Blogoversary: Trevor Shane Interview & Giveaway

Exactly one year ago  Trevor Shane released his debut novel Children of Paranoia and Blood Rose Books was part of the kickoff for that release. Shane has very nicely agreed to answer some follow up questions about his first year as a published author as well as share some up coming infomation for the Children of Paranoia series. Please Welcome to Blood Rose Books:

Trevor Shane

It has been exactly one year since your debut novel Children of Paranoia was released (and you did an interview for Blood Rose Books last year), can you give us a quick recap of how your year went.      

It was an amazing year.  I’ve done readings and book festivals in Brooklyn, Boston, South Carolina and back in Manhattan. Children of Paranoia was published in English, French, German and Spanish. And I’m pretty far into the negotiation of the option on the movie rights (more news on that to come soon, hopefully).  The best part, though, has been reading people’s reactions to the book. It’s simply an amazing feeling having other people, strangers really (although it doesn’t feel that way once they’ve read your work), fall in love with your work.  There are few things in life better than that.    

On a personal note, I adopted my second son, Van, in June so this year has been pretty crazy on both a professional and personal front.

What is one thing that you have learned about yourself as an author since the release of your novel?

I still read most of my reviews, good and bad. I know that some more experienced writers stop reading reviews but I feel like I learn so much from them (from the good ones and the critical ones). One thing that becomes clear when reading reviews is that your audience will spot everything weakness that you fear in your work but they will forgive those weakness (and no book is perfect) if they like your voice and your characters. I’ve always thought of myself more as a storyteller than a writer but I feel like that’s changing a bit and that I may one day be comfortable calling myself both.

What is your most memorable moment from the past year?

The highlight from a professional standpoint had to be Children of Paranoia’s launch party which we had at BookCourt near where I live in Brooklyn.  BookCourt is one of those great neighborhood bookstores and it’s hosted readings by a slew of the great Brooklyn writers so that was really an honor.  The best part was having so many friends and family there though. I got really choked up at the time.

Do you think that all the reviews of Children of Paranoia and interviews you have done for Blogs have helped spread the word about your book?

No doubt. Books are a remarkable commodity in that you can’t manufacture a hit. In movies and TV and other mediums, if you do enough advertising, you can make a hit even if the product is no good. You can’t do that with books. For a book to be truly successful, it has to have good word of mouth. I find that really refreshing. For me, though, it’s not even about having a hit book, it’s just about finding an audience.  So I’m happy to do an interview if I think it might get me one more reader because that one reader might love my book and that’s all I’m really shooting for.

Have there been any books that you have read in the last year that are must reads?

I read Ready Player One on audiobook (I do all my reading on audiobook). I’m not sure if it’s a great book but listening to Will Wheaton read that book could be the most fun I’ve ever had with a book. I met Joseph Kanon at the South Carolina Book Festival (we are on a panel together) and I read a couple of his books which are great pieces of noir writing. The one book that blew me away recently though wasn’t a new one but a semi-classic. The Brothers K by David James  Duncan is simply a gigantic, powerful, awe-inspiring piece of work.

Now the questions I have been dying to know the answer too as well as many other people based upon the search history on my website. Can you share any information about the next book in the Children of Paranoia series?

It’s always hard to know how much to divulge. I’m much better at this in a one-on-one context because some people love spoilers and others don’t. What I can tell you is that the second book, Children of the Underground, picks up essentially where the first book ends. So the second book is primarily Maria’s book, though her story is interwoven with some of plot threads that help transition the reader into book III. The second book is now set to come out in April of 2013. I’ve been working with Penguin to try to make sure that the books II and III are a bit more affordable so that’s been slowing down the publishing process a little bit. In that vein, if anyone didn’t pick up Children of Paranoia because of the price tag, the paperback version came out on August 7th.

The third book, Children of the Uprising, starts roughly eighteen years after Children of the Underground. I hope that’s just enough information to spark the imaginations of those who read Children of Paranoia and gives them some insight into where the trilogy is headed. I will say that the books often go in the direction you would expect them to, though I do have quite a few surprises up my sleeve.

On a separate note, I wanted to thank you and your readers for the support over the past year. It’s all part of what has been a thrilling year for me. I won’t forget it.

