Unpredictable By: Sherry Robinson

Unpredictable

By: Sherry Robinson

When I met Carlos in this book, I totally found him irresistible. He is strong willed, and handsome, and doesn’t let anyone get in his way. He came from poverty, only to make something of himself, and knew he wasn’t gonna let anything get in his way. Even if he did make something of himself the illegal way. In his eyes, someone had to do it, if he was doing it, at least it was safer for everyone in the long run anyway.

You see, Carlos was a drug dealer. Taught by Marco Devane, one of the biggest drug lords, and the one who had taught Carlos everything. Marco was the man that had taken Carlos off of the streets, and educated him on the ins and outs. And that proud moment when Carlos branched out on his own, totally through Marco for a loop, so much so he became irate.

What made it even worse on Marco, is that Carlos also took with him, Danny, another employee of Marcos one who owed Marco a lot of money. And Carlos even repaid the debt. 

To be fair, Marco decided to make a deal with Carlos. You can continue to deal your drugs, but you’re going to pay me a percentage. Because after all, Marco felt he was owed that much. Carlos and Danny however, did not feel that way. Not only did they get their supply from Marco, but they didn’t take away from Marcos customers. Carlos and Danny obtained their own supplier and customers both. They didn’t feel they were impeding on Marcos territory, or anything, so they were playing fair. 

In the meantime, Carlos is dating the love if his life Tisha. She is a beautiful woman, who even the waitress wishes she could trade places with. Everyone noticed and admired Carlos, and when Tisha entered a room, the same for her. However, she knew that the waitress wanted what she had, therefore she managed to treat the waitress rudely, and send her away, when the chance arose. 

Tisha, on the other hand, was dealing with her past, a boyfriend that could not accept no for an answer. Tommy is the biggest jerk, and violent and hateful as ever. And he wants Tisha all to himself, and no one, and nothing is going to stop him. 

Marco has put a hit out on Carlos and Danny, since they refuse to comply with his request, to pay their dues. Carlos and Danny get extra security, guns, and cameras, and take extra precautions. And for the longest time, they over react, at the slightest wrong movements, a pizza delivery guy who goes to the wrong house, a trash can falling in the street. Still, nothing happens. Months of nothingness, go by.

Eventually, Tisha confesses what is happening to her with Tommy. She has no choice because she is living in fear, with the life that Carlos lives, and the boyfriend haunting her. Both are driving her insane, and she is going crazy. Eventually, she decides she needs a break, and heads home to relax, and schedules a dinner at her place for Carlos and her.

This is where I am going to leave off, and tell you, before I close. Look at the cover. And then say this: oh. my. heavens, the ending just blew me away! I was astounded. I was just so blown away!

This is by far one of Sherry’s best work! I loved it! This is a five star read, and I promise you, you will not believe the ending! Five stars, I tell you! FIVE! 

Here are my questions for Sherry:

1.    What made you write this book and how long did it take you?

I wrote this book because I wanted to try something different. I looked up an icon to put on my FB, and thought that this would be a great title for a book.

2.    Who designed this awesome cover?

This cover was designed by Matildatechs on Fiverr.com 

3.    Do you have any photos or descriptions of the characters?

No, I don't have any photos these are people from my imagination.

4.    What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on "The Initiation: A Sorority Horror Story.

5.    What motivates you to write?

The things that motivate me to write are just listening to my inner being, or if I hear what I think is a good title I just act on it, and try to come up with something that is reading worthy.

6.    What do you do when you get writers block?

When I get writer's block I just take a moment from my writing to try and clear my head, or I will reread what I have written and let the creativity flow back into my mind.

7.    What can you say to those who want to become writers?

My words to anyone that wants to be a writer is read as much as you can, and try to come up with something that you think is original, and don't be afraid to be yourself.

8.    Do you have an Editor, or do you edit your own books?

Yes, I have an editor, and I promote her as much as I can.  Her name is Deneale K. McElhaney-Williams I let her read all my books. She critiques them and points out all my flaws, and I only feel that makes me a stronger writer.

