Sunday, November 10, 2013

BORN WILD BLOG TOUR by JULIE ANN WALKER ~ REVIEW, INTERVIEW AND SERIES GIVEAWAY

Born Wild (Black Knights Inc., #5)Series: Black Knights Inc #5
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: 11/5/13
Format: ARC
Pages: 352
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

She's got three rules:

1. Trust no one… Eve Edens has been abandoned, used, or manipulated by almost everyone she's ever met. Born into ridiculous wealth, she's dealt with the petty jealousies and sordid little resentments for nearly thirty years. But after three botched attempts on her life, she can no longer ignore the truth. Someone wants her dead.

2. Avoid the bad boys at all costs… William "Wild Bill" Reichert, the wonderfully sexy boy who abandoned her years ago, is back in town. Only he's no boy. Now he's a covert operative - and he's all man. When Eve hires Bill to help her discover who is behind the attacks, Bill soon comes to suspect it's someone much closer to Eve than she dares to believe.

3. And never fall for the same ruse twice… The search for the killer takes Bill and Eve deep into the dark secrets and strange world of the rich and famous, and into the heart of red-hot passion re-ignited by the peril that threatens to consume them both. But does Eve dare risk her heart on Bill a second time?


I've been really getting into Romantic Suspense recently and have had my eye on Julie Ann Walker's Black Knights Inc series for quite some time now. I'm a reader who prefers to read in order, but am also okay with jumping in mid-series. Luckily, this is another series consisting of companion books, and I could easily pick up book five without feeling lost, though I do want to read the first four. In fact, this has been one of the easiest experiences I've had with a mid-series pick up.

Born Wild, set in Chicago, is the story of Eve Edens, a socialite/marine biologist, and "Wild Bill" Reichart, a motorcycle mechanic/covert operative in the Black Knights. Like a lot of my favorite romances, Bill and Eve have history, which met a bad end. Twelve years later, Eve is in trouble -someone wants her dead - and comes to Black Knights for help. Bill, still angry with the way Eve ended the relationship, obviously still cares, and vows to help her. So what we have is a second chance romance, mixed with an exciting and action-packed adventure. It was intense, yet fun and filled with a lot of sexual tension.

As I mentioned before, this is the first of Walker's books I've read, and I really enjoy her style. I found it very easy to fall in with her characters and their story. The suspense was well-done and had me guessing until almost the last page. The love story was by turns sad and sweet, but always mindful of the history between the two. I really liked the pacing, which was quick but not rushed. Born Wild is a story I enjoyed from front to back. I will definitely be reading the entire Black Knights Inc series in the (hopefully) near future.



Favorite Quotes:


  ....But first he wanted to kiss her. Kiss her like he hadn't kissed a woman since her, with everything he had, with his whole body, with his whole...heart.   ~ARC, pg 110


  He wanted to plow her like a wheat field.
  It was crude. But it was true.   ~ARC, pg 278


  It was so good. Wait. Good? No, no. It was better than good. It was transcendent. Like, for a brief moment, she thought maybe she could see through space and time. Scientists claimed all the elements on Earth, from the rocks to the atmosphere, from the smallest insect crawling through a log to the smartest man ever born, came from stardust. And that's what she felt like right now. Stardust. Elemental and at the same time so flippin' mystical and amazing.   ~ARC, pg 288-9
 
 
 
 
 
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Biker books seem to have blown up in popularity recently. Why do you think that is?
Julie: I think there are a couple of things at play here. The first is that for a few years now, custom motorcycle building shows have taken over television. Think American Chopper, Biker Build-Off, American Thunder. The average Joe can now tune in to see how these masterful works of fuel-powered art are made. Secondly, I think the huge success of Sons of Anarchy has catapulted the MC - motorcycle club - lifestyle out of the shadows and into the limelight. Thanks to Charlie Hunnam, bikers are now seen as super sexy! ;-)


Born Wild is the fifth book in the Black Knights, Inc series. How do you continue to keep the series fresh?
Julie: I like to think that my characters are unique, filled with their own idiosyncrasies and foibles. So, in that aspect alone, the stories are exclusive to them. Also, there's a ton of room to play in the romantic suspense genre. Kidnappings, terrorist plots, modern-day pirates, crooked politicians, gangsters... The list of possibilities for a story arc are endless. Thank goodness! LOL!

