Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Blog Tour Book Review and Guest Post: The Big Fix by Linda Grimes



Welcome to my stop on for the Big Fix blog tour. I have to say, this is one of my favorite UF series out there. It is chocked full of all the things I love most in UF, to funny characters, mystery, a great family dynamic, and fantastic writing, it really does have it all. And to top it all off, it has a wonderful friend based romance that is every bit as hard to resist as it is steamy.

I'm so excited that we have Linda here today to talk to us a little bit about this steamy romance as well and about the potential romance this series has to offer. 




Title: The Big Fix
Author: Linda Grimes
Series: Book Three in the In A Fix Series
Published By: Tor Books (May 12, 2015)
Source:  Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy




Book Description:

Aura adaptor extraordinaire Ciel Halligan, who uses her chameleon-like abilities to fix her clients’ problems—as them—is filling in on set for action superstar Jackson Gunn, whose snake phobia is standing in the way of his completing his latest mega-millions Hollywood blockbuster. There’s only one thing Jack fears more than snakes, and that's the possibility of his fans finding out he screams at the sight of one. Going from hero to laughing stock isn’t part of his career plan. 


Seems like a simple enough job to Ciel, who doesn’t particularly like snakes, but figures she can tolerate an afternoon with them, for the right price—which Jack is offering, and then some. What she doesn’t count on is finding out that while she was busy wrangling snakes for him, his wife was busy getting killed. When Ciel goes to break the sad news to the star, she finds out Jack was AWOL from her client hideaway at the time of the murder. 



Ciel begins to suspect Jack’s phobia was phony, and that he only hired her to provide him with an alibi—but if she goes to the police, she’ll have to explain how she knows he wasn’t really on set. Up against a wall, Ciel calls on her best-friend-turned-love-interest Billy, and her not-so-ex-crush Mark, to help her set up the sting of a lifetime. 










Guest Post:

Musings on Triangles

Love triangles are tricky things. In books, anyway. Especially in my books, where the characters can never be entirely certain the person they're with is actually the person they think they're with, aura adaptors having the ability to project the appearances of other people and all. Things can get confusing, to say the least. 

Other than my books, and a random trigonometry class or two, I myself have no experience with triangles. I've been married for a gazillion years to the love of my life, and that's just the way I like it. Of course, my husband is a Gemini, the sign of the twins, so maybe, in a way, my whole marriage qualifies. Hmm…I believe I may have stumbled into the world's most socially acceptable love triangle! And, trust me, it's way more fun than trig class.

But back to books. I think, even for the strictly monogamous-in-real-life types, there's something seductive about the idea of a triangle on the page. Nothing ups the conflict in whatever you're reading like some good old angsting about that kind of decision. Sure, it might get uncomfortable at times, but the heightened tension (and not only sexual, either) can result in a bigger payoff for the average reader. Smooth sailing might be wonderful in reality, but it gets a little monotonous in fiction. 

That said, you don't want the triangular tension to stretch out for so long that the reader becomes numb to it. The "yeah, yeah, whatever, just choose already" reaction is not what a writer wants. Ultimately, I think it becomes a balancing act. As long as you keep the interactions among the trio in question fresh and inventive, and don't keep rehashing the same ol', same ol', I think it's a valid plot device. 

Plus, from an author's perspective, I have to admit it's just plain fun to torture your characters with difficult choices. To throw them into … um, interesting situations, shall we say? … and watch them try to work it out. My main character, Ciel, has—she thinks—made her decision, but that doesn't mean life (AKA, me) can't throw her a relationship curveball every now and then. Sadistic on my part? Possibly. But also highly entertaining. (Hey, if the author isn't entertained while writing, the readers won't be entertained while reading. When you look at it that way, I'm actually nice, not cruel.) 

I've been known to ask my readers if they prefer Billy or Mark. And, yeah, I do kind of love it when they tie themselves in knots defending their choice. (See above about "sadistic.") But recently I've been asked which one of the guys I prefer, not as an author, but as a woman.

Whoa. Way to turn the tables on me. Thanks a lot, @kindlemom1!

*Coughs, clears throat, shuffles feet* Um, I guess … I mean, I suppose … Okay, honestly? It depends on the day. On my mood. On which way my hormones are swinging. Sometimes I'm Billy all the way—there's just something about his humor that hits my sweet spot—but other times Mark elbows his way in with his annoyingly attractive alpha charms. (Yeah. You can see why I married a Gemini.) 

But mostly I root for Ciel to wind up with the guy who's right for her. Eventually. After I'm through messing with her head. Bwah-ha-hah! (Huh. I should probably do something about that sadistic streak…)



About the Author:



Linda grew up in Texas, where she rode horses, embarrassed herself onstage a lot, and taught teenagers they’d have to learn the rules of English before they could get away with breaking them for creativity’s sake. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband, whom she snagged after he saw her in a musical number at the now defunct Melodrama Theater in San Antonio. (There’s nothing like a rousing chorus of “If You Wanna Catch a Fish You Gotta Wiggle Your Bait” to hook a man for a lifetime.)

Like IN A FIX's globetrotting main character, aura adaptor Ciel Halligan, Linda has spent her fair share of time overseas, though fortunately under less stressful circumstances. Kidnapping and daring rescues are all well and good in fiction, but she prefers sanity in her real life. 






You never realize how much you miss certain characters until you finally get to meet up with them again. 

