Ride Steady Book Review

Title:  Ride Steady
Series:  Chaos
Author:  Kristen Ashley
Release Date:  June 30, 2015
My Rating:  4.5 Sinfully Sexy ♥'s

First Thoughts:  Loved the sense of family in this one - the kind that's got your back no matter what.

Warning:  Prepare to fall in love with Joker - especially when you see him with a baby in his arms!


♥Many thanks to the publisher for providing me this ARC via Netgally.


Synopsis:

The ride of her life . . . 

Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy---until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa's pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.

Climb on and hold tight . . . 

In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed far beyond his reach. Today, he's the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa's acting, it's clear she's falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damned hard. Now, as Joker's secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decide whether to ride steady with Carissa---or ride away forever . . .

My Review:

Carrisa Teodoro - High School cheerleader, member of the in-crowd, dating the high school golden boy.  On track for a beautiful fairytale life, right?  So how did she end up a single mom with a baby on her hip standing by the side of the freeway, with an Ex that not only refuses to come help her, but threatens to get full custody if she doesn't get their baby dropped off on time??  What happened to her white picket fence & Happy Ever After?

Carson Steele - A boy on the outside looking in at everything he knows he'll never have - the cheerleader, the friends, the life, a father who gives a shit.  Carson is an abused child with a burning rage, eating him alive.  He's living for the day he turns 18 & graduates high school to claim his own life & get the hell out of Dodge.  But the clock's ticking and one night, time runs out...

Twelve years later, fate intervenes in Carissa & Carson's (now know as Joker) life.  As Joker stops to help a stranded Carissa, recognition flares in his eyes & heart but he says nothing. He knew he wasn't good enough for her in high school, just as he knows she deserves better than him now.  MC guys don't have white picket fences . . . Or do they?  Carissa takes a step back from the big, badass motorcyclist who stops to help her.  She doesn't recognize him as the boy from HS but can't deny the sizzling connection that flames within when his eyes drift over her.  Thus begins  the journey of Joker & Carissa . . .Two damaged people wary of trusting anyone with their heart, both determined to make it on their own . . . and yet, powerless to stop the intense, magnetic force between them.   

Ride Steady is a heart-touching story of two people from opposite sides of the track, each learning to face their ghosts and let go, each daring to reach out and accept one another just as they are.  It is poignant & heart-touching, a sinfully sexy love story that is beautiful to see develop.  There is such a sense of family in this one - both traditional & non-traditional.  I loved the way Ashley brought in characters (2 neighbors & 1 teacher) from Joker's childhood who had given him a safe haven, a place to recover from his father's wrath, and made them part of his life now.  I also enjoyed Ashley's use of characters from other series & their involvement in Ride Steady.  At times, it's like a multi-series family reunion.  It was awesome to see Hawk, Mitch, Knight, Lee,  & others working along side the Chaos guys to help keep everyone safe.  As always, loved Shy, Hop, Tack...especially Tack, as he reaches out to Joker, emboding what true friendship & love is all about...a shining example of what being a brother means, what being part of a real family means.

"Fuck, Tack, she was a cheerleader."
Tack again lost his hilarity and speared Joker with his eyes.
"Now, brother, if you don't think you're good enough, the life you lead is good enough, the family you can give her is good enough, then we got a much bigger probem."
"Don't read that shit into it, because you know it isn't there. You also get me. There are women built for the life. There are women who take it on. But she deserves a white picket fence, Tack.
"Then give her one. No law says a biker can't live behind a white picket fence."
*(excerpt from Ride Steady - between Joker & Tack)

Carissa is a strong, kickass heroine - no TSTL girl here . . .she may be down in the beginning of this one but she is definitely not out.  Once she recognizes what she wants, she goes after it (him) like a dog on a bone.  Joker tries to discourage her but let's face it, he never really had a chance - especially not after the Chaos women, Tyra, Tabby, & yes, Elvira, not only adopt Carissa as one of their own, but join her campaign & cheer her on.  There are some great, funny scenes involving this crew in Ride Steady.  Like Joker, Carissa learns the true meaning of love, friendship, & family.

