I had such a great time at the Lay All Your Books On Me: Here We Go Again Author Event at the Cleveland Renaissance! As you can see the dates are wrong on the signage, but that is because last years event ran smack into a pandemic and the great organizers, Connie Shingleton Miconi and Krista Venero and the volunteers, worked on the second attempt this year and it was a SMASH!
First, I received a swag bag full of gifts from the authors for having a VIP ticket. Then, I got to meet so many great authors and the after party was fun with people dancing, taking photos and just sitting around chatting.
This is the list of authors attending the event and the actual date of the event with a group photo of all the authors below:
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The first part of the day was spent meeting and talking to all the authors and matching author names from their books with their faces. I was very excited to finally meet one particular author who I have been on-line friends with for almost ten years and then I also met many new authors who I hope are new friends going into the future.
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First table in the door and an author I won a book from on-line before the event was Ginnie Conquest. I enjoyed meeting her, reading her romance and becoming better acquainted at the after party. I hope her writing dream job comes true for her!
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Next, I got to meet in person Hope Daniels and Alicia Dawn. If you like paranormal romance, check them out. They are fun to talk to and I am looking forward to digging into their books.
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Next, I have to say I was surprised to find out that two authors, one I wanted to read and one I have read, are one in the same person! Shhhh…. Don’t tell anyone but, Phoebe Alexander with her smokin’ hot and sexy erotic romances and Christian cozy mystery writer K.L. Montgomery look amazing alike. š
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My next featured author I have been reading for some time. Who doesn’t love a HOT Navy SEAL, intrigue, romance and suspense? And I completely did not realize at first who I was meeting and talking to. Sometimes I am a little slow on the uptake……but Cat Johnson was so great to meet! (And Cat, when you next talk to J.M., she can tell you I showed her all of your books I have on my Kindle.)
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Last, but definitely not least is my on-line and now in-person author friend J.M. Madden! (Fangirl moment!) I have been reading Jennifer’s books since her first “Lost and Found” series book was published. The characters are all memorable, especially John, and the books are some of my all time favorites. It was a meeting postponed for a year, but it was worth the wait!
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Door prizes, DJ, dancing, snacks and a bar at the after party where everyone relaxed and got to reconnect. (Sorry, I was too busy talking to take more pictures.)
This was a fun event where I got to meet some great new-to-me authors, besides favorites and I hope more events come to Cleveland soon!
I love getting a few box sets for my summer reading so there is no waiting on the next book in that series that I am engrossed in reading. A sizzling hot paranormal/urban fantasy series that I have previous reviewed now comes in three different box set groups right now.
Check out Lisa Carlisle’s – VAMPS: Underground Encounters Box Set 1 with gargoyle shifters, vampires, and witches; SHIFTERS: Underground Encounters Box Set 2 with shapeshifters, vampires, and rockstars, or you can get them both together in Underground Encounters Box Set (2 Book Series)!
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VAMPS: Underground Encounters Box Set 1 with gargoyle shifters, vampires, and witches
OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
Book 1 – CURSED
CURSED (Underground Encounters Book #0) by Lisa Carlisle is the start of the paranormal/urban fantasy series featuring gargoyles, vampires, shifters, witches and demons. I have read other books in this series and have loved them all and this short story did not disappoint.
This story introduces the French gargoyle shifter brothers, Lucan, Danton and Mattias who are happily living with their clan. Lucan starts seeing a witch, who believes their relationship is more than just the fling Lucan believed it to be. When she comes across the brothers discussing her and Lucan, she believes they are speaking disrespectfully of her and she curses them with a black spell that locks them in their stone forms and clouds their memories of her.
As the brothers adapt to their cursed lives, they find that when they see someone in danger, they are released from their stone forms for 24 hours.
Are they to be cursed forever? Or will the brothers be able to find a way to break the curse?
This is an intriguing introduction to the gargoyle brothers, Michel their vampire boss and VAMPS the underground alternative goth nightclub. Ms. Carlisle has done a good job of worldbuilding in such a short book. I do not usually like cliffhangers, but since I read this book after the book that gives us Dantonās story, I was not upset and did not have to wait.
Once you start reading this series, you are going to be hooked!
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Book 2 – SMOLDER
SMOLDER by Lisa Carlisle is the revised novella start to her Underground Encounters paranormal romance series which was originally released in 2012 as Smoldering Nights. I love Ms. Carlisleās various series, but this novella still lacks the depth of character and originality I look for in her books.
