miércoles, 25 de junio de 2014

Syphon's Song: poderes mágicos y maquinaciones políticas



¡Buenos días, arrebatadores! ¿Os apetece que hablemos de magia? A mí me entusiasma leer libros que incluyan magia de todo tipo. La novela de hoy, SYPHON'S SONG, de Anise Rae, es una fantasía moderna que trata de una mujer que ha ocultado durante toda su vida el poder prohibido con el que nació. Es capaz de absorber los poderes mágicos de los magos, en especial aquél con el que está místicamente conectada. Su familia la exilió a vivir con los humanos exentos de magia, es decir, nosotros. Allí intenta dedicarse a la música, lo que más adora, y pasar desapercibida. Claro que no habría historia si lo consiguiera, ¿no? ;o)

Su horrible familia la obliga a viajar al territorio de otra familia fundadora para recuperar el cadáver de su abuelo, encontrado allí con una nota sospechosa. Desde ese momento, su anonimato se romperá como una burbuja delicada. El hombre al que conoció trece años atrás, y a cuyos poderes está vinculada, decide divulgar su secreto, reclamarla para su familia y conquistarla. Ella, por supuesto, lucha con todas sus fuerzas por escapar y se mete en líos tremendos porque todo el mundo quiere matarla.

Me han gustado muchos elementos de esta novela. Tiene un romance pasional, lo que siempre ayuda, pero lo mejor de todo son dos cosas. Primero, la magia. Luego, el misterio del asesinato como fondo de todas las conspiraciones, estrategias y manipulaciones políticas de las familias.

La magia afecta a todas las situaciones diarias como conducir un coche, cerrar puertas, peinarse. Es divertidísimo. Y tan original como su uso más tradicional, es decir, el origen de la magia, sus centros de poder, su jerarquía. Bronte, la syphon, es muy independiente, con lo que está intentando escapar a todas horas del destino que le impone su familia o la del coronel, su cabezota enamorado. Como consecuencia, acaba en medio de secuestros, reyertas, conspiraciones terroristas... Así que la novela no para de producir escenas de enfrentamientos sociales, duelos de poder y acción en las que los personajes son muy variados y vienen cargados de sorpresas. Vamos, ha sido de lo más entretenida y original.



Syphon’s Song
Mayflower Mages
Book One
Anise Rae

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press/Kensington
Date of Publication: March 3, 2014
Number of pages: 359
Word Count: 98,000
Cover Artist: Renee Rocco
Available at Amazon

Legends say a syphon can drain a mage dry. He’ll brave the danger. Will she?

Someone’s playing pranks. The body of the late Casteel patriarch has been stolen and gifted to the family’s enemy, the powerful Rallises. As far as Bronte Casteel is concerned, they can keep it. She hasn’t spoken to her family in thirteen years, not since they exiled her from society for her lack of mage power. But she’s a syphon mage, able drain another mage’s power. Syphons’ destinies are always the same: death by fiery stake. She hides her secret by living among the Nons--powerless humans and the lowest class in the Republic. When her family orders her to go plead for the body’s return, she comes face to face with the one man who knows her secret.

Colonel Vincent Rallis isn’t letting his syphon get away this time. Not when she’s under suspicion of body-napping and aiding anti-mage terrorists. He’ll prove her innocence whether she wants him to or not, and then convince her they belong together...forever.
Vincent’s help comes with a steep price: Bronte must reveal her power. The inevitable ensuing witch-hunt and trial would be bad enough, but even a tough girl might buckle if her prosecutors are her own parents.

CONTENT WARNING:
Hot, steamy nights with the colonel’s magic touch
A Lyrical Press Paranormal Romance


MY OPINION OF SYPHON'S SONG

Dangerous magic, forbidden passion, and tyranny? Yes, please! The first thing that grabbed my attention was the line from the synopsis that reminded me of witches being branded and killed for their power. Of course, sultry nights with a certain colonel didn't exactly deter me from reading ;o)

Legend has it that a syphon could suck a mage's power dry. That's why they were persecuted and burnt at the stake. Nowadays, Bronte lives in exile in the Southern territories among people with no magical powers. Rejected by her kin, one of the founding families, she's been struggling against prejudice, solitude, and a dangerous knowledge that can mean her doom.

