Burning Sage (Love Among the Ruins) by Deena Remiel

Burning Sage (Love Among the Ruins)

By Deena Remiel

I was lucky enough to meet Deena at another facebook event. She was promoting her book, and wanted a loud mouth. Hi, I am a loud mouth. But, that isn’t the only reason I offered to be a big mouth for Deena. When she told me about her book, I totally flipped. I am a lover of books, especially with mythology. 

This book “Burning Sage” takes place on Santorini Island where a dormant Volcano has decided to wake up and shake things up. A scientist Dr. Sage Wilcot has decided that is what she wants to investigate in this expedition taking place in June.

Even though Dr. Thomas Conrad had been the lead on this expedition, and Dr. Wilcot who was much wiser and grew up knowing every detail about this volcano-in the end she won three times over.

Then while there, low and behold, Dr. Wilcot finds Emmanouel, the last prince of Atlantis. And he has a story to tell. Not only that, the two of them, will have a long lost civilization to restore. But that's not until Emmanouel actually convinces Dr. Wilcot of everything. Once she becomes a believer, than everything is about to change. But is she sure she wants or should believe this?

First, ask yourself this? Is Dr. Wilcot with her degree from Northern Pennsylvania University going to believe this? Does she want to? I mean is this- this gorgeous hunk of a man pulling her leg? Would you believe it?

But what do you have to lose right? Emmanouel has a problem that he needs solved. He needs to find someone, anyone, to tell this, his very story to. If he doesn’t, he will remain here forever. Sage, then figures it couldn’t hurt to listen, real or not. He was worthy of listening to, and anything else he might want her to do.

Dr. Sage Wilcot, was able to bring mythology forward and fall in love, all while in a days work. What more could you ask for? The question is, what will become of Emmanouel after he tells his story? What will happen next? You will need to read this fascinating story, and see for yourself! 

I truly loved this book, in every sense of the word. It was fascinating, and so deeply written. I felt like I even learned so much. I give “Burning Sage” five stars, and think if you love a mix of romance, with a twist of mythology, this is the right book for you. It was an extreme pleasure reviewing this book, and an even better pleasure getting to know the writer Deena. She has a true talent for making you believe anything you read, and wanting to read even more!

My Questions for Deena:

1. What made you write this book? Since I write paranormal romance, I believe in the impossible love becoming possible. So what's more impossible than a mortal and an immortal finding they are meant to be together forever?


2. How long did it take you to write this book? After researching, the first draft took me a few weeks.


3. Did you have to do any research for the character Dr. Sage Wilcot? I had to learn all about what a volcanologist does, scientific terminology, and something as basic as how her hair would behave in a particular climate. When I build a heroine, I always craft her personality, the physical appearance, and a back story to her life to make her as real as possible to me and my readers.


4. Did you do any sort of research for the Volcano Mt. Etna on Santorini Island? I researched live updates on the status of of the volcano at Santorini. I learned a lot about the structure of it, the nature of its behavior, and the mythology of how Atlantis may be hidden beneath the volcano.



5. Who is/are your favorite Author(s)? My favorite authors are Jayne Ann Krentz, Linda Howard, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Karen Marie Moning, Nora Roberts, Heather Graham, and Christine Feehan, to name a few.



6. What is your very most favorite book? Oooh, that's a tough one! The first book that touched my heart is called, The Great Good Thing, by Roderick Townley. It's a children's book, actually, but the theme spoke to my heart, and the way Townley broke through the fourth wall was so unique! I highly recommend it to anyone who dares to believe.

7. What led you to become a writer? As a child and teen, I wrote poems and songs with my piano, so it was only a matter of time before everything coalesced into my becoming an author. I'd been teaching for years before a story idea came to me, and I haven't stopped writing since. I never once thought: Okay, that was fun. Now what else should I do? Once writing became real to me, I was closed to anything else. It is my passion, my way of expressing myself, my way of escaping into a fantasy world.



8. What all education have you had? I have a BA in Psychology and I'm certified to teach. I couldn't begin to count up the thousands of hours of professional development that I've accrued over the years, and I'm still accruing!



9. What do you suggest to people wanting to become a writer? I suggest they.... DO IT! Then I recommend they learn the basics of good writing before setting out to do so.



