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Month: February 2018
Killman Creek by Rachel Caine
I enjoyed this book but not as much as the first one, Stillhouse Lake. I listened to the audiobook, so some of that may have been on the narrators. I didn’t like how she switched between the different characters throughout the novel. Also, the storyline wasn’t nearly as believable as in the first book. I think it would have been better if she just stuck with the first book, yet the story was still interesting, just not great or all that memorable.
The Good Widow by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
I really enjoyed this book. They did such a nice job of mixing mystery, suspense, and even a bit of romance. While I did catch on near the end of the book, I found myself sucked into the story throughout. The characters came off as likeable and real. I give it 5 stars and recommend it for anyone who likes a good thriller/suspense/mystery.
Get The Earth Bleeds Red For $.99
In celebration of the audiobook now being available, pick up the Kindle version of The Earth Bleeds Red for only $.99 (Feb. 16-23)
Meet The Author, Jacqueline Simon Gunn
Enjoy getting to know, Jacqueline Simon Gunn:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
Emotional, psychological, thought-provoking.
Your book, Forever and One Day, was released February 6, 2018. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.
Now she looked at him and felt the what if washing over her. The desire to touch him, to remember how his lips felt kissing her mouth, her skin, her hair, felt irresistible. She gulped.
He stared into her eyes and she felt a kiss coming. Their faces hovered in an awkward dance as their mouths drew closer. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her lips. My gosh, she shivered, leaned in, then quickly pulled back. She broke the eye contact. Trying to shake the sensation, she gulped down some wine. “Justin. We can’t.”
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a best seller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
I would choose to continue writing.
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
Small town, but be able to travel.
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
Airport
And how about Ireland or Australia?
Australia
Who is your favorite band from the 90s (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
I love so many 90’s bands, but if I have to pick I choose Pearl Jam.
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
I’m sure there are, but I’m not too familiar with newer music. I’m still listening to 90’s alternative rock bands.
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
Frasier reruns.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
I’m working on two romance novels.
Who is your favorite author, and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Irvin Yalom. I was fortunate enough to have met him and I got to ask him my question which was: How much was your fictional book, Lying on the Couch, based on real life circumstances?
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Mountains
Yogurt or ice cream? Yogurt
Chocolate or Sour Candy? Chocolate
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Neither
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happy
Beer or wine? Wine
Flying or driving? Driving
Hemingway or Twain? Twain
You’re stranded on a desert island, and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
Food and blankets. My husband and my dad.
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house, or meet at their place of royalty?
Martin Luther King, Jr.
I’d like to hear his thoughts on the political atmosphere of today. I’d enjoy visiting him at his home.
You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes). What’s it gonna be?
Cure for cancer.
Jacqueline Simon Gunn is a Manhattan-based clinical psychologist and writer. She has authored two non-fiction books, and co-authored two others. She has published many articles, both scholarly and mainstream, and currently works as a freelance writer. Gunn is now writing fiction in both the thriller and the romance genre. Always in search of truth and fascinated by human behavior, her fiction writing, like psychology, is a way for her to explore human nature — motivation, emotions, relationships.
In addition to her clinical practice and writing, Gunn is an avid runner and reader. Gunn is currently working on multiple writing projects, including two romance novels.
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Idaho by Emily Ruskovich
I enjoyed this book, but I found myself confused at times. I liked that it had so many different layers, yet I finished the novel feeling incomplete. I won’t give away any spoilers, but the ending did not provide me with the answers I was looking for. Still, this was an intriguing and well-written novel that is worth reading. I gave it four stars, but I still feel like I need to know more about the main characters.
Naked: Stripped by a Man and Hurricane Katrina by Julie Freed
This was an interesting book and out of the normal genres I read. She went through something that I can’t relate to, and I applaud her for her ability to overcome two tragic life events at the same time. I found her journey compelling, and she kept me drawn in until the very end, though I did find it a little irritating that she painted herself as flawless throughout the book. There are two or three sides, at least, to every story, and I felt like she did everything exactly right while her ex was a complete ass. That may have been true, but it would have been nice to see some of her flaws along the way as well.
Meet The Author, April Moran
Enjoy getting to know, April Moran:
Thank you for joining me today. Tell us in three words how you would best describe your writing.
Steamy. Romantic. Intense.
Your book, Taming Ivy. was released August 10, 2017. Share a passage that you’d like for us to enjoy.