Until she's summoned to the Rallis family's territory to act as messenger in a grisly matter. Face to face with the man she met thirteen years ago, legend is about to become reality. Colonel Vicent Rallis is bent on revealing her secret to the world and claiming her for his own.

Loved it! From the first page of solid writing and exciting premise, this novel has won me over with all kinds of wonderful elements. The magic that runs in each family has many possibilities ranging from deflecting spells to talking to a single person without anybody hearing the conversation or blasting whole landscapes away. It was very interesting to see how magic affects all sorts of daily things such as locking doors or driving cars.

Not all is fancy though. Life in these lands is harsh and tightly ruled by the powerful families. Sponsorship and permits are essential to travel, work and exist without breaking the law. My favourite part of the novel is its worldbuiling. The powers and how their wielders react to its effects, the territories where magic is marked, the music that is reserved to mages, all contribute to a highly detailed context for the plot. Politics and strategy are wonderfully exemplified by Vincent's family. They support him in every way and rally to his cause without remorse or hesitancy. I liked that trait of theirs. As I appreciated Vincent's loyalty and determination to protect Bronte, even against her instincts. She is fiercely independent, but she's always been so scared that she's living half a life. Through many trials will she free herself. I  was just hoping she'd get an extra reward in Vincent's feelings for her. I do love a man in love!

Bronte is a damsel in much distress, always fighting to the last consequences but finding herself in even more dire circumstances due to her desperate desire to be free. Manipulated, betrayed, hated, this syphon is in the middle of brutal political and magical schemes that push her to the brink of death. That made for very good scenes. It's a very geared-up plot with lots of scheming, espionage, terrorism, and maneuvering. And a romance with a sexy night in too.

A fantastic read, this is a thrilling, fast-paced adventure full of plot twists and action-packed magic that never stops entertaining.


**


About the Author...
Anise Rae grew up among the cornfields and soybeans of Ohio, dreaming of being a ballerina, an astronaut, and a romance writer. Thanks to her soul deep love of chocolate and a lack of natural grace, her ballerina dreams floated away as high as the moon, equidistant with the astronaut aspiration. She stuck with writing. 

Now transplanted to the south, Anise lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her kids and a dog gifted with the power of finding dirty socks.

Syphon’s Song, a 2012 Maggie Award of Excellence finalist, is the first book in the Mayflower Mages series.

Author photo by www.surianiphoto.com


GIVEAWAY TIME


¿Os gustaría protagonizar una novela en la que sois una heroína perseguida por su poder? Resulta inquietante, pero da para mucho argumento ;o)

Babel soplando para apagar la pira.

martes, 24 de junio de 2014

Aniquilación: una rareza absorbente



Arrebatadores, ¿ya habéis leído esta novela? ¡Menuda sorpresa para mí! Me atraía la premisa, pero la realidad de la lectura ha sido reveladora.

A medio camino entre un episodio de Expediente X y una de esas películas de ciencia-ficción que exploran planetas inhóspitos, ANIQUILACIÓN, de Jeff VanderMeer, cuenta la expedición de cuatro mujeres al Área X.

El misterio es la primera seña de identidad de esta historia, lo que se refleja en que ninguna de las expedicionarias revela su nombre. Tan sólo las conocemos por sus profesiones: psicóloga, topógrafa, bióloga y antropóloga.

Tras varios intentos fallidos anteriores, su misión consiste en averiguar qué les ocurrió a los otros equipos. Además, deben cartografiar la superficie del Área X. Han sido entrenadas, pero existen muchos secretos en sus instrucciones individuales. A medida que se adentran en esta enigmática zona, de la que algo conocen pero sobre la que se ha especulado o mentido mucho, descubren un elemento dispar que no aparece en los mapas.

Sólo puedo decir que a partir de este punto, la atmósfera de la novela se torna claustrofóbica y alienígena. El lector va haciendo descubrimientos cada vez más inquietantes sobre el Área X y sus entrañas. No se puede confiar en nadie porque las expedicionarias son extrañas en un mundo cada vez más extraño.

