Review: Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose

Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose: Book CoverSilver Sparks by Starr Ambrose

  • Pub. Date: November 2011
  • Publisher: Pocket Books
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback , 400pp
Synopsis:
The Larkin sisters are used to hearing whispers behind their backs. Being raised by hippie parents in the small resort town of Barringer’s Pass, Colorado, they were always considered oddballs, and for a while, they did everything they could to earn the name. But now, older and wiser, they’re discovering that it’s not so great to be the wild child, and are struggling to earn a new place for themselves in town.

When Maggie Larkin resists the come-ons of a sleazy actor in town to shoot a film, she pisses off more than a pretty boy and his manager. Turns out that Rafe DeLuca isn’t just a movie star…he’s possibly a killer, and Maggie’s landed herself in more trouble than she could imagine. Enter Cal Drummond, cop extraordinaire, who’s been trailing DeLuca himself for weeks, convinced that his recently murdered sister is one of Rafe’s victims. He’s determined not to let another woman be victimized by the dangerous Rafe, and if that means sticking like glue to Maggie, so be it.

Maggie and Cal seem like perfect opposites, but as we all know…opposites attract!

My Thoughts:

Maggie Larkin grew up in a town where her family has been know as the town screw-ups, herself included in her younger days but she has done everything possible to turn that around and be model citizens.  That is until today when at the local Alpine Sky Resort she hauled off and punches Rafe DeLuca, a reality TV star from the Trust Fund Brats, after he refused to take no for an answer after he buys her a drink in the bar, knowing about her reputation. An out of town cop, Cal Drummond, witnesses the exchange along with seeing Rafe’s bodyguard draw a gun as Maggie is still yelling.  Cal is able to get her out of the situation but she is less than thankful. 

Cal  has taken a leave of absence from his department to investigate Rafe who he believes is a serial killer who murdered and tortured his half-sister Julie. Cal tries to explain to Maggie that Rafe is going to have the media on his side and will stop at nothing to be sure that she is ruined if she takes her claim any further.  Maggie continues to push the issue as more trouble unfold for the both of them with Rafe controlling every move.  Cal makes it his mission to be at Maggie’s side until they see this through.

Starr Ambrose does a wonderful job with the three most important parts of a story for me and those are location development, character development and plot development.   When putting all of these areas together she provides a story that reminds me of what I loved about Nora Robert’s books when I started reading them, I felt like I was sat right down in the location and I was experiencing the story like I was right there as it was happening.  There are very few authors that have been able to recreate that feeling for me, kudos to Ms. Ambrose for giving me this pleasure every time I sit down to read a book she has written!  

Silver Sparks is a fast paced book with romance sprinkled in naturally.  I also enjoyed that there was an opportunity here to explore something new to me – caving.  That is just one of this things that I love in a book and that when I learn something out of a pleasure read.  A great story that has left me wanting to know more about the Larkin Family and just what might happen next.

My Rating:

A quick witted and interesting story that left me wanting more!

A romance story that provided mystery and challenges that I was never expecting.

A book that fondly reminds me of the writing style that brought me to love Nora Roberts but with some extra twists and mystery that drew me into deeper understanding for the characters.

Booking Through Thursday

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If you could get a sequel for any book, what would it be?

Well, this is a pretty tough question for me because most of the books that I read are already in series.

I don’t know if it would actually be a sequel but I would love to have more of the Lord of the Rings world.  There are so many options here.  While yes there had to be an end to this story line what happens down the road with all of the fabulous characters.  Surely their lives don’t just end.  It would be awesome to find out what happens with each sub group when they go back to their own countries and lives.

On the YA end of things, I would love to have more with the characters from Anna and the French Kiss while yes I know there is a sequel to this book Lola and the Boy Next Door, it is just not the same.  I want more of Anna and Etienne.  I would like to know what happens with them not their friends.

Well that is it for me.  I am going to have a major review writing catch up day today so please look for lots of reviews in the near future.  Do you have a book you would love to have more of ?  Let me know in the comments.