Trevor's Children of Paranoia was one of my favourite reads last year, one of the best debut novels that I have ever read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series (come on April get here sooner). If you are a fan of Mystery, Action Adventure, and Suspense you need to pick this book up OR you can try to win a copy. Trevor has very nicely agreed to suppy a copy of his novel for a giveaway and this giveaway is open Internationally :)  . Thank you once again Trevor for being part of my Blogoversary

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make Sure to Check Out the Other Great Interviews & Giveaways Happening NOW!!
Marcia Clark
Jennifer Estep 

Blogoversary: Jennifer Estep Interview & Giveaway

Well I may have been a bit late in discovering the Elemental Assassin series (Spider's Bite), but I absoluty loved the first book in the series, and I will be getting to the second (and third and so on) very shortly. Please welcome to Blood Rose Books Today:

Jennifer Estep

You state that you have been reading since you can remember (it becomes hard to remember everything you have read), is there one fairy tale from when you were a kid that still inspires you today?

JE: I’ve always liked the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. I just think it’s a really great story of how Beauty is able to see the goodness inside the Beast despite his outward appearance. One of my favorite books is Beauty by Robin McKinley, which is a retelling of the fairy tale, and I enjoy reading different versions of and takes on the fairy tale.

I think there are many book worms out there (myself included) that agree with you that the library was one of the best inventions ever, what would your perfect library look like?

JE: My perfect library would just be a warm, welcoming place with lots of bookshelves, lots of comfy chairs, and of course, lots of great books to read. There might be a fireplace and maybe a mug of hot chocolate sitting on the table next to me to add a little extra warmth on a cold, rainy day.

What do you think would be the hardest or most challenging genre to write a novel in and why?

JE:Each genre has its own challenges, but I think a mystery or a thriller would be challenging to write just because you would have to plot out all the clues in advance, decide how much to reveal to the reader and when, and try to keep the reader guessing until the end.

You began your writing career writing adult based books, why did you change to writing books for Young Adults?

JE: I just thought my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series would work better as a young adult series. Plus, I had been wanting to branch out and try writing in a different genre, and writing a young adult series let me do that.

What do you think are the additional challenges of writing a Young Adult series?

JE: I think it’s definitely a challenge to tell more of a coming-of-age story and to try to capture that young adult voice. My young adult heroine is still learning about herself and her magic and trying to decide what she wants her place in the world to be. So it’s a challenge capturing all of those things. But so far, I’ve been having a lot of fun writing a young adult series.

 

Do you think that your background in journalism helped prepare you for the fiction writing and publication world? Additionally how do you think it helped prepare you?

JE: Well, they are two different worlds, but I do think that my journalism experience helped me, especially with learning how to deal with deadlines and budget my time.

Your most recent adult series, The Elemental Assassin, was released just as the paranormal genre was becoming very popular, how do you think that these books differ from the other paranormal authors? Do you think that it is important to introduce something new, innovative or different into a genre that has become very popular (and some would say over saturated)?

JE: My Elemental Assassin urban fantasy books focus on Gin Blanco, an assassin codenamed the Spider who can control the elements of Ice and Stone. When she’s not busy killing people and righting wrongs, Gin runs a barbecue restaurant called the Pork Pit in the fictional Southern metropolis of Ashland. The city is also home to giants, dwarves, vampires, and elementals – Air, Fire, Ice, and Stone.

Since I’m writing about an assassin, I’m probably writing a little more of an anti-hero. The books also have a Southern flavor to them.

I do think it’s important to try new things and to try to stretch and grow as a writer, no matter what genre you are writing in. But at the end of the day, I just want to tell an action-packed story that will hopefully entertain folks.

From your Bigtime series to MythosAcademy series to The Elemental Assassin series, you have a lot of character with powers, what is one power that you would like to have?

JE: I think it would be cool to be able to teleport and instantly go anywhere you wanted to.

Do you have any information on upcoming works or events that you are able to share? 

JE: WIDOW’S WEB, the seventh book in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series, was published on Aug. 21. DEADLY STING, the eighth book in the series, is set to be released in April 2013, and there will be at least two more books in the series after that one.

CRIMSON FROST, the fourth book in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series, will be released on Dec. 24, and there will be at least two more books in the series after that one. Folks can visit my website at www.jenniferestep.com for more information about my books.

What is one book on your shelf that you cannot wait to read (can either be a new or old favorite).

JE: I’m looking forward to reading BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore because I enjoyed her book, GRACELING.

Jennifer Has very nicely supplied a giveaway to go along with her interview (thank you once again). Please fill out the following form to enter and make sure you read the terms and conditions as well. This giveaway is open to USA residence Only. Thank you once again for Jennifer for being part of my Blogoversary and everyone who is a fan of the paranormal genre make sure to check out her elemental assagin series.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make Sure to Check Out Some of the Other Blogerversary Interviews & Giveaways happening right NOW!

