Netgalley Review: Hot, Holy, and Humorous

Do you want to be a hottie in the bedroom without sacrificing holiness? How can you make the most of God’s gift of sexual intimacy in marriage?
Wrongful thinking and behaviors regarding sex permeate our culture. Christians need to reclaim sexuality and enjoy it in the way God intended.
 
God does not shy away from the subject of sex. The Bible shows a better way in every area—including the marital bedroom.
 
In Hot, Holy, and Humorous, author J. Parker gives candid advice for wives from a foundation of faith with a splash of humor.
 
This book can boost your sex savvy and improve your marital intimacy. And guess what? With God’s perfect design, you and your spouse can enjoy the most amazing sex!

My Review:

While there are references to love and lovemaking in the bible, there aren't exactly a lot of hot and steamy passages, or any detail about trivial marriage things, like how Abram and his wife decided (probably together, I don't see any woman making such a decision on her own) that he should sleep with someone else for the good of the future. 
There are many (perhaps too many) references to Star Trek in the first chapter of Hot, Holy and Humorous. While I appreciate the first chapter describing how to spark common romance in the relationship, the constant Star Trek references took away from it. As it so happens, I'm the less romantic one in our relationship and I don't like the implication that I'm an emotionless alien.
But it got better. Parker breaks down how to write a love letter you don't totally hate, and mentions that if it makes the great poets roll in their graves your mate will likely love it anyway. 
Between common obstacles that spoke directly to my heart like having totally off sleeping schedules, not knowing how to buy lingerie, being okay with more than the missionary position, and how to initiate sex, I felt like Parker was the best friend I never had. The whole book being centered on God was a bonus.
My favorite idea: having sex in a homemade fort. 
This book did have more to-the-point descriptions and diagrams involved, which I appreciated. I'd actually probably give this book to my daughter when she's of age. But if you blush easy, you might want to stay away.
4.5/5

Ebook Review: Club Shadowlands: Masters of the Shadowlands

Her car disabled during a tropical storm, Jessica Randall discovers the isolated house where she's sheltering is a private bondage club. At first shocked, she soon becomes aroused watching the interactions between the Doms and their subs. But she's a professional woman--an accountant--and surely isn't a submissive . . . is she? 

Master Z hasn't been so attracted to a woman in years. But the little sub who has wandered into his club intrigues him. She's intelligent. Reserved. Conservative. After he discovers her interest in BDSM, he can't resist tying her up and unleashing the passion she hides within.

Buy on Amazon



My Review:

I bought this book. Well, kind of. It was on sale for 0.00 on Amazon Kindle. But I didn't buy this book because I like romance. I mostly bought it because I have lauded itt as better than 50 Shades of Gray based solely on other's reviews. This isn't right. SO I bought it and read it and for a romance/erotica novel, it's pretty good.

Right off the jump, before even starting the story, Sinclair proves her book is better than 50 shades with a disclaimer for those not yet inducted into the bdsm community. She stresses the ever important motto: safe, sane, and consensual.

While this book is definitely for an older crowd than mine (exactly how old are you when gray starts gracing your temples? And how old do you have to be to find it sexy?) This book was enjoyable. While the characters and situations are fictional, I found the emotions, trust, excitement, and sense of safety in aftercare well portrayed. No, my husband and I don't do things in this book, but I've certainly tried. During that period is what I think back to as Master Z showed Jessica his world, and comparing that time period to this book is how I know the feelings are all accurate. I loved the importance stressed on the consent requirement everywhere, doing any new thing. Definitely something I would recommend for anyone looking for an idea of what bdsm really is. (Hint: 50 shades got it all wrong)

No, I won't be buying the other books in this series. It's good, but Romance isn't typically my scene. Definitely recommended for romance/erotica fans though!

ebook review: Tales from the Crib

Talk about bad timing! 
When Lucy Klein gets her positive pregnancy results, she’s overjoyed. She and her husband Jack have been trying to get pregnant for years throughout their rocky marriage. But before she can tell him the big news, Jack has something he needs to announce – he wants a divorce!
Rather than split up, Lucy and Jack decide to live together as friends. This way, they can share expenses and parenting responsibilities. Co-parenting is a fine deal for Jack who is back in the dating scene by Lucy’s third trimester of pregnancy, but is a frustrating one for Lucy who has unfulfilled sexual fantasies about every man from restaurant delivery boys to puppeteers. 
Meanwhile, Lucy’s mother is taking over her life. The grand dame of Planet Earth, Anjoli frequently visits her daughter to share her own brand of maternal wisdom. 
As Anjoli leaves her Drama Queen bookstore to “help” Lucy with baby Adam, the new grandmother has an affair with baby’s pediatrician, hosts two weddings (including cousin Kimmy’s wedding to herself), and constantly frets about which kind of pie to serve guests. With a cast of family and friends from Lucy’s Jewish aunts to Junior League neighbor, Candace, Tales From the Crib is the story of how one baby can bring people together – so they can drive each other nuts!

