Gillian Felix's Blog, page 7

Alanna by Kathleen Bitner Roth

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Alanna (When Hearts Dare # 2) by Kathleen Bitner Roth Published by: Zebra/Kensington Synopsis: Wolf caught the faint scent of cinnabar and roses. The girl turned her head and stared boldly at him, her cool demeanor at odds with the fire in her look. And then her lips parted, as if she needed more air. […]

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Keep Me Safe – Book Promo

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Keep Me Safe (Slow Burn # 1) by Maya Banks Synopsis A sizzling story of a woman who risks her life and her heart to find a wealthy man’s missing sister—the first novel in a sexy new romantic suspense series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks When Caleb Devereaux’s younger sister is […]

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Diamond Cut Abs with Danny Kavadlo

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What are a few things readers can do to increase their core strength? To increase core strength, get away from the machines! Equipment-free workouts make your body, flex, stabilize and support you in the way that mother nature intended. Those big, bulky pieces of equipment are designed to sell memberships to gyms, not to get […]

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Short Horror Stories by Crystal Connor

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Title:  And They All Lived Happily Ever After! by Crystal Connor Published:  August 28th, 2012 Word Count:  approx. 65,000 Genre:  Horror, Sci-Fi, Dark Fantasy Recommended Age:  13+ Synopsis: Once upon a time, in a dark & scary place, in a frightening land way too close to home… Crystal Connor’s …And They All Lived Happily Ever After! is […]

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The Reviews – Bastard’s Brew (Book 3)

Adriana shows us a side we haven’t seen before; loving and vulnerable. A good look for her. I love the sneakiness of Kevin in putting her in  Catholic school. But I especially love her with Haze particularly at the end. We see a different more beautiful side to her and I for one would like  to see it more. Although the scheming is fun too.

A fun light fast paced book that shows these two in a different light and have you begin to like no love those two crazy characters. – Mel

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 This is a third book in the series but the story is still fresh and keeps you entertained. The endless drama is still here and I can’t seem to get  enough of it. The plot gets even more complicated and every characters receives even more depth and complexity.

The writing style is still very good and I think it is mostly that that draws attention to the book and makes it stand out in this genre.

I recommend it to anyone who loves a good drama! – Jola

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First of all, yay! More more and more! The author has really delivered a phenomenal and addictive book where I wanted to see how it will be resolved, but alas, at the exciting part, its cut off…just like previous books in the series, this is mindless and fun and short. (Most of my reading includes serious stories, thus my mind needs to relax.)

Just as promised, this is a much longer book and we also get to know Kevin Banovic who got into a dire situation. I’m really curious how everything will play out in the future books.

This is really a book to have fun with instead of something that will require one to think.

I will mention that you’ll need to read previous books in order to know what’s going on. – Sveta

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This is the third book in the Family Portrait series. I’d read the first two books, Changes and The Banovic Siblings, and couldn’t wait for the third one to see what happened with everyone. These books are like a soap opera and you never know what is going to happen next!

As the series progresses, the reader gets to know the characters better and better. I felt like book #1 was an introduction to the characters, book #2 had several revelations about the characters and their relationships, and book #3 is a continuation of the characters’ stories.

I really enjoy these books and Gillian Felix’s style of writing.

I’m looking forward to reading her next book. – Bound4Books

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From Changes, the first book in the Family Portrait series, I have been hooked by Gillian Felix’s smooth writing style and adept ability to weave a myriad of characters together in a captivating story full of love, drama, and even humor.

Kevin and Haze are my favorite characters…interestingly, for opposite reasons.  Kevin is the bad boy I’ll kick your ass if you hurt the one I love type while Haze is gentle and dependable.

Gillian has a way of creating a depth to each character, from the mischievous but lovable Adriana, to the conniving, broken Savi, that shows that there is a beautiful vulnerability hidden underneath some flaws.

I won’t give away any spoilers but I will tell you that the tangled web that was already intricately woven has just gotten darker and much more complex.  There are love, lies, secrets, and desires that rival any soap opera out there.  My heart broke for Haze in a scene that left me in tears, Savi is still up to no good, and the Banovic siblings are playing with fire…

If you haven’t began this series yet, I highly recommend you give it a try; you just might get addicted. – Karen-Anne Stewart, Author

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Once again, I have to take my hat off to Gillian Felix for a book well written!  I stayed on the edge of my seat waiting for the next twists, turns and surprises.  She is undoubtedly a master at reeling readers in.

