only been reading romance for a couple of years and I have much catching up to do. I'm not a traditional romance reader, having spent years reading Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. I read the teaser for All Fired Up and decided I needed to read it on my Kindle. It has all the elements I enjoy: magic, humor, a hot Viking warrior and romance. I found myself laughing out loud throughout the entire book, but by the end the author had me in tears.

I loved the mix of characters in All Fired Up. Calleigh's family is Irish, Alrik is a Viking who was living in Ireland, and later we meet other Phoenix males including a Roman, and the god and goddess who control them. The author has a charming style of writing that makes the reader feel as if they know the characters or want to know more about them. We WANT them to be happy and we care about them.

All Fired Up is a fast paced, fun and charming paranormal romance. I have to add that you cannot beat the price on the Kindle edition for a full sized novel. It was well worth the money (under $4.00), and I will be reading Ms. Painters other novels, plus looking for a second Phoenix novel (crossing my fingers and toes that she writes another one!).

~Moonsanity

Review: Steamed: A Steampunk Romance

Steamed
A Steampunk Romance
by Katie MacAlister
Publisher: Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback, 342 pages
Available at Indie Bound, Powells, Barnes & Noble

Summary: When one of Jack Fletcher's nanoelectromechanical system experiments is jostled in his lab, the resulting explosion sends him into the world of his favorite novel-a seemingly Victorian-era world of steampower, aether guns, corsets, and goggles. A world where the lovely and intrepid Octavia Pye captains her airship straight into his heart...

Steamed is my first Katie MacAlister book, but I've been following her on Twitter and reading her blog, Fiction with Attitude. She has such a great sense of humor that I knew I would love her books. I started with Steamed because I'm fascinated with the entire steampunk movement; books, music, art, and movies. Have you seen the beautiful cover? I saved up my book money and put in an order with Barnes and Noble a couple weeks ago. I've been reading a lot of dark fantasy lately and really needed an upbeat, fun romance to balance out things.

Steamed was a light, witty, romantic, and sexy read. The characters were colorful and unique, as was the plot. There is a combination of steampunk goodness, mystery, adventure and romance. Jack is a typical American guy, asking Octavia (to her horror and confusion) why she doesn't wear the corset on the outside of her clothing because he's sure it would look MUCH better. Octavia is a woman with Victorian manners and attitude but underneath the formality she's passionate, brilliant and independent. They bring out the worst and best in each other, as they work together to solve a mystery, and rescue his sister from execution.

I loved the side characters in Steamed as well. They were all colorful and added mystery and humor to the book. I really hope the author writes a sequel so we can learn more about Octavia's world.

I think fans of paranormal romance and historical romance will enjoy Steamed. You can find out more about Katie MacAlister on her website: http://www.katiemacalister.com/.

~Moonsanity

Review: Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

Truly, Madly
Author: Heather Webber
Publisher: St. Martin's, February 2010
Mass Market Paperback, 305 pages
Available at: B&N, ABE & Powell's.

Summary: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking for something. So when Lucy locates a missing engagement ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who works upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it…

I've been reading a lot of dark urban fantasy, which I love, but because I read so much I have to insert a cheerful, light read every now and then so I don't start growling at my family. I asked for an Advanced Reading Copy of Truly, Madly from Good Reads back in December because it sounded like a charming mystery romance. It truly is that, and more. Lucy Valentine, the main character, is witty, smart, and has a special gift that has made her feel like the odd woman out since she was a teenager. Her parents, and grandmother tend to make her life crazy, and we learn just how crazy in this delightful read.

The author's writing style is friendly and light, but not over the top or superficial. Truly, Madly is a mixture of mystery, romance, adventure, and humor. Though I wouldn't call it paranormal romance it does have a paranormal element. There are twists and turns throughout the book, and the ending was a surprise, which is always fun for me when I can't guess the mystery. Lucy's love interest, Sean, is a former fire fighter turned private investigator who doesn't want to share his past, but is drawn to Lucy, despite the mystery that also surrounds her. The scenes between them sizzle, even though they both hold back. Yes, it's a PG romance, but it's a good one!

Truly, Madly is the first in a series of Lucy Valentine novels, which I think will all be great reads. Ms. Webber's characters are full of life, and she makes readers want to learn more about them and their lives. Fans of romance and mystery will really enjoy Truly, Madly. It's the perfect novel to read this month, in honor of St. Valentine's Day and all that is love.

Definitely, Maybe- A Lucy Valentine Original Story by Heather Webber. (It's free!)
http://www.sheloveshotreads.com/?p=1053

Enter to win a double heart Tiffany pendant, complete with the little blue box!
http://www.lucyvalentine.blogspot.com/




~Moonsanity

Series Review: Mathesons, J. Ardian Lee

J. Ardian Lee (Julianne Ardian Lee)

1. Son of the Sword (2001)
2. Outlaw Sword (2002)
3. Sword of King James (2003)
4. Sword of the White Rose (2004)

Summary: Dylan Matheson is an ordinary guy with ordinary problems: family, girlfriend - the usual. He likes his life. He's happy living above the dojo where he teaches martial arts and swordfighting. He has a few close friends who share his interest in things ancient and Scottish. Then one day at a Medieval Faire, he sees a magnificent broadsword. He takes it in hand - and is transported to a time and place he has only read about.

I found all four of the Matheson books on BookCloseout.com, taking a chance on them because of the good price. I'm very glad I took the chance! I loved Dylan, the main character, from the beginning. He's witty, attractive, protective, passionate and he has good hygiene. This in itself is a rare thing in Scotland during the 1700's. They still sleep with their sheep in the winter, have no understanding of dental care, nutrition or sanitizing needles before sewing up wounds. Dylan has his work cut out for him if he's not only going to survive, but protect those around him.

The books are a quick read, but not superficial. I loved the historical tidbits the author wove into the story. I also thought she used humor to bring life to the characters, especially Dylan. The books have themes of love and loss, fighting for what you believe in, courage, faith and family. The author doesn't gloss over the beliefs or the harshness of living in Scotland during this time period. Many scenes are not for the faint of heart.

In case you were wondering, the Fae do make an appearance. After all, it is Scotland, how can they not? The tale of the Mathesons has romance, magic, fighting, political intrigue, history, humor and adventure. I really can't ask for more in a good historical romance.

I'd highly recommend J. Ardian Lee's books to fans of historical romance, but also those who enjoy paranormal romance and time travel. They are a great read!

You can read excerpts here: http://www.julianneardianlee.com/matheson/matheson.html

The author has a blog here: http://julianneardian.livejournal.com/

~Moonsanity