Se lee como el informe/diario redactado por la bióloga, de cuyas vivencias pasadas y motivaciones conocemos más que de las otras protagonistas, de esta aventura onírica, desasosegante y onerosa. Los descubrimientos se vuelven más y más incomprensibles en esta especie de experimento psicológico contando en primera persona a través de un lenguaje atmosférico y fatalista.

La solitaria Área X y su geografía desolada es tan protagonista como los cambios sufridos por la bióloga, o su vida cargada de soledad y ostracismo.

Me ha gustado el estilo narrativo. Es capaz de succionarte al interior de este mundo de pesadilla en el que poca cosa está clara y lo que se desvela es, cuando menos, desalentador. Tiene un tono melancólico, sobre todo en los pensamientos de la bióloga cuando reflexiona sobre sí misma o su pasado, o la decisión que la condujo a buscar la misión en el Área X.

Aniquilación es, ante todo, un extraño viaje por lo desconocido de la naturaleza y del ser humano. Para flexionar sobre el misterio de la vida. Y, sin duda alguna, para explorar los terrores que esconde el Área X.


Próximas publicaciones: Autoridad y Aceptación. Sí, las quiero leer.


Cuando contemplas la belleza en la desolación, algo cambia en tu interior. La desolación intenta colonizarte.





ANIQUILACIÓN
JEFF VANDERMEER
Trilogía Southern Reach, 1
Tapa flexible con solapas
236 págs.
Misterio / Ciencia-ficción / Terror
2014
Título original: Annihilation
Relación calidad/precio:
17,50 pellizcos
Es muy corta, pero engancha



¿Os atreveríais a apuntaros a una misión así de misteriosa? Me encanta la idea, pero yo no tendría valor XD

Babel perdida en paisajes irreconocibles.

miércoles, 18 de junio de 2014

Cosecha de la temporada: la feria del libro



Debo reconocer que me dejé muchos libros en la feria de este año. Sí, no pongáis esa cara de incredulidad acusadora. Hay más libros en el mundo de los que se trajeron estos hombros portadores de peso literario. Muchos han pasado a mi wishlist, otros vagan en un éter imaginario del que a veces resucitan. Aunque quizás mejor quedarían en el olvido, tiempo no va a darme a leerlos...

Empezando desde la cima: (mis profes decían que no se empezara la casa por el tejado, pero yo paso de los cimientos, a mí que me lo den hecho ya XD)

-Marcapáginas y primeros capítulos: este año la feria ha estado totalmente a dieta, más que yo, casi no se repartía nada ni había detallitos en las casetas.

- Recetas y Gladiadores: dos libritos de regalo, el segundo es genial pero ya lo había leído hace años.

- Sueños de dioses y monstruos: estaba LOCA por tener el tercero de Laini Taylor. Es enooooorme. Me da miedo leerlo por el sufrimiento, por ser el fin.

- Ruptura: el tercero del jardín químico. Me encanta esta saga. Poética. Triste.

- Just Listen: regalo de Maeva. Por fin llegamos a tiempo este año para la sorpresa!

- Corazón de fuego: un intercambio en mano. Estupendo :o)

- La elegida: ese vestido blanco... tenía que acompañar a los otros dos vestidos de gala y color que tengo en casa.

- Tardes de chocolate en el Ritz: tiene chocolate en el título. ¿Necesito decir más?

- Batir de Alas: el tercero de la fantasía escrita por Paul Hoffman comenzado en La mano izquierda de Dios.

- Prohibido: incesto entre hermanos. Mmm, lo ponen a parir, jajaja, pero yo soy atrevida.

- Eternamente tuya: firmado por el autor. No pude contenerme.

Ha sido una experiencia maravillosa gracias a la compañía divertidísima de Xulieta y Lily, mis blogueras favoritas, y la Blogger Lit Con 2014, siempre emocionante y sorprendente. ¡Gracias!

¿Cuál ha sido vuestro botín de feria, arrebatadores? ¿Algún favorito en mi torre de libros?