Ivy did not seem prepared for war after all. One little skirmish and she folded with astonishing haste. Her wide eyes reminded him of a panicked doe, a wounded shimmer in the aqua depths. Her bottom lip visibly trembled. Incredibly, infuriatingly, Sebastian wanted to press his mouth to hers to tame its lush quiver. Damn, he’d forfeit his soul to taste the skin of that delicate collarbone, the nape of her neck, the soft underside of her breast…soothing the hurt he just inflicted.
You’ve been presented with the opportunity to be a best-selling author, but can never write again, or write forever, but never have a best seller. Which scenario sounds more tempting?
Write forever and never have a best seller, but in doing so, give readers an escape they love.
If you could live on a college campus and never leave, or live in a small town but be able to travel, which one would you choose?
Oh, the small town and travel option for sure! I love to travel but coming home is always awesome.
Okay, how about in an amusement park or in an airport?
Amusement park. My favorite place to visit is Disney World!
And how about Ireland or Australia?
Ireland! Planning on going there in 2019…it’s my dream vacation!
Who is your favorite band from the 90s (I’m thinking Counting Crows, Blink 182, Hootie & the Blowfish)?
Stone Temple Pilots
Are there any good bands out there today that we’ll talk about in 50 years?
Foo Fighters, Van Halen are old favorites, but I’m liking Kaleo (they are new band from Iceland) and Highly Suspect from the East Coast. Jack White (White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather)- the man is unappreciated genius. And I believe we will always talk about The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
And what about your favorite comedy on TV (My favorite is still The Office)?
The Goldbergs. I love it because of the 80’s themes they incorporated into every episode. And I watch and rewatch Seinfeld all the time.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
Two books, actually. One is the second book in the Taming Series which is Nicholas and Grace’s story. And working on a contemporary romance too that begins with the heroine and the hero falling into love when they are in high school, separated by circumstances and clashing with one another again years later.
Who is your favorite author, and if you could ask him/her one question, what would it be?
Oh gosh…I have so many favorites. But I think I would love to ask Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone with the Wind, how many rewrites of that famous scene did it take before she finally decided “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” was perfect?
Lightning round:
Ocean or mountains? Mountains–but that’s because I live near the beach and see it all the time.
Yogurt or ice cream? Ice cream (butter pecan)
Chocolate or Sour Candy? Chocolate
Jimmy Fallon or Stephen Colbert? Um, can neither be my answer? Lol
Happy or sad ending to a novel? Happily Ever Afters are the best!
Beer or wine? Wine. And I’m not picky about it! Red, white, merlot, pinot, zin…it’s all good.
Flying or driving? Flying
Hemingway or Twain? Twain
You’re stranded on a desert island, and you can take two things with you, as well as two people. What and who are you bringing?
Sunscreen and books. And my husband and our dog, Blue. I would bring my daughter too, but her own husband would be so sad without her and she would miss him lol.
You’re able to sit down with any leader in world history. Who would you choose, what would you talk about, and would you rather have him/her over to your house, or meet at their place of royalty?
Queen Elizabeth I. We’d share a decanter of wine at the Royal Palace. I’d ask her, if she could change one thing, would she change her decision to behead the Earl of Essex for treason or grant him a pardon since she loved him so much?
You can wish for one thing and one thing only (not world peace and no more wishes). What’s it gonna be?
The end of animal abuse and cruelty.
April has been writing stories since she was in elementary school. She still has those old notebooks, and for a giggle might let you read them. Her style has evolved since then, but a belief in the power of romance never changed. Her fans will always find a happy ending at the end of her novels – after their favorite characters endure great angst, of course! April lives on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Married for 30 years to her high school sweetheart, they have one beautiful daughter and an awesome son-in-law. April is adored by a goofy German Shepherd, tolerated by a sassy Quarter Horse and suffers a rock-n-roll addiction. When not writing about romance, she and her husband attend concerts and plan entirely too many trips to Disney World with the family.
The Extraction (Claudia Belle #1) by C.S. Luis
This was another book out of my regular comfort zone, so I’ll do my best to review it based on the writing. The story was okay, but I did feel somewhat disappointed that the characters weren’t developed more. It’s definitely on the short side, but it’s the first in a series, so that should take care of itself. I enjoyed the main character, Claudia, and I’d like to see where she ends up and what happens on her journey. I gave it 3.5 stars, and if you like sci-fi books, you should enjoy this one.
Jackson Paul Baer 