The suspense ramps up as Carissa's Ex begins a campaign to gain full custody of their child, Travis.  At the same time, danger invades the Chaos territory as a message is sent to the Club, Joker specifically, via a dead prostitute informant.  The plot development intensifies but for me, Ride Steady is carried on the shoulders of the characters - the badass, sinfully sexy MC guys with hearts of gold & their women who are just as tenacious & willing to fight for their men & families.  This is a beautiful ride - an awesome read!  Smokin' Hot!  Well done, KA!  A Must Read!  Loved it!!

My Rating:  4.5 Sinfully Sexy ♥'s . . .And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart . . .xxx

Sandra

Cross My Heart Writings & Reviews

IWSG: Unwind & Rewind With Me Time . . .

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers whose purpose is to share with and encourage other writers. Writers can express doubts and concerns and offer & receive encouragement and guidance.  IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  Be sure to check out other IWSG writers/bloggers here:  IWSG Members

Unwind & Rewind With Me Time:

Anyone following my writing journey knows I've worked diligently on a time management plan, setting priorities and establishing a regular writing routine.  I've been pleased with my progress until recently.  It's amazing how you can be sailing along, feeling really great about things, only to be blown out of the water by things beyond your control.  I'm experiencing that now as recent family illnesses have wreaked havoc with my writing & time management plan, demanding most of my time & energy.  I've bemoaned the fact, beaten myself up over it, & almost given up a time or two - and then, did what I needed to do.  Fortunately, this isn't my first turn at bat - I realize that life often throws curveballs . . . You can stand there & watch it go by or swing for the fence . . . either quit or find a way to make things work.  

Thankfully, my mama didn't raise a quitter.  You'll find me swinging for the fence. So once again, I have to revisit, review & revise my plan, including time needed to care for & fulfill additional family obligations, along with my normal daily work schedule, while still finding blocks of uninterrupted time in which to write.  Stress and worry over the health of loved ones add pressure, as does misguided guilt each time I miss my scheduled writing time. Combined, they drain my creative energy, as I find it difficult to clear my head and quickly revert to my book world within little stolen slots of time.  So the question is: How do I utilize less free time in the best, most productive way possible to accomplish my writing goals?

After giving it some thought, I have come to the conclusion that the answer lies in finding some unwind & rewind me time . . . a few stolen minutes here & there to clear my head - a quiet walk enjoying Mother Nature, a few minutes snuggled in the porch swing with my beverage of choice, an occasional soothing soak in the tub instead of a quick shower at night - in other words, my first priority needs to be taking time to renew & rejuvenate my mind, body & soul - pamper myself with a little TLC.  On one hand, it seems like one more thing to add to an already overcrowded schedule, but on the other hand, mental & physical therapy is imperative to nourish a happy, positive person.   If I enjoy a few Me Minutes  each day to unwind & rewind, then I know I'll be more productive & creative when I sit down to write, in whatever time frame I'm able to schedule.  

It's important to me to continue writing every day.  As Mama said, "Where there's a will, there's a way."  I've discovered it's really no big deal to rise a little earlier to either write or grab a few quiet minutes with my coffee, while the world is still sleeping & dawn is just beginning to blush.  The silent solitude of early morn balances my mind and gifts me with a peacefulness that carries me through my busy days as both caregiver & writer.  A little Me Time goes a long way.  

Are you taking time to unwind & rewind your body, mind, & soul?  How do you manage to steal moments for yourself in spite of the insanity of your busy day?  What's your favorite way to unwind?

IWSG: Will Just Any Name Do?

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers whose purpose is to share with and encourage other writers. Writers can express doubts and concerns and offer & receive encouragement and guidance.  IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  Be sure to check out other IWSG writers/bloggers here:  IWSG Members


Will Just Any Name Do?

I've heard it said it's easier to name your own babies than it is to name your book characters.  Sometimes, I think that might be true.  My husband & I easily narrowed name choices down to one before the birth of our son (good thing it wasn't a girl).  The name we chose just seemed right, seemed to fit even before his birth.  On the other hand, I always struggle with naming my book characters.  I can spend hours running name choices through my mind, trying them on a character, only to disregard them as not quite right.  Sometimes, I ask myself if it really matters what name I choose for my characters?  A name is a name is a name, right?  One's just as good as the next?  What difference does the name make as long as he/she comes when I call?  

