I am so mean! When I asked fellow Heartwarming author Karen Rock to pay us a visit, I asked her to choose her favorite 10 books. It gets hard when you're doing a promotional blog tour to think up new things to write about, so I thought (insert smirk) I was making things easy for her. Not so much! But her list is great. Join the Wranglers in welcoming Karen Rock to the Corral today!
1.
Gone with the Wind- Undeniably the combination
of great romance, complex plot twists, richly drawn characters and a dramatic,
historical setting makes this one of the greatest books of all time.
2.
The Color Purple- Lyrical, emotional, and a true
triumph of the human spirit. This novel has the strongest narrative I’ve ever
read and fully immersed me into Celie’s world where I experienced her
suffering, loss, growing strength, first love and ultimate empowerment. This
book transformed me and made me look at racial and gender issues in a way I’d
never examined them before… and isn’t that what the best books do? Make you a
better, more enlightened person?
3.
To Kill a Mockingbird- Set in a southern small
town that could be anyone’s hometown, this book brought the issue of bigotry,
racism and ignorance right up to our porch steps and rang the bell! It was
beautiful written, had a gorgeous parallel story of the children’s fear of
someone they didn’t understand- Boo Radley, outstanding characters like Atticus
Finch and taut suspense that kept me flipping pages to the heart-wrenching end.
4.
The Great Gatsby- Another classic- Ah!- but I
just can’t help it. Jay Gatsby is the ultimate tragic hero. In a sense, he
represents all of us in that he wants to better himself. However, because he is
also a dreamer who can’t let go of his old love, he fails and loses everything.
This is a haunting story and a cautionary tale against reaching too far for
things that may not be worth pursuing.
5.
Me Before You- Jojo Moyes- What an amazing love
story! Two completely opposite characters (a high class businessman who’s lost
his health and an ordinary shop girl who’s lost her ambition) make this a
compelling, combustible read that is will break your heart. I love books set in
Ireland and anything by Moyes… and this is one of the best! Plus- the movie
comes out this August!
6.
A Walk to Remember- Nicholas Sparks- No one does
it better than Sparks in making our romantic hearts beat even faster. This
story is especially dear because it’s based on Nicholas’s actual sister who was
dying but still had unshakable faith, cheer and a determination to help others,
even a troubled hero who can’t help but fall in love and marry her. This is a
love story despite the odds and I love that!
7.
The Fault in Our Stars- John Green- speaking of
love despite the odds… this story of a cancer patient and cancer survivor seems
like it should be a downer but instead it’s actually one of the most uplifting,
moving, inspiring, beautiful love stories I’ve ever read. It’s funny, touching
and quirky in a memorable way that makes me want to read it again and again.
Thank goodness it’s also a movie.
8.
The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings- Yes, I am a
fantasy geek. I’m also a sci-fi, mystery, thriller, romance, horror and YA fan,
too. I basically read everything. However, this series turned me from a casual
reader into a reader for life. This complex, fantastical world sucks me in
every time and the epic battle of good versus evil is so originally told and so
compelling I’m never tired of it. It’s a classic for good reason and I hope
generations read it for years to come.
9.
Gone Girl- Wow. This was a suspense story that
took me completely by surprise. I did not see the huge twist and I’m usually
good at guessing them. This book was cleverly written and plotted, with such
finesses, it deserves to be on this list.
10.
Pride and Prejudice- I can’t get enough of Mr.
Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. They have the best chemistry of any romantic couple
I’ve ever met between the covers of a book! The story is so well-paced, the
dialogue so witty, the relationships so complex that this book is a must read
for any aspiring romance writer.
That’s it! (Or as much as I can fit on a Ten’s List J) My heartfelt thanks
to Word Wranglers for hosting me today. It’s been a treat to meet with everyone
and talk books!
Excerpt from Raising the Stakes
Blog Tour Raising the Stakes
by Karen Rock
This is our stop during the blog tour for Raising the
Stakes by Karen Rock. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The
blog tour runs from 1 till 7 April, you can view the complete tour schedule on
the website of Lola’s Blog Tours: http://lolasblogtour.net/blog-tour/raising-the-stakes-by-karen-rock/
Raising the Stakes
By Karen Rock
Genre: Adult
Age category: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: 1 April, 2015
Blurb:
Hiding from the world…
Tucking herself away in the Adirondack woods was
supposed to keep Vivienne Harris safe. From dark memories of the Bronx, from
danger, from entanglements. But when an orphaned bear cub raids her pantry and
conservation officer Liam Walsh appears with news of poachers nearby, her
private, peaceful world is turned upside down!
