Blog Tour & Giveaway for Buried Threads by Kaylin McFarren

Pump Up Your Book is pleased to bring you Kaylin McFarren’s Buried Threads Virtual Book Tour October 7 – December 31! Kaylin’s tour is part of a $100 Amazon Gift Card giveaway. Check out the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win.

How do you maintain tension when writing

Suspense stories? by Kaylin McFarren

After attending dozens of writing workshops and numerous conferences, I compiled a list of rules that I depend on daily when writing romantic suspense. These recommended guidelines are a great tool for creating tension and expectation, which is essential to keeping your readers turning those pages!

  

Remember to show, don't tell! I’ve heard this over and over again and it is the most common mistake among new writers. The fewer blocks of description or passive writing you include, the better. Avoid "info dumps" where you include sections of  research information and background details you might consider important. This will only serve one purpose: bringing your story to a screeching halt and turning it into a boring textbook. Instead, focus on current events or the overall point of your story by including realistic dialogue and fun, action-packed scenes.

  

Make sure to create a “believable” threat or frightening dilemma, such as a kidnapping, unexploded bomb or an impending disaster. You might add a psychological danger such as the loss of a job or dying family member. The trick is to make the threat relevant and potentially devastating to your main characters.

  

When things seem to go wrong, they can only get worse, which is a great plan of attack for keeping your reader’s interest.  Ask yourself, "What would people do in this situation?" Then have your character do the unexpected, open the wrong door or make the wrong choice, leaving them facing the consequences of their actions.

In suspense pacing is by far the most important aspect of your story. A common practice is to increase tension by shortening your phrases and dialogue. While lengthy sentences add a more relaxed mood to your story, short choppy ones read faster and help make scenes more suspenseful. But don’t get carried away and make the mistake of wearing your readers out by keeping action rolling at fever pitch. As in “real” life, characters need to catch their breath after an exhausting action scene.

Determine the timeline for your story, remembering that quick scenes or episodes that occur in a matter of hours or over the course of a day are far more suspenseful than scenes taking place over several days, weeks or months.

  

Lastly, be sure to end each chapter with a great hook or final line to keep readers from putting your book down.  This could be a revelation, unanswered question or sudden discovery that can only be answered or revealed by reading further. The best suspense stories leave readers hungry for knowledge and anxious to know where the story’s ultimately leading.

Title: Buried Threads

Genre: Erotic Romantic Suspense
Author: Kaylin McFarren
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
Pages: 328
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1492120469

Rachel’s mouth sagged. “You mean you’re really a monk? But how’s that possible? You’re not even wearing a robe, and your hair…”

He simply smiled.

A disturbing prophecy sends a treasure hunting duo on an urgent race to rescue a country in Kaylin McFarren’s heart pounding new novel,  Buried Threads.Full of erotic suspense and wild adventures, this is one trip that readers will never forget!

Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen work together as the successful owners of a treasure hunting company. But a seemingly simply assignment – to track down a priceless gem that is believed to buried in a shipwreck deep within the Sea of Japan – takes a starling, and dangerous, turn.

Faced with a monk’s dark prophecy that a natural disaster will soon strike Japan, killing millions, Rachel and Chase must embark on the mission of a lifetime in order to uncover the three cursed samurai swords that can avert the catastrophe.

Chaos ensues as their adventure takes them from shark infested waters and creepy caves to haunted hidden tombs and a confrontation with Yakuza gang members.

Time is running out as the prophecy’s day of reckoning draws near. Will Rachel and Chase succeed before disaster strikes?

Purchase your copy at AMAZON (coming October 22!)

About the Author:

Kaylin McFarren is a California native who has enjoyed traveling around the world. She previously worked as director for a fine art gallery, where she helped foster the careers of various artists before feeling the urge to satisfy her won creative impulses. 

Since launching her writing career, McFarren has earned more than a dozen literary awards in addition to a finalist spot in the 2008 RWA Golden Heart Contest. A member of RWA, Rose City Romance Writers, and Willamette Writers, she also lends her participation and support to various charitable and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

McFarren currently lives with her husband in Oregon. They have three children and two grandchildren.

Her latest book is Buried Threads (Book 2 of the Threads series).

Visit her website at www.kaylinmcfarren.com.

Connect & Socialize with Kaylin!

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

My Review

Full of action and suspense, Buried Threads, the second book in the Threads series by Kaylin McFarren, picks up shortly after the events which occurred in Severed Threads.  Well developed characters, different points of view and a more than fair introduction into the Japanese culture, make this a page turning read.  Adding just the right touch of romance, and plenty of descriptions of the world in which the story takes place, Ms. McFarren’s book captivated me on an almost visual level.

Joining Chase Cohen, her treasure hunting partner and lover, Rachel Lyons can’t wait to get started on their search for a priceless treasure in the Sea of Japan.  Believing they are diving for a “jewel”, Rachel and Chase discover their dive is both more dangerous and more important than they were first led to believe.  Turns out their quest is for a trio of swords, which have an important role in Japan’s continuing future.

