Review: Robin in the Hood

Robin has had her entire life pulled out from under her. Not only is her father looking at jail time for embezzlement, but he's also just had a heart attack and all their money is gone. The loss of her step mother is more relief than anything, but Robin is about to learn the truth about her father's past as well as her own when she falls in with a group of misfits hiding out in the wilds. 

While I was not a fan of the title of this book because it was a bit cliche for my tastes, I did enjoy the twist on the classic story. Switching from a male Robin, to a teenage female version was a fun way to change up this well known folk story. Robin starts out as a pampered teen wasting away at boarding school while her father barely seems aware of her existence. That all changes when her fathers suffers a heart attack and becomes suspected of embezzlement. When their assets are frozen and Robin is faced with foster care she makes the only choice she can ... run. 

Robin was a fun character to read. She is a bit erratic and high strung, but she is a teenage girl, so it fit pretty well. I enjoyed watching her try to adjust to life in a trailer park where all the residents seem to be skirting the law for one reason or another. She is forced to learn to trust and rely on others while actually helping someone other than herself. Despite Robin's prissiness, she wasn't overdramatic like I feared she might be. Her transformation from debutante to bank robber was well done. 

Creek was another good character. At first he appears to be a bad boy, and while that is undoubtedly attractive to Robin, she quickly learns that there is much more to Creek than she originally expected. Creek doesn't go through as much development as Robin because he has already been living this life, but he does change in regards to his willingness to open up and include Robin in his life. There relationship overall takes its time developing but there are certainly moments that are more intense as they explore their desires. Having said that, the romance was clean and I would be comfortable recommending it to my nieces. 

There is some language, however. For the most part it wasn't terribly heavy, but at times I did find it unnecessary. The F word is used several times and it seemed very out of character for Robin and I think it would have been better without it. Aside from that, this was a fun read that I think would be a good addition to many YA bookshelves. 


Robin in the Hood is available now from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, and Goodreads.

Connect with Diane Reed at www.banditsranch.com or message her on facebook or twitter (@DianeJReed).

Interview: Diane Reed

Today I'm talking with Diane Reed about her new book "Robin in the Hood." 


1.         What was your inspiration for this book? I grew up in an exceptionally affluent area (although my family was middle class). And in high school, as I got to know some of the rich girls, I noticed that many of them were “emotional orphans”. Their parents were too ambitious & self-absorbed to pay attention to them!  So even though they had everything money could buy, they didn’t have genuine love.  I wanted to write a book that did justice to the problems girls like this face, since everyone thinks they have it all. I also worked with juvenile delinquents when I got out of college, and many of the young men I dealt with were committing crimes to provide for their families. So again, I wanted to write a book where boys like that are seen in a different light. Sometimes people do bad things in the name of love, and I thought it would be interesting to see what happens when a formerly rich girl and criminal poor boy get together to rob banks and to try to create a better situation for the ones they love.

2.         Would you classify your writing as plot driven or character driven?  Oh, definitely character driven! The inner lives of my characters—their hopes and dreams and loves—matter very deeply to me. Above all, I’m fascinated by how people connect with each other and what they are prepared to do for love. But with that said, I think pacing is vitally important in novels, so I always try to write a great, page-turning story where the events that are happening keep people mesmerized (and hopefully awake at night reading!).

3.         Can you tell us a little about your main character? Robin McArthur is a very lonely rich girl whose family loses all their money—so she has to make a decision whether to ditch them and make a run for it or choose LOVE and try to save them.

4.         Which of your supporting characters was the most challenging to write? Brandi was hard to write because she’s a sexy trailer park vixen with a big heart of gold and a LOT more depth to her than most people would imagine at first glance. She comes across as cartoonish initially, but that’s only her act so that people won’t be aware of how much she’s really hurting. I wanted her to be funny but also multi-dimensional.