Marica Clark (Open to USA Only)

Blogoversary: Marcia Clark Interview & Giveaway

Welcome my blogoversary (year number two now, wow how the time flys), I am very happy to start off my Blogoversary Author Interviews and Giveaways with an author I just discovered in the past year who wrote a murder mystery novel with a great female protagonist (Guilt By Association). Who knew it would be by an individual who was a house hold name in the 1990s (I think I just dated my self there). Please Welcome to Blood Rose Books Today:

Marcia Clark

Which was your first desired occupation as a child, Author or Lawyer or something else?

Author. I discovered Nancy Drew when I was about 6  years old, and that was the beginning of my addiction to crime (not as in committing it, just reading) both true and fiction, which continues to this day. I thought about writing novels off and on for years after that, but never mustered the guts, or the confidence – what if they didn’t sell? I really like living with indoor plumbing. But then I went to law school and  found a way to satisfy my obsession with crime. From the very first week, I knew I was going to practice only criminal law.

You are one of the most well known Los Angeles deputy district attorneys, what spurred the change to writing fiction novels?

After the Simpson trial, I was too emotionally shredded and disillusioned to stay in the D.A.’s office. I had to find a new career path. So I did a variety of things, like hosting on various cable shows, speaking appearances, correspondent for Entertainment Tonight, etc. Then I wound up getting hired as a consultant on a one hour drama that was based on the L.A.D.A.’s office. The creator of the show persuaded me to write a few scripts with her. And then we wound up creating some pilot scripts together for FX, Lifetime, and VH1. I think it was the fun of script writing that gave me the confidence to finally take a crack at writing a novel. A long, winding road, isn’t it? LOL. But I’m so happy to have found my way back to my childhood dream.

You are a media commentator and columnist on legal issues; do you think that you will always be involved law environment?

I hope so. I do love the law and I still practice, just not in the courtroom. I handle court appointed criminal cases on appeal, which keeps me current with what’s going on, legally speaking.

What was more challenging, the O. J. Simpson Trial or writing and trying to get a fiction novel published?

There is no comparison. O.J. Simpson was a nightmare from start to finish. Months before we started trial, we were told in no uncertain terms from a variety of sources that we had no chance of getting a conviction, that the best we could hope for was a hung jury. Still, I got up every morning with a fire in my gut, believing that I’d find a way to get the jury to see the truth, to do justice. Imagine throwing yourself at a brick wall all day, then going home, going to bed, and getting up the next morning…to do it all again. That’s what the trial was like.

Writing the novel? No question it was tough. And I actually wrote a few novels before I wrote the one that became Guilt by Association, the first in the Rachel Knight series. During those years, I was working full time on criminal appeals, which was an 80 hour a week endeavor. So I was working on the book from about midnight to four a.m. for a while. By about the fourth year, I got an agent interested, and spent that year taking notes from the agent’s assistants. But at the end of the year, they felt I hadn’t gotten there. And I agreed with them. We parted ways, and I thought long and hard about what didn’t work. I realized it was my story, so I threw it all out and started from scratch. I was pretty tired at that point, and there were many nights I’d be writing at two and three in the morning, thinking ‘no one may ever see this.’ But I knew I had to give it this one last try. I had to get it right, if only to prove to myself that I could. So it was by no means an easy road, but it doesn’t bear comparison to the trial.

Why do you think that the public had/has an obsession over the O. J. Simpson trial that it is still talked about today (as well as mentioned in every review of your book that I have read including my own)?

The Simpson trial presented a vortex of social issues at a time that was particularly emotionally raw, especially in Los Angeles. The Rodney King riots – the most violent mass uprising in the 20^th century – had happened just two years before the murders of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown. Racial tensions were still at an all-time high. And the defendant was a wealthy, nationally famous football icon, who was African American. Just those factors alone would have been enough to grip national consciousness. And they still are. Even now, 18 years later, the coverage of Trayvon Martin’s killing immediately reached a feverish pitch, and most likely will again when the case goes to trial. Now add in the fact that back in 1994, technology for the first time, presented the media with the capability of televising all of the courtroom proceedings, gavel to gavel, nationwide to every major network. The issues the case presented – clearly still of searing impact today, the celebrity of the defendant, the constant coverage, all combined to make that case what some have tragically called the first hit reality show.