Okay, I know it matters.  Even a writer with less experience choosing names, such as myself, realizes a character's name is important. I know some of the reasons why, some of the dos & don'ts.  But now, I'm calling on more experienced writers, many of you with successfully named book characters (or maybe in your own eyes, unsuccessfully) to share some of your hints, tips, dos & don'ts with the rest of us. What do you absolutely have to know before naming your book characters?  What do you consider a big No-No when naming characters?

Here are a few things most writer's seem to agree on:

Do:

• Look at the Era, Location, Ethnicity, Ancestry & Age of your character
• Have a good visualization of your character
• Reflect your character's personality
• Consider the Root meaning of names
• Consider the Initials & what they may spell
• For me personally, genre plays a part in my character name choices.  

Don't:

• Copy famous names
• Use hard to pronounce names
• Use a name inappropriate to the cultural & ethnic background
• Use a name uncommon to the time period
• Use names that sound the same

What are some things you consider when naming your characters?  Do you choose names before you begin writing your book or are names something that you figure out later, once you've gotten into the story and have a better understanding of your characters & their roles?  Have you ever started with a name & then later found the character it belonged to?  Or do you always start with an in-depth visualization of a character before searching for the right name?  What do you need to know in order to name your babies?

There are many places to look for name ideas...baby name books/lists, phone book, movie credits, obituaries (yes, even there), online name generators, & even character naming books.  The easy part is finding lots of names to choose from, the hard part is choosing the perfect name that nails the essence of your character...one that will become memorable to readers.  

So, how do you choose the perfect character name each time?  Do you follow certain guidelines for naming your babies?  Have you developed a secret works every time formula?  Or will just any name do?  

Lover Reborn Review

Title: Lover Reborn
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Author: J.R. Ward
My Rating: 5 Sizzlin' ♥'s

First Thoughts:  A beautiful transformation & love story...

#1 New York Times bestselling author J. R. Ward’s “different, creative, dark, violent, and flat-out amazing” Black Dagger Brotherhood series continues as a vampire warrior crosses the line between life and death…into a world of dark dreams and darker desires.

Synopsis:

Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment has been a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance, unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, isolated netherworld—Tohr turns to the angel Lassiter to save his former mate. The only way to rescue her is for Tohr to love another. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vie for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past and a hot, passion-filled future. But can his heart let go and set all of them free?

Review:

As I slowly make my way through the series, I am both blessed and cursed to have the opinion of many former readers shared with me.  It's truly amazing how varied likes & dislikes are on these books as the series progresses.  I started Lover Reborn with the disappointment of some readers weighing heavy in my mind & heart.  Would this be the BDB book that finally disappointed me?  Would it make me fall out of favor with the series?  I am so freakin' happy to shout NO from the rooftops!  I loved this book just as I have each one that proceeded it!  5 stars is not enough!  I laughed, cried, cursed, & stopped breathing a time or two while reading it. The romance is perfect, the love-making singed the pages, the suspense is off the charts, the relationships complicated, and as always, the many plot lines flawlessly woven into another magnificent, un*freakin'*believable story. Once again, I bow to you, J.R. Ward!

Lover Reborn is rich in character, relationship, & plot development.  As always, Ward weaves characters & plotlines flawlessly, mingling backstories & the present.  I won't try to rehash the story as it needs to be experienced without spoilers.  I will say that Tohr has a long, hard road to recover from & accept the loss of his mate & unborn son.  Watching his transformation unfold was painful & yet beautiful to see.  Ward does an amazing job of peeling back the layers in such a way that I experienced Tohr's agony, heartache, & then guilt over "feeling" something for someone else in such a way that I swear I lived & breathed his pain.  At the same time, we watch love bloom in No'One/Autumn - love that she never thought possible for her.  We see her dare to reach out in love & compassion, dare to hope & dream, and finally, dare to stand up for herself and demand more.  What a beautiful story to witness.

As always, many other storylines are advanced.  There are some truly magnificent, touching scenes...Tohr & John, John & Xhex, Qhuinn & Blay...always pain, sometimes love.  I'd be amiss to end without mentioning the angel, Lassiter.  What an awesome addition as he plays counselor, motivator, ass-kicker, & brings some delightful, much needed humor to the story.  Lover Reborn is a Page Burner...immediately upon finishing, I added it to my Favorites Shelf.  A Must Read!  And now, finally, on to Lover At Last!!