Filled with witty one liners, humorous situations, action packed mystery and a storyline that is truly unique, it is no wonder that time and again, this series has made my best reads list each year it has come out. 

Grimes has truly created something fun, engaging, intense and truly imaginative. With characters that are every bit as quirky as they are loyal.

Ciel and her friends are truly what make this series so much fun to read.

I loved every bit of this original take on urban fantasy, the mystery full of twists, and the romance that is every bit as steamy as it is swoon worthy.

.Add in the whole clan under Auntie's Mo and Ro reign and this truly is a delightful read that is every bit as family oriented as it is plot driven. 


This once again kept me turning the pages, laughing out loud and constantly with a smile on my face, Grimes is a genius and her work should be commended. I adored this latest installment and it left me craving more.







*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

41 comments:

  1. I would never have realized this was an urban fantasy. Thanks for the review and fun guest post! I am definitely curious.

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  2. I think I got the first book somewhere *mental note to check*

    I love her take on love triangles. When done well, it can be a good thing for the plot. She's right, don't make it drag on to the point where the girl is starting to come off ho-ish stringing along two men

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    1. So very true and this is done really well.

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  3. This sounds like a funny story, Ali. I'm glad you had so much fun with it. I think the author's take on triangles is interesting, but I have to disagree that they are seductive, at least for me they aren't. I'd much rather see couples work together than have drama in the form of a 3rd party.
    Thanks for sharing, Ali!

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    1. Without giving anything away, the couple does work through a lot and are always a team in one way or another. :)

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  4. I would say on the whole triangles for me are hugely frustrating; like Nick, I like couples to work together and take on drama rather than have that drama be between the two (or three) of them. That being said however, there have been a few cases where a triangle has worked well and definitely ratcheted up the tension in a good way:) *sigh* Tricky, tricky!

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  5. I would not have thought this was UF at first glance. But it does sound interesting a cool. Love triangles are tricky and think even ore tricky lately, since they were in every book for a while so readers can be a bit sick of them.

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    1. I agree, I think there came a point when authors were just throwing them in just because. This really isn't one of those times though. ;)

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  6. OH wow, Kindlemom GREAT review and showcase. I actually reviewed both the previous in the series for LibraryJournal, but wasn't asked to this time. I do miss those characters, so I guess it means a trip to the bookstore LOL. Thanks for sharing!!

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    1. So glad you have read these! They really are fun. I hope you are able to get your hands on these as well.

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  7. I read the first book when it came out and it was fun, but the love triangles just aren't for me so I gave up. That's not something I enjoy at all. My very favorite series have a strong couple (like Kate Daniels or Mercy Thomson), and since those are the most popular UF series, it seems to be the thing most people like.

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  8. Ali..I love this series but I am behind. I am going to make it a goal to catch up this summer as I received a copy of this :) Awesome post you have me excited!

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    1. You are going to love it, love triangle and all. ;)

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  9. Entertaining guest post :) I think I've read her before, but not this particular series. I love your review though (as always!) so I'm adding it. Thanks! :)

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  10. This one just arrived on my doorstep the other day, and I am itching to dive in and read it. Nice guest post, I am glad Linda was so straight forward as to whom she prefers for Ciel. I am personally for Billy all they way.

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    1. I love Billy! I hope you end up liking this as much as I have Heidi!

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  11. It's been a while since I've read the first book, though I remember enjoying it. I don't typically like love triangles. But sometimes I could like it too when I know someone would be better be off with another. Does that make sense? Lol.

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  12. Great review. I think I just might enjoy this.

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  13. Oh wow yeah that would be confusing! I'm good with triangles but I want them to be somewhat believable and like you said not go on for ages. I have one series with a triangle and I'm very much to the point of wanting one to just go peace out and leave and get a spin off series maybe. Went on way too long and lost it's fun.

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    1. They can take way too long sometimes to resolve, I agree. She is handling this one so nicely though!

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  14. One of your favorites, eh? Hmmm ... guess I'll have to add if for sure. I'm fine with triangles when it fits the story and done well.

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  15. I've never read this series before and I'm very intrigued, hmm. I'm not fond of love triangles in books but it works out for some authors, and I have read a couple of books with love triangles that actually didn't make me cringe, lol. I guess it all depends on how the whole thing is executed.

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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    1. I don't think this one will make you cringe either, it truly is done so well.

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  16. I also love this series so much and I had a really great time with the book so I'm glad it's the same for you. In fact I don't really mind love triangle, I'm just sometimes annoyed when the girl chooses lol because I want her to choose and I don't want her to choose because I usually love both the guys... difficult thing right?

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    1. I hear ya and I agree, I hate when the guy I like isn't picked. :P

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  17. This seems like so much fun! I've never heard of this series before, but it sounds funny and I love the sound of the mystery. Great review :)

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    1. It is funny with a great mystery every time as well.

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  18. This sounds like a series I would really enjoy! I love some humor with a mystery!

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  19. This sounds like such a fun series - one that I'm certain would appeal to me! Both you and Melliane have such great things to say about it. I'm wondering - does it have a sort of Charley Davidson vibe to it??
    Thanks for the great post, Ali :)

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    1. Kind of because she, Ciel, does get herself into a lot of trouble like Charley does but she isn't quite as smart mouthed as Charley it.

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  20. I think I must be living under a rock because I hadn't heard of this! I'm always on the lookout for a fun new UF series and this sounds awesome. I usually dread love triangles but it sounds like the author has a lot of fun with it here. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. This is such a fun series, love triangle and all!

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