What do you think would be the hardest or most challenging genre to write a novel in and why?

They’re all challenging in their own way. I couldn’t say that any particular genre is harder or easier than any other. No matter what you’re writing – romance, thriller, noir, you’re always going to have to make yourself sit down and write every day for months at a time. Then rewrite. And rewrite again. Then take notes and rewrite again. Best selling thriller writer Joe Finder has a great quote in his email signature: "Writing is manual labor of the mind: a job, like laying pipe."
—John Gregory Dunne

I think that sums it up nicely!

I know it has been said that a legal mystery can be a hard genre to write because of the need for accuracy. What do you think are essential aspects when writing a legal mystery?

I agree that legal mystery requires some degree of accuracy. Verisimilitude is part of the attraction to the genre, the sense that the story, even though outlandish at times, could be true. You can’t deliver that feeling unless the story is procedurally correct, whether it’s in the field doing an investigation, or in the courtroom. For example, when there’s a courtroom scene, the testimony, the questioning, the objections and the judge’s rulings, have to be as realistic as possible, even if somewhat overly dramatized, or the readers will walk away. Today’s readers have seen so many real trials and case investigations on television, they know what actually happens, so you can’t take too much artistic license. You can take dramatic license, in fact you must. But procedurally speaking, you’ve got to keep it real.

 

Since you have the experience of being a prosecutor, did you find that it was easy to draw on your experiences and put them into a book? Was it important to you to have a realism factor in what Rachel experiences and investigates within the book?

Yes, I do think it was a distinct advantage that I’ve practiced criminal law for so many years – both as a defense attorney and a prosecutor. I know how things go in a criminal case, and that means there’s a certain amount of research I don’t have to do. And  I can’t help but put my own experience into the books. You write what you know, right? That doesn’t mean that the characters, the stories, are literally ripped from real people or cases. They’re not. What I would say is that having spent my life as a criminal lawyer, the people I’ve met, the things of seen, all inform the characters and stories I create.

As for realism, yes, it’s important to me. As I said, I think readers of this genre expect the procedures, the legalities, to be correct. I know I do. So I make the investigation, the action in court – basically all the procedural aspects – as accurate as possible. Personally, when I run into something in a story that I know could never happen, it takes me out of the moment. I never want a reader to feel that way with my books.

Do you have any information on upcoming works or events that you are able to share?

I do! “Killer Ambition,” the third novel in the Rachel Knight series, comes out next year. I call that the Hollywood book because it involves a world famous film director and his teenage daughter. And in “Killer Ambition” Rachel goes to trial. I wanted to show readers an entire case from beginning to end, so this book will take you from the moment Detective Bailey Keller (Rachel’s BFF), first gets the call, all the way to the jury verdict.

And, exciting news: cable network TNT has optioned the books for a one hour drama series. I’m attached as executive producer, and Dee Johnson, who’s attached as showrunner/executive producer, will write the pilot. Nelson McCormick is attached as director/executive producer.

What is one book on your shelf that you cannot wait to read (can either be a new or old favorite).

One? Seriously? No, I can’t pick just one. I’ve got such a long list of “To Read” I’d need another page for this interview! But I will share what I’m reading right now: Stephen King’s, “11/22/63.” This is big time excitement for me. I love his writing but haven’t been able to read him because he scares the bejeezus out of me. LOL! It’s a tribute to his talent, but it’s been a bummer not to be able to read his work. So I’m glad to finally be able to read this book, and I’m loving it. Btw, for anyone who wants to write, I highly recommend his book, “On Writing.” It’s fantastic.

Marcia Clark has now become an author to watch out for outside of the courtroom and I recommend her novels for those who are looking for a book that accurately portrays the work of a Deputy District Attorney but does not limit the suspense and thrills. Marcia has very nice supplied two of her books for a giveaway to help me celebrate (enter with Rafflecopter below, open to USA residents only). I want to say Thank You once again to Marcia for being part of my Blogoversary and make sure to check back in a few days to see who the next author who is going to be featured.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jonathan Maberry: The Dragon Factory

This is the second book in Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger series. While there is not too much of a reference back to the first book, the first book, Patient Zero, does set up the characters and relationship and how Joe becomes involved with the DMS (plus it is a great read) that you may feel the need to read it first.