10. What are your hobbies? I love photography. There's something about capturing a moment in time in a photograph that has me hooked. Then, music! Music is the soundtrack of my life. It lifts me up when I'm down, inspires me when I've lost my way, and celebrates my joy.



11. Please provide for us your links to follow you socially and find your books:

deenaremiel.com
Facebook    Twitter    Pinterest



12. Anything to add:

Regards,
Deena Remiel
Dare to Believe

INT'L BEST-SELLING KINDLE AUTHOR of GOTHIC ROMANCE

Founder, Realizing Your Dreams, Structured Writing Retreats ~ June 17-19, 2016 
Co-chair,  Arizona Dreamin' ~ June 1-4, 2017

For Romance Readers & Authors of All Genres!

deenaremiel.com
Facebook    Twitter    Pinterest

Burning Sage by Deena Remiel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to meet Deena at another facebook event. She was promoting her book, and wanted a loud mouth. Hi, I am a loud mouth. But, that isn’t the only reason I offered to be a big mouth for Deena. When she told me about her book, I totally flipped. I am a lover of books, especially with mythology.

This book “Burning Sage” takes place on Santorini Island where a dormant Volcano has decided to wake up and shake things up. A scientist Dr. Sage Wilcot has decided that is what she wants to investigate in this expedition taking place in June.

Even though Dr. Thomas Conrad had been the lead on this expedition, and Dr. Wilcot who was much wiser and grew up knowing every detail about this volcano-in the end she won three times over.

Then while there, low and behold, Dr. Wilcot finds Emmanouel, the last prince of Atlantis. And he has a story to tell. Not only that, the two of them, will have a long lost civilization to restore. But that's not until Emmanouel actually convinces Dr. Wilcot of everything. Once she becomes a believer, than everything is about to change. But is she sure she wants or should believe this?

First, ask yourself this? Is Dr. Wilcot with her degree from Northern Pennsylvania University going to believe this? Does she want to? I mean is this- this gorgeous hunk of a man pulling her leg? Would you believe it?

But what do you have to lose right? Emmanouel has a problem that he needs solved. He needs to find someone, anyone, to tell this, his very story to. If he doesn’t, he will remain here forever. Sage, then figures it couldn’t hurt to listen, real or not. He was worthy of listening to, and anything else he might want her to do.

Dr. Sage Wilcot, was able to bring mythology forward and fall in love, all while in a days work. What more could you ask for? The question is, what will become of Emmanouel after he tells his story? What will happen next? You will need to read this fascinating story, and see for yourself!

I truly loved this book, in every sense of the word. It was fascinating, and so deeply written. I felt like I even learned so much. I give “Burning Sage” five stars, and think if you love a mix of romance, with a twist of mythology, this is the right book for you. It was an extreme pleasure reviewing this book, and an even better pleasure getting to know the writer Deena. She has a true talent for making you believe anything you read, and wanting to read even more!

View all my reviews

The Kiss That Killed Me (The Tidal Kiss Trilogy Book1) Kristy Nicolle

The Kiss That Killed Me

(The Tidal Kiss Trilogy Book 1)

By Kristy Nicolle

I’ve never had the pleasure of reading a mermaid book until now. And the reason I chose to read and review this book, is because Kristy was in a facebook party and offering up prizes. (No wait there’s more, stop assuming!) 

Anyway… As I was saying…

I decided to read the details of the book, and then Kristy started socializing with me. She explained the book to me and everything, and even told me the price. Unfortunately, I did not win a free copy of her book. But I did remember that the week prior I had won a five dollar Amazon gift card, so I decided to use it to purchase her book. 

As a reviewer, copies of books are usually provided for me free, by ARC (Advanced Readers Copies), or Publishers and Authors often provide them to me for free, wanting an honest review. I have bought my fair share of books, though, which whatever the case may be, nothing changes my perspective. I still am one hundred and ten percent honest. 

On with the review of this amazing tale! Because I just know you will want to buy it when I get done with you, because I think it was the best thing I ever spent my gift card on!

