A 5 Star Review of Michelle Dim-St. Pierre's "Bloody Coffee"

Bloody Coffee is a complex, suspenseful, and engrossing tale of doubts, trust, budding romance, and two bullets.

Eighteen-year-old Leigh arrives at a Tel Aviv hospital, seeking information about her probable father, Dr. Sloan, who had a cardiac arrest right after they met for the first time. As she stands next to her father's bed and watches him, her past, present and future collide. Despite the advice of those around her, Leigh decides to face the challenges of the legal system in Israel. She obtains a court order for a paternity test and confronts Sloan. During her quest to find the truth about her biological father, Leigh is exposed to violent religious intolerance, faces life in a country where church and state are not separate, and meets the man who may be her first true love. Will she change her view of the world she thought she knew? Will she forgive her mother? Will a gunshot change her attitude towards her probable father? And, what will she say to Steve, the only father she ever really had?

Paperback: 332 pages
Publisher: Mountain Abor Press; 1st edition (April 22, 2019)
ISBN-10: 163183522X
ISBN-13: 978-1631835223

Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, and the publisher's website.

*****The 5 Star Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto !*****

Bloody Coffee is a fast-paced, character-driven novel, set in war torn Tel Aviv with a storyline and characters you can’t help but love! Leigh is a character I related to from the very first chapter of Bloody Coffee. I admire anyone who seeks answers and is brave enough to leave their comfort zone to find those answers. Leigh is just 18 and yet she set out alone to an unfamiliar country. She focused on her goal and didn’t let fear stand in her way. Michelle Dim-St. Pierre has written her main character with such depth that readers will be sure to fall in love with her. She’s strong yet unsure of herself - confused and searching. She’s perfectly imperfect and very approachable. I was cheering for her through each twist and turn in this suspenseful story of trust, doubt, and romance. Even protests, rockets, and death wouldn’t be enough to deter Leigh from finding her biological father.

Leigh’s character may have initially drawn me into the story, but the storyline of Bloody Coffee is interesting and unexpected. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another plot twist came into play and had me questioning how things were going to end. A combination of my love and admiration for the characters in the book as well as my inquisitive nature kept me glued to my seat wanting more. This was a fast read because I didn’t want to put the book down until I had all the answers I was searching for. Michelle Dim-St. ‘s use of sensual details and dramatic scenes drew me in as a reader and made me feel as if I were involved in Leigh’s journey. I felt what she felt, and had the same desire for answers and closure. The suspense kept me engaged throughout the book. When friendships fell apart and people started dying I thought for sure Leigh was going to give up and she forged forward even more intent on answers.

A favorite scene for me was at a low point for Leigh – she was questioning if she had made the right decision. Her maturity and ultimately her tenacity and decision to push forward is admirable.
(pg 168)
My mind was busy churning over her past and my present.

I traveled back to the pages of my mother’s journal, thinking how her affair with Sloan actually tore us apart. I believe that sharing her secrets created nothing but distance between us. My relationship with her seemed insignificant in comparison with the one she had with Sloan. I felt as if I’d entered a competition that I could never win. I sensed that he didn’t have enough love for the both of us, that I would always be on the outside looking in. I didn’t want to get hurt any more than what I already had, so I took the easy road, rejecting him. I didn’t need him anyway. Suddenly, the realization hit me – it had been a mistake to come looking for him.

Will I ever be able to put this dismantled gigantic puzzle together or will I live the truth of having no place among them, forever an outsider?

There wasn’t any point in Bloody Coffee where I felt the pace slowed. The author used just the right amount of detail to keep things interesting without being either boring or tedious. Dim-St. Pierre brought to life the sights and sounds of Tel Aviv during a tumultuous time. This is a fast-paced story and even the secondary characters are relatable and intriguing. The relationships and alliances were lifelike and fluid throughout. Leigh’s introspective scenes felt very real; her authenticity was a breath of fresh air. When I was wondering how much more she could bear, Leigh was asking herself “is this confrontation necessary right now?” and it was easy to experience the frustrations in her quest for truth. As Leigh navigated the relationships in her life (old and new), she was cautious while still being open to the endless possibilities – she’s an incredibly believable main character. This is a beautiful story with a flawed and very human main character I couldn’t help but love.

Praise:

“Michelle Dim-St.-Pierre is proving to be a major talent in epic romantic drama!”
~Grady Harp, Amazon Top 50 Hall of Fame Reviewer

“A thrilling and emotional psychological mystery-thriller.”
~Detroit Free Press

“This book grabbed me at page one and wouldn’t let me go!”
~Pamela Gossiaux, award-winning author and journalist.

About the Author:

Michelle Dim-St. Pierre was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, where she spent more than half of her life before relocating to the United States.

She lived through four wars and served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years. Unlike her first year of service in an armored division in the Golan Heights, she served her second year serving in the medical corps where she interacted directly with the injured soldiers of the Peace of Galilee war and their families. This interaction, along with the exposure to the hospital atmosphere, fascinated Michelle and further touched her heart. She went on to get a BS degree in Nursing in Tel-Aviv, and practiced internationally for 32 years in various positions in the surgical field and quickly advanced into health care administration. During her career she worked in the Operating Room, Recovery Room, and CCU—along with many other duties.

Writing was Michelle’s outlet at first, but it soon became her passion. Now, she is a full-time writer. Her international background, along with her military and nursing experience is always at the tip of her pen. Her first novel, Pinnacle Lust, started the Pinnacle trilogy and won the Beach Book Festival in the Romance category, as well as received several honorable mentions in other book contests. It was published to rave reviews.

Michelle is a world traveler who enjoys cooking epicurean food and creating original recipes. She currently splits her time between Florida and Georgia, where she is at work on her next two books.

Find Michelle Online:

Website: www.MichelleDimStPierre.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDimStPierre/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinnaclelust


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Michelle_DimStPierre

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-dim-st-pierre-1b9691106

----------Upcoming Blog Tour Dates


May 24th @ Author Anthony Avina
Fellow author Anthony Avina gives a raving review after reading Michelle Dim-St. Pierre’s thrilling mystery Bloody Coffee – readers won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear Anthony’s insight into this must read novel!
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

May 27th @ Beverley A. Baird
Michelle Dim-St. Pierre has done it again with another best seller – this time it’s a mystery/thriller called Bloody Coffee and Beverley A. Baird can’t wait to tell readers all about it in her review! This is a complex and suspenseful mystery readers will be excited to get their hands on!
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

May 28th @ Deal Sharing Aunt
Vicki, the Deal Sharing Aunt, shares her thoughts after reading the latest novel by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Readers won’t want to miss the opportunity to learn more about Bloody Coffee!
http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

May 29th @ Margo Dill
Editor and Author Margo Dill couldn’t wait to read Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Stop by her blog today and read her review about this thrilling new release!
https://margoldill.com/

May 30th @ Sreevarsha Sreejith
Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre travels all the way to France today as Sreevarsha Sreejith reviews this mystery and shares her thoughts with readers at her book blog!
https://sreejithsreevarsha.wordpress.com/

June 3rd @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles couldn’t put down this 5 star read – let’s hear her review of Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Readers will delight as they put this mystery/thriller on their TBRPile!
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

June 5th @ Bring on Lemons with Tara Forst
Wisconsin business woman and mother, Tara Forst is a friend of WOW! and is excited to talk about her thoughts after reading Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Don’t miss this review and giveaway!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

June 6th @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Stop by Cassandra’s Writing World to hear more about Michelle Dim-St. Pierre and her latest best seller Bloody Coffee as Cassandra shares her review with readers!
http://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/

June 7th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
The author spotlight at Choices today is Michelle Dim-St. Pierre with her latest bestselling thriller Bloody Coffee – readers won’t want to miss an opportunity to learn more about this fabulous novel!
http://madelinesharples.com/

***** Thank You for Stopping - We Love Comments! *****

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1 comment 5 star book, 5 star review, Bloody Coffee, book review, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, mystery, Pinnacle Lust, romance, suspense, Tel-Aviv, thriller

Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre - Author Interview and Giveaway

Bloody Coffee is a complex, suspenseful, and engrossing tale of doubts, trust, budding romance, and two bullets.

Eighteen-year-old Leigh arrives at a Tel Aviv hospital, seeking information about her probable father, Dr. Sloan, who had a cardiac arrest right after they met for the first time. As she stands next to her father's bed and watches him, her past, present and future collide. Despite the advice of those around her, Leigh decides to face the challenges of the legal system in Israel. She obtains a court order for a paternity test and confronts Sloan. During her quest to find the truth about her biological father, Leigh is exposed to violent religious intolerance, faces life in a country where church and state are not separate, and meets the man who may be her first true love. Will she change her view of the world she thought she knew? Will she forgive her mother? Will a gunshot change her attitude towards her probable father? And, what will she say to Steve, the only father she ever really had?

Paperback: 332 pages
Publisher: Mountain Abor Press; 1st edition (April 22, 2019)
ISBN-10: 163183522X
ISBN-13: 978-1631835223

Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, and the publisher's website.

Book Giveaway!
Scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the Rafflecopter form to be entered in a random drawing. We will choose a winner May 20th!

Praise:

“Michelle Dim-St.-Pierre is proving to be a major talent in epic romantic drama!”
~Grady Harp, Amazon Top 50 Hall of Fame Reviewer

“A thrilling and emotional psychological mystery-thriller.”
~Detroit Free Press

“This book grabbed me at page one and wouldn’t let me go!”
~Pamela Gossiaux, award-winning author and journalist.

About the Author:

Michelle Dim-St. Pierre was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, where she spent more than half of her life before relocating to the United States.

She lived through four wars and served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years. Unlike her first year of service in an armored division in the Golan Heights, she served her second year serving in the medical corps where she interacted directly with the injured soldiers of the Peace of Galilee war and their families. This interaction, along with the exposure to the hospital atmosphere, fascinated Michelle and further touched her heart. She went on to get a BS degree in Nursing in Tel-Aviv, and practiced internationally for 32 years in various positions in the surgical field and quickly advanced into health care administration. During her career she worked in the Operating Room, Recovery Room, and CCU—along with many other duties.

Writing was Michelle’s outlet at first, but it soon became her passion. Now, she is a full-time writer. Her international background, along with her military and nursing experience is always at the tip of her pen. Her first novel, Pinnacle Lust, started the Pinnacle trilogy and won the Beach Book Festival in the Romance category, as well as received several honorable mentions in other book contests. It was published to rave reviews.

Michelle is a world traveler who enjoys cooking epicurean food and creating original recipes. She currently splits her time between Florida and Georgia, where she is at work on her next two books.

