Tag: Interlude Press

A Julia Review: The Sidhe (The Heart of All Worlds #1) by Charlotte Ashe

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In the nation of Villalu…

Since his childhood, Brieden Lethiscir has admired The Sidhe, the beautiful and magical beings native to the Faerie world outside his homeland of Villalu. Though he grew up in a culture accepting of Sidhe enslavement by Villalu’s elite, Brieden turns against the practice when he becomes a steward to Prince Dronyen, who is viciously abusive of his sidhe slave Sehrys. Captivated by the handsome and mysterious sidhe slave, Brieden vows to free and return Sehrys to his homeland.

As they escape the capital and navigate a treacherous path to the border, Breiden and Sehrys grow close. Breiden soon learns both the true power of The Sidhe, and that the world that he thought he knew is not what it once seemed. If they survive to reach the border, he will have to make a choice: the love of his life, or the fate of his world.

The Sidhe is Charlotte Ashe’s first volume in her Fantasy series “The Heart of All Worlds”. And what a strong start it is! The sequel is titled “The King and the Criminal” and I will definitely be reviewing that one as well. So let’s waste no time and take a look at how the journey begins!

When it comes to lore and world building, I believe that the devil really lies in the detail. While for example history and geography form the basis of creating an imaginary world, it’s those precise details about the everyday lives of its inhabitants that allow it to become a seemingly living and breathing organism. Things like what do the people eat, how do they live, what do they work and so on. At least that’s what draws me in the most when reading a fantasy story and I was delighted to discover that the author did not disappoint in that aspect. In contrast to the coexistence of several different races living in one place, this novel introduces two main cultures that exist in a kind of tense proximity and yet largely separated from one another: humans and the Sidhe (elf-like beings). Both societies offer rather different takes on a variety of subjects from ways of living to attitudes towards sexuality. The only things they seem to have in common are feelings of distrust, fear and ignorance towards each other. I especially found the unveiling of the shared history of these two peoples quite fascinating. Themes of race, subjugation and freedom feature heavily in this story and are addressed from several different points of view.

I took a liking to both main characters and found myself rather invested into their relationship since they make simply an adorable couple. Brieden is a kind, brave young man who finds himself before a big decision: staying complacent and giving up on his true believes or risking his very life and future. I deeply respect him for his courage in choosing the latter. His care and devotion to his partner were as heart-warming to witness as Sehrys in turn slowly starting to warm up and eventually coming to trust Brieden. What I also found most interesting when it comes to Sehrys was learning about how the six years he spent in slavery affected and changed him.

Despite the fact that I found those two very likeable and was rooting for them all the way, my absolute favourites were amongst the supporting characters: queen Brissa and her sister Cliope, who intrigued me so much that I wish they could have their very own story, as well as Firae, who features as a protagonist in the second book. In fact, the only flaw I might give this novel is the fact that I found myself wishing that these characters would feature more prominently and we would get to learn more about them.

The sex scenes were very well done which is good because there are quite a lot of them! Still, they never really felt out of place and although they are quite steamy and described in vivid detail, you can tell that the author always tried to give them meaning and draw them as an important aspect of the characters’ relationship to each other. They are mostly m/m with only a brief hint of f/f. There are mentions of sexual abuse and rape. 

This book was a wonderful read and had me engaged into the world, the narrative and the characters from start to finish. If you like fantasy or just a touching romance story against all odds, you should definitely pick up this book. I know I certainly am looking forward to delving into the second volume of this series!

The cover and interior illustrations by Sarah Sanderson are simply beautiful, they caught my attention right away. The drawing of Brieden and Sehrys framed by their special red flowers is a lovely piece of art and sets a wonderful stepping stone for entering their magical world. I also want to give credit for the map illustration by Sarah Sanderson and R.J. Shepherd.

