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Never Lost
In Never Lost, by Holly Brandon, protagonist Chase Morgan’s life, which initially seems well-ordered and promising, undergoes a dramatic upheaval. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque ski resort in Sun Valley, Idaho during her grandparents’ 65th wedding anniversary, Chase’s story unfolds in unexpected ways. Her engagement, a highlight of the evening, is quickly overshadowed by a catastrophic earthquake that disrupts the celebration and introduces chaos into the lives of Chase and the fifty guests.
Complicating matters is the sudden appearance of Asher Fisher, a man from Chase’s past. His unexpected presence at such a critical juncture in her life, combined with Chase’s intense and inexplicable dreams about him, adds layers of intrigue and emotional complexity to the narrative. Brandon skillfully uses this encounter to explore themes of destiny, unexplained connections, and the pursuit of understanding one’s deeper desires and mysteries.
Chase Morgan, depicted as a grounded and intelligent engineering professor, finds her life turned topsy-turvy not just by the natural disaster but also by the re-emergence of Asher. This development challenges her perceptions and the trajectory of her life. The reader is drawn into her journey of discovery, questioning Asher’s role in her life and the implications for her future.
Brandon’s writing style immerses readers in a whirlwind of emotions, from the joyous celebration at the anniversary party to the heart-pounding tension of the earthquake. Her ability to engage readers is notable, making the reader feel like a participant in the unfolding drama rather than a mere observer. An endearing addition to the story is the character of Daphne Stanley, a ten-year-old with a remarkable gift of insight. Daphne’s candid and intuitive nature adds depth to the narrative, providing a unique perspective on the events and the characters involved.
The cast of characters in the story is both diverse and intriguing, each bringing a distinct flavor to the story. This variety adds to the novel’s appeal, as the unpredictability of each new character’s personality enriches the reading experience. Brandon’s skill in character development and plot construction is evident, making Never Lost a captivating read for those who enjoy a blend of emotional depth and unique character dynamics.
Holly Brandon’s Never Lost is a well-crafted novel that offers a compelling mix of romance, mystery, and the supernatural, all set against the backdrop of a dramatic natural disaster. Readers will find it difficult to put this riveting read down. Its engaging characters and intricate plot make it a recommended read for those who appreciate a story that combines emotional resonance with a touch of the extraordinary.
Pages : 458 | ASIN : B0CM19M1Z2
Hidden Family Secrets Start Unfolding
Nothing’s As It Seems follows a woman who has never found “the one” but discovers that other forces are at play in her life and that nothing is as it seems. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration has been my own life. Chastity is based on my experiences. That said, I am a hopeless romantic to the core, dreaming of forever with a man when I can look him in the eyes and say, “I do” again and again. I learned long ago that it’s worth waiting and fighting for all good things. I wanted readers to see a character who has everything thrown at her—lack of success, inability to have children, loss of the things most cherished—but then decides to fight, sticking to her truth and values. She may come out bruised in the process, but she has toughened up because of her experiences, a true survivor.
Dr. Chastity Ann Morgan is an interesting and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
One driving ideal is Chastity’s sense of humor since she can roll with the punches and laugh about all these crazy men who come into her life. The other driving ideal is her tenacity to fight hard enough to overcome any obstacle thrown her way and never let anyone tell her that her ideas and beliefs are crazy and ridiculous because those concepts make people so unique and special.
What were significant themes for you to explore in this book?
Fate and destiny. As a single woman, I talk a great deal to my friends about a new man as destined or fated for me. Can you fall in love and be destined for someone else? Do soul mates exist? It’s a major driving theme in Nothing’s As It Seems when hidden family secrets start unfolding.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on the third and final novel to close this series and hope to release it before the end of the year. Readers can look forward to much revealing but should expect many twists along the way.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
To top it off, a secret journal surfaces, which reveals things from the past. How it’s supposed to fit into Chase’s life only adds to her growing confusion as a cryptic past seeps into her future. Can Daphne, her ten-year-old psychic neighbor, provide direction when the little girl comes up with her convoluted myriad of clues? Only time will tell if the current events will assist or hinder Chastity’s destiny, especially when she has to decide if blind trust in love will lead to a day of reckoning. Find out as you read along in Nothing’s As It Seems, the second novel in the Chastity Series.
Nothing’s As It Seems
Nothing’s As It Seems by Holly Brandon lives up to its title in the best possible way. Chastity Morgan, also called Chase, is a romantic with the desire for marriage and a happily ever after. When Chase finds herself in her 30s after multiple failed relationships, she’s beginning to think that she’s never found “the one.” She fights the pressure of her family and their traditional views on the need to find a husband. Instead, Chase focuses on her independence and being happy without a man. She learns from her family, friends, and personal experiences that life is all about the journey, and love is about mutual respect and commitment.
Chase soon discovers other forces are at play, including Daphne’s psychic abilities and a questionable series of events that occur unexpectedly. She soon learns that the destiny she’s been chasing and the life she’s been looking for were in front of her all along, and essentially, nothing is quite as it seems.