Do you control your characters, or do they ever surprise you by taking over the story?
Julie: I'm never in control. Because my characters are so individual, they move the story along as opposed to the story moving them along. Since that's the case, I'm constantly surprised by the journeys they take me on, by the way they react to things or handle things. But I suppose that's what makes it so fun for me. I never know what's coming next! :-D


Does Born Wild have an overall message? If so, what do you hope readers take away from the story?
Julie: This is always such a difficult question for me. I don't set out to write a book with a message. I simply set out to write a book that's fun to read. But, inevitably, like most stories, there is a bit of a "lesson to be learned." And in Born Wild, I think that lesson is that there is such a thing as second-chance love. That people do grow and change, and it's okay to risk your heart a second time.
Is there a particular book or author who's inspired you?
Julie: I have too many to list here. But I will say that I love the internal dialogue in Stephen King books. I adore John Grisham for his ability to twist a plot on its head. And I idolize Suzanne Brockmann for the chances she takes in her books - having a gay hero, etc. I suppose all authors inspire me. Because it takes a certain intestinal fortitude to work so hard on a project that's uniquely you, and then send it out into the world to either be universally panned or praised.


Can you tell us about any current or future projects?
Julie: Absolutely! I just turned in the sixth book in the series, Hell For Leather. It stars the slow-talking, Texas-born, former Fed, Bryan "Mac" McMillan and that loudmouthed, redheaded bartrendress we've all come to know and love, Delilah Fairchild. There's terrorists running amok, a missing uncle, flying bullets, and smokin' hot sexy times. Basically, all the good things. I can't wait for readers to get their hands on it! It’ll be in stores next July!




The Black Knights Inc. Series
(covers lead to GoodReads)


PRAISE FOR BORN WILD

“One heck of a riveting plotline... Born Wild is definitely not to be missed!”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 ½ Stars

“A wild roller coaster ride of a story... Nonstop action.”
 —Fresh Fiction

“Drama, danger and sexual tension... Romantic suspense at its best.”
—Night Owl Reviews, 5/5 Stars, Reviewer Top Pick
  

Purchase Born Wild
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository  |  Books-a-Million | Discover a New Love | iBookstore | Indigo/Chapters | IndieBound | Sourcebooks



GIVEAWAY
Win all five books in the Black Knights Inc series, courtesy of Sourcebooks.
Must be 18+ years of age to enter, open US.

To enter: Just fill the form with your name and email address. For an extra entry, leave a comment about the Black Knights Inc. series. Have you read any of the books? Which cover is your favorite?
Have fun!
 


About the author
Julie Ann WalkerJulie Ann Walker is prone to spouting movie quotes and song lyrics. She'll never say no to sharing a glass of wine or going for a long walk. She prefers impromptu travel over the scheduled kind, and she takes her coffee with milk. You can usually find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission Visit her at http://www.julieannwalker.com or follow her on Facebook and/or Twitter.





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49 comments:

  1. Well hard to miss these covers, isn't it? I have heard of this series and I love when you don't have to read books in order but you can jump from one character to another. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one Andrea :)

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  2. Been in a reading slump so I only read the first 2 books :(. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

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  3. I know a couple of my blogging buddies who really enjoy this series, but I just never got around to them, They sound great though... Great review!

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  4. Glad to hear it was fun to fall into the story and characters

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  5. I heard so many wonderful things! Oh gosh really, I even picked up book 1 and I won another one in the series but I don't remember which one is it :( unfortunately, it's still far down on my list of books to get to. So hopefully I will. I do enjoy my motorcycle books heh :) btw, my favorite cover is actually the Born Wild!

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  6. I can't remember if I've read any of this series, which means I've probably not, so I hope (desperately) I win. I love the covers of Rev It Up and Born Wild the most, though all are quite nice. Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  7. I haven't read this series yet :( I have the first 2 books in my TBR pile... just gotta get some time :) Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Thanks so much for having me on! What a treat!

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  9. I have read all the books in this series and just love them! My favorite cover is Thrill Ride.

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  10. I definitely prefer reading my books in order too, but I'm glad that you could dive into this book, without feeling lost. I hope you enjoy the rest of the books in the series just as much. Great review Andrea!

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  11. I have not read any of these yet :( That will be fixed very soon!!! The cover of Born Wild is my favorite! Damn that is a HOT cover!!!

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  12. I am looking forward to reading this series! Thanks so much for the giveaway :)

    xoxo,
    Lyndsey

    www.theeyelinermanifesto.blogspot.com

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  13. I have not read any of the books, but this post has pecked my interest in checking out the series.

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  14. That's great you could jump into this mid-series with ease! Sounds like an exciting read.

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  15. This is a new series for me but very interested and love the covers. I would have to give Born Wild my vote!

