LET'S GET TO KNOW MS. NEAL......
-How did you come up with the idea for this story?
This story took over my brain all on its own. When I started the Gifted Realm series, I wrote to try desperately to get it out of my head. Rainer, Dan, Logan, all of them were demanding to be heard. They weren’t gentle about it. I sat down one day five years ago and began typing. I haven’t stopped. The more I write the more ideas I have. It fulfills me like nothing ever has. It makes me deliriously happy. I can’t wait to write more!
-What are your current projects?
Currently I am working on the final book of my third series, “The Gifted Islands.” I’ve taken a few minor characters from “The Gifted Realm” and written another series. This time we see where too much power can land someone and what the ultimate cost of that can be.I am also journaling my fourth series that I hope to start writing in January (please, please, please!) It involves a kind of gypsy-life cult and what could come out of extremists in any area. Should be interesting.
-What is for you the perfect book hero?
Flawed. All of my heroes have some major complications to work through. Yes, they’re sexy and muscular and have a particular knack when it comes to getting their girl, but they all have to go through some major changes to get where they need to be. I also find very protective men to be super sexy. There’s a reason my guys are all Law Enforcement officers with a penchant for protecting the ones they love no matter what.
-Tell us something that people would be surprised you know how to do.
Hmm, I’m a good cook, and I can play the piano. I took lessons for years, but have no desire to do it again. I do a ton of research for my writing so though I would never, ever DO any of this, I do have the basic concepts down for disassembling a semi-automatic pistol, hot-wiring a car, blowing up a car, picking an intricate lock system, releasing a computer worm virus, and many, many ways to kill people with Gifted energies. ;)
No one can know they’re together. The Interfeci would never let her live. It was an inevitability, but Dan simply cannot resist her.
After a vow to somehow keep her safe, Dan learns what that really entails. Betrayal, scandal, millions of dollars, and watching her in the arms of other men are only the beginning, when danger intrudes into every sanctuary he secures.
Dan can’t determine if the demons in his soul or the monsters outside are more vicious, but Fionna’s life depends solely on him. That blasted tomb is ever-present in his mind. Can he save the Angel who managed to pull him from the depths of hell, the one he longs to make his own?
EXCERPT:
Dan lifted her face tenderly into his hands, and gazed down into the sienna depths of the most amazing women he’d ever come in contact with. “Fourteen days.” She furrowed her brow. “Fourteen days is how long we’ve been dating. And in the past fourteen days, you’ve made me feel things I swore I’d never feel again. You’ve made me believe that maybe life really is worth living, because for ten damn years, honey, I never believed that.”
“You made me understand that I could have it both ways. See, I was damned and determined never ever to fall in love again, because that meant that I had to stop loving Amelia and I couldn’t. I can’t. I never thought there was a woman in the world who would understand that, who would allow that, who would accept that. But you,” he shook his head in disbelief, “you did so much more. You welcomed it, because you are the most astounding thing that has ever happened to me.”
“So, for fourteen days, I’ve lived. I’ve done more than breathe in hatred and vengeance when I drew breath, and I’ve seen the world through your eyes, instead of through a red haze of anger and volatility.”
“I’ve slept for the first time in years. You have healed me and filled me in ways I thought I’d never be filled again. So, yeah, I’m scared. Scared I won’t be enough for you because, my God, Fionna, you deserve so much more than me.”
She shook her head vehemently, but he continued. “But what absolutely terrifies me is thinking about waking up and you not being in my arms, or coming back to the house, I’ve occupied for the last few years, and it not being my home because you aren’t there. I’ve done a whole lot of incredibly stupid things in my life, Fionna, but I will do anything in my power to keep you and to be everything you need and you want me to be, but I cannot lose you, Fi.
“That would end me. I couldn’t go on. I know this is fast and it’s been kind of a crazy ride, baby doll, but I’ve experienced enough of the absolute worst possible things this world has to offer to know when I just happened to somehow, by some incredible miracle, get the absolute best thing there is out there.”
“You made me understand that I could have it both ways. See, I was damned and determined never ever to fall in love again, because that meant that I had to stop loving Amelia and I couldn’t. I can’t. I never thought there was a woman in the world who would understand that, who would allow that, who would accept that. But you,” he shook his head in disbelief, “you did so much more. You welcomed it, because you are the most astounding thing that has ever happened to me.”
