"A Candle Loses Nothing By Lighting Another Candle" - Father James Keller


Monday, August 8, 2011

My Review of "Night Walker by Lisa Kessler Plus ABA Author Interview!



He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her...

Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.

She’s haunted by dreams of her own death...

After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to 
San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she's drawn to him in ways she doesn't understand.

They’ve waited in the shadows for centuries...

Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he’s ever loved again.

Available from Entangled Publishing www.entangledpublishing.com

My Review of Night Walker:

Lisa Kessler is a definite wordsmith. I enjoyed the language and descriptions in this story which added a strong, dark tone to the building of the suspense and the romance. The storyline captured the elements of romance right away, melding them perfectly with the dark paranormal elements to make the story crescendo at the end of each chapter while still leaving you wanting more.

The use of flashbacks was handled with skill, the transitions easy to follow making it like reading two books in one. And, I enjoyed both stories! There was a lot of elements within these two stories, but again, it was presented in a way, revealed to the reader bit by bit, so that it was engaging. Religious undertones, betrayal, revenge and suspense along with a love that stands up to more than the tests of time made this dual-plotted story one hell of a read. Not to mention that the old story of love reconciled with a whole new mythology surrounding it, written by a fantastic new writer,  makes Night Walker a must read in my book :)

Let me just say that this was one of those novels that I knew anything I wrote in a review would mot live up to how I feel about the story. So, since I don’t do stars on my blog to rate reviews, let me make an exception and give Night Walker by Lisa Kessler 6 out of 5 stars :)


  
Interview:


Kiki: What is your favorite genre to read in, and what is it about that genre that attracts you to it? If you like a specific mix of genres, please state that particular combination.

Lisa: I enjoy reading Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and the occasional Horror novel.  The common thread is world building.  I like to escape when I read, so vampires, shape-shifters, ghosts, and anything supernatural fit the bill for me.  I also like the life and death suspense you often find in the genres.

Kiki: What is your favorite author to read in that genre, and why? Also, please tell me a little about the best book by that author you have read.

Lisa: My favorite author in Urban Fantasy is Kelley Armstrong.  I enjoy the fast-pacing of her books and her characters feel real to me.  I can relate to them.  It’s tough to choose a favorite.  There are some stand-outs to me in her Women of the Otherworld series.  I think Bitten and Dime Store Magic are my favorites.  I also loved her Darkest Powers trilogy.

Kiki: Do you have a Favorite Book of All Time? Of course, please tell us what about that book makes it your favorite.

Lisa: That’s a tough one!  I have so many favorites…  I think my top favorite would be The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.  I felt like she delved into many facets of being female during a time when religion was evolving from Paganism to Catholicism.  Seeing the intricate change of dynamics -- from women having powerful positions as priestesses to being made to feel as though they were the “original sinner” causing man to be cast out of Eden – changed the way I looked at organized religions.  She also made the magic leap off the page until I felt lost in the mists as I read…  Super great read!!! J

Kiki: What is the best book you read last month, and would you recommend it to a friend?

Lisa: I think it would be Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas, and I did recommend it to my mother and another friend.  I don’t usually read contemporary romance, but this book had characters that leapt of the page and I had to know what would happen to Liberty Jones…  Fabulous read!

Kiki: What are your reading habits like? For example, how many books do you read on average in a week, what format do you prefer to read in, what time of day do you read, and what setting is ideal for you to get lost in that book?

Lisa: I’m jealous of those who get enough reading time to devour a book in a week! LOL  I still work full time, so at night I need to write.  My only reading time is during my lunch hour every day.  I usually get through a book or two a month. I LOVE reading on my Kindle.  I read anytime, anywhere, and it never loses my place…  Since I got it for my birthday last year, I can’t remember the last time I cracked open a book.  It’s so convenient to read during my lunch hour without having to prop the book open.

Kiki: If pressed, could you choose a favorite from the books you have written? Why is it your favorite?