My Rating:  5 Intense, Heart-Stopping ♥'s...And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart...xxx

Sandra

IWSG: Never Give Up!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is a community of writers whose purpose is to share with and encourage other writers. Writers can express doubts and concerns and offer & receive encouragement and guidance.  IWSG posts the first Wednesday of every month.  Be sure to check out other IWSG writers/bloggers here:  IWSG Members

Never Give Up:

It's hard to believe it's April 1st today!  This year is flying by so quickly.  I'm scrambling to meet goals and deadlines, continuing to move ahead with my writing goals, marching forward with the dream/goal of having my first book published in 2015 or early 2016.  I won't lie - it's not easy.  Like everyone else, my life is busy.  I often feel like a hamster on a wheel, continuously running in circles and wishing for more time.  Does anyone else ever feel this way? 

It's a constant battle to maintain a regular, protected writing schedule, but I made a commitment in January to set weekly writing goals and a writing schedule and see them through. I'm happy to report that while it's a challenge, it is working.  I can't say every day is productive, but I can say I'm making the effort...putting the words on the page.  I hope the end results is a book I can be proud of and that readers will enjoy, but either way, I'll be able to say, "I never gave up."  And in the end, that's what's important - whether you're talking about writing a book, meeting other goals and commitments, or just traveling on down life's road.  

I learned life lessons at the knee of my Southern Baptist mother where honesty and true grit & determination meant everything.  "I can't" was not allowed in our vocabulary.  Many years later, I can still hear my mother's voice saying, "Can't never could do anything...you'll never know if you don't try."  Well, Mom, I still don't know where my story will end but nowhere in it does it say, "I gave up."  

Best of luck to all those participating in the A-Z Challenge!

Cross My Heart...xxx
Sandra

The Secret Book Review

Title:  The Secret
Series:  Irin Chronicles
Author:  Elizabeth Hunter
My Rating:  5 Breathtaking ♥'s

First Thoughts:  A Lyrical, Hauntingly Beautiful love story that is so much more...

Elizabeth,  Thank you for an ARC of The Secret.  It is my pleasure to review this book.  This series resides on my Favorites Shelf.  It is quite simply magical.

I had the pleasure of reviewing both of the previous books in the Irin Chronicles series.  You can read my reviews here:

The Scribe

The Singer



The Secret Synopsis:

Only when the darkness falls can you see the light of the stars.
For thousands of years, the scribes and singers of the Irin race have existed to protect humanity and guard the gifts of the Forgiven. They have lived in the shadows. They have kept their secrets.
But the Irin aren’t the only race with secrets.

Ava and Malachi have found each other, but wounds as deep as theirs don’t heal overnight. While the Irin world struggles to correct the power imbalance left by the Rending of the Irina, Malachi and Ava struggle to connect their past with their present.

The Fallen may scheme, but Ava has found her power and refuses to be an angel’s pawn. And while Malachi may have forgotten his history, the scribe’s relentless search for answers leads both him and his mate to the heart of the Irin power structure in Vienna, where knowledge is guarded more closely than gold and those with power will do anything to keep it.

Malachi and Ava have survived the darkness, but will they ever discover its secrets? A powerful cabal of the Fallen may hold the answers, but to surrender them, it wants the Irin race to finally face their enemies. Both those coming from the outside, and those raging within.

My Review:

"She walked as she always walked in these dreams.  Slowly.  With no thought of where she was going.  She only knew that within this forest, a dark angel walked on her right and her mate walked on her left."   (Opening scene, Prologue of The Secret)

From the opening lines to the very last page, I was bound by the magic of Elizabeth Hunter's The Secret.  The apprehension I was feeling over knowing this book would wrap up Ava & Malachi's storyline vanished, as their story unfolded in an achingly beautiful way that only Hunter can deliver.  She truly has a magical gift of rendering a story that will touch your spirit & soul, leaving you satisfied and yet longing for more.