Nike is a firefighter who loves to let off steam with her best friend, Maya on the dance floor of Vamps, the local goth night club. On one of their nights at the club, she sees the man she has a crush on from her rock climbing gym. He has a French accent, a gorgeous body and beautiful eyes. She cannot believe her luck when Michel asks her up to accompany him to a private room upstairs, but she is about to get an education in other creatures that coexist with mortals.
Michel is a nightwalker. He does not know what draws him to Nike at the club or the gym and he knows he should not get involved with a mortal, but he finds her irresistible. When he gets Nike to agree to accompany up to the private rooms, they are attacked by an old enemy right when things begin to get interesting.
Michel and Nike go on the run. The attraction is too much to resist and they begin to explore their sexual attraction and also begin to wonder if it could become more. Can they have a future or will Michelās enemy find them once again and destroy them both?
This novella was a very quick read and a good introduction to the Underground Encounters series. Nike is a strong heroine who can stand on her own which I loved. Michel is sexy and a dream, even with the fangs. There just was not enough depth to the characters due to the shortness of the story and it does end abruptly.
You have to start this series. It is a fun intro and the sex scenes are steamy, hot and well written.
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Book 3 – FIRE
FIRE (Underground Encounters Book 2) by Lisa Carlisle is HOT!
I am very glad I continued on in this paranormal romance series, even though the first novella in the series had a few problems for me. This story begins a year after the fire at Vamps and follows Maya. It can easily be read as a standalone, even though it does bring characters from the first novella back.
Maya Winters is missing her best friend and decides Halloween is the perfect time to return to Vamps and blow off some steam dancing after a long shift working as a firefighter. As she is dancing away to her favorite tunes, she suddenly feels eyes on her. When she sees the tall, dark and brooding bad boy staring at her she feels an instant attraction.
Tristan Stone is the new, mysterious owner of the rebuilt Vamps. Tristan is from a long line of Salem witches. He stays away from people due to what he considers his curse, because he has only ever been able to see darkness around people and it drains him. When he comes up from his underground lab beneath the club one day to check on things, he immediately spots a woman dancing because of the brilliant light surrounding her. This has never happened before and he has to find out why she is different.
Maya and Tristan combust when they are together. The two opposites are light to dark and outgoing to cautious. Tristan thinks Maya may be the answer to his curse, but he has never told anyone about it outside of his family. Maya is harboring a secret of her own that she has never shared. The sex is hot, but can a relationship with secrets last?
Maya and Tristan are main characters that are perfect together. Ms. Carlisle has given these characters depth that is as fun and entertaining as it is serious. The sex scenes bring the fire and heat.
With the return of Nike and Michel, I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series!
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SHIFTERS: Underground Encounters Box Set 2 with shapeshifters, vampires, and rockstars
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
Book 1 – IGNITE
IGNITE (Underground Encounters Book 3) by Lisa Carlisle is now my favorite of this series!
Vamps underground nightclub is the epicenter of each book in this paranormal romance series that are all easily read as standalone stories. Ms. Carlisleās world of vampires, shifters, witches and gargoyles just keeps getting better and better.
Book 3 has Lily Everett celebrating a promotion with her friend at Vamps. Lily works hard at her job, works out hard at the gym and is an avid reader who has occasional sex with no commitments. Lilyās night out is interrupted by The Velvet Cocks lead singer and she is not thrilled until she hears him sing. He has a sensual voice that captivates her. Lily is interested, but very guarded and a loner because she has a furry secret that she never shares.
Nico Bedrosian aka Leggy Bones is a rock star by night and a computer geek by day. He is intrigued by the golden eyed beauty who does not seemed interested in him. He gets Lily to let him in enough to be a friend with benefits and those benefits are extremely hot!
Real feelings begin to grow on both sides, but Lily refuses to share why they can never be together. Nico wants to break down Lilyās walls and find out why she is so afraid to commit, but can he really handle the truth?
Lily and Nico are both well fleshed out characters that have many layers to their personalities that make them unique. You can feel for Lily having to grow up with her secret and being too afraid to share. Nico is just perfect with his rock star looks and voice, literary knowledge, geekiness and English accent. These two have explicit, steamy, smokinā hot sex scenes throughout the story, but they are well placed and realistic to the building relationship.
Ms. Carlisle has built an intriguing paranormal world around Vamps and each book has increased my interest and love of the series. I cannot wait to see who will be introduced next!