Buy on Amazon

My Review:

Because I never pay for books, normally right here would be my required FTC disclosure. I did get this book for free, but only because it was on sale in the kindle store. 
This book has potential, but I'm still not sure why someone decided to publish a draft. The characters were interesting enough and the situations were sitcom/soap opera-funny, but gosh it took forever to get to the point. I actually don't recommend this to anyone. In fact, I recommend reading Confessions of a playground mother.

Book Review: Pale Moon Walking

Where the outlaws are out of this world...
US Marshall Sam Kyote has been sent to the dry old town of Coyote Bluff to recuperate from a top-secret government experiment that's left this law man a little...well, different. But Sam's about to find out that the town of Coyote Bluff has a whole lot of secrets. Most of which lead to Libby Mayden-the sexy, long-legged, and tight-lipped sheriff who saved his ass from an alien ambush.
The last thing Libby needs is a US Marshall poking around her town, especially one who's hotter than the Nevada desert sun. She can't let Sam find out most of her town are wanted outlaws. Between the aliens, the gunfighters, and a searing sexual attraction to Sam, she's in a whole heap of trouble. And Libby'll stride both sides of the law-and Sam-until she's forced to choose between self-preservation...and her heart.

Buy on Amazon


My Review: 
I received this book from a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway.

So you all know I usually don't do romances. Or aliens. And tto be honest, wild west stories are not the first things I will pick up. Yet, the author did a pretty good job combining all three. It started off like something straight out of Agents of Shield, which got my attention. Sam started off pretty awesome, but then petered out a little into the unbelievable. The romance felt a little forced and waaay too intense for the emotional relationship that had been set up so far. The love scenes were not ridiculous, which was a nice surprise. And Libby was an awesome character whose emotions never felt out of place. I just can't get past Sam. Not only would I not buy this book, but Sam also cost the book points in the Developed Character category. Good thing the plot and flow of the book were on point--but my review remains at 3 stars.

ebook review: Carefully Everywhere Descending

Audrey Anderson has one chance to escape poverty—excel academically and get into a good school. She’ll let nothing stand between her and her goal: not dating and certainly not snotty Scarlett West. The girls can’t stand each other, so why is Scarlett hanging around Audrey and getting under Audrey’s skin—in more ways than one?
Scarlett needs a tutor, and Audrey doesn’t want the job. She still resents Scarlett offering to pay Audrey to do her homework, but her compassionate best friend talks Audrey into giving Scarlett a second chance. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for Audrey to fight her growing attraction to the other young woman.
At the same time, Audrey’s interest in her new neighbor’s bizarre behavior gnaws at her, and she can’t leave the mystery alone. Her relentless curiosity might cost her everything. 

Buy on Amazon


My review:

Unpopular opinion time. I liked this book. Let's go Star by star:

1, readability: The flow was easy and the sentences were smooth. Subject matter aside, this is the kind of writing voice I craved as a high schooler.

2, plot: When you're reading YA romance, there typically isn't a whole lot of plot. But I did like what happened at the end. I'm not sure if maybe the other reviewers weren't paying attention during the novel, but I didn't find it out of left field at all.

3, Characters: I honestly had a crush on Scarlett because I knew a girl like her in High School and had a crush on that girl. I loved that Audrey is so studious and focused on her future. And Amber is so sweet, I was actually totally hoping she and Audrey would end up hooking up. The whole thing with Mitchell was a little weird, but you know. Writer's license. 

4, predictibility: Did not see the ending coming. I loved it. 

5, buyability: I would definitely recommend getting the kindle book, since you may be of the slightly more popular opinion that you don't like it. But personally, I would definitely buy a print book for a younger friend of mine.

Book source: Netgalley

ebook review: Diamond in the Rough

Over the weeks following her disappearance and the discovery of a long-silenced secret, the yellow brick road to Sophia Cavall’s happiness becomes littered with minefields.
Enter Oliver Black and his irresistible persona. He’s strong, caring, and doesn’t question her need for freedom. Sophie is Oliver’s feminine equal—the lioness in his lion lifestyle. She is his eyes and ears, and has his heart in her pocket. They have enough passion to paint the town red with love and a lurking, dangerous rival fears their union is a problem.
The price of fame and a high-profile relationship collides as the media spins a yarn to boost their ratings. Before they know it, the romance begins to falter. Can the two reconcile their opposing views before it is too late or will they lose the greatest love they’ve ever known? A devil of a choice is in order.
The odds are stacked against Sophie and Oliver in this second installment of the Diamond in the Rough series. What is the truth? Who is the real enemy? There’s no two ways about it—ready or not, he will come.

