The Remembrandt Audiobook is Live!!

It's here! It's finally here. Production started last fall and now the first book in the Remembrandt series is live on Audible (through Amazon) with the amazing narrator Austenne Grey. Also, the song I sang and co-wrote with my brother, Aaron LuBean, is on the audiobook (at the end)! SO exciting.

Remembrandt Audiobook with narration by Austenne Grey

You can listen to a sample on Amazon, download it for your iPhone, computer, or iPod (do people still use these?!?).

Just in case you didn't know, Remembrandt is a spy/thriller/adventure perfect for teens or adults that like to keep it PG. The series follows the story of Alexandra Stewart. With her eidetic memory, the seventeen-year-old can't forget anything. Ever. When she solves an impossible puzzle for her Russian professor, Alex is catapulted into a life of cryptic codes, covert missions, and unexpected love.

The books are best read in this order:

1. Remembrandt
2. Van Gogh Gone
3. Memory of Monet

All three books are available in print and ebook (Kindle or other) on Amazon, Deseret Book, or ask about it at your local book store.

40 Clean Reads for Teens

I've done it again. I know. It's another book list. The last list I did for Delicious Reads, Top 24 Books for Teen Boys, was so successful that I decided it was time to put together a list of books that any teen could read. I've been arranging a list for a while now that includes books I would feel comfortable having my daughter read when she is a teen (even though she is currently five years old). 

These books would get a PG rating (no swearing, sex, drugs, alcohol, or too much violence). Does that make these books boring? Heck no! It just means you can read them without being offended, embarrassed or guilty about the content. These would be perfect reading for school, teen book clubs, or anyone that likes to read good, clean young adult novels.

About four years ago, I started giving all the books I've read a "Robin-Approved for Teens" tag at the bottom of my reviews in GoodReads. I'm still adding to the list, but I pulled from it my favorite ones to make this list for Delicious Reads. I'd love help adding more to my list on GoodReads as well. You can add books to the group by joining it. It's called Clean Teen Reads (Robin-approved).

And the winners are . . .

Thanks for everyone that participated in the GoodReads Giveaway. We had over 1,242 entries! I'm so excited to have new readers and even more excited to have everyone read Van Gogh Gone (Remembrandt #2) when it comes out in November.

The LAST Remembrandt Giveaway

In celebration for the completion of Van Gogh Gone (Remembrandt #2), we are doing another giveaway through GoodReads! Even if you've already read Remembrandt, enter the giveaway as gifts for friends and family (all copies will be signed by the author). Van Gogh Gone will be released this fall so if you haven't read the first book, this gives you the perfect opportunity to find out all about Alexandra and what's really in the basement of Brown University. I can't wait for you to read it.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Remembrandt

by Robin King

Giveaway ends August 25, 2015

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

ENTER GIVEAWAY

If you are one of those readers who likes to put a face to a name, check out my top picks for who should play who in the Remembrandt cast.

Because Daly likes to read about himself.
(Photo by Summer Nicole Photography)

And the official title of book 2 in the Remembrandt series is . . .

It's been almost 8 months since my first book, Remembrandt, came out and Remembrandt 2 is done! At 84,533 words, this book is quite a bit longer than Remembrandt. I also spent much more time editing, researching and writing this baby. I'm so happy with how it looks now, but I know it will be even better as I work with my editor to polish it more. 

In celebration of completing the book, I figured it was time to announce the official title. Here goes:

“Espionage isn’t just her job, it’s a work of art.”

SO what do you think of the title? Do you like the little teaser for the book cover in the background? And the tagline . . . I love the tagline!

And here's the summary:

Seventeen-year-old Alexandra Stewart finally has a life worth remembering - a Spanish tutor who gives perfecto a new name, a roommate that could double as her sister, and a special role in a secret spy organization that exists in the basement of Brown University.

