There's a little something for everyone in this tale of a young woman living her life to the fullest and the unexpected turns her new life takes. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Luck of the Irish by Liz Gavin, along with my impressions of it, and then add it to your bookshelf. Get to know a bit about Ms. Gavin through an interview and learn even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this book make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $50 bookstore GC too!
GET TO KNOW A BIT ABOUT MS GAVIN....
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?--Belgium Chocolate.
Which mythological creature are you most like?--A Centaur. I'm a Sagittarius through and through.
First book you remember making an indelible impression on you.--I might be wrong but I guess it was Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. At least that’s the one that comes to mind although it could easily have been Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Or Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I read all of them around the same time. LOL.
How do you develop your plot and characters?--When I start writing I have a general idea where I want my characters and plot to go but they usually hijack the story mid-way. For instance, Paul O’Haron’s character in Luck of the Irish was supposed to be a little distraction Keira met on her vacation but he ended up a major character in the story.
Describe your writing space.--Currently my desk is set under a window overlooking Big Bear Mountain in California. In a word--AMAZING.
Keira Ashe's parents are great but her mother has overprotected her for years. Now, this twenty-two-year-old Bostonian has graduated from college and can go on a trip she has been planning for years. She fears her shyness may get in the way of her enjoying what could be a life-altering adventure. However, Keira feels her luck is about to change when she meets gorgeous bartender Declan Slane.
Declan Slane is twenty-six and works at a hotel bar in Dublin. He hasn't been lucky in his love life so far. Also, he has got a troubled past he has chosen not to revisit in order to keep his sanity. Because he isn't looking for a girlfriend. Declan isn't very pleased to meet a certain breathtaking American who walks into his bar one afternoon.
Get a taste of adventure and heartache as Keira spreads her wings and matures while she gets to know her great-grandparents' home country--Ireland. Hold your breath when she faces tough decisions and dangers. Root for Keira while she weighs up the consequences of making love for the first time. Bite your nails when she comes across unforeseen threats.
Liz Gavin's second full-length novel is hard to put down just as it is hard to pinpoint its genre. She has woven an intricate web around her characters that will leave readers breathless. In the sizzling concoction, this talented new author poured heart-warming romance, heart-stopping suspense, and a dash of heart-searching paranormal. Take your pick. Regardless of the literary genre you might favor, Liz Gavin's writing will take you to a whole different side of it.
EXCERPT:
"I could do this forever, you know," he whispered against her burning skin. He felt her heartbeat going wild as a vein throbbed under the tip of his tongue when he suckled a sensitive spot on the white column of her neck.
"I think we should," she replied while her hands found the lower hem of his sweatshirt and lifted it, exposing his torso.
When her cool fingers touched the bare skin of his abdomen, close to the waistband of his sweatpants. Declan left a scorching wave of heat radiating through his muscles. Shivers ran down his spine and he held her hands. "You know we shouldn't."
He stared into the crystal blue depths of her eyes and felt their pull; not much different from the sirens in the fairy tales, but he had to resist it. He would one day drown in the sea of pleasure her eyes promised. But not before she was ready for the plunge.
"I'd love to rip our clothes off and lose myself in you. You're not ready, though. Not yet."
She gazed into his eyes as if assessing his soul, "Our feelings grow stronger by the day. We've been through so much together. The difficulties we faced, and overcame, have strengthened our bond. It's much more than physical attraction. Why do we have to wait? I want you. You want me. Are you sure I'm the one who's not ready? Sometimes I think you're the one running from these feelings."
"I could do this forever, you know," he whispered against her burning skin. He felt her heartbeat going wild as a vein throbbed under the tip of his tongue when he suckled a sensitive spot on the white column of her neck.
"I think we should," she replied while her hands found the lower hem of his sweatshirt and lifted it, exposing his torso.
When her cool fingers touched the bare skin of his abdomen, close to the waistband of his sweatpants. Declan left a scorching wave of heat radiating through his muscles. Shivers ran down his spine and he held her hands. "You know we shouldn't."
He stared into the crystal blue depths of her eyes and felt their pull; not much different from the sirens in the fairy tales, but he had to resist it. He would one day drown in the sea of pleasure her eyes promised. But not before she was ready for the plunge.
"I'd love to rip our clothes off and lose myself in you. You're not ready, though. Not yet."
