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Author Interview – Danica Favorite – Review of Honor-Bound Lawman with Excerpt

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As seen in the May issue of Uncaged Book Reviews

Uncaged: What can you tell readers about your Love Inspired Historical series? What inspired you to write in the historical western genre?

My series is set during the silver mining boom in Leadville, Colorado. Believe it or not, I started writing historical westerns because my agent dared me to. I never wanted to write historicals because I love them so much that I was afraid of turning my first love into work. However, my agent twisted my arm, I tried it, and decided to write about an area I knew well- Leadville, CO. When my husband’s family came to America, they went to Leadville, so the area is steeped in family history, and we spend a great deal of time there. Fortunately, even though writing about Leadville is a lot of work, I still find it very fun and rewarding.

Uncaged: You also write in the contemporary genre, but all your books are clean and inspirational romances. Can you tell readers more about your other series?

I have a contemporary series, Legacy of the Heart, which is part of a larger series called Arcadia Valley. It’s set in Idaho and the series focuses on natural living and foodie culture, a couple of my favorite topics. Legacy of the Heart is about a group of grandchildren determined to keep their parents from taking Bigby Farm, which has been in the family for generations, from their grandmother. And, of course, they all fall in love along the way.

My third book in the series, The Taste of Romance, is out in June.

Uncaged: What are you working on next?

LOTS!! Because the Love Inspired Historical line is closing, I’ve moved to writing for Love Inspired. My first series with them, tentatively called Three Sisters Ranch, will begin in February 2019. It’s about three sisters who inherit a ranch from a long-lost relative, and use it as a means of rebuilding their lives after suffering tragedies.

In the meantime… I have a novella coming out right around the time of WDR as part of the Legacy of the Heart collection (different from above, weird, I just noticed it was the same name!). We have five different stories, two historical and three contemporary, based on a locket that is passed down from woman to women. My story, Heritage of Love, is a historical featuring a young lady who meets a member of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show at the Chicago World’s Fair and falls in love- but her family objects to his Lakota heritage.
I also have my first book with the Brides of Blessings series coming out in May. It’s called A Blessed Dream, and it’s about three sisters who come to the gold mining town of Blessings, CA during the California Gold Rush to avenge their father’s murder. Each of my three books will follow a different sister, and this one is about Louisa, who has given up her dream of being a schoolteacher to help her family, and ends up having to manage her neighbor’s unruly children. Love isn’t in the plan for either of them, but love always has other plans!

I’m also hoping to have another Brides of Noelle book out this summer.

Uncaged: You are an attending author at Wild Deadwood Reads this year. What are you looking forward to the most from this convention?

Wow, so much!! I’ve never been to Deadwood, so I’m super excited to just be there. Also, in case you haven’t guessed, I am a total history nerd, so I plan on doing ALL THE THINGS historical, and I’m really excited to be experiencing it with fellow history nerds. I love that I’m going to connect with people like me who love books and history, and I think it’s going to be so much fun!

Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?

No, I don’t! I’m too thin-skinned to be able to read them, especially because people can be really mean in what they say online. I hired an assistant who reads them for me, and she lets me know the things I need to know. The main takeaway she gives me is to let me know who my fans are and what they’re looking for. I can’t please everyone, but I really want to do right by the people who look forward to my books.

Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?

Good question! Anytime a reader lets me know my books have made a difference in their lives is something very special to me. I’ve had that happen a few times, and I love knowing that I’ve been able to touch someone’s heart in a special way.

Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?

I love writing. It’s kind of a sickness, because I would write 24/7 if I could. All I want to do is write. Anything that is not writing is my least favorite, and I’m doing my very best to let others do those things, because they make me grumpy.

Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Where is one of your favorite places on Earth?

I love to travel! Seriously, my dream life is to travel the world and write. But come home sometimes, because I also love being home. We bought our dream-in-progress home in the mountains three years ago, and while it is definitely a work in progress, I love being here. The joke is that when my kids leave, I will be a recluse and never leave my house, except to travel, because I love it so much. My other favorite place on Earth is England. If I could live there a month out of every year, I totally would.

Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?

The hardest part for me is the ending. I am so in love with the book, I don’t want it to end, but I’m also usually tight on word count, so I don’t have room to mess around. I just want to keep writing and writing because I seriously love to write.

The easiest is starting, because I love getting to know a new story.

Start to finish… ugh. I don’t know. I have a weird process. My books percolate for a long time, but when it’s time to write, I write! Percolation can take months, but the actual writing is usually less than a month.

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

I think my fans are awesome, and I love getting to know them.

[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]A self-professed crazy chicken lady, Danica Favorite loves the adventure of living a creative life. She and her family recently moved in to their dream home in the mountains above Denver, Colorado. Danica loves to explore the depths of human nature and follow people on the journey to happily ever after. Though the journey is often bumpy, those bumps are what refine imperfect characters as they live the life God created them for. Oops, that just spoiled the ending of all of Danica’s stories. Then again, getting there is all the fun.[/symple_box]

danicafavorite.com

Honor Bound Lawman
Danica Favorite
Historical Western

Her Rancher Bodyguard

When Laura Booth’s dangerous ex-husband escapes from prison, she turns to the one man who can protect her: Owen Hamilton. Living with the widowed former lawman—who once helped put her ex in jail—and his adorable twin daughters on their Colorado ranch is a welcome respite. For the first time, Laura feels safe—but after her troubled past, she’ll never trust her heart again.
Owen would like to say only obligation draws him to Laura’s side. But in his gut he knows his feelings for the gentle beauty run deeper than duty—and it stops him cold. After guarding their wary hearts for years, can Owen and Laura give love a second chance?

