Kari's Crowded Bookshelf: Evie's Knight Blog Tour ~ Review, Interview & Giveaway

Up For Grabs? $50 Amazon Gift card, book swag, and much more!

Evie’s Knight
by Kimberly Krey
Published September 11th 2012 by Kimberly Krey

Blurb:

When Evie falls in love with Calvin Knight, their young, virtuous romance conjures a truly wicked spell.

Evie always thought her eighteenth year would be magical, but so far it's not what she hoped for. Her best friend has gone wild, her love life is void, and she misses her mom more than ever. But life for Evie is about to change. Calvin Knight, the object of her fascination, is about to fall madly in love with her. Just one problem: Their love conjures a murderous woman from beyond the grave who wants Evie dead. The same demon who has haunted the Knight men for over four generations. Soon Calvin is forced to make a choice: Set Evie free and hope to evade the wrath of The Raven- haired Ghost, or use his newly gifted strengths to fight against her. If he chooses to fight and wins, Calvin will free the Knight men of this demonic witch. If he loses, Evie will become her next victim.

Get Your Copy:

Barnes & Noble
The Book Depository
Amazon: ebook just $2.99 for a limited time.

My Review:

**4 Stars**

I received a copy of this book for an honest review as part of this blog tour.

MY OVERVIEW: Ok, while I really enjoyed this book... it was long. I actually wish it was a series, or even just two books to spread it out. About three quarters of the book was Evie & Calvin getting to know each other (or at least that is what it felt like). It seemed like the excitement and action didn't take place until the last quarter of the book, and it was kinda glazed over in parts.

PROS: Wow, the author is really good at making a book HOT without any sex! I am not a big fan of sex in books (especially graphic sex), so it was refreshing to experience Evie & Calvin's intense relationship without any of that in there. It really sends the message that two people can be madly in love, and not need to have sex to prove it to each other.

CONS: I felt there was too much time given to Evie & Calvin's relationship. I would have liked to see a little more of each of them without the other... or thoughts of the other. I also wish Evie's attraction to the necklace was explained better. Did she have some powers of her own? What was going on with that?

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this book. I just wish it had been broken up a little. Also, I do hope that it becomes a series, or there is at least a spin-off. While the book ended, it left a lot open for more... and I want more!

Author, Kimberly Krey:

Writing Romance That’s Clean Without Losing the Steam!

I’m a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry.

I’m not patient enough to enjoy a yoga class, or tall enough to be great at basketball, but I do love to run – anywhere but on a treadmill. I love the sound of a rainstorm when I have no place to go, the feel of Soft Lips chap Stick on my lips, and the first peek of blue water as we round the mountains toward our favorite getaway in Bear Lake.

Author Interview:

1) How did you come up with the idea for Evie's Knight?

When I first started brainstorming the book, I pretty much knew who my characters were. I knew falling in love with Calvin was dangerous for Evie, but I just wasn't sure why. In writing fiction, authors often feel as if the situations they are writing about already exist (not in reality, but abstractly) and it's our job to uncover and write them.

That is definitely the case for me. As I come up with certain possibilities, it's almost as if I know whether the idea is right or wrong. I can feel it. I knew that Calvin had lost his mother at a young age. And from there, it was just a matter of finding out what that had to do with his family's dark curse. It's such a fun and exciting process.

2) Will there be another book (spin-off or series) associated with Evie's Knight?

Yes! In fact, in the new edition of Evie's Knight, I've included an epilogue which is followed by one final phrase: Watch for Fiona's Fight ~ coming soon ~. I had several readers take an interest in Fiona and Parker, and realized their story needed to be told. These two characters are so different from Evie and Calvin. Calvin is such a gentlemen. Parker is not. Yet he's still got a lot of great qualities. Evie is kind, patient, and loving, while Fiona is blunt, sarcastic, and rough around the edges. The contrast makes writing 'Fiona's Fight' so much fun!

3) Do you prefer to write with pen & paper or on a laptop/computer?

Laptop, definitely. But I do resort to pen and paper if inspiration strikes when the laptop's not around. While submerged in the writing process, I am constantly musing on the story. I'll often pull over while driving to dig up a pen and a scrap of paper to jot down important events, scenes, or conversations that come to me while on the road. And it's never a bother for me. I'm only thrilled to have more of the story reveal itself to me - no matter the time or place. It's a total rush!

4) Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Absolutely! First: Immerse yourself in the writing community! Get online, find out where local writers meet (there are always local writers) and go to the classes, conferences, and critique groups.

Second: Stick to one story. It's easy to get excited about an idea, write a few chapters, and distracted by another idea you think is more interesting. And then another. Or maybe you practically finish the entire thing and get overwhelmed during the editing process and switch gears by turning to another story. This can become a habit that inevitably results in failure. Stick with one novel at a time. Force yourself to see it through.

Lastly: Do not give up. I shared my own personal story in a blog called 'The Day I Almost Quit' HERE. In my case, I had finished the novel. I'd had over a dozen beta readers read and review it. I had gone through the entire thing a hundred times. I hadn't once considered quitting; it wasn't in me. Or so I thought. It took one blunt response from one particular agent to take the wind out of my sails. An agent who'd requested my full manuscript had rejected the ms stating that it "lacked polish".

LACKED POLISH?!? After everything I'd put into it? I was horrified! In that moment, I felt like I was sinking. Foolishly swimming in waters that would swallow me whole at a moment's breath. I seriously considered getting out completely. Staying on safe, dry ground. Luckily, my mother was there as a lifeline, encouraging me to stick with it. This was the point I finally got involved in the writing community. I later discovered how right that agent was. It has made all the difference!

Find & Follow Kimberly Krey:

Twitter

Website

Goodreads

Amazon

Facebook

Super Swag-a-licious Giveaway:

Grand Prize: $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

2^nd Prize: $25 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

3^rd Prize: $10 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

Five more winners will receive an ebook version of Evie’s Knight!

Paperback winners may choose between old cover (shown below) or the new cover, featuring Calvin Knight (shown above).

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Colorimetry & Rafflecopter as well as emailed to winners who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Laura, Burgandy Ice, @ www.burgandyice.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway