Saving the world, one happily-ever-after at a time…
When
did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Truthfully, I didn’t
realize I wanted to be a writer until I already was one.
In 2011, I read a
book called Gabriel’s Inferno. I went to Amazon to write a
review, but got distracted by reading reviews others had left. (Come
to think of it, I never did write that review.) One of the
readers said it had once been Twilight fanfiction. I wasn’t
familiar with the term, so I went off to research it, and discovered
that other people re-wrote books and movies too — and not only
that, there was a massive online community dedicated to these
stories.
I read a few of them
and worked up some of my courage. I decided to post one of the
stories I’d mentally written about the Twilight series, a
little tale in which Bella winds up with Emmett. No one would ever
read it, I thought. But I was okay with that. I liked the idea of it
being out there, floating around on the internet, and maybe one day
finding a reader.
As the story
progressed, I gained twelve readers, and I was both elated and
astonished. Twelve people were reading my stuff! Willingly!
And they were so nice about it!
After a bit of
dithering, I decided to write another story. I had reservations
because this one was just so weird. I was scared I was going to be
roundly mocked for it, and probably end up on one of those “Most
Ridiculous Fanfictions of All Time” lists. I planned out my exit
strategy before I even posted the first chapter. I told myself that
if people were cruel about it, I could simply quietly delete my stuff
and disappear into the ether. No one would be the wiser.
But to my
astonishment, people loved it. Within days, I had hundreds of
readers. Then thousands. I started to get a little scared at this
point, because I’d never expected this. Even today, it all seems
like a fevered dream. I have a memory of watching the stats climb on
the fanfiction site and actually feeling a little woozy. I had a
delicious sense of freedom when I thought no one was reading. Now, it
felt like a responsibility to those readers, and that was just a wee
bit terrifying.
A few months later,
I got an email from a publisher wanting to know if I’d ever
considered writing a book. I hadn’t had my morning tea yet, and I
remember staring at the email. Refreshing it. Staring at it again. I
called my True Love and said, “Um, don’t get your hopes up or
anything, but it looks like I may be publishing a novel.”
Five books later,
here I am, and it still doesn’t quite seem real.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It varies. I wrote
Ghostwriter in less than 90 days. Under These Restless
Skies took me a whole year.
I’ve found that
“being an author” severely cuts into my writing time. I have
social media to run, emails to answer, books to mail out, promo
activities, figuring out stuff to post on my blog, book shows to
attend… Honestly, when I first accepted the contract to write
Ghostwriter, I thought I would write the book, send it to
them, and that would pretty much be the end of my involvement. I’d
go on to write the next one, and the publisher would take care of
everything else. Well, that’s not the way it works today, even at
the major publishing houses.
What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
When I’m trying to get something finished on deadline, I’m at it from the moment I get up until the moment I go to bed, unless there’s something pressing I need to do during the day. Don’t get me wrong, I take breaks to read the news or look something up, but I spend the majority of my life in front of the computer these days. I have to force myself to take recreation breaks. I know I’ve been pushing myself too hard when I start sleepwalking. No joke. At that point, I know I need to force myself away to watch some television or play some video games (Fallout and Skyrim are favorites.)
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I’m pedantic. I get bogged down in these little details no one else in the world will ever notice, but it drives me nuts until I get it right. If I’m describing a real place, I’ll want to know whether my characters are walking uphill or downhill. I’m probably on some FBI watch list from how much research I did into explosives for the End of All Things series. The downside is that I’ll get lost in a deep pool of research and won’t come back up for hours. While I was writing Under These Restless Skies, it occurred to me I wasn’t sure what word the people of the Tudor era used for “shark.” I started looking into it after diner one evening. Four AM found me reading a transcription of a document housed in a tiny British library, a deposition for a lawsuit over a shipwreck in which the crew were picked off by sharks before they could be rescued. Yes, they did call them “sharks,” in Tudor England.
How
do your books get published?
After
the first book, my publisher seems to have sort of accepted my
weirdness, and it became a much more informal process. I’d just
tell them what I was going to write next and they’d ask me when I
expected to have it finished.
I’d
be assigned an editing team, and boy, did those poor souls earn their
keep. My first drafts tend to be a mess.
I go off on tangents, add piles of unnecessary detail, and have an
almost-criminal overuse of adverbs. There’s one editor whose job it
is to check continuity. “You
said it was a green shirt, Lissa, and now two pages later, it’s a
blue shirt.” They
ask hard questions, and I’m glad because I know readers would, too.
But it becomes vaguely amusing when you have this series of emails
going back and forth about the physics of a Moltov cocktail or
whether readers really
need a section about the 1919 anarchist bombings.
And
they also keep my excesses in check. On the original draft of Under
These Restless skies,
I had sixty pages of notes at the end. My editor was quite gentle
about it, but she made me realize I had to trim it down
substantially. She had the great idea of turning the notes into a
blog, so that’s how my Tudor history blog got its start.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Ideas
come from everywhere. I’ve never suffered for a lack of them. For
me, it always starts with the question, “What
if?” A lot of these
ideas never go anywhere, but sometimes, they grow into a full-length
novel inside my head.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
When
I was a child, I wrote my first fanfiction of The
Wizard of Oz. I didn’t
know that’s what it was called at the time; I called it a “parody,”
for want of a better term. In it, nobody really liked Dorothy, and
the Wicked Witch was actually the hero. She was on a magical quest to
free the Munchkins from the evil Glenda’s enslavement spell, and
the Ruby Slippers were the last item she needed to collect.
Yeah,
imagine my surprise when Wicked
came out.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I’m
an avid reader, of course, and I love to travel.
What does your family think of your writing?
It was a long time
before I told them, actually. I took my mom out to lunch one day and
said, “I have something to tell you. Don’t panic. It’s
something good. Um. I’ve got a book that’s being released next
month. Yeah, I write.” I’m an intensely private
person, so it was hard to let people I know take a peek inside my
head.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That writing was
actually the smallest part of the job. If all I had to do was write –
which, in my innocent pre-author days, was all I thought an author
had to do – I could put out several books a year.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I have five books
out now, but trying to pick a favorite is like trying to pick your
favorite child. I love them all, but some I love a little
differently. I’ll always love Ghostwriter because it was my
first novel. But if you asked me what my favorite work of all time
was, including non-published, I’d say it was one of my fanfics,
Written in the Stars, which was the one that sort of blew up
on me and got me into this mess. (Did I say mess? I meant
“delightful career.” Well … It’s both.) Writing that
story was literally a life-changing experience, and I think it’s
the best story I’ll ever write. Looking back at it now with all
I’ve learned about writing, I see all of its technical flaws,
pacing issues, etc. If I wrote it today, it might be cleaner,
tighter, and with significantly less adverbs, but I like it the way
it is. It’s my “baby steps.” And I’m very proud of it.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Write more. Write every day. The only way you’ll ever improve is with practice. It’s like playing the piano. No one sits down at the keys the very first time and plays a sonata. Even Mozart had to learn his scales and play them over and over for hours on end. We have to practice writing, too. Crafting sentences and constructing paragraphs, fine-tuning our words until we can express emotion with just a sprinkling of carefully-chosen adjectives.
I’m still
practicing every day. This is a craft at which no one is ever a
master.
Do
you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I hear from them every day. I’m friends with some of them on Facebook. I’m just an ordinary girl, and I certainly don’t try to keep any distance between myself and my audience. Fanfiction taught me that writers and readers have a vital symbiotic relationship. No story ever lives unless a reader allows it into their hearts and minds.
My readers have
encouraged me and helped me fine-tune my work. They encourage me,
challenge me, and help me grow. I adore them.
Do you like to create books for adults?
Yes. I’m not an
explicit author when it comes to sex scenes, but I have a lot of
mature themes in my novels. YA has changed a lot since I was young,
but I still keep my books in the adult category, regardless of the
ages of my characters, because that’s the audience to which I
relate. I think I’d spend a lot of time second-guessing myself if I
was thinking about a young audience reading my stuff (though I know
they do.)
What do you think makes a good story?
What do you think makes a good story?
People
have been asking that question for centuries. I don’t think there’s
an exact formula to it. The best answer I can come up with is that a
good story is the story that speaks to you.
I’ve
seen quite a few instances where I liked books that were widely
panned by critics and disliked the ones considered classics of
literature. (Confession: I never liked Jane Austen. There. I’ve
said it. And probably lost a bunch of readers because of it.)
As
a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be everything. I wanted to be a doctor and a lawyer and
an astronaut and a spy and a veterinarian and an archaeologist. I
wanted to be an alien and an elf princess and a dragon-slayer.
Fortunately for me, I’ve found a career where I can be all of those
things in my head.