Excerpt

Leadville, Colorado

1884

Owen Hamilton shielded his eyes against the sun as he tried to make out the rider coming toward him. His small ranch outside of Leadville, Colorado, was too far from town to get many visitors.
His sister, Lena, stepped out of the house. “Were you expecting company?”
“No. Get inside and bar the door. Keep the girls close. You know what to do.”
Lena hesitated. “Should I get your shotgun?”
“I’ve got my belt,” Owen said, patting his hip. “No sense in drawing trouble if there is none.”
They’d had this conversation enough times that Lena gave a nod. “We’ll be inside. I’ll wait for the signal.”
Owen walked off the porch and headed down the path toward the oncoming horse. Now that the rider was closer, Owen recognized him.
He called over his shoulder at the house. “It’s just Will. Put on some coffee and see what you can round up for refreshment. I’m sure he’s tired after his long ride.”
Though he sounded cheerful, his stomach filled with dread. The only reason Will would come to see Owen unannounced was if it was about a case. When Owen had turned in his badge several months ago, he’d made it clear he wasn’t available to help his friend. Both Will and the sheriff had tried talking him into at least remaining a consultant. But after Owen’s last mistake, he couldn’t bring himself to potentially endanger anyone else. True, on that last case, no one had died. But Owen had gotten distracted, and because of it, a woman and her children nearly died. Though everything turned out all right in the end, he still couldn’t forget how easily things could have gone bad.
As Will dismounted, Owen walked over to greet him. “Go ahead and put your horse by the barn. There’s plenty of hay, and I’ll get some water for him.”
“Thanks,” Will said, sounding out of breath. He must have been riding hard. And from the horse’s sweaty flanks, Owen could tell that initial instinct that this wasn’t a social call was correct.
“Lena is fixing some refreshments. Then you can be on your way.”
“You haven’t even heard what I have to say.”
“I figure already I already know what you’ve got to say. When I turned in my badge, it was for good.”
Before Will could respond, Owen’s six-year-old twin daughters, Anna and Emma, came running out the door. “Uncle Will!”
“Pipsqueaks!” Will gathered the girls in his arms and gave them a big hug. Though Owen had no regrets in moving out to the ranch, sometimes he thought about how isolated they were out here. Living in Leadville, Owen’s children had the chance to socialize with a number of families, including Will’s. Though Will wasn’t their real uncle, their families were close enough that it felt like it at times. Leaving behind their social connections had been a small price to pay for his privacy. If he wasn’t living in town, no one could ask him to help on a case.
Maybe it sounded selfish, but Owen knew that if his fellow lawmen could just run down the street to ask for his help, keeping his badge hung up would be near impossible. Besides, he and Lena had grown up here. Lena hated the city, and they’d both agreed that they wanted the same kind of how childhood for Owen’s daughters that they’d had.
Lena had given up so much for Owen, quitting her job as a teacher to move in with him and help take care of his daughter’s when his late wife left him nearly six years ago. It seemed only fair that Owen took looked toward Lena’s comfort. Lena had no intention of ever marrying, and after Owen’s disastrous marriage, he wasn’t interested in finding a wife either. Which made being out here, several miles from town, perfect for both of them.
But as Owen watched Will laughing with his daughters, he couldn’t help but wonder if the best thing for him and Lena was not the best thing for his girls. Even though they had each other, the twins missed their friends in Leadville.
“Are you going to spend the night?” Emma asked.
“Why didn’t you bring Mary and Rosabelle?” Anna added. The girls loved spending time with Will’s wife, Mary, and doting on baby Rosabelle.
Will laughed and gave the girls another squeeze. “I’m afraid I’m here on business. I can’t stay long because I need to get back. But hopefully, you can come to town soon and stay with us.”
“Then you’d best come in and have some coffee, so you can be on your way.” Owen gave his friend a firm look. “Any business you have for me is no business I want. I told you, I put that life behind me.”
“You haven’t even heard what I have to say.”
Will’s stubborn expression matched Owen’s. They’d been friends long enough that they could spend hours staring each other down in this manner. They’d done so often enough in the past, with each of them having their share of wins and losses. But this time, Owen wasn’t going to lose.
“Don’t need to. I won’t turn a friend away without refreshment, but you might as well go back on the horse and go home. Nothing you have to say is of interest to me.”
Lena stepped out of the farmhouse, wiping her hands on her apron. “Now, Owen, that’s no way to treat a friend. After all he’s done for us, you at least need to hear him out. Will, nice to see you again.”
Growing up, Owen used to tease Lena that being a schoolteacher was her destiny because of the way she always bossed everyone around. Even having quit her job, she was still good at giving orders. Lena was also his elder by a couple of years, which meant Owen got more than his share of Lena’s commands.
“Good to see you, too, Lena. Mary sends her regards. Even though this is a quick trip on business, there are some cookies in my saddlebags that she insisted I bring.”
“Cookies!” The girls spoke and jumped up and down in unison. “Please, Papa, maybe go and get them?”
Owen sighed. Getting rid of Will wasn’t going to be so easy. Not that Owen wanted to get rid of his friend because entertaining guests was always a pleasurable endeavor. But business, that was another story.
“Let’s go get Will’s horse settled in the barn. Then we can get the cookies and bring them in the house. It’ll be a nice treat for all of us.”
His daughters didn’t need further encouragement. Laughing, they ran to the barn.
Owen looked at his friend. “I guess that settles that, then. Go tie up your horse, and I’ll get a bucket of water.”
Before Owen could head over to the water pump, Lena stopped him. “I don’t know why you’re being so prickly with him. You don’t even know he wants.”
“It doesn’t matter. He’s wearing his badge, which means it’s official business. This isn’t the first time he’s tried to drag me in on another case. I can’t do it anymore, Lena, I just can’t.”
His sister looked at him sympathetically. “I know it’s hard. Don’t you think he knows that, too? If anyone understands the difficulties you have with going back, it would be Will.”
“Then why is he here?” Owen shook his head as he looked at the ground. “All these years Will has been telling everyone that I’m the lawmen he knows. But I’m not. Will has more faith in me that he should. He’s better off without me.”
The crunch of boots on gravel made Owen turn. “I stand by my assessment of your abilities. That’s why I’m here.”
Owen stared at his friend. “You’re wasting your time. Our friendship has blinded you to my faults.”
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”
Lena stepped in beside Owen. “That’s just what I was telling Owen.”
He’d been prepared to fight Will. But with Lena on Will’s side, it seemed almost impossible to consider doing battle.
“Fine. What you want?”
Will shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back on his heels. His face squeezed tightly into an expression of a man bearing the worst kind of news. Owen had seen that expression on his friend’s face often enough, probably too often, that had Will opened with this expression, Owen wouldn’t have had to debate with himself. The words that were to come out of his mouth were irrelevant. No matter what they were, Owen would help his friend.
“James Booth has escaped from prison.”
The words were shocking as if Will had pulled his gun out of his belt and shot Owen.
“How can that be? They had him in maximum security.”
Will’s brow furrowed. “Apparently not maximum enough. Two guards are dead, and they aren’t sure the third will last the night. When they catch him, he’ll hang for sure.”
“When did this happen?”
“A few hours ago. The prison sent a telegram right away. They think he’s headed to Leadville.”
Owen’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He’d promised Laura Booth, James’s ex-wife, that this wouldn’t happen. Every day, when he’d escorted her to the courthouse for James’s trial, Owen promised her that James would go to prison for the rest of his life and never bother her again. One more promise Owen had broken as a lawman.
“Does she know?”
Will nodded. “Laura’s scared, but she thinks he’ll head to Mexico, where he has connections, something he’s always talked about doing. Laura believes that James will value his freedom more than anything else. She doesn’t think he’ll risk getting caught again.”
Unfortunately, Owen knew better. The man thought he was invincible, which meant he wouldn’t consider the risks to come after Laura.
“Has she forgotten how many times he threatened her? At the trial, at his sentencing and even when I went with her to give him divorce papers. The last time she saw him, he was like a madman, giving in graphic detail a list of all the horrible things he would do to her before he killed her in revenge for testifying against him.”
When Owen had met Laura, she was terrified of her husband. James Booth was a womanizing charlatan, hurting everyone in his path who did not give him his way. He’d beaten Laura into submission, making her one of his victims. But Owen, along with Will and several of their friends in Leadville, had convinced Laura to testify against James in a case where he’d been accused of murdering his mistress. At the time, Laura had been hesitant to speak out against him. He had many friends and associates, and she feared that they would help them avoid the consequences of his actions.
Owen had been the one to convince her otherwise.
And now James had done the very thing Laura was afraid of. He’d gotten out of jail, and he was coming after her.
Will had been right to ask Owen to come out of retirement for this. He’d made a woman a promise that he would keep her safe.
Hopefully, Owen would be able to keep that promise.

Uncaged Review

A story about love, trust and second chances with a good dash of suspense and danger thrown in. When Owen comes to Laura’s boarding house to take her into protective custody as her abusive ex-husband has escaped from jail, Laura goes, with strong objections, thinking her ex will just high tail it to Mexico. But when the danger looms and people are killed, Owen takes Laura to his ranch, a hidden gem that very few people know about.

The two people will need to learn to trust each other, and also trust the feelings that they have for each other, brewing under the surface.

This is a nice romance, with enough humor, suspense and danger thrown in, along with some great family moments. Nice series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Time Table by Caroline Mather

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The Time Table
Caroline Mather
Historical/Time Travel

“Every so often we lose a ball . . . I wonder in what century they are rolling about?” Jeremy Finch, 1812

“. . . Tony Finch was never found . . .” Larry Fischer to Sophie Fischer, 2016

In the billiard room of Larry Fischer’s London home stands an antique billiard table that came with the house. 

Set up in the 1600’s by Phineas Finch as the craze for billiards dawned, the table was cut from a standing stone on the Finches’ north-country estate and shipped to London . . .

“They kept popping in and out, from the Restoration until . . .” Larry to Sophie, 2016

The lives of generations of Finches are intertwined with the modern-day Fischers and others through the curious properties of The Time Table. Travel with them as they seek the love that transcends time.

Uncaged Review: This is a time travel book. What is different is the method is via a pool table which was made from a standing stone. Things like shot glasses, balls and people disappear through the table, ending up in different centuries.

The book is writing in parts with a different person as the focus for each story. Throughout the book is a Larry Fischer who owns the house where the table was placed when it was made. It has been there for over two hundred years.

Part 1, Between Times, deals with Emily, the sister of Larry’s fiancé, Dilys and Jeremy Finch, whose family owned the house 200 years ago. Emily falls through the table and meets Jeremy. When she returns to present day, Jeremy follows her when he realizes he’ll never find another like her. They end up going back to his time to live.

Part 2 The Shot Glass, involves Tony Finch who, according to the family history, disappeared without a trace from his time period. He shows up in the standing stones where Sophia was at the time. He ends up staying in the present time.

Part 3, The Stone, is the story of Phineas and Davila where Phineas goes back in time.
Part 4 The Compass, involves a compass from Tony’s great uncle. He is aware Phineas went back to 1320 and returned to his time with the compass which originated in the 1600s and was use by a Captain Andrew Finch. Tony and Larry are studying the time travel and attempting to figure out how the various people and objects travel through the time and get to or from where they were.