9.    How did you find your Editor?

My editor contacted me through social media, and once she read the first book that I sent her she was inspired by my style of writing, and has been my professional editor ever since.

10. Do you put yourself into your characters?

I don't think I put myself into my characters. I think my characters are within me.

11.Who is your favorite Author of all time?

My favorite writer of all time is Stephen King.

11. Social media links:

https://www.facebook.com/sherryrobinsonmeettheauthor/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.robinson.102

twitter: @grndbaby

The Summer of '71 By: Rebecca Branch

The Summer of ‘71

A Romance of Youth in Timeless Rome

By: Rebecca Branch

This story takes place in Rome, but I am certain you already know that by the title. It is the first story in an art historian superhero series. This book, is written by the hand of a historian, who puts just the right twist on this story, and makes it work just perfectly.

What I also like, is the fact that the author even dedicated this book Rome, and intimacy both. In knowing that, it gives you hope for enjoyment, even if it is, in just a book. And as for Rome, as she states in her book, it gives you the insight from two different Worlds, the past and the present. And as you read, you can imagine your future.

This story reminds me of someone watching an older kind of screened movie, on a yellowed screen. A Movie about relationships, romance, and love, and the past. When the times were good, and so was the era. A love letter kind of story, the ones you write home about. The ones you hear your parents and grandparents tell and retell. 

“I met him at a fountain in Rome, as he sat there playing his guitar. It was Summertime, the weather was perfect, and he was just more handsome than any other man I had ever seen…” 

As the story gets told to you, you envision it the same, every time it is told to you. And you never complain every time you hear it. And when you imagine it, you are even more jealous, because it is being told in Rome, some place everyone has always wanted to see, and only dream of. 

This book comes highly recommended, and it was even more enjoyable to read. I found it a pleasure, as I followed along, seeing the story lines unfold right in front of me. This book will keep you reading it through to the end, simply because you will want to see it through.

I give this book five beautiful stars. It was everything I expected, and even wanted, as I read it. I was glad that I decided to read this, it was well worthy of my time, I think that you’ll enjoy it too!

Here are my questions for Rebecca:

1.      What made you write this book and how long did it take you?

The story of the Summer of ’71 was told to me over dinner by my next door neighbor. There were twelve of us at my house that night and we went around the table discussing how and when we lost our virginity. I loved my friend’s story and asked permission to turn it into a novel. I had been writing a biography of my family at the time for my daughters and some friends who read it suggested I write something with mass appeal. 50 Shades was the hit at the time and they told me to write something hot but cerebral, using my experience as a historian and art historian as a backdrop. My friend’s story of his loss of innocence, set in Rome at the end of his teen years in 1971 seemed perfect. I wrote 750 pages in a month and edited it down to 580 over the course of the year. It was self-published in 2012. I have written one book a year and twenty short stories since.

2.     Who designed your cover?

I designed it but used a cover designer named Courtney Lopes to fine tune it, create a back and a spine. I think her work on this cover and all my covers is marvelous.

3.     Do you have any photos or descriptions of your characters?

Yes I do. They populate my website and Facebook. There are literally hundreds of pictures, magazine covers, excerpts, in-depth historical and art supplements and short stories.

4.    What motivates you to write?

A Walter Mitty desire to live my life vicariously through my characters. Four of my books are in a series, although each can stand alone. Summer of ’71 is my first and could be serialized into three books and a sub-story but I’ve kept it intact as one. The second third and fourth in the series introduce new characters and historical time travel. They are all romantic and often erotic, but the characters move back and forth in time and interact with famous people of the recent past through the ancient world. I have one more book, a novella, which is unrelated to the others, called The Resurrection of Griffin Ballard

5.     What all education have you had?

I received my undergraduate degree in art history and archaeology from UC Berkeley then went on for my Ph.D. at Columbia. My focus was on the buildings of the Roman empire after its fall. I also studied museum management and fine arts at the California College of the Arts in Oakland, CA.