Sales Links:  Interlude Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 442 pages

Published July 21, 2015

by Interlude Press

ISBN: 978-1-941530-50-4

Edition Language: English

In the Spotlight: Grrrls on the Side by Carrie Pack (excerpt and giveaway)

Grrrls on the Side by Carrie Pack
Interlude Press
Publication: June 8, 2017

 

Purchase Links:

Interlude Press |  Amazon |  Barnes & Noble |  Apple |  Target 

Kobo |   Smashwords |Book Depository |   Indiebound 

 

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Carrie Pack on her Grrls on the Side tour. Welcome, Carrie.

GRRRLS ON THE SIDE by Carrie Pack

Summary

The year is 1994 and alternative is in. But not for alternative girl Tabitha Denton; she hates her life. She is uninterested in boys, lonely, and sidelined by former friends at her suburban high school. When she picks up a zine at a punk concert, she finds an escape—an advertisement for a Riot Grrrl meet-up.

At the meeting, Tabitha finds girls who are more like her and a place to belong. But just as Tabitha is settling in with her new friends and beginning to think she understands herself, eighteen-year-old Jackie Hardwick walks into a meeting and changes her world forever. The out-and-proud Jackie is unlike anyone Tabitha has ever known. As her feelings for Jackie grow, Tabitha begins to learn more about herself and the racial injustices of the punk scene, but to be with Jackie, she must also come to grips with her own privilege and stand up for what’s right.

Excerpt

The club is dirty and small, and I have to stand on my tiptoes to see the stage, but I don’t care because these are my people: the hardscrabble freaks and losers who are angry at the world for their lot in life. Dramatic? Sure. But no one here looks at me like I’m some sort of zoo animal. An elephant with too much hair. A rhinoceros missing her horn. Here I am just a girl with cool boots, who maybe looks like she could kick your ass.

Mike seems in his element, too, and taller somehow, protective almost. When a guy with a safety pin through his left eyebrow bumps into me during the opening act, Mike shoves him back. At first I think we’ve won, but Eyebrow Piercing continues to thrash. I step to the side and let him go crazy. Who cares? This band is shit anyway. Mike lifts his brow as if to say, “Want me to kick his ass?” But I shake my head. No point in getting kicked out before the good bands start. We make our way to the other side of the venue where I can see the stage a little better.

We stand there for a while, taking in the scene. The opening band continues to suck. I’m not even sure the bass player’s amp is on. Their sound is top-heavy, like a car stereo with the speakers blown out. Mike nods in the direction of the merch tables. Looks like all the bands are selling CDs and a couple of girls are handing out flyers. We sidestep the thrashing masses to get a better look. I pass up the CDs; I don’t get my allowance until Monday, and I already blew my savings on the boots. A girl about my age catches my eye and smiles. Her brown hair is barely past shoulder length and much shinier than mine. Bright pink barrettes frame her pale face near her forehead. It should make her look childish, but instead she looks cool. I smile back.

“Hey, you interested in doing some shit?” she asks. Her pale green eyes sparkle with determination.

“Like what?”

“About all the bullshit in the world that girls have to put up with.”

Thinking she’s joking, I laugh. “That’s ambitious.”

“Just because we’re girls doesn’t mean we can’t change things. Here.” She hands me the flyer I’d noticed her passing out. “We meet on Tuesdays.”

About the Author

Never one for following the “rules,” Carrie Pack is a published author of books in multiple genres, including Designs on You, In the Present Tense and the forthcoming Grrrls on the Side (2017). Her novels focus on characters finding themselves in their own time—something she experienced for herself when she came out as bisexual recently. She’s passionate about positive representation in her writing and has been a feminist before she knew what the word meant, thanks to a progressive and civic-minded grandmother. Coincidentally that’s also where she got her love of red lipstick and desserts. Carrie lives in Florida, or as she likes to call it, “America’s Wang.”

* * *

Connect with Carrie Pack at carriepack.com, on Twitter @carriepack, and on Facebook at facebook.com/mscarriepack.