  Goodreads  | Elisa's website

EXCERPT

She watches the glass fog up around her and the water flow to the shower drain. Her face flushed, her eyes dead, she stares off into the distance at nothing. She can feel him—John’s forced weight, his homicidal knuckles. And she can also feel his gentle touch, how he tinkered with her mind. Why had he done that? Why had he been easy on her? For all Sophie knows, he could very well be plotting her demise from inside a jail cell. He could be laughing. He could be lining dominos up one behind the other, getting ready to tip them over, set off a chain reaction. In her heart, she knows…it’s far from over.

Oliver steps into the shower like a light breeze coming through a window just when you need it. Without saying a word, he sits beside her and waits. He wants to hold her in his arms, but he waits. Oliver sees her for what she struggles with; sees her for what she desires. Right now, all of her is yelling, “just let me be.” And he accepts her quietness, just sits there as if saying, “Okay, but I’m here anyway.” She runs her hands through her wet hair and turns to him. After a long silence, it’s Oliver who speaks first. 

“You okay?”

“You really have to stop asking me that.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to lie to you anymore.”

“Then don’t.”

“I know you think I’m overreacting.”

“That’s not what I think.”

“Then why do I see it in your face?” 

There’s a pause, then a sigh. “I don’t think you’re overacting. I think you need to talk to me. I want you to realize that you’re not in this alone. Give your damn pride a rest. You can let yourself go with me. I’ve got you.”

My Review:

I have been waiting for what feels like FOREVER for this book. Elisa was awesome enough to send me an ARC to review. So, did it meet expectations?

What can I say besides Elisa impressed me again? The plot was spot-on, the characters are insanely developed--we even see Oliver show a bit more of his flawed side--and the ending left me wanting More. Like, now. 

Those who know me or my reviews know I typically don't do romance novels. Even if I do get one that I don't hate, I usually don't go gushing about it. But Elisa makes these books feel like they're not even romances. They have real plots! The love scenes aren't cheesy! And also, the love scenes are well placed, well timed, and tactful. 

Can we talk about the ending? Because I reeeeeaaallly want to. But I try not to have spoilers in my reviews. I'll just say that I kind of had an idea what was going to happen, but I didn't realize Elisa would GO THERE. Ahhh! I'm going to need the next book in my hands, like, yesterday. 

My apologies to my coworkers who received exactly 0% of my attention as I read this book and straight up ignored everything but our clients and reading this book between having to deal with our clients.

Review: Ways to Disappear

A debut novel about the disappearance of a famous Brazilian novelist and the young translator who turns her life upside down to follow her author's trail. 
Deep in gambling debt, the celebrated Brazilian writer Beatriz Yagoda is last seen holding a suitcase and a cigar and climbing into an almond tree. She abruptly vanishes.
In snowy Pittsburgh, her American translator Emma hears the news and, against the wishes of her boyfriend and Beatriz's two grown children, flies immediately to Brazil. There, in the sticky, sugary heat of Rio, Emma and her author's children conspire to solve the mystery of Yagoda's curious disappearance and staunch the colorful demands of her various outstanding affairs: the rapacious loan shark with a zeal for severing body parts, and the washed-up and disillusioned editor who launched Yagoda's career years earlier.
Idra Novey's exhilarating debut is an international romp: a madcap blend of mystery, romance, noir, and humor. 
Buy on Amazon



My Review: 
I got this book for free by winning it from the Goodreads Firstreads giveaways.

I love this book. I LOVE this book. Here's why I love this book:

The cover
The smell
the story
the characters
the format
the short chapters so I can read without losing my place at work
The definitions sprinkled throughout the book
the mystery
The little media updates throughout the book

Things that I less-than-loved:

The main character writing. I thought more would happen with it. I don't understand. What was the point?

Overall: read this book. borrow it, buy it on kindle, do what you have to (preferably not stealing.) but read it.

ebook review: Black Widow Forever Red

Enter the world of the Avengers' iconic master spy 

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world's most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow's infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments-until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn't really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned-and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava's dreams. . . .

Black Widow:Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.

Buy on Amazon

My Review:

Disney was kind enough to let me read this book for free through NetGalley. I had begun to think they blacklisted me or something. (kidding, Disney!) Anyway, FTC, honest review, y'all know the drill.