5.         Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book. By far, the main conflict of the book is whether Robin can learn to trust people and open her heart! She’s been disappointed and hurt by her family so much in the past. But she has to make a choice—either to live the rest of her life as a closed-off person, or reach out to others and be the change she wants to see in the world. Luckily, she chooses the latter. But for her, it involves robbing banks to support her family and friends…

6.         Why did you choose this genre? Oh, I love the YA genre so much because the choices teens make at this age, while they are still in their formative years, will affect the rest of their lives! It’s a fascinating period of learning and growth.

7.         What do you hope readers take away from this book? That love works miracles. I really believe that—even for people who do bad things in the name of love. Eventually they’ll find their way. I sincerely believe the Universe blesses people who try to love.

8.         Who are your favorite authors? I love everything! I recently read Colleen Hoover’s Hopeless, which I really enjoyed, but I also love literary award-winners like Marilynne Robinson (who wrote Gilead).

9.         Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write? You bet. I light candles and look at dreamy & beautiful images on my collage board and wear special magical potions and the whole bit. I guess I’m woo-woo that way (a lot like my gypsy character Granny Tinker : )

10.       Can you tell us about any future projects? Yes—I’m writing the sequel to Robin in the Hood where Robin & Creek go to Italy so Robin can find her long-lost mother. I’m also finishing up a fairy tale book for boys.


Robin in the Hood is available now from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, and Goodreads.

Connect with Diane Reed at www.banditsranch.com or message her on facebook or twitter (@DianeJReed).

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop

With summer right around the corner, it's the perfect time to pull up a lawn chair and settle in with a good romance to kickstart those summer romance fantasies every teen is dreaming of! 

As a part of the 

Love in Bloom 

Giveaway Hop 

I'm giving away an ebook copy of my novel, Escaping Fate, the story of Arrabella, a young moan plagued by frightening dreams of a raven-haired girl being led to her death. The resemblance of dream girl to Arrabella is something she fears is not coincidence. desperate for help, Arra turns to her new friend, Tanner, the handsome and sweet boy she met soon after moving to the small town she now calls home. Her hope for romance is tempered by the escalating dreams and her fear that she may be the next victim of the strange dream guardians. 

Enter today for your chance to win and ebook copy of 

Escaping Fate!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Book: Robin in the Hood

This week I am welcoming Diane Reed to the blog to talk about her new book, Robin in the Hood. 

"“Is it any wonder I became a bank robber?” said Robin. But she never dreamed she’d fall in love…
15-year-old Robin McArthur thinks she has it all figured out when it comes to bilking her wealthy dad for guilt money as a substitute for his genuine affection. Until one day he suffers a stroke, and she learns the brutal truth.
They’re broke.
And everyone from bankers to bookies has come to his hospital room to collect.
His only saving grace is what he reveals to Robin in between drools: He truly does love her, in spite of all his mistakes.
Panicked and desperate, Robin figures she has two choices. Either surrender to the pestering caseworker and live in a skanky foster home, or take a chance and sneak her dad out of the hospital to make a run for it. Little does she know that stealing a car and hitting the road means that before the day is through, she will rob her first bank.
Now an outlaw, Robin finds a backwoods trailer park to hide her dad from authorities. There, she encounters Creek, a local bad boy who also commits crimes to provide for their motley neighbors. Realizing she could use Creek’s help, Robin proposes an ingenious plan—they should team up to rob banks together. But when their partnership leads to a magical romance that turns Robin’s world upside down, she soon begins to discover that people are more precious than pocketbooks, and real love means opening your heart to the kinds of treasures money can’t buy…" 

Robin in the Hood is available now from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, and Goodreads.

Meet Diane J Reed

I write novels that are infused with enchantment, where characters dare to break through boundaries and believe in true love. I have a soft spot for artisans & outlaws of the heart, those of us who burn brightly to live each day as a gift—because it is! I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to visit me at www.banditsranch.com or message me on facebook or twitter (@DianeJReed) to share the whispers of your spirit.

Feature: The Chaosifier (Mike Evers)

Today I have a special guest on the blog today, but I will let him introduce himself because he does a much better job! This is the most entertaining interview I've done and I think everyone should stop by his fabulous blog and check it out!

