As Darkness Gathers

 

As Darkness Gathers

by Emma Elliot

Release Date: September 9, 2014

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre Romance/Suspense Romance/Contemporary 
ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-325-6

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

 

~~SUMMARY~~

When their plane goes down in the Canadian wilderness, Finch Rhodes’s and Clay Gandy’s lives become entwined. Together they face the unforgiving elements of unfamiliar terrain in winter. With their lives at stake, Finch and Clay are forced to rely on one another to survive, and they forge a bond that lasts even after they are rescued.

Finch struggles to adjust to normal life upon returning home, hindered by seemingly harmless mishaps that soon escalate into brutal attacks. She once again comes to rely on Clay, but as the connection between them deepens, the threat against her grows.

I was so excited to see a new novel out by Emma Elliot. Even more excited that it featured one of the characters from her debut novel A Thin, Dark Line. Although I admit it’s been awhile since I read her first book and needed a little reminding of who was who.

Now, you don’t need to read book one to read this one at all. The only thing they have in common is Clay and the story works without knowing his involvement in A Thin, Dark Line. That being said, pick up the first book. I loved it.

As Darkness Gathers is one of those books you’re pretty sure you’ve figured out who the bad guy is, but you doubt yourself because she couldn’t possibly make it that easy so you’re suspicious of everyone yet still surprised when you find out the truth.

The plane crash was done so well it actually felt like I was there with them trekking to find help. Elliot has a way that her words flow so together-like that it’s as if there’s a painting right in front of you displaying the scene you’re reading.

I adored Julia’s character. She was fun and quirky and sexy and a baker! I don’t know why, but books with characters that own a bakery or love to bake are gems to me.

I loved how strong and take charge Clay was. The way he took care of Finch was swoon-worthy, you can’t help but fall in love with him right along with Finch.

The only complaint I have is that it wasn’t long enough! I swear it felt like it was over minutes after I started reading it. Which, of course, is how you know you’ve gotten your hands on a damn good book. 

                        

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~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

  Emma Elliot first developed a love of suspense when she was six years old. She was hiding from her cousins and sister in a closet in her grandmother's house when she discovered a passageway, though not so secret, linking to another closet. She stumbled upon a stack of worn Bobbsey Twins mysteries in that seeming labyrinth, and she spent much of her childhood there, by choice, reading mystery novels by flashlight. Her love of reading and writing grew simultaneously. Soon she was creating her own variations of the stories she read and penning her own tales. Through bouts of working as a tutor, an editor, an apple- and peach-picker, a waitress, a dog walker, a nanny, a retail associate, and a reservationist at a ski resort, writing has remained her passion. She currently lives on the eastern seaboard and considers herself a wandering homebody. She travels often for work, which provides fodder for the imagination and plentiful hours to write her next novel while sitting in airports.      

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Cover Reveal: As Darkness Gathers

PRESENTS. . .

A Cover Reveal

for

As Darkness Gathers

by Emma Elliot

Release Date: September 9, 2014

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

When their plane goes down in the Canadian wilderness, Finch Rhodes’ and Clay Gandy’s lives become entwined. Together they face the unforgiving elements of unfamiliar terrain in winter, wild animals, raging rivers, and their own growing weakness from hunger, shock, and exposure. With their lives at stake as well as the lives of those depending on them to find help, Finch and Clay are forced to rely on one another, and they forge a bond that lasts even after they are rescued. Finch’s struggles to adjust to normal life upon returning home are hindered by her broken engagement, her friend’s disapproval of her friendship with Clay, her parents’ marital issues, and her brother’s uncharacteristic belligerence and suspicious request. And by the seemingly harmless mishaps that soon escalate into brutal attacks. After she is injured, Finch once again comes to rely on Clay. But as the connection between them deepens, the threat against her grows. With her life in jeopardy and danger blurring the lines between friend and foe, Finch must decide if those she loves are the ones she can trust, or if the greatest peril lurks closer to home than she could have ever imagined.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” I said, “the captain has advised me we’ll be making a precautionary landing.” The elderly woman started sobbing. The front of the plane yawed back and forth, the movement sharp, bouncing, and disorienting. When I glanced out the window, we were just breaking through the cloud cover, and the forested ground was rushing closer. I pointed out the exits and the escape path lighting, and then explained the brace position of crossing their arms, placing them on the seatback in front of them, and resting their foreheads on their wrists. “I’ll help you if you need me to,” said the man in 1A. I swallowed and felt the hot press of tears. “If I’m unable to, make sure it’s safe to open the door, and then get everyone out and away.” “I’ll do it. And I won’t leave you behind.” The plane groaned, the yawing becoming violent. We swayed back and forth so forcefully that I had to hold on to my shoulder harness to avoid being pitched sideways. The father and son yelled apologies and I love yous at one another. The elderly woman continued weeping. A businessman recited a Hail Mary. My lips trembled and I pressed them tightly together. “What’s your name?” I asked 1A. With a rumble, the landing gear extended. His eyes were blue, I realized. “Clay. Clay Gandy.” Clay in 1A. I almost laughed at the rhyme, but then the captain shouted, “Brace, brace, brace!” I repeated the command over and over until my voice was hoarse. I wanted to close my eyes but found I couldn’t. The plane jarred with the sound of snapping, the movement so wrenching it felt as if someone were trying to yank my bones from within my skin. We whipped to one side so quickly my neck cracked and my vision swam. Dark shadows rushed by the windows, and the splintering sound escalated. We hit the ground with such force the oxygen masks fell from the panels above the seats and the overhead bins burst open and spilled luggage into the aisle. Both passengers and metal screamed. There was a horrific grinding as the plane shuddered and bucked. Then the world exploded.