Before I begin, I want to say, I was touched by this: “For Grandad: Who taught me that blood may be thicker than water, But that magic is always thicker than blood. You may be gone, but you still haven’t lost yours.” That truly made me smile immensely. And even made me think of my Grandfather…

The main character: Callie Pierce, when we begin, she is seventeen. Not your everyday kind of teen though. She hasn’t had her first kiss or real boy friend yet. You would think her parents would be grateful, but no. She has to have one of those evil kind of step parents that everyone wants to get away from, ugh.

However, on her eighteenth birthday, her friends decide to throw her a party, even though Callie didn’t want one, they still did anyway.

This is where Callie meets Orion, and has her first kiss. And low and behold this is “The Kiss That Killed Me” and we start to learn why.

The kiss causes her true to life form to arise, and her to have to learn and discover who she really is. Thankfully, this does not scare off Orion, he still wants to stand by her, and help her through her transition, and learn who and what she is, or becoming, and needs to do.

Callie is a bit stubborn, and whiny, and uncertain of herself. She isn’t sure what she wants to do, or even needs to do. 

Will Callie and Orion and their love succeed or fail? What will become of them? Will Callie chose the life of a mermaid, or the love of a man? What roads will be taken here or could be taken? 

To learn more, you too must read this enchanting book: “The Kiss That Killed Me,” that will expose you to the beautiful sea, and enchanting mythological creatures. Amazing Fantasies, and reality will never look as good in paper as it does in this book. This is a most definite five star book, deep and intoxicating in its breath taking adventure. I have never been so entertained in my life! I truly enjoyed every minute of this book, and can hardly wait for the other books! Kristy is a definite entertainer and truly knows how to please a reader at any age!

My Questions for Kristy:

1.What made you want to write this book and how long did it take you to write it?
I had the idea for this novel when I was fifteen, but it took two years to form and I started writing it in my spare time when I was 18. I released it in December 2015 and I’m now 22 so it took 4 years to get to publishing stage, mainly because I was writing it alongside my English degree. I wanted to write this book because I am in love with the story! I don’t think I could have spent four years writing it if I wasn’t. They say if you fall in love with a story that doesn’t yet exist, you must write it. So that’s what I did!

2. Did you do any kind of research on Mermaids, Mythology and their home under the Sea?

Yes, A LOT. My book is based off real mythology, for example Atargatis is a real goddess of the sea from Syria and many people know of Poseidon. I did a lot of research, scientifically as well as in terms of myth to look at how I could make a world beneath the ocean waves believable, because it’s very important to me that it’s not too crazy. I wanted the Occulta Mirum (which if you translate it means 'hidden wonder' in latin) in particular to have reasoning and an explanation behind it, more of which is explored in book 2 as we look more deeply into how the city physically came to exist. I twisted well known mythology to serve my own needs and as the trilogy progresses it will become evident how much work really went into setting up the lore for these stories. Book one really is just a scratching of the surface of the world at large and there are still a lot of questions to be answered at its conclusion.

3. What projects are you working on now?
 The Kiss That Saved Me is my main writing focus at the moment, and is the sequel to The Kiss That Killed me and is currently halfway done at 85k. In terms of planning, I’m currently planning two trilogies that will come after The Tidal Kiss Trilogy and occur in the same universe, though are not necessarily mermaid based. It is my intent to combine all three trilogies in one final epic conclusion.


4. What all education have you had?
I have just graduated in the last year from the University of Lincoln where I originally attended to study biomedical science, but then changed to English literature. I began a Master’s degree in 21^st century literature in September but unfortunately had to drop out after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.



5. Who is/are your favorite Author(s)?
William Golding is my ultimate favourite author, I think he was the first author I ever read who showed me how onion-like novels can be. His novel, Lord Of The Flies really changed how I viewed literature and was what sparked my passion for storytelling.




6. What is your very most favorite book?
God… that’s a mean question! Hmmmm probably if I could only pick one it would be Lord of the Flies by William Golding. I own a first edition of this novel and every time I read it I find something I haven’t in prior read throughs.




7. Have you ever met any other writers? And do you plan or want to?

I have a large network of internet writers who I converse with and support, but have also been at university with writers and am grateful that I’ve met so many great literary and creative minds. I took modules in the second year of my degree course that were purely writing based and I really learned a lot. Would I like to meet more? Heck yes! There’s something about writing that means only people who truly love it really understand what you go through as an author.