*** 

Thank you for this opportunity, please allow me to introduce myself.  I am known to most as The Mountain Lord and I reside in the Karkonose Mountains in central Europe. I do not get out much these days, so my old friend Mike Evers has asked me along to talk about his book - The Chaosifier.  Actually, I am not sure why he has not turned up. My guess is that he is either busy changing his son's nappies, or he is lazing about somewhere, dreaming up silly ideas for books.

I think the idea for an edible bookshelf is a splendid one. However, if I had one installed in my citadel, it would not last two minutes with all those greedy little gnomes running around.  Anyway, thank you for having me, DelSheree.

1.       What was the inspiration for The Chaosifier?

Mike once told me that he originally got the idea from an MA thesis he was doing many moons ago on the topic of prediction in social sciences. I can sense your eyelids getting heavy already! Anyway, the idea is based on the idea that our lives are shaped by decisions and events that occur to us all the time - so-called 'Bifurcation Points'. The paths of fate, so to speak. So what if there is a force which helps good things happen to us at these precise moments?  Thus Mike decided to use Luck Goblins (Bifurs) in the story to bring people luck just when they need it (and causing them to sneeze). Then, he needed a baddy - a dark, chaotic force. - an über antagonist. That is where I come in. I am very good at it too I will have you know!

2.       Would you classify his writing as plot driven or character driven?

I would say both. Perhaps there is more of a leaning towards characters. No, it could be plot. No, definitely characters, I would say. Then again... Gah!

I am SO indecisive sometimes.

3.       Can you tell us a little about your main character?

People are always on about those goody-two-shoes Bifurs, with their close-knit little military units, hiding away in woodlands and graveyards.  It is so very boring doing good things all the time, like helping  people find stuff they have lost, or letting them win some money when they have bills to pay.

It is about time there was more said about me. Ahem.  I am more than a thousand years old, though even I cannot be sure precisely. I am married to a lovely lady called Rubena, who has an odd fixation with turnips. It is a curse, you see.  Actually, I could talk about myself for hours. But some clever soul has written about me on Wikipedia. You can find it here. 

4.       Which of your supporting characters was the most challenging to write?

I cannot speak with conviction for the 'other side', but I imagine Mike had a difficult time writing about Bosko.  He is a brave, selfless and reckless sort of Bifur. He has quite a complicated back story involving a family feud in Poland.

5.       Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book.

That is easy. It's good luck versus chaos, of course.

6.       Why did you choose this genre?

I did not choose it. It chose me. When you are a legendary figure like me,  it is only a matter of time before someone writes about you. I believe it is called Urban Fantasy nowadays.  It's not very urban where I live I must say. My citadel is on top of a mountain called Hrom Hora (Thunder Mountain). It is an excellent place to wreak havoc from. You will have to come and see for yourself.

7.       What do you hope readers take away from this book?

It should at least make you think about some of the absurdities of life. How things can get out of hand if you allow them to. But most of all it should encourage you to do good things. Not like I did in the story.

8.       Who are your favorite authors?

I doubt you will of heard of him, but my favourite writer is a gnome intellectual called Rornl of Quamdo. He has written a wonderful book called 'The Gnome Paradox'.  I did have a copy floating around in my study, but I think one of my servants is using it as a door stop.

9.       Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write?

Well, I do not know about writing, but I do have the terrible habit of rubbing my nose when I am doing weather experiments.  It becomes a particular problem when I am casting lightning, as I have on quite a few occasions lost my eyebrows.

10.   Can you tell us about any future projects?

It is no secret that my gnome technicians are currently working on a new chaos machine for me. The last one was a bit, erm, chaotic.  What I will do with it is anyone's guess. Perhaps it will never be finished. Oh, and I plan to finally count all of Ruby's turnips once and for all. I have been saying that for centuries, mind you.

Please come and visit me at my home. You can find me here:

View from the Citadel

***********************************

Review: Sarah Darlin'

Sarah's ambitions don't stop at being a singer at the Jenny Lind during the early days of San Francisco. Her dreams are to become a famous singer and be the star of polite society. She knows it will be a struggle given her humble beginnings, but this young woman is determined to rise above until the appearance of a certain gentleman, Richard, brings up her past and the secrets buried there. 