Ms. McFarren’s primary characters, Rachel and Chase, are both well developed and Rachel is the true central character of the story.  We get to see Rachel and Chase’s relationship continuing to improve and deepen naturally as they become more of a couple.  Ms. McFarren also does a very good job with the secondary characters in the book, especially Shinzo, their guide and a psychic Buddhist monk, and Yuki, the swordswoman, who joins them on their journey.

Ms. McFarren doesn’t stint on the obstacles in this story or on the story’s pace.  She gives us insight into the world of the Yakuza, and all of the dangers that entails, along with a vivid and picturesque portrayal of the Japanese culture.  I especially liked how she blends the spiritual and the physical in her depictions of their culture.  The story’s pace is also fast and furious and there is a lot of action taking place between the pages.

Will Rachel and Chase locate the treasure before their rivals and be able to save Japan’s future?  Will their romance heat up in more ways than one?  You’ll have to read Buried Threads to find out, I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next installment in this series.  While you can read this on its own, I really recommend reading both books in series order in order to understand the nuances between the characters and enjoy Ms. McFarren’s writing style.   

My Rating:  5 out of 5 Stars

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a blog tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Pump Up Your Book and Kaylin McFarren are giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card/Paypal Cash!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.
• This giveaway begins October 7 and ends December 31.
• Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, January 3, 2013.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.
• Only U.S. citizens can win the Kindle Fire.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, October 7 – First Chapter Reveal at Read My First Chapter

Tuesday, October 8 – Book Feature at Examiner

Wednesday, October 9 – Interview at Blogcritics

Thursday, October 10 – Interview at Black Velvet Seductions

Friday, October 11 – First Chapter Reveal at Pump Up Your Book

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Monday, October 14 – Interview at Bound by Passion

Tuesday, October 15 – Interview at I’m Shelf-ish

Thursday, October 17 – Guest Blogging at Sarah Ballance

Thursday, October 17 – First Chapter Reveal & Book Trailer Reveal atMargay Leah Justice

Friday, October 18 – Interview at The Book Connection

Friday, October 18 – Guest Blogging & Book Trailer Reveal at What’s on the Bookshelf

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Monday, October 21 – Book Review & First Chapter Reveal at Deal Sharing Aunt

Tuesday, October 22 – Release Day Diva Facebook Party!

Tuesday, October 22 – First Chapter Reveal & Book Trailer Reveal atLiterary Winner

Tuesday, October 22 – Book Feature at Jody’s Book Reviews

Wednesday, October 23 – Book Feature at Sweeping Me

Friday, October 25 – Character Guest Post & First Chapter Reveal atLori’s Reading Corner

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Monday, October 28 – Book Review & Guest Blogging at Queen of the Night Reviews

Monday, October 28 – Interview at Authors to Watch

Tuesday, October 29 – Guest Blogging at Ice Fairy’s Treasure Chest

Thursday, October 31 – First Chapter Reveal & Book Trailer Reveal atRead 2 Review

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Monday, November 4 – Guest Blogging at Close Encounters With the Night Kind

Monday, November 4 – Guest Blogging at Confessions of a Reader

Monday, November 4 – Book Trailer Reveal at Escape by Fiction

Tuesday, November 5 – Character Guest Post at Janna Shay’s Fair Play

Wednesday, November 6 – Book Review & Guest Blogging at Must Read Faster

Thursday, November 7 – Guest Blogging at Acting Balanced

Friday, November 8 – Book Trailer of the Week at Pump Up Your Book

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Monday, November 11 – First Chapter Reveal at The Writer’s Life

Tuesday, November 12 – Book Review at Not Everyone’s Mama

Tuesday, November 12 – Book Feature at Ashna’s Wanted Readers

Wednesday, November 13 – Interview at PUYB Virtual Book Club

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Monday, November 18 – First Chapter Review at The Dark Phantom

Tuesday, November 19 – Guest Blogging at Book Marketing Buzz

Wednesday, November 20 – Character Guest Post at The Writer’s Life

Thursday, November 21 – Book Review at Sara’s Organized Chaos

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Monday, November 25 – Book Feature at Bibliotica

Tuesday, November 26 – Character Guest Post at Bibliotica

Friday, November 29 – Book Feature at Plug Your Book

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Monday, December 2 – Book Trailer Reveal at If Books Could Talk

Tuesday, December 3 – Character Interview at Beyond the Books

Wednesday, December 4 – Book Feature at Authors & Readers Book Corner

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Monday, December 9 – Guest  Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Tuesday, December 10 – Book Review at Mary’s Cup of Tea

Wednesday, December 11 – Guest  Blogging at The Book Faery Reviews

Thursday, December 12 – Book Feature at A Little Bit of Spice

Friday, December 13 – Book Feature at Butterfly-O-Meter

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Monday, December 16 – Character Guest Post at Love Books! Book Reviews

Tuesday, December 17 – Interview at Straight From the Author’s Mouth

Wednesday, December 18 – Interview at Mia Downing

Thursday, December 19 – Book Feature at Book Girl From South Carolina

Friday, December 20 – Book Review at Offbeat Vagabond

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Monday, December 23 – Book Feature at Literary ETC.

Thursday, December 26 – Interview at BlogHer

Friday, December 27 – Book Feature at Book Reviews by Kathy

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Tuesday, December 31 – Buried Threads Book Tour Highlights at PUYB Virtual Book Club