She gazed into his eyes as if assessing his soul, "Our feelings grow stronger by the day. We've been through so much together. The difficulties we faced, and overcame, have strengthened our bond. It's much more than physical attraction. Why do we have to wait? I want you. You want me. Are you sure I'm the one who's not ready? Sometimes I think you're the one running from these feelings."
BUY AT AMAZON here.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Readers looking for a story chock-full of elements to engage will find themselves quickly caught up in this story that's more than meets the eye. At first a story of a young woman breaking out of the shell of familial overprotectiveness quickly evolves into a romance of soul mates whose connection is put to the test as danger rears its ugly head. With a heroine who matures through many ups and downs, and a hero who wears his white knight cloak with flair, the romance will give readers something to root for when things become desperate.
Keira grew up listening to stories about Ireland, longing for the day she can experience the magic herself. Coddled for so long she jumps at the chance to finally leave home and ends up living a life she never expected. Meeting Declan after her initial plans fall apart is an earth-shattering experience as she knows they're meant to be. In a relationship that smolders with sexual tension Keira clearly wants to commit but Declan's painful past has him pushing her away and straight into the hands of danger. With her life in jeopardy the power of love will be the only thing that can save her and bring the soul mates back together. Keira starts off a bit naive and a lot hopeful as the story gives off a positive vibe at first. She jumps into a romance with Declan as she knew her mind, slowly maturing with each thing she experiences as a foreboding feeling started to permeate the story. Declan's fears left her doubtful and ultimately opened her up to danger that resulted in heartbreak. It took a unique twist and a strong belief in love to salvage HEA in an ending that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
This story may have started off a bit slow but Ms. Gavin quickly captivated with a storyline that perfectly balanced romance with the sinister turn it took as the story progressed. It's a storyline that took unexpected twists and turns to keep readers engaged and I applaud it for being different. I found much to like about this story but I had a few quibbles too. While I had hoped that Ireland would play a bigger part in the story, I was a bit disappointed as the beauty and energy of the country was lacking. The main characters shone in some scenes too while in others I found them a bit too cutesy. But on a whole their strong bond is what kept me rooting for their HEA. On a whole this isn't a perfect story, but it has many appealing qualities that speak to Ms. Gavin's talent and I look forward to what comes next.
Keira grew up listening to stories about Ireland, longing for the day she can experience the magic herself. Coddled for so long she jumps at the chance to finally leave home and ends up living a life she never expected. Meeting Declan after her initial plans fall apart is an earth-shattering experience as she knows they're meant to be. In a relationship that smolders with sexual tension Keira clearly wants to commit but Declan's painful past has him pushing her away and straight into the hands of danger. With her life in jeopardy the power of love will be the only thing that can save her and bring the soul mates back together. Keira starts off a bit naive and a lot hopeful as the story gives off a positive vibe at first. She jumps into a romance with Declan as she knew her mind, slowly maturing with each thing she experiences as a foreboding feeling started to permeate the story. Declan's fears left her doubtful and ultimately opened her up to danger that resulted in heartbreak. It took a unique twist and a strong belief in love to salvage HEA in an ending that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
This story may have started off a bit slow but Ms. Gavin quickly captivated with a storyline that perfectly balanced romance with the sinister turn it took as the story progressed. It's a storyline that took unexpected twists and turns to keep readers engaged and I applaud it for being different. I found much to like about this story but I had a few quibbles too. While I had hoped that Ireland would play a bigger part in the story, I was a bit disappointed as the beauty and energy of the country was lacking. The main characters shone in some scenes too while in others I found them a bit too cutesy. But on a whole their strong bond is what kept me rooting for their HEA. On a whole this isn't a perfect story, but it has many appealing qualities that speak to Ms. Gavin's talent and I look forward to what comes next.
My rating for this is a C+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
When Liz Gavin was in Second Grade - just a couple of years ago, really - her teacher told her mother the little girl should start a diary because she needed an outlet for her active and vivid imagination. She was a talkative child who would disrupt the class by engaging her colleagues in endless conversations. She loved telling them the stories her grandfather used to tell her.
Apparently, the teacher wasn’t a big fan of those stories, and Liz’s mother bought her a diary. She happily wrote on it for a couple of months. Unable to see the appeal of writing for her own enjoyment only, she gave up on it. She missed the audience her friends provided her in class. She went back to disturbing her dear teacher’s class.
