Today, I have the pleasure to introduce you the author
of The Treasure Hunter's Lady: Allison Merritt! I enjoyed her story and wanted
to share my review with you! Right after, you can meet Allison via the author
interview and learn more about her!
The Treasure Hunter's Lady (Legends and lovers #1)
by
Allison Merritt
ebook, 1st
Published February 8th 2012 by Alice R. Cummings
For years, Romy Farrinton traveled at her world-famous
archeologist father's side, exploring new lands and uncovering ancient secrets.
It was everything she ever wanted, until a near-fatal encounter with hostile
natives forced her and her father into a life of retirement in Boston and an
undesired advance into proper society.
Everything changes again when she's saved from an
accident by a brash Texan in a back alley. Abel Courte may act like a care-free
cowboy, but he's harboring a secret—he's searching for the Diamond of Uktena, a
legendary jewel that can cure any disease known to man. He needs information
Romy's father has in order to get to the jewel. When he traces the origin of
the Diamond to Dakota Territory, he sets off to claim the treasure, only to
find the archaeologist's fiery redheaded daughter stuck to him like a bug in
sap.
In a race against time, Romy and Abel must learn to
trust each other as they undertake a cross-country journey that will expose
them to lands uncharted by white men, a deadly battle against the fearsome
creature in possession of the Diamond and a fight to return to civilization
where they might make the greatest discovery of all—love.
My rating: 4/5
A copy was provided by the author in exchange of an honest review: thanks Allison!
Wonderful storyline: an excellent mix of enthralling
romance, filled with non-stop actions, just enough of ''paranormal''
situations, creatures and charming characters. Allison Merritt, the author, has
an interesting writing style and I was grateful for a chance to discover her
first establishment in the Legends and Lovers series!
I was hooked when Romy was saved by Abel on the
street! I loved that part, the way they meet and the promise of more when they
encounter again, later.
Something about those characters: everything around
them seem to fall in place to make the perfect romance/love story!
The enthusiasm, energy and wit of Romy, make me want
to read more and more:
I don't appreciate seeing females characters getting into trouble
because of the childish behaviours and never listens to anybody, but with Romy,
it was different, even challenging and I wanted to know where she'll end up
with that personality! I loved to read about the consequence of her choices!
I wish Abel would be more possessive about Romy, but
that didn't bother me that they took they time to ''build'' the relation
between them. Abel is a ''Bad Boy'' but in the same time, he's a gentleman!
The whole story was interesting and the author,
Allison Merritt, always gives me something to hold on. Sometime it was the
plot, other time, the relation between Romy and Abel or the relation between
Romy and her father. The fact that Romy wanted more for her life, and try so
hard to stand up on her own was fascinating.
I loved the way the author was able to introduced her
characters, they background and the way she was able to mix this up to create
an exciting story.
I recommend this book to every Romance lovers, the
''paranormal'' parts weren't enough present (for me) to be mention as a
Paranormal Romance novel. But that doesn't take anything from it. I loved this
book and if you're a romance reader, you'll love The Treasure Hunter's Lady!
Amazon
Now, the interview:
When did you find out that you wanted to be a writer?
My mom told me
that since I learned to read, I was always writing little stories. It wasn't
until I was in middle school that I thought writing was what I really wanted to
do. I got the idea from my best friend, who also wanted to be a writer, but she
moved on to other things and I couldn't get it out of my head.
Where did you find
the inspiration for The Treasure Hunter’s Lady?
I was watching The
League of Extraordinary Gentleman one evening with my husband. The characters
in that movie are pulled from literature, but set in an alternative universe
and given weapons and technology out of a sci-fi novel. I looked over at hubby
and said, "I want write something like that!"
Tell us more about
your book.
Originally The
Treasure Hunter's Lady was set in Australia. I'd been working on a historical
romance about early life in Australia and I thought, it would be fun to write a
book based on an Australia legend. Unfortunately, I think agents are frightened
by trying to sell a book set in a foreign country in the States. So to impress
an agent, I changed the setting to America. And more unfortunately, it still
wasn't what she was looking for, but the deed was done and it worked out just
as well, I think.
Did you have to do
some research for your book?
I had to do the research
twice because I've never been to Australia and then when I switched the setting
to America, I had to find a myth that wouldn't change my plot too much. One of
the truly interesting things about myths is that a lot of cultures have
variations of the same myths, so it wasn't too difficult to find one similiar
to the original plot.
Why did you choose
to write Paranormal Romance?
You know, my first
love was historical romance. I've been reading romances since I was 12 (my mom
made me swear I would skip the naughty parts). I've written two historicals,
but they're both neatly tucked away in a dark corner of my flash drive. I kind
of laughed and said I'd never write paranormal or fantasy or anything off the
wall. It just goes to show you should never say never. I'm so wrapped up in the
paranormal and mythical elements that I wrote in The Treasure Hunter's Lady
that I'm writing at least two more in the series.
Did you choose the
book cover, or did you have some options for the design?
Which actor would
you choose to play the role of your hero should "The Treasure Hunter’s
Lady" ever be turned into a movie? (Tell us for Romy and Abel)
Where did you find
the inspiration for the name of your main characters: Romy and Abel?
Oh, I want to be
Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove. She had studly Kronk to carry her around
and do all her bidding.
What is on your
TBR pile or what is your next to-be read book?
If you could have
a paranormal power, which one it would be and why?
I think
psychometry, or the ability to "read" information from objects would
be pretty cool. You could pick up
ancient artifacts and tell where they came from, who handled them, and what
they meant. Oh the stories some things could tell!
I want to know:
Dark or Brown
Chocolate? Brown.
Coffee or
Tea? Tea.
Witch or Fae? Witch.
Favorite color? Green.
