Destiny
Calling
The
Enchantlings
Volume
1
Maureen
L. Bonatch
Genre: Paranormal Romance
subgenre: suspense, fantasy.
Theme: New Adult, demons
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: December 22
2014
978-1-62830-666-8 Paperback
978-1-62830-667-5 Digital
Number of pages: 310
Word Count: 80,630
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor (DCA
Graphics)
Book Description:
Hope only wants to find out if
her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with her touch makes her the devil's
spawn, or his exterminator. But when the woman who raised her is murdered by
something not human, she loses the only family she knew and discovers one she
might wish she hadn’t.
Drawn back to the home town she
vowed never to return to, her ability is seen as an asset to everyone but Hope,
and she doesn't know who to trust. Her family wants her to help them overcome
an enemy oppressing the human population, while the man of her dreams is
courting her for the Underworld.
Time is running out, and Hope’s
choice may be made for her, as she discovers she’s a pawn in a bigger game
played by a merciless ruler who doesn't lose.
Tagline: Hope Doesn’t Know If The
Man She Can Touch Is A Dream Come True, Or A Nightmare Just Beginning.
Excerpt:
I strained to
release my arm from Griffith’s vise-like grip while scanning the surrounding
trees, trying to determine which was less of a threat, the beast of a man
holding me or those who might be waiting for me in the woods.
“You will come
inside, now.” Griffith spoke slowly and deliberately as if I were a small
child.
I batted at the
hand Griffith placed on my head. “I’m not a puppy, quit petting me.”
“I will protect
you.” Griffith’s warm breath caressed my ear. “If for no other reason, to find
out what I’m giving up and why she wants you so badly.”
I inhaled his
masculine scent, like musky earth. It washed over my face, and the tension in
my jaw released. I stopped struggling. “Are you the devil?” My tongue was thick
and heavy so the words came out slurred.
“Not even
close.” His words soothed and comforted, like having a weighted blanket cocoon
me. Each movement was an effort. It wasn’t the same as the thing in the woods.
This was more like the feeling after a long massage or bubble bath.
“It’s not safe.”
Griffith wrapped his arms around me, and I rested against his broad chest.
“It’s not safe.”
I nodded. My muscles relaxed and my eyelids grew heavy.
“It’s cold.
We’re going inside.” Griffith kept his arm supporting me as he steered me
toward the house.
“We’re going
inside.” I parroted and walked up the steps, leaning heavily on him.
Out of the
corner of my eye, something was cautiously moving at the edge of the woods.
Branches snapped as whatever was observing us crept closer.
My Review
This is such an interesting story! This one is about a girl who was different, always has something strange happening around her. She was an orphan and lived in an orphanage until her wonderful Aunt Tessa found her, and even then strange things still happened. But then the wonderful Tessa is killed, and by something that just isn't supposed to be. And then Hope runs back to the small town near her orphanage. And along the way, she meets the man she's been dreaming about. Oh Griffith. And she meets Ruth. And then things really start to unravel and Hope has some choices she has to make and things she has to do, but these choices won't only affect just her.
This is a battle of good and evil, and filled with lots of twists and plot turns. I will say that sometimes I thought the pace was a little slow. And sometimes, when Hope was confused, so was I, maybe because we're reading from Hope's POV. But a lot of people talk of things, and keep secrets, and you have to figure them out with Hope, not have an inside view. It's got some good creep factors, with a little romance, some mystery, and humor added in to round out the story.
Overall I enjoyed this story. I know it has an ending, no cliff hangers, but it's the first of the series, so I am looking forward to seeing where this one is going to go. I liked the writing style, just maybe wanted a little more faster pacing, but that's something that comes in time, especially with the first books of a series, when you are building things. I going to say I look forward to reading book 2!! 4 PAWS!
Author Interview
First, tell me a
little about your book J….
Destiny Calling is set
in the ordinary world but has extraordinary people amongst them, and most
happen to be gathered in the little town Hope is drawn to. The book is the
first in a series following Hope’s journey as she learns how to utilize her
gift while finding new, quirky family members and deciding whether Griffith
will be her best choice for love or her worst enemy.
Do you recall how
your interest in writing originated or did you always just know?