Giveaway

Book Tour Rafflecopter Giveaway
Grand Prize $25 IP Gift Card + Multi-format eBook of Hold // Five winners receive Grrrls on the Side eBook

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INTERLUDE PRESS TOUR: Huntsmen by Michelle Osgood (excerpt and giveaway)

Huntsmen by Michelle Osgood
Interlude Press

Published April 13th 2017

 

Purchase Links:

Interlude Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | Apple  | Kobo  | Smashwords |Book Depository  | Indiebound 

Summary

Months after saving Jamie and Deanna from crywolf, Kiara and her brother Cole have moved into the city. While clubbing one night, Kiara is stunned to see her ex, Taryn, onstage. But before she can react, Jamie notices a distinctive tattoo in the crowd: an axe rumored to be the mark of the Huntsmen, a group of werewolf-tracking humans. The girls need to leave immediately—and since Taryn is also a werewolf, they need to take her with them.

The Huntsmen are more than a myth, and they’re scouring the city for lone wolves just like Taryn. Until the General North American Assembly of Werewolves lends a plan of action, Kiara’s small pack is on lockdown in a friend’s apartment, where she and Taryn must face the differences that drove them apart. Furthermore, the longer the group waits, the more it seems the Huntsmen haven’t been acting entirely on their own.

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Excerpt

She couldn’t imagine a future without a pack… could she?

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* * *

“You can’t come back here.”

Confronted by an upheld palm, Kiara halted at the stairs that led backstage.

“This area is for performers only.” The Latina woman’s face was set in bored lines; her yellow shirt identified her as one of the club’s staff. Clearly it was not the first time she’d turned someone away that night.

“Look, I’m meeting—”

“Hun, I don’t care if you’re meeting Evan Rachel Wood herself. Performer’s only.” The woman enunciated the last part without managing to pull her attention from the room behind Kiara.

The prickling behind Kiara’s eyes mounted and was echoed in the flesh of her gums.

“Maria, hey.” Ryn pushed back the black curtain. “Come on, let her through.”

“Tar—” Reluctance was heavy in the woman’s voice. “You know I’m not supposed to.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t, ‘kay? This is my girlfriend. We won’t cause any trouble. Promise.” Ryn held out her hand past Maria.

Kiara placed her hand in Ryn’s and plastered a smile across her face. “I’ll be good.” She added a flutter of her eyelashes and coaxed a blush to her cheeks. Ryn’s skin was hot under her palm. Touching Ryn had always felt like touching the sun.

“You’d better be,” Maria warned as she stepped aside and let Kiara through.

“Thank you.” Ryn winked at Maria, and Kiara heard the woman’s heartbeat accelerate in response. With a valiant effort, Kiara swallowed her huff of annoyance.

The back of the stage was dimly lit. Ryn kept Kiara’s hand in hers as she led the way, deftly avoiding the few other performers who loitered about, waiting for their turns on stage.

“We have to go,” Kiara repeated. She spoke more loudly now that they were away from everyone else.

“I heard you the first time.”

“Then what are we doing?” Kiara’s fingers curled perfectly around Ryn’s. She wanted to yank her hand free. She wanted to kiss the spot where they fit so well together.

“I have to get my bag.”

Ten years. Surely ten years was long enough for feelings to fade, for the memory of what they had been to dull. She shouldn’t feel the bright hurt, the greedy hunger, as though it had been yesterday.

In the back of her head a siren screamed, a warning that she didn’t have time for this. Kiara’s grip on Ryn’s hand tightened involuntarily.

“Leave it.”

“I’m not leaving it. There’s five thousand dollars’ worth of equipment in there.”

“Ryn, you heard me. The Huntsmen are here.”

“Maybe.” They reached a set of lockers, and Ryn wriggled her fingers free of Kiara’s. “Aren’t you the one who told me they’re a myth? Do you really think they’d show up in Vancouver? At a drag king show?” But even as she spoke she opened the locker door and pulled free a large duffle bag.

“Werewolves are supposed to be myths, too.”

“And yet,” Ryn conceded. She slung the bag over her shoulder. “My bike is out front.”

