Guest Blog & Review: Embraced by Rebecca Royce

Please welcome back author, Rebecca Royce, who is promoting her book Embraced (The Conditioned #2).

Publisher: Self
Date of publication: November 2011

Benedicte Lavelle is a single father raising two small daughters. When his neighbors put him in charge of handling the haunting that plagues their neighborhood, he has no choice but to use disreputable means in order to bring in a Conditioned ghost hunter to help with their problem. He doesn’t expect to be drawn to the young woman who arrives at his house in chains. He doesn’t expect to have his entire life thrown into upheaval when she is snatched away.

Conditioned prisoner Seven-Two-Four has never had a name. She cannot read, and is scheduled to die as soon as she is returned to the Institution. The Conditioned are not considered human, but Seven can see ghost energy and she can love Ben like no one ever has before.

When fate takes Seven from Ben’s arms, can he move on and find a new purpose in life or will he be forever trapped by the need to rescue those like his lost love?

My take:

Embraced is the second in The Conditioned series by Rebecca Royce.  I reviewed the first in the series, Eye Contact back in November. What I did like about the book was that there was more information about the Conditioned and how things have changed for them since the first book. Madame was intriguing, even if she was evil.  Who doesn't like a good villain? It is interesting the the institutions choose a conditioned person to keep the others in line.  I also liked more of a glimpse into Guy and his cause from the island.

While I did enjoy this one, I'm not sure I felt the connection between Benedicte and Seven.  It wasn't as strong as in the first book.  Mainly the reason is that the characters don't spend much time together and then there is a gap of 5 years before they see each other again.  Also, I liked Seven's character more after the 5 year separation.  I felt like her character fit Benedicte better.  

Embraced is a good addition to the series.  I hope that the next book is Roman's. For a fierce Fury, he is still a sweet guy and needs his own HEA!  Pick up both books, I think they are great.

Rebecca writes:

As I am writing this blog post, I am sitting on the couch next to my husband and Christmas Vacation is on television.  This is one of his favorite movies and it’s become a bit of a tradition in our home to have it on a lot during the cold months of the year.  My children, ages 6, 4, and 2 don’t yet enjoy this film.  I think they’re just a little bit too young to truly enjoy it or maybe they just haven’t had enough really tense holidays yet. (And for that, I’ll give myself credit.)

I can’t help but think of my characters in Embraced who are Conditioned. They don’t get to have traditions.  Their lives are, from the moment they are caught or turned in, are all about service, helping the very people who keep them institutionalized, who deny them their very human rights.

But you cannot deny the power of love and these stories are examples of that.  In this world, love will eventually overthrow tyranny. 

I hope that wherever you are in the world you are warm and happy.  Since the Conditioned came to me, I no longer take it for granted. 

About the author:

As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework.  I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.

I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend.  We live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing.  I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

I'd love to hear from you!

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Review and Interview - Eye Contact by Rebecca Royce

Today we have an interview with author Rebecca Royce who is promoting her book Eye Contact.   Welcome Rebecca!

Publisher: Decadent Publishing (March 2011)

Thirty years ago, after the breakdown of an oil negotiation, the President of the United States decided that all people born with unusual abilities, which he would now refer to as “the condition”, would be locked away from the general public where they couldn't harm others. Parents and loved ones of these people, most of whom were children, were forced to turn them in upon penalty of death. Formed to keep the institutions secure, the Committee for the Protection of a Free Society now rules these institutions with an iron fist. 

The granddaughter of one the Committee members, Addison Wade has lived her life wary of the institutions and all they represent. A woman of secrets, she is forced to turn to Safe Dawn, one of the facilities designed to hold conditioned people, when her nephew is kidnapped and, despite her best efforts, cannot be recovered. She knows the last thing anyone in 'Safe Dawn' will want to do is to help a Wade with any problems, but she is desperate and out of options.

 

Spencer Lewis is famous for being the premier conditioned ‘locator.’ There's no one he can't find and he has a soft spot for missing children. But, Spencer has been through a trauma and locating Jeremy Wade may be dangerous both to himself and to those around him. In addition, he takes one look at ice cold Addison Wade and wants nothing more than to knock her down a peg. Never having turned down an opportunity to help a child, he reluctantly agrees to help recover Jeremy. 

In a world where nothing is as it seems and every person they encounter has his own agenda, Addison and Spencer will find that the only people they can trust are each other. But how can anyone fall in love living in a world that wants you dead just for being born? 

My Thoughts:


I really enjoyed Eye Contact.  Ms. Royce has created an interesting world where people who are born with special abilities are called Conditioned.  It reminded me of the X-Men, except the Conditioned have been kept away from society.  They aren't even thought of as human.  They have no rights at all.  Spencer Lewis is one of the special Conditioned who is let out occasionally to use his special ability to find lost people. Addison Wade hires him to find her kidnapped nephew.


I expected a paranormal romance, but what I got was so much more. The story is well written with intriguing characters. The mystery was well thought out and had a nice twist at the end.  I loved Spencer and Addison together.  I think my favorite scene was the one where Spencer gets to drive for the first time. It is such an endearing scene that made me fall in love with both of them!   I look forward to reading the next books in the series.  I hope she features more of the secondary characters that appeared in this one.  Eye Contact is definitely worth reading!



Rebecca was kind enough to answer some questions for us:

Kari: What inspired you to become a writer?

Rebecca: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I wrote my first book when I was in fourth grade.  But, it was about finally finding the courage to follow my dreams that allowed it to actually happen.  That happened when I was pregnant with my second son. Let’s blame the pregnancy hormones.

Kari: Where did you come up with the idea for your book?

Rebecca: I have no idea where my ideas come from. I know this is a frustrating answer but I can’t pinpoint those things. Its like they go ‘boom’ and they’re suddenly there.

Kari: What is your favorite part of the book?

Rebecca: There is a moment where Spencer sees Addison with her defenses down as she’s standing on the street.  I loved writing that scene. 

Kari: What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?

Rebecca: I am writing the next Westervelt Wolf book right now!

Kari: Just for fun, if you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Rebecca: A Siamese cat.  I was raised with them. I love them. I’d love to be one. Well, one of the ones that lived in my house. LOL

About the author:

 

As a teenager, I would hide in my room to read my favorite romance novels when I was supposed to be doing my homework.  I hope, these days, that my parents think it was worth it.

I am the mother of three adorable boys and I am fortunate to be married to my best friend.  We live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months. 

I am in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and try to use all of these elements in my writing.  I've been told I'm a little bloodthirsty so I hope that when you read my work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. I love to write series because I love to see characters develop over time and it always makes me happy to see my favorite characters make guest appearances in other books. 

In my world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

I'd love to hear from you!