Babel buscando huecos.

lunes, 16 de junio de 2014

Dark Metropolis: los locos años 20 en versión paranormal




Buenos días, arrebatadores :o) La semana pasada leí una novela de lo más original. Se titula Metrópolis oscura (DARK METROPOLIS) y su autora, Jaclyn Dolamoreha creado un entramado complejo que resulta sorprendente y profundo a la vez que ligero de leer.

Es un misterio que se desenvuelve en mil vueltas en una ciudad inmersa en la post-guerra de los años 20. Thea tiene dieciséis años, trabaja en un club nocturno porque su madre sufre una enfermedad desde que su padre murió en la guerra. Estaban unidos por un antiguo ritual mágico que, a la muerte de uno de los cónyuges, produce inestabilidad mental al romperse el vínculo. Cuando Nan, una compañera de trabajo, desaparece sin dejar rastro, Thea investiga con la ayuda de Freddy, un joven de cabello plateado.

De lo más inesperada, la trama está llena de cambios y sorpresas a medida que Thea y Nan sufren peripecias sin parar. Una conspiración terrible tiene dividida a la ciudad, regida con mano dura por el gobierno y desafiada por los revolucionarios. La antigua magia aún pervive en misteriosas leyendas, pero en las entrañas de la ciudad se cuecen experimentos horripilantes.

Me ha gustado muchísimo que haya dos heroínas viviendo esta aventura mágica y terrorífica a la vez. Hay elementos de amnesia que provocan que no sepamos lo que ha ocurrido y por qué hasta que los propios personajes consiguen averiguarlo. Entre todo el misterio y la conspiración, la atmósfera se va oscureciendo debido a los horribles secretos que esconde la ciudad.

Los diálogos son ingeniosos, la narrativa logra enredar la mente en las pérdidas emocionales que sufren tantas personas y, aunque no hay romance apenas, no lo he echado de menos porque la tensión, el misterio y el horror resultan muy interesantes en todo momento. La parte mágica también ha sido muy original, en perfecta sincronización con el complot y las motivaciones de los protagonistas. La novela es una mezcla estupenda de géneros que recomiendo a quien busque un thriller medio mágico, medio terrorífico con un sabor urbano, oscuro y europeo.



Series: Dark Metropolis #1
Release date: June 17th 2014 
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion 
Amazon - Goodreads

Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.
Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.
Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.
Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.


MY OPINION OF DARK METROPOLIS 

Magic in the roaring twenties? Count me in!

I was very excited to read this book because of that unique blend of historical period, cabaret atmosphere, magic in a dark city and a danger from the dead in the background. How would all that combine to produce a story of mystery and thrill?

After reading Dark Metropolis, I admit I'm very happy with the result. It was a constant surprise! Both the setting and the plot are keenly original. The writing is fluid whereas the dialogues always come up as witty and funny. I fell in love with the characterisation. The main female characters are willful and sharp-minded. They each represent a key element of the plot. The emotional side is Thea's role because she fights to save her family, and the political side is partly Nan's role because she fights for justice, freedom, and something else that goes beyond the current predicament of the city. That's a clever device as it allows the plot to arise naturally from the characters' plights.

The author manages to convey the post-war atmosphere of the twenties where people were both resigned and revolutionised. Behind the glitter of night clubs, a governmental conspiracy covers up horrible, dark secrets that are poisoning the whole of society. The novel proposes such a captivating plot. I loved the idea of old-times magic that was banned but still bounded people together. The alternating points of view between Thea and Nan added dynamism to the events that constantly deepened the extent of the web of lies and criminal actions brewing undercover.

It was so entertaining to follow in the steps of the two heroines as they discover what's happening to the people who disappear, what's Freedy's role in the magical conspiracy and how to save the innocent while a revolution is hatching, and the villains keep on with their incredibly devious business.

What blew my mind is the refreshing creativity of the story. Whenever I thought I had it figured out, a new door opened and spilled out twists that changed my vision about the characters and what was going on with them.

