Review: Rare Indie Gem in NO REST FOR THE WICCA
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 15, 2011
No Rest for the WiccaBy Toni LoTempioIndependently PublishedFormat: Kindle EditionFile Size: 340 KBSold by: Amazon Digital ServicesBook provided to Book Lovin' Bitches  by author aspart of an E-Book Tour'Ick factor: lowCliche component: low to mediumPassion: tasteful and appropriate to the styleBook DescriptionCommuning with the dead is an everyday occurrence for PI Morgan Hawkes. A half-Wiccan witch who can commune with spirits of those caught between worlds, Morgan uses her talents to exorcise the trapped ghost or demon as part of the Paranormal Investigation Squad - until a string of murders with a voodoo slant prompts the Special Forces Agency to ask for her assistance.Someone's killing pureblood witches- and the SFA's convinced Morgan's voodoo heritage could beinstrumental in solving the mystery. Teamed with dashing SF agent Cole St. John - an Inheritor Vampire that sets her blood racing - the two of them must fight their deep attraction as they race to stop a madman from unleashing a demonic force upon the world.My TakeThis may sound terrible, but when I start to read a self-published book I hold my breath. The ability to publish online has made many people believe they are authors. After all being an avid reader must be all that's needing for writing a smashing book, right? WRONG!Well, Toni has what is needed to be a professional writer; that is, she has the skills needed, the imagination required and talent--that je ne sais quoi that takes one from "hack" to "writer." Writing, and the other arts are not something just anyone can do. Training can make one competent, but in Simon Cowell terms it's the X-Factor that is needed to propel you to being an artistic success.I also believe that sincerity and a lack of artifice can go a long way too. Like a folk-painting, sincerity can make up for lack of training.But, I digress.I was thrilled on reading No Rest for the Wicca that it was well written, balanced with dialogue, monologue and description. I found myself saying, "wow! this is really good." I don't think I have felt that way about an indie book since I found Amanda Hocking last summer.  It is not a series (yet) but I felt the characters had not just sprung to life on page one, but rather that they existed independent from the book. There is enough back story on Morgan to understand what her motivations, her hang-ups, and the chips on her shoulder were all about. Cole is a bit less developed historically but I could feel his handsome, intelligent and sexy smirk down to my toes.Of course, as in all mysteries, and this is part mystery and part PNR, the true culprit is never the person you think it is. So, the twist here was not visible to me until several pages before it came out.Good tie up of loose ends, from page one to the climax.The intimacy isn't over done and it is well written: romantic with some graphic sex, but tasteful and respectful.  Cole is gallant. Morgan is testy when cornered and has a major chip on her shoulder.Recommended.Today, I am fortunate to have Toni LoTempio answer a few questions for me.I am unfamiliar with any previous volumes if this is a series. So, assuming it is a first or stand alone:Right now it's a stand-alone, but I have a sequel outlined, so if the sales response is good, there will be another book.1. is there a list of species in Morgan and Cole's world? How did you develop the taxonomy of the minimum three vampire and several shifter species mentioned?Cole's Vampire status is actually gleaned from a website devoted to that type of vampire, so he has his roots in realism, so to speak. He's a  breed of vamp known as INHERITOR.Now, I'd like to take credit for the breed, but I actually came across the information on the Internet.  to wit:Inheritor vampires TYPE ONE: These vampires are much like the Genetic vampires, except they are born. Like Sanguinarians, the vampire trait will lay dormant inside them until around the age of 13 - 26, when they awaken. When they body reaches the late stages of puberty, it releases a chemical which awakens the vampire and begins many physical changes in the body. As a result of this, most Inheritors look around 19 - 20 years old their whole life. Most of the time the parents of the vampire will be human and vampire, or both vampires. There must be one vampire parent. Inheritor vampires live to around the age of 350-400 years old.Inheritor vampire TYPE 2: Sanguinarians are the "mortal version" of the Inheritor vampires. They still require and crave blood, are sensitive to sunlight, and have many of the traits the Inheritor and Classical vampires have.  However, Sanguinarians do not live much longer then the average human being.Of course, to make it my own, I've taken some liberties - my Inheritor vamps are more human than humans, and age to a VERY HOT mid-30's, but you get the idea.  There are more types of vampires out there than just the typical Dracula/Barnabas sleep in the coffin during the day rise at night to suck a maiden's blood type.  As a matter of fact, that type (referred to now as a "classical") is getting pretty passé.  After all, didn't' Angel show us just how a vampire can survive among humans, and how hot one can be?I also did extensive research on voodoo for Morgan's heritage.  The others are products of my sometimes very fertile imagination. JAnd just in case anyone's interested, this is a link which tells of many different types of vampires - you would be surprised!2. Is this an alternate world, a world where the supernatural has been revealed, dystopian or other kind of society?No, it's supposed to be our world, where vampires and the like co-exist with humans, sometimes peacefully, sometimes not so much.  I guess you could say it's a lot like the Buffy/Angel worlds.3. Are Cole, Morgan and/or Xia  modeled on anyone?Morgan has a lot of my own traits - Xia is modeled after one of my cousins. Cole is kinda a combination of David Boreanaz and Pierce Brosnan.4. Do you envision Wicca becoming a series?Actually, when I first wrote Wicca I outlined a sequel, so yes, if sales reaction is favorable I would say there will be a sequel at some point.5. What would Morgan and Cole do if they were involved in a Jack Bauer -24 style national crisis?Morgan would want to rush right in, because she's headstrong and impulsive, and Cole would be the calm, cool voice of reason telling her to "think it through".6. What aspects of eachother's personalities attract Morgan and Cole. Was Cole already interestedd in her romantically from reading her file?I think Morgan's tendency to let her heart rule her head and to act before she thinks is a kind of challenge to Cole, whose secret agent training has taught him to be more methodical.  Although they're opposites, I think they see themselves as kind of "kindred spirits".  Their good and bad traits offset each other.  Plus, Cole likes the fact she's feisty and fights him at every turn, although I doubt he'd ever actually admit that to her.7. Have you ever mentally cast the characters in this book?Oh, gee, I cast the characters in every book I write.  It helps me get a clear picture of them.  I pictured Kate Beckinsale as Morgan, Kate Hudson as Xia, and as Cole, I pictured another Cole...from Charmed, Julian McMahon. I think he's the perfect Cole in either series!'