Author
Bio
Lissa Bryan is an
astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist,
Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure
for athlete's foot ... though only in her head. Real life isn't so
interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.
She is the author
of three novels. Ghostwriter
is available through The
Writer's Coffee Shop, Amazon, iTunes,
and Kobo. The
End of All Things is available through TWCS,
Amazon,
and iTunes.
Under
These Restless Skies is available through
Amazon, iTunes, Barnes
& Noble, and directly from the publisher.
She also has a
short story in the Romantic Interludes anthology, available
from TWCS,
Amazon
and iTunes,
or can be purchased separately from Amazon.
A short story collection featuring the characters from The End of
All Things is also available from Amazon.
Links:
Novels
The
End of All Things
ISBN (paperback):
978-1-61213-141-2
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-61213-142-9
Released January 24, 2013
Order from TWCS, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-61213-142-9
Released January 24, 2013
Order from TWCS, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo
After a
terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few
survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the
best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is
Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her
companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems
like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief,
she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.
She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.
Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.
But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.
This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.
She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.
Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.
But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.
This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.
Ghostwriter
ISBN
(paperback): 978-1-61213-121-4
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-61213-122-1
Released October 12, 2012
Order from TWCS, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-61213-122-1
Released October 12, 2012
Order from TWCS, Amazon, iTunes, Kobo
After being
laid off from the newspaper where she worked as a journalist,
and losing her boyfriend in rapid succession, Sara Howell is looking
to downsize before her dwindling savings run out. Things are finally
starting to look up when she lands a job ghostwriting the biography
of a popular politician and rents an isolated island house which
turns out to have once been the home of her favorite author, Seth
Fortner, who mysteriously disappeared in 1925.
But when strange things start happening, as objects break, or go missing, and terrifying visions appear, Sara begins to wonder if Seth ever left, or if she is losing her mind.
What happened to Seth is a secret closely guarded by the family to this day, a family that seems to exist under a terrible curse. Through an old trunk of letters she discovers in the attic, Sara unravels the mystery and becomes caught up in a tale of greed, lost love and the horrors of WWI.
When Sara realizes she is not going crazy and that Seth Fortner’s spirit still haunts her new home on the isolated island, she begins to draw him out of his shell bit by bit. She will discover what happened to the idealistic young writer who went to the battlefields of France to save lives, and to his beautiful bride to destroy the love between them, and what led Seth to make a terrible choice which would have consequences that would echo for generations.
They gradually fall in love in their world of dreams, dreams which swiftly become more attractive than reality, as Sara learns from a ghost how to truly live. Will she be the one to break the “Fortner Curse” by helping Seth conquer his demons, and heal both of their hearts in the process?
But when strange things start happening, as objects break, or go missing, and terrifying visions appear, Sara begins to wonder if Seth ever left, or if she is losing her mind.
What happened to Seth is a secret closely guarded by the family to this day, a family that seems to exist under a terrible curse. Through an old trunk of letters she discovers in the attic, Sara unravels the mystery and becomes caught up in a tale of greed, lost love and the horrors of WWI.
When Sara realizes she is not going crazy and that Seth Fortner’s spirit still haunts her new home on the isolated island, she begins to draw him out of his shell bit by bit. She will discover what happened to the idealistic young writer who went to the battlefields of France to save lives, and to his beautiful bride to destroy the love between them, and what led Seth to make a terrible choice which would have consequences that would echo for generations.
They gradually fall in love in their world of dreams, dreams which swiftly become more attractive than reality, as Sara learns from a ghost how to truly live. Will she be the one to break the “Fortner Curse” by helping Seth conquer his demons, and heal both of their hearts in the process?
Romantic
Interludes
See the trailer for The Golden Arrow and the Butterfly here.
The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House gives its readers seven
spicy, sweet, and sassy stories guaranteed to satisfy.
What happens when the god of love is smitten by a mortal woman? Or when a marine comes home from overseas and wants a second chance with the one he let get away?
From a greeting card writer who hates Valentine’s Day, to a matchmaker who doesn’t believe in love, to a young couple who has to face fears from the past before then can accept their future – Romantic Interludes includes seven tales of love from these authors:
Lissa Bryan
Suzy Duffy
T.M. Franklin
Allie Jean
Sandi Layne
Sydney Logan
Jennifer Schmidt
Whether in an emergency room or flower shop, love is in the air. From first glances to second chances, this bundle of romantic stories will get your heart racing!
What happens when the god of love is smitten by a mortal woman? Or when a marine comes home from overseas and wants a second chance with the one he let get away?
From a greeting card writer who hates Valentine’s Day, to a matchmaker who doesn’t believe in love, to a young couple who has to face fears from the past before then can accept their future – Romantic Interludes includes seven tales of love from these authors:
Lissa Bryan
Suzy Duffy
T.M. Franklin
Allie Jean
Sandi Layne
Sydney Logan
Jennifer Schmidt
Whether in an emergency room or flower shop, love is in the air. From first glances to second chances, this bundle of romantic stories will get your heart racing!
The Golden Arrow and the Butterfly: When one of
his arrows goes awry, Eros whisks the beautiful, modern Psyche to his
home on Mount Olympus. He keeps her blindfolded so she doesn't fall
in love with the first man she sees. But what if love is blind after
all?
The Gentleman Gardner: Becky longs for
something beyond small town life and her job at The Little Flower
Shop. Perhaps a handsome stranger with terrible taste in flowers will
be the one to give her what she’s been missing.
A Piece of Cake: Emily Valentine walked away
from her gift and her family’s legacy, instead trusting in science
to help others find love. But when cake designer Sam
Cavanaugh is matched with her latest client, she just may find the
heart trumps reason.
Dissecting Lies and Intentions: After the less than
stellar ending to Christine and Mitch’s relationship, she has gone
out of her way to avoid him. When she finally works up the courage to
confront him about his lies, will she be able to forgive and let go
of the past?
Justin’s Second Chance: Ten years ago, Justin
Clark walked away from April Peterson. Will a chance encounter with
the beautiful widow and her daughter be the second chance that Justin
has longed for?
Stupid Cupid: Jada Morgan hates Valentine’s
Day and especially Cupid. Perhaps single father Nathan
Reynolds will be the one to change her mind.
Two Pink Lines: After twelve years of
friendship, Memphis and Kennedy Adams took a risk that changed their
lives forever. Will two unexpected pink lines destroy their blissful
world or will Kennedy be able to overcome her fear of the past?
Under
These Restless Skies
ISBN (paper): 978-1-61213-214-3
ISBN
(ebook): 978-1-61213-215-0
Journey back in time to Tudor England with a tale of romance,
intrigue, and the Celtic legends of the selkies.
Will Somers has spent his life alone, thinking himself unlovable.
Emma is a selkie, one of the immortal fae-folk of the sea. When Will
finds her sleeping on the beach, he seizes this unexpected chance to
have a wife and family of his own. He steals her pelt, binding her to
him until the day he willingly returns it.
Emma has never experienced life on land, and can barely contain
her excitement and curiosity. She has to learn to adapt quickly to
human customs, for Will is headed to the glittering, dangerous court
of Henry VIII to serve as the king’s royal fool. It’s a world
where a careless word can lead to the scaffold, and the smallest of
gestures is loaded with political implications.
Anne Boleyn is charmed by Emma’s naiveté and soothing selkie magic, and wants Emma for her own fool. Can Will protect her from the dangers which lurk in every shadow? Theirs is a vocation that provides them some protection, but in Henry VIII’s court, no one is safe. Circa regna tonat: Around the throne, the thunder rolls.
Anne Boleyn is charmed by Emma’s naiveté and soothing selkie magic, and wants Emma for her own fool. Can Will protect her from the dangers which lurk in every shadow? Theirs is a vocation that provides them some protection, but in Henry VIII’s court, no one is safe. Circa regna tonat: Around the throne, the thunder rolls.
Excerpts
An excerpt from Ghostwriter:
Sara dreamt of
grocery shopping. She wheeled her cart up and down the aisle,
selecting items she needed because she was cooking Thanksgiving
dinner for Mick Jagger. She did not question this bizarre set of
circumstances, but enough awareness nibbled at the corners of her
mind to be disappointed Seth had not come to her. She abandoned her
cart when she saw him and ran to stand before him as the scene around
her sharpened and clarified.
Seth
returned her smile, a tad nervously, she thought, and looked around
in amazement at the store. “This is what a grocer’s looks like
today? A far cry from my time when you handed your list to the grocer
and he fetched your order from the storage room. There are so many
varieties of everything! How do you choose?”
“Trial and
error, I suppose. When you find a brand you like, you stick with it.”