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Book 2 – BURN
BURN (Underground Encounters Book 4) by Lisa Carlisle is another sizzling addition to the VAMPS paranormal romance series. When you sit down to read about Devon and Layla, clear your schedule because you are going to want read this one from start to finish.
Layla flees London for her immortal life. She has been framed for a theft from a master vampire, who does not believe in her innocence. She returns to America and reinvents herself as āAngelicaā, the new lead singer for an 80ās heavy metal cover band.
Devon St. Clair has a reputation as one of the best bounty hunters for hire. Ruthless and relentless, he always gets his man or woman. Aided by his years in Royal Special Forces, he is also a shifter. He can shift into any animal form and every one of them hates vampires. When he catches up to Layla at VAMPS, he is entranced by her and her voice, but he cannot let that get in the way of his job, can he?
This series just keeps pulling me in and I have to say that I especially loved Layla and Devon! Layla is petite and yet mighty, in character and physical strength. Devon is all hot, tough shifter and yet has softer, vulnerable moments that appear for Layla. The sex scenes are smokinā hot and steaming. The plot is not unique, but Ms. Carlisle puts some interesting twists into this world of paranormal creatures that makes them unique.
This book can easily be read as a standalone in this series, but I bet if you love paranormal romances as I do, you will want to read them all.
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About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves stories with dark, brooding heroes and independent heroines. Sheās honored to be a multi-published author writing in different genres since sheās wanted to be a writer since the sixth grade. For much of her professional career, sheās written non-fiction ā but sheās discovered writing romance is the most fun. Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and All Romance Ebooks.
When she was younger, she worked in a variety of jobs, moving to various countries. She backpacked alone through Europe, and lived in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. Sheās now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, a cat, and many fish.
It is time for my third and final stop on the Blog Tour for another book in The Mer Chronicles. OUTRUSH (The Mer Chronicles Book #3) by Errin Stevens. This book features Maya and Aiden’s second chance for love.
Below you will find a book synopsis, my book review, author and narrator info and a giveaway. Enjoy and as always good luck on the giveaway.
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About Audiobook #3
Author: Errin Stevens
Narrator: Sean Posvistak
Length: 11 hours and 16 minutes
Publisher: Errin Stevensā®2019
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Series: The Mer Chronicles, Book 3
Release date: Jul. 17, 2019
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Book Synopsis:
“Falling, falling…. Maya was airborne again, suspended between a landless platform above and an inscrutable expanse of water below.” Maya’s headlong rush into marriage isn’t working out…and it isn’t the only collision course she’s on these days. Her saltwater distractions aside, her father-in-law wants her gunned down for reasons unknown, and her pesky bodyguard – when he’s around – seems intent on drowning her in want and regret.
Maya is desperate to hold onto any small part of herself she understands. When escape becomes her only option, she finds herself in a race against a past – and a man – she can’t outrun.
OUTRUSH (The Mer Chronicles Book #3) by Errin Stevens is the
third paranormal/urban fantasy story in the world of the Sirens of Griffin Bay
though this addition to the series takes the listener/reader all over the US. The
story picks up seven years after the events of Breakwater and focuses on the
second chance romance of Maya and Aiden.
Maya has tried for years to make her marriage to her college
sweetheart work, but when she catches him having sex with another at a party at
her in-laws, she finally accepts there is no fixing their broken marriage. As
she works through the revelation, her father-in-law catches her in his office.
He believes she has seen incriminating papers and to save himself he orders her
followed and killed if she goes to authorities.
Aiden may not be married to Maya, but he feels bonded and
therefore goes against all efforts of the Siren community to keep them apart. Using
his powers to cloak, he stays on the periphery of Maya life and marriage. When
he learns of the danger she is in, he helps her get away, but their troubles
are just beginning.
I have to say that I was once again drawn into the Siren
world of Ms. Stevens and enjoyed all the characters. I was happy when Maya
stood on her principles and strength to continue with her medical education and
practice, even with all the chaos around her. She is a strong independent female
character, which is why I had some difficulty listening to the first part of
the book. It is a lot of internal struggle over several chapters that if she
was so strong should have been more limited and resolved sooner in my opinion.
I also love Aiden and his devotion to Maya, but the mind manipulation bothered
me in some instances. Even with these two complaints, I still cheered their
romance on. I was glad to see Ms. Stevens added the proof of Maya and Stuās
divorce before Maya and Aiden came together, also.