But when her colleague, Daly, returns from a recent trip to Moscow accompanied by a man she never thought she'd see again, Alex is ripped away from her life in Providence and sent across the globe in search of a stolen piece of art.  In desperate need to find the Van Gogh painting, she will do anything to find it. Anything.

From Barcelona to Paris with only Daly at her side, the bonds of friendship are stretched as the duo uncover a truth neither one of them saw coming. Finding the painting could mean discovering a part of Alex she is ashamed could even exist, but without it, she could lose everything. The world around Alex threatens to corrupt the memories she holds most dear and the person she loves the most is at stake.

 If you haven't read Remembrandt, you will want to get your hands on a copy before the sequel comes out. Van Gogh Gone will hit the shelves this fall.

Remembrandt Cast of Characters

People often ask me if I had a certain person in mind when I started writing a character for Remembrandt. The truth of the matter is: I just made them up. I didn't have a celebrity or friend that I imagined looked exactly like my characters. In fact, some of the characters changed appearance while I was writing the book (green eyes changed to blue, blonde hair became brown).

Now that I am working on revising book 2 in the Remembrandt series, I've come to discover that what I picture certain characters in my book look like may not be how they are portrayed on the page to my readers. When I started attending book clubs, I decided that it would be fun to create a Pinterest board of possible people that might fit as a CAST if I made a Remembrandt movie.

You requested. I answered! Here are my top picks for characters in the book:

For those curious, William and Daly are models and I couldn't find their names anywhere (please let me know if you find out who they are!). Alexandra is a sweet gal I know named Marli who modeled for the cover of Book 2 (to be revealed soon . . .). Elijah is actor Jason Statham. Millard is Josh Zuckerman (from the new 90210). Golkov is actor Jonothan Goldsmith.

Is this anything like you pictured these characters? Send me your suggestions!

A Tribute to Gilbert Blythe

Source

Dear Gilbert,

Before I could even read, I often found my mom lying in her bed late at night reading Anne of Green Gables. I remember the dictionary she kept on her night table because the author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, had an extensive vocabulary. What I didn't know at the time, was that those books would be made into a television film adaption in 1985. What I also didn't know was that you would enter my life and I would never be the same.

First Edition of Anne of Green Gables

The first time I watched Anne of Green Gables, I coveted red hair and I was somehow jealous that those scarlet braids found there way into the hands of a dark-curly-haired-hazel-eyed boy. I didn't care that you were a bully. Those of us who read Montgomery's words, knew that wasn't your intention:

"Gilbert Blythe was trying to make Anne Shirley look at him and failing utterly... Gilbert Blythe wasn't used to putting himself out to make a girl look at him and meeting with failure. She SHOULD look at him, that red-haired Shirley girl with the little pointed chin and big eyes that weren't like the eyes of any other girl in Avonlea school. Gilbert reached across the aisle and picked up the end of Anne's long red braid, held it out at arm's length, and said in a piercing whisper: 'Carrots! Carrots!'" 

Though it took Anne several movies/books to figure it out for sure, I always liked you. Your intelligence, witty comments, willingness to give up Avonlea school because you thought Anne needed it more after Matthew died, and never stopping to earn Anne's forgiveness and trust  - those qualities basically gave me high standards to look for in a future partner. 

Source

"Gilbert had also sprung from the boat and now laid a detaining hand or her arm. 'Anne,' he said hurriedly, 'look here. Can't we be good friends? I'm awfully sorry I made fun of your hair that time. I didn't mean to vex you and I only meant it for a joke. Besides, it's so long ago. I think your hair is awfully pretty now - honest I do. Let's be friends.'"

Thank you for rescuing Anne from her re-enactment of the Tennyson poem before she drown. Every girl needs a hero.

I will be always grateful for you showing me that movies can be just a good as books. Jonathan Crombie will forever be in my heart as the only actor who could ever be you on screen. The world will never be quite the same without him.

