Saturday, April 6, 2013

Deep Connections by Rebecca Graf (Review & Interview)




DEEP CONNECTIONS:

Quick Facts
Release Date: August 2012
Genre: Paranormal, Suspense, Romance
Shelf:  Review Copy
Rating:  

Book Synopsis:

Just as love appears, so does the darkness. With her heart reaching out for one man, Brenna finds herself the target of an unknown stalker. Who is he? What does he want? How far will he go for her? Death is an option. Brenna discovers more than she bargained for and learns that the stalker will kill for her. It all comes down to decisions, and no matter what she chooses it will demand sacrifice and someone's blood.

PRAISE FOR "DEEP CONNECTIONS":

"Deep Connection is a unique thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Who is stalking Brenna and why? As the layers of mystery unfold, you will be pulled into the twists and turns Ms. Graf has so wonderfully written. Wrapped around the mystery is a love triangle between Brenna, the cute sheriff's deputy and the handsome Native American lawyer. Who will win her heart and save her from the evil stalking her? Read the book and find out. I had a hard time putting this one down. I am waiting for the sequel as I am sure it will also be a fantastic read." – Marianne Spitzer


My Review:

What a phenomenal novel. Graf told a very romantic, yet suspenseful tale without resorting to bedroom scenes and murders to carry her storyline. I was thoroughly enthralled in the storyline, wanting to get closer and closer to the characters.

Graf employs some very clear and carefully laid out descriptions, but some of them are used repeatedly. This wasn’t to the detriment of the story, especially since they were always used in conjunction with the same characters or set of characters. This technique lent insight to the characters, their interactions with each other, and their interaction with the world as a whole. Nothing in this novel ever seems forced. Everything just flows naturally from the author’s hand to the reader.

The characters in this novel were actually very loveable. They were also a multicultural cast of characters, who interacted with each other are one would expect in reality. I really appreciate the extra effort that went into not only creating this varied cast of characters, but also ensuring that the background and cultural aspects of everyone was on par. There was also a bit of a love triangle in this story. The best part about it was that it was realistic. The characters reacted the way that most individuals would, rather than simply swapping back and forth.

The novel is written in such a way that you can actually feel what the characters feel. My heart was in my throat at times, I fell in love, and I was wrapped in warmth through the darkest of moments. After all of this, I was relieved when I reached the end, but not because the novel was over. I’m normally not a huge fan of cliff-hangers, but holy cow! I’ve never been so glad to know that there was a sequel coming.

Interview with Rebecca Graf

Q ~ Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in Kentucky and raised in Alabama. I met a man from Wisconsin whom I married. That’s where I live now. I worked as an accountant for 20 years. For the last four I have focused writing online and working only seasonally as an accountant. I have three children ages 16, 14, and almost 11.

Q ~ Where were you born and where do you now call home?
I was born on a farm in a small town in Kentucky. When I was eight, we moved to lower Alabama where I lived until I graduated from college and got married. We lived a year in Kentucky before moving for two years to Tennessee and then we moved to my husband’s home of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Q ~ What do you enjoy doing with your spare time?
I love to read and crochet. I’m trying to learn to knit but there is not much time to focus with running with the children and trying to write.

Q ~ What are 5 words that you would use to describe yourself?
Introvert, self-conscious, helpful, dreamer, friendly

Q ~ If you could be any animal, which would you be and why? 
I’d be a horse. I think they are the most beautiful animal on earth. They are graceful yet full of power. Every color has a beauty of its own.

Q ~ What are your thoughts on book trailers? 
I like book trailers though I am not sure how effective they really are. I don’t know if readers have fully embraced them yet. That doesn’t stop me from using them to market my books.

Q ~ How did you begin writing? Was it a lifelong dream or a spur of the moment decision? 
For many years I longed to write. Something kept pulling at me, but I never thought of actually trying it. I was under the impression that you had to have this exceptional talent that teachers discovered early on. I began writing when I worked as a virtual assistant for a writer. I tried just writing articles on various topics and it grew from there.

Q ~ What books or authors have most influenced your writing? 
I would say Amanda Quick and Tom Clancy. They are two entirely different genres, but I love their work. They are wonderful with plots and storylines. I can’t get enough of them. I read their works periodically to tech myself how to write.

Q ~ Who are your biggest supporters? Is there anyone against you writing? 
My husband is one of my biggest supporters. He hasn’t read a thing, but he is the one pushing me not to quit. My writing friends and business partners are the next biggest supports: Lisa, Beth, and Marianne. And my family has surprised me by supporting me. A few are against my writing because I write on such fictional things. They have a warped view on how some readers might view reality. It’s just a story.

Q ~ What inspired you to write Deep Connections? 
It started with a dream of a couple that had this electrifying connection that told them they were soul mates. The rest of the story happened without my knowledge or consent. My muse took over and I was writing about stalkers, death, and all sorts of crazy things.

Q ~ Which character in the novel is most similar to yourself? Are any of your characters based on individuals in your life? 
I think Brenna is more like me. Many reviewers who didn’t like her said that she was too naïve and no one would react the way she did in situations. The truth is that is how I would have reacted. That would have been me. And Slaton is based on my husband. Someone said he was too tender and caring. That is my husband. He is sweet and romantic.

Q ~ Do you have any other projects in the wind that we should be watching for? 
I have the next two books of the series coming out: Dark Connections and Deadly Connections. In addition to that, I am writing a suspense story (Trust Me) and a horror novella.

The Author

Rebecca Graf is a transplanted Southern girl living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children. She worked for 20 years as an accountant before writing her first story and becoming a freelance writer online. She now writes full-time while going back to school for her history and English degree as well as run two online companies: Silver Tongue Press and The News in Books.

Learn more about the author at: www.rebeccagraf.com






GIVEAWAY:

We have a tour wide giveaway and the prizes are 5 e-copies of "Deep Connections".
Enter the giveaway here:






FOLLOW THE TOUR!

March 27: Black Lion Tour Blog: Introduction.
March 28: Kimberly Lewis Blog: Guest Post.
March 29: 
Makayla's Book Reviews: Review and Guest Post.
March 30: 
Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer: Guest Post.
March 31:  
Bunny's Reviews Blog: Guest Post.
April 1: I know that Book: Interview.
April 3: 
Bella Online: Guest Post.
April 4: 
Laurie's Paranormal Reviews: Interview.
April 5: 
Clean Romance Reviews: Interview
April 6: 
Pure Jonel: Review and Interview.
April 7: 
Tina's Book Reviews: Guest Post.
           A Novel Idea Live: Live Interview.
April 8: 
Lindsay's Scribblings: Review and Guest Post. 
           A Novel Idea Live Blog: Promo.
April 9: 
Libby's Library: Review.
April 10: Deal Sharing Aunt: Guest Post.
            Black Lion Tour Blog: Wrap-up.



3 comments:

  1. I am so glad you liked it :) The sequel is coming out in a few weeks.

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    Replies
    1. Yippee yippee joy joy! (For the full effect you need to picture me jumping up and down like I'm 6 and it's Christmas morning and I got the coolest gift ever).

      Thanks so much for stopping by today Rebecca.

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  2. My favourite paranormal creature is definitely an Elvish warrior princess with the power of foresight. I just asked my husband as well, and he says that he always thought griffins, flying horses, and dragons were cool. Anything with wings. It seems in a story, my character and one of his would make a great team!!! :P
    arwenlonde@hotmail.com

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