There are several subplots going on in this story that I am
looking forward to listening/reading about in future books in this series. Once
again there is plenty of romance, action, adventure and intrigue in The Mer
Chronicles that keeps me coming back for more.
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About the Author: Errin Stevens
Errin Stevens writes paranormal romantic suspense stories from her home in Minnesota. When not wrestling with unruly narrative – or reading literary and commercial fiction like a fiend – youāll find her poring over seed catalogues (winter) or gardening (the other three days of the year).Twitterā®Facebookā®Goodreadsā®Instagramā®Pinterest
About the Narrator: Sean Posvistak
Sean is an aspiring game developer who’s used his years of work on Youtube to excel at audiobook narration.
Back again for my second stop on the Blog Tour for another book in The Mer Chronicles. BREAKWATER (The Mer Chronicles Book #2) by Errin Stevens. This series just keeps pulling me in deeper and deeper with great worldbuilding and storytelling!
Below you will find a book synopsis, my book review, author and narrator info and a giveaway. Good luck and enjoy!
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About Audiobook #2
Author: Errin Stevens
Narrator: Sean Posvistak
Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes
Publisher: Errin Stevensā®2017
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Series: The Mer Chronicles, Book 2
Release date: Jul. 17, 2017
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Book Synopsis:
The sirens of Griffins Bay are in trouble, and the recent slew of royal suicides looks to be the least of their worries.
For one, unless a blood relative of the queen shows up, no one’s around to staff the monarchy. Well, except for a whack-job bureaucrat and he seriously won’t do. Worse is the community unrest threatening siren society, a problem caused by too many humans in the pool, which means Simon and his off-limit girlfriend will have to run and hide if they want to make more of their flirtation…
The solution doesnāt inspire confidence at first, but the Blakes have everything at hand to set their world to rights – namely, a hidden queen, a dead prince, and a facility for human manipulation. Once they find their sea legs, they’ll restore order, distribute smart phones, and drive that conniving bureaucrat to a grisly, satisfying end.
BREAKWATER (The Mer Chronicles Book #2) by Errin
Stevens takes the reader back into the enchanting world of the Sirens of Griffin
Bay. This second book in the series continues immediately after book #1 events in
this paranormal world and once again contains a human/Siren romance subplot.
These books are best read/listened to in order.
The Siren world is still in upheaval with the absence of an
heir to rule their society. The viceroy, Duncan Fleming has been running the
government until final decisions can be made, but power can be addictive and
even in the Siren world it can corrupt. When a surprise heir is revealed, the
viceroy is forced out and plots his revenge.
As the Blakes deal with Siren royalty, a group of rebellious
male Sirens return from building an outpost in Antarctica. The brothers, Simon
and Aiden are staying with the Blakes and Simon has an instant attraction to
Sylvia. Simon refuses to listen to the older Sirens and steals Sylvia off to
Antarctica to mate with her without Siren society involvement. Aiden is not so
lucky in his choice of mate.
Once again I was carried away into the world of the Sirens.
I find all the characters to be dynamic and fully fleshed out. The focus in
this book is on Siren society and the continued intrusion and interactions with
humans, but the romance between Simon and Sylvia intertwines throughout seamlessly.
Ms. Stevens worldbuilding and storytelling skills make me believe in the Sirens
and I did not want the story to end. This is a great series for all ages to
share. There is some talk of sex, but it is not explicit. The focus is on Siren
society, human/siren interaction, family bonds and love.
The more I listen to The Mer Chronicles, the more I want it
to never end. Ms. Stevens has brought a wonderful world to life. Mr. Posvistakās
narration is crisp, clear and added to my enjoyment of the story.
I highly recommend this paranormal series and I am looking
forward to listening to book #3.
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About the Author: Errin Stevens
Errin Stevens writes paranormal romantic suspense stories from her home in Minnesota. When not wrestling with unruly narrative – or reading literary and commercial fiction like a fiend – youāll find her poring over seed catalogues (winter) or gardening (the other three days of the year).Twitterā®Facebookā®Goodreadsā®Instagramā®Pinterest
About the Narrator: Sean Posvistak
Sean is an aspiring game developer who’s used his years of work on Youtube to excel at audiobook narration.
I am very excited to share my Feature Post and Audiobook Review on the first of my three stops for The Mer Chronicles Blog Tour. Today I am featuring UPDRIFT (The Mer Chronicles Book #1) by Errin Stevens.
Below you will find a book synopsis, my audiobook review, an author interview Q&A, author and narrator info and a giveaway. This is the start of an enchanting new paranormal series. Enjoy!