Sara tried not to be impatient, she really did, but she didn’t want
him exploring the store when there was kissing to be done.
Seth chuckled.
“You sometimes dream of the oddest things.”
Sara
edged toward the door. The sooner they could get
back to the beach, the sooner she could kiss him. As though he were
reading her mind, a bit of nervousness again flitted across his face.
She hoped she wasn’t being too bold or pushy, because she knew
those were traits he had been raised to find unattractive in a woman,
but she wasn’t going to play coy or hide what she wanted. With that
thought, she realized how much she had changed and grown in such a
short period of time. She was now willing to take charge of her
destiny, to have the courage to go after what she wanted.
“Sara, I’m
not sure . . .”
“I
am,” she said. Sara took Seth’s hand and pulled him gently from
the store. The automatic doors slid open to reveal their beach. Near
the water’s edge, an uprooted tree had washed up and she led him
over to it. She sat down.
He stood
before her, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. He shuffled his
feet awkwardly.
“Seth, sit
down.” Sara patted a spot on the log beside her.
“Are you
sure?” he asked, and she knew he wasn’t talking about taking a
seat.
“I’m
sure.”
Seth sat down
beside her and rubbed a hand over his face. He gave a small,
humorless laugh. “I feel like I should tell you . . . I’ve
never kissed a woman other than Marcella.”
“That’s
the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
He blinked.
“What?”
“You stayed
faithful to her even while you were away at war. I think that’s
admirable. No, I think that’s . . .beautiful.”
“I loved
her,” Seth said simply. “I never wanted anyone else. And I made
promises. I don’t take that lightly.”
Oh, what a
wonderful man, Sara thought. He deserved far better than Marcella had
turned out to be. His nervousness had returned and he twisted the hem
of his boxy uniform jacket. It was pristine this time, its brass
buttons gleaming in the moonlight. Sara slid closer and said, “Come
here.” She opened her arms and he went in them willingly for a hug.
She felt his tension ease away. He drew back and smiled at her.
“Is that
bet—”
Seth stopped
her words with his lips. Warm and soft, and so sweetly gentle as they
moved over hers. Sara twined her arms around his neck and arched
closer. Her heart was beating so fast she was afraid it might explode
from the exertion and joy singing through her veins. She parted her
lips to deepen the kiss, but he drew back.
Sara cupped
his cheek with her palm. “You’re going to disappear on me again,
aren’t you?”
Seth nodded.
She sighed and
released him. She had to remember not to pressure him because it
would only cause him to retreat. But they’d certainly passed an
important milestone tonight.
Seth dove in for another quick peck on her lips as though he
couldn’t help himself, and then was gone. Sara looked up at the
bright moon and tilted her head back to bathe in its silver glow.
Excerpt from The End of All Things:
Two days later,
they were out of food again, and Carly was faced with the prospect of
trying to make it out to the store.
Sam swatted his metal bowl with his paw, and then stared down at it
with a hint of expectation, as if rattling it would make food appear.
Perhaps, in his little doggy head it did, because Carly had always
filled it whenever she heard the bowl clatter on the floor.
Carly went over to the window to peek out at Biker Guy. Still there. Yesterday, she had gathered all of her courage and gone down to the lobby door again, but he had met her there with another Hello, and she’d panicked and darted back upstairs.
He was looking up at her window. He waved and reached down beside his bucket to pick up something that looked like a large white sheet of poster board. He held it up, and she could see the words he’d painted on it in black: PLEASE DON’T BE AFRAID. I WON’T HURT YOU.
He dropped the top poster to reveal another beneath it: I JUST WANT TO TALK TO YOU.
Carly thought that was highly unlikely. Whatever this guy wants, it isn’t just a scintillating conversation.
He held up another sign: I’M REALLY A NICE GUY. HONEST.
Yeah, like he’d tell me if he wasn’t.
He grinned as he held up the last board: SURRENDER, DOROTHY.
Carly had to giggle, but it faded as she realized it was the first time she’d laughed since the Crisis. She retreated and let the curtain drop. Indecision gnawed at her. She had to get food, and that meant confronting Biker Guy, whether she liked it or not.
Carly went over to the window to peek out at Biker Guy. Still there. Yesterday, she had gathered all of her courage and gone down to the lobby door again, but he had met her there with another Hello, and she’d panicked and darted back upstairs.
He was looking up at her window. He waved and reached down beside his bucket to pick up something that looked like a large white sheet of poster board. He held it up, and she could see the words he’d painted on it in black: PLEASE DON’T BE AFRAID. I WON’T HURT YOU.
He dropped the top poster to reveal another beneath it: I JUST WANT TO TALK TO YOU.
Carly thought that was highly unlikely. Whatever this guy wants, it isn’t just a scintillating conversation.
He held up another sign: I’M REALLY A NICE GUY. HONEST.
Yeah, like he’d tell me if he wasn’t.
He grinned as he held up the last board: SURRENDER, DOROTHY.
Carly had to giggle, but it faded as she realized it was the first time she’d laughed since the Crisis. She retreated and let the curtain drop. Indecision gnawed at her. She had to get food, and that meant confronting Biker Guy, whether she liked it or not.
An excerpt from “The Golden Arrow and the Butterfly” in Romantic Interludes:
HIS TARGET WAS
NEARBY. He could feel it. Eros searched the mall’s food court,
unseen, unfelt by the people who bustled through the room to join
lines or stake a claim on a table.
There. That was
the one. A tall redhead swam though the crowd, a tray braced in her
hands. He followed her, waiting for a clear shot. The redhead pulled
a chair across the tile floor and plunked herself down before
parceling out food for someone who would share her table. He lifted
his bow and notched an arrow.
And then he saw
her. He dropped the bow down to his side. Though it caused him pain,
he moved closer, straining to hear her soft voice over the babble of
the crowd. She wore a light cotton sundress and her dark brown hair
was bound up off her neck, though tendrils always escaped no matter
how hard she tried to contain them. She hated her hair and its
uncontrollable curls. He thought it was the most beautiful thing he’d
ever seen.
He wished he had
the ability to walk up behind her and press a kiss to the soft curve
of her neck. To trace the tiny butterfly tattoo on the back of her
shoulder, a whimsical tribute to her name. To Eros, she would always
be Psyche. His butterfly. And like a butterfly, he could only admire
her beauty from afar.
Others called her
Alexis, as her mother had called her by her middle name since she’d
divorced her Greek husband, and that was the name she carried to
adulthood.
Eros could not
explain why this one particular mortal fascinated him so. He could
only say that she called to him in a way that no other creature,
mortal or immortal, ever had in the thousands of years he’d walked
the earth. Certainly she was pretty and kind-hearted, but so were
many others he had known. He knew only that she was special. The
sound of her soft laugh made his heart speed up, and he edged closer.
A whisper danced
through his mind. You have a job to do. He looked up
and saw the man his red-headed target was destined to love winding
through the crowd, a soda cup and sandwich borne on a plastic tray.
Eros notched his
arrow, drew back, and took aim at the redhead. Just before he let go,
Psyche gasped as she spilled her drink on herself, distracting him.
He watched with horror as the arrow flew across the room and hit
Psyche in the chest, bursting on contact into a golden powder.
Panic. He darted
across the room, not bothering to avoid the people in his path. They
shivered and glanced around as they felt him pass through, a cool
chill that raised goose bumps in his wake.
Psyche was still
dabbing at her dress with a paper napkin, employing her foulest
language. “Darn it!”
She began to tilt
up her head, and his gut went icy with despair. She would fall in
love with the first man she saw after being struck by the arrow.
Unless he could . . .
He reached her just in time and whispered a word of magic. Psyche
swayed, her face drained of color and she toppled out of her chair.
He caught her just before she hit the floor, and they vanished.
An excerpt from Under These Restless Skies
“Your majesty,
Lady Pembroke, Master Richard Fermor and Will Somers.”
“Rise,” the
king said. Will glanced at him quickly. He saw a large, but still
muscular man with thinning reddish-blond hair, dressed in a dark
brown velvet doublet, ornamented with pearls and gold frogs. The king
had gained weight in the last few years and to disguise it, he had
widened the shoulders of his surcoats. His eyes were small, a
piercing blue-gray. Will caught a glimpse of them before he lowered
his own eyes to stare at the floor.
“So, Fermor,
you have brought me a fool.” The king’s voice was low and gruff
and he didn’t sound terribly interested. The lady seated at his
side wore a French hood and an initial pendant attached to her strand
of pearls, the letters AB twined together. She wore a dressing gown
of brilliant scarlet, trimmed in ermine. It was raiment that only the
highest nobility was entitled to wear, but Anne Boleyn was now royal
in all but name. Just weeks ago, the king had created her Marquess of
Pembroke, the highest noble title in the land. She idly patted the
small dog in her lap.