Find Michelle Online:

Website: www.MichelleDimStPierre.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDimStPierre/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinnaclelust


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Michelle_DimStPierre

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-dim-st-pierre-1b9691106


--------- Interview by Crystal Otto

WOW: Thank you so much for choosing WOW to help promote Bloody Coffee. I can honestly say that each interaction has been an absolutely pleasure and I'm happy our paths have crossed. Thank you especially for being here today to share with our readers. Let's get down to business!

You reference writing as your outlet—when did you decide writing would be your outlet and how did that morph into publishing?

Michelle: This is true. For me writing began as an outlet, though that wasn’t a conscious decision. I think it all started when I was a young girl. I buried all my secrets, anger and dreams in a diary—like most girls. However, I never outgrew the habit. I kept writing in my diary. I often wondered, was it that I never grew up or did I simply have more secrets to hide away?

Later, when I became a nurse, and throughout my successful career, my diary served me well. It was a vehicle to unload all of the emotional baggage created from my work. You can imagine the things I saw and heard—many of which were confidential of course. I dealt with sexual abuse victims, child abuse, homicides, affairs, corruption, mistakes, and disagreements. These crimes happened regularly and affected the lives of everyone—ordinary people, politicians, celebrities, officers, rich people, poor people, the educated, the uneducated, and you get the idea. The list is endless.

Then came my colorful life, as a successful, young, single woman. There was always something that I couldn’t and shouldn't talk about, so I wrote about it. I unloaded everything into my diary, and I still do to this day.

WOW: It's great when you put it that way; I guess we can choose to fill our journal pages with stories instead of our friends ears with gossip, right? There's always most definitely a story to tell—and speaking of which, what have you learned during the writing, editing, and publishing process that you'd like to share with other budding authors?

Michelle: You should write for your soul and not for the fame. Write what you love to read. Create characters you want to know, and maybe some you want to hate. Draw from your life but don’t be limited by your experiences.

Spend the time to polish your craft. No one expects someone’s first violin lesson to sound like Johann Strauss. You can’t expect the first thing you write to be Shakespeare. Give yourself time and patience.

On editing side: don’t be your own editor. Hire a reputable editor that suits your writing genre. Remember, a good editor is not someone that teaches English in college. While an editor looks into the grammar, he or she also looks at many other things like: transitions, sequence of events, consistency etc.

Then use a different editor for proofreading. The more eyes that review your work before it gets published the less chances for errors. However, keep in mind that editors are human, and can and will make mistakes or will miss something. With that being said, always be the last person to approve your work. Read your manuscript as many times as you can…it’s never enough.

Last but not least, the publishing process: All I can say is be patient. It’s a long process that involves many steps, and it takes time. Don’t rush it or cut corners for the sake of a deadline. Do it right.

WOW: Your writing is a direct reflection of the great tips you give above. I was impressed with how polished Bloody Coffee was—even the early reader copy I had first!

You are certainly busy and I know there's a work in progress. So, tell us, what's next for you?

Michelle: I am currently working on the last book in the Pinnacle trilogy. This novel will bring the story of my two, leading characters to a close, and will reveal the truth behind Leigh’s mother’s journal. I also hope to get back to my blog and to bring the Pinnacle companion cookbook back to the front burner. I started this project as a collaborative effort with a chef. However, along with his busy schedule, my personal life placed more demands on me and I no longer had the flexibility to work my schedule around someone else. Unfortunately, that pushed the cookbook project to the back burner. However, my inspiration still has a spark for this project. And right now, I’m deciding whether to continue and complete this project solo or to search for a local chef.

WOW: That certainly sounds like something I'd love to get my eyes and taste buds on! How exciting!

On the flip side, I know you've been very successful in all areas of life, but what advice do you give others about dealing with rejection and/or negative reviews—there have likely been one or two along the way?

Michelle: Here is where I really grew up. I don’t let rejection or negative reviews get to me. Everyone has their own opinions and views, including me. I try to stay positive and learn from some of the constructive comments. If you dwell on the negative, it will only bring you down. You just have to let it go. I finally understand that it’s not about the rejection and failures, it’s all about the fulfillment and success. Chasing my dreams is what its all about for me.

WOW: Great advice again, Michelle. Thank you! Speaking of growing up: What would your current self say to your younger self?

Michelle: There is so much to say, I hardly know where to start.

About love: It doesn’t always conquer all. But some loves burn bright and long and are hard to extinguish.

About writing: patience is the key. Give yourself time to learn. Try not to get frustrated with yourself. Believe in yourself.

About editing and publishing. Patience is even more key here. Be realistic in your expectations. The publishing process is not quick.

Of course I could ramble on for days but these are the things that first come to mind.

WOW: Such excellent advice all around—especially for those of us who aren't so patient when it comes to writing. Now, last but not least, let's talk about the future of Bloody Coffee. I loved the trailer, but if Bloody Coffee were made into a movie, what would be the theme song and why?

Michelle: This is a great question. It is the first time I’ve been asked this question—and I love it.

There are so many great songs out there that it’s hard to choose. I’m not sure I can easily point out one song. Maybe a “mash up”… here is what comes to mind: Defying Gravity from Wicked, Fight Song by Rachel Platten, and Butterfly Kisses. For me, the first two songs paint a picture of a strong character. The songs reflect Leigh’s determination to find the truth behind her mother’s journal and her ambivalence towards her mother’s past and present decisions. Now, when I think about Leigh’s relationship with her stepfather, the only father she knew, all that I can think of is the song Butterfly Kisses. But let’s say this, if Bloody Coffee is ever made into a movie, I’ll agree to any theme song that the screenwriter or producer would come up with. It would be such an honor.

WOW: Thank you again for choosing WOW, and thank you for sharing so much with us today, Michelle. It has been a pleasure and I just know we will be reading more books from you in the future. I can't wait until your next tour!

----------Blog Tour Dates

Launch Day – May 13th
Michelle Dim-St. Pierre launches her tour of Bloody Coffee with an interview and giveaway at the Muffin!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

May 14th @ Jill Sheets
Jill Sheets hosts Michelle Dim-St. Pierre with a guest post about Michelle’s writing process. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about Bloody Coffee and this successful author!
https://jillsheets.blogspot.com

May 16th @ BreakEven Books
Today’s author spotlight at BreakEven books is Michelle Dim-St. Pierre with her latest bestselling novel Bloody Coffee – a psychological thriller!
https://breakevenbooks.com/

May 17th @ Reviews by Deb
Deb Blanchard reviews Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre and shares her thoughts with friends on Facebook and Goodreads!
https://www.facebook.com/Reviews-by-Deb-1737715249887520/

May 20th @ Coffee with Lacey
Lacey delights her readers with her review of Bloody Coffee – this is thrilling novel readers can’t get enough of – find out more about Lacey’s thoughts and Michelle Dim-St. Pierre’s book by stopping at Coffee with Lacey today!
https://coffeewithlacey.com/

May 21st @ Amanda Diaries
Amanda L. Sanders offers her review of Bloody Coffee. Readers will delight in learning more about this fast-paced mystery!
https://amandadiaries.com/

May 22nd @ Review @ The Muffin
Crystal Otto from WOW! Women on Writing couldn’t put down Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre and she can’t wait to tell readers of the Muffin about this absolute must read thriller! Today is Michelle’s birthday – will Crystal give her a 5 Star Present? Stop by to find out!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

May 24th @ Author Anthony Avina
Fellow author Anthony Avina gives a raving review after reading Michelle Dim-St. Pierre’s thrilling mystery Bloody Coffee – readers won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear Anthony’s insight into this must read novel!
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

May 27th @ Beverley A. Baird
Michelle Dim-St. Pierre has done it again with another best seller – this time it’s a mystery/thriller called Bloody Coffee and Beverley A. Baird can’t wait to tell readers all about it in her review! This is a complex and suspenseful mystery readers will be excited to get their hands on!
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

May 28th @ Deal Sharing Aunt
Vicki, the Deal Sharing Aunt, shares her thoughts after reading the latest novel by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Readers won’t want to miss the opportunity to learn more about Bloody Coffee!
http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

May 29th @ Margo Dill
Editor and Author Margo Dill couldn’t wait to read Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Stop by her blog today and read her review about this thrilling new release!
https://margoldill.com/

May 30th @ Sreevarsha Sreejith
Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre travels all the way to France today as Sreevarsha Sreejith reviews this mystery and shares her thoughts with readers at her book blog!
https://sreejithsreevarsha.wordpress.com/

June 3rd @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles couldn’t put down this 5 star read – let’s hear her review of Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Readers will delight as they put this mystery/thriller on their TBRPile!
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

June 5th @ Bring on Lemons with Tara Forst
Wisconsin business woman and mother, Tara Forst is a friend of WOW! and is excited to talk about her thoughts after reading Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Don’t miss this review and giveaway!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

June 6th @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Stop by Cassandra’s Writing World to hear more about Michelle Dim-St. Pierre and her latest best seller Bloody Coffee as Cassandra shares her review with readers!
http://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/

June 7th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
The author spotlight at Choices today is Michelle Dim-St. Pierre with her latest bestselling thriller Bloody Coffee – readers won’t want to miss an opportunity to learn more about this fabulous novel!
http://madelinesharples.com/

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

To win a print copy of Bloody Coffee by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, please enter the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends on May 20th at 12 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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5 comments Bloody Coffee, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, mystery, Pinnacle Lust, romance, suspense, Tel-Aviv, thriller

All Eyes on Alexandra by Anna Levine - blog tour and giveaway

In All Eyes on Alexandra, young Alexandra Crane is terrible at following her family in their flying Vee. She can’t help it that the world is so full of interesting distracting sights! When it's time for the Cranes to migrate to Israel's Hula Valley for the winter, Alexandra is excited but her family is worried. Will Alexandra stay with the group, and what happens if a dangerous situation should arise? Might Alexandra—and the rest of the flock—discover that a bad follower can sometimes make a great leader?

Based on the true story of Israel’s annual crane migration.

Print Length: 32 Pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Kar-Ben Pub
ISBN-10: 1512444391
ISBN-13: 978-1512444391

All Eyes on Alexandra is available to purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, Thrift Books, and IndieBound.

Book Giveaway Contest!

To win a copy of the book All Eyes on Alexandra by Anna Levine, with illustrations by Chiara Pasqualotto, please enter via Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on December 10th at 12AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

About the Author, Anna Levine

Anna Levine is an award-winning children’s book author. Like Alexandra Crane, the character in her latest picture book, she loves to explore new worlds. Born in Canada, Anna has lived in the US and Europe.  She now lives in Israel, where she writes and teaches.