I was really, really excited for this book. Like, SUPER excited. Not only am I a Marvel geek, but when I was an active writer, I was part of a text roleplaying group and I wrote as the Black Widow. You know, for...research. Or practice. Or something.

I was not disappointed in the least with Natasha's voice or character depiction. We meet her shortly after she joins Shield and takes down Ivan, who was her captor in the Red Room. She also saves Ava, who we get to later. Marvel fans will enjoy her character, as well as Coulson's. 

So, Ava. LOVE her character. Alex: a close second favorite. I liked him, but I wouldn't say I loved him.

Together: Total insta-love. At least it makes sense, kind of, because of who they are, but still.

Natasha: I wanted more. I really, really want more. Like, five more books more. There was not enough of her in this book. 


Overall: The relationship of Ava and Alex fell short of my expectations by two points. But the prose was great, the characters mostly great, and it definitely set the scene for me to read the next book. If there is one. God, I hope there is one. Would I buy it? Yes, but probably as a gift for all of my friends. I'll get a hard copy for myself when I get that mansion-sized library for Christmas.

Rating: 4.8

Review: Even You

Impetuous isn’t a word you'd use to describe Claire Bramany. She’s capable, reliable and steady. But when a sudden accident in Brooklyn in 1995 takes the life of her lover, Jessie Friedman, Claire’s world implodes. And worse is soon to come: while cleaning out Jessie’s desk, Claire finds hidden journals that tell long-buried secrets of Jessie's western girlhood. Jessie’s account of Tulsa in 1944 appears innocent and playful, at first. Her days are peopled with quirky characters--especially Uncle Jimmy, an honest-to-goodness teenage hero just back from war-torn Europe. He’s Jessie's favorite, until the afternoon he makes his move on nine-year-old Jessie. No secrets, secrets kill: this was the promise Claire and Jessie had made to each other. But in twenty-three years together with Jessie, Claire never heard of any Uncle Jimmy, much less any sexual violation. Shattered, yearning to reconnect with the Jessie she thought she knew, Claire heads out to Oklahoma to find this man. Is the story in the journals true? If so, has Claire any other course than to avenge Jimmy's hideous crimes…?
Buy on Amazon


My Review:

I've been reading a lot of books lately with a similar theme to the one found in this book, when grief turns up new information and the ones left behind get latched on to an obsession in the name of finding closure. But even tough it's a similar theme, this book was poignantly written and a delight to read. I found myself drawn to Claire's character in her quest to come to terms with Jessie's death. It was pretty refreshing to read an LGBT+ book from the point of view of middle aged women. Not that points of view from teenagers aren't important, but there are so many of them. How are those who survived puberty supposed to relate to anyone older in books? While this book would make a fine addition to my shelf, I'm afraid it wouldn't be read too often. That said, I recommend borrowing it first or getting the cheaper kindle version before making your decision on the physical copy. My rating: 4.5

Book Review: Bound by duty

Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an Elder but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and she doesn't even know his name. 

Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky Southern girl and to fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is and not what she'll be.

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head or her heart win the battle?
Buy on Amazon


My Review
I was really interested in Amelia's story. The concept was great, the first few pages drew me in and she just so interesting! I love the world of Elders and Hunters and Witches and I really wanted to know what made Amelia's dad go off the deep end (not a spoiler, you find this out pretty early) I was just so so so hooked on the writing and the world and fell deeper in love with the story...

And then the love interests arrived. "I get bad feelings from these guys who happen to be incredibly hot and make me feel things in my girl parts and it must be love because omg that dimple." It's just...it lost my interest. I' not interested in Team this or Team that. I'm interested in how the heck we're going to deal with her Witchiness the Queen. If you remove the Insta-love triangle, this book would be comparable to The Enlighten or Graceling series. But really I liked the plot more than I hated the love story. A three seems too low. I've got to go with four out of five stars.

Review: Sins of her Father by Kathleen Mix

Faith Rochambeau is horrified to learn she was conceived during a rape. She’s determined to make her biological father, Victor Telemann, pay for his crimes. Using her computer skills to dig into his life, she searches for the powerful man’s Achilles Heel and a way to extract retribution. She’ll do whatever it takes to get a conviction, even it if means infiltrating his Fortune 500 company.

She fails to plan on falling in love with her father’s smooth-talking stepson, Kent Telemann, who suspects she is a corporate spy. Faith is drawn to Kent, even though she’s not sure she can trust him. If her heart is wrong, he can put her life in danger.

Meanwhile, her father is playing a lethal game he’s determined to win.
Buy on Amazon



My Review:

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Where to start? Those who follow my reviews know I don't normally do romances, primarily because I feel they lack plots. But between the amazing cover and enticing blurb, I requested this book for early review. I had so much to say about this book, I'm going to break it down into segments so I don't forget anything.