Last of all, Gilbert, thank you for teaching me that the best things in life are worth the wait. You never gave up on Anne and your willingness to fight for her and love her despite her turning you down so many times, is something we all wish we had. You taught Anne that she didn't need to look for her dreams outside of herself. You helped her discover "it's not what the world holds for you, it what you bring to it."

Source

Your Kindred Spirit,

Robin (with an "i")

If you are looking for an Anne of Green Gables-inspired romance set in a nowadays spy world, check out my romantic suspense book, Remembrandt and its sequel, Van Gogh Gone, coming September 2015! You'll have to let me know who you think is Gilbert.

Goodreads Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Goodreads Giveaway. Goodreads picked five random people to receive a signed copy of Remembrandt and a bookmark. 

And the winners are . . . 

Erin (Odessa, TX)

Debbie (Joplin, MO)

Sandy (Madison, OH)

Catherine (Bozeman, MT)

Jessica (Saint Thomas, Ontario, Canada)

I hope you enjoy reading Remembrandt!

XoXo,

Robin

Good Reads Giveaway: 5 FREE Copies of Remembrandt

I'm so happy that this is happening right now! As a thank you to my readers and supporters, we are having a fabulous giveaway on Good Reads right now. I hope everyone enters this contest because even if you have already read Remembrandt and have your own copy, you can win to share with others. Thanks again, everyone!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Remembrandt

by Robin King

Giveaway ends March 03, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Remembrandt Giveaway: Free Book and Gift!

Thank you, everyone, who has been a big support to me throughout this whole getting published process. As a thank you I get to have my first giveaway!!

Even if you have read Remembrandt, still enter for your chance to win it and give it as a gift for Christmas. The framed quote (thanks Delicious Reads) is perfect for any book lover.

Remembrandt Summary: Alexandra Stewart doesn't just walk down memory lane - she lives on it. The seventeen-year-old starts a new semester at Brown University, hoping to leave behind painful memories, which is nearly impossible when her eidetic memory replays everything in her mind in movie-esque detail. Things aren't always what they seem: her new running partner will show up in another important area of her life, her Russian professor is anything but ordinary and Brown University holds a well-kept secret.

The contest ends at 5pm MST Friday night!  Enter below through rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be notified via private message and on this page. I'm doing a similar giveaway on Instagram @byrobinking, but you can enter both giveaways for a chance to win 2 copies of each item!

Rules: Only those 18 years and older may enter (Sorry, younger teen friends. Ask your parents to enter!). Only residents of the United States. Participants, by entering the sweepstakes, fully release any entity from liability.

NaNoWriMo Winner 2014

I conquered NaNoWriMo!

I almost didn't make it. I had 8,000 words to go and only 2.5 days to do it, BUT I locked myself away in my office and got it done with only a few hours to spare. If you don't know what NaNoWriMo is, you can check out my article "NaNoWriMo Makes New York Times Best Sellers" on Delicious Reads. Authors like Marissa Meyer (Cinder) and Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus) have participated in NaNoWriMo too!

It all comes down to this: you have to write 50,000 words of a new novel in the month of November. To give you an idea of how much that is, my recently released novel, Remembrandt, ended up having 65,700 words. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle has 49,965, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has 77,508. So in essence, 50K is the bulk of a young adult novel.

What did I write this year? I debated for a long time what I wanted to work on for 2014 because I have a contemporary fantasy series that I love and can't wait to write the 3rd book. I also have an idea for a stand alone realistic fiction novel that I want to write too. In the end, I decided to work on the 2nd book in the Remembrandt series because 1.) I already have a publisher for it 2.) I'd already written a summary for it and 3.) Alexandra is so fun to write!

This is my 3rd year in a row doing NaNoWriMo and being a "winner." You'd think it would get easier, but it was so hard this year! With my book launch, book marketing, a trip to Washington State to fulfill my duties as Capsule Keeper, and, oh, taking care of five kiddos, including an 18 month old who won't let me sit at a computer, let's just say I spent many days typing late into the night.

Whew! Now I'm going to hibernate through the rest of the winter . . . except now that I have 50,138 words done of Remembrandt #2, I'm itching to complete the novel. Hold on Alex and Golkov and William and Daly - your story will continue soon enough. I just need a little sleep . . .

NaNoWriMo Winner! Now I get to have a break, right?

Press Kit for Remembrandt by Robin King

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 20, 7pm
Remembrandt Book Launch
The King's English
1511 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Local Suspense Author, Robin King, 

Debuts a Clean Teen Read Worth Remembering

Alexandra Stewart doesn’t just walk down memory lane, she lives on it.

REMEMBRANDT BY ROBIN KING

Alexandra Stewart doesn't just walk down memory lane, she lives on it.  Her eidetic memory records her experiences and plays them back, DVD style.  It's great when she wants to ace a test, but not so great when she topples over a cute boy in the hallway and the humiliation plays back over and over and over . . . Brown University seems like the perfect place for the seventeen-year-old to forget her past.  Hope for a normal life comes in the form of a handsome new running partner who makes her heart race and body perspire even before she laces up her shoes.   

When her Russian professor gives her a puzzle that seems impossible to solve, Alex discovers that he has a secret—one that will catapult her into a world of cryptic codes and covert missions.   As she tries to find a balance between the two different worlds vying for her attention, her have relationships with the ones she cares about while hiding a clandestine life, uncovering the truths of an underground enemy.

One thing is for certain, whatever happens will be forever etched into her memory.  And some things are better left forgotten.

REMEMBRANDT is the first in a young adult suspense series with playful romance, espionage, and a splash of mystery.  Fans of Ally Carter's HEIST SOCIETY and GALLAGHER GIRLS would enjoy reading this series.

150 Word Summary: 

Seventeen-year-old Alexandra Stewart doesn't just walk down memory lane, she lives on it.  Her eidetic memory records and plays back her memories, DVD style.  It's great when she aces a test, but not so great when she topples over a cute boy and the experience plays back on an endless loop of humiliation.

When her Russian professor gives her an impossible puzzle, Alex discovers he has a secret—one that will catapult her into a life of cryptic codes and covert missions. Of course, running secret ops would be easier if she weren’t trying to impress her handsome new running partner. As if love weren’t hard enough already, now she’s trying to find it while dodging bullets and going undercover.

Two worlds vie for her attention and Alex is caught in a battle of heart and mind. If you think keeping secrets is easy - forget it.

50 Word Summary: 

Alexandra starts a new semester at college, hoping to escape her painful memories—a nearly impossible task with her eidetic memory replaying everything in movie-esque detail. Things aren't always what they seem: her handsome running partner shows up when she least expects it, her Russian professor is anything but ordinary and Brown University holds a well-kept secret. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Official Book Launch

Thursday, November 20, 7pm

The King's English

1511 South 1500 East

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

"A Night at the Opera"

Pull out those fancy gowns and dust off those tuxes because we are joining Alexandra at the Mariinsky Theatre! We may not be seeing an actual opera in Russia, but there will be entertainment (a reading from Remembrandt by author, Robin King), cocktails (non-alcoholic, of course), and maybe a song or two. A prize drawing will be held for everyone dressed in their best opera attire. The author will be signing books that can be purchased from The King's English that night. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews

In this clever and fast-paced young adult novel, Robin King delivers a perfect mix of suspense and romance. . . .  Alexandra’s eidetic memory will reel you in, and her double life will keep you guessing until the end. —Brooke Hargett

Let’s be honest, we’ve all dreamed of being one of those suave, oh-so-cool spies or secret agents, right? Well, with Remembrandt, you get to be! Or at least, Alexandra gets to be, and the writing is so effortless you feel like you’re right there along with her.  —Caitlin Jacobs