Joe Ledge and the DMS (Department of Military Science) are being hit on different fronts and one of them is their own government. Someone inside the United States government wants to dismantle and take control of Mindreader and is willing to go to any lengths to get it. If that was not enough, there is a mysterious email sent to the DMS that show creatures that are of myth and fantasy but seems very real on video. Additionally, there are red flags being set off all over the world as diseases that were thought to be extinct growing in rapid numbers, but only affecting people of certain race and color. Little does Joe and his Echo team know that there is a count down to the end of the world, and there is nothing that can be done once the clock hits zero. Joe, Echo team and DMS resources are spread thin as they try to unravel all the mysteries surround the attacks as well as protect the world from extinction and that some old points of views about the people of the world, never really do die.

I am a big fan of this series, so do not worry if you liked the first book in this series and are worried about the second one living up Patient Zero, I think that Maberry has succeeded in writing an awesome second book for this series. I love that Maberry continually has you questioning whether what is happening within the story could be real, could be happening on some level right now, within this novel that is the development of super-bugs with specific targets as well as combining the DNA of different animals to create new creature or Hybrids. As human have always been fascinated with creating and destroying everything around them, I think that theses were perfect topics for Maberry to explore and you get the real creepy/scary feeling when you read the information that he has amasses for this novel, you questions what is really being done behind all those closed doors around the world. I really appreciated that you can tell that Maberry has done his research on genetics for this book, as he is able to explain the creation of the creatures within this story. Maberry, knows how to weave a interesting story that is not over whelmed by the action (although there is quite a bit of action in this novel, I think there is more than the first book). The Joe Ledger series are for those who like their action reads, and maybe want to try something out with a sci-fi mix to it, as Maberry has succeeded on melding the two together, basically flawlessly. I really love the development of Joe's character within this novel as well as his relationship with Grace. I think that it was smart for Maberry to introduce something good into Joe's life, so that everything is not the dark, that consumes him. There are some big events within this book that I know will define Joe as a character in future novels, so if you also liked Joe as a character in the first, just watch out in this one. I also liked the introduction to Eighty-Two (yes that is his name). It was just a very interesting perspective to have especially when the voice if that of a child. I do wonder if Maberry will continue to have Eighty-Two within the books as I could see him being a fixture within the DMS.

I like that Maberry is not afraid to let his main character get hurt, both physical and mentally and the mentally part is what makes Joe who he is and his ability to be the best at his job. Maberry also does a good job of letting those around him get hurt as well, and you never really know which individual on Joe's team is going to survive (well except for Church, I would like to see the day where Church actually gets to be part of the action). This really adds to the suspense and even though people may get attached to certain characters, that suspense is what makes Maberry's books more interesting and more real as we all know not everyone can survive a battle (especially in this book as there are some very unique genetically modified creatures/humans/species).

This book does have several point of views, but I found that the majority of the chapters were focused around Joe voice. However, if you dislike having different points of view within the book you read then you will probably not want to pick this one up. That said you will be missing out a great if you choose not to pick this up.

I'm a big fan of Maberry and his Joe Ledger series, I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. Maberry's seamless way of making everything within his story appear real, will always keep me coming back for more and maybe just keep a better eye on the headlines, as things like this really could come true. The Joe Ledger series are for those who really enjoy their action adventure novels, with enough suspense and twists and turns to always keep the reader guessing.

Enjoy!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Out Too:

   

Jeff Abbott: Collision

Jeff Abbott takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride, where anything can happen when two people are thrown together by fate, design, plan or maybe all of them put together.

Two men who are living very different lives and have chosen different paths, however, one act is going to send them onto a collision course of interaction. Ben Forsberg is a successful corporate security consultant, who is mourning the accidental death of his wife on their honeymoon and a man only known now as Pilgrim does the dirty work that even the CIA won't touch. They are thrown together in a hail storm of bullets and either is unsure of who they can trust they become leery partners. They set out to figure out who framed them or if the other is just part of some other elaborate plan. As the body count continues to rise each man will have to confront aspects of their past, present and future especially not everyone and everything is what it seems, they really do not have any where to turn for help, they just need to try to survive.

This is the second book that I have read by Abbott, and it did not disappoint, I like that Abbott tends to do things on the darker and grittier side of things, he does not sugar coat much. Abbott seems to have a way of writing an action adventure/thriller that it becomes so much more than just gun fights. He is able to weave a tale with interacting plot lines that you are forever guessing how things are going to end and who is going to betray who next. Additionally, I find that Abbott never over does the action or gun fighting scenes. While in the action adventure genre there are always going to be scenarios where the real aspect is questionable, I find that Abbott does not flirt with the line too much, but there are some scenes, where you question whether that could really happen or not.

