Review & Author Interview-Erin Healy

Title: Never Let You Go
Author: Erin Healy
Genre: Suspense, Supernatural
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2010
Pages: 352
ISBN: 1595547509


From Amazon:

Losing everything has Lexi clinging to her daughter. Hell is determined to loosen her grip.

It's been seven years since disaster struck her family. Lexi Solomon has held it all together since then--just barely.

But now Lexi is losing it. The husband who deserted her is back in town, wanting to see their daughter Molly. Her sister's shameless murderer is up for parole. An unsavory old friend is demanding payment for debts that Lexi knows nothing about and can't begin to meet.

And something else is going on--something Lexi feels but can't explain. A dangerous shift is taking place between this reality and the next. Forces beyond her imagination are vying for control.

A rare novel that will satisfy a wide range of readers, Never Let You Go explores the high-stakes decisions played out in the thin spaces between heaven and earth. As the enemy's grip tightens around Lexi, she will have to decide what's truly worth holding on to.

"Keeps you glued to the pages until the very last."--Tosca Lee, author of Havak: The Story of Eve

A mother's love is a dangerous thing to manipulate. Lexi is such a mother-working two jobs just so her and her daughter Molly can scrape by. With no help from a dead-beat husband who has drug charges on his record, Lexi's life seems to be as difficult as they come. But life has a way of turning difficult into unlivable. An unpleasant surprise form Lexi's past surfaces with incomprehensible demands and things begin to not only turn for the worse but also for the supernatural.

After reading Erin Healy's coauthored novels with Ted Dekker, I had no doubt that her solo debut novel would be stupendous. Truthfully, it was not only stupendous but breathtakingly astonishing! Healy creates a world where the characters come alive-as if they are living, breathing beings standing right in your living room. They are beautifully flawed with raw emotions that Healy conveys with brilliance. Healy's way with words is pure lyrical elegance. It is easy to become engulfed within the pages and forget you are reading a work of fiction. From the very first page the reader will be hooked to the point of ravishing. The storyline is a heart-clenching tale of good versus evil with spiritual ramifications. Some characters are virtuous while other are down right vile. But do you really know the characters who fall on each side? Twists and turns fuel the suspense-laced pages until the very end. This is definitely a novel that should not be missed! I highly recommend it!

5 lattes for epical writing finesse that draws the reader in deep and clenches around the heart with thrilling suspense!

~INTERVIEW with author Erin Healy~

I am absolutely thrilled to welcome author Erin Healy who graciously stopped by Coffeelicious Bookaholic for an author interview! Here is a little about her (obtained from erinhealy.com):



Erin Healy is an award-winning fiction editor who has worked with talented novelists such as James Scott Bell, Melody Carlson, Colleen Coble, Brandilyn Collins, L. B. Graham, Rene Gutteridge, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Robin Lee Hatcher, Denise Hildreth, Denise Hunter, Randy Ingermanson, Jane Kirkpatrick, Gilbert Morris, Frank Peretti,Lisa Samson, Randy Singer, Robert Whitlow, and many others.

She began working with Ted Dekker in 2002 and edited twelve of his heart-pounding storiesbefore their collaboration on Kiss, the first novel to seat her on “the other side of the desk.”

Erin is the owner of WordWright Editorial Services, a consulting firm specializing in fiction book development. She lives with her family in Colorado.

Erin had this to say:

"The Irish girl in me has long been fascinated by the concept of thin places, a Celtic name for locations where the veil between physical and spiritual realities is so slim that a person can see through it. For me, thin places are revelations, bridges between the seen and unseen elements of our lives. Read my books and journey with me into the mysterious places where the spiritual world intersects what is familiar to us, and changes it forever."

And now, let's find out more from our featured author!

1. What are three fun quirks your readers don't know about you?

(1) I'm a great (to the 8th or 9th power) niece of Daniel Boone.
(2) I learned to parallel park in my great-grandmother's 1970 Chevy Caprice.
(3) I caught a cold after walking on the English moors that inspired Wuthering Heights. Completely depressing.

2. What is the most memorable book you've read recently?

Ooo, so many good ones to chose from. Today--most recent!--I'm reading Jane Kirkpatrick's new novel, The Daughter's Walk, a fictional account of Clara Estby, the daughter of Helga Estby, who walked together from Spokane to New York City in 1896. Helga's true story is told in Linda Hunt's nonfiction book Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America. I won't soon forget Jane's take on Clara's emotional journey through social scorn and relational tragedy in her search for the true meaning of family. Jane is an amazing writer. The Daughter's Walk will be published in 2011--watch for it.

