Yikes! I am so busy!

Two new books up on Amazon and another coming soon.

Links: Liz and Me

My Everything

Thanks for your patience! Sorry, gotta run! Love to all, Julia

Late as usual!

Can't help it. Busy! Fridays are tough because my husband works from home, we get out hiking at the crack of dawn and then he likes to actually eat breakfast and drink coffee. I usually just grab a banana. Okay, no more complaining!

I'm at Book Lovers, Inc. today: http://www.bookloversinc.com/2011/08/guestpost-ghost-romance-say-it-aint-so.html

Stop by and maybe win a copy of Incorporeal! Happy weekend! Julia

Sorry, Julia is indisposed!

Oh, sorry. Soo busy! I'll be off for the next three weeks - huge wedding coming up and I'm helping my parents move to a new home.
I will be back after July 4th.
I'll miss you! Julia

My bad!

In my defense, I have out of town company. She is sick and she's infected the entire household. Virus shedder!
I have a long post over at my site, http://juliarachelbarrett.net
about my week. Stop by!
(Normally I wouldn't send you in a different direction, but man, I'm just not feeling all that hot!)

Happy Friday the 13th!

I don't have much to say today, too busy with house guests, but...

I was born on a Friday the 13th. It was 11:55 p.m. and the doctor told my mother that if she was superstitious, he could change the date and time on my birth certificate, making it 12:05 a.m., Saturday the 14th. Can you imagine?

Fortunately, my mother is not the superstitious type, at least not when it comes to Fridays. I consider this my lucky day! Have a great and lucky day and weekend! Julia

So here I am...

late again!

Sorry! Fridays are tough for me because my husband works from home so we hike together with the puppy. And Blogger hates my ass - it will not let me schedule in advance no matter how hard I try to get it right.
What's new? Not much - still working on the paranormal and then I will focus on the romantic suspense.
I received a funny/interesting rejection from a publisher who requested copies of all my books. "Read them all. Loved them! Great writing! Wonderful style! Best of luck with your career!" I guess that's called letting me down softly.
Don't you love the photo? It's taken from one of my favorite trails. This is why I love Northern California so much in the winter. The landscape turns into a fairytale.
Have a happy weekend all. I won't be here next Friday unless I can figure out how to schedule my post. Eye surgery...scary...

Come Back To Me

A Review
From Basia's Bookshelf.

Summary: This positively sings with emotional authenticity. Cara is a haunting example of what can happen to victims of sexual violence as well as an example of how they become survivors. I knew before I started reading this that it was going to be a tough read; I didn’t expect that it was going to put me through such an emotional wringer, one that’s going to stick with me for a long time. This is an absolute recommend.

My Rating: A-

Please head over and read the entire, and very beautiful review at: http://basiabooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/come-back-to-me.html

Merry Christmas!

Around our house -

we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and the solstice...sort of. It's just nice to see lights during this cold, dark time of year.

This is a good opportunity to thank my author friends and my reader friends alike - I write because I hope to give pleasure - a little vacation from the problems of the real world. That's sort of what this time of year represents, a vacation from the real world, an island in the storm.

I wish you all good things - if your year has been tough, then I wish you a better 2011. If your year has been good, then here's a big congratulations and wishes for more of the same. Never underestimate the value of love.
To good friends! Julia

At Seven Sexy Scribes we usually share sexy, funny, fantasy stories.

Today is a little different and I’m going to take a chance and share another kind of book with you that dips into a darker reality. It’s a vividly written book and it’s a difficult book. It’s always a big risk to switch topics especially during the cheerful holiday season, but I think there’s value in remembering life’s not supposed to be perfect.  It’s how we react to those imperfections that determine if we will survive, heal and thrive as human beings. 

The book I want to share today is Julia Rachel Barrett’s “Come Back to Me.” From Evernight Press.

Blurb:

Sometimes the safest path is to keep people at a distance…especially men.

Cara’s life has been one nightmare after another. Abused as a child and neglected by her parents, she’s quick to blame herself for every cruel thing that happens to her. And then there’s James, the only man capable of making her forget her misgivings and learn to love again.