Part 5 The Ivory Ball, deals with Dane Carter, Sophie’s ex-boyfriend (Part 2) and Cara. Cara goes to 1776 with an ivory ball she sees in an exhibit in 2021 to meet Garret Finch. She attempts to go back to her time but ends up in 2016 (present day) and meets Dane. They jump to the future after realizing they had been dreaming of each other for years.
I will admit, most time travel books I find trite and not all that interesting. This one was done in a format where it was short stories about each couple which weren’t boring. In fact, it was almost believable. I loved that she tied it all together with Larry and Dilys and the Finch family. (I have to admit I liked Tony a lot.) Unlike most time travel, there was nothing fantastic any of the characters did other than going to a different century. Ms. Mather deals with the adaptations of the one who jumps through time, and sets the stage for various romances. The only unbelievable part is the immediate acceptance of a person showing up out of nowhere who is totally different. That had me thinking, “Right! As if someone will act like it’s normal for strange people to pop out of nowhere.”

Over all, the book is one you can read Part at a time. It was fun to discover which Finch was going where and who they would meet. I give it 4 stars. As I said, the plausibility of belief was pushed too far when everyone seems to expect the unexpected and aren’t the least bit surprised when a strange person pops into their world.
Reviewed by Barbara

4 Stars

Author Interview with Meara Platt – Excerpt and Review of Garden of Shadows

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As seen in the May issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

Uncaged: Welcome to Uncaged! Can you tell readers more about the Dark Gardens series and what inspired you to weave fantasy in with historicals?

This series is a blend of two of my favorite genres, Regency romance and fantasy. Growing up, I was a huge fan of Ursula LeGuin and Mary Stewart, loved Ursula’s dragons and Mary’s spellbinding myth and magic. I was also a huge fan of Regencies: Jane Austen, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsay, etc. The Dark Gardens is my homage to these two fabulous genres, and – I hope – a perfect blend of both those worlds.

An ancient Fae prophecy is about to unfold in England’s charming Lake District, so it is written in the Stone of Draloch. I welcome all readers to venture into the Dark Gardens where bluebell gardens serve as portals into the realm of the Fae and the red mountain known as Friar’s Crag will lead you to the demonic Dragon Lords. A vicar’s daughter holds the key to Fae salvation. But who is she? And can the Fae king find her in time to save his people?

Uncaged: How many books are you planning for the series? Can you tell us what is coming next?

I’ve written four books so far and will write Dragon Lord Mordain’s story next. He is the red dragon, the guardian of the gate to the Underworld. These are all romances, so even Mordain (who happens to be a son of Lucifer) will find his mortal true love.

But I also have some other writing commitments so next up is more Farthingale series stories, more Brayden series stories, and a Pirates of Britannia story that will come out in November 2018 called Pearls of Fire. Now, that is an interesting tale – I met a real life gem hunter who told me about these mysterious pearls that are the magical colors of a sunrise. They are not made by oysters – but you’ll learn all about them in my story. I was so fascinated by them, that I had to write an action-packed romance around them.

Uncaged: Can you tell readers about your other series?

I’d love to! The Dark Gardens series is gothic and fantastical, but my traditional Regencies are lighthearted, warm, and humorous. My bestselling Farthingale Series is all about the madcap and meddlesome Farthingale family’s adventures when introducing their daughters into London Society. A simple matter, one would think. But no. The Farthingale sisters are notorious for getting into mischief. They don’t go looking for it, but mischief seems to find them. There are five sisters and each has her own stand-alone story. The youngest are identical twins Lily and Daffodil, and they are the little firecrackers who add the spark to all the stories, including their own. Of course, they fall in love with spectacular flair.

I also have a series called The Braydens, another traditional Regency series, but this one is about the big, brawny Brayden men. The first story, A Match Made In Duty was originally written for a military charity set to benefit our own US wounded veterans. When the charity run ended, I published the story on my own because it was too beautiful to hide away. It is a heartwarming novella about the power of true love. My hero, James Brayden, the Earl of Exmoor, returns to London Society after years on the battlefront fighting Napoleon’s forces. He is wounded, scarred, and no longer knows where he fits in Society. When he makes good on a promise and marries the sister of one of his friends who was killed in battle, he never expects that this promise made in duty will turn out to be his salvation.

Uncaged: You also work in a law firm, do the people you work with know about your writing? If so, do they read your novels?

Oh, yes. I am the managing partner in a NYC law firm and am very, very proud of the romances I write. I don’t go out of my way to talk about my writing career, but many of my clients know. Some do read my novels. Some don’t but are excited to tell me that friends or relatives of theirs are fans of mine! I work very hard at both jobs and rarely have any spare time – however, writing relaxes me. It is sheer joy and I’m happiest when I’m writing.

Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?

I will read them on occasion, but usually try to avoid getting caught up in them. I look at them for a general overview to understand whether I’ve engaged the readers and touched their hearts. Every once in a while I’ll get a one-star review (every author does, it’s part of the rite of passage) – surprisingly, often around holidays like Christmas or Easter. I think of those reviewers as unhappy people who feel a need to bring someone down because they are feeling hurt and angry. But there are also reviews that are thoughtful and I find those very helpful (no matter what their star rating). I’ll read them with interest because they are constructive rather than just plain hurtful.

Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?

For the Farthingales in particular, I’ve gotten some heart wrenching emails from readers who are going through very hard times (medically or financially or just struggling in general) and tell me how uplifting and fun these stories are. They finish the books with a smile on their face and a good feeling about themselves. A couple of readers have written to me while at the bedside of a dying husband or mother and told me how I enabled them to laugh amid the despair. Same for The Braydens series, and particularly, A Match Made In Duty – wives of military wounded have sent me blessings and told me it is one of the most beautiful stories they’ve ever read. That is so meaningful to me. I’m proud of my books, but I know I am not Shakespeare or Jane Austen or Diana Gabaldon! But wow, that my stories can move people, mostly to laugh and feel good about themselves, that is huge to me.

Uncaged: What are your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?

That’s a hard question – I love so much about being an author. I love the process of writing each story and finding the perfect match for the hero or heroine (usually someone who should be the worst possible choice, but of course, he or she is the ONLY one they can ever be happy with). I love connecting with readers. I don’t view them as an audience, but as kindred spirits who love historical romance, and we’re all on this fabulous journey together. I have tremendous respect for my readers and count my blessings every day that they allow me to do what I love.

If I have a least favorite part, it’s probably having to meet a deadline. The creative juices don’t flow on command, so I try very hard NOT to put myself under deadline obligations. However, since I write for Dragonblade Publishing, those will come up and I always do my best to turn a polished book in on time. I won’t turn in something that is substandard.

Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Where is one of your favorite places on Earth?

Ha, ha, ha – I am an Olympic gold medal couch potato. When I’m not writing, I love to turn into a vegetable on my couch and binge watch the Hallmark Channel or Turner Classic Movies. I also love the food network shows and Home & Garden shows. The closest I come to exercising is my daily commute (daily two mile walk, climbing about ten flights of train stairs and subway stairs coming and going). I also love gardening – flowers have a way of renewing my spirit and making me happy. You may have guessed my love for them by the covers on the Farthingale series and the fact that the sisters are all named after flowers: Lily, Daffodil, Daisy, Laurel and Rose.

My favorite place on Earth has to be England. I love everything about that magical, sceptered isle – London, Oxford, York, the countryside, the stunning flower gardens in every yard, Hadrian’s Wall, Windsor Castle, the Lake District (wow!), the people, the history, the War of the Roses, the Battle of Hastings, the Danelaw, the legends of Merlin and King Arthur and Robin Hood, Shakespeare, sheep, manor houses. The list is endless.

Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?

The hardest part of a book to write is the middle – that is probably the bane of every author’s existence. How do you keep a reader’s interest throughout the story? How do you keep them turning the pages in every chapter? The first part is probably the easiest because you have the reader’s interest and they want to know about the characters. The last part is next easiest, but not all that easy. You hopefully still have the reader’s interest and now must write the climactic ending. But to get them to that ending, you have to keep the story engaging and exciting as you develop the characters and have them undertake their journeys (meaning their inner growth) so that they’ll reach their happy ending.

Not all books are the same, even if they are of equal length. Some stories just write themselves and I find myself typing like mad just to keep up with the characters who are shouting their story to me in my head. My Fair Lily was that kind of story. Lily Farthingale talked to me throughout the book! She’s a bluestocking, but did she want a scholarly, professor hero? No! Give me Ewan, she kept saying, and put him in a kilt! And give him a good dose of Highlander attitude. And give him a dog. What? I loved Lily! She got her story. So did all her sisters. Their personalities were so clear in my head that I knew exactly which hero I needed to give each of them. And each sister had a distinct personality that played right into her story and meshed so beautifully with the other sisters. So many readers recognize their own big, mad, crazy loving family in these stories – or wish they had this big, mad, crazy loving family – and love that about the Farthingales.