3. The characters in your book seem so real that I not only found myself pulling for some characters while smiling at my dislike for others, but also really relating to their emotions. Do you ever find it difficult to write relatable characters?

When Ted and I wrote Burn, Janeal was tough! She had a strange role, being a protagonist and antagonist at once. (People who've read Burn will know what I mean.) I worried a lot about her being too unlikable while needing readers to care about her. I'm sure people disagree about whether Ted and I pulled that off. In my upcoming book, The Promises She Keeps, some of the story involves the point of view of a man who has autism. That was also a challenge, because people with autism are characteristically difficult to relate to. Social interactions with them are hard, in real life and on the printed page!

4. Do you have any essentials (music, coffee/tea, a specific place, etc.) when it comes time for you to write?

I need almost-total silence. I was the college nerd who always worked at the library because the dorms were too noisy. The sounds of my children (and husband!) bouncing balls on the floors above my office are not a problem, but TV, music, background chatter--out. Like most moms, I'm really good at multitasking, but my writing self will have none of it; writing (as editing) demands all of my brain.

5. Prior to publishing your first solo book, Never Let You Go, you co-authored two novels with Ted Dekker. I imagine there are various trials when it comes to collaborating with another author versus writing independently. Do you find it more or less challenging to write unaccompanied?

Both, really. What's more challenging is the sense of being alone. Working with someone like Ted, I could have instant feedback whenever I wanted it. Working independently, not so much. There's lots of feedback after the first draft is on paper, but the daily process of knocking that out is more isolated. On the other hand, writing alone means having total creative control. And I can't say I don't like that. (Insert villainous laugh here.)

*A HUGE thank you to Erin Healy for stopping by and sharing some fun facts and insights! Thank you!


Check out these other books by Erin Healy:
~Kiss by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy
~Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Helay

Coming Soon...
~The Promises She Keeps by Erin Helay (February 2011)


Connect with Erin Healy:

Erin Healy's awesome website
Friend/fan Erin's fun facebook
Erin's fantastic blog
Tweet @ Erin Healy's Twitter

*Information regarding Erin Healy's bio and picture came from her website. Information on her upcoming book and book photo was found on Amazon. I did not alter the interview. The answers are Erin Healy's own words.

Bargain Books-FYI

Barnes and Noble has some amazing books on sale in their bargain books section. Some of Ted Dekker's book, he's one of my favorite authors, are on sale and marked down as low as $3.99! What a deal!!! His books Adam, Saint, and Sinner are just a few that can be found in B&N's bargain section on their website. If you haven't read Dekker's novels yet (he's primarily a thriller/fantasy/supernatural author), you are missing out! I highly recommend checking him out.

Black, Red, White, Green-REVIEW

I just finished Ted Dekker's Circle series with the latest being Green and thought, in addition to posting my review of it, I would post my review of the other books in the series too. Keep in mind this is a "circle" series. Meaning, you can start ANYWHERE within the series because it all comes back full circle. However, my recommendation would be to read the series in this order: Black, Red, White, Green. Additional books related to this series: Showdown, Sinner, Saint, Chaos, Lunatic, Renegade, Elyon, Chosen, Infidel.



Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2009
Pages: 432
ISBN: 1595542884





Travel between two worlds with Thomas Hunter. In Green, Thomas hasn't dreamt in years and the Circle is weakening because there's no sign of their Creator, Elyon. When Thomas' son, Samuel, loses the faith, evil from both worlds tempts him to initiate war. Will Thomas be able to save Samuel and the Circle?


Thomas Hunter has saved Earth from a deadly virus and fended off the Horde. Thomas no longer dreams, but this does not mean there are not events happening in the Earth world that will gravely impact Thomas' forest world. Though unaware of the coming events on Earth, Thomas suspects there is a war fast approaching. His beloved son has created turmoil and unrest throughout the Forest people. Thomas must find a way to bring his people together again and save not only his son but the future of the Forest. With multiple betrayals, this task will be the ultimate challenge.

Ted Dekker does it again. His final chapter in the Circle series will have the reader turning pages long into the night. The suspense enthralls the reader to continue the journey through unsuspecting turns and astonishing twists. There are a few new characters introduced while other absent characters return. Green is not only the sequel to the series but the prequel as well. In addition, Dekker does a fabulous job of weaving in connecting series' such as The Paradise series and The Lost Books series. It was a fabulous end, or beginning depending on how you view it, to a most-engaging series.



Publisher: Westbow Press, 2004
Pages: 352
ISBN: 0849917921

Some say that the world hangs in the balance of every choice we make. Now, the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance of one man's choices... an unlikely hero who may not survive the next 24 hours.