The First Pages: The book starts with Faith dealing with her mother's death, and consequently finding out about her origins after finding her mother's diary. The beginning is very emotionally charged, and I can see ow some would find Faith's next actions far-fetched. But as a survivor of rape, I understood the drive for justice and found myself rooting for Faith on her mission to avenge her mother.

The Writing Style: Mix's writing style drew me in and kept me reading far into the night. I was worried about her name choice for Victor, hoping it didn't necessarily mean he would actually be the victor. Mix is also kind with her depictions of the rape itself. She puts enough detail to show that it was violent, but not so much as to trigger flashbacks for survivors.

Faith as a Character: We meet Faith as a really smart wallflower, who's upbringing made her insecure and starved for love. She's obviously very emotionally driven despite her intellect. I found her character fun to read, enjoyed watching her develop more of a backbone, and kept reading to find out if she would get closure from her mother's injustices.

Kent as a Character: We meet Kent when he's your typical cocky rich bachelor, partying often and the second majority share holder of a company not by work, but by being born. But his development was actually faster than Faith's, as we see his arrogance give way to insecurities of his own as he starts falling for Faith.

The Romance: While not quite Insta-love, it felt forced. Particularly the first kiss. There had just been nothing showing that Faith was at that particular emotional point. Kent's emotional status didn't matter too much because at this point we know that he's faking the whole thing. After that one kiss though, all the other scenes were far more believeable.


"So what should I do, Kristina?" If you like romances and lifetime movies, buy it for your shelves at home. If you like the action and espionage part of the story but don't like romance, buy a kindle version. If you just want to try reading something new and unique, read it at the library first.

Review: The masquerade, an alter, and a fairy

Kristin D. Van Risseghem grew up in a small river town in Minnesota with her parents and older sister. And after receiving a double Bachelor of Science degree from Winona State University in Paralegal and Corrections, she worked as a Paralegal for various law firms around the Twin Cities for 14 years. Then she left the legal field and is now a Senior Buyer for a technology company.

Currently, Kristin lives in Eagan with her husband and two Calico cats. She also loves attending book clubs, going shopping, and hanging out with friends. She has come to realize that she absolutely has an addiction to purses and shoes. They are her weakness and probably has way too many of both.
In the summer months, Kristin can usually be found lounging on her boat, drinking an ice cold something. Being an avid reader of YA and Women's Literature stories, she still finds time to read a ton of books in-between writing. And in the winter months, her main goal is to stay warm from the Minnesota cold!
Kristin's books are published by Kasian Publishing.

website

http://www.KristinVanRisseghem.com

twitter username

KVanRisseghem

Frustrated with her extravagant duties as a Summer fairy, Sidelle Amistad is desperate to prove she can be more than a petty princess. The accidental capture of Winter fairy, Finnegan, looks like the ideal opportunity—until Sidelle and Finnegan fall in love.

Knowing her love for Finnegan is forbidden, a heartbroken Sidelle searches for deeper meaning in her eternal existence. Her pain leads her on a quest to help the humans … in a desperate fight against Hell itself.










My Review:

Risseghem never fails to entertain me. We got to meet Sidelle earlier in the first book of this series, but it works amazingly well as a standalone. I was so happy to see more of Sidelle's backstory and see the extent of her character development up to the point until the first book began.

I really admire when an author can make a book stand totally by itself and still have it tie so intricately with the overall "big picture" of the series; reading this book didn't feel at all like a sidestory, as I thought it might, but added to the overall plot and made me excited for the next books.

I would definitely keep my eye on this author and see what more she brings out.

My rating: 5/5

Book Review and Author Interview: The Guardian, a sword, and stilettos by Kristin Van Risseghem

Zoe Jabril could be just another 17-year-old girl attending parties with her friends and checking out cute guys—except her best friend is a Guardian Angel, and the boy she crushes on is a Nephilim, half-angel, both sent to Earth to protect her. A high school classmate happens to be a trendsetting shopaholic fairy. And now there’s a new werewolf in town. 

Zoe has to deal with her feelings toward Shay, who spreads a strange electrical current through her body every time he touches her. Now Zoe is under constant attack from demons, trying to kill and stop her from fulfilling the Prophecy: a girl will be born who will unite the Enlightens to battle evil. Then on top of that, between boring homework and drama with girls at school, she has to control new found talents if she’s to prevent the devil from escaping Hell.

In order to do so, Zoe must devise a kick-ass plan ASAP or watch everyone die, because she’s running out of time. She turns eighteen in two months—the date Armageddon kicks off.

