Character Interview: Andrew from Laura Kreitzer’s Timeless Series

I’m so excited to welcome Andrew from Laura Kreitzer’s Timeless Series to the blog today.

TFE: How old are you?

Andrew: It’s funny you ask that; we’d probably need a . . . a . . . I believe it’s called a calculator? (He rubs his neck uneasily.) Well, I’d guess you could say from a human’s perspective I’m 28, though in all reality I’m almost 4,000 years old. Don’t go spreading that around—not like anyone would believe you. (He chuckles lightly.)

TFE: How did it feel to awaken in a time period so different from the one you last remembered?

Andrew: After learning what I have of this world, I could probably relate me waking in a crashing airplane—it would probably be more mind-boggling if I couldn’t fly myself—anyway, I’d say it’s about the same as you going to bed one night and waking up in the deepest depths of the ocean in an underwater world and everyone around you acting like it was “normal.” If it wasn’t for the “imminent” death, I’d probably have more complex feelings about the whole ordeal, but adrenaline can do some funky things to your system.

TFE: Do you ever miss being mortal?

Andrew: I can hardly remember being mortal, and from what I can, not really. I may face death now, but it was nothing like losing both of my parents over things that would have never harmed an Angel. At one time I might not have agreed, but now that I have Gabriella . . . it seems pointless to grieve for a life I’ll never have. And a life I don’t want unless she’s at my side.

TFE: Can you explain what you felt when you first met Gabriella?

Andrew: Such expressions can’t be worded when it comes to the beauty of that moment. In the past I wondered if I’d always be alone. Thousands of years passed with any and everything I’ve grown to love withering and dying. Beyond the intense love I feel for her, it was relief that held me in a bubble for a while. Then disbelief. How could this be so? How could I be that lucky? And why me? I’d made my fair share of mistakes in the past—so why now? After I pushed the “how” and “why” questions aside, I finally just let my emotions settle in and take in this new and graceful creature before me. The moment her big, green eyes found mine and she said, “Thank you,” to her fighting furiously with me in an attempt to save those who just couldn’t be saved, she owned me. From her gentle touch to her silly humor . . . she had my heart in the palm of her hands.

TFE: What is your favorite part about living in present day?

Andrew: Convenience. Toilets, toothpaste, food in cans, stoves, refrigerators. Every say I am still amazed by societies advancements. I’ve seen a lot in my time but, for such a short amount of time to pass, the human race has grown marginally more intelligent than I would have ever expected.

TFE: Favorite food?

Andrew: I’d have to say that those friend potatoes—what are they called again? Oh yeah, French fries, are my favorite.

TFE: Favorite color?

Andrew: Green. For obvious reasons. (He winks.)

TFE: Favorite book?

Andrew: I’d have to say the Timeless book is ranking up there. There’s a mystery about it that we’ve yet to unlock. I can’t wait to read and understand more about Gabriella’s journey, and I’m pretty sure the Timeless book has the answers she seeks.

TFE: Thank you so much for stopping by and giving readers a chance to get to know you a little better. Gabriella is one lucky girl to have a man who loves her with the intensity you do!

If you haven’t checked out this series you should! Read my reviews of Shadow of the Sun and Soul Stalker.

Source: 

Review: Soul Stalker by Laura Kreitzer

Title: Soul Stalker
Series: Timeless #2
Author: Laura Kreitzer
Available: Now
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: YA


4 out of 5 Stars


*Spoilers for the 1st book in this series below*






Description from Goodreads:


Being the Illuminator is not all happiness and light, especially when everyone thinks you are dead. When Gabriella decides to finally let her angels know that she is alive, Joseph and an unexpected friend help her. The Darkness Illuminator is not as in control of her power as she believes, which makes for a very comedic and endearing relationship that blooms between the three. A fender-bender debacle, a run-in with the cops, and a hiccup at the airport seem to all be worth it until Gabriella finds out her plan has backfired.

The three angels are missing, more mysteries pile up, and a new evil is brewing--so terrifying, in fact, that even the Soul Stalker herself is cowering in fear. Our heroine begins a jarring, romance-filled, heart-breaking journey that will lead her back to Italy, and ultimately to the answers she is desperately searching for. What will she do when they aren't the answers she expected? What happens when she unveils a truth, so deeply hidden, that it causes an angelic war?


My thoughts:


Gabriella is back! Back from the dead that is. At the end of Shadow of the Sun, Gabriella wakes up in a morgue. She decides she should keep the fact she is alive a secret. She hopes she can protect those she loves until she can come up with a plan to deal with Karen a.k.a Soul Stalker. She isn’t even sure why she is alive. She remembers the battle and dying, but somehow here she is. Being away from Andrew proves harder than Gabriella could have ever imagined. She goes to Joseph who agrees to help her locate the angels she has come to care for so much. Gabriella’s journey takes readers back to Italy. Along the way things get a little crazy, but Gabriella never loses focus on what, or should I say who she longs to reach. The super sexy and sweet angel, Andrew! 


I loved the sarcastic and fun side we see of Gabriella in this book. In Shadow of the Sun she was trying to process so many emotions, and I don’t think we were able to really get to know her as well as I would have liked. I loved that Joseph was around for almost all of this book. He helps to bring out the best in Gabriella. Plus I have a little crush on him that is fueled even more after discovering the inspiration for his physical appearance. ♥ ♥ Milo Ventimiglia ♥ ♥ Milo in a snazzy FBI suit? Yes, please! I also loved new character, Patrick. He has a great story and I’m glad he had the chance to share it. 


Several mysteries from Shadow of the Sun are revealed over the course of Soul Stalker. With the set up of the Timeless world taken care of in the first book, we were able to plunge right into the heart of the action in Soul Stalker. The bad guys are back and as bad as ever. Gabriella also encounters new characters who may or may not be out to hurt her. With so many folks she isn’t sure if she can trust, I’m glad she has her constants in Andrew, Joseph, and Jenna. Speaking of Jenna, I hope we see more of her in future books. I adore her relationship with Gabriella, and would love to see more of her as this series continues. 


Another great read courtesy of Laura Kreitzer. She has such an engaging writing style and a real talent when it comes to creating characters readers will love. This is a series angel fans don’t want to miss!

Laura Kreitzer on the web:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Books in this series:

Source:

Review: Shadow of the Sun by Laura Kreitzer

Title: Shadow of the Sun
Series: Timeless #1
Author: Laura Kreitzer
Available: Now
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: YA


4 out of 5 Stars










Description from Goodreads:


Gabriella's past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn't given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her.

As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all.

My thoughts:


This book was one long and intense ride, with an emphasis on the long. The complex world paired with the author’s very descriptive writing style made for one B.A.B (big ass book). Sometimes this can be a hindrance, but that wasn’t the case with the Timeless series debut. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading Shadow of the Sun.


Gabriella has the coolest job ever as a supernatural specialist. She gets to prove or disprove possible cases of the supernatural. Her specialty is what brings her in contact with three dead bodies that are doing some pretty hinky things (like regenerating). The three bodies attract the attention of the FBI, and Gabriella finds herself having to accompany them to the FBI’s lab. On the way the plane goes down, and those bodies come back to life. Now she is thrown into a mystery years in the making that involves angels, demons, and loads of corruption. 


Along the way we meet Joseph, who I just love. He is an FBI agent, and a great ally for Gabriella. Gabriella also finds herself smitten with one of the beautiful boys that woke and saved her when the plane was plummeting towards earth. I think I might be smitten with a beautiful boy that saved me from certain death as well ;) Gabriella seems to be a little naive at times. I guess that goes hand in hand with her high IQ, and  the fact that she graduated from high school and college years before she really should have. She missed out on a lot of the growing up experiences “normal” kids were taking part in. Her intelligence made it difficult to fit in. She does have her adoptive sister, Jenna, and their relationship seems to be super special. 


This was a great series start. It is quite long, and the world building is pretty complex, but it sets up the series perfectly. It also has some pretty cool fight scenes involving hot guys and kick ass chicks. I’m always a sucker for a fantastic ending, and Shadow of the Sun ended beautifully. This is a series that can easily appeal to fans of both young adult and adult fantasy novels. The language is mild, and the sexual situations are quite tame. I’d recommend this if you enjoy books with angels, or a story of good vs. evil.

Laura Kreitzer on the web:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Books in this series:

Source:

Teaser Tuesday (21)

"Teaser Tuesday" is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

Check out her blog for all the details.

I have two teasers this week! The first is from an ARC of Across the Universe by Beth Revis.

" I tried to shake my head, but as my neck muscles tensed, my lungs rebelled, and the cold, cold cryo liquid rushed down my nose, past the tubes, and into my body.

I felt the finality of the lid trapping me inside my Snow White coffin. ”

p.11 - 12

My second teaser comes from Shadow of the Sun by Laura Kreitzer

“ Whatever it was, the blackness -- like a shadowy mist --began gradually wrapping snugly around my body, warping and evolving as if it were a ghost. I tried to scream, but the shadow smothered my voice. My heart beat out a jagged rhythm as the blood pumped through my veins, burning like liquid fire. “

p. 28