#Author Spotlight Helena Newbury & #BookReview ‘Kissing My Killer’

This Friday, please welcome Helena Newbury, New York Bestelling Author who has written a series of action packed and romantic, suspense thrillers that are fast becoming readers’ favourites. Let’s find out why!

Kissing My Killer. Blurb.

A full-length standalone bad boy romance with HEA and no cliffhanger or cheating.
I know I should be afraid of him. He’s huge. Powerful. Cold as ice. But when he looks into my eyes, he can’t pull the trigger. And the way he gazes at me makes me weak. Now we’re on the run together. They say he’s a monster, but I’ve glimpsed the person inside. The man sent to kill me is the only one who can save me…and I might be the only one who can save him.

Kissing My Killer. My Review.

I knew I was going to love this book from the first line of the first chapter narrated by Alexei: ‘I met her on my way to kill someone.’ When I finished chapter one and Alexei says ‘I didn’t know it then, but nothing would ever be the same again.’ I knew I was hooked. I’d continue reading impatiently until I reached the last line.

There are 90 short chapters narrated alternately by Alexei and Gabriella, in the first person. Both characters tell us exactly what they’re thinking and feeling, which makes the reader feel part of their story and their lives. First person narrators get under the character’s skin and into the reader’s head in a direct and powerful way.

The main characters are perfectly portrayed. I felt I knew them both from the beginning. Clever, warm and kind Gabriella, struggling bravely to overcome her own demons, and fearsome Alexei, the unfeeling, killing machine who gradually discovers that life is not black and white, because choices and changes are possible. There’s an instant and powerful connection between them, which is drawn out carefully as the chemistry unfolds almost burning your kindle!

The plot is well planned and fast paced with plenty of action and twists, which kept me turning pages. We are immersed in the workings of the Russian mafia, meeting an array of cruel and powerful gangsters involved in lucrative and illegal trade, including human trafficking. We also rush around New York city, visiting seedy motels, diners, as well as ships and luxurious parties. We’ll also travel to Russia, where the plot is finally wrapped up.

Alexei and Gabriella found themselves in dead-end situations more than once. It seemed as if there was no way out for them, but of course, it’s a standalone romance, so it’s no secret to let you know that there’s a happy ending and no cliff-hanger. However the journey towards the awaited end is absolutely thrilling.

I’m not surprised it has 4.8 average on 72 reviews. It has been number 1 bestseller on Amazon.com and is currently number 2 in Organised Crime. And it was published three weeks ago!

I loved it! I can’t wait to read the next ‘kissing’ novel.

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When I finished reading, I contacted Helena via her Amazon author page, where her email is available, and asked her if she’d take part in an Author Spotlight on my blog, and she was kind enough to accept.

Here are the questions I asked her and her answers.

1- I loved Kissing My Killer. It’s the only novel I’ve read so far, but I’m going to read them all! Although it’s a standalone, I didn’t realise when I read it that it was part of a series, the ‘Kissing’ books. Where did you get the idea or inspiration for this series?

Thank you! I like to write standalone romances with a fresh hero and heroine each time, but I also like to set them all in the same world so that characters can come back for guest appearances and we can see how the couples are doing. That means you can start with any one you like and you won’t miss anything or feel you have to catch up, but once you’ve read a few you’ll start to notice the little cameos and things I put in. The common themes are that there’s always an element of danger, usually crime, a strong heroine and a bad boy hero. My first three books (Dance For Me, In Harmony, Acting Brave) form a separate trilogy that’s a bit more New Adult and a bit less Romantic Suspense, although they’re still set in the same world.

2- I’ve noticed on your Amazon Author page that you have published many books in 2015. What’s your writing routine?

I’m very fortunate to be able to do this full-time. I get to write all day, starting at about 8.30am and finishing about 6.30pm, so that helps a lot. I write in roughly one hour chunks with little breaks between and that works for me, but everyone’s different. I use a standing desk most of the time so that I’m not slumped in a chair all day. I try to make time to go to the gym every day, too, for the same reason – when you work from home it’s really, really easy to wind up in your pyjamas all day 😀

3- Kissing Her Killer is number one amazon best seller in Romantic Suspense right now. Congratulations! How long did it take you to get there? What’s your advice for other authors?
This is the most successful book I’ve done so far. Each one of the Kissing books has been slightly more successful than the one before it. I released my first book, Dance For Me, in 2013. So it’s taken about three years and seven books. I’ll say the same thing I always say to other authors: write. Write words. Find the time. That’s the only thing that really matters. The authors I know who are successful all have that in common: they get their words written. Then, once you’ve finished, make sure it’s edited and proofread and write a great blurb and get a great cover that are both appropriate for your sub-genre.

4- What are you working on now?

The next Kissing book. Out in January, all being well.

5- What would you like readers to know about you?

I’m very approachable and always happy to chat on email. I love my readers! 😀

International Buy Link : http://smarturl.it/kissingmykiller

Links to Helena’s social media:
Blog: http://helenanewbury.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/HelenaAuthor
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HelenaNewburyAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/helenanewburyauthor
Google+: http://gplus.to/HelenaNewbury
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/helenanewbury/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/helenanewbury
Get a free exclusive novella when you join my newsletter: http://list.helenanewbury.com

Thank you for visiting Rereading Jane Eyre, Helena. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

If you enjoy well-written romantic suspense with lots of action, this is a book for you!