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  16. I have read Hells on Wheels. Born Wild is my favorite cover. :)

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  17. Oh, I love the sound of this! Plus, one can't deny the perfection that is the guy on the cover ;) thehee. Also, who doesn't love reunion stories, right?! They're the best!!! I'm so happy that you liked this one a bunch and I really want to give this book a try. "I simply set out to write a book that's fun to read."--I feel like sometimes you don't need a big moral to go with a book, but simply for it to be entertaining and I'd love nothing more than to try this pretty:) THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING, ANDREA! My tbr pile just got bigger. Again. Thanks a lot, friend! :D

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  18. I'm sorry, but Charlie Hunnam could make a lot of things sexy. ;D

    Andrea, since you're on a romantic suspense kick, have you read Shannon McKenna books? I love most of her books! The newer ones have been less consistent, but I loved HOT NIGHT and the early McCloud brothers books. HN actually has a hot guy on a motorcycle, come to think of it.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  19. I love series were they are companion stories, so you don't get lost if you don't read them in order. I haven't read this series, but it sure looks good! I love the second chance at love trope. Steamy sexiness, fun, and suspense all go so well together. I like all these book covers :) Awesome Review!

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  20. Romantic Suspense is one of my favorite genres and one that I need to get back into. I also love companion book. Gonna check these out!

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  21. I've read all the books so far except Born Wild, and I LOVE them! I borrowed them from my library and would love copies of my own, so fingers crossed. :-)

    Thrill Ride is my favorite book of the series so far, but Born Wild is my favorite cover. I can't wait to read Ozzie's story!

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  22. I haven't read any of your books, but Thrill Ride has a pretty awesome cover. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  23. Wow, How did I miss this series..the covers alone should have caught my eye. I love the first cover. Something about a guy in a black t-shirt and a gun in his hand!

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  24. I haven't read any of the books. But I hope to. My favorite cover is Born Wild.

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  25. I've seen quite a few reviews for this series and this sounds pretty good! I like when you can jump in in the middle, even if they are just companion, so much of the time you still need back info. Glad you enjoyed this!

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  26. I've read every book in The Black Knights, Inc, and I loved each and every book. My favorite book is usually the first book of a series, because it's what introduces me to the characters. Although, I did love Hell on Wheels, this time I loved Thrill Ride the best. I'm a big fan of Rock, and I only wished I could hear his accent whispering sweet nothings into my ear. I'm so glad that I was recommended this book on Goodreads, and can't wait to read Born Wild.

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  27. I haven't read this series yet however I think they all sound like great reads. Thanks :)

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  28. I love second chance romances, Andrea! I like what Ms. Walker said about second chance love existing...people do grow and change. *sigh* And *ahem* this cover is rather lick-able! ;) I haven't read this series yet, but I'm thinking I need to pick it up! Thanks for sharing!

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  29. I haven't read any of the books, but I adore romantic suspense and this appears to have so many of the elements I love in this genre. Second chance romances are especially sweet.

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  30. I haven't read any of these yet but it sounds like a great series. Born Wild is definitely my favorite cover.

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  31. I have not read any of those books, but they look good

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  32. Haven't read any yet, but I love the cover of Thrill Ride! Thanks for the giveaway! Can't wait to read!

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  33. I haven't read any of these, but I have been eyeballing them and waiting to get a chance to pick them up. I would love to win them and be that much closer to reading them. :)

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  34. I love romantic suspense and I have a copy of this, too. I just need to get some time to read it. I love that these two had a history because second chance romances are one of my favorites types. Wonderful review and interview, ladies! :)

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  35. Ive heard of these books through a friend and these cover wow *fans self* yes I would love to win them and dive right into your stories <3

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  36. I haven't read any of these books yet, but would like to! ;)

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  37. I have the first book. I should read it sometime.

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  38. Love it when the author admits the characters are in charge - hehe. Great interview.

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  39. I LOVE this series!! I cannot wait until the next book comes out!! Thank you so much for awesome giveaway!! :)

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  40. RAWR. haha. thanks for sharing!! these are definitely going on my list, I hadn't heard about this series yet! <3

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  41. No I haven't but I need to, hot guys and motorcycles! Thrill ride looks perfect :)

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  42. I haven't read this series, I like Born Wild's cover the best!!!

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  43. I haven't but I think I like the In Ride Trouble cover! It's hot.

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  44. There is just something about biker books that makes you want them. Great review and interview. I'm looking forward to this.

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  45. I haven't read any of these books, I like #5's cover the best though.

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  46. I haven't read this series yet! But the cover model on the last book? *DROOLS*

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  47. No but I am now I just came across them!!! Love me some Alpha males!!!
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway :)

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  48. Yes i have read all the books except for the new one Born Wild. (Love them all, i just finished The Thrill of it a few days ago) wow to choose one cover, that's not an easy choice, but i guess i'd have to go with rev it up, love the leather pants. ymmmmm.

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