The Remembrandt Series

Remembrandt (Remembrandt #1)

This young adult suspense novel is the first in a trilogy following the story of seventeen-year-old Alexandra Stewart. This Brown University student with an eidetic memory doesn’t walk down memory lane, she lives on it. When she solves an impossible puzzle for her Russian professor, Alex is catapulted into a life of cryptic codes, covert missions, and unexpected love.

Where to Buy: Amazon, Deseret Book, or ask your local store.

Van Gogh Gone (Remembrandt #2)

Summary: Alex finally has a life worth remembering—a Spanish tutor who gives perfecto a new name, a colleague who has her back, and a special role in a spy organization with secret headquarters at Brown University. After her recent mission in Moscow, Alex discovers that a Van Gogh painting may be the key to finding someone she loves.

Espionage isn’t just her job. It’s a work of art. 

Where to Buy: Amazon, Deseret Book, or ask your local store.

Memory of Monet (Remembrandt #3)

Coming October 15, 2016!

Summary: Brown University student Alexandra Stewart has to decide if her undercover life is the one she wants to lead.  When the CIA asks for assistance on a mission only she can complete, Alex agrees to travel to Mexico City as an exchange student at an elite art school, leaving behind her comatose brother and the man who loves her. This mission could be her final masterpiece.

Where to Buy (pre-order): Amazon, Deseret Book, or ask your local store.

**Audiobooks coming soon!**

Van Gogh Gone Book Launch

I know. I'm totally late in posting these, but they are finally here! Yay! I love this YA series so much and loved being hosted by The King's English Bookshop. They are by far one of my favorite places in Utah. Thanks to them for the location. A shout out to my friends Suzie and Bethany for the fabulous cookies. Thanks to the Durtschi's at Crio Bru for providing the amazing brewed cocoa bean drinks (yum!). Last of all, thanks to all my supporters for coming out and listening to me gush about this labor of love, Van Gogh Gone. You can still pick up a copy at your local Utah bookstore, Deseret Book, or Amazon. Don't forget to read Remembrandt first if you want to get the full story :)

It's go time!
I absolutely LOVE my cover to Van Gogh Gone (Remembrandt #2). It may be that I helped create it, but it's probably more because I got the gorgeous Marli to model for me and Summer Nicole Photo to take the cover photo.

My cheesy smile before the launch begins.

Thanks to my 7-year-old, these custom cookies were nearly gone before the launch even started.

Though some of these gorgeous cookies (made to mimic the symbol of the spy organization in the book) were damaged in transit, they tasted as good as they looked. Thanks, Suzie!

A launch wouldn't be complete without my biggest supporter, my daughter . . . and that child that I will not claim behind us :)

Crio Bru? Yes, please! You can't have a book launch on a chilly day without a warm brewed drink.

Bethany saved the day with these custom cookies she created just hours before the launch. It's a good thing we had them in addition to the others because every one of them disappeared minutes after the reading and Q&A.

There are so many people I love in this picture!

My cute friends from book club! Jen, Kara, and Julie - you guys are the best.

This mother-daughter duo are such good friends and great supporters. Love you, Krista and Shaustia!

Just waiting around with The King's English staff before I began.

Just giving a little back story on how Remembrandt and Van Gogh Gone came to be.

I know I was saying something super interesting here.

I'll be honest with you, I don't even remember what part of my book I read for the reading! Does anyone remember?

Either I said something really funny here or someone in the audience did ;)

My handsome hubby and youngest daughter totally enthralled by my words.

Some of my favorite people came!

Marissa from Rae Gun Ramblings came! She is amazingly cute blogger, crafter, and reader. Her etsy shop (cute and hip baby and toddler clothes) is TO DIE FOR!

See? Totally enthralled . . . 

I'm so funny! (and I was so 16 weeks pregnant too and no one knew)

I told you I was funny. Love you, Amy!

Whitney and Alix came too.

They couldn't wait to get reading.

Angie is my soul sister and seriously should not stand next to me because she's so gorgeous.

Signing time! The King's English has this cute little nook upstairs where authors sign their books. I love it.

I like to personalize my books before I sign my name. 

Finally, I got a chance to sit back and relax.

and drink some Crio Bru.

This was not posed. If it was, I wouldn't have a double chin :)

Kelly from Delicious Reads and LitJoy Crate is one of my favorite people and has supported me from the beginning.

Some of my Delicious Reads friends. I love you guys!

I love that you'll do crazy jumps in the air with me.

 I vaguely remember someone making an inappropriate comment here about my the placement of my books. Thanks to all my supporters (no pun intended) .

Seriously, this was the best book launch I could have asked for!

XoXo,

P.S. The final book in the Remembrandt series will be coming out fall 2016! I'll be announcing the title at an event this coming Saturday,

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.

I'm a Spy in Real Life?

I couldn't help myself.

Since I'm pretty sure the CIA will no longer look at me because I'm too old. I decided to take matters into my own hands. Check out this thirty-something-mom-of-five who feel like she needs to spy her book on the shelf at Deseret Book. Maybe some clandestine organization will view this video and decide that my fabulous somersault is agent material. A girl can hope, right?

I really think I'm in the wrong line of work.

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. 

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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. 

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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

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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

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