“Aye, your
majesty,” Fermor said. “If it pleases your grace.”
“Well, fool,
what can you do?”
Will was
startled. He hadn’t expected the king to actually speak to him. “I
– I can juggle, your majesty,” he croaked. “I can make jests,
tumble, and sing a little.”
“Let us see it,
then.”
Will’s hands
trembled as he withdrew the balls from his bag. “If it pleases your
majesty,” he started. He straightened his shoulders as best he
could and said in his haughtiest tone: “I, Will Somers, am the best
juggler in England.”
| The king snorted and Will hoped it was from amusement. He fell into his act, bragging about his abilities while seeming to lose track of his juggling and keeping the balls in the air seemingly by accident alone. He was grateful that he had performed this particular act so many times because he thought he’d completely forgotten his lines, but they slipped from his mouth of their own accord and his limbs seemed to move themselves. The king guffawed a couple of times and he thought her heard Anne laugh at one point. He ended with one of the balls balanced on the tip of his nose before dropping it into his hands and sweeping low into a bow. |
“Well done,
Master Fool,” the king said, and he seemed a bit more jovial than
he had when Will first entered the room, or perhaps it was simply
wishful thinking on Will’s part. “But tell me this: I have fools
already who can juggle and make jests. Why would I wish to have you
at my court? What have you to offer they do not?”
The answer popped
from Will’s mouth as though he had rehearsed it. “Because I will
do something that none of your council, lords and ladies,
ambassadors, servants nor soothsayers will do.”
The king lifted
an eyebrow. “And what might that be?”
“I will tell
you the truth, your majesty.”
Fermor gasped.
Anne burst into laughter. “Oh, I do like him,” she said.
The king cast an
amused glance at her. “Is that so, Master Fool? Then perhaps you
are worth it after all.”
“But you must
make an oath to me,” Will said.
The king flushed
a little, but calmed when Anne giggled at Will’s audacity. “What?”
“You must swear
it, as the word of a Christian king.” Will’s mouth was as dry as
paper and his heart thudded wildly in his chest, but he continued.
“You must swear to me, on your honor, that you will never hold it
against me when I tell you the truth.”
The king stared
at him, his mouth slightly agape, and then he burst into laughter. He
slapped his knee and elbowed Anne, who laughed politely along with
him, though she obviously didn’t find it as amusing as he did.
“You have my
word,” the king said, as he accepted a perfumed handkerchief from
one of his serving lords to wipe away the tears that had seeped from
his eyes. “Or must I write it out and put my royal seal to it?”
“Your word is
sufficient for me,” Will replied.
“I am flattered
at your trust, Master Fool,” the king said solemnly, and burst into
guffaws once again. “Go and have my steward find you rooms. Have
you a wife?”
“I do.” Will
thought quickly. He had to find a way to keep Emma away from court,
but refusing lodgings offered by the king would be a gross insult.
The king waved a
hand. “Bring her tomorrow. I wish to see what the wife of a fool
looks like.”
“Much like
every other wife in England,” Will said and that sent the king into
laughter once more.
“Go, and come
back on the morrow,” the king said. He waved a hand at the steward.
“Find him some decent garb, and some for Milady Fool as well.”
Will bowed deeply
and followed the steward from the room. “And for you, Fermor,” he
heard the king begin before the door was shut behind them. Will’s
knees gave out and he collapsed to the floor. His head swam in sick
circles. He sat back on his heels and looked up at the steward.
“Pray, pardon,” he rasped.
The steward
smiled slightly. “You are not the first to react in such a manner.”
He held out a hand and Will stared at it in surprise. The steward was
a lord, and here he was, offering a hand to a baseborn commoner. Will
took it gingerly and the steward helped him to his feet and drew him
near.
“If ever a man
needed to hear the truth,” the steward whispered, “it is that man
in there.” He drew away again and his manner was once more brisk
and officious. “Follow me.”
Press
Releases
The
Life-Altering Effects Of War Are Explored Through The Paranormal
Romance “Ghostwriter,” Lissa Bryan’s Debut Novel
The
Writer’s Coffee Shop, the original publisher of Fifty
Shades of Grey,
is proud to release Lissa Bryan’s debut novel Ghostwriter
on October 11, 2012. This timely paranormal romance reminds
us of the struggles many servicemen and women face as they return
home to a family that will never understand what they’ve been
through.
Fall
in love with Lissa Bryan's Ghostwriter
A
story began to form in my mind of an idealistic young writer
subjected to the horrors of that terrible battle and coming home to a
country that didn’t understand how the war had changed some of the
people who’d experienced it.
Arlington, Texas
(PRWEB) October 09, 2012
As
troops return home from war-ridden areas, the number of cases of
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are on the rise. This is what
inspired author Lissa Bryan to write Ghostwriter.
In an interview with Sandra from myfictionnook.com,
Bryan explains how an article on the internet about the “Iron
Harvest” caught her eye. “Every year, the farmers who live around
the battlefields of WWI, especially around Verdun, find tons of
unexploded shells, weapons and other debris when they plow their
fields.” says Bryan. Her curiosity was piqued, and when she began
researching the Battle of Verdun, she was surprised to find that
great American authors such as Ernest Hemmingway and E.E. Cummings
where among some of the wartime volunteers. “A story began to form
in my mind of an idealistic young writer subjected to the horrors of
that terrible battle and coming home to a country that didn’t
understand how the war had changed some of the people who’d
experienced it.”
Ghostwriter
tells this story of a beautiful and touching romance between
Sara and Seth. Newly single, unemployed, and with her savings
dwindling to an all-time low, Sara thinks things are finally looking
up when she lands a job ghostwriting a popular politician’s
biography. She rents the affordable island home of her favorite
author, Seth Fortner, who mysteriously disappeared in 1925. Strange
occurrences begin to happen as objects break or go missing and
terrifying visions appear. It all makes Sara wonder if Seth ever
left, or if she’s slowly losing her mind.
She
gets no answers from his family, who closely guards the secret of his
disappearance. Through an old trunk of letters Sara discovers in the
attic of her seaside cottage, she unravels the mystery and becomes
caught up in a tale of greed, lost love, and the horrors of World War
I. Will she be the one to break the “Fortner Curse” by helping
Seth conquer his demons while healing both of their hearts in the
process?
About
the Publisher:
The
Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing (TWCS) House is an up-and-coming
independent publisher based in New South Wales, Australia. They
recently gained a great deal of attention when they published Fifty
Shades of Grey,
the international literary sensation released in June, 2011 now
represented by Random House.
Launched
in October, 2010 with the vision of working alongside talented
authors while providing quality e-books to the growing marketplace,
TWCS publishes a wide range of fiction titles sure to have something
for any literary appetite.
Website: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/
Contact
Attachments
The
World Didn’t End As The Mayans Predicted, But The Publishers Behind
Fifty
Shades
Are Betting That America’s Romance With Apocalyptic Tales Is Far
From Over
The
Writer's Coffee Shop,
the indie publisher behind Fifty
Shades of Grey,
is entertaining America’s infatuation with “the end of the world
as we know it” with its latest release, The
End of All Things by
Lissa Bryan. Bryan’s take on the apocalypse is not without hope, as
a romance develops between two strangers struggling to survive.
The
post-apocalyptic romance from Lissa Bryan
Hope,
love, and the strength of the human spirit are the backbone of this
surprisingly uplifting offering from Lissa Bryan.
Columbus, Ohio
(PRWEB) January 22, 2013
There’s
no question that Americans have an obsession with apocalyptic tales.
From Stephen King’s The
Stand
to recent television phenomena like Doomsday Preppers, the end of the
world has us glued to the screen. But why is this? Is it our natural
curiosity of the unknown? Lissa
Bryan has
her own theory to explain the obsession. "Post-apocalyptic
stories have an enduring popularity because in them we see human
nature stripped down to the very bone. We see the characters at their
most vulnerable point—when they have nothing but their inner
strengths to keep them going.”
The
End of All Things is
the second novel for Lissa Bryan. Her first novel, Ghostwriter,
also explored the human condition and finding love in an unlikely
place. When asked how she became inspired, Bryan shared, “Stephen
King once said that a story starts for him with one question: What
if?
It's much the same for me. What if the worst possible thing happened?
What would people do in a situation where they're reduced to a
struggle for basic survival, when the comforts and rules of society
are gone? How would their ethics change to meet these new
circumstances?”
The
End of All Things is
an exciting journey that begins with Carly. After a terrible virus
ravages the planet, Carly—one of the few survivors—hides in her
apartment in Juneau, trying to survive the best she can with
occasional forays to gather food. She is discovered by Justin, an
ex-soldier intent on making his way to Florida before winter. He
convinces her to join him, and together they begin a journey through
a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the
way, from the changing seasons to injury and shortage of supplies.
And
other survivors.
Some
are friendly, some are malicious, and some have minds destroyed by
the virus. Justin and Carly can only depend on each other, and she
finds her perceptions challenged by what it takes to live in this
brutal new world.
This
is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life and
a home in each other.
Hope,
love, and the strength of the human spirit are the backbone of this
surprisingly uplifting offering from Lissa Bryan.
The
End of All Things
is available for purchase in paperback and e-book January 24, 2013
on Amazon,
iTunes,
Kobo,
and The
Writer’s Coffee Shop website.
About
the Publisher:
The
Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing (TWCS) House is an up-and-coming
independent publisher based in New South Wales, Australia. They
recently gained a great deal of attention when they published Fifty
Shades of Grey,
the international literary sensation released in June, 2011 and now
represented by Random House.
Launched
in October, 2010 with the vision of working alongside talented
authors while providing quality e-books to the growing marketplace,
TWCS publishes a wide range of fiction titles sure to have something
for any literary appetite.
Contact
Attachments
The
Publisher That Brought Sexy Back With Fifty
Shades of Grey
Introduces Romantic
Interludes,
An Anthology To Keep The Fires Glowing This Valentine’s Day
Instead
of sending roses this Valentine’s Day, The Writer’s Coffee Shop
Publishing House would like to give its readers the gift of
discovering seven sexy stories in its latest release, Romantic
Interludes.
A
Romance Anthology From The Original Publishers of Fifty
Shades of Grey
Dallas, Texas (PRWEB)
January 29, 2013
When
the ladies of The
Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House set
out to do something big, they hold nothing back. On February 1st,
just in time for Valentine’s Day, readers around the world will get
seven new romantic stories from seven of The Writer’s Coffee Shop’s
best-selling authors.
Romantic
Interludes will
be a great way for the readers to get a sample of some of our
award-winning authors,” says Christa Beebe, a Marketing Department
team member.
Each
of The Writer’s Coffee Shop’s authors has a strong and loyal
following of readers who tend to scramble for new material from their
favorites. Sherrie Holder, a longtime reader and Kindle owner tells
us, “I just can’t wait to get my hands on a new Lissa Bryan book
or a new romance by Sydney Logan. I love all the authors in this
anthology, and I am counting down the days until I can get it on my
Kindle.”
Luckily
for Sherrie Holder and the rest of the fans, they won’t have to
wait long to get their next literary fix. On February 1st, Lissa
Bryan, Suzy Duffy, T.M. Franklin, Allie Jean, Sandi Layne, Sydney
Logan, and Jennifer Schmidt release the much-anticipated Romantic
Interludes
e-book for only $5.99. This anthology of short stories is proof that
The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House continues to deliver hot,
sexy, and fun books that its readers are sure to devour.
Romantic
Interludes
is available for purchase on February 1st from the following
retailers: Amazon,
iTunes,
and The
Writer's Coffee Shop website.
About
the Publisher:
The
Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House (TWCS) is an up-and-coming
independent publisher based in New South Wales, Australia. They
recently gained a great deal of attention with Fifty
Shades of Grey,
the international literary sensation released in June 2011 and now
represented by Random House.
Launched
in October 2010 with the vision of working alongside talented authors
while providing quality e-books to the growing marketplace, TWCS
publishes a wide range of fiction titles and is sure to have
something for any appetite.
Website: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/
Contact
Christa
Beebe The
Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House
(817) 264-7503Email
__________________________________________________________________________________
(817) 264-7503Email
__________________________________________________________________________________
Reviews
Reviews for Ghostwriter
Cherie's
review 
I will begin this review by stating that I have read Lissa Bryan
previous to her debut novel, Ghostwriter. Ms. Bryan has her
roots in Twilight fan fiction, and while some readers may arch their
eyebrows at that admission, I would like to respectfully remind them
of the meteoric success of another fan fiction series, the much
touted Fifty Shades trilogy. So having started in that realm
should not automatically convey disdain.
However, I am not saying Lissa Bryan is the same calibre of author as E. L. James. Far from it.
Bryan is vastly superior.
*** *** ***
When I read Bryan's work in fan fiction, I was struck by her mastery of story-telling craft. I remember vividly thinking that if she would change the names of the characters and replace them with non-branded Twilight names, I would still be as hooked as I was when I first ventured into her imaginary world. Then I read another of her stories. And another.
Names notwithstanding, her plots were original. Fresh. After having read so very much fiction throughout my life, very little catches me by surprise. Many climax twists are either obvious from the outset or worse, deus ex machina that insults the reader's intelligence. I was delighted beyond words to be caught out, as it were, when enjoying her works.
With this background, I was keenly interested in reading Bryan's "original" work beyond the fan fiction genre. When the opportunity arose to obtain an ARC (Advance Reader's Copy), I jumped on it.
Ghostwriter is a wonderful read. I have always been more interested in the quality of the story instead of the presentation, so I was delighted to catch throw-away references to classical myth as well as classic literature. At first, I was curious how she would somehow link Greek gods with a very modern world. Then I was thrilled to see how it was a trope for the story in itself: how to live in the world when your culture has passed you by...how hubris can present itself to modern man in the same guises as it did to Aeneas, or Odysseus. How can the faults and sins of past generations still resonate and affect descendants decades later?
I did not see the ending that was wrapped up and gifted to the reader. As I continued reading, I found myself asking questions: how could the relationship between a modern woman with a man from another era possibly end well? I had a few ideas that kept presenting itself as the plot unfolded, and not one of my guesses proved correct. (I am grateful for this as her ending was way superior to my clichéd imaginings.)
If you are looking for a novel that will charm and entertain you, I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.
However, I am not saying Lissa Bryan is the same calibre of author as E. L. James. Far from it.
Bryan is vastly superior.
*** *** ***
When I read Bryan's work in fan fiction, I was struck by her mastery of story-telling craft. I remember vividly thinking that if she would change the names of the characters and replace them with non-branded Twilight names, I would still be as hooked as I was when I first ventured into her imaginary world. Then I read another of her stories. And another.
Names notwithstanding, her plots were original. Fresh. After having read so very much fiction throughout my life, very little catches me by surprise. Many climax twists are either obvious from the outset or worse, deus ex machina that insults the reader's intelligence. I was delighted beyond words to be caught out, as it were, when enjoying her works.
With this background, I was keenly interested in reading Bryan's "original" work beyond the fan fiction genre. When the opportunity arose to obtain an ARC (Advance Reader's Copy), I jumped on it.
Ghostwriter is a wonderful read. I have always been more interested in the quality of the story instead of the presentation, so I was delighted to catch throw-away references to classical myth as well as classic literature. At first, I was curious how she would somehow link Greek gods with a very modern world. Then I was thrilled to see how it was a trope for the story in itself: how to live in the world when your culture has passed you by...how hubris can present itself to modern man in the same guises as it did to Aeneas, or Odysseus. How can the faults and sins of past generations still resonate and affect descendants decades later?
I did not see the ending that was wrapped up and gifted to the reader. As I continued reading, I found myself asking questions: how could the relationship between a modern woman with a man from another era possibly end well? I had a few ideas that kept presenting itself as the plot unfolded, and not one of my guesses proved correct. (I am grateful for this as her ending was way superior to my clichéd imaginings.)
If you are looking for a novel that will charm and entertain you, I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.
Denise rated
it
Lissa Bryan’s Ghostwriter does a great many things. It
paints a heartbreaking portrait of an idealistic man corrupted by the
horrors of war and scarred by his literary gift. It illustrates the
destructive power of greed and the joy-inducing power of selfless
living. It employs an engaging plot which culminates in a conclusion
which makes me smile whenever I envision it.
But its greatest accomplishment is showcasing a woman’s bold decision to follow her heart in spite of its illogical destination. The freedom Sara finds in surrendering to her feelings for Seth is my favorite part of the novel and the reason I could not put the book down. For all Ms. Bryan’s novel does—and does well—it simply and beautifully tells the story of a woman choosing to love a man against all reason, odds, and common sense, liberating two broken souls in the process.
Sara is a woman in need of a new start, living a life devoid of color, and a forgotten family house on a lonely island is the perfect place to find it. But she finds more than a new place to call home within its not-so-quiet walls, and her curiosity about the odd goings-on yield more than she could ever imagine.
Seth is nobody’s hero, least of all in his own mind. But Sara’s support and fearlessness begin to loosen the noose of self-loathing around his neck, and he blooms and blossoms under her adoration. They find solace and serenity in each other, and his paranormal existence is but a minor detail.
Their romance is tender, fumbling, and feverish at turns, and its authenticity is due solely to the brilliance of Ms. Bryan’s steady pen. With each word and line, she breathes life into her characters, and in so doing, I come to see them as friends. I smile when they smile, frown at the stains on Seth’s uniform, and feel exquisite relief at each skirmish they survive. Their love is my love, and I enjoy every twist and turn of their supernatural ride. And I have every confidence that you will too.
But its greatest accomplishment is showcasing a woman’s bold decision to follow her heart in spite of its illogical destination. The freedom Sara finds in surrendering to her feelings for Seth is my favorite part of the novel and the reason I could not put the book down. For all Ms. Bryan’s novel does—and does well—it simply and beautifully tells the story of a woman choosing to love a man against all reason, odds, and common sense, liberating two broken souls in the process.
Sara is a woman in need of a new start, living a life devoid of color, and a forgotten family house on a lonely island is the perfect place to find it. But she finds more than a new place to call home within its not-so-quiet walls, and her curiosity about the odd goings-on yield more than she could ever imagine.
Seth is nobody’s hero, least of all in his own mind. But Sara’s support and fearlessness begin to loosen the noose of self-loathing around his neck, and he blooms and blossoms under her adoration. They find solace and serenity in each other, and his paranormal existence is but a minor detail.
Their romance is tender, fumbling, and feverish at turns, and its authenticity is due solely to the brilliance of Ms. Bryan’s steady pen. With each word and line, she breathes life into her characters, and in so doing, I come to see them as friends. I smile when they smile, frown at the stains on Seth’s uniform, and feel exquisite relief at each skirmish they survive. Their love is my love, and I enjoy every twist and turn of their supernatural ride. And I have every confidence that you will too.
Sarah
Aisling rated
it 
Sara Howell is a likable character who taps into a well of inner
strength. She finds herself at a point in her life where she’s very
much alone and ready for change. Her mother is a demeaning harpy who
never has a nice thing to say, and her ex-boyfriend is a controlling,
disapproving, jerk who treated her to scathing remarks about every
aspect of who she was. More than once throughout this book, I balled
my fists and even found myself talking out loud in some colorful
language at the audacity of these two. Thankfully, Sara developed a
backbone—although I’m sure it wasn’t easy with her
upbringing—and faced off with them in a way that will make you
cheer. She also has a little help at one point from someone very
special (a moment I actually cheered out loud), but I’ll let you
discover that for yourself as you read.
Lissa Bryan’s prose flows beautifully. I’ve read overly-descriptive writing that actually draws me out of a story, but that definitely doesn’t happen here. There’s nothing I love more than escaping inside the pages of a book, and I was able to do that here. I was sucked into the story and forgot my surroundings altogether.
It’s difficult to write a story surrounding a single character who is by themselves for a great deal of the story, and I was concerned about this when I started reading, but the author did an amazing job of keeping it interesting without repeating a lot of boring inner monologue. The writing was always fresh, and I never found myself wishing she’d move on to something else.
I was extremely impressed by the description of moments on the battlefield. If I didn’t know a young woman wrote this book, I would have thought she’d actually been there and experienced the horror firsthand. I was right there, and it was devastating and raw and ugly.
The love story in Ghostwriter develops naturally. That seems like an oxymoron when speaking about a ghost and a human, but you’ll understand when you read it. If a ghost met a girl on an island, and if they could communicate, their relationship developed in a very natural way. It wasn’t a “love at first sight and they fall into each other’s arms” type of scenario. I found it a very satisfying and beautiful journey.
The reason I gave this story four stars instead of five is because I saw several things coming in the storyline and a few things were too pat or convenient for my tastes. That said, it does take a lot to surprise me, and my intuitiveness sometimes ruins things for me when reading.
Lissa Bryan weaves an achingly beautiful love story, built around suspense, intrigue, the devastation of war, family secrets, and interfering loved-ones, rich with descriptions that will pull you right into her world. Give this one a read—you won’t regret it.
Lissa Bryan’s prose flows beautifully. I’ve read overly-descriptive writing that actually draws me out of a story, but that definitely doesn’t happen here. There’s nothing I love more than escaping inside the pages of a book, and I was able to do that here. I was sucked into the story and forgot my surroundings altogether.
It’s difficult to write a story surrounding a single character who is by themselves for a great deal of the story, and I was concerned about this when I started reading, but the author did an amazing job of keeping it interesting without repeating a lot of boring inner monologue. The writing was always fresh, and I never found myself wishing she’d move on to something else.
I was extremely impressed by the description of moments on the battlefield. If I didn’t know a young woman wrote this book, I would have thought she’d actually been there and experienced the horror firsthand. I was right there, and it was devastating and raw and ugly.
The love story in Ghostwriter develops naturally. That seems like an oxymoron when speaking about a ghost and a human, but you’ll understand when you read it. If a ghost met a girl on an island, and if they could communicate, their relationship developed in a very natural way. It wasn’t a “love at first sight and they fall into each other’s arms” type of scenario. I found it a very satisfying and beautiful journey.
The reason I gave this story four stars instead of five is because I saw several things coming in the storyline and a few things were too pat or convenient for my tastes. That said, it does take a lot to surprise me, and my intuitiveness sometimes ruins things for me when reading.
Lissa Bryan weaves an achingly beautiful love story, built around suspense, intrigue, the devastation of war, family secrets, and interfering loved-ones, rich with descriptions that will pull you right into her world. Give this one a read—you won’t regret it.
Reviews for The End of All Things
Jade
Kerrion rated
it
When Lissa Bryan offered me an ARC of her latest novel, The End of
All Things, non-apocalyptic fan that I am, I accepted with a bit
of trepidation. Who wants all that doom and gloom anyway?
Fortunately, The End of All Things is more about hope and
second chances, and I very much enjoyed the tale.
After an illness sweeps through the world, wiping out large chunks of its population, Carly finds herself among the few survivors, eking out a meager life in Juneau, Alaska, accompanied by a dog (who is actually a wolf.) Another survivor, Justin, an ex-soldier, finds her and persuades her to travel south with him to warmer climates.
From that simple premise, Lissa Bryan spins a beautifully written story. The author has a talent for writing deep point-of-view and her main characters, Carly and Justin are wonderfully realized with distinct voices. Both are likeable, and they grow and change as the story progresses and as love blossoms between them.
The pace moves quickly for the most part, but takes the time to focus on important conversations and scenes. All in all, I thought it was well-balanced, spiced with enough humor to enliven what is inherently a fairly depressing concept of a worldwide plague that decimates the human race (lots of people die, no cable TV, no high speed internet, no hot water, you get the drift.)
Ms. Bryan definitely hooked me. Toward the end of the novel, after a certain twist that I saw coming but that I hoped wouldn't come, I was mentally railing at Ms. Bryan and calling her a heartless and cruel woman. Few books can get that kind of reaction out of me, so kudos to Ms. Bryan for her skill in storytelling. The good news, the novel does end on a hopeful note, so I forgave Ms. Bryan again, and all is well.
The End of All Things is highly recommended for all fans of apocalyptic fiction. It's a well-written book with excellent pace, plot, and best, it has real soul.
After an illness sweeps through the world, wiping out large chunks of its population, Carly finds herself among the few survivors, eking out a meager life in Juneau, Alaska, accompanied by a dog (who is actually a wolf.) Another survivor, Justin, an ex-soldier, finds her and persuades her to travel south with him to warmer climates.
From that simple premise, Lissa Bryan spins a beautifully written story. The author has a talent for writing deep point-of-view and her main characters, Carly and Justin are wonderfully realized with distinct voices. Both are likeable, and they grow and change as the story progresses and as love blossoms between them.
The pace moves quickly for the most part, but takes the time to focus on important conversations and scenes. All in all, I thought it was well-balanced, spiced with enough humor to enliven what is inherently a fairly depressing concept of a worldwide plague that decimates the human race (lots of people die, no cable TV, no high speed internet, no hot water, you get the drift.)
Ms. Bryan definitely hooked me. Toward the end of the novel, after a certain twist that I saw coming but that I hoped wouldn't come, I was mentally railing at Ms. Bryan and calling her a heartless and cruel woman. Few books can get that kind of reaction out of me, so kudos to Ms. Bryan for her skill in storytelling. The good news, the novel does end on a hopeful note, so I forgave Ms. Bryan again, and all is well.
The End of All Things is highly recommended for all fans of apocalyptic fiction. It's a well-written book with excellent pace, plot, and best, it has real soul.