Kristin D. Van Risseghem grew up in a small river town in Minnesota with her parents and older sister. And after receiving a double Bachelor of Science degree from Winona State University in Paralegal and Corrections, she worked as a Paralegal for various law firms around the Twin Cities for 14 years. Then she left the legal field and is now a Senior Buyer for a technology company.

Currently, Kristin lives in Eagan with her husband and two Calico cats. She also loves attending book clubs, going shopping, and hanging out with friends. She has come to realize that she absolutely has an addiction to purses and shoes. They are her weakness and probably has way too many of both.

In the summer months, Kristin can usually be found lounging on her boat, drinking an ice cold something. Being an avid reader of YA and Women's Literature stories, she still finds time to read a ton of books in-between writing. And in the winter months, her main goal is to stay warm from the Minnesota cold!

Kristin's books are published by Kasian Publishing. 

How to reach Kristin:
kristinvanrisseghem@msn.com
Website 
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads


The Interview

1. What made you choose to write in this genre?
A: The Guardian, a Sword, & Stilettos just seemed to flow out of me. I didn't pick the story, it picked me.
2. When did you know you were a writer?

A: January 2013 I dreamed of the warehouse scene in Book 1. Didn't think anything of it until the next night I had the same dream in the warehouse. Woke my husband up and told him about it. He said I should write it down. Of course I didn't. The 3rd night, I dreamed of the tattoo and knew I had to start getting it down on paper so to speak. I started writing when I got home from work and wrote until the wee hours of the morning, so 7-8 hours at a time. Go to sleep a few hours and get up for work. Did that for 3 weeks. When I saw the final product, I knew I was a writer.

3. What inspires you?
A: I took a lit course in high school and a reading one in college. Didn't think anything of it but enjoyed writing and reading back then. I started reading as something to do before I met my husband. Then when Twilight came out, a group of friends created a book club and it’s been downhill ever since. I read a ton. A few years back, my cousin started writing and she asked me to (beta) read for her. I did, but didn't really know what I was doing. One of her friends asked me to read one of hers too so I did b/c my cousin said that my comments were spot on.

4. What are you currently working on?
A: I planned The Enlighten Series to be a trilogy with two novellas. I have the first novella, The Masquerade, an Altar, & a Fairy, scheduled to release in August 2015. But after this series? I’m not sure. I guess where ever the pen (or in my case, the keyboard) takes me.

5. Do you have any advice for other writers?
A: This might be a very common answer, but social media is a must these days. You as an author need to be found by your readers. So I have a website, FB-Author page, Twitter and Goodreads accounts. I do keep a personal FB page separately though as I try to keep my professional/personal life separate from my writing life. Brand yourself! You need to sell yourself and be a believable and legit author before readers will take you seriously. There are many free websites and places to help you, just make sure that it looks professional. And when in doubt? Ask other writers. At some point we’ve all been there.



My Review:
You should read this book. If you think Twilight had potential but focused too much on the love triangle, read this book. If you like YA fantasy but feel like "the chosen one" is too stereotypical for you to really love a book, then read this book. If you like well developed and interesting characters, guess what? Read this book.

This book first caught my attention when the author asked me if I'd like to review it. I was expecting more of the usual fantasy romance--chosen one who's automatically ready and willing to be chosen, a love triangle, a focus solely on the Chosen One with no development for anyone else, then Wham-bam-thank you ma'am the day is saved and everyone goes back to their normal lives.

I was pleasantly surprised. Kristin writes a well formed, real teenage girl (with hormones) who suddenly finds out that she's supposed to save the world and No One thought to tell her until demons started trying to cut her head off. Like any teenager, Zoe appreciates a fine body, but made me give a sigh of relief when she quickly shut down a would-be love triangle with telling one of the boys that she likes him, but not that way, and he should grow a pair and act adult about it.

What I also love: that feeling when you get when not everything is resolved and you look down and there's only 10% of the book left. I got that feeling. I ached for more to read. I need to find out what happens next and I'm excited for the next book.

That is the mark of a good author. This book stuck in my mind and had me jumping off the bed to tell my husband how good that book was and how glad I was to read it.

So read this book. And then read the next one. And then keep an eye out for more because I get the feeling Risseghem is going places.

My rating: 4.5/5

Book Review: Echoes of Paradise by Deanna Kahler

Connor’s dead. But she can still feel him. Is it just her imagination or something more? Celeste wants to know. And she’ll stop at nothing to find out. 

A once-aspiring artist, Celeste is going through the motions of life. She’s stuck – in a job she doesn't love, with a man who isn't right for her, in a web of painful memories from the past. Adding to her despair is the sudden and unexpected death of Connor, her true love. As she struggles to make sense of the world around her, strange coincidences and mysterious events lead her to question her sanity. When the happenings persist, she wonders if Connor’s spirit is trying to tell her something. Her jealous husband Dave insists it’s all just her imagination. But when Celeste’s young son has an experience of his own, she is determined to uncover the truth.