James, a young doctor in training, is aware of Cara’s history. He’s determined to break through her barriers and build a life with her…and fails. Cara runs away in an attempt to reinvent herself and James fears he’s lost her for good. When she falls into the hands of a drug dealer and mob boss, life as they know it is about to get a whole lot worse.

Can their love withstand the demons of her past and present?

Be Warned: violence against heroine, rape of heroine.

I just finished reading “Come Back to Me”. This book is beautifully written, incredibly involving and true to life. It will stick in your mind, you might forget your reading fiction, and it may make you mad.

There is a great deal of love in “Come Back to Me” but this is not an erotic romance. This is a “Lifescape” of a young woman named Cara. 

The story begins in 1967, and the way the story is written perfectly demonstrates how ill prepared the professional community is when it comes to dealing with overt sexual abuse. Doctors, lawyers and parents alike all see the effects of Cara’s abuse but no one in authority seems to know how to cope with the issue except for an enlighten nurse named Debbie and a young intern name James Mackie.

“Come Back To Me” covers some dark subjects including rape, sexual abuse and drugs, but I want to assure readers the material is always handled in an honest but sensitive way. It’s never too graphic or overwhelming yet I got pulled into events and found myself deeply sympathizing with Cara. Ms. Barrett has a gift for keeping it simple, clean and fast paced.

I felt Cara’s anxiety and frustration at knowing her adult neighbor had no boundaries and might appear in her bedroom as soon as her parents drove away. The details of Cara’s struggles are internal and emotional. We know what happen to Cara not from overblown scenes but from the true to life emotional reactions Cara endures after. It’s a strong book and because it is written so well, it will trigger an emotional reaction from readers.

Once we taste Cara’s pain the story flows and it’s too compelling to put down because we know why Cara does what she does and we also feel for her when a chance to live a better life is offered. This is when the romance kicks in, and you really feel the love between Cara and James.

It’s no spoiler to say James is protective, loving, patient and completely opens his heart to Cara and everything that comes with her.

My guess is that each of us can directly relate to something Cara goes through, including her healing or we know a beloved girl-woman in our lives who has.

“Come Back to Me” is one of those gripping creations that might sound unattractive on the surface but reveals itself as beautiful inside. This oyster has a pearl to share with anyone who needs to heal from any of these issues or simply enjoys seeing real love triumph.

I got pulled into the story, I got upset, and I had a beautiful feeling of catharsis when I was finished. I’m very glad I read “Come Back to Me.”

XXOO Kat

Have you heard about Evernight Press? 

Evernight is new in to the publishing world and 

“Come Back to Me” is one of their premier books. Check out more from this interesting new press at: Evernight Press: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/

Julia Rachel Barrett “Come Back To Me” Evernight Press.

A quick note to announce the winner:

Val from Germany won the Daughters of Persephone series. Yay Val and thanks everyone for participating!
You can always go to my site and read my December Newsletter - lots of free books!
http://juliarachelbarrett.net

love, Julia

Come Back To Me - release day!

If you're in the mood for a deep, dark, suspenseful love story with a dysfunctional heroine who has to fight and claw her way to the light, this is a beautiful read. Not an easy read and it wasn't an easy write, but I think Come Back To Me is the best love story I've written - it's not erotic, it's a love story.

Buy link: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/products/Come-Back-to-Me-by-Julia-Rachel-Barrett.html

Sometimes the safest path is to keep people at a distance…especially men.

Cara’s life has been one nightmare after another. Abused as a child and neglected by her parents, she’s quick to blame herself for every cruel thing that happens to her. And then there’s James, the only man capable of making her forget her misgivings and learn to love again.

James, a young doctor in training, is aware of Cara’s history. He’s determined to break through her barriers and build a life with her…and fails. Cara runs away in an attempt to reinvent herself and James fears he’s lost her for good. When she falls into the hands of a drug dealer and mob boss, life as they know it is about to get a whole lot worse.

Can their love withstand the demons of her past and present?

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine consisted of stressful cooking and staving off WWIII. Same as always!

New Contract Offer

I don't know where all my canoe photos went on this computer, but here's some water!

I just received an offer from Siren for my new contemporary romantic comedy, Pushing Her Boundaries. The story is based upon my own recent disastrous and very insanely hilarious trip to the BWCA - the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota.