You can find Anna Levine online at:

Author website: http://www.annalevine.org/

Twitter: @LevineAnna

Instagram: @booksfromanna

About the Illustrator, Chiara Pasqualotto

Chiara Pasqualotto was born in Padua, in northern Italy, currently teaches illustration and drawing classes to children and adults, in particular in Padua during the summer at the Scuola Internazionale di Comics and in Rome. Since 2008 she's been living in Rome and working with illustration professionally: her first picture book, Mine, All Mine! was published in 2009 by Boxer Books (UK), since then she published with Oxford University Press, Giunti, Terranuova and some American publishers (Paraclete Press, Tyndale, LearningAZ, Kar-Ben Publisher).

You can find Chiara Pasqualotto online at:

Artist website: https://romeartweek.com/en/artists/?id=1495&ida=1004

Blog: http://chiarapasqualotto.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clairepaspage/

----- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: First of all, congratulations on your book All Eyes on Alexandra. In an interview with The Whole Megillah, I loved reading about how you came upon the idea for All Eyes on Alexandra. Can you tell our readers about that experience that inspired this book?

Anna: Sometimes I get so caught up in life’s routine, that I stop seeing the world I live in. When that happens, I realize it’s time to get away, to see, paraphrasing Marcel Proust, ‘the familiar with new eyes.’ There’s a bed and breakfast in the port of Acre (where Napoleon was defeated in 1799) owned by Evan Fallenberg, a writer and a friend. The first evening he invited all the guests up to the roof to join him for a spectacle he promised would impress us. At 6:00 in the evening I climbed up on the roof of the hostel with Evan, his son, two translators from Germany, a writer and her husband, a couple from Paris with two rambunctious young children and a friend of mine who’d come to visit. As the Muezzin sounded over the loudspeakers, calling the religious to prayer, the birds on their way south began to gather above. At first there was only a handful. Gradually, the cloudless evening sky filled, in what can only be described as a Hitchcock-like flock of thousands of beating wings circling above, turning the sky into a dark thrashing cloud. The swallows landed on electricity wires strewn haphazardly between the closely crowded buildings. We watched as they perched, settling in for the night, nudging the ones beside them to move and make room, hinting at an unknown hierarchy of who had rank to the better spot, as they nudged off fledglings to stake their claim. It was while watching these birds that I first imagined Alexandra, a bird who was part of a flock who at the same time wanted to assert her individuality.

The next day, I was reluctant to leave Evan’s artist haven, a tribute to what can be achieved when a dream is pursued with the right balance of love and respect to the world it inhabits. His deference to his neighbors, their acceptance and regard for him and his enclave, is a living example of what co-existence can look like. The experience took root in my imagination. Our motley crew on the roof, were like the birds from all over who flock together and live, albeit noisily, but in harmony.

WOW: What an incredible scene you've described! So, what type of research did you do for this book? Was there anything you were surprised to learn?

Anna: Reading and interviewing specialists in the field is always how I approach researching the topics I write about. But for me, the most important part is the hands-on experience. A few miles from my house is the Jerusalem Bird Observatory. I reached out to the researchers who explained the global network that exists between ornithologists all over the world. As birds stop by the observatory (which is a little urban refuge safe from predators and the craziness of city life) the researchers weigh, examine and tag the birds before releasing them back into nature. Ornithologists across the world share the information as they follow these birds-without-borders who visit different countries without regard for political or geographical boundaries. Speaking with the researchers and watching them work was an integral part of the process.

Hula Valley, where millions of birds stop to rest and refuel before continuing on to Africa, is about a three hour drive from where I live. I drove up to the park and got a little cabin on the mountain which overlooks the Hula Valley Lake. Sunrise and sunset are the best time to see the birds in action. Though I knew what to look for, I was astounded by what I heard. The noise! The birds are a honking, hollering, hooting flock! Rock concert fans are a quiet bunch beside these millions of birds who all want to have a say. It is a cacophony of sound and sight that is truly mind-boggling.

WOW: I can just imagine how noisy those birds must be! I loved the artwork of this picture book. Were you involved at all in the process or work with the artist in any way?

Anna: I remember how surprised I was when I started writing picture books to learn that editors do not encourage communication between writers and illustrators. I realized though, that the illustrators need to imagine the text without being told what’s in the writer’s mind. When I saw Chiara Pasqualott’s illustrations, my heart soared. Her talent breathes life into the text giving the birds human traits while staying true to their natural characteristics.

It was important for Chiara to keep the birds as lifelike as possible. The challenge then, was how to single out Alexandra from the other cranes. Chiara chose to tie a string around Alexandra’s neck. A red string. Unbeknownst to Chiara, there is a Jewish folk custom often associated with followers of Kabbalah, who tie a red string, a kind of talisman, around their wrist as a way to protect against the evil eye. This experience made me believe that the writer needs to trust the artist’s vision.

WOW: I love how that worked out with you and your illustrator! You seemed to share the same vision for the book. So, this is obviously not your first book. You have quite the collection of books you have published for young readers. Do you have any advice for writers interested in publishing books for a young audience?

Anna: I love writing children’s books. For my series on a young girl who dreams of being an archaeologist, I pulled on my boots, jeans, old t-shirt, sunhat and joined a group of diggers. For my first YA book, Running on Eggs, I hit the paths that looped and wound around the fields where I was living at the time. For Freefall – okay, I didn’t jump from a plane, but I did drive out to greet the jumpers as they landed. There is something about children’s literature which challenges the writer to translate experiences in a way that captures it through all the senses. My advice is probably already instinctively sensed by any author who chooses to write for children: find the enthusiasm for seeing the world through a child’s eyes. Get down on your knees, wiggle through a cave, lay on your back or stare up at the clouds. Tap into your inner child. Have a blast!

