Saturday, November 29, 2014

Review of The Twin Flames Series By Author Debbie Christiana. And more!

 
Recently I got the chance to read the first two books in The Twin Flames Series By Debbie Christiana, and I am very happy to say that these will be the next reviews I want to share with you. I liked both of them so much, and read them so quickly, that as soon as I finished I one-clicked another of her books that had been on my to be read list so fast I almost broke my finger. And I am really glad that I did!!

So first up for review is Twin Flames: A Soul Mate Love Story




Synopsis:
She’d never met him before, or had she?

The last thing forty-year-old Natalia Santagario expected was to be sitting on a Manhattan barstool, ogling a man she’s never met, but swears she knows.

He didn’t know her at all, or did he?

The mysterious dark-haired woman at the end of the bar stops twenty-eight-year old Marc Tremonti in his tracks. His head says she’s a stranger, but his heart tells him otherwise.

Together they embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever.

Marc’s aunt Mariella, an expert in reincarnation, persuades them to relive their past to help explain their enigmatic attraction. As they open the doors to their past lives, they discover they have been lovers for hundreds of lives, are connected by an ancient bond, and are considered Twin Flame soul mates.

But their reunion in this life is complicated by an almost ex-wife, a temporary bout of amnesia, and a mischievous and meddling ghost with its own agenda.

Will their strong connection find a way to bring them together? Or is this the lifetime where they must go their separate ways?


My Review:
5 Stars
Past lives, Soul Mates and a very modern love story all come together in this book to create an amazingly wonderful book, that is a must read if you love any of them – or all of them like me! Mrs. Christiana does a wonderful job of immediately drawling into her books seemly real life charters. Not only does she take the time to develop the relationship between Natalia and Marc, which comes with some complications, but also she gradually and naturally intertwines the lives of the others around the two into the story. One of these characters is Marc’s Aunt Mariella who uses her highly tunes powers of persuasion to get the two to look a little deeper into their almost magnetic attraction with a past life progression. What the two see find is not just this lifetime of a deep need to be together but many life times of being together. Ms. Christiana clearly spent time researching different periods of time for the two of them to journey back to. While the past life progression brings answers it is not able to help them over come the existing problem that keeps them from being together. Shortly after another is piled on as one of them loses their memory of the other all together.
This story will not only draw you into it and the lives of Nat and Marc but it will make you second guess that feeling of Déjà Vu or that sometimes feeling that you know a person that you see across the room.


Twin Flames is currently only 99 cents on Amazon and Barnes and Noble


Forever Flames: A Twin Flames Novella




Sysnopsis:
Sometimes the past won’t stay where it belongs.

Marc and Natalia are settling into parenthood, but they can’t shake the feeling of déjà vu when it comes to their new baby.

Sensing they’ve been a family before when something horrible happened, they journey back in time, through hypnotic regression, to eighteenth century Belgium, where they relive a shocking past life that challenges their love more than any other and causes repercussions in the present.

Last time, remembering their past lives brought Marc and Natalia together, this time it may tear them apart.

My Review:
5 Stars
As much as I am not a fan of Novellas, I am so glad that little gem was added to the story of Marc and Natalia.
Giovanna, the slightly pushy spirit that lived on Nat’s Vineyard with her is now gone, or is she? The two cannot help but feel and see that she is now the daughter that they hold in their arms. Even with her joy over the child Nat cannot shake the feeling that the reason her spirit friend pushed so hard for the two to be together was so that she could be born again to the two of them… for another lifetime as their daughter. But the question still remains as to why she would want such a thing. A voice in the back of Nat’s mind tells her that the reason may not be a good one, but there is only one way to find out. The two choose once again to partake in a past life regression to find the truth. What they find is not wonderful in any way and puts a strain on the two new parents that threatens their future together.

Again Mrs. Christiana entwines the story of those around them into her tale of the two twin flame soul mates the book is really about. Nat has formed a surprising bond with Simone, Marks ex-wife. You will end this book wondering why as much as the two women do.

Forever flames can be found on



Shortly after reading both of these books Debbie Christiana took the time to answer a few questions about the Twin Flames Series, what is to come in the series, as well as what is to come after the series is completed. 


 Q)   I loved that you used different quotes at the beginning of each chapter. How did you go about finding such perfect quotes for each part of the story?

A) Thank you. Some said it was a waste of my time to find and put a quote at the beginning of each chapter because no one would notice. But I’ve found the opposite, that I’ve gotten quite a few compliments on it.  I’ve always loved quotes, especially old quotes, so it’s easy for me to spend time Googling quotes about certain subjects. I’ve even found quotes by accident that gave me ideas for a chapter or a scene that I hadn’t thought of.