The Secret finds Ava & Malachi reunited, searching for her roots - the truth of her bloodline & magic, and the key to recovering more of Malachi's memories.  With Ava's father, Jasper, refusing to give them answers, they begin a search for Ava's grandmother, amid warnings of a dark secret, so unthinkable, so impossible that learning the truth may be more than Ava can bear.   She often walks with Jaron in her dreams, awakening confused and struggling with what is reality or only dreams.  What does Jaron want?  Is he protecting her? Does he have a hidden agenda? Rumblings of a pending battle escalates the suspense, as the ancient power struggle between the Fallen, Forgiven, and Gregori materializes as a destiny they cannot avoid - is it also one they cannot survive?  The final struggle for power is nigh as forces secretly invade the city.  Secrets are revealed that will change everything as the Irin are forced to face their enemies and reevaluate past beliefs about the Fallen and their children.  Who is an ally & who is foe?  

It's very difficult to discuss The Secret without giving away...well, secrets!  Suffice to say this story is hauntingly beautiful, delivered in a lyrical manner typical of Hunter.  At times, the verse is like an addictive melody stealing into your mind, drugging you with its refrain.  The characters are bold - alive with color...truly a visual experience.  Ava is a worthy heroine, capable of standing on her own but graceful in her need of her mate.  Malachi is a warrior without the arrogance - always, always protective of his mate, yet accepting of her differences & power.  Together, they are so much more as they join forces with a diverse supporting cast to face the ultimate challenge.  

The Secret is a magical love story, a story of offering & assending redemption through grace, a story of embracing one's fate & destiny.  Hunter is a master weaver, picking up threads from the previous books, mixing in new vivid lines of love, hope, angst, betrayal, & destiny and weaving them all together into a beautiful, intense, powerful explosion that climaxes on the pages in a fireball of revelations.  It is a magical & mythical, breathtaking spiritual-like experience.  A perfect ending to a perfect series.  A Page Burner!  I loved every single word. It will reside on my Favorites 2015 Shelf!

My Rating:  5 Hauntingly Beautiful ♥'s...And that's the truth!

Cross My Heart...xxx

Sandra

Quotes:

He wasn't whole.  He wasn't the man that she'd once loved.  He was different.  Damaged.
"Do you love me?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Then I'm whole."
A wound doesn't heal just because it stops bleeding.  They were both still wounded, but her love had stopped the bleeding.  Malachi knew everything else would come in time.
♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥

"Why do you visit me like this?" she asked him.
"Because I want to."
"There is another reason."
"If I am here, then the other cannot be."
♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥

Some mornings Ava woke feeling as if she could drift away.  She was smoke on those mornings.  The thick fog that hung over the ocean in the moonlight.
♥          ♥          ♥          ♥           ♥

Malachi opened his eyes and Volund was there, gold eyes wide with madness.
"She is mine!" the angel screamed.
♥           ♥          ♥          ♥           ♥

"I think I'd pull down heaven if that's what it took to keep you here with me."
"And I'd abandon it if you weren't there."
♥          ♥          ♥          ♥           ♥

"We were meant to be like this.  Two halves of the same soul.  Dark and light together."
Their union was a reflection of the peace he'd seen.  Holy and wholly.

Can Evil Ever Truly Be Eradicated? Or is it immortal? In The Woods BTB Tour - Author Q&A, Review, Excerpt, Giveaway

This was the kind of fear that stirred in the darkest night, when awakening from a disturbing dream to wonder if what lurked within its shadows could be real. (quote from In The Woods)

• Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• Release Date: January 17, 2015
• Length: 201 Pages
• Published by: Katharsys Pictures Publishing
• Buy Links: Amazon
• My Rating:  4.5 Heart-Stopping Hearts
• My Reaction:  Anytime a book can make me question reality, fear dark shadows, & afraid to turn the lights off, it is horror done right.

Based upon the original horror screenplay IN THE WOODS by Lynn Drzick, now an independent motion picture.

Hundreds of years ago their battle began . . .

In an age of knights and sorcery, a good king must raise a monster to protect his people from the demon unleashed by a dark-hearted enemy determined to claim his kingdom. But once called forth upon blood-drenched fields, can such evil ever be truly laid to rest?
To a present day community held hostage by fear, a serial killer will soon be the least of its worries after two off-duty firefighters enter a forest and find a grave. What they dig up isn’t a victim or family pet. When they race from the woods, they bring a timeless hell with them . . 
                                          ♦        ♦        ♦        ♦        ♦        ♦        ♦

Before we get to my review of In The Woods, I'd like to thank Nancy for stopping by to answer some questions.  Only a couple - I promise!

