A Breed Apart Review

Every once in a while a book comes along that is so much fun to read that I have to share it here. A Breed Apart is an emotional romp that I did not want to end. I would love to see what happens to Holt, Kira and Zoe further on in their lives. Here is the review I wrote for Night Owl Romance:

When Kira McGovern graduated from veterinarian school, she knew her life was about to change forever. Due to the recent death of her sister and brother-in-law, Kira became sole provider for her infant niece. Unfortunately, if she did not find a permanent job and a place to live within three months, her niece would go into foster care.

Arriving at the ranch where she was to work, she was quickly fired by the son of the man who hired her. Desperate, she stood her ground and kept the job.

Holt Crockett took one look at the tall blond and tried to brush her off, thinking she was there to visit his womanizing brother, Treat. When he found out his father had hired Kira as ranch veterinarian to solve the puzzle of the sick cattle, Holt was furious.

As ranch manager, he was in charge of hiring and firing. Instead, his father had not only gone behind his back, but also hired a woman no less. He was particularly upset with the incentives his father had promised her if she found a cure, including a percentage of his ranch, and Holt did everything he could to drive her away.

Tension mounted as Kira raced to find a cure, and Holt had to destroy a growing number of his diseased herd. Time was of the essence or Holt would soon lose all his cattle and the ranch.

A Breed Apart begins with high emotion and never lets the reader down throughout this fast-paced and captivating story. Two people are struggling with unexpected life situations, unable to trust their feelings and unable to trust one another, yet both needing to work together for the greater good of both. Emotions are raw and tension is high. Several unexpected events fail to diminish the growing emotional powder keg between the two antagonists.

Charlotte Raby has written a powerful novel with strong characters that are facing life-changing situations. A strong supporting cast adds depth to a story whereby the only disappointment is that it comes to its inevitable conclusion. The reader will certainly hope more stories are forthcoming from this insightful writer.

What book have you read lately that has made a strong impression on you?

What Happens When a Series Runs Too Long

My local library comes in handy as my reading list grows. So does my stint as a book reviewer at Night Owl Romance (NOR). The trouble is I find more and more books and authors I would love to read. And, please don't get me started reading a series. I have a tendency, when I find a good series, to read every book in order even when there are 15 to 20 books in that series.

Actually, I tend to prefer to follow a good series. Debbie Macomber has two series that I have followed: the Cedar Cove series and the series about the yarn shop, A Good Yarn. Although Debbie has written several other series, I have so far avoided getting hooked on them.

Writing a series of stories with engaging characters and good plot lines is a smart move on the part of writers. Once someone gets hooked on a series, the writer has a ready made audience breathlessly awaiting the next novel. The longer the series can play out without getting stale, the better for the writer.

Unfortunately, too many times the author should have quit while they were ahead. I've recently read complaints from readers about series that are no longer up to the same standard as the earlier books. Alas, I read the reviews on Amazon.com - not the place an author wants to see their latest book trashed.

Therefore, dear author, if you are writing a series of books that become popular with readers, take care not to start writing later books by rote or rush them out because the publisher wants the next installment. Take care that you can keep the same or better quality going, or end the series and start another. Your readers will reward you by continuing to follow you - not publicly trashing your novel.

Living a Double Life

Living a double life is never easy. Or do I have a split personality? Either way, sometimes my life gets rather confusing when I forget who I am and try to cross over. Let me explain.

My normal everyday life is lived as Edie Dykeman. Not the name I was born with, but have lived with since my marriage many eons ago. But, in my fiction writing life, I am known as Gail Monroe, also part of my birth name.

Earlier today, I received an email message letting me know someone had put in a friend request on a site. Therefore, I clicked on the link, accepted the friend, then started to make a couple of thematic changes. Then it got a little weird. I realized I was confusing my persona. Who was I? What information should I include?

What surprised me is, that experience has not happened sooner. The double life just started about two years ago when I began writing fiction.

Now the real question is, who am I for this blog? Am I the blogger, article writer, website owner that is a caregiver to my father, or am I the fiction writer who has her own life?

I changed the theme and look of this blog today, because I think Gail would like the softer look. Edie isn't that soft. In fact, at times she can be tough. She used to be a tomboy, you know. Gail is more girly and likes the softer colors.

Now that I know, kinda, who I am, I am going to give readers a couple of links which will give an insight into who Gail really is as a person. These are two of the sites she is involved in, although more may come to mind.

Romance Book Junction is a site that I haven't spent nearly enough time on, but I'm hoping that I can mingle more than I do now. There is a large group of romance readers and writers that are a part of this site, and I would like to get to know them.

Night Owl Romance is a fantastic site that readers and writers will find invaluable. I have written book reviews for NOR since September 2007, and have enjoyed every minute. I've met some very good writers, and read books I probably never would have read otherwise.

There you go - two sites that Gail is involved with and that you might want to take a look at. Gail will have more to say about what she has been involved with at a later date.

If you are living a double life, you are welcome to share your experience in the comment section.