The Dark Gardens books were also surprisingly quick for me to write – about three months per story, and they are full length stories. But once you know the characters, and who you must pair them with, then the stories just start flowing. I do a lot of historical research along the way as well. When I’m not writing, I’m reading about the foods of the day, the fashions, the weather, the indigenous flora and fauna, the architecture, the manners, the peerage. Even when creating my Dark Gardens Fae and Dragon Lord worlds, I wanted a level of authenticity that would feel exotic to the reader but also familiar. I hope I achieved that. I am extremely honored that EACH of the four books in the Dark Gardens series was nominated for major awards in publishing. I like to think that it is not a coincidence, but a result of my efforts to bring the readers into a magical world that resonates within their hearts.

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

I’d like to say THANK YOU! You allow me to do what I love. So thank you for your support, your encouragement and your friendship. Not a day ever goes by that I don’t acknowledge this gift I’ve been given.

Here are some links where readers can follow me – and if a reader emails me, I always respond personally. If someone cares enough to take the time to contact me, then I can surely take the time to answer.

Oh! And if I’m new to you, you can subscribe to my mailing list and download a newsletter exclusive and Farthingale novella, If You Kissed Me. Find the link on my homepage at www.mearaplatt.com.

[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]You can download a free Farthingale novella, If You Kissed Me, when you visit www.mearaplatt.com. Meara Platt is a USA Today bestselling, award winning author, and an Amazon UK All Star. Her Regency romances are infused with humor and heart, and her paranormal stories add just enough darkness to keep her readers intrigued. She lives in New York with her husband and two children, and loves it except for the traffic. Her favorite place in all the world is England’s Lake District, which may not come as a surprise since many of her stories are set in that idyllic landscape, including her edgier, paranormal RONE award nominated Dark Gardens series.[/symple_box]

Garden of Shadows
Meara Platt
Historical Fantasy

Danger lurks for Julia Marsden, the daughter of the late vicar of St. Lodore’s Church in the quiet village of Borrowdale.

Julia doesn’t believe in faeries or magic or dreams coming true, but odd things have been happening at the vicarage lately that cannot be explained. Her orphaned cousin, Charlie, believes in mythical creatures and claims that faeries now inhabit the vicarage’s bluebell garden. The boy also claims the faerie king, Cadeyrn, has promised to make him a prince in his kingdom and teach crippled Charlie to walk again if he will cross into the Fae realm.

As the faerie king’s influence on the boy grows stronger, another threat emerges from the boy’s uncle – Douglas Hawke, the Earl of Eastbourne, who has come to wrench him from Julia’s guardianship. Julia is determined to fight both men, but as she and the boy begin to fall under the spell of the faerie king, Julia realizes that only her love for Douglas can save them.

But is Douglas capable of loving her, even at the cost of his own life?