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About Audiobook #1
Author: Errin Stevens
Narrator: Sean Posvistak
Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes
Publisher: Errin Stevensā®2017
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Series: The Mer Chronicles, Book 1
Release date: Apr. 20, 2017
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Book Synopsis:
For Kate Sweeting, love isnāt in the air. Itās in the water.
Since her father died, Kate Sweetingās home life has been in the pits, her well-being on life support. Her future looks desolate until she and her mother, Cara, make another plan: abandon their shriveled existence for more promising prospects on the coast, where Cara can play small-town librarian-bachelorette and Kate can figure out whatās up with that secretive Blake family from the beach.
Everyone is eerily captivated with Kate and her mother, and Cara is the first to figure out why when the man of her dreams arrives all dripping and devoted and closed-mouthed about what he intends. Kate is willing to go along with their subterfuge for a while, but eventually makes a charge for the water to learn what her mother is hiding. Gabe Blake is there waiting for herā¦and so is someone considerably less friendly. By the time Kate navigates her way home, everything will have changed for herāwhat she feels, what she wants, and what sheāll risk to be with the man she loves.
UPDRIFT (The Mer Chronicles Book #1) by Errin Stevens
is the first book in a new enchanting paranormal romance series featuring
Sirens. Ms. Stevensā worldbuilding introduces us to Sirens that interact and
live along-side humans, but only a very few know of their existence.
The beginning of this story introduces Cara and Kate
Sweeting. Cara lost her husband in an accident while Kate was still very young.
She decides to accept a job as the town librarian and moves them to a small
community on the North Carolina coast to start over.
While on a boat tour while only five years old, Kate sees a
young boy her age swimming in the sea who calls out for her to join him. She
goes over the side of the boat. While she swims with her new friend, Gabe all
the adults are frantically searching for her. They find Kate and Gabe on the
beach with Gabeās family safe and sound. This begins a life-long interaction
and attraction between the two.
The second part of the story has Kate and Gabe coming
together as young adults and all of Kateās questions about Gabe and his familyās
differences are answered. Kate and Gabe are planning to be together forever and
just as it seems all is right in their world, another Siren wants Kate for himself.
Will Gabe be able to find and rescue Kate before she is lost to him?
This is my first audiobook review and this story was very
well suited to this media. It is a story that has a lot of worldbuilding to
bring the Sirens and their world to life, while entwining it around the human
characters and Kate and Gabeās life stories. Then it seamlessly flows into a
paranormal romance plot that had me just as engrossed. All the characters were
fully fleshed out and believable to the fantasy.
Ms. Stevensā story pulled me effortlessly into her Mer Chronicles
world and I am looking forward to listening to Book #2. I also enjoyed Mr.
Posvistakās narration.
I recommend this new paranormal world!
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Author Interview Q&A:
1.Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
Well, I went to the ACX web site and did a LOT of internet research while I considered how to best approach my projects. I decided I donāt much like how often we all get asked to create on the if-come, so even though it was expensive for me, I carved out a section of Updrift for use as a script and put the project up as a paid gig through the ACX production system. I got such wonderful responses from some truly talented narrators and was so agitated about choosing the right one. I co-opted the opinion of a longtime friend and actress to listen with me to help me figure it out! She told me to go with the one that pulled the ārightā emotional response as I felt itā¦ and since she and I both thought Seanās read was the most compelling, I made him an offer. Thankfully, he accepted.
Sean was an amazing professional to work with. He made every edit I requested, did everything smoothly and beautifully, and the second I could amass my next pile of cash to produce the sequel, I contacted him to see if heād be interested, and he jumped all over it. Same with my third. Iām really grateful for the care Sean took with my stories and canāt recommend him highly enough.
2. Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?
My short answer to this is āyes,ā although with the caveat that I still prefer reading on paper because that process blurs a certain divide between my conscious and unconscious and results in the experience Iām seeking when I read. But. Iāve listened to a few audiobooks – it saved my sanity on two cross-country drives! – and I think the experience was similar enough to āreadingā that Iād do it again. I think any nonfiction would play well (I adored āIn a Sunburned Countryā by Bill Bryson); and I think a good narrator will know how to bring a story across as the writer intended.
3. Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
No, but I found when I listened to auditions I did in fact have beliefs about how my characters should sound. As I write my fourth – and having produced three audiobooks at this point – I can say I do think of it, now. And itās a helpful perspective to have, has helped me refine my own narrative voice on the page, I think.
