Lily Cahill's Blog, page 5

Celebrate!

We wouldn’t be Lily Cahill if we weren’t looking for an excuse to dress up and celebrate. And what a reason! The first three books in our Independence Falls series came out last week, so we gathered our various misters and put our party hats on. (Literally.) The days since we launched this series have been surreal and amazing. Thanks to you, our heroes, we have even more reason to celebrate.

We spent a fabulous evening at Ophelia’s, a former Denver brothel-turned-restaurant. The food was amazing … and the drinks were even better.

 

 

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Review: “Uprooted” by Naomi Novik

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests, and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

RATING: 4.75 CAPES

Heroes,

I know, I know, I should be concentrating on getting the next Independence Falls book ready for you. But I just finished “Uprooted” by Naomi Novik, and I have to tell you about it. This compelling blend of fantasy, romance, and action-adventure totally took over my imagination, and I enjoyed it more than anything I’ve read in a long time.

Agnieszka is a farm girl living in a small village when she is chosen by The Dragon, a local wizard, as his next servant. It’s a position that will take her away from her family for ten years and completely change her life. She never expected to be chosen–she’s hardly the servant type–and from the beginning she butts heads with The Dragon, who is fussy and rude. He is also the only person powerful enough to hold back The Wood. The Wood is full of terrifying evils, capable of changing people into monsters or consuming them entirely. And it is growing.

The Dragon chose Agnieszka because she had a spark of magic inside her, and he’s obliged to train her to use it. But Agnieszka’s magic is very different from his. I would have read an entire book just about her training process, which is truly a journey of self-discovery, but Novik has more than that in store for her readers. Agnieszka and The Dragon battle The Wood and other wizards, and let me tell you, heroes, these action scenes are so creative and tense I found myself short of breath while I was reading.  The magic in this book is like nothing I’ve ever seen, and I was thrilled by its power and simplicity.

And there’s more than just great fantasy and adventure in this book–there’s real emotional content, especially between Agnieszka and her best friend, Kasia. Though there is a romance in this book, Agnieszka and Kasia’s relationship stands out because of their meaningful understanding of each other. Agnieszka discovers herself over the course of the book, and I love her uncompromising moral sense and refusal to be anything other than herself.

My only complaint about this book is that it’s too short.  It’s not short, not by any means, but I could have spent so much more time in this world, with these characters.  I very much enjoyed Novik’s Temeraire series, and there are nine books in that series already. “Uprooted” could have easily been a trilogy, which would have given Novik more time to explore this fascinating world. There are several action scenes that, in another book, would be climactic cliffhanger battles. However, I do respect her restraint in keeping it to one volume. Cramming so much into this book keeps the pace rapid and the reader hooked. In case it isn’t obvious, I really loved this book so much. I can’t wait to read it again.

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The Independence Falls Superhero Romance series is here!

They’re here! They’re here!

Today is the day we release the first three books in our Independence Falls superhero romance series. We are so excited to bring our readers the steamy stories of Independence Falls. We think you’ll fall in love just like we have. You can buy the books now–NOW!–on Amazon.

Independence Falls, Colorado. 1954. It was the start of a perfect summer—until the fog rolled in and changed everything.

Now these heroes will explore their newfound abilities … and each other. Love can make them powerful. But is it enough to keep the town from tearing apart?

SPARKED: Book 1

EXPOSED: Book 2

IGNITED: Book 3

This is just the beginning of the series. Stay tuned for news of our latest releases, or sign up for our mailing list for bonus stories and other goodies. Happy reading!

The post The Independence Falls Superhero Romance series is here! appeared first on lilycahill.com.

Take a peek at book three, “Ignited”

Meet Ruth and Henry, the main characters from “Ignited,” book three in our Independence Falls superhero romance series.

Abandoning the rest of the buttons, Henry grasped the hem of her dress and began to tug upward. It took some maneuvering, both of them too frantic to slow down and work together, but a moment later she was free, before him in nothing but her pale, white slip.

Henry ducked his head and lapped at her nipple over the fabric. A sizzle of heat went straight through Ruth’s middle—her body wanted more, and it wanted it now. She tipped her head back and moaned, feeling satisfied when Henry answered the noise with one of his own. His hands went under her slip, and it joined her dress on the floor.

Ruth was naked. She’d never been naked in front of another human being before. Not since childhood, at least. She expected to feel exposed, awkward, embarrassed—and those feelings were there, in a way, but they were greatly overshadowed by her overwhelming desire to feel Henry’s hands on her.

His hands cupped her breasts, teasing the nipples with his thumbs, and Ruth squirmed. She felt achy with need, and when his hands left her chest and smoothed down her sides, that only made it worse.

She moved forward, finding his mouth again, kissing him with everything that she was feeling. Some deeply feminine part of herself was pleased that she could feel him kissing her back just as urgently. Henry, this beautiful, kind man, wanted her just as much as she wanted him, and it was deeply satisfying.

Leaving their mouths locked, she made quick work with her hands, tugging at his trousers. He smiled against her lips and broke away to stand up and step out of his pants. He hooked his thumbs around the waistband of his boxers, but she put a hand on his stomach, stopping the motion.