Remembrandt is a remarkable book with a captivating plot that offers a fresh flavor of mystery. With an added pinch of espionage, a dollop of suspense, and a splash of romance, this book kept me reading and loving it. —Julia King, author of Félicité Found

What a great debut novel! Author Robin King keeps you intrigued as you try to figure out the puzzles Alexandra is faced with. . . . I would highly recommend this book to young adults and adults alike. —Wendy Mallatt

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

​

Robin M. King received her bachelor’s degree in education from Brigham Young University and has been instructing children and young adults for over ten years. When she’s not writing or helping her students remember the quadratic formula, she leads a clandestine life in Lehi, Utah as a wife and a mother of five. Don’t tell anyone, but Robin’s also a marathoner, photographer, singer, seamstress, baker, and household-appliance repairman. You can find her online at www.byrobinking.com and on social media @robinyourheart.

Price: $16.99

Publisher: Walnut Springs Press

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Binding: Softcover

Size: 5.5”x8.5”

ISBN-13 978-1-59992-948-4

ISBN-10 1-59992-948-1   

Release Date: November 2014

Available at Deseret Book and other local booksellers. 

Order online at DeseretBook.com or Amazon.com.

Contact: Garry Mitchell

Walnut Springs Press

(801) 949-1083

gmitchell@leatherwoodpress.com

How Remembrandt Got its Name

I've had several people ask me lately about how I came up with the title for Remembrandt. Did I have the title first and then write the book? What does it have to do with the story or characters?

The title comes from two words:

Remember + Rembrandt = Remembrandt

If you read the summary of the book, you will know that the main character, Alexandra (Alex), has an eidetic memory. Similar to a photographic memory, someone with an eidetic (pronounced eye-de-tik) memory can recall images, sounds, and objects in their mind's eye, almost like they are watching a movie in their head. So the first part of the title of my book is because Alex can "remember" everything. I always knew that my main character would have this quality.

The next part of the title comes, of course, from the Dutch painter, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Specifically, the painting "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee."

When I first began writing Remembrandt, I hadn't planned on using this painting or artist. I just knew I wanted there to be a famous painting or sculpture. As I searched through artists and found Rembrandt, I knew it just fit.

Here is the description of the painting from my book: 

Now, originally I was going to title the book, Providence, because that is where the story takes place, but I'm so happy that I happened upon this painter and painting. Though only a small part of the story is influenced by the painting, I feel like it plays a big roll in Alex's story and will influence the rest of the series. I can't really say more without spoiling the ending of the book, but I will plan on doing a post all about the painting and how it influenced the book once Remembrandt has been out a while.

Don't forget to pre-order your book from DeseretBook.com! That's right, my friends, you can pre-order it now. I just happened to be on their website and typed in the title of my book and WHAM, there it was. It will be available in the next month in eBook format too, but if you want to be one of the first to get the print version, order it here :)  

A Little Wisdom from Sensei Itosu

One of my favorite characters from Remembrandt is Sensei Itosu. He gives Alexanadra some bits of wisdom in the book. Since she has trouble getting her eidetic memory from constantly replaying her memories, Itosu teaches her meditation and his words help her to conquer some of the memories that plague her mind.

This quote taken from the book, is so true:

Remembrandt by Robin King: A New Young Adult Suspense

Title: Remembrandt
Author: Robin King
Publisher: Walnut Springs Press
Date: October 2014
Pages: 240
Genre: Young Adult Suspense

Summary: Alexandra Stewart doesn't just walk down memory lane, she lives on it.  Her eidetic memory records her experiences and plays them back, DVD style.  It's great when she wants to ace a test, but not so great when she topples over a cute boy in the hallway and the humiliation plays back over and over and over . . . Brown University seems like the perfect place for the seventeen-year-old to forget her past.  Hope for a normal life comes in the form of a handsome new running partner who makes her heart race and body perspire even before she laces up her shoes.   