* * *

Huntsmen is available from Interlude Press on April 13, 2017. Connect with author Michelle Osgood at michelleosgood.com; on Twitter @osgoodmichelle; and on Facebook at facebook.com/osgoodmichelle.

About the Author

Michelle Osgood writes queer, feminist romance from her tiny apartment in Vancouver, BC. She loves stories in all media, especially those created by Shonda Rhimes, and dreams of one day owning a wine cellar to rival Olivia Pope’s. She is active in Vancouver’s poly and LGBTQ communities, never turns down a debate about pop culture, and is trying to learn how to cook. Her first novel, The Better to Kiss You With, was published by Interlude Press in 2016.

Huntsmen is available from Interlude Press on April 13, 2017. Connect with author Michelle Osgood at michelleosgood.com; on Twitter @OsgoodMichelle and on Facebook at facebook.com/osgoodmichelle.

Giveaway

Book Tour Rafflecopter Giveaway:
Grand Prize $25 IP Gift Card + Multi-format eBook of Huntsmen // Five winners receive the multi-format eBook.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
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A Julia Review: Certainly, Possibly, You (Sucre Coeur #2) by Lissa Reed

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Sarita Sengupta is in her last semester of grad school and has finally realized she doesn’t have a career plan, a girlfriend, or a clear outlook on life. She works as a pastry shop’s head decorator, but is otherwise drifting without direction until a friend’s birthday party ends with her waking up in surprise next to Maritza Quiñones, a pretty ballroom dancer whose cheerful charm and laser focus sets Sarita on a path to making all of the choices she’s been avoiding.

Certainly, Possibly, You is Lissa Reed’s second entry in her Sucre Coeur series. Characters from the first book, “Definitely, Maybe, Yours”, do feature in this one but it’s still a perfectly self-contained story. Despite not having read the previous entry myself, I had no problems at all getting into the characters and setting.

What drew me in straight away was the author’s fast-paced and witty writing style that made it easy to connect with the characters and their thought processes right from the start. The author also painted a rich world for the characters to interact with. Places like the Sucre Coeur Bakery where Sarita works or Maritza’s dance studio were described in loving details that allowed me to picture them clearly in my head (and made me wish I could get some of those tasty sweet treats for myself). The story is told mostly from the alternating points of view of Sarita and Maritza but every now and then one of the other characters gets to chime in as well.

Sarita Sengupta is a character who is at a point in her life where a lot of us have been or are right now: wondering what she wants to do in the future while also questioning her career choices so far. Part of her troubles comes from being torn between what she herself enjoys doing and what is deemed “prudent” as far as education and job prospects are concerned. Maritza Quiñones on the other hand knows exactly what she wants to achieve in her life career-wise and is working towards it with an impressive amount of determination and willpower. Despite being so different in that aspect, the two women are also quite similar in some ways: they are smart, funny, care for their loved ones and feel comfortable with their sexual orientations. I found them both to be likeable from the start and their mutual attraction feels rather natural. Indeed, if you are looking for a lot of drama or confrontations (at least as far as the relationship between the two main characters is concerned), then you might not be satisfied quite as much. That said, it was very endearing to see how the two of them grew to care for each other and how they worked hard to keep their budding relationship going amidst the struggles and chaos of their everyday lives.

The two main protagonists are supported by a vast cast of colourful and loveable (well, some more than others) characters. Both Sarita’s and Maritza’s families, friends and co-workers play integral parts and several different types of relationships are shown from revengeful ex-boyfriends to supportive (and destructive) siblings, headstrong mothers and caring best friends. Rather than focusing on just the romance aspect of the story, the novel deals with numerous facets of people’s joys, troubles and challenges. As a side note, it features not only F/F but M/M couples as well. 

Last but not least, a quick word on the spiciness-factor of the book: nothing too crazy or unusual but there are a couple of very nice intimate scenes in there that are just as hot and sweet as the pastries at Sucre Coeur.

Overall, I found this novel to be quite an enjoyable read that focused on characters and their relationships in an entertaining and colourful manner. I am certainly looking forward to future works of this author.