Put this book on your to-be-read lists because it is a must read for me!  

Can’t wait for book 4. - K Mcoy

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This isn’t the type of book I usually read, but it looked interesting so I decided to accept Gillian’s invitation and read it. I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. It reminded me at first of a soap opera, until I was able to get a feel for the characters. (Not that I’m a huge soap opera viewer, but I have seen them in the past…)

This book was very different once I got past that point. The characters were much more realistic, less caricature-like, and very driven by their own background and desires.

It was refreshing and made me very aware of the fact that there are many good books out there that I haven’t even considered reading yet.

Like I said, I don’t read things like this often, but after reading this one, I went out and got the others in the series, too. – Matt, Author

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We all need some drama in our lives, right? What safer way than reading about someone else’s drama, one bite at a time, as their lives start to implode on them? Thanks to Gillian Felix’ ability to cram a gallon of action into a 4 ounce cup, Bastard’s Brew is a delightful way to escape into someone else’s life and learn to appreciate living a “normal one,” yourself!

Ms. Felix knows how to create high tension with seemingly just the flick of her magic pen as it flows with a flair for the dramatic. Each character is desperately flawed, but attempt to function behind their own masks.

Secrets, lies, more lies and more secrets. Better than Daytime soaps, I can visualize my own scenes, thanks to Ms. Felix!

For a quick escape, with high velocity tension, you MUST read the series Family Portrait!

I received a review copy from Ms. Felix as part of her upcoming tour stopping at Tome Tender and all I can say is THANK YOU, Gillian!”-  Dii Bylo

Read more reviews on Goodreads

The Reviews – Banovic Siblings (Book 2)

 I loved this one! This was my favourite. This is when the Banovic and the DeCosta children start to come into their own. They are not innocent  like other NA book characters. These children are involved in a lot of dodgy connections. I can’t even start to pinpoint what I liked the most!

Kevin and his sordid relationship with the malicious DeCosta mother Savi. Or Adrianna’s relationship with the oh so beautiful model Haze who  is 21 and doesn’t know that Adrianna is 15! A secret she is willing to do anything to prevent him from finding out! Or even the ever so sweet  LeighAnn’s one sided love of Adrianna’s brother Zax. Argh there was just so much to LOVE!

All I know is that I devoured this novel in an hour. When Kevin realised that he had feelings for Savi’s step-daughter L’Wren I thought I was  going to burst. Especially as L’Wren had a horrible girl-friend beating boyfriend. Let’s just say the ending was amazing and left me reaching for  book 3. – Rachel Paelin

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I don’t usually read that genre but I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the variety of characters, their stories and uniqueness. And the endless drama!

I’m sad that the book ends on a cliffhanger but it’ll make picking up the book 3 much more exciting! – Jolanta Daab

 

I had a few laugh out loud moments and one huge CLIFFHANGER! Gezz I’m on the edge to find out what happens next! We need more! This could definitely be on the big screen…

Favourite character: has to be Kevin with out a doubt, caught by the devil and the deep blue sea, I hope he teaches Jeff a lesson or two.

Adrianna: she’s just a minx! sweet and innocent on the outside but just don’t cross her! really a chameleon in disguise.

Zax: is just a Sweetheart – Oblivious to what’s going on around him with Leighanna.

I absolutely loved this story written at a very high standard very talented one not to be overlooked. Highly recommend 5 mind blowing stars

My playlist for this book would be The Killers – Direct Hits 2013. – Nikki

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A fast fun read that will give you a soap opera feel and leave you wondering what will happen next. – Mel

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Why, oh, why did this book have to end? Seriously, I was reading, reading, reading, and the inevitable “The End” comes. I literally was like “OMG, Gillian, you are torturing me!” 2013 has been jammed to the brim with books for me and I have to say that the Family Portrait series is by far, one of the best series I have ever read in my life!

You guys need, and I stress it, neeeed to get your hands on a copy of both Changes and The Banovic Siblings and start reading. They are shorter books, (I read mine in a couple hours…and I am a slow reader) so you cannot go wrong! You will LOVE them and will be left crying out for more, like me! – Jovon Tucker

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This is a good book definitely geared more towards young adults. When reading this book it reminded me a lot of the show Gossip Girl that ran on the CW network. There is a lot of drama but ends before it all gets completed. This also reminds me that you never knew how long one drama cycle would last from one episode to another.