Emma Elliot first developed a love of suspense when she was six years old. She was hiding from her cousins and sister in a closet in her grandmother's house when she discovered a passageway, though not so secret, linking to another closet. She stumbled upon a stack of worn Bobbsey Twins mysteries in that seeming labyrinth, and she spent much of her childhood there, by choice, reading mystery novels by flashlight. Her love of reading and writing grew simultaneously. Soon she was creating her own variations of the stories she read and penning her own tales. Through bouts of working as a tutor, an editor, an apple- and peach-picker, a waitress, a dog walker, a nanny, a retail associate, and a reservationist at a ski resort, writing has remained her passion. She currently lives on the eastern seaboard and considers herself a wandering homebody. She travels often for work, which provides fodder for the imagination and plentiful hours to write her next novel while sitting in airports.  

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A Thin, Dark Line by Emma Elliot

Title: A Thin, Dark Line
Author: Emma Elliot
Publication Date: August 30, 2012
Source: ARC from Publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):

 When Cormac O'Malley--Dogwood, Ohio's former bad boy and a man just released from prison--returns and shows up on her doorstep, librarian Eloise Carmichael hires him as a handyman despite warnings and misgivings. After a body is found at the library, Eloise becomes obsessed with the mysteries surrounding a murder that took place fifteen years ago. But as the body count rises and family secrets are brought to light, Eloise and Cormac realize the only hope for redemption--and love--lies in each other.


                                 Review

Don't forget to check out my interview with the author!

I knew after reading the summary that I had to read this book. Some summaries make you think, “eh, yeah it doesn’t sound so bad I’ll look it up when it comes out”, but then others, like this one, make you think, “how can I pimp myself out to get this book now?” 

Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, I didn’t have to do any pimping. Why? Because the lovely ladies I had contact with at TWCS Publishing House were generous enough to give a poor reviewer a copy of this great book without my having to do any begging. Oh, and I was prepared to beg, ladies.

Okay, fine I’ll admit it: as soon as my eyes fell on the word “ex-con” I didn’t see anything else and that’s what made me want this book so bad. Big surprise, I have filthy fantasies about ex-cons. You can bet your ass if I read a summary about a romance with an ex-con I’ll want it – and some I wish I hadn’t wanted so bad because they suh-uck, especially the ones that try to  mix a romance and a murder mystery. With baited breath I started A Thin, Dark Line and…

Adored it.

Turning 30 has Eloise Carmichael convinced she’s stuck in a rut, and on a whim – and against the advice of everyone in her life – hires newly released ex-con (swoon!) Cormac O’Malley to be her handyman at the local library where she works.

I started this book convinced I had it all figured out. I was positive it would be revealed Cormac was wrongly accused and imprisoned for another man’s crimes. Um… yeah, not quite. He did in fact commit the murder he was accused of and that was the first thing in the book that surprised me – and I love that Elliot went that route. So often authors of romance/mysteries try to make the ex-con a good guy by making the story about proving his innocence and he just happens to fall in love along the way with (of course) the woman helping him. Huge points to Elliot for not going this route! The innocence route, that is.

I really loved how the author kept me guessing about who was committing the new murders in town. She had me guessing from one character to the next and it wasn’t until the end when Eloise has her confrontation with her father that it finally hit me who it had to be all along. The suspense was wonderful.

What I really liked about this book was the romance – or lack thereof. The book is labeled romance, but really, as much heat as there was between Eloise and Cormac, and as much as he was there for her and she for him when they needed each other, there wasn’t a whole lot of romance in the book. It focused mainly on the mystery of the murders, and no one was distracted by jumping each other. (Yes, I can’t believe I just said I’m glad there was no sex in a book. WTF?) Of course there are some moments between the two, but not as much as I thought there would be going into this novel. Again, another surprise.

If you’re looking for a good mystery with a little heat thrown in once in a while, then I definitely recommend you pick up A Thin, Dark Line.

*** I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Follow the rest of the blog tour at these stops

Saturday, August 25 - My Fiction Nook - - Review, Interview and Giveaway

Sunday, August 26 -  Sherry Gomes Blog - Interview and Giveaway

Monday, August 27 -  Self Publish or Die Blog -  interview and review

Tuesday, August 28 - Passion for Pages Blog  - Review and Interview

Thursday, August 30th - Books and Kisses Blog - Spotlight Review/ Interview
Friday, August 31 -A Book and a Review Blog  - Interview and giveaway.  