Suddenly two forces are drawing her out—Button, the
cub who needs her help, and Liam, the man who's dead set against her
rehabilitating the bear. If she can just win Liam's support, Vivie knows she
can give Button a good life. And maybe find the courage to embrace a future
with Liam…
You can find Raising the Stakes on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24932403-raising-the-stakes
You can buy Raising the Stakes here:
- Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raising-the-stakes-karen-rock/1120648026?ean=9781460380109
Excerpt from Raising the Stakes
He lifted her chin with a gentle finger and gazed
down at her. “You’re always safe with me.”
For some odd reason, her eyes welled and a tear
clung to her lashes.
He brushed the wetness away with his thumb, his
hands lingering and cupping her face.
“I’m never safe,” she whispered, her voice so low
he had to bend closer to hear.
“I’ll protect you,” he found himself saying, a
gallant and reckless offer considering his planned move. Still, a fierce urge
to reassure her filled him. A need to kiss her full lips followed.
He captured them with his own, tasting berries,
and something sweeter still. He buried his hands in her silky hair and brought
her close, an insatiable hunger taking hold. The wildflower smell of her
enveloped him and her mouth tantalized his. He nibbled on her lower lip, loving
her soft exclamation of pleasure. Or was it surprise? She was early spring
sunshine, a spring-fed pond, a mountain peak and everything that’d ever made
him glad to be alive.
Without warning, she jerked away and sprang to her
feet, backing away until her legs brushed the bushes.
“What’s wrong?”
Her face had lost all color and she looked as if
she might faint. She shook her head, her hand rising to cover her mouth.
Regret snuffed out his elation. He shouldn’t have
moved so fast. Or at all, darn it. “Did I offend you? I’m sorry. Blame it on a
beautiful day. A lonely bachelor. A stupid one.”
Button appeared at Vivie’s feet. She stretched up
on her hind legs, put her paws on Vivie’s sides and pressed her face against
her caregiver’s stomach. If Button wasn’t a wild animal, he’d think the young
bear sensed Vivie’s mood. Was trying to console her. He’d comfort Vivie, too,
if she didn’t seem ready to bolt.
“I’m an idiot, Vivie.” He got to his feet, feeling
like a consummate jerk for kissing her without any signs she’d welcome it. But
for a moment, when she’d kissed him back, it’d seemed as though…
He shook his head. Women had the final say when it
came to what they wanted. He should have been more sensitive. Not given in to
impulses. “Please. It won’t happen again.” And he meant it. She was upset. Had
a right to be. If he had any sense, he’d know kissing her was wrong for him, as
well. Soon he’d be across the country. His attraction to Vivie was irrational.
“Vivie, talk to me.”
She stumbled away, Button stuck by her side, the
cub’s turtle dangling from her mouth.
He ducked in front of her, unwilling to let the
moment end badly. “What can I do?”
She wiped her nose and met his gaze. “Just stay
away.” Without another word, she returned to the trail.
It took all of his willpower not to chase after
her. He’d follow at a distance instead, staying far enough behind to ensure she
got home safely. But it wasn’t enough. He wanted things back to normal again.
If that was possible.
Strange that she’d said the same words he repeated
to himself whenever Vivie came to mind—stay away.
Yet the more time he spent with her, the harder
that became. His emotions for this complicated woman deepened every day. He
could deny it all he wanted, but he cared about her.
The job in Yellowstone came to mind. He wouldn’t
put off his decision any longer. As soon as he got home, he’d let them know.
Escape before his feelings lashed him down forever.
Vivie was right.
Except when it came to Button, he’d stay away.
Thanks for being here, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for having me! This was a fun list to make though Top One Hundred Books might actually be easier- lol
DeleteLove the excerpt! Great story, btw. And agree with your top ten books, too.
ReplyDeleteLiz is kind of evil--making you pick ten books. I don't know that I could narrow it down. A few of my faves ended up on your list. I read You Before Me last month and WOW--amazing.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new book! Happy sales to you.