"Find the enthusiasm for seeing the world through a child’s eyes. Get down on your knees, wiggle through a cave, lay on your back or stare up at the clouds. Tap into your inner child."

WOW: That is an excellent tip! What do you hope young readers take away from reading this book?

Anna: In my ideal vision, I see the child and their reader curled up and sharing a moment of closeness. While I would love for the child to take away the importance of being a ‘family’ (in the many different interpretations of the word), and having people who care for him or her, at the same time I’d like the child to recognize of his or her unique spirit. Understanding that being different is special and that there is someone out there who will encourage and appreciate their creativity.

WOW: I love that message you hope children take away from this book! What does a typical day of writing look like for you?

Anna: It really depends where I am in the process and what I’m working on. If I’m working on a new picture book, I start my writing day the night before reading poetry (Billy Collins is one of my favorites). Poetry gets my mind thinking in images with a greater sensitivity to rhythms and rhyme. If I’m working on a longer project, and if my house is full, I have to run away. I have a favorite café where I work that was actually once a cowshed but has since been renovated. The chatter of people at a café, the sound of coffee being ground and prepared is the perfect background noise for me (where no one needs me to prepare lunch, or asks where I’ve put something). Sometimes I bring my computer, but as I get close to the end I like to work off a hard copy. My eye catches errors on paper that I seem to gloss over when working off a screen. When I’m starting on a longer novel, I give myself a daily word count (somewhere between 1,000-2,000 words). My writing day is not over until I’ve reached my goal.

WOW: That cafe sounds amazing! What does your writing space look like? What surrounds you as you write?

Anna: When I’m not at the café, I work in my small office. It’s a bit crowded. A piano takes up all of one wall. During winter, I have to store my bike inside so it’s there too. Poetry books, fiction, non-fiction, dictionaries and a few different thesauri. When I first started writing, I published quite a bit in children’s magazines. To encourage myself, or remind myself (because rejection letters are part of the process but can get discouraging) I bought small glass frames and every time a story came out I would frame the cover page and put it up on my wall. So along the walls of my office are many of my early published pieces. I’ve also bought some of the original pieces from the illustrators who created the art for my stories. Am still deciding which piece I’d like from All Eyes on Alexandra, they’re all so beautiful it’s hard to choose.

"To encourage myself, or remind myself (because rejection letters are part of the process but can get discouraging) I bought small glass frames and every time a story came out I would frame the cover page and put it up on my wall."

WOW: Oh I love that you surround yourself with original pieces! So, what are you working on now? What is next for you?

Anna: This month, a middle-grade novel I wrote based on the Scouts, just came out with a new press, PJ Ourway (Scouts Honor and the Cave of Courage). I’m hoping that the young readers will enjoy it and if so I have a sequel in the making. I love reading series. I was a Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Babysitters Club fan as a kid and now as an adult, if I start the first book in a series, I have to read them all. Presently, I have an adult cozy that’s in submission. Of course, I’ve already started plotting the next one in the series.

WOW: Thank you so much for chatting with us today! Best of luck to your future projects and best of luck on your tour!

-- Blog Tour Dates

December 3rd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Make sure you visit WOW's blog today and read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book All Eyes on Alexandra.
muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

December 5th @ Cassandra's Writing World
Visit Cassandra's blog where she shares her thoughts about Anna Levine's picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/

December 6th @ Break Even Books
Visit Erik's blog where you can read Anna Levine's guest post about how to jog your inspiration.
https://breakevenbooks.com/

December 7th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab some coffee and visit Lacey's blog where you can read her review of Anna Levine's picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com

December 8th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony Avina's blog today where he joins in the fun of celebrating and shares information about Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

December 8th @ Christy's Cozy Corners
Visit Christy's blog and cozy up while you read her review of Anna Levine's picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://christyscozycorners.com/

December 9th @ Coffee with Lacey
Visit Lacey's blog again where you can read Anna Levine's guest post about designing your ideal writing spot.
http://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com

December 9th @ Christy's Cozy Corners
Visit Christy's blog where you can read Anna Levine's blog post about how she decided to use crane's in her story.
https://christyscozycorners.com/

December 10th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Pamela's blog where you can read Anna Levine's guest post about how authors use anthropomorphic animals.
http://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/

December 11th @ Read. Write. Sparkle. Coffee.
Make sure you visit Jeanie's blog today and read her thoughts about Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.readwritesparklecoffee.com/

December 12th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Visit Anthony Avina's blog where he interviews Anna Levine, author of All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

December 13th @ Read. Write. Sparkle. Coffee.
Make sure you visit Jeanie's blog today and read Anna Levine's guest post about building a theme day around a picture book.
http://www.readwritesparklecoffee.com/

December 13th @ Oh for the Hook of a Book
Visit Erin's blog where she shares her thoughts on Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
www.hookofabook.wordpress.com

December 14th @ Growing with Science Blog
Be sure to visit Roberta's blog and read her review of Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra as well as read Anna's guest post about five fun bird-themed activities.
http://growingwithscience.com/

December 14th @ Wrapped in Foil
Visit Roberta's blog today where Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra gets featured on the weekly STEM Friday post (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math books!).
http://blog.wrappedinfoil.com/