Author Guest Post: S.J. Davis

Today we are welcoming S.J. Davis author of Invisible Sun.  Thank you for stopping by and chatting about Steampunk!

Why Steampunk?

Steampunk is a subgenre of Science Fiction, and a thriving subculture. When I think of Steampunk, I think of stories and fashion based on Victorian (Age of Steam) sensibilities with a dystopian/punk rock aesthetic. A bit of Jane Austin fights the power. Of course the fun element is merging this art with modern technology retrofitted to appear Victorian – that is where an amazing amount of crafting and etsy shops blossom.

I am no stranger to subcultures – especially in the music scene. While I’ve never gone full force, I’ve dipped my toes in one or another most of my life and found most of them have elements in common. They all have distinctive fashion and style. Many have a music genre to call their own also. But they all fill an emotional need – and that is what draws in the hardcore members. The easy example to go with is Goth. Kids are programmed have a certain degree of normal teen angst and often going Goth allows them to acknowledge and deal with that angst on the surface. Of course, many people like to wear black and listen to dark music, but the true Goth embraces the emotional support of others just like them. An outsider embracing the outside and finding a place to belong – it’s a basic human need.

SteamPunk, just like Goth, fills an emotional need to belong. What I love about SteamPunk is that it acknowledges a sense that we do not belong. SteamPunk creates a time that did not exist, whose elements do not belong together. The melding of an artificial past with a future not likely to exist has created a place where anyone can co-exist and build a world. It is not a depressing place like Goth can be, but rather a place of pure fantasy.

People have been adopting the SteamPunk aesthetic lately just because it is stylistically appealing. I certainly love Victorian fashion, aviator goggles, parasols and corsets. Some people love the gears, brass and futurist tech. Steampunk will likely take its place beside Goth, as something everyone knows about. Goggles and geared jewelry will find there way into Hot Topic, but not everyone will be into it. This is of course just fine with me.

If you’d like to immerse yourself in some more SteamPunk info check out these links I’ve gathered.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steampunk/19157172299

http://steampunkchat.com

Invisible Sun

By SJ Davis

 

Genre: steampunk and vampires

 

In Victorian London, at the beginning of the Industrial Age and the height of man’s obsession with alchemy, scientists gave birth to the foundation of modern genetic science. As steampunk airships cut across the foggy city ofGravesend, vampires are brought to life.

But instead of scavengers prowling the fringe of society, these creatures have evolved to be the respected organizers of the Society, a universal religion, and the Guardians of Science.

One stray drop has spilled from the vein. Draegan, heralded from birth as the genetically perfect vampire, has turned rogue, attacking the women ofLondon’sEast End. Only his brother, with the help of Lady Astrid West, can hunt him down before he is able to unleash his full insanity upon the helpless city. And only another birth, the birth of yet another perfect vampire, can stop his madness.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/_LhyHSQuNdU

About the Author:

SJ Davis is the daughter of an ex-patriate British mother and a Southern Baptist ex-CIA father. As a child, she spoke in silly accents and recounted outlandish tales of fantasy over afternoon tea and to this day it remains her favorite activity. Born in Long Island, NY, she was raised in the suburbs of Washington DC and went to school for a very long time (University of Virginia and George Mason University), married an all-around wonderful man, had two kids (smart, funny, full of opinions), moved from Virginia to New Jersey to Philadelphia to Chicago, and began her writing career. She is a believer in fate, an avid tea drinker, a stiletto aficionado, Doc Marten worshipper, punk rock listener, and lover of flip flops and cardigans. She has a terrible sense of direction, loves gummy bears, and is a Johnny Depp fangirl.

www.steampunksarah.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.jane.davis (fan page)

http://www.facebook.com/sarah.davis.brandon

http://twitter.com/#!/SteampunkSarah

http://www.vamptasypublishing.co.uk/#/sarah-davis-brandon/4552691454 (author page at Vamptasy)

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5542711-sarah-davis-brandon

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