I quite liked the cover design by CB Messer. The photo of this young woman with her natural and confident posture suits the story really well while not trying to be blatant or showy.

Sales Links:  Interlude Press | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 302 pages

Published October 6, 2016

by Interlude Press

ISBN: 978-1-945053-06-1

Edition Language: English

A Stella Review: Beneath the Stars by Lynn Charles

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

On the cusp of launching his fashion line for transmen and butch women, Sid Marneaux receives a life-altering phone call. His father, who raised his family alone, is in failing health. As he returns home, he wonders if he could lose the business he has spent most of his adult life building.

What he could not have anticipated was meeting Eddie Garner, the city’s new fire chief. After a heroic rescue, their romance sparks hot, launching into a swift affair. But Eddie is harboring his own burdens: the painful death of his best friend and the responsibility of raising her young son—their son—Adrian.

Through the wisdom of a child and the connection of mothers-now-gone, Sid, Eddie and Adrian venture and fumble to define family, career, and most importantly, love.

Oh the joy of reading Beneath the Stars! It filled my heart with so many feelings, it was  impossible not to love it. I had already appreciated Lynn Charles in Black Dust, that’s why I was curious about this new release.

I loved everything in this novel. Let’s start with the characters. Eddie and Sid are simply beautiful people and together they are awesome. Both of them are real, their stories are real, messy, sad, like ours are. I soon emphasized with them and their struggle, I wanted to hug them from the start till the ending. Then there is Adrian, a force of nature, a little boy who has just lost his mum, a great woman. He simply took my heart. He is probably too smart for his age but his cuteness was the icing on the cake for reader like me who love books with children in the plot. And all the secondary characters are well done too, all of them positive, all of them well depicted.

The romance part was balanced with all the rest that was happening in Eddie and Sid’s lives when they met and knew something was going to be born between them. In a story like this, the author did a great work with a story believable and a brilliant writing that made the reading fly easily and dialogues engaging. In a way this was not an easy book to read, it’s too close to some themes I particularly care for, events I went through, losses I had. And so I cried a lot. But the tears were neutralized by certain emotions and laughs.

Beneath The Stars is a winner, the story is strong and solid, I want to highly recommend it. The author has quickly became one of my favorites.

The cover art by CB Messer is simply beautiful, this artist is a guarantee of very well done and most of all fitting covers.

Sales Links

Interlude Press

BOOK DETAILS

Published February 16th 2017 by Interlude Press

Kindle Edition, 300 pages

ASIN B01MS46RO7

Edition Language English

In Our New Release Spotlight: Beneath the Stars by Lynn Charles (author interview, excerpt and giveaway)

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Beneath the Stars by Lynn Charles
Interlude Press
Release Date: February 16, 2017

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Available for Purchase from

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More Purchase Links can be found below

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✒︎Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Lynn Charles Interview✒︎

Today Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is very lucky to be interviewing Lynn Charles author of Beneath the Stars. Hi Lynn, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and your current book.

I’m happy to be here! I’m an author, wife and mother living in Central Ohio. I’ve been writing—from lavish journal entries to fictional stories—most of my life. My novels, Chef’s Table and Black Dust were published with Interlude Press in 2014 and 2016. Beneath the Stars is about man at a major turning point in his career who gets called home to help take care of his elderly father. While there he meets someone, and together, they learn how to define happiness, home and family.

  • What genres do you enjoy writing in?

Contemporary romance has always been where my mind takes me when I’m writing. Interestingly enough, while I enjoy reading the same genre, my favorite reads are typically memoirs. But, I suppose there is an interconnectedness in that I like the real and relatable bits of contemporary romance the most of all. Sure, the fantastical is great—be in incredible careers or perfect bodies, the promise of happy endings and deep seeded contentment—but the bits where I can recognize the humanity in the midst of the fantastical appeals to me.

  • What was the hardest part about writing this book?

Getting the layers of my main character, Sid, out there without pages of info dump. He has a rich background and a complicated present. I over did it, then under did it and threw my hands up in the air a few times with it all. But, I pressed on and Sid will hopefully be a beloved character—he is to me anyway.