Excerpt

Douglas followed Julia as she wheeled the boy out of the sitting room into the hall and through a quaint blue door with a rounded top. He couldn’t help but notice the soft sway of her hips as she walked, or that she was nicely rounded in all the right places. Her legs, he could tell by the outline of her gown, were long and slender.
“What do you think, Uncle Douglas?”
He forced his gaze from Julia and turned his attention to Charlie and the small room they had just entered. The walls were decorated with intricate drawings not only of St. Lodore’s Church, but of mythical scenes of faeries in their royal court and frolicking in meadows and gardens. There were also drawings of fire-breathing dragons, their rendering so real, he could make out the details of their shimmering scales. “The two black dragons are Brihann and Bloodaxe,” Charlie said. “The red dragon is Mordain. Necros is the amber dragon and Python is the emerald dragon. And these scenes are of the faerie king, Cadeyrn. He’s king of the Woodlands and that makes him High King of all the faeries.”
“Did you paint these?” he asked Julia, determined to stifle his admiration. Not only were they beautifully done, but revealed an intelligence and creative aspect to her nature.
She frowned lightly. “No, Charlie did.”
“Well done, lad.” In addition to talent, the boy had a vivid imagination and a knowledge of the surrounding countryside. Obviously, his mythical characters had been drawn in local surroundings, and though he did not wish to give Julia credit, he had to admit she had not kept the boy cooped up inside despite his infirmity.
Douglas surveyed the small room more closely and nodded his approval. The bed was sturdy, the linens fresh, and the curtains delicate but not feminine. The boy’s window overlooked the bluebell garden and bookshelves lined the opposite wall. A writing desk stood on one side of the bed and a functional nightstand with a basin and ewer stood on the other.
Whatever her faults, and he knew Julia had them, she’d taken good care of the boy.
“How big is your bed chamber at Eastbourne, Uncle Douglas?”
“Enormous, as big as this entire house.”
Charlie’s eyes grew wide in gleeful amazement. “I’d like to see it someday.”
“You will. I promise. Soon.”
Julia stepped between them, gently taking Charlie by the hand and leading him the few steps to his bed. “Enough dawdling, young man. Let me help you out of your jacket.”
She moved efficiently, stripping him out of his clothes and into his nightshirt, then helped him to wash his hands and face. “Don’t forget your prayers,” she said while folding his clothes.
“I’ve said them already.”
“You have?”
“Yes, Julia. I prayed and prayed, and that’s how Uncle Douglas came to us.”
“It’s time for bed,” she said, letting out a ragged breath as she bent down to kiss him.
Douglas bent over him, as well. “Good night, Charlie. Pleasant dreams. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He left the room, allowing the boy and Julia a moment alone. She seemed to need it, though he wasn’t certain why he should care. However, he remained near the doorway, able to hear the exchange between the pair, and was surprised when Julia began a simple bedtime story instead of issuing further warning against the Eastbourne family.
Once upon a time in a magical kingdom there lived a young prince. His parents, the king and queen, loved him very much…
Douglas turned away with a sigh.
He’d meant to take the boy away this very evening, but his plans had changed the moment Charlie had gotten up from his chair and immediately struggled to regain his breath. That incident had shaken Douglas. No wonder Homer had gotten so riled.
So he’d changed his plan and arranged to meet Julia in the sitting room after she’d put the boy to bed. He wasn’t certain what he was going to say, other than make clear the boy would come with him to Eastbourne with or without her cooperation.
Of course, gaining her cooperation would make matters simpler, avoid the unpleasantness of ton gossip, or the nuisance of a legal battle she could not possibly win. He had the law on his side, the influence and connections not only to remove her as the boy’s legal guardian, but to ban her forever from all contact with the boy.
Surely, she understood the futility of her position. And if she didn’t, he’d explain it to her in very blunt terms. His mind set, as it had been since learning of the boy’s existence, he entered the sitting room and crossed to the window in time to watch the sun’s golden rays fade below the horizon.
Sun? When had it stopped raining?
He shrugged, deciding it mattered little and stepped away to peruse the room. He lit a small lamp on a nearby table, but after finding little of interest to occupy his time, he returned to the window, his gaze drawn – indeed, suddenly compelled – to the unusual garden.
He watched, at first amused and then fascinated by the golden twilight as it washed across the flowers and began to play tricks on his eyes, began to take on human shapes, as though Charlie’s faerie king was holding court among the profusion of blossoms.
“Hello, King Cadeyrn,” he murmured with a chuckle.
One of those shapes seemed to nod back at him, soon followed by other golden shapes.
He blinked once, twice.
The images refused to disappear, though he knew such creatures simply could not be. They existed only in a little boy’s imagination. Indeed, Charlie had captured the magical sunset over the garden in several of his drawings, particularly in those renderings of the faerie king and his court.
“My lord, please help yourself to more tea,” Julia called out. “I’ll be another moment.”
“Tea?” In most of those drawings, the faerie courtiers held silver goblets filled with wine.
An instant later, he noticed a decanter of red wine and two glasses on the table beside him. Julia must have set them out in anticipation of their discussion. “I’ll have the wine instead.”
He poured himself a glass and took a sip, expecting an unremarkable vintage. To his surprise, the ruby liquid slid smoothly down his throat and left a very pleasant fruity taste in his mouth. He drank more, enjoying the warm sensation now spreading throughout his body and easing his tension.
He leaned a shoulder against the window pane and lost himself in the magical twilight, in the golden shapes that grew brighter as day settled into night, as the colors of the blue sky faded to gold, then amber-gray and finally to black.
A peaceful, endless black.
Douglas suddenly jolted awake as the empty glass slipped from his hand and shattered. “Damn.” He shook his head and glanced around, only to find himself still standing beside the window. He must have drifted off to sleep, but he wasn’t certain for how long. His limbs were delightfully numb, as though he were floating along an effervescent stream and soothed by its warm, bubbling waters.
Odd that he felt no aches after a long day’s ride.
He let out another muttered oath and knelt to gather the larger shards, setting them on the ledge for the moment.
“Miss Marsden,” he called out impatiently, the garden now a bleak darkness he found most unsettling.
“I’ll be right there,” she responded. “Please make yourself comfortable, my lord. I’m sorry for the delay.”
Kicking aside the smaller pieces of glass, he was about to walk to the hearth to stoke the dying embers when a glimmer of light suddenly emanated from one of the flowers and caught his attention. Silver specks of light soon filled the garden, shimmering like fireflies on a hot summer’s eve.
Was this another trick of the light?
But from what source?
“Miss Marsden,” he called out again as the flowers began to sparkle like diamonds, each diamond assuming the color of its flower. White for daisies. Pink for roses. Blue for the myriad bluebells. Yellow for honeysuckle.
In the next moment, he heard music and whispering laughter seeming to come from the bluebells and drift into the sitting room.
The scent of honeysuckle suddenly filled the air.
“My lord, I’m ready to listen to what you have to say.”
He turned to the sound of Julia’s soft voice behind him and watched with heightened interest as she crossed the room. Small and slender, she moved with an elfin grace, her slippers barely making a sound as she glided to his side. He inhaled her delicate scent, roses kissed by the moonlight. Even her golden hair sparkled in the odd, faerie moonlight.
He shook his head to clear his jumbled thoughts.
Flowers didn’t gleam gold one moment then turn to silver. Had Julia drugged him with that wine?
Douglas moved his toes and fingers, hands and feet, and found nothing wrong with his limbs, no lingering trace of numbness. Nor did he feel any pain in his stomach or his head.
“Is something wrong, my lord?”
“No.” He tried to make logical sense of what was happening. Where was the music coming from, the sound of violins and laughter? It had to be a trick of the wind blowing through the fells. And hadn’t Charlie added honey to his tea tonight? The scent must have lingered in the room.
But that didn’t explain the moonlight penetrating the storm clouds and flooding the room in silvery light… no, there had to be a logical explanation.
“My lord?”
“Miss Marsden, I was wondering… who tends to your garden?”
“My garden?” She regarded him curiously. “No one. It tends itself.”
“Impossible. It’s more magnificent than the gardens at Eastbourne and they’re considered among the finest in England.”
She nibbled her lip. “May I ask why we are speaking of my garden?”
“How is it that your flowers shine even in the darkness?”
“Lord Eastbourne,” she whispered, a little tremor to her voice. “You must come away. Here, sit by the fire.”
“Don’t you see those brilliant points of light? Can it be King Cadeyrn and his faerie court making merry in the night?”
“He’s make-believe, the creation of a little boy with a vivid imagination.” She placed a firm hand on his arm and turned him from the window. “Please, my lord. Come away. There’s a draft here and we have important matters to discuss.”
“Julia,” he whispered, taking gentle hold of her. “You’re as beautiful as this enchanted night.”
She let out a moan, but didn’t otherwise protest as he drew her into his arms.
He heard her soft gasp and felt the light heave of her breasts now pressed against his chest. A joyous heat coursed through his body as she melted into his embrace. Tears glistened in her eyes and her mouth parted to invite his kiss. He slowly lowered his lips to her beautiful pink mouth, her soft cries beckoning him closer… closer… then, as though by magic, their lips did touch.
Lightly at first and ever so gently.
Her mouth felt as soft as a dream.
A moonlit dream.
He deepened the kiss, pressing his lips more firmly against her delicate mouth and giving himself over to the sudden, ravenous yearning to possess her.
“My lord,” she said, her voice a velvet sob, “release me now, before this goes too far. Please.”
He opened his eyes as reality, and harsh, male laughter in the distance, suddenly penetrated his senses. “Merciful heavens! What have I done? I didn’t mean… I don’t know how this happened.” It was one thing to see a pretty girl and wish to hold her, kiss her. But to actually do it against her will… he’d kissed Julia Marsden! “There must have been something in the wine.”
“What wine?” Julia’s eyes were now ablaze and her fingers curled into fists against his chest as she tried to push out of his arms.
He let her go, stepped away as well, and pointed to the ledge, but the remnants of his broken glass were gone. He glanced toward the table, only to find the bottle and remaining glass were also gone. “It was here a moment ago.” He shook his head in dismay. “You must believe me.”
“Believe you? As Laura believed your brother’s sweet words and soft kisses? Your obvious ploy will never work on me. I won’t be seduced into giving up Charlie!”
“No, of course not.” He’d never intended to take her into his arms, certainly never meant to lower his lips to her soft mouth. But there was something about the girl, something irresistible that roused his protective instincts. In truth, that roused a dangerous hunger in him. Had her cousin possessed a similar sensual beauty? Is that how Laura Marsden had enchanted his brother? “Please accept my apology.”
“Why should I?”
He let out a ragged sigh. “I don’t know. Because it wasn’t me just then. It wasn’t me. I don’t know how else to explain it. One moment, I was staring into your garden and the next… I saw starlight, heard violins and distant laughter… and the next, I kissed you.”
At first, she didn’t seem inclined to believe him, but as the anger drained from her face, she turned him away from the now fading shimmers of light. “We had better speak in the kitchen.”
“You saw them, didn’t you? Those golden shapes?”
“No, my lord,” she replied shakily. “There’s nothing out there but a very wet, dark night.”
He was about to insist that it wasn’t raining, that the moon was out and the night clear, but one more glance out the window proved him wrong. Rain pelted the glass pane and a howling wind shook it dangerously. Bloody hell. “Yes, of course.”
But she knew. It was as though she understood what had come over him and was frightened by it. Not frightened of him, but of it… whatever it was.
“Miss Marsden, what’s out there?”

Uncaged Review

Lies, betrayal, love with a twist of a fantastical world, lying closely by in a garden of bluebells.
The book begins as a normal historical regency, but it pulls you into its world and when you start learning all kinds of truths a bit over halfway in, you will have a hard time putting this book down. This book combines both my love of historicals with my love of fantasy, and marries the two genres perfectly. An original story that slowly but surely grabbed on and didn’t let go easily, weaving its spell over me as almost as easily as King Cadeyrn seduced Charlie and Julia. The book takes some terrific twists to keep the reader on their toes. This is a nice start to a series, and I’m looking forward to book two.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Garden of Light
Meara Platt
Historical Fantasy

As battle looms between the Fae kingdoms and the powerful underworld demons known as Dragon Lords in England’s quiet Lake District, the Fae king, Cadeyrn, returns to the vicarage of St. Lodore’s where magical bluebell gardens serve as portals to the faerie world and the ominous red mountain known as Friar’s Crag becomes the battleground for Fae, Dragon Lords and mortals. Cadeyrn is desperate to find the right mortal girl who will save the Fae, for she is destined to love him and die a fiery death for that love, as foretold in the ancient Draloch prophecy. All seems lost, for the only girl who can see him is Melody Hargreaves, a very unwarrior-like young woman who has never fought dragons. How can she possibly be The One?

Melody is being courted by a wealthy lord who seems to adore her and is about to propose marriage, but she feels the powerful magic of her surroundings and is drawn to the world of the Fae and its handsome king. As Bloodaxe, one of the evil Dragon Lords, advances with his demon army, Melody must decide between a safe, comfortable life with the wealthy lord or dying a fiery death at the hands of the Dragon Lords. Melody’s heart belongs to Cadeyrn, and choosing wealth and comfort no longer seems the obvious choice. Cadeyrn has also fallen in love with Melody. How can he change the course of destiny and save her as well as his Fae subjects?

Uncaged Review

So difficult it was to put this series down and move on to other commitments as it’s such a fantasical tale, and Melody and Cadeyrn are the perfect match. Cadeyrn needs to find “The One,” the mate that will turn the tides in war with the Dragon Lords, or risk losing his people forever. But the Fae don’t have feelings like mortal humans – it’s been suppressed for centuries. Mortal people have trouble seeing the Fae, but Melody does, could he finally have found the mortal woman that can save the fae?

I can say that I liked Cadeyrn in the first book, but I LOVED him in this one. The development of the characters and the world building are in excellent hands with Ms. Platt, and I didn’t want to leave. I am going to be making time for the rest of this series.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Godspeed by Kathryn Le Veque

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Godspeed
Kathryn Le Veque
Historical Medieval

Can a gruff, seasoned knight win over the love of his life in the midst of political chaos? 

