Casi McLean's Blog, page 56
October 15, 2015
Jana Richards
October 14, 2015
October Fun
I love this season: crisp fall air, corn mazes, roaring firepits, a beautifully painted canvas of autumn leaves, football and Halloween. If you love fall fun, don’t miss:
The Snarkology Halloween Hop
Relax in your easy chair, and visit a fall cyber fair brimming with mythology, the supernatural, holiday traditions, autumn and holiday recipes, and short stories. Win free prizes as you hop around and pick up clues in the treasure hunt. Swags, gift cards, ebooks, signed paperbacks and some secret surprises too. So sit back, relax, and get ready to follow the hop. Just click on the picture below for more information.
The Snarkology Halloween Hop!
Fun, Prizes & A Treasure Hunt!
70 authors participating, including yours truly, Casi McLean
Trick or Treat with us from Oct. 26-31st.
Mark your calendar!
October 1, 2015
FREE Print Copy Beneath The Lake
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Beneath The Lake
by Casi McLean
Giveaway ends October 05, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
September 25, 2015
Win A FREE Copy Of Beneath The Lake
Beneath The Lake
by Casi McLean
Giveaway ends October 05, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
September 18, 2015
When Breaking Bad Is Good
When Breaking Bad Is Good
No one intentionally searches for bad or hurtful situations, but for some, relationships can slip into a constant spin cycle of rinse and repeat. When people actually attract bad-boys, evil-divas, or self-absorbed jerks, it’s time to take a look in the mirror. The common denominator in all your relationships is you.
I love fairytales. The happily-ever-afters inspired my writing. Romance warms the heart, provides an escape, satisfies, and encourages hope. But expecting Prince Charming or Cinderella to gallop into your life may skew your perspective.
I searched for the fairytale, a happily-ever-after with the man of my dreams who would sweep me off my feet and carry me into the sunset… Well, not exactly, but you get the picture.
Of course, no one could survive on that pedestal. But the ideal made me vulnerable and led me straight into the arms of men who told me what I needed to hear … any guesses how that worked out for me? Like an innocent mouse in a maze, that’s how I rolled. Now, I may not be a genius, but I finally decided I had to be smarter than a rodent!
The one thing all my relationships had in common was me–the bully in my mirror longed for validation–a pattern that needed serious adjustment. Hollow words couldn’t heal my insecurity. When I changed my self-image, my relationships changed too.
No one is destined to repeat the same mistakes, but life evolves from the choices we make based on our past. Everyone has a unique story filled with memories. But sometimes breaking bad can be good. The key is to focus on the positive–the love and joy––and tuck the rest in a silent, secluded corner of your mind.
Do you have patterns that you rinse and repeat?
Casi
It’s not our past, our possessions, or our status that truly matters in life, but rather who we are and how we touch the lives of others.
Casi McLean
September 16, 2015
Beneath The Lake ~ Awesome Review #TWRP
Thank you Katie O’Sullivan for your awesome review of Beneath The Lake.
Beneath the Lake, by Casi McLean
Published August 5, 2015 by The Wild Rose Press About the Book:
Reeling from her boyfriend’s indiscretions at a party, Lacey Montgomery escapes into the throes of a torrential storm. Her car spins out of control and hurtles into the depths of an icy, black lake. She awakens in the arms of a handsome stranger, in a place she’s never heard of—thirty-four years before she was born.
Bobby Reynolds is smitten the moment the storm-ravaged woman opens her eyes. Learning the truth about her origin does nothing to stop the passion taking root in his heart and leaves him torn between finding a way to return Lacey to her time and convincing her stay with him.
Will the couple be able to discover the key to a mysterious portal before time rips them apart? Or will their spirits wander forever through a ghost town buried beneath the lake?
My Take:
First, can I gush a little about the cover? LOVE it! Sweet but menacing at the same time. I’m not sure that’s how I picture the hero, but the artist got the heroine so right! Okay, on to the story…
I love time travel novels, especially when they offer something unique. In Beneath the Lake, author Casi McLean gives readers a new and interesting twist with a novel that shifts back and forth to give us different perspectives on events through time as they happen “simultaneously.”
The book starts firmly in the present, or so the reader thinks. Lacey Madison Montgomery is an Atlanta lawyer with some pretty big chips on her shoulder when it comes to relationships. The final straw comes when she finds her boyfriend in flagrante delicto with another woman at a benefit ball. She storms off into the night and crashes her car, sliding into the lake and losing consciousness.
She awakens in 1949, in the arms of a handsome stranger who helps her get her bearings and stirs feelings she’d given up on long ago. He also seems to live in a place that no longer exists, having been flooded to create a man-made lake in Lacey’s present, adding to the miscommunications between them. As I mentioned, she has some issues to work through, but 1949 seems to be the perfect time and place for her to slow down and figure out what she wants out of life and love.
Bobby Reynolds is handsome, polite, and his every innocent touch fills Lacie with heat and longing, although the author keeps the storyline PG-13, with sizzling kisses and closed bedroom doors. A WWII veteran, Bobby is the consummate gentleman. It’s obvious to the reader, if not to Lacey, that he soon falls head over heels for this gal from the future.
This is not a fast read, as the chapters zips between present, recent past, and the long ago past that Lacie finds herself stuck in and not wanting to leave. The author also shifts between the first person POV of Lacey’s perspective to third person narrative to give the alternate timelines.