Lisa: Oh that’s like asking me to name off a favorite child! LOL  Yikes! 

Kiki: How do you become inspired to write?

Lisa: Once I have a character, I usually set about to find music to fit the theme of the book.  That playlist really inspires me as I write and helps me keep the mood and tone of the book.  I share an office with my hubby, so I always write with my headphones on and my playlist blaring.

Kiki: What part of the story do you think is your strength to write?

Lisa: Beginnings and endings.  I love starting a new book, getting to know the characters and seeing the plot start to take shape, and the race to the end of the book is thrilling to write too!  I love keeping it fast-paced at the beginning and end with the hope that readers won’t be able to put it down.

Kiki: Please share with ABA readers something I did not think to ask you about.

Lisa: I’m also a singer.  I’ve released two CDs and have performed with stage companies and San Diego Opera.  Music is another passion for me.


Author Bio:
Dark, Passionate, Paranormal… Escape into the worlds of Lisa Kessler


Lisa Kessler is an avid reader and writer of dark fiction. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.


Lisa recently signed a 4 book deal with Entangled Publishing to release her Night Series.  The first book, Night Walker, is scheduled to be released August 5th.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, performing with the San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Lisa lives in southern California with her incredibly fun husband and two amazing kids.



20 comments:

  1. Congrats on the great review!!

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  2. Geez, Lisa...you sing too? You have incredible talents!

    Congratulations on getting 6 out of 5 stars. That rocks!

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  3. Congrats on the awesome review, Lisa!

    Enjoyed the interview. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Great review, Lisa! I liked the flashbacks, too. :)

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  5. I really enjoyed your review, Lisa.

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  6. Thank you Aubrie!!!

    I was super excited to see the review! LOL

    Lisa :)

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  7. Hi Tracy!

    Thank you!!! I loved the review too!! :)

    And I can sing too, but you should see my pathetic excuse for drawing and dancing! YIKES!!! LOL

    I once had a director for a comic opera I was in take me aside and say "You are very choreographically-challenged"! LOL

    Ah well...

    Thanks for commenting!

    Lisa :)

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  8. Hi Sutton -

    Thank you for coming by and commenting!!! :) You rock!

    Lisa :)

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  9. Hi Chris! *waving*

    Thank you for commenting!!!

    And if you haven't checked out Chris' new Bloodlands release run over to amazon! It's got a great cover and the series sounds amazing!

    Lisa :)

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  10. Hi Patsy -

    Thank you!!! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview...

    Thanks for commenting!

    Lisa :)

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  11. i like the cover of the book
    it look great and then so does the
    info on it

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  12. 6 out of 5 stars? This is obviously a must-read!!

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  13. Hi Desi -

    Thanks for the interest in Night Walker! I hope you enjoy the book!

    Thanks for commenting!

    Lisa :)

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  14. Hi Rosalie -

    Oh I'd love for Night Walker to be a must-read! LOL

    Thanks for commenting!!!

    Lisa :)

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  15. Hi Lisa. Fun interview. And of course I've read Night Walker and found it fab.
    Congrats on the review!
    xo
    Linda

    www. lindathomas-sundstrom. com

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  16. Hi Linda! *waving*

    Thank you!!! :) And thanks so much for the blurb too!!! :)

    If you haven't checked out Linda's hot werewolves and sexy vampires, you should definitely give them a try! :)

    Lisa

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  17. Way to go Lisa! I didn't know you sang with the S.D. Opera. That is so cool.

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  18. Congrats Lisa! What an awesome review! Whoo hoo! 6 out of 5 stars, now i really cant wait to read this! :) Congrats!
    shadow_kohler(at)att(dot)net

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  19. Hey honey, just wanted to let you know I've given you an award over on my blog, trying to help fellow bloggers get their blogs known. Keep up with great work!!

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In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, Kiki Howell of An Author's Musings, would like to advise that in addition to purchasing my own books to review, I also receive books, and/or promotional materials, free of charge in return for an honest review, as do any guest reviewers.