1215 A.D. – Dashiell “Dash” du Reims is the eldest son of the Earl of East Anglia and a cousin to the great House of de Lohr. Much like his warring and politically-involved cousins, Dashiell is also waist-deep in the political turmoil that is sweeping England at this time. As the Captain of the Guard for the powerful – and senile – Duke of Savernake, his is in the middle of the baron’s rebellion against the king. Although his de Lohr cousins have been trying to lure him over into serving Christopher de Lohr, the greatest knight in the realm, Dashiell is reluctant for one very good reason –

A woman. 

Specifically, the duke’s youngest daughter, the lovely and sweet Belladonna. With the duke’s senility, there is an undercurrent movement from within the family to usurp the duke by two of his ambitious sons-in-laws. As a man with only three daughters, the husbands of the older daughters are plotting to steal the duke’s power and his seat, and Dashiell is the only thing that stands between them and the mad duke. He is also the only thing that stands between their wicked intentions towards Belladonna. 

Nothing will get past Dashiell when it comes to Belladonna, not even men who technically outrank him. He’ll fight to the death. Soon enough, the evil husbands are plotting to be rid of Dashiell as well, but not if the powerful de Lohr family has anything to say about it.

Enter a world of grand Medieval pagentry, passion, battles, and politics in Dashiell and Belladonna’s story, where love is the only thing that truly conquers all and family bonds are the strongest of all. It’s an all-out knightfest in this glorious Medieval epic.

Uncaged Review: This time the author gives us a wonderful romance with an older Knight – full of betrayal, suspense, action, danger and of course, love. I’m always “all in” when I read a novel by this author and I was a goner within a few pages. There were moments I was hanging on the edge sweating it out, and other times I was laughing out loud to the characters in the story. There is a lot going on, and a few subplots running right along with the main story, and did I mention puppies? Lots and lots of puppies. One of my favorite books by this author, that is, until I read the next one. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – October Daffodil by Richard Malloy

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October Daffodil
Richard Malloy
Romance/Historical/1960’s

Every autumn after the first frost, hundreds of resplendent daffodils bloom behind the old gristmill. Teens Dick Ladson and Callie Ewing will always remember the moonlit haven where they loved, hoped, and dreamt.

In October 1960, they defy Callie’s controlling mother, vowing to share a life together. “Let’s lie in the mill flowers ’til it’s time for you to go,” Callie whispers, her words garbled with sobs. They exchange poignant goodbyes, hoping his enlistment in the Army will provide the means for their marriage. As they face an uncertain future, will the strength of their love survive? 

Uncaged Review: This was such a beautiful story surrounded by two lovers who battle through life’s struggles to be together. I enjoyed the journey with Dick and Callie and was very much on edge with their journey. A beautiful love story set in the 60s where boy meets girl. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Psychic’s Spell by Ella Summers

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Psychic’s Spell
Ella Summers
Urban Fantasy

In the immortal war between gods and demons, one woman’s past holds the key to humanity’s future.

One year after joining the Legion of Angels in New York City, Leda Pierce returns home to visit her family in Purgatory, a rough and rugged frontier town that borders the plains of monsters. Leda’s family reunion is cut short, however, when her little sisters are captured by supernatural mercenaries.

Together with her angel lover Nero, she sets out to save them. Besieged by monsters, assailed by powerful foes, Leda knows this rescue mission won’t be easy. What she doesn’t expect is that it will bring her face-to-face with the secrets of her buried past.

Uncaged Review: Almost as soon as Ella Summers releases a new installment in this series, I drop whatever I’m doing to grab it and continue the journey. This series is THAT good. I’ve run out of praise for the series, every review I’ve given this series, still stands and then some with this installment, the sixth book in the series. This time out, Leda’s sisters have been kidnapped, and we finally are getting some long overdue answers, to both Leda’s sisters and herself. Psychic’s Spell is the sixth level of magic that Leda is trying to break through to, and to do it, she’ll need the help of a god. And she’ll need the help of the both her family and the legion to rescue her sisters.

I was completely hooked from the time I started reading. The action, magic and the revelations will thrill the readers, and her bond with Nero is stronger than ever. One of the best urban fantasy series out there, if you like Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, this series may hit the mark for you. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Author Interview with R. Weir – Review of The Front Range Butcher with Excerpt

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As seen in the May issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

Uncaged: Can you tell readers more about your Jarvis Mann detective series?

Jarvis Mann is your classic hard-boiled private detective, living in Denver, going the extra mile for his clients. He is smart, tough and funny, with as many faults as virtues. There have been seven books so far dealing with all kinds of cases, including a missing baseball card, a client who is being stalked, a blackmailed college football player, helping his brother out of a jam with a brutal mobster, and so on. And I’ve surrounded Jarvis with a rich cast of characters, both friends and foes that keeps him on his toes. There is a lot of mystery, suspense, twists and turns, and a little bit of lust in books to keep readers entertained.

Uncaged: What are you working on now?

I’m working on book 8 in the Jarvis Mann PI series, tentatively titled Mann in the Crossfire. Some storylines from the last book, The Front Range Butcher, will carry over into this book. Much of this new book will be spent in Southern California, where he is trying to figure out who murdered an associate of his. He will be neck deep in danger in this next chapter in the series.

Uncaged: What inspired you to write the Jarvis Mann series? Do you take anything from real life, i.e., people, places, today’s news?

I wanted to create a character in the classic PI mold, like Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe, but update the stories with more modern plots and twists. And I do borrow from today’s news. In the fifth book in the series, Dead Man Code, Jarvis tries to solve the murder of a computer engineer and goes up against Russian mobsters, Chinese government thugs, and internet hacking, all real-world news that is happening right now.

Uncaged: You are an attending author at Wild Deadwood Reads this year. What are you looking forward to the most from this convention?

Talking to readers and potential readers of my books and what they most enjoy about reading. Those interactions and conversations are priceless.

Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?

Yes, I read every review and try to respond to the reviewer when possible, thanking them for taking the time to post, whether the review is good or bad. Fortunately I’ve not received too many bad reviews. But I take to heart every word written, helping me to be a better writer.

Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?

There have been so many nice things written about my books, but I’d say when someone tells you how they got emotionally invested in the story, finding it hard to put the book down, is the greatest thing to hear.

Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?

My favorite part is talking and hearing from readers about my books and how much they enjoy them. The least favorite is having to handle most of the marketing side myself and how much time it takes.

Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Where is one of your favorite places on Earth?

I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling in our RV, working in my yard and riding my motorcycle. One of my favorite places to be is high up on Trail Ridge road in Rocky Mountain National Park at night, staring at the sky full of stars.

Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?

The re-reading and editing are probably the hardest part of writing. But the actual writing is what I find is the easiest, as once I get going it flows out of me quickly. First drafts can be written in two to three months, but the rewriting and editing can add two to three more months to the process.

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

Thanks to all of them out there who have supported me through the years. And be sure to always leave a review, for it’s so important for indie authors to help build their success. You can follow me on my website and through the following social media links. Don’t be shy as I always have time to talk and interact with people.

[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]

I live in the Mile-High city with my wife, daughter and dog, where the Rocky Mountain High isn’t always achieved with an herbal substance. When not glued to the computer for work and writing,

 

I relax by enjoying the outdoors; playing tennis, traveling in our motorhome and riding a motorcycle wherever the wind takes me. My writing beckons back to the days of detectives and dames, but with modern plots and twists. PI Jarvis Mann is tough, resourceful and a man with as many faults as virtues. His oddball sense of humor is much like mine, though I’m not nearly as tough and fearless as he is. Though no evil stands a chance against my written word![/symple_box]

rweir.net

The Front Range Butcher
R. Weir
Suspense/Crime

JARVIS MANN PI IS BACK IN HIS MOST DANGEROUS CASE YET!!
Twenty-two years ago, the slayings began, a new body nearly every month, front page news for all to read. Gruesome in nature, the victims nearly all female, the killer terrorizing the residents of Colorado’s biggest cities. Until one day the murders stopped leaving no clue, or closure. No one knew who he was, his motive for slaughtering them, and why the urge to kill suddenly ended.

Now, more than two decades later, the urge has resurfaced. Carved remains of loved ones left to be found, lives of families ruined, the slayings echoing an all too familiar case from a past once forgotten. Bold headlines return to the local papers, the police and FBI still just as helpless, even with today’s modern advancements. Has the killer resurfaced again? Why did they disappear for so long? How many more will brutally suffer the same horrendous fate?

