Mar 082012
 

Since there was no Guest Author Thursday post last week, this week you get TWO. Lucky you! Read Rachelle J. Christensen’s Guest Author Thursday post HERE.

K.C. Grant is the author of three novels including Abish: Daughter of God, Abish: Mother of Faith, and her newest release, Venom.

K.C. is currently hosting a Read-a-Thon and giving away a copy of Venom. Read on for details!

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The Courage to Write

If you were to ask the average person about something that it would take courage to do, you’d probably hear answers like, “Parachute out of an airplane,” or, “Travel on your own to a foregin country.” Maybe even, “Get up and speak in front of a large group.” But I’d propose something else that takes at least that much courage: writing. Because in my mind, putting down your thoughts into words and presenting it to the world to be examined for the first time is every bit as thrilling as jumping out of an airplane, as new as venturing into unknown territory and as frightening as standing in front of a group of strangers.

So it’s probably why so many people don’t even bother.

It’s not that they don’t have the desire. In fact, one study proposed that nearly 80% of all Americans want to write a book–so whoever you are reading this, that probably includes you–but the bottom line is only 1% even attempt it. It appears that the same fears and doubts that keep us from doing a variety of new things also keep us from writing. “I can’t do something like that.” “I wouldn’t be good enough.” “I don’t know where to begin.” Well, I can’t make you a list of steps that will automatically take you from A to B and help you succeed when it comes to writing, but I can give you a little nudge by reminding you that achieving your dreams isn’t dependant upon when you finish, but when you start.

So find that courage to start . . . and write!

(And because becoming a writer is often the end result of first being a reader, here’s a little motivation to get that started. Visit my blog http://www.kcgrantwriterscorner.blogspot.com for details about my Read-a-Thon and how to win a copy of my latest suspense novel, Venom.)

Connect with K.C. Grant: WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK

 

Feb 102012
 

Product Details:

  • Title: Venom
  •  Author: K.C. Grant
  • Paperback: 216 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.; 
  • Published:1st edition (January 3, 2012)
  • Genre: Romantic Suspense
  • ISBN-10: 1608611426
  • ISBN-13: 978-1608611423
  • FTC:FYI I was given a review copy of Venom. In no way did this influence the honest review given.

 

 

 

Book Description:

Samantha Evans is determined to make a name for herself in the cutthroat world of advertising. Newly hired by a prestigious ad agency, she volunteers to work on location in Mexico City as a personal assistant to the beautiful and driven creative director Katrina Edwards. At first the association seems promising. But Ms. Edwards seems preoccupied in a way that makes Samantha increasingly uneasy. In fact, many in the group seem like they are not being completely open about the project including David Ayala, the mysterious and moody photographer for whose attention the two women find themselves competing. After several strange accidents and numerous appearances by an unknown man, Samantha discovers the truth: not everyone on the team is in Mexico to create a stellar advertising pitch. When her sleuthing leads to her abduction, she is brought to the pyramids of Teotihuacán and comes face-to-face with the venomous evil of the South American crime boss known as “The Serpent.” Now Samantha must not only fight for her life, but she must also discover if she can trust the man she’s come to love.

My Review:

Samantha’s main goal is to forge ahead in her career. She volunteers herself to join a group on an advertising job to Mexico. With her being fluent in Spanish, because of her serving a Spanish speaking mission, she was the perfect candidate. Little does she know what danger she is putting herself in, both physically and emotionally. Working for her boss, the beautiful and fashionable Katrina Edwards, she never feels quite up to her level. Then Samantha is attracted to freelance photographer, David Ayala, who is also the object of Ms. Edwards interest. What was supposed to be a simple business trip turns into something strange and scary. Odd things start happening that don’t add up and everyone around her looks guilty. Samantha notices that a strange man starts following her. Then, accidents start happening to her, which don’t seem so “accidental”.

 

To make things worst, back in the USA, Samantha’s father is diagnosed with cancer. Not only is she worried about the alarming events taking place in Mexico, but she wonders if she should leave, to head home, and support her parents through this trial. As Samantha starts discovering things about her boss, and other members of her team, she doesn’t know who to trust. The unfriendly co-workers,Lin and Mike, who are keeping secrets, and the over friendly co-worker, Seth, coming on to Samantha, lead her to start delving into what is really going on. Meanwhile, Samantha is falling in love with the allusive David, and she’s not entirely sure she can even trust him.

 

K.C. weaves a mystery that is very difficult for the reader to unravel. With so many people suspect, you also have a hard time figuring out who the bad guys really are. It takes awhile to get into the intrigue, but you learn so much about the history of Mexico and its people. With the author’s colorful writing, this country and it’s beauties, and the gray areas, are brought to life. The majesty of the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, are detailed so dramatically, you feel as if you are there. The sadness of so much poverty is also shown. I loved the added history that was found in this book. Most people reading this book will be surprised by the ending. Who you first thought was involved with “The Serpent”,the South American crime boss, will change with the unexpected happenings.

 

Venom’s exciting ending will not leave you disappointed. Just taking the ride, and seeing who falls in the end,(Literally!!), makes this a welcome read.

 To purchase Venom, go here to Amazon.com or Deseret Book.

 

About K.C. Grant:

 

K.C. Grant was born in rural Idaho, but has made Utah her home for most
of her life. After serving an LDS Spanish-speaking mission to Anaheim,
California, USA, she returned and continued her studies at Weber State
University, participating in a study abroad program that allowed her to
study at the Centro Mexicano Internacional in Michoacan, Mexico. She has
been a freelance writer for eight years. Much of her work appears
in family-oriented magazines such as
LDSLiving, Latter-Day Woman, Back Home, Parents & Kids, and Natural Life and  also The Deseret News/Mormon Times. She
served as president of the Bountiful chapter of the League of Utah
Writers for three years and is  also a member of the Association for
Mormon Letters and LDStorymakers. Though raising her children is still
her most important task, she combines it with the demanding job of
working out the numerous plots she has for future novels. She and her
husband of seventeen years love to travel and scout out new settings for
books. While ancient Mexico was the setting for her first published
novel,
Abish: Daughter of God, which was released by Covenant in 2010 and its sequel, Abish: Mother of Faith, released March 2011–modern Mexico was perfect for her suspense novel titled, Venom, recently released in 2012. Other publications include short stories published in Covenant’s seasonal compilations, How Will Christmas Find Us? and A Christmas to Remember, by various LDS authors.

To learn more about K.C. Grant or would like to contact her, here are some helpful links:

Website: http://www.kcgrant.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/authorkcgrant


Blog: 
http://www.kcgrantwriterscorner.blogspot.com/