8. What are your hobbies?
I’ve had a large range in the past, gymnastics, ice skating and karate but ever since my diagnosis with Fibromyalgia I’ve been taking things a little easier. I mainly read and write, with some adult colouring peppered in between. I’m a bit of a workaholic if I’m honest.





9. Would you be willing to share a photo of Grandad, that you wrote this for? (If so enclose)

 

                               Me and Granddad- reading together!

10. Please provide social and book links:
WANT SOMETHING SCALED AND TAILED? CHECK OUT MY FANTASY ROMANCE, ALL ABOUT MERMAIDS!
GRAB YOUR COPY @
IBOOKS: http://apple.co/1Xliqv6
AMAZON.COM: http://amzn.to/1IeC05j
KOBO: http://bit.ly/1In2YTk
AMAZON.CO.UK: http://amzn.to/1NywkFQ
PAPERBACK AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1IeCsRh
PAPERBACK AMAZON.COM: http://amzn.to/1XwjA1K
NOOK:http://bit.ly/1Qce5EP
BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/21GZAhV

THE TIDAL KISS TRILOGY FB PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/TheTidalKissTrilogy

TIDAL TELLTAILS- AUTHOR STREETTEAM:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/915014841873185/

WEBSITE:
Www.kristynicolle.com

11. Anything to add:

The Kiss That Saved Me- Book 2 and The Kiss That Changed Me- Book 3 of the Tidal Kiss Trilogy are anticipated for release this year! So keep your eyes peeled!!!

The Kiss That Killed Me by Kristy Nicolle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve never had the pleasure of reading a mermaid book until now. And the reason I chose to read and review this book, is because Kristy was in a facebook party and offering up prizes. (No wait there’s more, stop assuming!)

Anyway… As I was saying…

I decided to read the details of the book, and then Kristy started socializing with me. She explained the book to me and everything, and even told me the price. Unfortunately, I did not win a free copy of her book. But I did remember that the week prior I had won a five dollar Amazon gift card, so I decided to use it to purchase her book.

As a reviewer, copies of books are usually provided for me free, by ARC (Advanced Readers Copies), or Publishers and Authors often provide them to me for free, wanting an honest review. I have bought my fair share of books, though, which whatever the case may be, nothing changes my perspective. I still am one hundred and ten percent honest.

On with the review of this amazing tale! Because I just know you will want to buy it when I get done with you, because I think it was the best thing I ever spent my gift card on!

Before I begin, I want to say, I was touched by this: “For Grandad: Who taught me that blood may be thicker than water, But that magic is always thicker than blood. You may be gone, but you still haven’t lost yours.” That truly made me smile immensely. And even made me think of my Grandfather…

The main character: Callie Pierce, when we begin, she is seventeen. Not your everyday kind of teen though. She hasn’t had her first kiss or real boy friend yet. You would think her parents would be grateful, but no. She has to have one of those evil kind of step parents that everyone wants to get away from, ugh.

However, on her eighteenth birthday, her friends decide to throw her a party, even though Callie didn’t want one, they still did anyway.

This is where Callie meets Orion, and has her first kiss. And low and behold this is “The Kiss That Killed Me” and we start to learn why.

The kiss causes her true to life form to arise, and her to have to learn and discover who she really is. Thankfully, this does not scare off Orion, he still wants to stand by her, and help her through her transition, and learn who and what she is, or becoming, and needs to do.

Callie is a bit stubborn, and whiny, and uncertain of herself. She isn’t sure what she wants to do, or even needs to do.

Will Callie and Orion and their love succeed or fail? What will become of them? Will Callie chose the life of a mermaid, or the love of a man? What roads will be taken here or could be taken?

To learn more, you too must read this enchanting book: “The Kiss That Killed Me,” that will expose you to the beautiful sea, and enchanting mythological creatures. Amazing Fantasies, and reality will never look as good in paper as it does in this book. This is a most definite five star book, deep and intoxicating in its breath taking adventure. I have never been so entertained in my life! I truly enjoyed every minute of this book, and can hardly wait for the other books! Kristy is a definite entertainer and truly knows how to please a reader at any age!

View all my reviews