I found the book to be fun, with quirky, likable characters and excellent development throughout the story. There is a significant dynamic between Chase and her cousin Roxie, with rich inspiration and empathy. I really enjoyed her family’s relationship, creating a sense of nostalgia throughout the book. It’s an enjoyable, creative story filled with original ideas that give the story more depth and thought-provoking ideas than I expected. I love how the dialogue between the characters shapes their relationships, and there is a good dose of humor driven by fate, the setting, and the characters. Chase’s journey is a must-read that I highly recommend.
Nothing’s As It Seems by Holly Brandon is a light, fun, and fast-paced book with loveable characters and an enjoyable plot. I recommend this entertaining tale that blends love, friendship, family, and a drive for more out of life.
Pages 539 | ASIN: B09R4GFSPN
Chastity is Me
Life in the Chastity Zone follows a woman’s dashed fairytale life once her fiancé dumps her, and she’s thrown into the wild world of dating. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My inspiration came from real-life events. My fiancé unexpectedly dumped me. Instead of being devastated, I turned lemons into lemonade and wrote about it. Few of the characters are mergers of two or more men that I’ve met in my past. I must say that I’ve met unique men who left an unforgettable impression on me. I was a senior in high school when I encountered my first adventure with a man I secretly labeled Montana Man. He was tall, dark, and handsome, and I was terrified of flying. It didn’t help that I left on a Delta flight from one of the most dangerous airports because of its topography and weather conditions. I was scared to death. I can still picture him coming up to me in the airport, his smell, his aura, everything, and then those few little words that took me off guard, “I want to sit next to you on the plane.” He was, I’d say, “what dreams are made of,” except that he was a facade—the cover was beautiful, but the inside was a seedy, tainted nightmare. And so began my adventures, which later I put on paper.
Chase is an interesting and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Chastity is me. I learned a long time ago that it’s worth waiting and fighting for all good things. I wanted readers to see a character who has everything thrown at her but then decides to stick to her guns and fights. In the process, she may come out bruised, but she’s stronger—a survivor.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The one lesson and theme I hope everyone will see is that you can overcome any obstacle thrown your way if you fight hard enough. And never, ever let anyone tell you that your ideas and beliefs are crazy and ridiculous because that’s what makes us all so unique and special. Marriage is extraordinary, and waiting for the right man is worth it, even if you’re a thirty-year-old virgin.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I am working on is Nothing’s As It Seems, the sequel to Life in the Chastity Zone. Readers can expect to find out what happened to Grant, Vincent, and Jacques-Pierre. They can also expect to see Chastity dive into the working force and the struggles that come with being a woman in a man’s world. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns in the next book. Can a decision from years ago hinder Chastity’s destiny, or will her blind trust in love lead to a day of reckoning? Find out the answers and more in Nothing’s As It Seems, coming very soon.
Author Links: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Life in the Chastity Zone
![Life in the Chastity Zone (Chastity Series Book 1) by [Holly Brandon]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41eMSpzHexL.jpg)
Life in the Chastity Zone by Holly Brandon follows Chastity “Chase” Morgan, who seemingly has it all lined up in front of her: a potential career as a brilliant female structural engineer, an architect fiancé, and a life full of promise. That is, until her fiancé sends her a cryptic text putting their relationship on hold and sending everything Chase holds dear into turmoil. She learns that he’s run off to Vegas and married another man, and to top it all off, she’s saved her virginity for Grant, her now ex—and she’s a 30-year-old virgin.
Chase seems to be hit with disaster after disaster. Her PhD is denied, sending her into a spiral. But her cousin Roxie is ready to lift her up and encourage her to get back into the dating world. As she cycles through a variety of eager men who would like to show her the ropes of a physical relationship, Chase struggles to balance student teaching and a normal life. Women from her teen years show up and complicate everything as they tear Chase down, but she fights through these troubles and attempts to get her life back on track.
I loved the sense of adventure that continued throughout this story. Chase embraces spontaneity, whether it be in the form of a date with a new man or a trip to Paris. Life in the Chastity Zone carries humor throughout the entire story, and author Holly Brandon does a great job of keeping Chase’s story light and fun even as she endures through tough times.
While I enjoyed the humorous tone that many of the characters brought to the table, I thought some, like Alison or Brent, seemed to be overexaggerated. However, the addition of these dramatic characters allowed the story to feel full of life and high stakes. I would have enjoyed more genuine connection within the story but enjoyed Chase’s adventures overall and I loved the developments of her story that followed her trip to Paris.
Life in the Chastity Zone takes readers on a whirlwind ride through Chase’s life and surrounds us with larger-than-life characters who introduce her to a life full of adventure and strange experiences. If you want to feel as if you could travel the world and fall in love a hundred times, this is the perfect book for you.
Pages: 461 | ASIN: B086WV8WGY
LITERARY TITAN 