Hired to find the serial killer, private detective Jarvis Mann digs deep, fighting FBI resistance, with life threatening danger lurking around every corner. His cunning leads to a man he must match wits with, a man the FBI can’t touch. Interrogating to get into his psyche in an all-out attempt to stop the insanity and bring him to justice. Cold and calculated, intelligent and coy, the man, wheelchair bound, holds the answers and the secrets. For he is the only one who could be the evil manifestation of: The Front Range Butcher.

Can Jarvis outwit such a mastermind, or has he met his match?

Excerpt

They were waiting for me when I got home. The parking lot was dark, though bright enough from a security light on a poll and the lamp from my stairwell to see where I was going. A dark sedan, either a BMW or Mercedes, sat there, the motor running. I parked the motorcycle a couple of spots over from them and dismounted. I had my .38, placing it in my jacket pocket, my right hand tucked inside, helmet in my left. There was someone behind the wheel and another waiting in the stairwell, the smoke of his cigarette trailing up into space easily seen, thanks to the light.
“May I help you?” I yelled out, still holding my distance, the bike between me and them.
“Jarvis Mann,” replied the voice from the stairwell. “We are here to talk.” There was an air of confidence in his voice.
“About?” I had regained my composure after what happened with Milani.
“A mutual acquaintance.”
I didn’t care much for riddles. “A name would be helpful.”
“I can’t say. But you know him.”
“I don’t like dealing with those I can’t see. Step out where I can see you. The one in the car too.”
My hand tensed up waiting for any aggression. The man in the stairwell walked up, cigarette still in hand, taking a long draw, before dropping it to the ground and crushing it with his foot. My eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and I could see the outline of his frame, covered in dark slacks and sports coat, his hands tucked into the pockets. When clear, he waited for the other in the car to step out. Both were decent size, taller and heavier than I was. The one in the car was wearing a jacket over jeans, the jacket not fitting him well, a dark ball cap on his head. This could be round two to convince me to leave Simon alone. This time though it wouldn’t be cordial.
“If you’re here to tell me to leave Simon Lions alone, that isn’t going to happen.”
“Never heard of the name,” he said. I didn’t believe him.
“Then why are you here?”
“It will be apparent soon.”
With his words, I sensed someone behind me and I turned quickly, swinging the helmet in defense. I caught the man on the side of the head, a loud crack sounded but he didn’t go down. Adrenaline flowing, I fumbled to pull out my gun, as he hit me with something hard on the side of the neck and I hit the asphalt. My head was spinning, and I tried to focus getting my gun out and firing, though I couldn’t see anything. I got off two shots before it was pulled from my hands, apparently missing the mark.
Attempting to stand I was struck again on my shoulder, the pain all too real. I tried to roll but couldn’t get anywhere, my path blocked. Something kicked me in the ribs, the wind leaving me. I tried to suck in what air I could, considering options, but there were none. I heard footsteps but couldn’t see a thing. I knew I was done for, if they wanted me dead.
Someone grabbed me by the hair and spoke into my ear.
“Quit messing where you don’t belong, or you will end up dead,” said the voice. “Do you understand?”
My mind wavered on what to say. How to answer.
“You should gargle before heading out to rough up people. Your breath stinks.” I coughed out.
He wasn’t laughing. “I heard you were a funny guy.”
“We can go inside. I have some Scope in the medicine cabinet you can borrow.”
It would be my last words as he punched me in the face, my head striking the ground. There was little I could do as I felt another kick or two, before hearing sirens, the noise of those two gunshots saving me, and then all was still.
My mind drifted in and out. I heard voices, some I knew, others I didn’t. Was I taking that long walk to purgatory, a chance to cleanse my sins, the weigh station to heaven or hell? Would family be there to greet and make me feel welcome? I saw lights. They were bright and sounds of human traffic all around me. Someone asked, “Is he going to make it” with a positive response from another voice. All seemed peaceful, and numb, until pain started to wake me up. And it was wall to wall. There was only one word for it.
“F**k!” I said, to whoever was there listening.
“He is coming around. Jarvis, can you hear us?”
I didn’t know the voice that was calling my name, but I had a feeling I had to answer. “Yes. Who is this?” My eyes weren’t open or if they were I couldn’t see much.
“Denver paramedic. You’ve been injured. Likely beaten. Can you tell me where it hurts?”
“Be easier to list where it doesn’t. Side, ribs, neck and my jaw for certain.” I groaned.
“You may have some broken bones. We are going to take our time checking you. How does this feel?”
He started probing me on my left side, his hand checking for injuries. It wasn’t pleasant.
“F**k!” I said again.
“Painful there.”
“F**k yes. The more f-words I use the worse the pain.” I gasped as I took a breath and felt pain shoot across my chest.
“I see you haven’t lost your sense of humor,” he chuckled.
“As long as I have it and my teeth, life is good.”
The paramedic laughed and continued the exam. If he missed any injured spots, it wasn’t from trying. There wasn’t an inch on my body that wasn’t hurting. Soon they had me strapped to a backboard and a brace around my neck. I was on a gurney and in the ambulance, when I heard a familiar female voice.
“Couldn’t stay out of trouble,” said April. “My last night of work, and you end up in the hospital. Now I get to spend the night in an uncomfortable chair and not in your warm bed.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were planning to stop by.”
She leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I was going to sneak into your place, crawl in your bed and do unspeakable things to you.”
“That might be the one part of my body that isn’t hurting,” I replied, coughing. “I always wanted to do it in a hospital bed. Tonight, could be the night.”
Leaning down she kissed me, before climbing out of the ambulance. “Once my shift is over, I’ll stop by and check on you.”
The ride wasn’t too long, and I was wheeled into the ER at Swedish Medical Center. They ran all types of tests, finding nothing broken, but lots of bruising. The doctors, nurses and techs were nice enough, but I still hated hospitals.
I talked to so many people, having to explain repeatedly what happened. The police included. I’d have been happy to tell them I knew who the attackers were, but I didn’t. I was tired, and hurt like hell, even with the pain meds.
Several hours passed and I finally fell asleep, though it wasn’t good rest. If there were carnal activities awaiting tonight, I’d have to perform them in my sleep.

Uncaged Review

I went into this well-established series, this is the 7th installment, without reading the others and the book stood well as a standalone, not once did I feel lost in the book. This has a classic crime/suspense noir feel to it and the detailing of the different cases was just right, not overdone to slow down the story, but enough that even us lowly citizens can follow along and understand. There was enough humor to offset the nail-biting moments.

When I get some extra time, I’m definitely going back and reading more of this series, even though this genre isn’t on the top of my go-to list, it was enough to make me a fan. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Happy Mother’s Day from Uncaged

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“A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.” ~Princess Diana

Uncaged wishes all the mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day.

Uncaged Review – Brownlow Baby by Katie Hamstead

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Brownlow Baby
Katie Hamstead
Contemporary Romance/Sports

Julia Saxon has been in love with her best friend since the moment she met him. The problem is, Lachlan Daniels was already in love with his model girlfriend. But she just dumped him, and on the night of the Brownlow Medal ceremony—the most prestigious award in Australian Rules Football—Julia is determined to win him over.

For one night, she believes she has succeeded, until in the morning he runs out in a panic, apparently regretting their passionate time together.

With the support of her friends, she tries to move on, and even manages to snag herself a boyfriend. Then, the vomiting starts.

When the pregnancy test shows up positive, Julia knows exactly who the father is: Lachlan. But that is all kinds of complicated as he continues to pine after his ex, who has moved on, although, she still toys with him.
When Julia makes the decision to keep the baby, her boyfriend leaves, unable to watch her carry his teammate’s child.

As the following months ensue, Lachie discovers the pregnancy and vows to stand by Julia. The pair struggle through a tumultuous and complicated relationship. When it comes down to it, Lachie will have to choose between Julia and their baby, or his ex. But Julia won’t go down without a fight for her happy ending, whether it’s with Lachie or not.

Uncaged Review: Julia is friends with Lachlan, a footballer who has invited her to a awards ceremony. Julia’s life is about to take a dramatic change. I really enjoyed this this book. I don’t go for sports romance books but this is a hidden gem. You really feel for the characters and get caught up in the story. I highly recommend this book as I enjoyed it very much. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Author Interview with P.J. Fiala – Review & Excerpt from Ford

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As seen in the May issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

Uncaged: Can you tell readers more about your Bounty Hunters series? How many books are you planning on for this series?

I’m currently only planning three books in this series, Ford, Lincoln which releases in September in a box set and January on its own and next April I’ll release Dodge, the final of the three.

Uncaged: What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m writing Lincoln. I love these books and this series. The characters are more salty and they’re different and yet so darned exciting. And sexy!!!!

Uncaged: What inspired you to write? Who were some of your inspirations?