Over all the writing it good, there is a real plot here that you don’t find in many books but I don’t like it when you have a book that has as many characters as this has and no one has a resolution by the end of the book. I did not read the first book and was given this one by the author for an honest review.

So honestly I think the book is good but it should have something that keeps readers coming back for more but also gives you a sense that when reading this book you got some conclusion to something.

Overall I would recommend this book but it should be for young adults and with a bit of caution due to the drug use in this book. – Jenny Brightman Harris.

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I really enjoyed the first volume of this series by Ms Felix, and was happy to read the second. I really wanted to find out what happened with these characters, and learn more about them.

Each character is so different from the others, and they each have their own little story throughout the book. I was happy to start figuring out how each character and story was connected to the other. A few other characters were introduced in this volume, with small roles, but I was still intrigued by what they added to the story.

In a way, it reminds me of the show 90210 with all the different characters and love triangles that seem to be forming.

I was hooked on that show, and I can only imagine how this series will play out! If you’re looking for a fun, quick read, then I suggest checking out this series! – Tina VanDynHoven

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I was excited to read The Banovic Siblings after reading Changes. The way the Gillian Felix slowly builds her characters and intertwines all of their lives intrigues me.

I love the storyline and would love to see it become a television series.

My favorite characters are Leighann and Haze. Adriana is a very perplexing character, such a trouble maker, but she also has a soft, vulnerable side. Kevin…I’m waiting to see how he plays out in this series with his bad boy dark side fighting with his good heart.

Great job, Gillian, weaving together an intriguing story with such a vast variety of characters! – Karen-Anne Stewart, Author

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Author Gillian Felix has created primetime-worthy reading here, so set up your mental wide screen and sit back and take a deep breath, because once you start page one, you will be going at warp speed as these teens navigate the webs they have woven.

Great characters, flawed, too mature for their own good and most definitely entertaining, you will love them one page and while on the next, you’ll be ready shake some sense into them.

All the while, you have to marvel at how they have managed to survive in the dog-eat-dog world they live in! – Di Bylo, Amazon Top Reviewer

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It’s really hard to write this review. I want so badly to discuss some of the storylines, but I don’t want to give anything away. Suffice it to say, some of the stories are about to get really interesting. Some secrets are bound to come out soon. I can’t wait to see what happens.

If you grew up watching 90210 and Melrose Place and/or currently enjoy shows like those on the CW (I’m guessing on that reference since I don’t get that channel, but the commercials for the shows seem similar), you should definitely give these books a try.

They are very entertaining. The third book is due out April 13th. I imagine it will be torture having to wait for the rest of the series. – Julie K

Read more reviews on Goodreads

 

 

The Reviews – Changes (Book 1)

This is a read like no other. Welcome to the world of Soap Opera’s both literally and figuratively. – Crystal Martin

I am anticipating what happens next and can’t wait to read the next volume. I recommend this book to others. –Teresa Beasley, A&RBC Reviews

From beginning to end, Changes keeps the reader interested and guess what the characters will do next! – Jovon Tucker, Book2Buzz

Life in the world of The Banovic Siblings by Gillian Felix is one huge, entwined, entangled and totally engrossing tale! Wealthy, beautiful, talented and living lives filled with more chaos and conniving than the best soap operas have to offer, each of the siblings live dual lives, the ones their parents see and the ones that skate the edges of the proverbial cliff.  – D. Bylo 

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I read Changes by Gillian Felix, and let me tell you, it was something else.  I had trouble getting into it at first, and I didn’t really connect to Adriana to begin with.  I couldn’t help but giggle when she was telling her agent that she could be Carly Corinthos’ daughter or Sonny’s love child since I watch General Hospital with my mom.  I thought it was interesting the way that the story cycled through different characters perspectives.  Sometimes, it was a little hard to get through because there seemed to be a lot of backstory in places, but otherwise it was fine.  There were definitely some twists that I didn’t see coming and that made it more interesting.  Check it out! – DeerReading Girl

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A couple of weeks ago Gillian Felix approached me with the question if I wanted to participate in her Blog Tour about her new book series Family Portrait. When I read about the books in this series I was immediately interested.  But still, before I started Changes I didn’t really know what I could expect. It sounded like an interesting read so I started reading it while lying on the beach in Mexico, with a cocktail in one hand and Changes in the other. And I must say, I was really surprised by this book.