December 15th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra's blog where she features Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra in a spotlight post.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/

December 17th @ World of My Imagination
Stop by Nicole's blog today where you can read her review of Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com

December 18th @ Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Visit Erin's blog again where you can read Anna Levine's blog post featuring activities for young children to explore their world.
www.hookofabook.wordpress.com

December 19th @ Cassandra's Writing World
Visit Cassandra's blog again where you can read Anna Levine's blog post about naming your characters.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com

December 19th @ Linda's Blog
Make sure you visit Linda's blog today where you can read her thoughts about Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://www.lindaleekane.com/blog

December 20th @ Word Magic: All About Books 
Visit Fiona's blog where you can read her review of Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

December 21st @ Bring on Lemons
Make sure you grab some lemonade and stop by Crystal's blog today where she reviews Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

December 27th @ Linda's Blog
Visit Linda's blog again where you can read her interview with author Anna Levine.
https://www.lindaleekane.com/blog

December 28th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Visit Beverley's blog today you can read her review of Anna Levine's book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

December 31st @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit Wendi's blog and read Anna Levine's guest post on learning about families and different cultures.
https://strength4spouses.blog/

January 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit author Anthony Avina's blog where he shares his thoughts about Anna Levine's picture book All Eyes on Alexandra. 
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

January 3rd @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Visit Beverley's blog again where you can read Anna Levine's blog post about getting into the head of your middle-grade characters.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

January 4th @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit author Anthony Avina's blog again where you can read Anna Levine's blog post about using fiction to write non-fiction.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com

January 7th @ Strength 4 Spouses Blog
Visit Wendi's blog again where you can read her thoughts about the book All Eyes on Alexandra by Anna Levine.
https://strength4spouses.blog/

Keep up with the latest blog stops by following us on twitter @WOWBlogTour.

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

To win a copy of the book All Eyes on Alexandra by Anna Levine, with illustrations by Chiara Pasqualotto, please enter via Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends on December 10th at 12AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

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20 comments All Eyes on Alexandra, Anna Levine, blog tour, Book Launch, Chiara Pasqualotto, cranes, Israel, migration

Girl Versus World

I just got back from the vacation of a lifetime. Thanks to my generous mother, I was able to visit Israel and Jordan, and the trip was as incredible as it sounds. Being a writer, I found it impossible not to do “writer” type things while I was there. I people-watched and took notes on their mannerisms. I spoke to as many people as possible to draw inspiration from their lives. I took an obscene number of pictures to use as backdrops and settings. And, of course, I casually mentioned that I was a writer to anyone who seemed interested.

But the most important thing I took away as a writer was something I didn’t expect. Jordan and Israel were like different worlds to me. Amidst wealth, there was poverty. Among beauty, desolation. Next to freedom was oppression. And where there was camaraderie and understanding – intolerance. I witnessed these juxtapositions in both countries and struggled with them, even as I admired places like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the ruins of Masada, the devotions at The Western Wall, and the magnificence of Petra.

I ate in a Bedouin tent. I rode a camel in Wadi Rum. I saw the birthplace of Jesus Christ. I braved my fear and took a cable car up a cliff. I floated in the Dead Sea. These memories are ones I’ll cherish all my life. But I can’t forget the stark contrast of these countries to my own. I know that my writing will be influenced by these differences. They made me so grateful to be an American, but also made me ashamed of my ignorance. Perhaps ignorance isn’t the right word. Perhaps it’s a willingness to ignore those things which are uncomfortable. Either way, the realization lies deep within me and struggles for a voice.

It’s easy for anyone – not only writers – to stay within their comfort zone. If anyone told me last year that I’d spend two weeks in the Middle East, I might have scoffed at the notion. When the opportunity presented itself, however, I couldn’t pass it up. I’m so very, very grateful I didn’t.

I hope these experiences will positively influence my writing. I hope they will help me make an impression on others of the many worlds that exist outside our own. I hope I do them justice.

I encourage you, dear writers, to do the same.



Bethany Masone Harar is an author, teacher, and blogger, who does her best to turn reluctant readers into voracious, book-reading nerds. Check out her blog here and her website here.

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4 comments author, Bethany Masone Harar, ignorance, Israel, Jordan, traveling, writing

Michelle Dim-St. Pierre Launches her tour for Pinnacle Lust

& giveaway!

It seemed like the right thing at the time...how many times have you looked back on a decision in your life and thought those words? Everything from the hair style that turned into a disaster to the choice to move halfway across the country for a new job you ended up hating to your brief flirtation with the raw food diet. We plunge into our new decision convinced that everything will work out for the best. Because that's what we want to believe will happen, what we talk ourselves into to, what our childhood fairy tales promised us. Our life will be a happily ever after.

Pinnacle Lust by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre is the story of what happens when there isn't a happily ever after. In a Tel-Aviv hospital during Operation Desert Storm, Sharon Lapidot, a beautiful young nurse, is having an affair with a married doctor. Sharon's colorful and exciting life is ultimately destroyed by powerful and eroding mistakes. But her courage and wisdom lead her to an unregretful commitment. Vividly told, this compelling journey of love and lust, honor and betrayal, loss and redemption, will move you--and perhaps even change you.

Pinnacle Lust is a perfect balance of romance and drama--a great addition to your summer reading list or as a selection for your book club. It invites some spirited discussions on the choices people make and just who is the "villian" in Pinnacle Lust.