Interview with Emma Elliot

Good morning, All! (I admit at this hour I'm probably still in bed enjoying the last few days of summer sleep in. Ahhh the joys of scheduled posts)

Today, along with a review of A Thin, Dark Line by Emma Elliot, I was lucky enough to get to interview the talented author....

Which character was your favourite to create? Why?

Favorite character? Hm, that's like asking me to choose my favorite child. They each came alive and took up residence in my head. I love secondary characters. Eloise and Cormac were such strong individuals, but no story takes place in a vacuum, and friends, family, adversaries are all part of the story. Clay surprised even me with how layered he was. Adriana constantly made me laugh, but also broke my heart a little. I didn't expect to like her as much as I did. I wish I had a Sal and Patrick, the entire Florenelli family actually, in my life. Robby and Harmon were inspired, in part, by the little girl I was a nanny for. I have several Jane figures in my life. Rounded, developed secondary characters are oft times some of my favorites. 

When you’re not writing, what else do you like to do?

My job takes up much of my time; unfortunately, more than writing does. I attempt to run, with an emphasis on attempt. I enjoy yoga and hiking, traveling and wandering the streets of foreign cities. I love the winter, so snow sports are my favorite, cross country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, etc. And reading. Curling up with a good book is my favorite past time. 

If you were asked to make a soundtrack for A Thin, Dark Line, what songs would be on it?

I really don't listen to music when I'm writing. I find it more distracting than inspiring. A close friend of mine, who is also an incredible musician, composed piano pieces for A Thin, Dark Line. So I've my own original soundtrack to listen to. 

If your book were turned into a movie, who would you choose to play the leading characters?

I'm really not familiar with any of the major, popular actors of today. I love actors like Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Tom Selleck, Sean Connery... The characters of A Thin, Dark Line are so distinct to me, though, that I would most likely have a hard time associating them with whoever was chosen, regardless of how well they played the part. 

Was there a part of A Thin, Dark Line that was difficult to write?

Writing A Thin, Dark Line was as much an emotional endeavor as anything else. Saoirse's story was probably the most wrenching to tell. Here was a woman for whom life dealt blow after blow. Each time her situation seemed hopeful, she was drawn back into a desperate, dark world most people cannot even imagine. Like Eloise, I wanted to hate her but found myself admiring her and wishing more for her than what she'd been allotted. 

Tell us about the day you found out A Thin, Dark Line was going to be published. How did you react?

The first publisher I sent A Thin, Dark Line to rejected the query letter immediately, so I was thrilled when TWCS asked to read the full manuscript. I tried not to get my hopes up, though, and told myself while at least they were interested enough in the first three chapters and synopsis to want to read the rest, it didn't mean they would publish it. 

It was on a winter's evening around the Christmas season when I received the email, and, terrified, I let it sit in my inbox unopened for about ten minutes. I finally worked up the courage to read what I was prepared to be a rejection, so when I saw "we would like to offer you a publishing contract" I didn't make it much further because I was crying too hard to see. My parents have always been incredibly supportive and encouraging, so my mother was the first person I called. Of course, she was frantic with worry when she answered her phone and heard me sobbing on the other end of the line. I finally managed to blubber out the news, and was torn between tears and laughter for the rest of the evening. It's only now starting to lose the feeling of surreality. 

Is there any part of you in your characters?

I think writing parts of yourself into characters is oft times unavoidable. Any reflection of myself in Eloise, or anyone else, was unintentional. But I am as passionate about books as she is, and as stubborn. I admire her strength of character and forthrightness and wish I had a portion of both. 

If you were stranded on a desert island, what five things would you want to have with you?

Sunscreen, since I'm very fair skinned; a well-stocked survival kit; an emergency locator transmitter for when I decided I wanted to be found; my collection of Mary Stewart books; and a rugged, intelligent, resourceful man, of course. 

Is there a certain book that has made a lasting impression on you?

My favorite book is "The Night Country," by Loren Eiseley. It makes a profound impression on me each time I reread it. It's a collection of archeological/anthropological essays, which sounds dry, but it is a brilliant, poetic pondering of the nature of man. 

As for someone I wouldn't mind emulating, I love all of Mary Stewart's books:  her seamless blending of subtle, classy romance and breathless suspense; the rich descriptiveness of places, so much so that the settings are entities unto themselves; the strong secondary characters. I wrote her a letter once--she's in her nineties now--and she replied with a handwritten note. I have it framed. 

What’s next for Emma Elliot?

I have a couple of different projects in the works right now. One is an historical, set in Wyoming territory, near Yellowstone in the 1870s. It revolves around a group of men who have banded together and are attempting to save bison from being hunted into extinction--and around the woman who stumbles into their lives. The other is related to A Thin, Dark Line.