I’ve always wanted to be an author. Trouble was I didn’t know what to write about. Then, Fifty Shades hit and I was in a place in my life where I felt strong enough to dip my toe in the water. The thing is, I’m not a twenty something and a billionaire has not swept me off my feet. Never will. I wanted to write stories about mature people without perfect lives finding love. That’s when it hit me that I had stories to tell and I’ve been writing them for five years now.

Uncaged: You started a charitable foundation called Authors4Veterans. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, my friend and fellow author, Stacey Joy Netzel, and I both have children in the service. Stacey has her oldest son Cody, who just came back from Afghanistan and her husband also served. I have two sons who have served and been deployed, a daughter-in-law who served and most of my family, father, grandfathers, brother, all have served. We wanted to do something but weren’t sure what. Then we heard about Fisher House and loved the organization and what they do, so we started up our own non-profit, Authors4Veterans, Inc., then set out to work our mission. We gather 30 authors twice a year to donate a small monetary donation and books, swag, comfort items and anything else they are willing to donate. We purchase nice tote bags with the money, then fill them with the items the authors donate. We take them down to Fisher House and they hand them out to families when they check in. It’s a fabulous organization and your readers can check out our website and the generous authors who have donated there: http://authors4veterans.com

Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?

Sometimes I do. I’m very fortunate in that I get mostly good reviews, so that’s a positive. I look at the five stars and create teasers from some of them. I’ll glance through the negative ones, and if they’re constructive I’ll try to learn from them. If they’re nasty I quickly move on. No one wants that negativity in their life. Honestly, I know I’m not going to please everyone with every book, but I’d sure appreciate a constructive negative review besides one that is just hurtful and mean.

Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?

Oh, I’ve gotten a lot of emails from readers telling me how much they love my characters. Many mature ladies who are thrilled to find characters they can relate to. I’ve heard from readers who want their second chance at love and are encouraged after they’ve read one of my books. It makes me feel so darn good.

Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?

I love telling stories. And I’ve got tons of them rolling around in my head. I’ve found once I get them on paper, so to speak, I can move on with another story. It’s freeing in a way, to be able to put those thoughts on paper and not feel weighed down by those characters who want to come out.

My least favorite part is the same as most authors, the marketing. It’s draining wondering if I’m doing the right thing and trying to stay a step ahead of the curve.

Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Where is one of your favorite places on Earth?

If the weather is nice, I like being on the motorcycle. My husband and I are bikers and we travel around a lot. We take a big trip each year (2 weeks) and then we take weekenders and day trips during the summer. If we aren’t on the bikes, I love being with the grandkids. They are such a joy to be around and honestly, I look at those little faces and I’m amazed and what wonderful people they are.

Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?

Hardest part is knowing where to start for me. You only have a paragraph or two to grab a readers attention and I struggle with where that part is.

Easiest, the sex scenes. I love the sex scenes.

Start to finish, if I’m being good, about 2 months for me. I still work part time and trying to fit everything in can be a struggle sometimes.

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

First and foremost thank you. For every reader who has purchased one of my books to followed me on social media or on my blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without readers, I can’t be a writer.

I’d also like to thank you for interviewing me, it’s been fun.

[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Writing has been a desire my whole life. Once I found the courage to write, life changed for me in the most profound way. Bringing stories to readers that I’d enjoy reading and creating characters that are flawed, but lovable is such a joy.

When not writing, I’m with my family doing something fun. My husband, Gene, and I are bikers and enjoy riding to new locations, meeting new people and generally enjoying this fabulous country we live in.

I come from a family of veterans. My grandfather, father, brother, two sons, and one daughter-in-law are all veterans. Needless to say, I am proud to be an American and proud of the service my amazing family has given.[/symple_box]

pjfiala.com

Ford
P.J. Fiala
Contemporary Romance/Military

Sometimes the flames of desire run hotter than a mere fire.

Ford Montgomery is working the case of his life. Trailing the arsonist who killed his parents, the former bounty hunter will soon make this guy pay for his crimes. After that, Ford plans to reclaim his house from his ex-wife and retire to his home in the mountains.

Megan Marshal thought she’d ditched her ex husband, until she finds out the lying scumbag stole from a man nobody steals from. Megan has no clue where he is now, but the cartel is convinced she’s the key to getting their product back and they’re determined to make her talk.

When Ford rescues Megan from a burning building, their paths abruptly align. However, Ford keeps secrets from her, and she’s had enough of men and their secrets. Can they work together to accomplish their goals? Or will they get scorched by the blazing passion sparking between them?

Excerpt

Rummaging in the cupboards to find something to scrounge up for dinner he tried relaxing his jaw. If he kept it clamped tight like he was doing now, he’d end up with lock jaw, or arthritis or something equally awful. But, he was irritated that he was here, in this house, that he swore he wouldn’t come back to until it was his, completely, lock stock and barrel. Trouble was, when he tried to think of a safe place to keep Megan, this was the first place that came to mind. He knew it was safe, he’d built it with safety in mind. In his line of work, it wasn’t uncommon for some of the people he had to locate to have angry family members or associates and he didn’t want to be taken unawares. Which reminded him. Walking to the desk in the corner of the living room, he unlocked the top drawer. Lifting the lid on the laptop he kept in there he waited for it to wake up, logged in, pulled up his security system. Turning all the cameras on and monitoring the entire property via closed circuit monitors, he went back to the kitchen to finish looking for something to eat. Tomorrow he’d have to see if Emmy could bring some food up here.

A few cans of soup, some crackers, and some cans of peaches would be lunch. Pretty bleak, maybe he’d call Emmy to bring supper up here. Turning he spied the wine rack, ah things were looking up. Selecting a nice, full bodied red sangria, he set it on the counter as he pulled a pan from the drawer below the stove to heat the soup in. Setting to the task of pulling bowls and spoons from their respective spaces, he set their eating places at the counter. Wiping the dust from the wine glasses he set them in front of the bowls and opened the shallow drawer that held the wine opener.
Popping the cork from the top, Megan entered the kitchen, a soft smile on her face. “How long have you lived here?”

“About eleven years.”
She walked to the french doors and looked out over the scenery. “But, you don’t live here now?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“It’s a long story.” Pouring their glasses of wine. “It’s also temporary.”
She turned toward him, crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him. “Where do you live since you’re not living here?”

He took a deep breath. Figures she’d want to know all about him. He didn’t usually share much of his life. Still too much up in the air.

“I have a little cottage down the mountain by my sister’s house. I stay there when I’m not working.”

He watched her move toward him, the sun streaming in the French doors perfectly outlined her body in those sexy jeans and pink t-shirt. Purely sexy from head to toe. He’d bet she didn’t even know it. Her full breasts jiggled as she walked and his mouth went dry. It’d been far too long. Unfortunately he hadn’t thought this through completely. Staying here with her just might be harder than he thought.

“So, you work so much you have a house in the mountains you don’t want to live in because it’s a long story so you stay in the cabin down by your sister. And then you go to work. Is that about right?”

“About.”

She chuckled. “Well, I don’t know how I’m going to get any peace here what with you talking so much and all.”

Turning to the stove, he stirred the soup, twisted the knob on the stove to turn the burner off and filled both of their bowls.

“Vegetable soup and crackers and wine. It’s not much, but it’s all I have. I’ll call Emmy to bring up some food later. I also have some meat in the freezer downstairs that I can thaw if Emmy’s busy.”

He sat next to her at the counter and they began eating in silence. Or so he thought.

“What does Emmy do for a living?”

“She’s a defense attorney. A damn good one too.”

“Is your whole family involved with criminals?”

He chuckled, “Nah, just Emmy and me. Dawson is a plumber and owns his own company. He deals in shit, just not the same kind as Emmy and I.”

She giggled. “That’s a good one.”

“So tell me about Waylon. Why did you marry a piece of scum like him to begin with?”

She bit into a cracker and stared straight ahead. “Gosh damn, but isn’t that the million dollar question right now? I’ve been kicking myself since the first year.”

She sipped her wine and he watched her swallow, the graceful curve of her neck, her unblemished skin, her auburn hair looked thick and shiny and he wanted to touch it. Run his fingers through its softness. Tuck the strands that had escaped her ponytail behind her delicate ear.

Uncaged Review

One of the things I really liked about this book is that the characters are not the average younger adults, instead the author has given us mature, older adults and showing that love can be even better the second time around and just as hot. With both Ford and Megan, two people that have already have well-tuned backgrounds to draw from and can really believe that their less-than-perfect lives have made them who they are today.

This is a book with well written descriptives that doesn’t distract from the story, with just enough suspense, action and a heavy dose of hot romance. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars