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“Choices” Review and Interview with Liz Schulte

Choices (Book Two of the Guardian Trilogy)

Liz Schulte

ASIN: B007OOVC8E

Genre:Fantasy

Publication Date: March 2012

247 pages

About the Book:

From Amazon.com: Hearts break. Loved ones are lost. Life keeps moving.

Olivia Martin’s afterlife was more dangerous and confusing than her life ever was. She thought she was ready to come back, to forget about Holden and to let go of the rage consuming her. Fulfilling her destiny as a guardian was all that mattered—the past could stay hidden in the crevices of her mind. However, when guardians are murdered and the evidence points towards jinn, she has to do something. To save anyone’s future, Olivia will have to confront the one person from her past she is terrified to see.

Holden waited for Olivia with the hope he would see her one more time. But when she didn’t return, he found salvation in darkness. The black and twisted road made it easier to forget what he lost than to live with the memory of what he had. An unexpected promotion shoves him into a world of intoxicating power and influence. Holden will have to choose between his new life and the woman he thought was gone forever.

From the ashes of Secrets, Choices are born that will change everything.

Review:

I had already read Secrets, Book 1 of Liz Schulte’s Guardian Trilogy, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was very excited for the sequel. Choices definitely did not disappoint. The part I enjoyed the most was learning what it takes to be a guardian, right along with Olivia, and to watch her clumsy attempts at manipulating light and her heartfelt insights into the lives of those she is charged to help.

Not everyone in Olivia’s life is as admirable as she sees them. Look for at least one shocking reveal of someone from her past.

But the underlying thread of the whole book is the unresolved relationship between Olivia and Holden. Holden’s promotion has entrenched him firmly on the dark side, while Olivia’s choice has planted her firmly on the side of light. Now that she has made her decision, will they ever find each other? Will they even be allowed the relationship they both desired and do they both still want it? All the uncertainty makes for an awesome story line. I’d like to tell you it’s completely resolved by the end of the book. All I can tell you is you will get some answers, but for the rest, you’ll have to wait for Book 3, Consequences, coming in the fall of 2012.

My rating: 4 out of 5 angel kisses.

About the Author:

Many authors claim to have known their calling from a young age. Liz Schulte, however, didn’t always want to be an author. In fact, she had no clue. Liz wanted to be a veterinarian, then she wanted to be a lawyer, then she wanted to be a criminal profiler. In a valiant effort to keep from becoming Walter Mitty, Liz put pen to paper and began writing her first novel. It was at that moment she realized this is what she was meant to do. As a scribe she could be all of those things and so much more.

When Liz isn’t writing or on social networks she is inflicting movie quotes and trivia on people, reading, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. Liz is a Midwest girl through and through, though she would be perfectly happy never having to shovel her driveway again. She has a love for all things spooky, supernatural, and snarky. Her favorite authors range from Edgar Allen Poe to Joseph Heller to Jane Austen to Jim Butcher and everything in between.

Interview:

TM: Tell me about your path to publication for The Guardian Trilogy.

LS: I began writing the Guardian Trilogy before I published my first book, Dark Corners. I wanted to have the whole trilogy mapped out and planned prior to publishing the first book. Other than that, once I was happy with where Secrets was I sent it to my editor then had it formatted and proofread. I knew I wanted to release the books in a close succession because nothing is worse than waiting a year for the next book in a series.

TM: How do you balance your job as a writer with your “other” job?

LS: It isn’t easy. I basically spend all of my time working. I write/do some other writing function over my lunch hour and then from the time I finish dinner and until I go to bed. Then I wake up and do it again. My time has become very precious and I guard it jealously. There are probably better ways, but this is what works for me.

TM: What draws you toward the paranormal?

LS: I’m not really sure. I actually haven’t read a huge number of paranormal books. I am just now getting into the genre. I have always loved horror movies/books and fantasy movies/books. I think it sparked my interest in other worlds and the possibilities there. I really like the blending or modern society with these ancient mythical races.

TM: What is the biggest obstacle to your writing?

LS: Time. Time is always a big factor for me. I could with use Hermione’s time turner or a clone. I’m just waiting for technology to catch up.
TM: What is your inspiration?

LS: Life is my biggest source of inspiration. I get ideas seeing people while I am driving, shopping, having lunch, walking down the street, etc. Just the other day I pulled into a parking spot at a movie theater and saw someone sitting in their car and was struck with a wonderfully disturbing book idea. I was jotting it down when my friend met me. I think in order to get good ideas you have to be out in the world and allow your imagination to take the reins.

Follow Liz Schulte on Twitter / Facebook / Blog

I received a review copy of this book for the purpose of the interview thanks to Promotional Book Tours. Regardless, all opinions are mine.