Blog Tour for The Space Between by Kristie Cook; Review, Interview + Int Giveaway

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Release Date: April 5th, 2013
Finished Date: March 24th, 2013

Publishers: Kristie Cook
Source: For Review 

Format: Kindle 

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between

After a month-long dance tour through Italy, 20-year-old Leni Drago returns to Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, the home they shared empty and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that’s left is a journal she can’t open.

Jeric Winters has been searching for a piece of his past for over a year, only to reach a dead-end in Georgia. When an urgent and magnetic pull draws him out of his hotel room, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful dancer who’s been haunting his dreams day and night.

Jeric’s one to stay away from—a bad-boy, hit-it-and-quit-it type—but Leni can’t escape the fervent feelings between them. As their own existences begin to crumble around them and shadowy forms that are more monsters than men attack, they realize there’s more to the connection between them than physical fascination.

To solve the riddle their lives have become, they must embark on a journey that requires them to face their pasts and release their true souls. And they must do it fast—dark ones from another world are closing in, intent on killing them. Permanently.

The Review: 4.5 stars! 

The Space Between is a great starter to a new series from Kristie Cook, author of the most awesome Soul Savers series. The synopsis is spot on in its description as we are taken on an emotional journey in a search for answers to why Leni & Jeric are intensely connected, why no one can remember them & why the shadows that chase them, want their deaths. I’m such a character fan and the characters in this are so easy to connect with. Leni, after living out some of her dream of being a dancer returns home to find everything she’s ever known, everyone she’s ever loved are gone in some way or another. Who wouldn’t be terrified? When you’re a kid and go away from home, there’s always some inane fear that your parents will move home whilst you’re away and leave you and Leni is faced with that reality, her life, her existence – just gone and the only thing she has is her truck and a strange journal with no way of getting into it. Then there’s the man she meets briefly in Italy, the intense connection to him, who then starts appearing in her life – coincidence? Or something else at play? Having lived a fairly secure lifestyle she’s in for a shock when Jeric storms into her life in all his hot, toned, tattooed glory. Jeric is the epitome of the bad boy persona, I could list all of his traits but to be honest, I’d rather let you find them out for yourself as he steams up our pages, because this guy is HOT!! I always question why, as a reader that I’m drawn to such a man, in real life I probably wouldn’t touch him with a barge pole but in books I have a weakness for misunderstood bad boys in need of redemption. There are a few times I could murder him in this especially when it becomes clear what their connection is. They are both unprepared for the connection between the pair and try to pass it off which is just delaying the inevitable but the ride is lovely, there are some great scenes between the two, painful, heart-breaking, cringe-worthy and super –hot scenes. I’m a sucker for fated love but I don’t want them to just fall into each others arms, I want some resistance but to stay true to each other , again you will need to read this to see if that’s what we get. 

I really enjoyed the storyline, the focus of the book is mostly building the relationship between our main characters, why do they have this connection? What does it all mean? Why has Jeric dreamed of Leni before they met? but then we get some mystery, why are people forgetting them? Why are their lives disappearing? Add to that a touch of danger, strange shadows attacking & disappearing – what do they want? Why are they after them? And the only thing available to give them any insight is the strange old journal, if they can only open it. Rest assured by the end of the book, you will have all of your answers, you will be satisfied but you will want more. 
I’m really interested to see where things will go for this series, will we be following Leni & Jeric? Or will there be another couple? Will we find out more about The Space Between and what is really going on? 

Author Interview with Kristie Cook.

Could you tell us about your new release? 

The Space Between is about two different couples in two time periods - one in the present and one in 1989 - who are experiencing similar events that can only be called "weird." As the present day couple hopes to find insight from the past couple's journal, they realize their answers are in their own pasts. But do they learn this soon enough to save their own lives?

How did you come up with the idea for the new series? 

Actually, my husband woke up and told me about a dream he had. We were on an overnight motorcycle trip, so we were in a hotel room when he said, "I had the coolest dream!" The details were unclear in his head by the time he started telling me about it, but he gave me enough to spark an idea. His dream eventually became The Space Between.

How long did it take to write? 

Tricky question. Haha! My husband had that dream in October 2011, but I was finishing up Devotion, the 3rd book in the Soul Savers Series, so the idea percolated for a few months. In February 2012, I began to work on it, but I was also working on Power, Book 4 in the Soul Savers, and it took precedence. I started again in the summer of 2012, only to back-burner it once more for Power's release. I'd never done National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) but by October 2012, this book was begging to be written. I had to write it, so I decided I'd do it for NaNo, just to get it out of my head. I started from scratch and hit the NaNo target of 50,000 words, but the book was only half-written. By January, it was complete (after taking December off), and released the end of March. So four months to write...once I dedicated myself to it.

What was the most challenging thing about writing this book? 

Allowing myself to give it priority. Once I decided it took precedence, the story flowed out of me. I expected the different POVs and time periods to be challenges, but they really weren't.

How many books are you planning for this series? 

The Book of Phoenix is planned to be a trilogy. However, after that story is told, there are so many directions I could take the world. So from there, it will depend on what tickles the muse.

Who was your favourite character? 

Oh, hmmm...I love Jeric, of course. He's rough on the outside but for good reason and he has a heart of gold underneath. I identify a lot with Jacey, though. I haven't had any of her life problems, but she'd be about two years older than me, so we grew up in the same time era and hung out in some of the same groups. Of course, I also adore Leni and Micah, but if I had to choose, I'd say Jacey. No, Jeric. Definitely Jeric because he cracks me up.

Who would you picture playing Leni & Jeric in a movie or who do you picture them resembling? 

I have a Pinterest board for The Space Between, but I really don't like casting my characters. I prefer readers to take the features I suggest and create their own images, making the reading experience more personal.

Will there only be Leni & Jeric in this series or will there be more couples? The original trilogy is about Leni and Jeric and where they go from here, but there are possibilities to explore other couples' stories. How's that for vague?

Your books seem to be strong on the soul mate principal, I have to believe you are a romantic? Do you believe in soul mates? 

I guess I am a bit of a romantic. :) I'm not sure about soul mates, but the idea definitely makes for good story fodder. I'd like to think there's someone out there meant for each of us. It's a lovely concept, don't you think?

What message would you like readers to get from this book?

 Message? Um...I guess to keep our minds open because we don't know what's out there - beyond our world, beyond our lives. But especially open to each other because you never know who might be your Twin Flame.

Any teasers for book 2? 

Book 2 starts with Leni and Jeric receiving their first mission. We'll also get more of the mythology and learn more about Sammy and Ghost. 

What’s next for you? 

Soul Savers 5, then the next part of The Book of Phoenix.

Author Bio:

Kristie Cook is a lifelong writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at www.KristieCook.com.

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Kristie is also hosting a major giveaway on her site at the end of the tour for a $200 gift card or a swag bag full of goodies!  

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