Join Celeste as she risks her marriage, her career, and her own safety to escape the demons from her past and unravel the mysteries of life and death. With so much uncertainty, there’s only one thing Celeste knows: her world will never be the same.



My Review:

My first thought when I started reading this book was "wait...Connor, the one true love, is an ex-boyfriend?" I was thinking he was an affair, or a reeeeally close friend that was her "almost boyfriend". But not an ex. It wasn't a bad thing, but certainly surprised me. Kahler wrote in a way that kept e reading not because the book was necessarily action packed, but because she expertly used foreshadowing that is unfortunately missing in a lot of books I read. I think most authors could learn a thing or two from Kahler. 

Character review: 
Celeste, as the main character, was obviously well rounded and had a lot of depth. I would have been disappointed if she hadn't. She was flawed, she was relateable, she was fun to read about. 

Dave, on the other hand, felt like a plot device. Honestly he didn't really have any character development until nearly the end of the book. 

Connor is a special case. You get an idea of his feelings and ideas, but as a spirit, "where there is no hate, only love and God and forgiveness" he had no flaws! I would have liked more on Connor when he was still human.

Star: I couldn't have enough of her. I want a whole book on Star. Maybe Connor and Star met up at some point in Rome? huh? Anyone? I'd read it.

Overall:
 Kahler writes in a way that keeps you guessing about what will happen next--but your guesses are always wrong. She writes great characters in a voice that flows easily. Recommended for readers of romance, family tales, spiritual books, and friendly ghost stories.


My Rating: 4.5/5

Book Review: Ten Things we did (and probably shouldn't have)

My Review:

I really like this original title. Honestly I was so very confused when I saw a different cover of the book with the new title. But what are you going to do about it, right? The important thing is the story. The story is great. It's everything I want in a YA book when I'm just plain tired of vampires and dystopians. It's light, it's funny, it has a great writing voice that's easy to follow and never 'stalls out' so you want to stop reading it. 
Bonus points: the first page. What a hook.
Are there downsides? Depends. It's an awesome book and I recommend reading it. Will Mlynowski make it to my Author Idols list? Well...no. But to be fair it's a really tough list to get on.

My rating: 5/5

Book Review and Author Interview: Diamond in the Rough by Elisa Marie Hopkins

Elisa Marie Hopkins is a debut author who released Diamond in the Rough this year.  I fell in love with it, even though romance typically isn't my thing. you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest.
Can't wait for her next book? Elisa writes often on her website.

My Review:

I received this as part of a firstreads giveaway.

While not exactly action packed, this intrigue-laden romance novel had and kept my attention. The beginnings of the romance in the story (young, single professional woman meets very rich, very handsome mysterious man while egged on by optimistic roommate) seemed awfully close to the first three pages of 50 Shades of Grey. Luckily, the violent men in the novel did not include Oliver Black in their numbers--and the relationship itself is well developed and interesting.
All in all, Hopkins succeeded in creating a romance with well developed, relateable characters without focusing completely on the romance itself--no matter how in love you are, life is going to go on around you and both parties are going to have things going on. I look forward to more.

My rating: 5 of 5.

The Interview:

Which authors or books have influenced your writing style?
To be honest, no one in particular. I read often and I learn something from everybody. I also watch way too many movies and TV shows for my own good. I absorb and analyze the elements in stories that make me feel something or have interesting characters. If I happen to not like a story, then I begin to notice things like grammar, plot holes, bad dialogue, and I also learn this way. In any case, I never stop learning.

What inspired you to make ADitR more than ‘just another romance novel’?

I never want to be just another author. I like to read and write raw characters, typical and atypical outcasts, people whose morals and needs come into conflict. Sophie will never be light and fluffy. She wasn’t designed that way. You might think of her as whiny, she might piss you off, or you might laugh at her bad puns. The thing about Sophie though, whatever you think of her she probably won’t care (unless you’re Oliver Black, then she definitely cares). I inwardly cringe whenever I see or hear a reader say Oliver is too perfect. My faith on humanity drops ten points. I have no desire to write perfect characters because a) they’re boring to write about and b) no one in real life is perfect. If a good-looking face and a thick wallet is a woman’s definition of perfect, then something probably ain’t right. #prioritycheck No offense, Oliver. I love you.