In Changes we meet the Banovic and DaCosta family. We meet their children and learn about their children’s children. These two families aren’t your average american family. No, this family is full with ‘hot’ people (in all meanings of the word). There is a huge soap opera star, a famous Hollywood singer and a bunch of handsome guys including a model.

I finished this book in only two hours. It’s a short book and I almost feel like it’s more a description of all the different characters than a ‘real’ book. Don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t like the story. I definitely liked this story. I liked how the different characters connected. Some characters just met briefly and some met regularly. But it was really short and I was really sad when the book ended. I wanted to read so much more about these characters. Thankfully there are more books in this series and Changes is only the beginning.

The character I liked the most in this book was Leighann. I loved how she didn’t like her life as a Hollywood star and stood up to her mom to tell her what she really wanted. Leighann was just really innocent and wanted to live a normal life.

I also really liked Adriana. She a lot of bad attitude and I really enjoyed reading about her. Especially the part when acted on being bullied by this terrible girl in her school.

This book is the first one in the Family Portrait series and I really liked it. I liked the story and all the different characters and I really want to read the next book in this series. I can’t wait to learn more about these families. If you like stories about families and Hollywood than this definitely the right book for you. – Maureen’s Books

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Firstly I would like to thank Gillian Felix for giving me the opportunity to not only read Bastard’s Brew (through the Blog Tour) but also the chance to read Books 1 and 2 of the series too! This series is like the Sopranos meets Nashville.

It was gritty and realistic whilst entertaining and dark.

As part of the Bastard’s Brew Blog Tour I was asked to review 3rd book of the series. As a new reader to this series I was also offered the chance to read books 1 and 2, which I’m glad I did. There was so much detail and family politics/back-story within books one and two that I feel was necessary to understand before book three. It really is like a soap opera while you can enjoy one episode without having to know to much, its always better when you know where a character has come from!

Out of the three books this was my least favourite. If I’m honest if I wasn’t going to review book 3 I probably wouldn’t have read book 2 after reading this one. It was beautifully written but it had sooo much detail to absorb. Each person was thoroughly explained giving you all the family backgrounds, and there are many characters for you to get to know which, for a story that is only 82 pages long, seems quite heavy to me. My original thought was there were too many characters, but as the series goes on you start to see how they all intertwine. Each character is important, and Gillian Felix does do an amazing job and interweaving a very complex web! If you have been put off by this PLEASE just try reading book two because I promise you its worth it!

This series concentrates on two main families, the Banovic family and the DaCosta family. Both are very famous and wealthy families in their own way but whilst they seem to have the perfect lives to everyone outside, there are many secrets that these families hide, especially from each other!

Out of the two girls I found Adrianna to be the most interesting character. I loved how indifferent she was to her school peers. She is smart, witty and sarcastic in a nasty way. With her very lovely brothers involved the Banovic family were by far the focus of this book. I didn’t really find her parents very interesting but I don’t think you were supposed to. You start to see the significant’s of them in later books. All you have to remember is its ALL about family connections. – Rachel Paelin

Read more reviews on Goodreads

Creating the Gamer with Shannyn Schroeder

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When I decided that the heroine of Her Perfect Game would be a gamer/hacker, I must’ve been crazy. I knew nothing about either. Well, I do have a teenaged son, so I know a little something about video games—like there’s lots of killing, and I can’t play because they make me dizzy, and they also […]

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Q&A with Heidi Siefkas

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I’d like to welcome back Heidi Siefkas, author of her inspirational memoir When All Balls Drop: The Upside of Losing Everything.  If you had a choice to live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? I typically say wherever my last adventure was. Recently, I traveled to New Zealand. I fell in love […]

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Family Portrait Gets a Facelift

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One of the hardest things I’m figuring out about being a hybrid author, is not having people to do all the stuff that you don’t particularly want to do or like to do. I’m not complaining because the benefits out weight the alternative. What is a hybrid author you might ask? A hybrid author is […]

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