In White, Thomas Hunter struggles to stave off a war and a virus that are simultaneously ravaging two world's populations. Meanwhile, he must also contend with the ramifications of an incredible love story that unfolds--consequences that are far more crushing than anyone could ever imagine. This final installment brings the groundbreaking series to a close in a completely unexpected manner, filled with final plot twists that will richly reward those who have taken this epic journey.


Thomas Hunter's life is never easy these days. The threat of the unleashed virus weighs heavily on Earth. A terrorist, who unleashed the viral weapon and holds the key to the antidote-which can be exchanged for the world's nuclear power, is on the hunt to kill Thomas. Being killed is the least of Thomas' worries as he furiously attempts to retrieve the antidote before it's too late. Though Earth is being ravaged by a virus, Thomas has little control over when he sleeps and the events that occur in them. While trying to unite the Forest people and fend off the Horde, Thomas' heart has fallen for a woman. However, this is no ordinary woman. The consequences of their love with surely bring war and death to the two as well as Thomas' people.

Ted Dekker's third installment does not disappoint. The development of the characters brings to light various emotional traits: love, sacrifice, pain, and strength. The reader finds that there are characters worth rooting for while there are others to loath. The quick-paced writing found in the previous two novels, is not lost in the third. The Circle series is a continuous thrill ride. The reader is engulfed by Dekker's writing style as his depictions surround the reader to feel and see as the characters feel and see. A fantastical, thrill of a ride to be taken by any reader willing.





Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2004
Pages: 400
ISBN: 0849917913

"We have stepped off the cliff and are falling into madness."

The mind-bending pace of Black accelerates in Red, Book Two of Ted Dekker's groundbreaking Circle trilogy. Less than a month ago, Thomas Hunter was a failed writer selling coffee at the Java Hut in Denver. Now he finds himself in a desperate quest to rescue two worlds from collapse. In one world, he's a battle-scarred general commanding an army of primitive warriors. In the other, he's racing to outwit sadistic terrorists intent on creating global chaos through an unstoppable virus.

Two worlds on the brink of destruction. One unthinkable solution.

A life turned upside down and inside out is the life of Thomas Hunter. As he teeters between two not-so-different worlds, Thomas finds himself racing against time to advert destruction. In our world, it is a race to find a cure for the Raison Strain-a virus that has annihilating properties. A monumental battle against the ever-imposing Horde is on the horizon as the Forest people begin falling apart at the seams in Thomas' dream world.

Ted Dekker's second book keeps the reader completely engaged. It is a fast moving storyline on both world accounts. In the midst of journeying with Thomas' characters between the two worlds, the reader begins to contemplate which world is the real world and which is the dream world. The characters are well-written and believable. It is easy to relate to the characters as exciting to see them develop even further. Dekker's writing pulls the reader in to the point of feeling in the middle of it all. It is a book packed with action, sacrifice, suspense, and above all, love. Though this book has Christian undertones, it can easily be enjoyed by any reader.





Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2004
Pages: 400
ISBN: 0849917905

Fleeing assailants through alleyways in Denver late one night, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of an industrial building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head and his world goes black.

Now Thomas wakes from a deep sleep, remembering the vivid dream he just had of being chased. Incredibly real. His head is even bleeding – but he's fallen on a rock. He's in a green forest, waiting to meet Rachelle, the woman he's falling madly in love with.

That night, Thomas tumbles into bed and falls into a fitful sleep. He dreams. But here comes the real mind bender. Every time Thomas falls asleep in one reality, he awakes in the other. He truly no longer knows which reality is real. Each reality has dramatic impact on the other, each proves to be real, each presents huge stakes, and the fate of each will depend on one man: Thomas Hunter.

Though Thomas Hunter's life is far from a success, he is the key. After being cornered in an alley by an unknown man bent on killing him, Thomas begins to dream when he sleeps. Not ordinary dreams, however, dreams where fantasy becomes reality. Thomas is thrust into a world if imagination and almost killed by ravaging beasts. He soon discovers that when he sleeps he not only dreams, but travels between two realities-both in despair and in desperate need of saving.

The suspense and intrigue flow throughout the entire book. Dekker's style of writing is amazing and unlike any other author. His ability to grab the reader with his creative story-telling is remarkable. The characters begin to develop into relateable beings and the reader is introduced to two very different, very similar worlds. Dekker's adrenaline-laced writing will draw the reader into a world where two realities not only coexist but depend on each other.



My rating: 5 lattes for all four books because each book kept me wanting more. The storyline was suspenseful and exciting. It was well-written with fully developed characters. I highly recommend this series to a read who loves fantasy and/or suspense with a little love thrown in.

Book photos and information found at Goodreads.com.