I loved Pilgrim in this book, I was completely fascinated with every part of his character. He was hard and soft all at the same time, and although he gave up his family, he was still dedicated to his country, his second chance and doing what he believes is the good work for the USA. Pilgrim is given the jobs that the government does not want to be connected to. Pilgrim's main flaw is that he is loyal to a fault and does not question what is asked of him and this is where he gets taken advantage of. The more I read about Pilgrim present and past, the more I liked him and wanted to know more. Along with the plot/premise of this novel, he is a major draw for me.

I did not really care for Ben Forestburg; I felt he was real in his lack of wanting to believe that this was truly happening to him and that there really must be a mistake. I just found that his character is fairly whiny (which I believe is what Abbott wanted him to be). Ben is definitely a sharp contrast to Pilgrim, which may be why he was not my favorite character. However, it was interesting to see how Ben changed throughout the novel, once acceptance sets in and by hanging out with Pilgrim. I found it interesting that Ben began to ask himself, "What Would Pilgrim Do?"

I applaud Abbott for never taking the easy way out and allowing all of his characters to be invincible. He allows them to get hurt mentally, physically, and you are never sure who is going to make it out in the end. I think by never truly knowing which characters are going to survive, it adds to the overall suspense of the book because each scene, could be a character's last.

This book does have chapters by different characters, and a multi-storyline that intertwine with each other which allows the reader to try and put everything together before the author takes you there. However, if you are not a fan of novels that have quite a few characters that could be considered main as there are several chapters by then, then this book is not for you.

I'm becoming at very big fan of Abbott, his books are able to keep me on the edge of my seat, wanting more and not wanting to put it down. I know by picking up an Abbott book the story is going to move at a fast pace. He is able to create very in-depth character(s), which is an aspect that is often lost in the action adventure genre. I'm looking forward to picking up my next Abbott read.

Enjoy!!!!

Note: There are some scenes within the book that depict torture.

If You Like This,

Check These Out Too:

   

Alicia Wright Brewster: Don't Call Me Angel

With her debut indie short story Alicia Wright Brewster introduces the reader to a fallen angel who is struggling to get out of Hell.

Six does not really know why she was sentenced to Hell, some sort of Bureaucracy from above but as soon as she was placed there Six has had several plans to get out of Hell, all that have failed, but she has spent centuries planning and working towards her next plan. But can Six really handle being back in the real world, where she knows she will be hunted be be brought back to Hell and the feelings that she thought she had lost towards humans resurface and test her resolve to not to be involved in their every day lives. However, Six is going to have to be aware of a threat that is even closer to her, as all is not what it seems.

I was surprised when I opened up the book on my Nook and discovered that it was only 85 pages, but I had told the author that I review her story, even though I tend to stay away from reads that are this short, I just did not expect it to be this short. The premise of the story is what really caught my attention and I wanted to see what kind of story Brewster could develop in this few pages.

I found that Brewster was able to create a story about Six (even with the shortness of the book) that kept me wanting more and more. Brewster could have taken the premise of these 85 pages and made it into longer story and I think that she still would have been successful. I think that it is harder to write a short story that develops characters and creates an interesting and engaging plot than it is to write a 300 page book. I think that Brewster succeeds on all aspects. I think in future books this series may move into a more paranormal romance area, just based upon these 85 pages, but for right now, it is a fairly dark paranormal read (which I love).

I found Six (Yes it is an odd name, but do not worry the name is explained in the story) as a very interesting character, her time as an angel and then a fallen angel have changed how she views humans as she sees them as having everything, yet never being satisfied with what they have (which I think is very true for a large portion of the world population). To make things worse she can feel the emotions of each human that she passes, from sadness, to anger to fear to happiness and Six struggles with blocking it out and not helping out. Even after centuries of darkness, cold, hatred and not understanding why she was banished she still has the ability for compassion, even if she does not want it.

Brewster's short tale is a blessing and a curse. Brewster left me wanting to read more about Six and her new life and I was interested in the story, however, I think that by having a longer novel Brewster would appeal to more readers (myself included). I hope that Brewster decides to release a longer second book or puts the additional stories that she is writing together to create a longer read so that her story is not lost within the stacks of read longer books. I know I will be looking for book two, book one leaves the reader with quite a bit of a cliff hanger.

Enjoy!!!

If You Like This,

Check These Out Too: