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Crave by Melissa Darnell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I bought the first novel in this series during a grocery shopping trip a couple of years ago and set it aside - there's nothing I dislike more than having to wait for the next installment once beginning a series. Then I bought the second . . . and when I unpacked my books, I realized the third had been released (though I had to order it because it was out of stock).

It was worth the wait.

Sav thought she was just a normal, run-of-the-mill invisible girl with annoyingly loyal friends until she woke up after becoming black-out sick. I assumed, at this point, the story would take the cliché turns, but I was pleasantly surprised. Though I am not a huge fan of multiple POV's, I really enjoyed being able to see the story from both Savannah and Tristan's perspectives. Without it, the full depth of their shared history wouldn't be understood and their intense connection to one another would've felt cliché. Tristan is overprotective but understanding and Savannah, unlike other kick-ass dhamphirs, is vulnerable as she tries to figure out where her new curse/gifts will take her.

While these are motives reused, Darnell gives us a combination of old tales with a new spin. The fight these characters put up is admirable and I love the unexpected ending. Darnell's given readers a witty, keep-them-wanting-more love story that'll force you to pick up book two . . . even if you have to play hooky for a day to complete it.



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Pre-Order Fiasco

I recently published my debut novel, Fate's Exchange (Twisted Fate, #1), via Amazon's KDP Select. Initially, I was leery about their exclusivity clause, but after the free promotion, was happy with the sales. So I decided that since I would be publishing Fate's Return (Twisted Fate, #2), on October 27, 2014, I would release the novella, Pulled Away (Twisted Fate, #1.5), between the two novels to gain interest and maintain momentum.

Pulled Away Available for Purchase

The Write Time: 5 Ways to Find out What Works Best for You

One of the biggest things I see being discussed is setting a daily word count. What does this mean? You set yourself a minimum word count (never a maximum) to meet each day - even weekends and vacation - and that's what you strive to meet. I read an interesting post recently where a man actually rewarded himself for each day that he met his minimum word count by putting a toonie into a jar and saving it. After a few months, you've got a couple hundred dollars, and you spend it on something fun. I repeat, fun. Once more - do not pay a single bill with this money. It is your reward.

So when do you write? Do you know the time that best suites your needs? How? Do you know which way is your road to being as productive as possible? Or do you do it wherever you can, whenever you can? I'm a little bit of both. Working full-time and being a single mother . . . well, if I wasn't prepared to snap up a moment of quiet, I'd have never written a word, never mind a novel and these posts. I would be a pain to be around - I seriously get grumpy when characters start yelling at me to stop ignoring them. So whether you are a busy parent, having to work to pay the bills, or so free you can stare at clouds all day, this is my top five tips for where writing can be successful.