What makes it special? The unique blend of past society, otherworldly elements, the mysteries and conspiracies that keep evolving, the wondrous horrors that people are willing to uphold, the sorrows and hopes every character harbours in the most relatable way.

My favourite part was the magical side of this society that has outlawed a somewhat rustic but romantic tradition, while at the same time is capable of using an ancient source of magic to enslave and corrupt. Also, I really enjoyed the period atmosphere along with the amazing characters.

In short, I'd like to say how much I enjoyed the originality and the terrifying scope of the plot. The characters are perfect to tell the story and I'd recommend it to all lovers of earthly magic who are looking for an urban, mystic, dark twist. Expect the unexpected!


 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jaclyn Dolamore was homeschooled in a hippie sort of way and spent her childhood reading as many books as her skinny nerd-body could lug from the library and playing elaborate pretend games with her sister Kate. She skipped college and spent eight years drudging through retail jobs, developing her thrifty cooking skills and pursuing a lifelong writing dream. She has a passion for history, thrift stores, vintage dresses, David Bowie, drawing, and organic food. She lives with her partner and plot-sounding-board, Dade, and two black tabbies who have ruined her carpeting.



GIVEAWAY TIME
US ONLY


¿Qué os ha parecido la novela de hoy? Una elección interesante de época, ¿verdad?

Babel bailando en un club nocturno con el pelo corto.

viernes, 13 de junio de 2014

Within Temptation: misterio y romance / review, interview + giveaway



Me encanta leer historias románticas que tienen una trama importante que lleva a los protagonistas al límite de sus creencias y a conectar entre ellos. WITHIN TEMPTATION, de Tanya Holmes, trabaja a partes iguales el misterio que rodea un asesinato y el romance entre la hija de la víctima y el asesino.

Trace sale de la cárcel doce años después de ser condenado por matar a la madre de Shannon. Vuelve a la ciudad donde sucedió todo para rehacer su vida antes de salir pitando de allí. La gente le acusa, le pone la zancadilla, le maldice. Aunque Shannon trata de ayudarle, lo cual le sorprende y le atormenta. Ni siquiera ella cree que fuera inocente.

A medida que estos dos personajes mantienen unas conversaciones dramáticas y llenas de intensidad, vamos descubriendo poco a poco cómo sucedió el asesinato. Shannon sufre de amnesia post-traumática pero recupera algunos recuerdos a base de mucho sufrimiento. Con toda su voluntad y contra todo el pueblo, lucha por descubrir los verdaderos acontecimientos en torno a la muerte de su madre. Y en el proceso, desentierra terribles y oscuros secretos sobre su familia, su progenitora, su relación con ella y, sobre todo, vuelve a conectar con quien fuera su campeón siendo adolescente. Trace. 

Me ha gustado mucho cómo van apareciendo detalles sobre su relación pasada y se desarrolla su conexión en el presente. Los diálogos son fantásticos porque están llenos de drama, emociones, dolor que acaban desembocando en un romance tórrido entre ellos. Toda la parte de la investigación y los secretos familiares ha sido muy interesante. La autora ha combinado sabiamente el misterio, los temores emocionales, las decisiones drásticas, las consecuencias de los actos cometidos por amor o miedo y el romance turbulento pero liberador de los protagonistas. Me ha satisfecho completamente. 



Title: Within Temptation (Sons of Temptation #1)
Author: Tanya Holmes
Release Date: May 12, 2014

Category: 
Romantic Mystery/Romantic Suspense. This is not erotica or romantica. 
This is a romance centered around a murder mystery.

Heat Factor:
3 out of 5 -- The sexual tension is high, and the burn is slow.
Sex is character-driven, rather than plot-driven.

add-to-goodreads-button31
 
================================
Love, betrayal and murder in a small town….


