Cathrine Goldstein's Blog, page 5
November 12, 2014
Review: The Christmas Contract
The Christmas Contract
I thoroughly enjoyed, The Christmas Contract by Jan Romes! If you love romance, read this book!
Ms. Romes does an excellent job of building romantic tension throughout her story. I liked each of the female characters and their male counterparts—the triplets were unique, as were their stories—and the occasional male point of view added to the romance, making it, at times, downright swoonworthy.
The Christmas Contract is engrossing, romantic and fun; it has just the right amount of tension, and it delivered even more than I was hoping it would. The Christmas Contract is a great read around the holidays or anytime you are looking for a warm, absorbing romance. I look forward to reading more romance novels from Jan Romes!
November 8, 2014
Why I Love Romance Novels…Even When I Thought I Didn’t
I didn’t grow up with romance novels. I never disliked them, never judged them, I just never read them. I was that kid dressed in black reading Camus at three a.m. Growing up, my favorite authors were Charles Bukowski and Ernest Hemingway, and they still are. But neither of these literary greats has really ever been known for their romantic turn of phrase.
Big surprise – I ended up in a liberal arts college where I majored in English with a concentration in British Lit; and then continued on to get my Master’s Degree in Theatre History. I loved studying the greats: Bertolt Brecht, Edward Albee…Tennessee Williams. I became a playwright and my plays always tended to skew toward the real and ugly side of life.
I was definitely a dark and gritty girl.
Then, one day, I read a contemporary novel that had an underlying love story, and I found myself… smiling. Actually smiling. Forgive me this, but I may have even “Ohhhhed” at the love story. And then I realized I felt happy while I was reading this novel, and that was okay. This contemporary novel showed me there is more to read in this world than I had ever previously imagined.
Call it maturity, marriage, motherhood—whatever label you give it—but I suddenly liked the feeling of happiness, even when I read. What’s more, I found myself wholly and completely engaged in the circumstances and the characters when love was at stake.
With my curiosity peaked, I discovered that “romance novels” can be anything. Romance novels today crossover all sorts of genres: from YA and NA, to mystery, suspense, action, paranormal, fantasy…the list goes on and on. And yes, to my heart’s delight, I have found many of them are downright gritty.
That’s why when I turned to writing novels, there was no question in my mind. I would write romance—my way.
My newest YA/NA novel, THE LETTING, is the perfect example. THE LETTING is set in a run-down summer camp, hidden deep in the woods. The lead character, Veronica “Ronnie” Billings, has unknowingly worked tirelessly for a gruesome and chillingly awful cause. Her love interest, Phoenix, is her enemy.
My challenge was to engage you, the reader, by offering a story that would stand on its own, with or without the element of love. But as I’ve discovered, and as many of you have as well, one of the greatest things in life is, to quote George Sand: “To love and be loved.” So I hope you enjoy THE LETTING, a gritty, dystopian story that will hopefully make you smile a bit, as well.
Big surprise – I ended up in a liberal arts college where I majored in English with a concentration in British Lit; and then continued on to get my Master’s Degree in Theatre History. I loved studying the greats: Bertolt Brecht, Edward Albee…Tennessee Williams. I became a playwright and my plays always tended to skew toward the real and ugly side of life.
I was definitely a dark and gritty girl.
Then, one day, I read a contemporary novel that had an underlying love story, and I found myself… smiling. Actually smiling. Forgive me this, but I may have even “Ohhhhed” at the love story. And then I realized I felt happy while I was reading this novel, and that was okay. This contemporary novel showed me there is more to read in this world than I had ever previously imagined.
Call it maturity, marriage, motherhood—whatever label you give it—but I suddenly liked the feeling of happiness, even when I read. What’s more, I found myself wholly and completely engaged in the circumstances and the characters when love was at stake.
With my curiosity peaked, I discovered that “romance novels” can be anything. Romance novels today crossover all sorts of genres: from YA and NA, to mystery, suspense, action, paranormal, fantasy…the list goes on and on. And yes, to my heart’s delight, I have found many of them are downright gritty.
That’s why when I turned to writing novels, there was no question in my mind. I would write romance—my way.
My newest YA/NA novel, THE LETTING, is the perfect example. THE LETTING is set in a run-down summer camp, hidden deep in the woods. The lead character, Veronica “Ronnie” Billings, has unknowingly worked tirelessly for a gruesome and chillingly awful cause. Her love interest, Phoenix, is her enemy.
My challenge was to engage you, the reader, by offering a story that would stand on its own, with or without the element of love. But as I’ve discovered, and as many of you have as well, one of the greatest things in life is, to quote George Sand: “To love and be loved.” So I hope you enjoy THE LETTING, a gritty, dystopian story that will hopefully make you smile a bit, as well.