When her Russian professor gives her a puzzle that seems impossible to solve, Alex discovers that he has a secret—one that will catapult her into a world of cryptic codes and covert missions.   As she tries to find a balance between the two different worlds vying for her attention, she wonders if she can have relationships with the ones she cares about while hiding a clandestine life, uncovering the truths of an underground enemy.

One thing is for certain, whatever happens will be forever etched into her memory.  And some things are better left forgotten.

__________________________________________________________

You can now preorder it on DeseretBook.com! 
It will be released the end of this month and ship soon after. 

Here's the summary Deseret Book put out (I wrote it, but they shortened it a bit):

Alexandra Stewart doesn’t just walk down memory lane, she lives on it. Her eidetic memory records and plays back her experiences, DVD style. It’s great when she aces a test, but not so great when she topples over a cute guy.

After her Russian professor at the university gives her an impossible puzzle, Alex discovers he has a secret—one that will catapult her into a life of cryptic codes and covert missions. Of course, running secret ops would be easier if she weren’t trying to impress her handsome new running partner. As if love weren’t hard enough already, now she’s trying to find it while dodging bullets and going undercover. One thing is for certain, whatever happens will be forever etched into her memory.

The Making of a Book Cover: Remembrandt

People keep asking me if I got to chose the cover to Remembrandt or not. I kind of ho-hum around the topic because it is a yes-no answer. Any of you who know much about the publishing world, know that most authors have no say whatsoever in their cover.

After Walnut Springs Press offered me a contract earlier this year, they had me send them a list of some book cover ideas, along with a detailed description of all the characters and places in the book. I sent a list of about 5-6 ideas. Since their graphic designer was out of the office until the next week and would only have a few days when they got back to deliver some mock-up covers to Deseret Book, I asked if I could put some of my own mock-ups together. They said yes!

I spent a few days searching for stock images of the main character (a blonde teen with gray eyes) and scenes from Russia (one of the settings in the book). I came up with a few possible ideas and put together a couple cover ideas. BUT I still was't happy with them. Then a friend and fellow photographer (thank you, Mary!) reminded me that I am a photographer too and offered to help with a photo shoot. We gathered together seven or eight models who matched the description of the main characters in the book and clicked away at our cameras.

I spent the next couple of days editing photos, adding text, and layering images. It was a blast coming up with different ideas. Here are some of the many mock-ups we came up with:

My favorites were was the top left one, the black dress with the pink shoes, and the ones with fingers crossed behind back. The publisher also liked the top left one, along with the boy and girl on the bench, Unfortunately, the distributor wanted a more "suspense" looking over. Now that I look back, I totally agree with them. In the end, the graphic designer and Walnut Springs found another model (which is the perfect Alexandra!) and used the Russian scene from my favorite mock-up cover and combined them, similarly as I had done in the top middle mock-up above to get this:

The amazing designer, Tracy Anderson,  added a little makeup to make her appear older (since she's 17 in the book):

At this point, I loved it, but my artist brother, Devin, noticed a crane in the city background, Alexandra's missing shoulder, and thought he could make the transition between her hair and the city more natural. Willow Springs gave me permission to make the changes and here's the final image:

The final cover of Remembrandt

Xoxo,

Robin

The Golem and the Jinni Book Club and Book Review

A few weeks ago I got to host the most amazing group of girls at Delicious Reads. We read The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. This historical fiction/fantasy book sent us back in time to 1899 New York and also across the globe to the Syrian Desert. In honor of the Jinn, from Helene's book, I transformed my house into a "Little Syria". With some beautiful fabric provided by my mom and some props borrowed from Delicious Reads members, my house became an Arabian dream. Syrian food and golem-making made this night worth remembering!

I transformed my house into "Little Syria" for The Golem and the Jinni Book Club 

I love ice cream and had so much fun creating this ice cream bar in honor of Ice Cream Saleh in the book.