Twelve years after her mother's murder, Shannon Bradford fears she may have helped convict an innocent man. Even worse, her prominent family may have had something to do with it. Desperate for answers, she seeks help from the one person least likely to give it. Her best friend and childhood crush, Trace Dawson. The man she sent to prison. Serving hard time for murder has left Trace angry and bitter. As far as he's concerned, digging into the past won't replace the years he's lost or erase the hell he's lived. Now that he's free, Shannon Bradford tops his list of bad memories. But he never counted on falling in love. Set in a sleepy little town during the dead of winter, this award-winning romance novel is a tale of one woman's quest for truth and a man's struggle to forgive.   

the Book
   

MY OPINION OF WITHIN TEMPTATION

I'm keen on stories where you have to slowly unravel the mysteries from the past. Especially when there is murder and betrayal in the core of it.

How can two people forgive each other if one of them accuses the other of murdering their mother? It was fantastic to see these two interact. As he is released from prison, Trace has to face all the demons from his past. He's drowning in blame, cornered with no future and no prospects. The woman who sent him to jail offers him a dubious hand but refuses to acknowledge her own guilt. The emotions were boiling between them. I relished every harsh word, every snippet of information that came up about the tragedy they'd shared, all that emotional conflict that crackled between them.

The plot got me glued as Trace and Shannon dig deeper into the shady events that connect them, all the while struggling with their distrust, need and disappointment. There is so much pain and feeling of loss in their broken relationship that it's physical. I wanted them to find understanding so badly. Shannon is trying to figure out her foggy memories, and he's fighting her every step of the way. Both main characters felt very alive all throughout the scenes.

Shannon may have a soft spot for Trace, but she has a will of iron that will stop at nothing (family or pressure) if she thinks corruption or conspiracies are blocking the way to what's right. I admire her for that. Her relationship with Trace dates back to her teen years so it's enlightening to see all the changes, the phases they've gone through. It's part of the drama unfolding in the present.

One of the best assets of the novel is the dialogues. They're full of pain and longing and hatred and so many deep emotions. Both the investigation and the main characters' relationship evolve vividly through them. And the tension between these two is like a rope pulled taut. Intense and so good.

Shannon has suppressed memories and she's raising controversy with her questioning the past,  but she's determined to find out the truth no matter how ugly it is because she's hoping it will also be liberating. Shannon and Trace share a dark, twisted past that gripped my whole attention along with their sizzling, sensual connection. The chemistry they had was hard-earned, beautifully conducted and seriously hot.


This is a story I'm very satisfied with on the account of romance and plot.

**

AN EXCITING INTERVIEW!


-In two or three sentences, what are the main themes in Within Temptation?

Within Temptation is a story about the destructive nature of secrets and lies. But most importantly, it's a story about friendship, forgiveness, and the healing power of love. 


-What kind of readers will it appeal to?

Those who like an equal measure of mystery, character-driven romance, and suspense. Also, readers who prefer the emotional build-up that comes with slow-burning sexual tension. There are a lot of issues the hero and heroine need to work through before anything romantic happens, but the sexual tension is there at the start, and continues to burn hot throughout. Consequently, when consummation does occur, it's very emotionally satisfying for the reader---or so I've told. :-)

In all honesty, these are they types of books I prefer to read, so that's what I write. 


-Who was the first character you came up with when creating the story?

Trace. He came to me fully formed. Since his voice was the clearest and most distinct, he was the easiest to write.knew this person even though we had absolutely nothing in common in terms of background, gender, personality, and overall life experiences.


-What is your favourite scene and why?

Hmmm. I'd have to say the dance scene because I think it's where both characters really wanted to be (emotionally speaking) all along, but there were too many obstacles between them: a murder, 12 years, lies, an engagement, coverups, prison, misunderstandings, heartache…etc. 

Anyway, that scene is the first time they're able to let their guard down. The inherent intimacy in dance partnering forces a change in the way they interact. There's a special kind of magic in touching another person, and using non-verbal communication. It has the power to break through the strongest of barriers. From that point on, Trace and Shannon are no longer able to deny what's happening between them. But the feelings were always there. They were just dormant.


-Was it difficult to write any particular scene?

Most definitely. The hypnotism scene. I had trouble with how to depict it, especially the transition from past to present. Emotional intensity isn't easy to write. It became very uncomfortable at times. The pain and horror of what Shannon experienced made it difficult to stay in her head. 

-Do you have any writing rituals?

