Friday, January 20, 2017

The Soul Summoner by Elicia Hyder is an Enthralling Read Beginning to End!



Blessed or cursed with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people…and the worst. With nothing more than a glance at a photograph, she can judge the living from the dead and the good souls from the evil ones. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.

She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger—who is as alluring as he is terrifying—shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.

Now Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.

What really drew me to this book was the premise. The abilities of the main character are unique and the plot is well thought out to support the characters activities. The romance is hot and unexpected (although I was rooting for the other guy). 

Elicia Hyder’s ability to pull you into the character’s world and make you feel right at home is a talent. The narrative of the Soul Summoner is engaging, witty, funny and romantic. The ensemble cast of characters pop the isolation bubble and helps to support the character’s good nature. 

As I said above the romance is amazing, but I unfortunately was rooting for an alternate team and I probably won’t be reading the rest of the series because my team lost. That is not to in any way diminish from the story or the talent of the author, it is a personal preference. 

One of the other aspects of the book I appreciated is the balance. There is a good mix of romance, danger, suspense, paranormal and fun. All is mixed in an even brew not lending strength to any single genre which I find prefect!

Loved the book, I read on her Amazon Page that the author recently suffered from cancer and is currently in remission. I want to extend my happiness for her and hope all the best for her bright future!



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Monday, January 16, 2017

Suspense for the Romantic Heart - Dead Air Excerpt


Worlds Apart

Is their love enough?

Jack Tucker's life as a morning radio host is uncomplicated, attachment free, and without regret. Until Kate Weiss entered his life, that is... She knows all of the ways to annoy him and yet takes his breath away with just a look.

Special Agent Kate Weiss is hiding from a kidnapping she doesn't remember. Morning Radio Host Jack Tucker serves as a nice distraction, but she knows the flirtation could never be anything more.

When tragedy descends, grief pulls them together, forcing them to trust each other and face the undeniable connection between them.

In an effort to make the pair walk away from a conspiracy greater than they can imagine, a target is put on their heads. This does little to deter Kate or Jack from wanting to find the truth.

Chasing shadows, the answers are closer than they realize. Forced into isolation, can Jack and Kate uncover the buried secret that is getting people killed? Or will one misstep destroy all of their hopes for the future?

Excerpt

Melissa and Dan said goodbye shortly thereafter, and Jack searched for Kate, finding her in the kitchen finishing the few dishes they had dirtied. He wrapped his arms around her waist nibbling on her neck.

“Someone is feeling better.” She giggled, and turned meeting his eyes. They were soft and adoring. He leaned down placing a gentle kiss on her pink lips. She teased his lips with her tongue.  Jack pulled her against him, his hands entangled in her hair. Their lips parted and he gazed down into her eyes and she smiled. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He lowered his head and she met him half way, her arms wrapping around his neck. He lifted her off the ground sitting her on the counter. Exploring her mouth, his hands spread themselves beneath her shirt exposing her soft skin to the cool air. She shivered and he took to nibbling on her ear.  His hands moved up her back, leaving a trailed kisses down her neck.

 “You are supposed to be resting.” She tried to lean back and away from his mouth. His hands on her back prevented her from going far and he simply adjusted to the opposite side of her neck. “Jack.”

 “I am resting.” He nipped at her earlobe, and his phone rang.

He growled, Kate smirked and he disappeared to get the phone. Hopping off the counter she started preparing the coffee maker for the next morning and when she was finished, she moved back into the living room.

She could hear him talking on the phone as she cleaned. Kate returned to the kitchen a few minutes later she found him waiting for her. “Who was on the phone?”

“You threatened Elisa?”

“What?”

“Why on earth would you…”

“I didn’t…well not exactly. It’s complicated.”

“How is it complicated, Kate? Either you threatened her or you didn’t. You’re a goddamn spy for Christ’s sake! I would think you would know the difference!”

His eyes were clouded and she immediately knew what was happening. “Jack, calm down.”

“I'm not going to calm down until you tell me what the hell is going on!”

“Listen to me…”

“Where do you get off thinking that bullying my friends is okay? Especially, someone as small and fragile as Elisa, she couldn’t hurt a fly!”

“I know you think…”

“Think?” His face began to redden, his eyes dilated and his chest heaved. “Sorry I forgot I’m not supposed to think. Just sit back and blindly trust you again as you ruin my life!”