So...coming 4/11/11, Pushing Her Boundaries.
Believe me, this book was a hoot to write!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I'll talk to you all the day after!

For the love of Pete!

I cannot for the life of me remember Fridays!

If I could this dang thing to schedule my posts I'd post in advance, but it won't work for me - it posts everything I write instantly. Either the site loves me or hates me, I don't know which!

Here's my Jake on a hike last Sunday. It had been raining and we hiked to a creek - the same creek where Louie (died in June) and I used to see a mountain lion that the county has since trapped. Makes me so mad! I kept quiet about that lion for ten years.

The tentative release date for Come Back To Me, my romance/suspense with Evernight Publishing, is November 26th. Just finished edits - yay!
Not much else to tell - everybody is super busy. Hope your Thanksgiving is amazing and I'll see you next Friday. I'm getting a personalized license plate that says ALWAZL8!

I'll be brief...

Not much to tell because there is so much to tell.

Come Back to Me will be out with Evernight later this month. Finished up with one WIP and I've started four more.

I"m pretty burned out by all the World Series excitement, but I'll treasure every single moment.

Have a wonderful weekend! Julia

Party at my place!

I've been lucky enough to score an interview with

Sourcebooks author, Sharon Lathan.
I got to ask her about her passion for all things Austen and congratulate her on her success - she started out writing fan fiction.
Stop by and find out what makes Austen so timeless!
http://juliarachelbarrett.net

Happy Friday!
julia

Uh-oh, me again!

I can never remember that it's Friday and blogger won't let me schedule in advance so...what are ya gonna do?

Off to speak at a conference down south - yay! My topic? Writing that first encounter. This oughta be fun - I had a dream last that only four people showed up.

Working on a contemporary and a dystopian and a new project involving Captured...more next week, if I can get my act together.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Late as usual!

New Book, New Cover, New Contract!
Come Back To Me

Coming in November with Evernight Publishing! Yay!
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/come-back-to-me.html
I love this cover and I can't wait for the release.

Also, my new WIP, Salvation, a post-apocalyptic/dystopian novel took second place in the Paranormal category in the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest hosted by the Southern Louisiana Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

Sorry I'm late with the post - had a big night last night, what with the Giants winning their first game and us being there!

Anytime Darlin, from Two Lips Reviews

Paramedic Jake McKenna responds to an ambulance call and finds Devlin Barre emaciated, raped, and beaten to near death. He instantly feels a connection to her and becomes a constant support during her stay at the hospital while she recovers from her trauma. However, he’s 24 and she’s only 17, so he knows they cannot have a relationship and decides to put some distance between them.

When Jake doesn’t call on her 18^th birthday, Devlin realizes that she needs to get over Jake and learn to take care of herself. Although her uncle, who raped and beat her, got away, she knows she can’t live in fear forever. She has no family left, but she leaves her new friends and heads back home to go to school and find out what she really wants in life.

Four years later when Jake and Devlin reunite at a friend’s wedding, the sparks fly. They realize that the feelings they had for each other never went away, only this time there’s no reason to deny it. But Jake isn’t the only one hoping to reunite with Devlin; her uncle is still looking for revenge. Can Jake and Devlin forge a life together or will it be too late?

I would have liked to see the relationship between Devlin and Jake develop more slowly. It was love at first sight and I never got a feel for why they were so in love with each other so quickly. Although if you can get past that, the relationship between the two is so sweet and endearing that it really doesn’t matter why they got together in the first place. Plus, the sizzling hot sex scenes burn up the pages and you can definitely feel the attraction between them.

I almost didn’t read Anytime Darlin’ because of the rape of the main character, but I’m so glad I did. I thought Julia Rachel Barrett did an excellent job of touching on this sensitive subject but not making it the central focus. Devlin is a memorable main character who has a series of tragic events happen in her life that she overcomes with strength and grace. Jake is the perfect hero for this story because although he knows he could be with Devlin when he first meets her, he does the honorable thing and lets her go.

This book has it all, suspense, real life characters, and a heart-warming love story. It will make you think and will stay with you long after reading it. Definitely a recommended read!

Spontaneous Combustion - writing that first encounter!

News!