Caffeine. I have to have green tea or black coffee before I start. If I don't have that, everything comes out garbled.


-What is a day like in a writer's life?

Well, you're either writing, thinking about writing, or feeling guilty because you're NOT writing. lol This is a daily occurrence. The non-writer has no idea how guilt-ridden and tortured writers are. :-) Again, if we're not writing, we're beating ourselves up because of it. 

Other than those wonderful moments when I'm able to enter "the zone," the only other time I'm truly happy is right after I've finished writing because there's a sense of accomplishment. But if I can't enter the zone during my writing day, or if I don't write at all, I'm miserable.


-Do you prefer reviews or interviews?

Neither. lol  I'm a shy person, so just putting myself out there is uncomfortable, be it for an interview or releasing my work for public consumption. 

-What are the last two books you've read?

Seven Sons by Lili St. Germain and Rainwater by Sandra Brown (the latter is a re-read)


-What are your writing plans for the rest of the year?

I'm currently writing the standalone sequel to Within Temptation. This book (Temptation's Edge) will be a straight contemporary romance. I'm also working on a paranormal romance (The Darkest Frost).

(I want to read the sequel! I want to read it!!)


-Do you have a favourite experience with fans?

I think the most amusing thing I've encountered is something that's happening on Twitter. Within Temptation's hero has a Twitter account (@TracemoreDawson) and although I have more followers than he does, he gets, on average, more followers than I do on a daily basis. It's like 5 to 1. I think it's hilarious. He's even gotten a couple fan letters.  



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EXCERPT
No more than two minutes could have passed, two of the most terrifying minutes I’d ever had. The left side of my face was numb with cold. My lips and hands ached too. I couldn’t seem to make anything move. The details came in pieces. How I’d almost been run over. How a stranger shoved me to safety just before a Jeep playing target practice could send me flying. Then as if someone had flipped a switch, sensory explosions filled the void. Horns blared. Somebody screamed. A baby was crying. And the wind howled while sounds burst forth in a crush of voices. “I swear the brakes locked!” a teenage boy yelled. “She ain’t dead, is she? Oh, jeez. Daddy’s gonna kill me!” “Don’t just stand there. Call 911!” a girl shrieked. A cell phone chimed and someone started pressing numbers. Next, an old man with a rough-and-ready voice said, “Pushed her out the way just in time. Another second and—” “Is she dead or not?” the teenager demanded again. While this was going on, I sat up, taking my time to ensure I was in one piece. Except for a sore hip, a bump on the head, and a scraped knee, I was fine. A woman standing nearby helped me, and as I got to my feet, realization dawned. Trace Dawson had tried to save me. I fought to see past the crowd into the parking lot, spotting him instantly. He’d just struggled to his feet and was staring right at me, his chin dripping blood. The people scurrying about and the cars streaming through the slush faded. Nothing but the two of us existed. Memories flooded my mind, of the quiet riot he was, of the secret crush I’d had on him, and the extraordinary friendship we’d shared so many years ago. As fast as those images came, others replaced them. I was thrust back to the crime scene, back to Mother’s corpse and the shirtless eighteen-year-old roaring obscenities while Sheriff Gray and a deputy dragged him away in handcuffs. Trace Dawson the man glared at me now, and his eyes were hard and accusing, eyes brimming with fire and ice. A chill wind rumbled past him, but he stood as still as a statue. Only his eyes moved while he looked me up and down with agonizing thoroughness. The rage. The pain. It was all there. Trace?” I whispered. In chilling silence, he walked away without so much as a glance over his shoulder.    

About the Author
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Tanya Holmes is a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, a recipient of the Maggie Award, the MICA Award, as well as Overall Winner of the Sandy Haddad Award and a two-time finalist and one-time winner of The Emily (Best of the Best). She's happily married with children and loves reading, writing and a good cup of coffee---but not necessarily in that order. Her debut novel, Within Temptation was released May 12, 2014.  

Connect with the Tanya
 
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GIVEAWAY TIME


love 2

Por cierto, esa portada es para ilegalizarla XD

Babel entre rejas literarias.