I’ve always loved to
write. I can’t say how it originated except that my mother enjoyed writing as
well and now my daughters do, so if I’d have to guess I’d say it’s hereditary J
What inspired you to
write your first book and what was it?
I doubt you’re referring
to my first one in grade school, but that one was inspired the same way the
rest of my stories are which is by the characters. My first book as an adult
began with a writing contest that challenged me. Once I thought about writing a
story it was as if the floodgates were opened and I haven’t stopped since. That
story is a paranormal romance, and it’s still in edits.
Are experiences
based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
None of my
characters are based on a specific person, although I might take different
characteristics from people I know or observe and mesh them into a character.
Events in my life inspire emotions in my storyline or I draw upon them for my
characters reactions, as I’ve yet to encounter any of the extraordinary abilities
I write about, but I imagine they’re out there.
How do you chose
when/which characters die in your books?
Usually they choose.
In they, I mean my characters because I write the story as I go (which is often
referred to as being a panster as opposed to a plotter) and often find myself
just as surprised as the reader when I discover one is going to die.
Who do you look up
to as a writer?
Oh, I look up to so
many authors that inspire me! From authors like Stephen King, who have built a
fabulous writing career, to authors that have written their first, or their
twenty-first, book and write a sentence that makes me pause because it jumps
out of the page while melding seamlessly into it.
If you had to do it
all over again, would you change anything in your book?
Every time I look at
one of my stories I continue to want to tweak things, but once it’s done it is generally
small things like sentence structure or flow of the story that I want to change.
Is there anything
you find particularly challenging in your writing?
The biggest
challenge I have is with setting, as I tend to enjoy dialogue more and have to
be sure to paint the picture of the setting for the reader.
What book are you
reading now? Or what genre?
I read many genres but tend to choose
more Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. I’m currently reading several books
as I have a huge TBR pile that I’m always adding to!
Who designed the cover? And do you help with them?
Who designed the cover? And do you help with them?
The Cover Artist for Destiny Calling is Debbie
Taylor (DCA Graphics). I provided input about my vision for the cover and the
story and she went from there to make a fabulous cover.
Did you learn
anything from writing your books and what was it?
Wow, this question
cannot be answered in a paragraph! When I started writing, I thought I knew
most everything I’d need to, since I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child
and always enjoyed writing. Then I took a few classes, and realized I had a lot
to learn, and I haven’t stopped. (Most likely to the ongoing annoyance of my
husband as we watch movies and I point out ‘black moments’ and ‘red herrings’
and ‘backstory’.)
If you could be one
of your characters, who would you chose?
Another difficult
question, even if I narrow it down to the characters from Destiny Calling, I’d
still have trouble, lol. I’d say either Hope or Ruthie. Hope because she has so
much possibility before her as she learns to master her abilities and come into
her own or Ruthie because she’s comfortable in herself and has learned to laugh
at life.
Are there any books
you think some of us should read, just because?
My current fav’s
would include Protect Her by Sophia Kimble and Soul Seducer by Alicia Dean.
Do you have anything
specific that you want to say to your readers?
Yes, I do. Thank
you! Everyday I’m thrilled that my readers give me a chance to tell my stories.
I hope my characters provide an escape from everyday stressors and let them
enjoy a little bookcandy.
About
the Author:
Growing up with four siblings had
Maureen familiar with escaping into a good book, or the recesses of her mind.
She realized later in life everyone didn’t have characters telling stories in
their heads, or weren’t envisioning magic and mayhem within the everyday. This,
and long walks in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania spawned a love of
writing.
Since her desire to become a
Solid Gold Dancer was thwarted when the show was discontinued, Maureen opted to
pursue other paths. Attempting to conquer new endeavors proved fruitful with
her first novella, while other attempts, such as challenging a fear of heights
with parasailing, were unsuccessful.
Therefore she’s chased other
interests, though none-the-less-daring, but closer to the ground, such as
belly-dancing, becoming a self-proclaimed tequila connoisseur, fulfilling her
role as biker babe to her alpha hubby and surviving motherhood to twins (so
far).
Penning stories boasting
laughter, light suspense and something magical in the hope of sharing her love
of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary world.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mbonatch
Website: http://www.maureenbonatch.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/1AV4L
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/maureenbonatch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maureenlbonatch
Tour
giveaway
4 ebook copies
4 $5.00 amazon cards
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