Since then, she has become a hungry reader. She will read anything and everything she can get her hands on – from the classics to erotica. That’s how she has become a writer of erotica and romance, as well.
As a young adult, she participated in a student exchange program and lived in New Orleans for six months. She fell in love with the city and its wonderful inhabitants. NOLA will always hold a special spot in Liz Gavin’s heart. Nowadays, living in Brazil, Liz’s creativity has improved many times because it’s such a vibrant, gorgeous and sexy country.
Welcome to her world of hot Alpha males and naughty, independent women. Add a touch of the paranormal in the presence of some wicked souls and you’ll get the picture.
When Liz Gavin was in Second Grade - just a couple of years ago, really - her teacher told her mother the little girl should start a diary because she needed an outlet for her active and vivid imagination. She was a talkative child who would disrupt the class by engaging her colleagues in endless conversations. She loved telling them the stories her grandfather used to tell her.
Apparently, the teacher wasn’t a big fan of those stories, and Liz’s mother bought her a diary. She happily wrote on it for a couple of months. Unable to see the appeal of writing for her own enjoyment only, she gave up on it. She missed the audience her friends provided her in class. She went back to disturbing her dear teacher’s class.
Since then, she has become a hungry reader. She will read anything and everything she can get her hands on – from the classics to erotica. That’s how she has become a writer of erotica and romance, as well.
As a young adult, she participated in a student exchange program and lived in New Orleans for six months. She fell in love with the city and its wonderful inhabitants. NOLA will always hold a special spot in Liz Gavin’s heart. Nowadays, living in Brazil, Liz’s creativity has improved many times because it’s such a vibrant, gorgeous and sexy country.
Welcome to her world of hot Alpha males and naughty, independent women. Add a touch of the paranormal in the presence of some wicked souls and you’ll get the picture.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/LizGavin_
GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/
BN AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.barnesandnoble.
EMAIL: lizgavin@elessarbooks.com
**********GIVEAWAY**********
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Thank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! You rock!!:)
DeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for supporting and good luck with the giveaway!
DeleteI am grateful you have taken time to bring us this great giveaway, thank you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you appreciated it. Good luck with the giveaway.
DeleteThanks for the review!
ReplyDelete--Trix
Thanks for visiting and supporting. Best of luck with the giveaway!
DeleteSounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a story that's very close to my heart. I was so enchanted by Ireland when I visited Dublin that I just had to write about it.
DeleteThanks for hosting Luck of the Irish today and for your amazing review. Luck is my second novel and the first outside the erotica genre, which means I know I've got tons to learn and comments like yours help me improve my craft. For that I'm deeply thankful.
ReplyDeleteTY for stopping by today Liz, and for the VERY generous giveaway! I'm looking forward to your next book and hope you'll stop by to show it off once it's completed.
DeleteThe Scarf Princess
Thanks for sharing your thorough and honest review! I'm looking forward to checking this one out myself :)
ReplyDeleteThank YOU Victoria for the support and best of luck with the giveaway.
DeleteYou're welcome and thanks :)
DeleteI really enjoyed reading the excerpt. This book sounds like a very interesting and intriguing read! Can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ally. Hope you enjoy reading Luck of the Irish as much as I did writing it. I had the best time! Good luck with the giveaway.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading the entire post, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for the support. I had a great time answering those questions as well. Good luck with the giveaway!
DeleteWhich famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
ReplyDeleteThat's easy - Bono. Why do you think I wrote Keira as a U2 fan? I'm head-over-hills crazy about the band. When I visited Dublin I stayed at Bono and Edge's hotel just like I wrote in the book and did meet a nice bartender at the Octagon bar only not as hot and perfect as Declan. LOL
DeleteLOL I meant head-over-heels - never try to type when you're sleep deprived hahaha
DeleteA helpful review thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and supporting, Mary. Good luck with the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWhere is your favorite spot to read?
ReplyDeleteAnywhere is fine as long as the story is interesting. You'll find me reading at bus stops, on public transportation, at doctor's offices, in classrooms, the list is endless. LOL
DeleteSounds like a great read, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for the support and good luck with the giveaway!
DeleteWhat is your most played song on your iPod/iPhone?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview and am looking forward to read more about the book! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! I wish more romance novels would go into detail about the culture and landscapes of the places they're set too but as long as the story is good, you can't have everything I guess.
ReplyDelete