Book Thoughts on Thursday: 1302 The Alpha, Christine Rains

Book Thoughts on Thursday is somewhere for me to share with you some of the books I've been reading and really enjoyed.

This week:

1302: The Alpha, Christine Rains

A friendly warning: Although not intentional, I may give away some aspects of the story that you may not want revealed. I know I hate it when spoilers ruin my experience of a story, so feel free to halt your reading here until you've read it for yourself.
Then you can come back to see if you share my thoughts! 

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One run in the woods wouldn't matter, or so thinks werewolf Stefanie Porter. Being cooped up in her apartment for months must have messed up her instincts, because her former pack almost catches her until a mysterious lone wolf jumps in to help Stefanie escape.

The cruel Alpha Wyatt not only stole her pack but refuses to give Stefanie her freedom. She can't hide in her apartment any longer or it will drive her crazy. She puts her trust in the lone wolf who can teach her some of his unusual urban survival tricks. James Roberts might be a bit geeky, but he's smart and looks hot when the argyle sweater comes off. His ridiculous ambition to become a superhero might be admirable if Wyatt couldn't rip him limb from limb.

With the pack scouring the city for her, Stefanie must convince James to teach her and control her own Alpha nature, or fight not only for her life, but his as well.

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I loved The Alpha, right from the beginning. A classic escape scenario leaving you to wonder what exactly she's running away from and why. Of course the only way to find that out is to read on, and it certainly didn't disappoint.

I love the strength of character in Stefanie, and it's great to have a female leading the action. Her strength comes across as physical from her wolfiness, but also mental with her instinct to take charge of both the situation and the people in it.

The introduction of James poses a wonderful dilemma. She's obviously attracted to him, and is troubled by similar feelings to Marc in The Marquis, wanting to get closer to someone but not wanting to put them in danger at the same time. 

I enjoyed the electricity between them, and I was incredibly impressed with her restraint once she found out about his Beta status. This scene was brilliantly written and I felt almost as much disappointment as poor James did when she stopped at the critical moment.

The final battle between Stefanie and Wyatt was set up well, and I loved the transition of power from one Alpha to the other, allowing Stefanie to finally take control and defeat her enemy.

Again, it was a satisfying ending for both characters and I hope their future together is prosperous.

The Alpha is the second in The 13th Floor series of novellas, and the author Christine Rains will be on tour in October to celebrate the release of the series as a collection. Make sure you check it out!

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1302 The Alpha Launch Day!!!

I'm so excited today, it's the launch for Christine Rains second novella in her 13th Floor series, 1302 The Alpha. I've just finished reading the first in this series, 1301 The Maquis, and it was excellent. Look out for the review of this coming soon. I can't wait to get started on this one.

I'm particularly excited about this launch because it's the first day of The Alpha blog tour and Christine has stopped by here for an interview.

It's been great for me to get to know someone further along in their writing journey.

Thanks Christine for stopping by my blog, and I hope you all find her experiences as encouraging as I do.



HM:  So, why did you decide to take the self-publishing route?

CR:  This was a big decision for me. I thought about it for a long time. I've always wanted to go the traditional route. I still might in the future, but right now, with my family being my number one priority, I decided self-publishing was the best path for me. It gives me the flexibility I need, and I love having control over my own work.

HM:  What advice would you give to anyone considering the same route?

CR:  Do your research and put out the best possible story you can. There are a lot of great sites out there that give advice on how to self-publish your work and then promote it. Both are equally tough jobs. It helps to have an excellent editor too.

HM:  What is your inspiration?

CR:  Most of my inspiration comes from dreams. I'm a vivid dreamer, and I remember at least a few dreams from every night. I also love to read about legends and myths. Plenty of sparks for stories there.

HM:  Are you a plotter or a pantster?

CR:  Pantser. I've tried to manage my muse and my time, but my stories have lives of their own. I love writing a story and being surprised by what comes out. Of course, this means I've gasped and laughed in public, but I can live with a little embarrassment.

HM:  When were you comfortable calling yourself a writer?

CR:  When I'm online, I'm comfortable with saying I'm a writer. Outside the web, I'm still not at ease with it. I don't often get positive reactions. Only a few people I interact with on a normal basis know I'm a writer. I'm very shy to begin with, and I rarely talk about anything personal. Writing is personal for me.

HM:  How do you fit in writing around a busy family schedule?

CR:  It's very difficult at times. I try to write when my son is napping and in preschool. Yet sometimes there are errands to do or something else pops up. I write when I can. Even if it's just for five minutes. One hundred words a day is better than none.

HM:  How long does it take to get from initial idea to a finished piece?

CR:  It depends on what I'm writing. Usually, I'm quick with first drafts. I can write a novel in a month or two. It's the revising that takes me a long while. It has to be done, but I don't like it, and I tend to procrastinate.

HM:  Have you learnt anything about yourself since becoming a writer?

CR:  I've learned that I do have the courage to put my stories and myself up in front of the world. It's like standing naked in front of millions of people. I never thought I could do it, but I've met so many brilliant and encouraging folks in the writing community.

HM:  Have you made any sacrifices for your writing?

CR:  Writing is my only hobby. I'd love to do other things like garden and paint, but I only have a little time to myself. I chose writing. I don't regret it, but I miss doing other things with my free time.

HM:  What does the future hold for you as a writer?

CR:  This year, I'll be writing and promoting the 13th Floor series. This is my big project for the year. After this, I'd like to revise one or two of my older manuscripts and query them. Perhaps I'll self-publish another one, but I'd like to see if I could get in with a small press.

Author Bio:

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of S.C.I.F.I. The 13^th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has four novellas and eighteen short stories published.

Website: http://christinerains.net/

Blog: http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchristinerains

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@CRainsWriter

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4017568.Christine_Rains

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1302 The Alpha cover reveal!

I discovered the blog of Christine Rains a few months ago and have enjoyed her first novel Fearless, which I will be posting a short review of soon.

I have been following her, along with many others, as she builds up to the release of her new novella series called The 13th Floor.

The first in this series is 1301 The Marquis, and I am itching to get started on reading it.

Yesterday saw the cover reveal for the second installment of this series, 1302 The Alpha, and I'm excited to be a part of this unveiling.


1302 The Alpha is going to be launched on 13th January 2013 and there will be a blog tour 13th-17th January, of which I am going to be a part. Check this space on the launch day for an interview with the author herself.

Title: 1302 – The Alpha

Author: Christine Rains

Genre: paranormal romance

Release date: January 13^th, 2013

Blurb:

Having been cooped up in her apartment for months, Stefanie Porter didn't think one run in the woods would matter. The wolf within her needed to stretch her legs, but obviously she didn't have very good instincts. Her former pack found her, and they almost catch her too, but a mysterious lone wolf jumps in to help Stefanie escape.

The pack is driven by their cruel Alpha, Wyatt. He refuses to give Stefanie her freedom even after she lost the challenge to lead them and left their territory. She can hide in her apartment, or the lone wolf can teach her some of his unusual urban survival tricks. James Roberts might be a bit geeky, but he's smart and looks hot when the argyle sweater comes off. He has a ridiculous ambition to become a superhero, and it might be admirable if Wyatt couldn't rip him limb from limb.

With the pack scouring the city for her, Stefanie must convince James to teach her, or fight not only for her life, but his as well.

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17160512-1302---the-alpha

Author Bio:

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of S.C.I.F.I. The 13^th Floor series is her first self-published series. She also has three novellas and eighteen short stories published.

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