Q)   I found your attention to detail in the past lives of Nat and Marc amazing; I can only imagine how much time went into research. My personal favorite would have to be the reservation that she runs to, to be with him. Which of them was your favorite to write and research? Why?

A)   I also love history and I wanted the lives to be set around real events in history, but ones that weren’t all that well known. So again, Google was my friend. I can’t pick a favorite. I find prehistoric humans and how they survived, etc., fascinating and we’re still learning about them. Stonehenge has a been a place I’ve always wanted to visit and I got there just a few weeks ago, so it seemed natural to have a story set around that. Religious uprisings and the cruelty that religion can some times bring out in people is another aspect of human nature that intrigues me. The event in Lisbon, was real and it was hard sometimes to write my characters story around that horrible time in history. The Omaha reservation existed in the 1850’s and I learned so much about the Omaha people that I had to write about them.


Q)   While I instantly loved Marc and Nat, Marc’s Aunt Mariella was my favorite character. I just could not help but love her nosey/ make sure things happen nature. Who was your favorite character to write about? Who would you say is most like you for the Twin Flames series?

A) Don’t we all have a relative like Mariella somewhere in our family tree? She was great to write. She’s a force of nature and gets things done with no apologies. Believe it or not, I’m probably most like Marc. He’s more level headed and patient. I wish I could be more like Natalia and Mariella and say and do what I wanted and not worry about it. But you have to have the right personality for that, and it’s not me. So I become them while writing their story.

Q)   I am a big believer in Soul Mates and the idea that you are with them in many lives. Do you think that every one has a soul mate, or just a lucky few? Have you met your soul mate in this lifetime?

A) I definitely believe we all have a soul mate – actually we all have more than one soul mate. I’d like to think my husband is my soul mate. We’ve been married for 30 years and had a lot of up and downs but always got through it with humor. He makes me laugh even in the worst situation. The 30 years have flown by and I think that’s a good indication that I’m with who I’m supposed to be, in this life anyway.


Q)   In the second Twin Flames book Nat becomes surprisingly close to Marc’s ex wife. By the end of the book it is clear that there is more to there relationship then just this life. Will we find out more in the next book? Will Nat have to have another regression to find out why she cares so much what happens to this woman?

A) Yes. The next book is Nat and Simone’s story and we’ll see if Simone has a soul mate in this life as well.  It will take some convincing, Natalia doesn’t want to be regressed again after the tragic live that she relives in the 2nd book, but she may have to give in and go back in time to help Simone.


Q)   In the second book we learn that Giovanna is more than just a pushy spirit that lives with Nat at the vineyard. Toward the end she hints to the idea that everyone played their parts just as planned this time around. How much longer do we have to wait for the next book so that we can find out exactly what she means?

A)   I’m close to the half way mark on the first draft of the third book. I’m still wavering about titles. I hope to have it to my publisher in time for a late 2015 release, but it may be early 2016.


Q)   Will the next book be the end to this series? (Please say no!)

A) I’m glad you enjoyed them! As of right now, yes, the third will be the last book in the series. But Marc and Nat were my first characters published and I had their story in me for a long time before it got to paper. They have a special place in my heart, so if they ever decide to tell me another one of their past lives, I’ll be happy to write it down.


Q)   Can you give us a sneak peek into the next book in the series?

A) Without giving too much a way, Simone is suffering from nightmares. She’s interpreting them one way, which is a huge mistake and it causes heartache. It takes Natalia and Mariella to get her to see what she needs (a regression) and if I can pull it off, I’d like to have them solve a murder mystery from in a past life. We’ll see how it goes.


Q)   What is next for you after the Twin Flames series is complete?


A)   I have a new character, Spookie Millane, who has an unusual, I guess you might say, psychic/supernatural ability – I don’t want to give away any spoilers – and she has quite a few adventures. Spookie has a short story in Things That Go Bump for the Holidays, a paranormal holiday anthology that was released last year from my publisher, Black Opal Books. If you’re interested, you can get a feel for who she is from that.  I have a few dark short stories that I may try and publish.


Q)   You told me that Marc and Nat were the two characters that you have written that you love the most. What about your other books/ characters? Who are your other favorites and why?

A)   I love Spookie – she’s so different than anything I’ve written before. I have a dark short fiction story about a woman serial killer, Charlotte, who is dangerous and dreadful, but I like her. I haven’t figured out exactly why, except she gives the men a run for their money and always wins. She’s an efficient, yet terrifying psychopath. Sofia, my Italian Strega (witch) is a lovely character. We had such fun doing magic together!