4. How did you select your narrator?
Sean was one of several people who auditioned for Updrift on the ACX platform. His audition really stood out to me and my actress friend.
5. How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process?
Very closely, and Sean was the consummate professional throughout. He may remember the process differently, but just as proofing a written manuscript results in copy edits, the same little things come up in voice narration. I think there have been only two sentences in the whole of all three works where I asked Sean to re-read with a different tone. The rest was small stuff.
6. Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
Although my stories are not at all retellings, the inspiration for Updrift was The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. The little reflection of it I hope people see/enjoy is in the form of a character twist, since I modeled my bad guy after the original heroine. I.e., he was the one who risked everything and suffered the most for what he wanted.
7. Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
Audiobooks are a secondary go-to for me but I have very much enjoyed the ones Iāve listened to. Theyāve been invaluable during long trips in the car, and they likely appeal to me because listening feels a bit like when my parents used to read to me when I was little.
8. Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
Oh my goodness, yes. Seanās voice is just this terrific blend of compelling goodies, prompts for the listener to envision the story as well as hear it, and to feel more viscerally the tension the characters feel. And then I think his rich, resonant delivery does a much better job bringing both my hero and my antagonist to life.
9. In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?
A standalone is just that: a completely contained story with all major loose ends tied up. A series lets you explore the lives of peripheral characters or corollary issues the original story did not address, and when done right I think results in a deeper relationship with the narrative.What’s your favorite:
10. Whatās next for you?
Iām going to finish a fourth for this series, Crosstide, if it kills me. And it might. Seriously, I think my brain got broke last yearā¦ š
***
About the Author: Errin Stevens
Errin Stevens writes paranormal romantic suspense stories from her home in Minnesota. When not wrestling with unruly narrative – or reading literary and commercial fiction like a fiend – youāll find her poring over seed catalogues (winter) or gardening (the other three days of the year).
The last thing MI6 agent Eli Morgan expected was Pleiades witch Avery Donovan showing up to ārescueā him. Turns out sheās his biggest threat when an unexpected love spell hits them. Now he canāt keep his hands off the woman he vowed never to touch.
But something evil fights to posses Eliās soul. The only one who can truly save him is his soulmate. Canāt be Avery. What they feel is spell-induced. Or is it?
ONE NIGHT WITH A WITCH (Keepers of the Veil Book 5) by Zoe
Forward is a new paranormal romance novella in the Keepers of the Veil series. This
is a fast, entertaining read to finally bring two soulmates together. This
novella can be read as a standalone, but I feel it is better read in order with
the other books in this series due to the character crossover and the authorās
world-building.
Avery Donovan is one of the seven Pleiades. She can see and speak
to ghosts. Avery has loved Eli her entire life, but due to a tarot reading, she
believes he is the soulmate destined for her sister. For years they have been
there for each other since the death of her parents and sister as they fight
their mutual attraction. Avery has been told that Eli is in trouble in Paris
and she has to be there to save him.
Eli Morgan is an MI6 agent and a druid protector of the Pleiades. While on a mission in Paris, Eli is shocked when Avery shows up and says she is there to save him. Believing that a love spell has been cast, Eli finally gives in and he and Avery come together physically for the first time.
When he sends Avery away to safety, an evil spirit enters
Eliās body and fights to posse his soul. Now the only one who can save him and
stop his destruction is his true soulmate. Was it a spell that brought them together
for only one night, or is Avery truly the only one for him to save his soul?
This was the first Keepers of the Veil book that I have
read. I will definitely be going back to read them from the beginning. Even
without all of the world-building leading up to this novella, I could figure
out what was happening and not be lost, but I had questions. I would also like
to read more of Avery and Eliās interactions prior to this story. This is a
fast read that kept me turning the pages to find out if and how Eli would be
saved. The sex is explicit but not drawn out or gratuitous. This is an exciting
witchy world that is definitely worth the read.
***
About Zoe:
Award winning author Zoe Forward is a hopeless romantic who canāt decide between paranormal and contemporary romance. So, she writes both. Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.
When sheās not typing at her laptop, sheās cheering her son on at baseball, chasing the toddler or cleaning up the newest pet mess from the menagerie that occupies her house. Sheās a small animal veterinarian caring for a wide range of furry creatures, although there has been the occasional hermit crab.
Sheās madly in love with her globe trotting conservation ecologist husband who plans to save all the big cats on the planet, and she’s happiest when he returns to their home base.