Was it easier or more challenging to write a book based on a screenplay, to start with someone else's vision of a story and turn it into a book with the Nancy Gideon signature?

Not easier or more challenging – just different!  It was definitely an adjustment using someone else’s interpretation of a story when I might have gone in a different direction (sometimes something as simple as the difference between a male and a female’s POV), but what a fun and unique opportunity for this movieaholic!  Since I write my first drafts basically as a glorified screenplay, building from that framework came naturally.  I had the dialogue and scene action but I got to create everything else from scratch: character backstory and motivations, the descriptions, development of secondary storylines and characters to breathe literary life into the outline the way the camera, special effects, and sound techs would the film. And the bonus was I didn’t have to work on a shoestring budget.  The only limit was my imagination. 

Lynn Drzick, the screenwriter and director of IN THE WOODS was a dream to work with, full of ideas and enthusiasm, and thrilled to see his vision fleshed out in book format the way he’d imagined it for the big screen.  We recently got together with DJ Perry, the leading man, to do a voice over commentary for the new Blu-ray and Video on Demand release of the IN THE WOODS film! 15 years later and it was like no time had passed at all.  And while we were enjoying Lynn’s homemade scones, we couldn’t resist beginning to plot ITW II!

It’s obvious you're a fan of horror movies & books.  Is horror a genre you are interested in exploring as a writer?  Is there a horror book or maybe a series in your writing future?  

I read horror long before I read romance. If I could do Dean Koontz-type justice to a horror series, I’d be all over it!  I love to plot and I like a dark, twisty tale to sink my teeth into.  You never know. It’s all just a matter of focus.

What can fans expect to see next from Nancy Gideon?

 I wouldn’t be able to face you if I wasn’t working on the next book in the “By Moonlight” series! UNLEASHED BY SHADOWS should be finished by late summer.  The first three books in my “Midnight” vampire romance series (looong out of print) are being re-released by ImaJinn Books. All nine books are being updated with new covers and will come out one per month beginning in July! After that, maybe it’ll be time to explore that darker side.

Staying with the book/movie theme, what throws a scare into you?  Gives you the heebie-jeebies?

• Horror books/authors:  in a good way-Dean Koontz and Stephen King, in a creeped out way-Clive Barker.  The Stand and Lightning are two of my favorite books.

• Horror movies: in a good way-Cabin in the Woods, Odd Thomas, The Crazies, the Woman in Black, in a Oh Hell No way – Mirrors, Hostel and Final Destination.  Heart-jumping yes. Hurlingly graphic, no!

• Horror characters:  The monsters from Creature Feature. I just loved their tragic tales.  If you haven’t watched The Strain, American Horror Story or Penny Dreadful, you don’t know what you’re missing.

In The Woods Review:

If asked, I’d say I’m not a fan of horror, not a fan of getting scared out of my skin...yet I’m a fan of King, Hitchcock, & Poe.  I’ve gone to bed more than once hesitant to turn the lights off after a late night of reading or a horror movie marathon.  I think what that says is that I’m a fan of good writing in any genre, including horror done right.  After learning that Nancy Gideon had a horror book, I knew I had to read it.  I snuggled into my comfy spot on the sofa, cracked open the cover of In The Woods, and a couple of hours or so later, I read the last page and closed the book.  Glancing around, I noticed the dark shadows now lurking menacingly around the corners of the room.  Night noises taunted me, daring me to make a mad dash for the safety of my bedroom.  I reached up to turn out the lights…no, not yet...maybe I should leave the lights on…just in case I have to get up during the night…don’t want to trip over something…yes, best to leave the lights on…at least for a little while.  And there you have it – horror done right.   Anytime a book can make me question reality, fear shadows, and afraid to turn off the lights, it is horror done right.