I'll be honest and say that it took me a little while to get into this book at first. In the first few chapters the characters seemed a little stereotypical. Sarah is a poor young woman with dreams of becoming a star, and she is also determined to be independent and free despite her adoptive father, whose strict rules which are intended to keep her safe. I had the same problem with Richard at first. He is a bit pompous and arrogant, but shows signs that he is a decent person underneath. His main ambition is to buy back his family home lost to creditors. Some of the side characters initially came off the same way. I was afraid this would continue throughout the whole book, but I found this was not the case. 

Throughout the story the characters deepen considerably. Sarah is forced to reevaluate her dreams and desires many times as different circumstances come up. She goes from the charming and plucky young lady in the first few chapters to a very introspective and careful woman by the end who makes her decisions based on the effect they will have on those she loves. Richard becomes a well developed character as well. His arrogance and unbending plans for the future are forced to adjust as he faces hardship and tough decisions between reclaiming what he lost and starting over. I enjoyed seeing these characters grow and develop during the book. Hickman did a good job of taking characters who initially seemed predictable and developing them into more complex characters readers could relate to and enjoy. 

The romance between Sarah and Richard was planned out very well. I enjoyed the back and forth interplay between them and the way it was woven into the rest of the plot. There are both situational and emotional elements that cause their relationship to be tried many times. Just when readers think everything has worked out, new secrets are revealed, or some problem arises that complicates everything. The romance along with the mystery of who Sarah really is and how her true identity will impact her life created a well rounded plot that will keep readers entertained. 

Sarah Darlin' is available now from Amazon. 

Connect with Shirley online on Amazon and Facebook. 

Interview: Shirley Skufca Hickman

Today I'm talking with Shirley Skufca Hickman about her new book, Sarah Darlin'. 


1. What was your inspiration for this book? 

I love to read romance novels and thought it would be fun to write one that took place during the Gold Rush in San Francisco.

2. Would you classify your writing as plot driven or character driven? 
Character driven, but they have to be doing something so plot is very important too.  I start with two main characters, give them a history and create conflicts for them to overcome on their way to a happy ending. They take over from there.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main character?

Sarah O’Malley sings at the Jenny Lind Theater in San Francisco.  Because there are so few women there, she is besieged by men, none of whom interest her until she meets dashing Richard Moresby. Patrick and Katie, the Irish couple who raised her, insist she have nothing to do with this English aristocrat. Torn between her loyalty to Patrick and Katie and her growing attraction to Richard, she must make a choice.  Before Sarah and Richard can be together, they must face prejudice, a murder trial, a lynching party, a fire, and a terrible secret from Sarah’s past.

4. Which of your supporting characters was the most challenging to write?
I wanted to show how sailors were often robbed by their landladies, so I invented Sean. He appears in the street covered by only a blanket and asks the O’Malleys for help. Since he is a fellow Irishman, they bring him home and give him clothes. I had no intention of keeping him in the story, but he wouldn’t go away. He falls in love with Sarah and causes all sorts of trouble. 

5. Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book. 

The major conflict is between Sarah’s loyalty to the O’Malleys and her love for Richard.

6. Why did you choose this genre? 

I love to read romance novels because they have a happy ending.

7. What do you hope readers take away from this book? 

That family loyalty and love bring happiness.

8. Who are your favorite authors?
Shakespeare,  Dickens,  Jane Austen

9. Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write?

On the wall in my writing room is a framed cartoon of a skeleton sitting in front of a computer with this caption: This is absolutely, positively the last rewrite.  I glance at it often to remind me not to be discouraged by the many rewrites I have to do.

10. Can you tell us about any future projects? 

I’ve had several requests from readers to continue the story of Sarah and Richard. I hadn’t planned to write a sequel, but I am seriously considering it now.

Sarah Darlin' is available now from Amazon. 

Connect with Shirley online on Amazon and Facebook.