To see more pictures from our amazing book club and get ideas on what activities and recipes I used to recreate your own Arabian Nights Party, check out it out at Delicious Reads (Part I and Part II). And a special thanks to them for spotlighting my upcoming book, Remembrandt, coming in October!

MY BOOK REVIEW:

Book: The Golem and the Jinni

Author: Helene Wecker

Publisher: Harper Collins

Year: 2013

Pages: 496

Reading Level: Adult

Genre: Adult, Magical Realism, Historical Fiction

Summary: An immigrant tale that combines elements of Jewish and Arab folk mythology, The Golem and the Jinni tells the story of two supernatural creatures who arrive separately in New York in 1899. One is a golem, created out of clay to be her master’s wife—but he dies at sea, leaving her disoriented and overwhelmed as their ship arrives in New York Harbor. The other is a jinni, a being of fire, trapped for a thousand years in a copper flask before a tinsmith in Manhattan’s Little Syria releases him.

Each unknown to the other, the Golem and the Jinni explore the strange and altogether human city. Chava, as a kind old rabbi names her, is beset by the desires and wishes of others, which she can feel tugging at her. Ahmad, christened by the tinsmith who makes him his apprentice, is aggravated by human dullness. Both must work to create places for themselves in this new world, and develop tentative relationships with the people who surround them.

And then, one cold and windy night, their paths happen to meet.

My Opinion: A fantastic look at 1899 New York through the unlikely eyes of a creature made of clay and a genie. 

4.25 out of 5 Stars

This book was a little bit fantasy, a little bit mythology, a little bit historical and a whole lot of different. Helene's knowledge of New York right before the turn of the century was seriously astounding! I loved the little bits of history that filled the pages while we experienced the story of the Chava and Ahmad.

When I think back on everything I read, I still can't believe all the events that took place. From Chava's creation and trip to America to Ahmad's reawakening and flashbacks to his life in the desert, you never really knew where the story was going to turn next--which would have been annoying if everything wasn't so interesting. It wasn't just the history that grabbed my attention (Why do people of the same heritage gravitate towards one another? How much did language barriers shape our culture over hundreds of years ago?). The mythological elements had me thinking for days (Do Golems have souls? Can the Jinni have kids? Why is Ice Cream Saleh seeing bones where flesh should be? What if evil souls were reincarnated over and over, only to have the same goal/outcome in each life? What would it be like to know everyone's wants?).

(Possible spoilers) I wasn't sure where the story was going when the Golem was first created. I wasn't sure I would come to have a connection with this character who didn't have her own desires and goals. In the end, she ended up being one of my favorite characters because she grew into this woman who had to chose which desires she could fulfill and which ones she didn't need to fill. Though things didn't quite turn out as I would have liked between her and Michael Levvy, I think their relationship kept me on my toes.

The same goes for Ahmad and Sophia. I didn't love how things turned out (Poor Sophia!), but I think that is part of the reason this novel is so different. You have these two magical characters--the Golem and the Jinni--and they have to interact with humans. I like that their relationships twisted and turned in different directions, eventually ending up where they could both help one another.

My only wish, if Ahmad could have granted it, was that I hoped Chava and Ahmad could have found each other sooner. I would have loved to see more of their interactions!

Overall, this was one of those reads that wasn't just for entertainment. I felt culturally enriched. The historical elements interested me and I learned fascinating details about a society that has been forgotten. No matter what walk of life you come from, The Golem and the Jinni is one of those novels worthy of a read.

Remembrandt Cover Reveal . . . A Sneak Peek

Here's a partial glimpse at the cover of my book, Remembrandt, which will be coming out this fall:

Yeah, I bet you were hoping for something more. Sorry. I have to keep you all guessing.

Stay tuned because the OFFICIAL cover reveal for Remembrandt with be August 8th! Put it in your calendars and shout it on the rooftops because I am so excited for you to see what the publisher and I have come up with! See you next week.

XoXo, Robin