dark passing by liz schulte + interview

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Title: Dark Passing
Author: Liz Schulte
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 3.5/5
Cover Rating: 2
Date Published: October 2012

Synopsis:
Mary Nelson’s murder shocked the small town of Jackson. The vibrant, young college student disappeared on her way home. A week later her body was found in the trunk of a burning car. No suspects. No evidence. No case. Ella Reynolds’ life had finally turned around. With a new book released, the past safely tucked away, and a burgeoning romance, she begins to live again. Then a plea from a woman whose daughter’s murder remains unsolved ignites Ella’s curiosity—and drags her back into the dark world she fought so desperately to escape. Curiosity turns to obsession as Ella inches closer to the truth—and the murderer begins to claim new victims.

My Say:
This book is actually the second book which is the first book is Dark Corner in Ella Reynolds series. If only I could the first book first. Why? I find the book actually is as good as any other good mystery stories would be. Ella in my point of view is quite a great character. She's cool and kind of Nancy Drew wannabe. But I love her character as she is. Since I love mystery and adventure, the story is kind of predictable and I love guessing the culprit. Guess what? I kind of failed to guess this time when there's unexpected twist nearly at the end of the book when I should have know it! Now, I just have to get the first book and cant wait for her next book in the series. Yes, the book is highly recommended to all mystery and thriller readers.

And I kind of lucky to get an interview with the author. Hope you'll like her as well ;p 


D: What book are you reading right now? 
LS: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

D: Where do you do most of your writing? 
LS: In my office.

D: Do you have any quirks that come out while you are writing? 
LS: Hmmm I don't think so, I perhaps talk to myself a little more than normal.

D: What is your daily routine as a writer? 
LS: I don't have a routine. I only try to make sure that I write something every day to keep the creative juices flowing.

D: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? 
LS: No. I am pretty happy with it. I honestly can't think of any plot points I would change in any of my books.

D: Which part of Dark Passing was the most enjoyable to write? 
LS: All the parts with Ella and Gabriel are a lot of fun to write. I also love writing the snarky bits as well.


About the Author

Many authors claim to have known their calling from a young age. Liz Schulte, however, didn't always want to be an author. In fact, she had no clue. Liz wanted to be a veterinarian, then she wanted to be a lawyer, then she wanted to be a criminal profiler. In a valiant effort to keep from becoming Walter Mitty, Liz put pen to paper and began writing her first novel. It was at that moment she realized this is what she was meant to do. As a scribe she could be all of those things and so much more. When Liz isn’t writing or on social networks she is inflicting movie quotes and trivia on people, reading, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. Liz is a Midwest girl through and through, though she would be perfectly happy never having to shovel her driveway again. She has a love for all things spooky, supernatural, and snarky. Her favorite authors range from Edgar Allen Poe to Joseph Heller to Jane Austen to Jim Butcher and everything in between.

Find her at: Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Newsletter

happy new year 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2013

I have only 1 golden wish. I want to at least read 1 book a weak and 1 review a week posted on my blog.

But I hope all other readers and book bloggers will have a wonderful year ahead and may all your wishes come true!

the watchmen of ephraim by gerard de marigny

Title: The Watchman of Ephraim
Author: Gerard de Marigny
Rating: 4/5
Cover Rating: 4/5
Summary (Goodreads):
Cris De Niro worked his way up to the top of the hedge fund world. Yet, all of his money couldn't protect him from losing his wife on 9/11. 10 years passed since the tragedy. De Niro and his sons relocated to a sprawling ranch near Las Vegas. Turning to his faith to overcome his anguish, De Niro now lives for a higher purpose. From a biblical passage, he reads about the "Watchman of Ephraim," a defender who kept watch over the land. De Niro decides to acquire a lackluster counter-terrorism agency in order to transform it into a modern-day version of The Watchman for the United States but there's not a moment to lose. Aref Sami Zamani is planning a terrorist attack on American soil - codenamed "Antioch," a plot to detonate a nuke over the city of Las Vegas. The Watchman uncovers a connection between Zamani and a Mexican drug cartel but their agent goes missing before they can learn more. That's because Zamani has a spy working for The Watchman. Strange events start to unfold near the Nogales border crossing. References are discovered to something the Mexicans are calling "Noche Del Espantada" ...Fright Night," but can it mean something else? September 11, 2011 and the sun hasn't risen yet in Las Vegas or Nogales. Antioch is in motion! At the border, Noche Del Espantada has begun and there are intruders at De Niro's ranch. De Niro has to protect his sons and someone new in his life, Dr. Moriah Stevens. She too, lost her spouse on 9/11. Moriah finds herself in love with De Niro but his devotion to his wife is proving too powerful for him, even after 10 years. It's the 10th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil and unless De Niro and his new team are successful, the day will be known as "The 2nd 9/11."

My 2 Cents:
I feel like the book is actually an imagination revenge towards the Muslim world. Why it must be someone with a name of a Muslim try to attack US for the second 9/11. It's not always the Middle East want to attack US. Maybe there would be other race and religion wants to attack US. That is the only thing that I feel it's quite a discrimination towards Muslim. Yes, I am Muslim, and I know I might be skeptical about it. Sorry.

Apart from that, yes, I think the author had his research on everything quite well. I's a plot-driven and I was totally immense in it. I know it's hard when you lost someone you love most and I understand why the character were hype up to prevent any terrorism towards the country. I also feel that the story is well plotted and well-developed until towards the end. The agency he creates is like a very original creations. He acted like he must do it to protect everyone and for that, I admire him. The book is actually quite enjoyable. It's recommended.

Note: I received a copy of the book for an exchange of an honest review.