6.    What are you working on now?

My next novel planned is In the Land of Isis and Osiris. I just published Out of Time’s Abyss.

7.     What are your hobbies?

Antique collecting and restoration, cooking, rare books and manuscripts, travel, lecturing on the architecture of the Roman Empire. My profession is architecture and design business consultancy.

8.    What do you like best about being a writer?

I am a story teller. I’m filled with facts but am an inspirational speaker. I decided to write down my thoughts and stories and love to do it. It’s therapy for me and getting a great review is a heartwarming piece of acceptance.

9.    Have you ever met any other writers, or do you hope to?

Several. It was a group of romance author girlfriends, some quite successful, who encouraged me to write in the first place.

10.                        What is your favorite book of all time?

Impossible to answer. Pride and Prejudice perhaps. Many classics. I have a special love of Dan Brown, JK Rowling, Colleen McCullough, and Jean Auel.

11.  Where is your favorite place to relax?

In my girlfriend’s arms these days. Otherwise…the Metropolitan Museum of Art where I used to work as an assistant to the curator, Central Park where I walk my dog, bicycle and run and Rome where I get lost in the passage of time.

12. Please share with us your social media and book links:

https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Branch/e/B00V2HCWYM/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1  My author page on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Summer-71-Romance-Timeless-Historian-ebook/dp/B00I0BEJVM/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8   Summer of ‘71

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Caesars-Ghost-Romance-Historian-ebook/dp/B00M323I20/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8   Great Caesar’s Ghost

https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Holiday-Third-Historian-Superhero-ebook/dp/B010E3WX3O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8   A Roman Holiday

https://www.amazon.com/Out-Times-Abyss-Historian-Superheroes-ebook/dp/B072599HBD/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8   Out of Time’s Abyss

https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-Griffin-Ballard-womans-journey-ebook/dp/B015F4HPOO/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8   Resurrection of Griffin Ballard

https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.branch.1232   Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/arthistoriansuperhero/   Art Historian Superhero Facebook Page

https://www.rebeccabranch.com   Website

13. Anything to add:

My books cross genres and are oftentimes called slipstream. They are about relationship building, self-awareness, loss of innocence, depression, reclamation, friendship, infatuation, romance, erotica, humor, art, history, travel, cuisine, adventure, and family. My books are well researched and historic, the characters are well developed, the writing is easy to understand, each story is educational. My books are novel length, not the length of most romance or erotica books. They are 250k, 185k, 160k, 85k, and 80k in length. They are all meant for an adult audience.

Summer of '71 by Rebecca Branch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story takes place in Rome, but I am certain you already know that by the title. It is the first story in an art historian superhero series. This book, is written by the hand of a historian, who puts just the right twist on this story, and makes it work just perfectly.

What I also like, is the fact that the author even dedicated this book Rome, and intimacy both. In knowing that, it gives you hope for enjoyment, even if it is, in just a book. And as for Rome, as she states in her book, it gives you the insight from two different Worlds, the past and the present. And as you read, you can imagine your future.

This story reminds me of someone watching an older kind of screened movie, on a yellowed screen. A Movie about relationships, romance, and love, and the past. When the times were good, and so was the era. A love letter kind of story, the ones you write home about. The ones you hear your parents and grandparents tell and retell.

“I met him at a fountain in Rome, as he sat there playing his guitar. It was Summertime, the weather was perfect, and he was just more handsome than any other man I had ever seen…”

As the story gets told to you, you envision it the same, every time it is told to you. And you never complain every time you hear it. And when you imagine it, you are even more jealous, because it is being told in Rome, some place everyone has always wanted to see, and only dream of.

This book comes highly recommended, and it was even more enjoyable to read. I found it a pleasure, as I followed along, seeing the story lines unfold right in front of me. This book will keep you reading it through to the end, simply because you will want to see it through.

I give this book five beautiful stars. It was everything I expected, and even wanted, as I read it. I was glad that I decided to read this, it was well worthy of my time, I think that you’ll enjoy it too!

View all my reviews