October 30, 2014
THE LETTING -- Book Tour!
information
I am thrilled to announce the book tour for THE LETTING!
December 8-19, 2014
Click the link for more information!
October 17, 2014
12.15.14
I am thrilled to announce the worldwide release date for THE LETTING will be
December 15, 2014!!!
12.15.14
December 15, 2014!!!
12.15.14
September 20, 2014
THE YANKEE CLUB -- A MUST READ!!!
The Yankee Club by Michael MurphyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
THE YANKEE CLUB -- A MUST READ!!
The thing I admire most about Michael Murphy’s THE YANKEE CLUB, is how Mr. Murphy masterfully created a bygone era so vivid, I could smell the scent of cigarettes and gun powder wafting from the page. His subtle descriptions will leave even the most previously unfamiliar reader with a strong sense of satisfaction from understanding the people, place, and concerns facing our country at that time.
Mr. Murphy has managed the delicate task of weaving real people into his fiction, and he does so to the delight of the reader. Many times I found myself smiling at a reference to Lillian Hellman or Cole Porter.
His characters are spot-on, brave, and noteworthy. Yet, at the same time, they are flawed and believable. They are rich with jargon of the era, which, even in the most base of exclamations, is crafted elegantly.
Jake Donovan is a character the reader will not soon forget. He is smart and resourceful and yes, even dashing, and it is easy to become swept away by his charm and ease. His loyalty is one of his most winning traits. The female lead, Laura Wilson, is also drawn as a complete and compelling character.
THE YANKEE CLUB is exciting and truly captivating. The sense of surprise and page-turning excitement as Jake Donovan makes his discoveries will delight even the most jaded mystery reader. Somehow, Mr. Murphy has beautifully intertwined noir, mystery, and romance, a feat not easily accomplished, except in his very skilled hands.
I happily offer five-stars to this exciting, page-turning, romantic mystery.
View all my reviews
September 7, 2014
Cover Reveal!
I am thrilled to show you the cover of my new YA/NA novel, THE LETTING!!
Release date to come!
August 30, 2014
Why do I write?
Why do I write? Because I am the mother of two young girls. My characters are the only people who do what I ask them to do without protesting or whining. :)
August 17, 2014
Happy Birthday
I thought there would be no better time to start this, my new blog, than today. My birthday. I love my birthday – to me, a birthday is the start of my own personal new year. And what I do with it is up to me. There is something so very appealing about the idea of a new year and new beginnings.
I think this is one of the reasons I love to create characters like Veronica Billings in, THE LETTING. Veronica, or “Ronnie” as friends call her, is a girl who is flawed but has the chance for a new beginning. Ronnie didn’t know the life she was leading was damaging to others. She did as she was told and assumed it was right. But somewhere deep inside her, Ronnie had a feeling. She questioned being a follower, especially when her gut told her she was a leader. But Ronnie had the luxury of learning the error of her ways, and she, through discovering love, has the ultimate chance for a new beginning.
Since Ronnie’s story is told in my new YA/NA novel, THE LETTING, which will be released soon, it is, in a sense, the birth day of her story. And in the novel when Ronnie has her moment of rebirth, it is also, in a sense, her birthday as well.
So here it is my birthday and I’d like to wish Ronnie, and all of you, a very Happy Birthday. Maybe it’s not your birthday today or even next week, but then, maybe, like Ronnie, you can decide any day can be your chance for a new life, new adventure, new love, or new you. And when the day of your birth comes, I hope you too can enjoy that day not as a marker of another year passing, but rather, a chance to embrace the power of a new beginning.
I think this is one of the reasons I love to create characters like Veronica Billings in, THE LETTING. Veronica, or “Ronnie” as friends call her, is a girl who is flawed but has the chance for a new beginning. Ronnie didn’t know the life she was leading was damaging to others. She did as she was told and assumed it was right. But somewhere deep inside her, Ronnie had a feeling. She questioned being a follower, especially when her gut told her she was a leader. But Ronnie had the luxury of learning the error of her ways, and she, through discovering love, has the ultimate chance for a new beginning.
Since Ronnie’s story is told in my new YA/NA novel, THE LETTING, which will be released soon, it is, in a sense, the birth day of her story. And in the novel when Ronnie has her moment of rebirth, it is also, in a sense, her birthday as well.
So here it is my birthday and I’d like to wish Ronnie, and all of you, a very Happy Birthday. Maybe it’s not your birthday today or even next week, but then, maybe, like Ronnie, you can decide any day can be your chance for a new life, new adventure, new love, or new you. And when the day of your birth comes, I hope you too can enjoy that day not as a marker of another year passing, but rather, a chance to embrace the power of a new beginning.