Daughters of Persephone, Book Three Reborn, Book Four, Red Demon, was released by Resplendence on the 8th. This is a great cover and you get a two-fer - two fun books in one volume....and you can win a copy from me.

Check out my site: http://juliarachelbarrett.net and find out how to participate in my contest - I'm offering two copies of each of my books!

I'm blogging over at Bookwenches about that dynamic, scorching first encounter. http://www.bookwenches.com/guestblog.htm
I'd love to have you drop by and leave me a comment.
To everyone - have a great weekend! Julia

Anytime Darlin' - two great reviews

My favorite romance/suspense!

From Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust:
http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspot.com/

OOOOH, I have got to tell you about this great new book, Anytime Darlin'. Yes, it is by my friend Julia and she sent me an e-copy as a gift with no expectation of anything since she knows the scope of my blog. But it was so good, so H.O.T. that I told her I am plugging this on the blog on Friday.

There are two main characters, Jake, a cowboy/emt with parents who own a super profitable cattle-ranch. The girl he happens to get a call on is Devlin, found half-naked, starved, beaten and raped. Something in her eyes bonds them together more deeply than super-glue. Jake is 24, but Devlin is 17, a victim of her uncle's psychopathic rage. Jake knows he is too old for her and spends a few years away. She has no family, some close family friends help her but when she turns 18 she takes off to heal herself. It is a few years before they can get back together.

When I began reading this I thought the writing was outstanding. Super natural; nothing rang untrue or out of character. The story is really quite unusual, sad and sweet with loss and triumph. The heat level is up there past Scotch Bonnet, to Habañero. You know the hottest of the hot peppers. The sex in this made my toes curl.

But really what made me like this the most was the writing, the story and the development of the characters. There is a story with the sex; it is not just sex. Even the supporting characters are well developed. The villainy is complex and interwoven.

I know, I know, this might be hot but it's not paranormal. But the writing is super an it is natural, and it is about love and what is more magical than that?

Anytime Darlin' is available from Bookstrand.com

and from Book Wenches: http://www.bookwenches.com/august10reviews.htm

ISBN: 1-60601-352-1
Length: Novel
Format: Electronic
Genre: Contemporary
Source: P
Sensuality Level: 3
Rating: 5.0

Reviewed by: Teagan S. Boyd

A girl beaten within an inch of her life is found in the backroom of Kmart, and no one knows who she is. With the girl barely clinging to life, a paramedic holds her hand, and she refuses to let go. Aquamarine eyes drag him into her pain and suffering, and he can't resist being there for her.

This is how Devlin and Jake meet. Two people who form a bond one fateful day. When the terrible secret of Devlin's life the last two years comes out, Jake wants nothing more than to see the monster that did this to her dea, and to take care of her forever. But Devlin is young, and Jake realizes he must walk away and let her heal. When they meet four years later, has their love withstood time? The man of her nightmares has never been caught . . . will Devlin ever be safe?

********

Wow. This book blew me away. I expected romance, and I received so much more. This is a story with true heart and grit, and the spectacular romance just puts icing on the cake. I was drawn in immediately within the first few words and found that I was not able to put it down for a minute. The characters will be impossible to forget, and I wouldn't even want to.

I truly enjoyed that this story had so much "meat" to it. I got a bit of some of my favorite things: romance, suspense, and superbly written characters. The romance is sweet as well as spicy. The suspense kept me wondering what would happen, and my emotions were in full drive throughout the book due to the evilness of the villain. The characters are simply wonderful.

Devlin has a strength we all wish we had. She is a victim, yet we also see that she embraces her strength in order to overcome being a victim. I enjoyed her both as a teenager as well as a woman. Ms. Barrett brought her to life.

Jake is any woman's dream man. He is hardworking, sexy, and his compassion is almost as welcoming as his passion. I felt like cheering him on at times for his chivalry, yet he wasn't a softy pushover. The combination worked extremely well.

I must also mention the secondary characters. While they were very important, they didn't overshadow the main characters, they added superior depth to an already outstanding story.

Ms. Barrett has an uncanny ability to get my emotions in high gear, and her descriptions and stories come to life. As I have said before, she has a fan in me, and I will be waiting impatiently for more of her wonderful stories.

Thanks ladies!