Tag Archives: If You Hear Her

Guest Post: The Ash Serial Killer

I don’t normally read romantic suspense novels. Or, I wouldn’t say it’s my “go to” genre. (Although some of my favorite authors do in fact write it.) I was extremely – insanely – lucky to be able to read the Ash trilogy by Shiloh Walker really early on. Like, 2010 early. And I’ve been pimping them out since. I try not to over sell things, so I might not have mentioned them as much recently. (Also you know, the rest of the world has picked up my slack in lauding these books. As they should.) 😉

You need to read these books. Your life very well may not be complete until you do. I can’t decide which is my favorite. I loved the first. And the second. It might be a tie between the two. Or the second wins. But then the third is where you find out everything…

There were a lot of emails with exclamation marks, and unintelligible gibberish, and me telling Shiloh Walker she’s mean and evil. If you’ve never read her before, this might give you an idea as to why….

An Interview with a Killer…

There will be no spoilers, guys. If you want to know who he is, you have to read the book… 😉
A number of people have expressed an interest in having me ask the killer from the Ash trilogy some questions.  It’s an…interesting idea.  I have him for a few minutes.  Just a few and I’m not talking to him for long.  Just the first few Qs had me a little weirded out.
Cheeky Reads offered this question:
Was there something in childhood that happened that made you this way?  Anything that motivates you to kill?

He says:
My childhood was perfectly normal.  My motivation is simple. I enjoy it.  Tell me, Cheeky…what color is your hair?

Sofia Harper  asks:
What was your first kill?  Your favorite? When was the first time you wanted to kill?

He replies:
Those are terribly intimate questions. I tell all about my first…if you have the desire to know.  You can read all about it.  But my favorite would have to be Joely.  I’m curious to learn if Nia would be like Joely. Joely fought. She fought very hard.

Danielle  wants to know:
Why are you so protective of Hope?

He tells me:
That isn’t terribly easy to answer.  I see this terribly weak creature, a mouse.  But this mouse has teeth.  I thought it might be fun to take her, and break her.  But the more I watched her, the more I realized she’d already been broken.  It was more fun for me to watch her grow.  It was a new thing for me. I do wish she hadn’t cut her hair, though.  I loved her hair…

I had some other questions, but I decided not to take them.  Call me weird, but it’s odd to get inside this guy’s head, even though I made him, meaning he pretty much lives inside my head.  I’ll close with this last little bit that he did want to say.

He’d like to add
People think there is always a reason people become like me.  There must have been abuse, neglect, something horrible or tragic.  Sometimes, maybe, that is the case.  I don’t know because I never had a fascination with learning about others.  I did what I did to please myself.  In short, I did it because it pleased, not because any thing or any person drove me to it.
Some might even think that it’s an innate hatred of women.  I don’t hate women.  I love them.  And I love to break them…I love to hear them scream…

Snippet… (Several asked about his first kill…)

For reasons he couldn’t understand then, he’d started choking her again.  And that time, he hadn’t stopped.  Not when her heels beat on the ground, not when she had torn at his hands with her nails, real fear beginning to flicker in her eyes.

His mind had remained cool, detached throughout all of it, even as his heart had raced at the thrill

His first kill.

Want to read more about the Ash Trilogy?  Check it out here.

Shiloh

Ms. Walker is actually traveling today, and will be out of town for the next few days, so she won’t be able to answer any questions immediately. However, that’s kind of perfect, because you can come and leave all your questions, and she’ll knock ’em out at once, if/when she’s able. (She’s also on deadline for another book… Stolen… another great book that should be out later this year!)

Swagbucks = Books for You!

Yes, I’m here to talk about Swagbucks again. They’ve got this new thing with a holiday wish list. You can see my Swagbucks Wishlist. (http://www.swagbucks.com/account/wishlist?rb=339789&cmp=123&cxid=0-twitter – WordPress won’t let me do the actual link. So sorry, you’ll have to copy and paste.) If you join Swagbucks using that link… there’s a chance of a $2,500.00 Amazon gift card. And you know what that can buy? Books. Scores and scores of books. Books galore.

Swagbucks has been pretty good to me already – I’ve (rough estimate) probably already gotten $500 in GC’s from them since joining in 09. That’s not bad for something completely free. Also? If you haven’t joined yet, I have a code for you that’s worth an additional 80 swagbucks at sign up, and it doesn’t expire until November 23. (Unlike last time when I was a moron. Sorry Liz!) So, if you want to join – click that link, but before you complete the sign up, let me know – email me, whatever, so I can give you the code to start you off right. 😀 There’s the contact form at the top – or if you leave a comment I’ll have your email.