In The Woods opens in medieval times with Prince Freeacas leading the charge to save his lands and heritage from an evil force so deadly, so horrifying, that even the bravest of knights turn tail and run.  King Haggert travels to Sethrye, making a deal with a sorcerer for dark magic to save his people and loved ones.  He doesn't realize that dark magic comes at a high price -  one more precious than silver or gold.  The evil beast is eradicated, its body journeying with men traveling to the New World, bearing instructions to bury the beast in the middle of a forest, and so they do.  The grave lies within a circle of barren ground, guarded only by a cross, as centuries come and go.  But is true evil immortal?  Is it dead and buried forever…or just lying in wait?

Fast forward many years to a small town community, living in fear.  People are disappearing without a trace.  Could one of the town’s people be a serial killer?  Two friends entered the woods on a day hike, a day away to unwind.  They came upon a grave lying in a circle of barren ground, guarded by a cross.  Could this be where the serial killer is burying victims?  If so, the families deserve closure…the chance to give their loved ones a proper burial.  The men tossed aside the cross and began digging.  One of them removed an old bag wrapped in ancient leather thongs from the grave, ripped it open, and an evil transcending centuries sent them racing from the woods.

"Behind them in the woods, in the strange clearing that had been unvisited for centuries, where dirt spilled back from a gaping rave, a thick mist rose.  From out of that blanket of fog, something shifted and began to move.  Something that had no business stirring in this modern century.  The dark form gathered and grew, taking a monstrous, unholy shape that lingered only an instant to taste the air, to stare in the direction the firemen had taken, before disappearing into the trees."  (from In The Woods)

An evil force descends upon the town.  Bloody body parts begin appearing in one of the men’s backyards, almost like a gift, an offering.  Are they pointing an accusatory finger at this firefighter. Are the bloody offerings from the bodies of victims of the serial killer?  Could this firefighter be the serial killer?  Something is horribly amiss here.  No one is safe.  A reign of terror has begun.

In The Woods should be experienced firsthand.  It’s hard to talk about the storyline without giving away spoilers, so I’ll just say it has all the elements of horror done right.  But it’s the author's expert use of what I call the human element and a soft kiss of romance that upped the stakes and took it to the next level – making me really care about these characters.  The couple struggling to save their marriage, the firefighter trying to drown his guilt in alcohol, the young, innocent girl lured from her first car on a dark road at night – all people I fear for and all in danger from the unknown evil descending upon the community.   And there it is - horror done right.  Nancy Gideon’s In The Woods will have you looking over your shoulder, peering into shadows, and sleeping with the lights on.  Fans of horror, thrillers, and suspense will love this book.  It is a Must Read!  Crack open the book and…don’t forget to leave the lights on!

My Rating:  4.5 Carve Your ♥ Out Hearts!! 

With over 60 sales since her first publication in 1987, which was written in long hand then typed up on a manual Smith Corolla, Portage, Michigan author Nancy Gideon’s writing encompasses romance genres from historicals and regencies to contemporary suspense and the paranormal.

Under her own name, she’s a bestseller in contemporary romantic suspense, has written an award-winning vampire romance series, and has a six book shape-shifter series with Pocket Books. Also listed on the International Movie Database (IMDB), she collaborated on Indie horror films In the Woodsand Savage with screenwriting and ADR script credits, and even played a small role, that of “bar extra.”

Writing historical romance as Dana Ransom, she’s a “Career Achievement for Historical Adventure” and “K.I.S.S.” award winner with books published in Romanian, Italian, Russian, Danish, Dutch, Portuguese, French, German, Icelandic and Chinese.

As Rosalyn West, she’s a HOLT Medallion winner with nominations for “Best North American Historical Romance” and “Best Historical Book in a Series.”

A prolific writer, Nancy attributes her creative output, which once peaked at seven novels in one year, to her love of history and a gift for storytelling.  She also credits the discipline learned through a background in journalism and OCD.  The due date for her third book and her second son were on the same day . . . and both were early!  When on deadline, she turns on the laptop between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to get a chapter in before heading in to her full time job as a legal assistant. She’s a member of GDRWA, MMRWA, FF&P and dotes on her critique group.

• Nancy’s Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon |

Be sure to visit these other blog stops:  In The Woods BTB Tour Stops
Enter our giveaway below for a $5 Amazon gift certificate & a Kindle copy of In The Woods!
As always, thanks for stopping by! Sandra
a Rafflecopter giveaway