Title: Wicked Luck
Series: Wicked Luck Trilogy #1
Author: Shannon L. Maynard
Published: June 23rd, 2015
Publisher: Crimson Tree Publishing
Genre: NA Romance
Content Warning: Violence, Adult Themes
Recommended Age: 14+
How can Ava Starrs worst nightmare be Dax Millers dream come true?
For the past three years, Dax has been stranded on Lamarai Island with his stepsister and two tribes of cannibals. But now a beautiful girl named Ava has washed up on shore. After secretly reading her journal, he believes she is a perfect match to the girl of his dreams. Hes determined not only to keep her alive, but also to win over her heart by convincing her to forget about her past and the secrets that continue to haunt her.
Ava Starr has always been the epitome of bad luck, but she never imagined she would wake up and find herself on a cannibal-infested island with no memory of how she got there. The last thing she remembers is boarding a plane with her pilot boyfriend, Preston. But now he and his crew are missing, and she must find him before a tribe of hungry cannibals finds him first. But Avas troubles have followed her to Lamarai, where once again shes surrounded by danger and people who want her dead. She finds herself caught in a web of deceit and soon discovers the answers to her mysterious past can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that no one is actually who they seem to be.
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Me: Can you tell the readers a little about yourself?
Author Shannon L Maynard: I am a mom of five girls who inspire me and keep me on my toes. I love to read, coupon shop, be creative and artistic, and daydream. My addictions are chocolate, shoes, and foreign accents. I love to daydream and those daydreams may or may not occasionally involve my huge crush on both Thor and Adam Levine.
Me: When did you decide that you wanted to be an author?
Author Shannon L Maynard: I have always wanted to be an author and started writing in grade school. I got distracted raising kids but woke up one morning and decided I better get busy if I wanted to pursue that dream.
Me: What three books, do you feel, are must haves for any book reader's collection?
Author Shannon L Maynard:To Kill A Mockingbird, Oh the Places Youll Go (Dr. Seuss) and Wicked Luck. ;)
Me: Wicked Luck is a unique story. Did you have to do any special research for the characters?
Author Shannon L Maynard: I researched cannibals. I also interviewed my brother and some male friends of mine to get some insight to how they would handle certain situations, and then I used the info to help me think like a guy to write Dax and Prestons POV. Avas character has a lot of similar personality traits to me, and I actually used some real life experiences and interactions with people for a basis to create certain events in the story.
Me: Is there a particular character that you feel more attached to?
Author Shannon L Maynard: I love Dax! When I first wrote Wicked Luck Preston was a more important character than Dax but as I kept writing I liked Dax more and more until he became my favorite character. I then re-wrote Wicked Luck to make him a more prominent
Me: What are you currently working on?
Author Shannon L Maynard:The third book in the Wicked Luck series.
Thank you to author Shannon Maynard for being here today. =)
I little bit of Swiss Family Robinson mixed with The Blue Lagoon, Wicked Luck proves to be an adventure worth reading. Being stuck on a deserted island with cannibals is stuff from nightmares. Maynard has a way with words that play on your fear but leave you wanting more. The author's descriptive storytelling brings you on to the island with the characters.
I've never read a book like this one before but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's obvious that Ava doesn't know that you're not supposed to go yelling on an island full of cannibals. Luckily Dad is there to save her.
I look forward to more books from the author of this caliber. She's a great writer and very creative. A recommended add to your summer reading list.
4 out of 5 Stars
With a satisfied grin, I drop the book in my pocket and step out from behind the tree.
Well, well, well. What a predicament. Gives new meaning to the phrase sticky situation doesnt it? My voice startles her and causes a sharp intake of breath as she opens her eyes.
Dax, she says with a relieved exhale.
Hey princess. I give her my best Cheshire smile. Looks like your little escape plan didnt work out so well, huh? Well, I hope you have better luck escaping from that pit of quicksand.
I turn to walk away.
Wait! Where are you going? she asks, and desperation oozes from her voice.
I pause to get control of the amusement cracking away at my serious expression before turning around. I dont know. I think Ill head back to the beach and wait for a hot blonde to wash up on shore. Her mouth falls open right on cue. Oh, and sorry to break it to ya, but you didnt get the part. Since its my fantasy, I was looking for someone friendlier, a little more trusting, a little less sassy, and what was the last thing? Oh, yeah. Someone who actually likes me. But dont feel badyou nailed the physical profile, I say with a wink.
Stop being a jerk and help me, she says, and then softens her tone. Please?
I uncross my arms and rest my hands on my hips. Im pretty sure she already regrets that last comment, but I cant stop now. Look, princess. Im a lot of things, but a jerk isnt one of them. And dont worry; Im sure someone else will find you soon. A hungry cannibalor Roxy. And Im starting to think you and her might make a good team. The pity-party duo. Shes hateful, complains constantly, and shes also a member of the I hate Dax club, just like you.
I turn my back on her again and take a step.
Wait! I dont hate you. Please dont leave me. Im sorry.
Im a sucker for apologies but when I turn to face her, I cant resist putting one hand behind my ear and tilting my head.
Im really sorry, she says again. For running away and being so grumpy. I wait for more, and she grits her teeth. And for not listening to you.
This is the part where I know she expects me to jump to her rescue, but I lean against a tree with a cocky grin and pull a banana from my pocket. She stares while I peel it, take a bite, and chew slowly. Im savoring the fruit but also my triumph in having the upper hand.
Arent you going to help me? she finally asks with a hint of worry.
Im still debating. If I leave you here, at least Ill know where you are and wont have to worry about you running off. I could even build a little hut around you and toss you food and water now and then. Youd be a lot less trouble that way.
Very funny, she says, but I think it is and I cant keep from laughing.
Shannon L. Maynard lives in Colorado with her five girls where she is a legal assistant by day and an author by night. In between working and writing she can be found driving kids to soccer, folding mountains of pink laundry, or eating her weight in chocolate. Other addictions include shoe shopping, reading YA, and Australian and British accents (which may be partly to blame for her massive crush on Thor). If she had one wish it would be for more hours in the day to spend enjoying all of the above. Okay, everything except the laundry.
Shannon studied art and criminology before getting a license in cosmetology, but eventually wound up an expert daydreamer; a skill that occasionally leads to getting lost while driving, but has been a huge asset to her love for writing. Her debut novel WICKED LUCK is set to release June 2015 and is the first book in the Wicked Luck Trilogy.
Crimson Tree Publishing Links:
(An adult division of Clean Teen)
Giveaway is International.