Sandra rated
it
This review is also available on My
Fiction Nook.
After a bit of thought, I'm upping my rating to FIVE shiny stars. Yeah, it was that good.
Not only does Lissa Bryan tell a convincing end of the world as we know it story, but also a wonderfully emotional romance.
Meet Carly, 22, living in Juneau, Alaska, on her own, one of the very few survivors of a pandemic that wiped out most of the world's population. There is no electricity, no food, no police, no order, and nobody to help her make it from day to day. Her parents have succumbed to the disease, and Carly is all alone, with only her little puppy, Sam, for company.
It is Sam and his need for food that prompts Carly to make the trip to the nearby grocery store again, to scavenge for dog food and anything else she might still find. If only it weren't for Biker Dude who's been standing outside of her apartment building for the last few days.
Biker Dude turns out to be Justin, 34, a fellow survivor. He, with some a bit of 'tricksy hobbit' attitude, convinces Carly that their best bet for survival is to make the long trip south, through Canada, into the US and eventually to Florida, where the climate is better for farming. Justin is ex-Special Ops, and while he has quite a few survival skills, Carly learns to stand her own along the way.
It can be really tricky to merge a post-apocalyptic plot with a generous dose of romance. As the feelings between Justin and Carly grow, there are a couple of missteps and hurt feelings, but once they give in to the attraction, they both become stronger because of it.
The characterizations were extremely well done. There is growth for both main characters throughout the novel, and it is a credit to the author that the growth never felt forced or artificial. When Carly's skills are challenged, she finds the strength she needs to push through the difficulties, and Justin finds that place he's always longed for.
Hardship is inevitable in the situation they find themselves in, but neither of them ever considers giving up. The dystopian aspects of this novel are both realistic and outright scary. They certainly made me think - could I survive this kind of scenario? How far would I go to ensure the survival of my family? Would I kill, steal, pillage and harden my heart against the plight of others, to keep my own family alive?
The author also inserted a bit of mystery - why did some people survive the pandemic without ever getting sick? What makes them different? There isn't an answer (yet), but I hope the sequel (yes??) will introduce more of that element.
I also enjoyed the supporting cast of characters. Each of them served a purpose, whether to move the plot along, or to make a specific point, or to introduce the elements of the sequel (yes???) that I'm hoping and salivating for.
This novel is well researched, well executed and well-rounded, and I wasn't able to put it down for any length of time. A great book transports you to the world it describes and hooks you from the start - this one definitely fit that description.
Dear Lissa Bryan, please write the sequel!
If you like dystopian/post-apocalyptic kinds of stories with a good dose of romance, this is the book for you. Please give it a shot.
After a bit of thought, I'm upping my rating to FIVE shiny stars. Yeah, it was that good.
Not only does Lissa Bryan tell a convincing end of the world as we know it story, but also a wonderfully emotional romance.
Meet Carly, 22, living in Juneau, Alaska, on her own, one of the very few survivors of a pandemic that wiped out most of the world's population. There is no electricity, no food, no police, no order, and nobody to help her make it from day to day. Her parents have succumbed to the disease, and Carly is all alone, with only her little puppy, Sam, for company.
It is Sam and his need for food that prompts Carly to make the trip to the nearby grocery store again, to scavenge for dog food and anything else she might still find. If only it weren't for Biker Dude who's been standing outside of her apartment building for the last few days.
Biker Dude turns out to be Justin, 34, a fellow survivor. He, with some a bit of 'tricksy hobbit' attitude, convinces Carly that their best bet for survival is to make the long trip south, through Canada, into the US and eventually to Florida, where the climate is better for farming. Justin is ex-Special Ops, and while he has quite a few survival skills, Carly learns to stand her own along the way.
It can be really tricky to merge a post-apocalyptic plot with a generous dose of romance. As the feelings between Justin and Carly grow, there are a couple of missteps and hurt feelings, but once they give in to the attraction, they both become stronger because of it.
The characterizations were extremely well done. There is growth for both main characters throughout the novel, and it is a credit to the author that the growth never felt forced or artificial. When Carly's skills are challenged, she finds the strength she needs to push through the difficulties, and Justin finds that place he's always longed for.
Hardship is inevitable in the situation they find themselves in, but neither of them ever considers giving up. The dystopian aspects of this novel are both realistic and outright scary. They certainly made me think - could I survive this kind of scenario? How far would I go to ensure the survival of my family? Would I kill, steal, pillage and harden my heart against the plight of others, to keep my own family alive?
The author also inserted a bit of mystery - why did some people survive the pandemic without ever getting sick? What makes them different? There isn't an answer (yet), but I hope the sequel (yes??) will introduce more of that element.
I also enjoyed the supporting cast of characters. Each of them served a purpose, whether to move the plot along, or to make a specific point, or to introduce the elements of the sequel (yes???) that I'm hoping and salivating for.
This novel is well researched, well executed and well-rounded, and I wasn't able to put it down for any length of time. A great book transports you to the world it describes and hooks you from the start - this one definitely fit that description.
Dear Lissa Bryan, please write the sequel!
If you like dystopian/post-apocalyptic kinds of stories with a good dose of romance, this is the book for you. Please give it a shot.
Emily
(Ed and Em's Reviews) rated
it
As seen on Ed
and Em's Reviews!
Once upon a time, I read a Twilight fanfiction story about a girl, Bella, brought to an alien planet to become the queen of a dying alien race. She goes through trials and hardships, falls in love with an alien king, Edward, and eventually helps save the world. The story was Written in the Stars and the author was Lissa Bryan. I adored that fanfiction piece, still do. Ms. Bryan seems to just breathe compelling story lines because I enjoyed The End of All Things just as much as Written in the Stars.
In the not-so-distant future, everyone who got the Infection either died, or was changed because of the severe affect the illness had on their brains. Carly has only seen one normal, living person since she hid away from the Infection in her apartment. The person, is an ex-soldier named Justin. Justin's presence frightens her at first, but as they get to know each other, they fall in love. Once Justin is able to convince Carly that they need to get out of Alaska, they encounter desperate thieves, dangerous villains, an unwanted pregnancy and make new friends on an epic adventure to find a place in this highly dangerous world where they can live safely and thrive.
I loved the characters! Justin was an absolutely awesome companion for Carly during the apocalypse not only because of his survival skills, but because he is a genuinely good person. You could tell that he really grew to care for Carly as a friend, before he started falling in love with her, and hated when he couldn't help someone they saw as they continued their journey, but he always made decisions that needed to be made. His knowledge on survival actually taught me something, too! It would probably take me longer to die now! Score! Carly was a good main character as well. She's my age, which made it easier to relate to her emotions and actions. I enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives, especially as the tension grew and their relationship developed. I not only rooted for them to survive, but for them to take advantage of the time they had together and realize that they cared for each other beyond just being traveling companions.
This book was good. Really good. Really, really good. I was hooked immediately and finished it in a few hours because I didn't want to put it down. Everything about it sucks you in. The writing style and setting reminded me a lot of the movie, The Mist, which is based off of the novella written by Stephen King. That may sound random, but it really felt like they could be in the same world, ya know… minus the flesh-eating monsters. Reading this from start to finish wasn't hard. In fact, it seemed to fly by and by the end, I wished it had been longer! The End of All Things is addictive and absolutely brilliant. The readers will be so drawn in that they have to continue because they just have to know how it ends.
There is going to be continuation of The End of All Things titled The Beginning. Lissa Bryan says it will be a extension of Carly and Justin's story, but there isn't a release date yet. I definitely will be reading it! This world that the author created has really left an impression on me and I'm not ready to let it go. Plus, I would like to see how the author expands the story and what is next in store for Carly, Justin and their child.
Once upon a time, I read a Twilight fanfiction story about a girl, Bella, brought to an alien planet to become the queen of a dying alien race. She goes through trials and hardships, falls in love with an alien king, Edward, and eventually helps save the world. The story was Written in the Stars and the author was Lissa Bryan. I adored that fanfiction piece, still do. Ms. Bryan seems to just breathe compelling story lines because I enjoyed The End of All Things just as much as Written in the Stars.
In the not-so-distant future, everyone who got the Infection either died, or was changed because of the severe affect the illness had on their brains. Carly has only seen one normal, living person since she hid away from the Infection in her apartment. The person, is an ex-soldier named Justin. Justin's presence frightens her at first, but as they get to know each other, they fall in love. Once Justin is able to convince Carly that they need to get out of Alaska, they encounter desperate thieves, dangerous villains, an unwanted pregnancy and make new friends on an epic adventure to find a place in this highly dangerous world where they can live safely and thrive.
