February 28, 2023 - fundinmentalfundinmental

I downloaded Contributor by Nicole Ciacchella on 4.8.15. After reading it, and Creators, a ninety page novella that introduced me to the series, I wonder why I waited so long. Oh, wait, it’s because I can’t help downloading the next book, and the next one, and the next one…Do you know what I mean? Do you one click…because you can? LOL

Contributor was free at time of posting, but check to be sure.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

A book, and series, like Contributor by Nicole Ciacchella, really strike home for me. I love books that deal with things that ‘could’ happen. I mean, think about it…what would you do to survive? And what would those who could save humanity do to make sure the right people were chosen?

What happens to a person when they are no longer ‘useful’ to the system that operates on limited resources? Are people disposable?

In Contributor by Nicole Ciacchella, we see what happens to those deemed disposable by the Creators. I was filled with anger and disgust, yet there are always those characters that will rise to the occasion and shine brightly.

Dara Morrow, a seventeen year old girl has been given everything. Her eyes are opened when she realizes not only must she must earn it, but when her mother becomes ill, what happens when a Contributor is no longer able to contribute.

Nicole Ciacchella has the creep factor going in full force when we meet the Head of Engineering, Andersen. Dara is competing to become his assistant. I love when an author can surprise me, and I was surprised when help came from an unexpected source.

The characters range from the worst of the worst to the best of the best. The danger is subtle, but I knew it was always there. I do wonder if a novel like this could be insight to what our future could be? I love ecological stories that highlight current events in real life, which has become truly frightening. Famine? Storms? Are books like this a warning? Something to think about with this thought provoking series.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos — 4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

When the Great Famine threatened the existence of mankind, the Creators saved humanity. Humanity has been their loyal subject ever since.

This history has been ingrained in seventeen-year-old Dara Morrow since her first day of Creator-sponsored school. Grateful for the life-giving necessities her Creator provides, Dara is thrilled to be one of three students chosen for an elite, year-long apprenticeship program. Now is her chance to prove herself a devoted Contributor.

But Dara’s competition is ruthless and will stop at nothing to win the competition. Worse yet, her exacting master has little patience for her.

Then Dara’s mother is seriously injured, and Dara realizes the price of being a Contributor: once you’ve outlived your usefulness, you’re discarded. Can Dara learn to manipulate the system to save not only herself, but everyone she loves?

ABOUT NICOLE CIACCHELLA

Nicole has never met a genre she doesn’t like. She dabbles in everything from science fiction to contemporary rom-coms to fantasy fiction.

Nicole has previously published under the pen names Elizabeth Darcy and Anne Wentworth, but is no longer using those names.

Nicole has had a lifelong passion for the written word. As a child, one of her most treasured Christmas gifts was an electric typewriter, which enabled her to crank out her stories even more quickly than she could with a pen. Naturally, the personal computer is one of her favorite inventions. When she isn’t writing, Nicole can usually be found curled up in a chair, whiling away the hours with a good book.

One of Nicole’s other great passions is travel, and she has visited Europe, as well as traveling to many of the fifty states. Her favorite trips include visits to Paris, Maui, and various parts of Belgium. She feels fortunate that she is married to a native Belgian, as it gives her plenty of reasons to visit Europe as often as possible. Also, it gives her an excuse to eat Belgian waffles regularly.

Born and raised in Michigan, Nicole lives there still with her husband and two beautiful children. She thinks Michigan is the greatest state in the country, and Michigan State University is the greatest university in the world.

Website / Facebook

MY NICOLE CIACCHELLA REVIEWS

Creators (Contributor)

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Secretly
Talya Blaine
(Transformation Series, #2)
Publication date: February 28th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Unquenchable chemistry. The rare gift of a second chance. Choices that could destroy it all.

Quinn and Jonathan’s erotic journey continues as sizzling tension tests their “friends for now” pact.