All in all? A different take on a time travel romance that kept me turning pages well into the night. A really interesting story and solid read from a new-to-me author. I recommend this novel and look forward to seeing what Casi McLean writes next!
I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. And I honestly loved it.
Grab your copy on AMAZON
Posted by Katie O’Sullivan at 5:00 AM
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Labels: #Review, #romance, #TWRP, Beneath the Lake, Casi McLean, Monday Book Review,time travel fantasy
19 comments:
Casi McLeanSeptember 14, 2015 at 12:06 PM
Wow, Katie. I’m so excited you loved my book and thank you for such a great review. I had so much fun researching the eerie lake lore about Atlanta’s man-made Lake Lanier and the book flowed like water. Beneath The Lake is the first book of the series. Book 2, Beyond The Mist, is in the works with some of the same characters, but a whole new adventure.
BTW, I love your site. Such a relaxing and inviting background too. 
Katie O’SullivanSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:41 PM
You’re so welcome, Casi! Completely enjoyed your story!
Reply
Debra DoggettSeptember 14, 2015 at 12:17 PM
This is one I can’t wait to read. Time travel is one of my favorite storylines.
Katie O’SullivanSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:42 PM
Me too! Thanks for stopping by!
Reply
Joanne GuidoccioSeptember 14, 2015 at 12:17 PM
Excellent review! I’m putting Beneath the Lake on my TBR list. Joanne
Katie O’SullivanSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:42 PM
If you enjoy time travel romance, it’s a really fun read.
Reply
Allison MorseSeptember 14, 2015 at 1:21 PM
Great review. And a very intriguing premise for a book, it made me want to read it : )
Katie O’SullivanSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:42 PM
Thanks, Allison, and thanks for stopping by!
Reply
A.D.September 14, 2015 at 1:38 PM
Good luck with the book, Casi; it sounds like a fabulous read.
Tena StetlerSeptember 14, 2015 at 1:43 PM
Wonderful review. I’ll need to add to my read list.
Katie O’SullivanSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:44 PM
Thanks, Tena. Is your TBR pile as tall as mine? LOL!
Reply
Starr SmithSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:26 PM
Nice review! Good luck, Casi.
Katie O’SullivanSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:43 PM
Thanks, Starr. Glad you could stop by!
Reply
kaydenclaremontSeptember 14, 2015 at 2:47 PM
Great review. Can’t wait to add this one to my TBR pile.
Barbara BettisSeptember 14, 2015 at 3:24 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
Barbara BettisSeptember 14, 2015 at 3:45 PM
Lovely review< Katie. Best of luck with the title, Casi. I had to delete my previous comment because I can’t spell.
Katie O’SullivanSeptember 14, 2015 at 5:43 PM
LOL, Barbara! So glad you stopped by 
September 15, 2015
Beneath The Lake Top Pick On Night Owl Reviews
What a great review from DebA at Night Owl Reviews! Check it out.
I read an amazing tale of love that surpassing time and space. A romantic wholesome whimsical tale about second chances, time travel, and rediscovering true love. This may be a long story (398 pages) but it’s so worth it in the end. You’re in for a big surprise. By the time I finished the story, I was so overwhelmed by happy tears. I couldn’t wipe the tears away fast enough. Please make sure to keep a box of tissue handy before you finish the book.
Lacey Madison “Maddie” Montgomery is the luckiest woman alive to find her sexy knight in shining armor like Bobby Reynolds. She found what most people wish for, someone to love them for themselves. Then she lost him. Will she ever find him again?
Bobby Reynolds found his brass ring with Lacey. His love for her is timeless. He and his family go to amazing lengths for her to find the way back to him. How far would you go for true love?
Read the book to find out what happens in the story.
Beneath the Lake is the first book in the Beneath the Lake Series by Casi McLean. It deserves 4.5 stars!
Happy reading,
DebA
The Night Owl Reviews Team
September 11, 2015
Please Support My Thunderclap Campaign
“If you love time travel this is an author you’ll want to follow.” Amazon review.
CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT MY THUNDERCLAP CAMPAIGN FOR BENEATH THE LAKE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
September 11, 2001~A Day That Lives In Infamy
Remembering 9/11/2001 ~ The Day The World Fell Silent
8:46 a.m. … a morning I awoke like any other day, turned on my computer, checked my email then, preparing breakfast for my family, I routinely switched on the news to see––a world in shock.
Click here to view the embedded video.
The world fell silent while media blasted the news over television and radio in every language. Glued in shock and sadness, we watched as the World Trade Center collapsed and thousands of innocent men, women and children perish.
September 11, 2001, recorded as the most tragic terrorist attack in American history, still haunts us. But we hold the tragedy and grief in our hearts, the horror needs to be seared in the minds of every living soul … our children and their children must pass along the tragedy and loss America endured, a tragedy brought on by hate, a tragedy that burned from a dark side of humanity,
a tragedy that awakened a sleeping giant.
It has been fourteen years since that fateful morning. But we remember––and we honor all those who lost their lives.
September 4, 2015
Did You Know?
Did you know that Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia’s famous man-made lake, is deeper than the Statue of Liberty is tall. The depth at Buford Dam is 211 feet.
The lake took five years to reach full pool submerging entire towns, homes, bridges, old county roads, and smaller lakes like Lake Warner, which was located at Riverside Drive and old Chattahoochee Park.
Some of the displaced residents met the Army Corp Of Engineers with guns loaded, determined to defend homes that had been passed down for generations.