I loved the characters! Justin was an absolutely awesome companion for Carly during the apocalypse not only because of his survival skills, but because he is a genuinely good person. You could tell that he really grew to care for Carly as a friend, before he started falling in love with her, and hated when he couldn't help someone they saw as they continued their journey, but he always made decisions that needed to be made. His knowledge on survival actually taught me something, too! It would probably take me longer to die now! Score! Carly was a good main character as well. She's my age, which made it easier to relate to her emotions and actions. I enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives, especially as the tension grew and their relationship developed. I not only rooted for them to survive, but for them to take advantage of the time they had together and realize that they cared for each other beyond just being traveling companions.
This book was good. Really good. Really, really good. I was hooked immediately and finished it in a few hours because I didn't want to put it down. Everything about it sucks you in. The writing style and setting reminded me a lot of the movie, The Mist, which is based off of the novella written by Stephen King. That may sound random, but it really felt like they could be in the same world, ya know… minus the flesh-eating monsters. Reading this from start to finish wasn't hard. In fact, it seemed to fly by and by the end, I wished it had been longer! The End of All Things is addictive and absolutely brilliant. The readers will be so drawn in that they have to continue because they just have to know how it ends.
There is going to be continuation of The End of All Things titled The Beginning. Lissa Bryan says it will be a extension of Carly and Justin's story, but there isn't a release date yet. I definitely will be reading it! This world that the author created has really left an impression on me and I'm not ready to let it go. Plus, I would like to see how the author expands the story and what is next in store for Carly, Justin and their child.
Reviews for Romantic Interludes:
Kathie
(katmom) rated
it
Yes, I'm giving this five stars. I've read six of the seven stories
in this anthology (and will get that last one soon!).
And I LOVED THEM.
Fun, flirty, sweet, charming...and sexy! Workplace romances, Mythology fun, ER docs, military man, BAKED GOODS...so much to enjoy here!
Such a cool thing to have many of my favorite authors gathered in ONE PLACE!
And I LOVED THEM.
Fun, flirty, sweet, charming...and sexy! Workplace romances, Mythology fun, ER docs, military man, BAKED GOODS...so much to enjoy here!
Such a cool thing to have many of my favorite authors gathered in ONE PLACE!
I have read two of the seven stories and LOVED them as well! I cannot
wait to the others read. I have read at least one book from each of
these authors and must say, they get better everytime they put out
something new.
This is a must read and will definitely get you in the mood for a hot date of your own!!
This is a must read and will definitely get you in the mood for a hot date of your own!!
Reviews for Under These Restless Skies:
Angela
Oliver rated
it 5 of 5 stars
This
is a beautifully written, compelling and evocative book written
around the Tudor court, specifically of Henry VIII and his marriage
to Anne Boelyn. It is eloquently told, with strong characters and
suprisingly historically accurate, despite the slight supernatural
twist to the plot. For the main protagonists are court Fool, Will
Somers and his wife, Emma. Now, Will Somers was a real person,
slightly crippled and the respected ear to the king. Emma was not. It
is her addition that turns this from just another Tudor politics
story into a heart-breaking drama and romance. We all know the story
of Anne Boleyn, and the fate that befall her, so it is hard to find a
story that offers something new, something surprising. Emma is that
addition. For she is a selkie, who give herself over to Will in the
first few pages. Her fae nature gives her a unique perspective on the
situation, being not bound by the formalities of
court-breeding/schooling, and also gets her into trouble in a few
cases. And her relationship with Will is just beautiful to behold.
There were a few disappointments - mainly in that a certain character
did not get her comeuppance, although history reveals that she did in
the end reap a similar fate to that which she had sown.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story of politics, manipulations, sly and selfish rulers and, overall, true love. I wish Will and Emma the happiest ending of all.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story of politics, manipulations, sly and selfish rulers and, overall, true love. I wish Will and Emma the happiest ending of all.
By sandyquill
Format:Kindle
Edition|Verified
Purchase
Lissa
Bryan's Under These Restless Skies is a delightful work of historical
fiction. It's a love story. Not a romance, not really, but a love
story. Not only the happy story of Will Somers and Emma, but also the
sad story of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Within the story, the reader may learn of Selkies and their lore. They will get a small taste of conversation that might have been about in Tudor England. They will hear of philosophies and suppositions taken as fact. They will see the inside of the Tudor Court from a very intimate setting.
Which always makes for a good intrigue!
Lissa Bryan has provided a rich assortment of details that delight, entertain, and even educate her readers as they live with Will and Emma in close quarters with Henry VIII as he settles his Great Matter, as he turns the English church on his whim, and as history is irrevocably changed. While Will sees the greater issues, Emma does not, and so the reader is privileged to enjoy the emotional responses of Emma while getting a sketch of the situation from Will.
For this reader, anyway, it is a delightful experience. I am sure others will find it to be so as well.
Absolutely a full five stars.
_____________________________________________________
Within the story, the reader may learn of Selkies and their lore. They will get a small taste of conversation that might have been about in Tudor England. They will hear of philosophies and suppositions taken as fact. They will see the inside of the Tudor Court from a very intimate setting.
Which always makes for a good intrigue!
Lissa Bryan has provided a rich assortment of details that delight, entertain, and even educate her readers as they live with Will and Emma in close quarters with Henry VIII as he settles his Great Matter, as he turns the English church on his whim, and as history is irrevocably changed. While Will sees the greater issues, Emma does not, and so the reader is privileged to enjoy the emotional responses of Emma while getting a sketch of the situation from Will.
For this reader, anyway, it is a delightful experience. I am sure others will find it to be so as well.
Absolutely a full five stars.
_____________________________________________________
5.0
out of 5 stars My
All-time Favourite Historical Male Romantic Lead, March
14, 2014
By
This
review is from: Under These Restless Skies (Kindle Edition)
This
book is so close to my heart that it’s really hard for me to choose
what to say about it. Yes, I received a copy from NetGalley and TWCS
for my honest review, but I’ve also bought a copy for my virtual
shelf and will be snapping up a hard copy (which I’ll be pestering
Lissa to sign for me). It’s just that good.
I was privileged to read the initial draft and the second draft. There are so many threads and so much supporting detail, but you won’t even notice because you’re going to get swept into the fairy tale. I suggest you don’t start reading before you’re due to leave for work or you might be late.
There’s as much political intrigue here as you might find in 'Dangerous Liasons', but this book has an asset that’s lacking in that jaded story: Emma, an innocent selkie who provides a first-hand look at the fascinating personalities, customs and world of the Tudors. Court is a sophisticated and dangerous place. The outside world can be contrastingly simple, even rough. Neither human sphere is an easy place for a sweet-natured selkie to survive.
But there’s Will, the oft-rejected man whom Emma chose for her husband because she thought he looked kind. And he IS. Some men sour under adversity, but not dear Will. He’s masculine, witty, wise and brave, and he’s worth a thousand of those muscle-boys you find on other covers. I wouldn’t trade him. In fact, he’s probably my favourite Historical male lead of all time. He beats out Darcy. That’s saying a lot.
I pray Lissa will add another book to this one. There is so much potential for the immortal Emma, who is soul-bound to Will. They could show up anywhere in a new generation and I’d love to see how a story set in a very different society would read.
If I could give this hidden gem six stars, I would. It has it all. Run, don’t walk, to buy it. Thank you, thank you, Lissa Bryan for putting your heart into this book. It shows.
I was privileged to read the initial draft and the second draft. There are so many threads and so much supporting detail, but you won’t even notice because you’re going to get swept into the fairy tale. I suggest you don’t start reading before you’re due to leave for work or you might be late.
There’s as much political intrigue here as you might find in 'Dangerous Liasons', but this book has an asset that’s lacking in that jaded story: Emma, an innocent selkie who provides a first-hand look at the fascinating personalities, customs and world of the Tudors. Court is a sophisticated and dangerous place. The outside world can be contrastingly simple, even rough. Neither human sphere is an easy place for a sweet-natured selkie to survive.
But there’s Will, the oft-rejected man whom Emma chose for her husband because she thought he looked kind. And he IS. Some men sour under adversity, but not dear Will. He’s masculine, witty, wise and brave, and he’s worth a thousand of those muscle-boys you find on other covers. I wouldn’t trade him. In fact, he’s probably my favourite Historical male lead of all time. He beats out Darcy. That’s saying a lot.
I pray Lissa will add another book to this one. There is so much potential for the immortal Emma, who is soul-bound to Will. They could show up anywhere in a new generation and I’d love to see how a story set in a very different society would read.
If I could give this hidden gem six stars, I would. It has it all. Run, don’t walk, to buy it. Thank you, thank you, Lissa Bryan for putting your heart into this book. It shows.
Thank you so much for hosting me. :)
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