After a desperate call interrupts a failed platonic dinner—and a water main break renders Quinn homeless—she’s left with little choice: Take Jonathan up on his just-friends-no-benefits offer to share his apartment.

But getting closer? A romantic relationship? Not an option. Even after that one impulsive and magical but heartbreaking kiss.

Damn, that kiss. It tells Jonathan all he needs to know about Quinn’s feelings and only deepens his desire to build a life with her. Until her defensive walls throw him back into reality. The reality in which his sweet gig as Spice of Life’s travel show host is on the line. The reality in which he can’t fully accept Quinn’s involvement at Octavia’s dungeon. The reality in which the woman he adores is still grieving—and not ready to hear the three words he needs to say.

The second novel in the Transformation Series, Secretly turns up the heat: A secret trip to a Parisian chateau dungeon, a last-minute wedding to plan, a bold, perhaps impulsive, career decision. Quinn and Jonathan each make choices that alter the course of their lives. Can they forge a shared future?

A story about discovery and desire, friendship and boundaries, freedom and risk. About the delicate balance between intimacy and autonomy. About the struggle to love again and how we choose to live the second chapter of our lives.

Friends to lovers, slow burn, second chance, fish out of water—readers will click with the themes in this edgy contemporary erotic romance. Features characters over 40 and a sexy beta hero. Mature themes, strong language, kink, dungeon and steamy open-door bedroom scenes.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Q&A with Talya Blaine:

How did you come up with the idea for Secretly?
As I was writing one of the later scenes in the previous book, Silently, the scene where Quinn is in the hospital and Jonathan climbs into bed with her and they talk–really talk–I realized there was too much growing between them for their story to end. After I finished writing Silently, that feeling continued–I could not get Quinn and Jonathan out of my head. So I began writing Secretly, and the two of them took it from there.

What was your favorite scene or theme in Secretly to write?
That’s easy. Wait, actually I have two favorites. The first is when… Hmm, how to say this without spoilers… The first is when Jonathan catches Quinn off guard at one point and she’s a sweaty mess in the summer heat, and she’s SO awkward with him. He gloats a bit rethinking it later, but in the moment he’s himself–sweet and sexy and relieved she’s not angry with him. They’re both so real with each other in that scene.

And the other scene I loved writing is when they think they see each other in Paris. During revisions, I was this close (pinching fingers together) to cutting it. But I kept it in and I believe the book is better for it. I think it shows that, at the end of the day, no matter what issues have arisen between them, they’re just really connected to each other.

What was the hardest scene or theme to write?
The hardest theme through all three books was Quinn’s grief. Although it lessens over time, it was difficult to balance showing the depth of her sorrow with keeping the story moving forward. In a way, I had to do the same thing to her that the characters were doing — trying to respect her feelings, her experience, her healing process while also nudging her on at a pace that felt “right” for the story.

Your blog says you love-love-love to read. What are you reading right now?
A funny, sharply written erotic romance with fake dating and multiple partners, Mint to Be by Madelynne Ellis, and I just finished–and am still thinking about (in the best way)–Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

What’s your writing routine like?
Writing routine. Hah, that’s a good one. I’m more of a fits and starts kind of girl. I wish I could say otherwise but that’s the truth. I don’t always write everyday. But when I’m in the middle of a draft, with the ideas clamoring to be put onto the page, I will write every single minute of the day that I can.

How can readers find you online?
Visit my blog, or connect with me on BingeBooks, BookBub or Goodreads. To keep up with new releases and special offers, the best way is to add your email to my list.

Author Bio:

Talya Blaine writes later-in-life contemporary romance that’s emotionally intense and thought-provoking, spicy and sweet. She writes “older” characters (40+), sexy beta heroes, and explores how relationships of all types change over time. Silently (Transformation Series Book 1) is her debut romance, with Secretly (Book 2) and Entirely (Book 3) completed and releasing soon.

Website / Goodreads / Bookbub

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