“So, for fourteen days, I’ve lived. I’ve done more than breathe in hatred and vengeance when I drew breath, and I’ve seen the world through your eyes, instead of through a red haze of anger and volatility.”
“I’ve slept for the first time in years. You have healed me and filled me in ways I thought I’d never be filled again. So, yeah, I’m scared. Scared I won’t be enough for you because, my God, Fionna, you deserve so much more than me.”
She shook her head vehemently, but he continued. “But what absolutely terrifies me is thinking about waking up and you not being in my arms, or coming back to the house, I’ve occupied for the last few years, and it not being my home because you aren’t there. I’ve done a whole lot of incredibly stupid things in my life, Fionna, but I will do anything in my power to keep you and to be everything you need and you want me to be, but I cannot lose you, Fi.
“That would end me. I couldn’t go on. I know this is fast and it’s been kind of a crazy ride, baby doll, but I’ve experienced enough of the absolute worst possible things this world has to offer to know when I just happened to somehow, by some incredible miracle, get the absolute best thing there is out there.”
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
As a fan of book series I was intrigued, yet intimidated, by all that's come before this book. Though I found much to enjoy in this story, I think I would've enjoyed it more knowing all about the struggles and loss that came before. In a series weaving the paranormal, suspense, and eroticism as well as interpersonal relationships and familial interactions, this is a series that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With a strong-willed, sexy, and protective group of men and the women keeping them sane you can't help but feel a part of their struggle for HEA and quickly become immersed in this world.
Dan is finally starting to heal from the loss of his fiancée thanks to Fionna's love. Though their relationship is whirlwind it's intense as their natures call to one another. He fears for her safety though which means hiding their relationship which brings out his jealous side and intensifies their sexual interludes. He still wants revenge for all that befell him which gave an overall sense of foreboding to the story as well. Dan is the quintessential hero with all his rough edges, subtle romanticism, and protective nature and I enjoyed seeing his happiness return. Equally enjoyable was watching his byplay with Garrett in protection of Fi with their mocking and brotherly banter. The complexities of Dan's family also added a new dimension to the story that gave insight into Dan's psyche.
Fionna is a breath of fresh air in a dark and uncertain world who was content with keeping her relationship with Dan a secret as long as they were together. She keeps him from getting lost in the darkness of revenge though he's still on the lookout for those that took away his happiness long ago. She's got troubles of her own from a stalker with a powerful family and threats from the outside world that left me expecting the worse. Fi is a kindhearted woman who values all the men in her life, both friends and lover. She's drawn to Dan and appreciates every moment they have together.
In a story that sometimes left me lost I still valued the intriguing emotional connections, steamy sexual interludes, and compelling characters fighting against evil. There were lots of returning characters and others who played a bigger role this time around along with twists and turns that ultimately left things up in the air and readers clamoring for more with this fast-paced read. From start to finish this was another satisfying installment in The Gifted Realm series for long-time readers that will win over new ones too!
My rating for this is a B
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE GIFTED REALM SERIES:
Within the Realm (The Gifted Realm, #1)
Lessons Learned (The Gifted Realm, #2)
Every Action (The Gifted Realm, #3)
Rock Bottom (The Gifted Realm, #4)
Jillian Neal is a Romance writer with a passion for passion who pens strong, character driven novels, told from the male perspective. Her guys aren’t afraid to let us inside their minds or inside their bedrooms. They’re hot on the trail of a sinister criminal organization when they’re not burning up the bed sheets.
She’s a self-proclaimed ‘Southern girl with a sassy mouth.’ Her coffee addiction is barely legal, and she’s most often running around with her hair and her pen on fire! She's full of smarts, sass, and sizzle and that's a lot to get into barely five feet of girl with her head always in the clouds.
She’s a self-proclaimed ‘Southern girl with a sassy mouth.’ Her coffee addiction is barely legal, and she’s most often running around with her hair and her pen on fire! She's full of smarts, sass, and sizzle and that's a lot to get into barely five feet of girl with her head always in the clouds.
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