  • What did you enjoy most about writing your book?

The one-on-one relationships, even beyond the romantic relationship of Sid and Eddie. I loved moments with Sid and his father. Sid and Eddie’s son, Adrian. Adrian and his dad, Eddie, were painful and rewarding as an author. Sid and his sister have a complicated relationship, and exploring that was a joy.

  • What cultural value do you see in writing?

The same I see in all of the arts: it broadens not only the viewpoint of the author (or it should), but also the reader. It takes you to worlds you would have never explored on your own, or deepens your understanding of the worlds you have explored. The saying, “Write what you know,” is such a disservice for the author, when there is so much out there we don’t know, and even more we can learn from the places in life that we’re comfortable.

  • What is your favorite positive saying?

My favorite saying in general is, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” but I’m not sure that’s anything more than a neutral/kind way of considering decisions. I’d probably choose the Dalai Lama quote I use for the signature on my personal email account: Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. It’s not one I always remember, but I certainly try.

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BENEATH THE STARS ~ SUMMARY 

Sid Marneaux puts his fashion career on the line when he returns home to care for his ailing father. When he meets the new fire chief Eddie Garner, their romance sparks hot, but Eddie harbors burdens of his own. Through the wisdom of a child and the connection of mothers-now-gone, the men redefine family, career, and most importantly, love.

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Excerpt from Beneath the Stars

Happiness doesn’t always come easily; sometimes you have to work for it.

* * *

“How is he doing?”

Sid began with a prepared answer, the one he used for old neighbors and family acquaintances. “He’s doing okay. Day to day, you know,” but when he stopped fidgeting with his food and looked into Eddie’s eyes, his breath caught in his throat. Eddie wasn’t making small talk, wasn’t being generically kind. He was tuned in, with an understanding and patience at peeling away the complicated layers of caring for an elderly parent that went beyond what Sid had felt from anyone—even his closest friends.

And so, with Eddie’s unrushed attention, Sid began to unpack the emotions and frustrations he hadn’t yet allowed himself to express. He talked about Anna’s overbearing control and her lack of understanding as to why that would make Lou lash out and became belligerent. He talked about Anna’s calendars and charts and the daily schedule she kept Lou on. About her refusal to let their dad do much of anything. “It’s like she’s already put him in the ground,” he finally said, feeling almost winded after exposing so much of himself, of his family.

“It’s hard on the caretakers,” Eddie said. “It completely takes over your life.”

“It’s hard on the patient too. Dad lived, you know? Just last year, he rode his bike five miles to the park and back almost every day. This is the man who threw on a backpack with a bunch of college buddies and hiked the fucking Hippie Trail. He didn’t stop until he found what he was looking for. He doesn’t stop. And now he has no choice.”

“What was he looking for?”

Sid grinned with memories of his mom and dad and their great love. “He didn’t know until he saw her.”

Eddie met his smile, and a blush crept up his neck. “Sometimes we don’t know what we’re looking for until it’s sitting across the table from us.”

“No,” Sid said, unable to pull his gaze away from Eddie. “We don’t.”

BENEATH THE STARS will be published by Interlude Press on February 16, 2017.

 Other  Buy Links Include:

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About the Author

Lynn Charles’ love of writing dates to her childhood where thoughts, dreams, frustrations, and joys poured onto the pages of journals and diaries.

She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and adult children where a blind dog and his guardian cat rule the roost. When she’s not writing, Lynn can be found planning a trip to New York or strolling its streets daydreaming about retirement. Her previous novels include Chef’s Table (2014) and Black Dust (2016).

Connect with the author at lynncharles.net, on Twitter @lynncharlesnet and on Facebook at facebook.com/lynncharles.net.

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Giveaway

Book Tour Rafflecopter Giveaway :
Grand Prize $25 IP Gift Card + Multi-format eBook of Hold // Five winners receive Beneath the Stars eBook
WIDGET:
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