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

View the book trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OTD8VdDCOc

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 5^th.

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.

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