Book Review: War Lord: Scourge of Rome by Adam Lofthouse
It’s a pleasure to welcome Adam Lofthouse back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his latest book, War Lord: Scourge of Rome.
And so we have reached the end of my tale. But what are endings if not new beginnings?
Alaric has been home for a year. He went north and saved the Cimbri, just as he said he would. But the cost has been higher than he ever thought. A shadow of the War Lord he once was, he now trades in amber and dotes on his children.
A simple life. And with it, contentment. But he knew this couldn’t last forever; peace isn’t for someone like him, and sure enough trouble finds him once again. A routine journey south turns into a new and unknown wave of danger as red-cloaked legionaries attack, causing confusion and carnage.
Warriors dressed as Romans have been scouring the country, slaughtering innocent people, and leaving Roman footprints wherever they march. But things are not what they seem, and it falls to Alaric to don his armour once more, and march his Ravensworn in pursuit of a mysterious enemy that could destabilise his world beyond repair.
*****
I have said it before, and no doubt I will say it again; Adam Lofthouse’s love of Roman history really shines through in the way he writes these books.
The characters really pop from the page and it was a real pleasure to see how the protagonist has grown over the course of the series. He has gone from a headstrong young warrior to a headstrong old warrior but his experiences have given him a real depth.
by 
Novel Kicks Fiction Friday: Woken In A Daze
It’s Friday which means it’s time to start writing some fiction.
Fiction Friday is our weekly writing flash fiction prompt.
The aim is to write for a minimum of five minutes and then keep going for as long as you can.
Don’t edit, just write. Once you’re done, you’re welcome to share in the comments but there’s no obligation.
Today’s prompt: Woken in a daze.
Your character wakes up in a room that doesn’t feel familiar.
However, going by the pictures on the walls, this seems to be where they live. They shout for someone, anyone to hear them but the home and the surrounding area remain quiet.
After checking the rest of the rooms, they go outside. Their head is hurting and vision is a litle blurred.
Out of the corner of their eye, they spot a movement…
Continue the story.
Have fun.
by A Moment With… Fiona Embers About Loving Love
I’m pleased to be welcoming Fiona Embers to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her book, Soft Rebound
The first hookup after a long relationship is always meaningless. Right?
Still reeling from his divorce two years ago, Joe Larson sleepwalks through life until a chance encounter with Liz Jensen jolts him awake. Their sexual chemistry is undeniable, but Liz is fresh off a broken engagement and has no intention of letting anyone get close. Joe must overcome his fear of being hurt again if he is to convince Liz that love does not mean being powerless and that their rebound fling is actually their happily ever after.
To chat about Loving Love, it’s over to Fiona Embers.
Loving Love: Romance Author Fiona Embers Shares Her Favorites
Romance is a bestselling genre with many subgenres and flavors. Whether you like your heroes to be “cinnamon rolls” (sweet and supportive of their love interest) or ruthless mafiosos or billionaires or perhaps monsters or aliens, whether you like your romance with a lot of “spice” (on-page intimacy) or prefer fade to black, whether you want your romance set on Earth in modern times or in the past or perhaps on another planet, whether want your romance tightly focused on the main pair or prefer it blended with mystery or thriller or urban fantasy, there is something out there for the enjoyment of every reader.
You will sometimes hear discussions about tropes, which are recognizable story elements that readers often rely on to decide whether they might find a story enjoyable. Think of tropes as strong spices in cooking. Some people love cinnamon in anything, be it sweet or savory (it’s me; I am those people), while others prefer to avoid it altogether, but in any case cinnamon is far from the whole dish. Tropes are a little like that.
by Novel Kicks Writing Room: Scheduling Your Character’s Day
Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.
I have what I hope is a fun exercise today.
Take the three main characters from your WIP and fill out their schedule. For example, the character I have chosen is a police officer –
07.00 – Wake up.
07.10 – Morning Run.
0.8.00 – Shower and dress,
9.00 – Morning briefing.
10.00 – Interview Mr Green.
11.00 – Meeting with DCI Morgan.
12.00 –
13.00 – Press conference.
14.00 –
15.00 – Pick up Arianna from ballet.
16.00 – Lisa due at the station.
by Book Review: My Rock Star Neighbor by Kathy Strobos
I’m so pleased to be welcoming Kathy Strobos back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, My Rock Star Neighbor.
When a wary rock star and a cynical reporter fake date to bury a scandalous rumor, will true love be exposed as the real story?
Nick: I do my best songwriting while playing my guitar on the fire escape. Unfortunately, my in-bed-at-ten next-door neighbor, Maddie, is not a fan of my music. She clambers out on the fire escape to yell at me about making “noise.” In bunny slippers, no less. But then she trips and falls into my arms.
That photo of Maddie plastered all over me hits the papers, just as my dream recording company wants to sign my band. Which is a problem, because an obsessed fan is claiming that I’m her boyfriend and now the media is blowing up that I’m two-timing them both. Good-bye recording contract, unless….
Maddie: I’m supposed to cover the story. Not be the story! But when Nick begs me to fake date, I can’t resist the chance to be Nick’s girlfriend—even if fake—the opposite of my life as a city desk reporter. But my ex said I’m a terrible kisser, and there’s no way I want Mr. Hot Rock Star saying the same thing. Hence, clause 11 in our contract: There will be absolutely no physical contact.
Nick: When Maddie receives a threatening photo of the two of us with an X over her face, my desire to protect her suddenly feels all too real. It’s either a troll or her undercover investigation has been compromised. With both our careers at stake, is breaking up the only way to keep Maddie safe?
*****
Maddie and Nick are neighbours and have been friends for a while. Each are unaware that the other has feelings. Maddie is on the verge of breaking a big story that would be good for her career as a reporter. Nick is about to make it big with his band.
When circumstances are such that Maddie and Nick end up fake dating, things only get more complicated. Can they keep their feelings at bay or will it reveal more than they bargained for?
by Book Club
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