“Wait,” she told him. “I want to do it.”

His eyes went wide and then fluttered shut as she grabbed him by the hips and tugged him closer to her. She slowly peeled his boxers off of him, taking in the reveal of his erection.

It was long and lean, just like the rest of him, and Ruth had the strangest urge to put her mouth on it. She glanced up at him, his mouth parted, chest heaving, and knew it could wait—she wanted to feel his skin against her own, sweat-slick and glorious.

Slowly, Ruth laid back down on the couch. It was just long enough that she didn’t have to scrunch. Henry watched her intently, and she liked his eyes on her, liked putting on a show for him.

“Touch me,” she said, her voice hoarse in a way she had never heard before.

Ruth and Henry are on fire! (See what we did there?) Can’t wait for more? Lucky you, “Ignited” releases tomorrow–tomorrow!–along with books one and two.

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Excerpt from “Exposed”–Meet June and Ivan

It’s almost here, you guys! “Exposed,” book two of our superhero romance series, is available Oct. 1. That’s tomorrow! Eek!

To tide you over until then, here’s a little sneak peek into our main characters from “Exposed,” June and Ivan.

“Is it so hard to do something nice for a friend?”

Ivan laughed harshly. “We’re not friends.”

June stomped up onto the arched bridge spanning the river and spun around. Anger etched her features, made her eyes sharp. “Stop, Ivan. Just stop. You are part of this, this whole thing!”

June threw her arms wide then snapped one arm forward and poked Ivan in the chest. He was startled at how much it hurt. “You are part of us, whether you want to be or not.”

“I’m not any part of your little group. I’m just the Commie everyone suspects attacked the town,” he let his Russian accent drip thick from his words. “I’ll just head home to my comrades and drink vodka and plan more attacks.”

June rolled her eyes. “Stop feeling so sorry for yourself. Frank said something dumb back there, but if you really think I believe you’d hurt us ….”

“This was such a mistake,” Ivan hissed, almost to himself. “Don’t pretend you know anything about me.”

He stalked past June, would have kept walking, but her fingers wrapped around his arm and pulled him back.

“So tell me,” June demanded. “I know you’re not as stony as you pretend to be.”

“I pretend nothing.” He glanced down at June’s fingers where they wrapped around his arm. He could feel the heat of her through his thin shirt, and he hated the way that touch sent pulsing tendrils of electricity through him.

Anger made her eyes flash. It made pinpoints of heat color her cheeks and her lips open in ragged breaths. He felt himself harden just at the sight of her and had to turn away.

June’s arm went limp, and she dropped her hand from where it still clung to him. Ivan looked out over the river, his hands tight on the metal railing. The air above the river snapped with cold, even as the first fingers of morning sun reached through the mountain passes.

“I’ve seen your power, Ivan,” June said quietly. “I don’t believe you could create such beauty if it wasn’t already there inside of you.”

She was standing next to him, staring out over the water. The birds grew louder in the silence as they stood side by side and watched the water rush below.

“Why do we do this?” June said, quieter now. “I ran after you to say thank you for standing up for me back there, to try to be nice. But we always end up fighting. I hate that. I’m not a mean person, Ivan. I don’t ….”

“I would never think you’re mean,” Ivan said, talking over her. “I’d say you’re too nice, actually.” His voice rumbled out of his chest and he had to grip the railing to stop himself from catching up her hands between his own.

He slid his gaze down to her and found June looking up at him with a smile.

“So can I say it now? Thank you, Ivan. I was exhausted and in pain, and if you hadn’t stopped them from making me use my power again … just, thank you.”

They fell into silence, only the roar of the river breaking the hush. Ivan tried to make himself walk away—shouted at his body to just leave—but he didn’t. He couldn’t.

OOOH! What happens next? You’ll find out tomorrow, when the first three–three!–books in our series launch. Happy reading!

The post Excerpt from “Exposed”–Meet June and Ivan appeared first on lilycahill.com.

A sneak peek of “Sparked”

Just a few more days until “Sparked” officially releases.

Until then! Here’s a special sneak peek into the world of Independence Falls and our debut characters, Cora and Clayton. We can’t wait for you to read the rest!

     Cora was a fast swimmer, lithe and strong, and even though he was irritated, he was impressed by her smooth, even strokes. It was like she was made to live in the water. He caught up with her as they reached the shore and couldn’t help but notice the way her slip had grown sheer from getting wet. It clung to her body in all the right places, hugging her breasts and dipping between her bare thighs.

     Clayton forced his gaze away, but it was the hardest thing he’d ever done. His instincts were telling him to take her in his arms, let his hands explore the places where the silk adhered to her, feel what it was feeling.

     He was jealous of that slip. Very jealous. He’d never been so jealous of anything in his life.

     Then he realized that she was staring at him too. She was breathing a little heavier, her mouth slightly open and her gaze fixed on him. He tried to tell himself that it was just the exertion of the swim making her look that way—so wanting, so ready. Then he caught her glance shift down and realized with embarrassment that his desire was all too obvious, straining against his swim trunks. No wonder she was staring.