Bottom line is, I want to write books that will make your brain work. It’s an incredible organ. A busy brain is a clever brain! And a sexy one. I want to write books that can spark up a debate, sadden, inspire, delight. I don’t want to write flowery books that everybody will enjoy, because, let’s be real, you can’t please everyone. I personally hate some best sellers. Do I want to be liked? Uh, let me think. Of course! It’s the best feeling when readers have wonderful things to say about my stories.

What can we expect in your upcoming sequel to ADitR?

For snowboarders, the black diamond trial is of the most difficult slopes at a mountain. For readers, Black Diamond—I believe—I hope—will be a challenge for the mind. In a nutshell—nothing will be simple for Sophie and Oliver. For me, it was more of an intellectual exercise than the previous book. Research-wise, I felt like I was juggling frogs is all I can say. New characters are introduced to the game. Old favorites are upgraded. Others go a little nuts. It’s definitely more cohesive, just because the twists and turns of ADITR are pulled together in Black Diamond. I try to blend every possible emotion in a believable and satisfying mixture.
You can read the blurb and add Black Diamond to your TBR on Goodreads. A cover reveal is coming up soon, as is a release date!

What can we look forward to in the future?

I was 23 when I wrote ADITR and, you know, as we journey through life, we tend to pick up some wisdom along the way. I was in a much different place in my life emotionally; now that I’m 27 and a tad bit more grown up, the stuff I write is too. That’s not to say I won’t be targeting a younger audience in the future. I have a YA story in the works. But shhhhhhh…

Are your characters based on real people?

Sometimes I meet people and am so strangely moved by them, that I want to explore them as characters within my stories. I see a lot of myself in Oliver. He really challenged me, and my IQ probably rose considerably just giving him an identity. We both know our way around engineering, and we’re both sometimes very analytical, a bit stubborn even, drawn to some of life’s most puzzling mysteries.

You recently wrote about a near death experience on your website. How do you feel about planes now? Does your mother still worry when you travel?

Oh em gee, thank you for reading! That flight changed my life. I can still remember the experience vividly. How do I feel about airplanes? Jean Kerr said it best: “I feel about airplanes the same way I feel about diets, that they are wonderful things for other people to go on.” Honestly, I have to pop a Dramamine every time I fly, but I love to travel so what’s a gal going to do other than grow a spine and face her fears? My mother has a doctoral degree in worrying – passed it with flying colors. I love you, Ma. I know, I know, I’ll understand when I have kids of my own.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

ADITR was written because once upon a time, I was feeling very lost, hopeless, unhappy, and writing became an escape from my everyday life. Ultimately I wrote it for me. It might mean nothing to you, or you might like it. You might even want to come back for more.

I’ve always been a dreamer, not much of a doer. So to actually have written a story, to have pulled myself up out of depression and into a better place, then gone on to have a book published, for me— it’s everything.

If this book makes you feel something, I’m golden. Good. Bad. What’s the difference? If you see the good in the bad, then it’s not really bad, is it? Silver linings, people! They make the world go merry-go-round. I believe we itch for connection. We want to have a sense of belonging and identification. We want to feel like we’re not alone in this struggle. That said...if you do happen to take something valuable from this story, please write to me elisamariehopkins@gmail.com. Or if you just want to say hi, that’s cool too. I love to talk to readers/writers/authors/aspiring authors, and help in any way I can.

Book Review: Fearsome by S.A Wolfe

Jessica Channing’s big city life should be more exciting than sixty-hour work weeks and popcorn nights with her girlfriends, but it’s not. She has worked hard fulfilling her role as a child prodigy and graduating college years before her peers. She’s the good girl, the brilliant girl.

Unfortunately, she’s also the dateless young woman.

That all changes with one phone call. Jess’s rigid, predictable life upends when she must visit a small, obscure town to deal with a relative’s death. This isn’t just any little speck of a town, though. Long lost memories come crashing down on Jess’s world when two men, the Blackard brothers, seem to lure her in. 

Genre: Romance
This novel contains graphic sexual content and strong language. It is intended for mature readers.

S. A. Wolfe lives with her family in New York City. She is a voracious reader of all types of fiction and passionate about writing. She loves connecting with readers on Facebook or email her at: sawolfe24@gmail.com.












My Review: 
The first few chapters had me intrigued. Maybe I've been reading too many suspense novels but I was expecting something more sinister to the mysterious fallout of Jess's parents and her aunt. That said, it's an easy read and entertaining if not thrilling. I was disappointed with the inaccuracy of the first love scene, spreading the myth that sleeping with someone still hurts and you still bleed even if you are properly turned on. I had hope for the Romance genre again after reading Diamonds in the Rough, but was let down by what I felt was a lack of plot. However, if you're into the fluff  and the romance and the love scenes, you'll enjoy this book.

My rating: 3.5/5