“Jack, please stop.” He backed her against the counter. Her heart pounding, she struggled with what to do. “There’s something wrong and you have to fight it.”


He grabbed her by the arms and squeezed. “Wait, maybe you are the problem. It seems to follow you around, all of the death and the pain. The destruction.”

“Jack let go.” She pushed against him. “This isn’t you talking, it’s the poison. You have to calm down.”

“Maybe if I cut you out of my life and walk away it will all disappear?”

“You’re right. I’m the problem. I am the one who brought you into this hell and I am the one keeping you here.”

A wave of confusion crashed over his face and she took a breath.

“She was so upset.” His eyes searched for something beyond her. “She was crying and she said it was your fault.”

“It was my fault and I am sorry,” Kate watched him begin to float back to the surface.

“She said you threatened her at the memorial and then again at the hospital. She said you saw us at the funeral and you were jealous…trying to keep me away from her.”

“Jack, I need you to look at me. “

“Kate…I…”

“Just take a deep breath.” His eyes widened and he burst out of his own mind realizing what was happening. He looked at her in confusion. He became conscious of his harsh grip on her arms and immediately released her. “It’s okay, just breathe.”

He stepped back, his face scrunching in pain. “No…what…”

“You’re okay. It is fine.”

“Get away from me, Kate!”

He fell back into the wall of cabinets behind him, his chest heaving.  “Jack… breathe.”

“I can’t…I…” He met her eyes and she saw terror. “Kate…”

His legs quickly betrayed him and he slid down to the floor. Kate moved to him, grasping his hand “Jack, I’m here, you’re going to be okay.”



Purchase Dead Air Now, on paperback and Kindle (Shockwave, Backlash & Fallout)



Sunday, January 15, 2017

Don’t Let the Love of Classic B&W Films Die! – Part Two


In 2017 we are looking to the future, and the horizon is bright! One of the wonders of our world is the ability to enjoy the old with the new and share it with future generations. 

This holiday break I was able to share several B&W films with my 22 year old son. This is a yearly tradition in our household.  Not just B&W films, but the classics. I have three children, their ages are spread out (11 to 22) so I only subject them to a few at a time so it isn’t torturous. Surprisingly, while they object at first, they usually get into the movie after the first 30 minutes or so. Some of you may have noticed from my tweets (@AmyJRomine), this year I shared Abbott and Costello with the two younger kids and the Thin Man series with the eldest. 

Liking the idea of revisiting the classics? Check out part one of this post. Here are the last five in a list of 10 B&W films I highly suggest for 2017. Most can be found on Amazon or TCM. These are in no particular order as I love them all. 

Bringing Up Baby – (Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn) - While trying to secure a
$1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard, Baby. Both a very young Grant and Hepburn captivate with sharp banter and physical comedy rarely replicated in today’s films.

Casablanca – (Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman) - In Casablanca, Morocco in December 1941, a cynical American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications. We all know this classic love story and B&W is the best version.

The Maltese Falcon (Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor) - A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette. This signature classic changed the face of noir films for the ages. Do not miss this classic suspense thriller! By the way, did you know the 1941 Maltese Falcon is a remake of a movie from 1931 starring Bebe Daniels and Ricardo Cortez and was originally penned by Dashiell Hammett who also created The Thin Man.

The Little Princess – (Shirley Temple, Richard Greene, Anita Louise) A little girl The Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer, but I have to admit the scene where the Temple  finds her father is tear-jerking and too perfect to resist!

is left by her father in an exclusive seminary for girls, due to her father having to go to Africa with the army. Needless to say you had to expect at least one Shirley Temple film on the list. I was torn between this and

Arsenic and Old Lace – (Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane) - A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family. Hollywood has attempted to remake this classic four times without success.  Frantic, funny and full of delightful physical comedy this once stage play turned movie is one not to be missed!

 So those are the final five of ten. You can see the fist list here. All can be found on Amazon and are shown regularly on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Also IMDB (the links are used in this blog) usually has a list of places you can purchase and or rent movies. I would love to hear your feedback, suggestions you have for the list!

After completing the list I thought of several more must see B&W Classics including To Kill a Mockingbird and Roman Holiday!


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