     He turned away from her, tried to think of some-thing else—anything else—but that trail of water dribbling down her stomach as it dripped from her hair.

     Damn.

     He wanted to taste it. He wanted to lick it off her skin.

“Sparked” releases Oct. 1, along with “Exposed” and “Ignited.”

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REVIEW: “A Little Something Different” by Sandy Hall

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common–they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together.

Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.

But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. You’ll be rooting for Gabe and Lea too! 

Rating: 4.25 Capes

Heroes,

This book is so disgustingly cute. After finishing Sandy Hall’s “A Little Something Different,” I felt pretty much the same way I do after eating too much angel food cake–kinda sickly, kinda delighted.

Normally, I like my romance novels pretty steamy, and this novel has literally NO SEXY ACTION. I can imagine the main characters having sex, but it’s like the geekiest, most awkward, adorable sex possible. Which is pretty much sums up their relationship.

Gabe and Lea have serious crushes on each other basically from the outset, and the only real barrier to their relationship is their own shyness. It takes them an incredibly long time to even talk to each other. At one point, one of their friends says, “Can we just smush their faces together and make them kiss?” This sentiment completely aligned with how I felt about the book. However, when the payoff finally comes, it is well-earned and satisfying. Despite how sickly-sweet this book is, I found myself really enjoying watching Gabe and Lea find each other.

The thing that makes this book a standout is the multiple perspectives. It’s told by fourteen different characters, none of which are Gabe and Lea. There’s Gabe’s brother and Lea’s best friend, but also some creative/convenient perspectives: a squirrel, a bus driver, even a park bench. I appreciated that Hall developed some of these characters to hate Gabe and Lea. My frustration with their inaction was articulated by a classmate and a barista, both of whom found Gabe and Lea insufferable. It’s very ambitious to tell a love story without ever being inside the head of the main characters, and I was surprisingly satisfied with the attempt.

“A Little Something Different” is perfect when you are in the mood for a book that’s light, sweet, and heart-warming. This is Sandy Hall’s first book, and I look forward to seeing what she will do next.

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Look! The cover for IGNITED is here!

Okay, total truth? The cover for IGNITED, book 3 in the Independence Falls Superhero Romance series might be my favorite cover yet.

That’s a little conceited to say, because, well, I made it. But I’m allowed to have favorites, aren’t I? All the covers have been so much fun to design, and I love every single one. But sometimes it all just comes together to make my little designer heart go ka-boom!

Just look at it.

 

Don’t you want to just die?

I mean, her dress is made of FIRE, you guys. FIRE.

Okay, maybe she’s not the first lady-boss to wear a dress made of fire. (And oh, how we love that one too.) But this dress? Let’s just say Ruth Baker has a knack for making her own clothes … and they always cause Dr. Henry Porter’s temperature to rise.

It’s killing me not to let you read IGNITED immediately. October 1st can’t come soon enough.

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Cover Reveal for EXPOSED!

It’s here! It’s here! It’s here!

The wheels are turning fast in Lily-land as we get ready for our major series debut. On October 1st, we’ll be officially releasing the first three books in the Independence Falls Superhero Romance series. And let me tell you, they are AMAZING. We really can’t wait to share them with everyone. Less than three weeks left!

In the meantime, I get the absolute pleasure of exposing (haha!) the cover of book 2, EXPOSED.

I won’t tease you anymore …

Okay, maybe just a little …

Please meet June Powell and Ivan Sokolov:

 

This couple is so unique and exciting and swoon-worthy, it’s hard not to pick up EXPOSED and read it right now.

I just realized that was a little mean, because you can’t read the book yet. But trust me, you guys. It’s worth the wait.

Mark your calendars for October 1st!

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Review: “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan

After getting expelled from yet another school for yet another clash with mythological monsters only he can see, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he finally learns the truth about his unique abilities: He is a demigod, half human, half immortal. Even more stunning: His father is the Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the sea, making Percy one of the most powerful demigods alive. There’s little time to process this news. All too soon, a cryptic prophecy from the Oracle sends Percy on his first quest, a mission to the Underworld to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus.

Rating: 4.33 out of 5 Capes

Heroes,

Obvs I’m behind the times on this one. Rick Riordan’s middle grade bestseller “The Lightning Thief” came out in 2006 and was made into a movie in 2010, but for whatever reason it was never on my radar. Then recently, Liz said something about how much she loves this book, so when I came across it I picked it up. And guess what? I loved it too. It reminded me of the books I gobbled up as a kid, like the Ender Quintet and Narnia Series. Percy is a relatable and appealing hero, and the concept of Greek gods in modern life lends itself to virtually endless possibilities.

Percy and his fellow demigods live in a very real world that just happens to be populated by the creatures of Greek myth, so both the adventure and the angst seem genuine. I did find Percy to be a bit self-pitying for my taste, but it doesn’t interfere with the character. I also enjoyed the nascent relationship between Percy and one of his fellow demigods. They are very much in the hate portion of a love-hate relationship, I just know there’s going to be some (middle grade-appropriate) romance there down the line. I love watching people experience normal problems through the lens of superhuman abilities, so I’ll definitely check out the rest of this series.

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