Now – since you all are kind enough to let me babble on about this (although you know it is my blog… :P). I’m using some of those Swagbucks orders of Amazon Giftcards to offer a prize. I consider authors Dee Tenorio, and Shiloh Walker my friends. (I’d like to think it’s reciprocated as well…) Both of them have had a rough few days, weeks, and longer. It’s not much, but I want to give away a digital copy of their newest book. One each – so Deceiving the Protector by Dee Tenorio, and If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker.

I know a lot of you (some of you) read print only so sorry but… I can’t afford to pay shipping as well, so kindle copy it is. Maybe one day I can afford Amazon Prime and I can do “dead tree” books. But for now, all the money I’ve got is from Swagbucks. 😛 So there you go.

And before you think this is all altruistic… I chose these two books specifically, because both of them mention this little green citrus fruit. ;D So you know, that’s kinda awesome.

Have I sold you on Swagbucks then? Do you want to win a book? You know what to do. Comment. Tell me something good. No really – today, I’m judging on content!

Guest Review: If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker (+ Giveaway)

Today, Mary G once again visits us to talk about one of her favorite authors – Shiloh Walker. There’s also a review, which I “guess” is the most important part? 😉 Anyway, it’s a great post. I think Mary is fantastic, and I’m grateful she’s still willing to visit lil ‘ol me here, even though she’s a reviewer for USA Today’s Happily Ever After blog/site! So everyone please welcome Mary G!

I don’t know if it’s possible to convey the force that is Shiloh Walker. I don’t remember how I found her books. I think it was at the Chapter’s web-site – if you read this you’ll like…. Well I didn’t just like her books, I loved them. I proceeded to buy up her backlist, all in paperback, which wasn’t easy but so worth it. Shiloh writes deeply emotional, aching chest books. I found her writing so deep, thoughtful and mature that it was a shock to found out how young she is (she put up a birthday post on her blog). She’s young enough to be my umm, younger sister lol.

I have to tell you that the first time I met Shiloh was at the 2010 Lori Foster Reader/Author Event in Cincy, Ohio. It was noisy in the ballroom and this woman walked by & looked at me & asked me if I said something (which I hadn’t). I don’t know why but I asked her if she was Shiloh Walker. When she said yes, I jumped up with an “OMG, I’m Mary G” & I hugged the poor woman. I begged & pleaded & signed my life away and swore to total secrecy, to take a picture with her & my other fave Beth Kery. I stood between Beth & Shiloh and yelled “Somebody pinch me!” Not one of my coolest fan-girl moments. I got to sit at the same table as Beth & Shiloh on the Saturday night. One thing you might not know about Shiloh from her serious writing is how funny Shiloh is. When it was time to say goodbye I stood in the hallway with Shiloh & Lime. I told Shiloh how great her writing is & how it affected me. She just shrugged like she was just “regular”. Shiloh has that in common with my other faves – the best ones just don’t realize how good they are.

Mary G’s review:

If You Hear Her by Shiloh Walker
Romantic Suspense released by Ballantine Books on Oct 25, 2011

A CRY IN THE WOODS

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.

If You Hear Her is the first book in Shiloh Walker’s latest romantic suspense trilogy. It starts off in the voice of a kidnap victim. This book literally grabs you from the first page & doesn’t let go until the very end. Lena Riddle is a beautiful, blind chef and Ezra King is a State policeman on injury leave. Their paths collide one night in the B & B where Lena works and where Ezra has gone for some supper. Their chemistry is there from the beginning. It is especially poignant since Lena can only go by her other senses and she feels the chemistry like an entity. They get together once more for dinner. Ezra takes Lena’s number but doesn’t call her because he feels he’s in a bad place right now with his recuperation.

One night Lena hears screams coming from the woods by her house. When she goes to the police, they don’t believe her. Ezra is there to report joyriders wrecking his garden. He believes Lena. Ezra apologizes for not calling & they decide to stay friends. They start to hang out more and more – partly because Ezra wants to keep an eye on Lena & partly because he doesn’t want to stay away. The “friends only” deal doesn’t last thankfully & the sexual tension is built up nicely. Through the twists & turns of the suspense plot and the hot chemistry between Lena & Ezra, you won’t be able to put it down. I’m really impressed that this series is a little different. Instead of different villains for each book, we probably won’t know until the last book, who the villain is. Of course, Shiloh doesn’t need this plot twist to keep me hooked.

I’m looking forward to the next one already.

Heh. I asked Mary G what her grade would be, since this is a review, and she said…

RATING: A for A-mazing

So… I’m going to venture that’s a:

Grade: A+

SHILOH IS GIVING AWAY A $10.00 GIFT CARD TO B & N OR AMAZON (WINNER”S CHOICE). To win let us know – what author, besides Shiloh of course, would you love to meet.

See? Isn’t Mary cute? So go on – tell us! 😀