As I said before I could not wait to start another of Mrs. Christiana’s books after reading The Twin Flames Series and I am so glad I did! As much as I loved the story of Mac and Nat, I loved Armend and Sofia from Solstice even more!!


Solstice




Synopsis:
Time is running out for Armend Zogu. The 250-year-old family curse on his head will claim his life on his 30th birthday, the winter solstice.

Sofia Palmalosi might be just the Strega who can save him. A descendant of a long line of powerful Italian witches, her family’s magic was a gift from the Goddess Diana.

Together Sofia and Armend embark on a journey from New York, to Sicily and the ancient ruins of Diana’s temple, and back to New York, all the while fighting a battle of magic and wits with a psychopath who wants them both dead and the curse intact.

If the curse doesn't kill Armend, breaking it just might.

My Review:
5 Stars
Only because I can’t give it more…
Wait a minuet, yes I can! This is MY blog after all!!!
Lets it up it to 9 Stars where it belongs!

I have read a few witch/ magic romance novels over the past few years and most have left me disappointed. I wanted more, more of what I’m not sure, but none of them met my expectations.

This one has romance and a whole lot of exciting magic as well, with just a touch or hint at soul mates too. Oh, and I can’t forget the touch of mystery and suspense thrown in as well.
For Armend it is love at first sight when he sees Sophia, but she does not see him and he keeps his distance. Armend does not want to start something that may end too soon.
A curse was set upon his family 250 years ago and when his 30th birthday comes around in December he is convinced it will be his death. Once Sofia does see and fall in love with him she will do anything to make sure that it does not happen!
What they must go through to break the curse is, well, more than the two bargained for on its own. And with less than two months until his 30th birthday they have a lot of work to do.
With their love and the help of both her family and his will they be able to get their hands on two pieces of a centuries old puzzle that will end the curse and save him?
I’m not going to say, you must grab this and find out for yourself!!
This is a must read for so many reasons and I want to go crazy and tell you everything… but I just can’t be the girl who does spoilers. You will just have to trust me when I say that it is a must read!!


Links to get your copy



About the Author

BIO:

Debbie Christiana loves things that go bump in the night, mysteries, and unusual love stories. She writes paranormal romances published by Black Opal Books and short dark fiction stories which have been published in a number of horror anthologies.When not writing, you can find Debbie reading, at  yoga, or hiking the Appalachian Trail with her husband and Yellow Lab puppy.  Debbie is a member of RWA, Secretary of her local RWA chapter, CoLoNY, and a member of the International Thriller Writers, Inc. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children.

You can find out more about Debbie Christiana and her books on her website.
Check out her blog.
Twitter: @ DebChristiana

For other Reviews of Debbie Christiana’s book you can find them on Goodreads
Forever Flames: A Twin Flames Novella:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22978738-forever-flames



Thank you again to Mrs. Christiana for taking the time to answer some questions for the blog as well writing such wonderful stories! I look forward to reading the rest of  The Twin Flames Series as well as reading her other works in the future.


Next up from me for review are some short horror stories from Author E. H. James!

5 comments:

  1. Thank you so much, Aimee, for the three absolutely wonderful reviews and for sharing them on your blog. I'm so glad you enjoyed them.

    The interview was fun. You ask great questions :)

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  2. I can't tell you how great it is to read an author interview that actually asks questions to the author about her books. Real questions! And interesting answers. Great job, ladies.
    On a second note, Debbie's historical scene in Solstice, wherein she goes into the climactic scene to Armend's ancestor's story, is one of those scenes I keep tagged so I can go back and read it now and again. Gorgeous, heart wrenching. Love.
    (this is Terri, btw. This is the only account the site will let me use.)

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  3. Terri, I know you're a Heroine of Fantasy!! I thought Aimee's questions were great and for the same reason you mentioned. Most interview questions are generic and always the same. This interview was so much fun!

    You're always so sweet about Ilir and Ambra's story in Solstice. I loved writing it :)

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  4. Thank you for stopping by Terri! I try to come up with interesting questions. As an author myself I have been asked very strange things, some of which don't have anything to do with the books or my writing at all ( Like if I have plans for world domination) so I wanted to make the questions just about the books and the author herself. The hardest part is not giving away too much more than I wrote in the review or just enough more to get a new reader even more interested! Not an easy task! lol
    ~A

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    1. I thought you did a great job with the reviews. I don't retell the plot of the story in my reviews, because I don't like knowing the whole story before I've even read it. It is a hard balance sometimes, but I think readers prefer to read the book for the story, not the review :)

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