Hardcover: 368 pages  (also available in paperback and e-format)
Publisher: BookLogix (2015)
ISBN-10: 1610055721
ISBN-13: 978-1610055727

This book is available as a print book at Amazon as well as at your local independent bookstore. E-books are available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Apple iBookstore and Kobo.



Book Giveaway Contest:
To win a copy of Pinnacle Lust, please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes this Friday, May 29 at 12:00 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!

About the Author:

Michelle Dim-St. Pierre was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, where she spent more than half of her life before relocating to the United States. She lived through four wars and served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years. Unlike her first year of service in an armored division in the Golan Heights, she spent her second year serving in the medical corps where she interacted directly with the injured soldiers of the Peace of Galilee war and their families. This interaction, along with the exposure to the hospital atmosphere, fascinated Michelle and further touched her heart.

After graduating from nursing school with a BS in Nursing in Tel-Aviv, she practiced internationally for 32 years in various positions in the surgical field and quickly advanced into health care administration. During her career she worked in the Operating Room, Recovery Room, and CCU—along with many other duties.

Writing was Michelle’s outlet at first, but it soon became her passion. Recently she left nursing and became a full-time writer. Her international background, along with her military and nursing experience is always at the tip of her pen. Her first novel, Pinnacle Lust, starts the Pinnacle trilogy.

Michelle is a world traveler who enjoys cooking epicurean food and creating original recipes.

Find out more about the author by visiting her online:

Website: http://www.michelledimstpierre.com/

Blog: http://www.michelledimstpierre.com/blog

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDimStPierre

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pinnaclelust

-----Interview by Jodi Webb

WOW: You spent over three decades in the nursing profession. How did writing fit into that? Have you always been a writer or was it recent development?

Michelle: Writing was first a hobby and finally turned into something more. The truth of the matter is that my profession triggered my fiction writing. During my career as a nurse, there were things that I heard, saw and knew but couldn’t share. As I needed an outlet, I started writing and called it fiction.

WOW: Did you jump right into writing a novel or did you start out with short stories, a journal, or essays?

Michelle: My novel, Pinnacle Lust, is the first work of fiction I ventured into. Again, in the beginning, it was not meant to be a published novel—it was more of an outlet at the time.

WOW: When did you decide to take your hobby of writing to the next level and decide to pursue publication?

Michelle: The first step was when I sent my manuscript for review by two professionals. Both said that I had a very good plot, and that they would love to edit it. The real deal, or the final push, was when Sherry Wilson, my editor sent me an e-mail saying, “You have a good book in your hands. I think you should publish it.”

WOW: So many people with rich professional lives who begin writing find that it has an autobiographical element to it. Did you find that was the case with your writing?

Michelle: I believe that any work of fiction carries pieces from the author’s life. Pinnacle Lust is not an autobiography, but it is fair to say that some of my personal experiences inspired my writing. Whether I witnessed these events or was part of them, I can’t tell…:) I believe that every minute of my life is another brush stroke to my writing—military service, nursing school, work, social, news, gossip, and even the grocery store—you name it.

WOW: How did you navigate the writing world? Did you join a writing group, take classes, hire an editor? Do you have any tips for newcomers to the writing world?

Michelle: Navigating the writing world was a huge challenge, and in a way it still is. I hired an exceptional editor who took me through the process, and taught me the secrets and the craft of writing. I was fortunate enough to hire an editor that also teaches creative writing in the educational arena. With this being said, you can only imagine how much material and guidance I received. I hope to continue to learn more about the craft of writing and am planning to continue to work with Sherry on all my future projects. The best tip that I would give newcomers in the writing world is that an editor is a critical player—hire a good editor, don’t just give your work to a family member or a friend for editorial services…it may save you a little money but it may not produce the product you desire.

WOW: What was the most challenging part of writing Pinnacle Lust? The most rewarding?

Michelle: The most challenging part of writing Pinnacle Lust was to detach myself from the manuscript and to shorten it from its original word count of 140,000 to no more than 100,000. It was as if I had to cut the umbilical cord from my own baby. As far as the most rewarding part, I think holding the hardcover in my hands and becoming a published author was the most exciting moment. It was a long journey but well worth it.

WOW: What are you working on now?

Michelle: As Pinnacle Lust is the first in the Pinnacle Trilogy, I am now working on the next book in the series. I will soon announce its title, and include more information on my website and in my newsletter. I am also working on a unique cookbook, blogs and more surprises down the road. My newsletter, Pinnacle Insider, is a great source for my readers to follow my work. I welcome everyone to subscribe to my newsletter via my website at http://www.michelledimstpierre.com/newsletter.html.

----------Blog Tour Dates

Monday, May 25(today!) @ The Muffin
Stop by for an interview with Michelle Dim-St. Pierre and a chance to win Pinnacle Lust!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Friday, May 28 @ All Things Audry
Can Writing Be a 9 to 5 Job? Find out from Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, author of the novel Pinnacle Lust.
http://allthingsaudry.blogspot.com

Monday, June 1 @ Vickie Miller
Author Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, an experienced traveler, shares why she believes everyone should visit another country. Don't miss a chance to win a copy of her romance-suspense Pinnacle Lust.
http://www.vickiesmiller.com/

Wednesday, June 3 @ Renee’s Pages
How does a nurse become a novelist? Stop by for the story of Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, author of Pinnacle Lust.
http://reneespages.blogspot.com/

Friday, June 5 @ Building Bookshelves
Take a mini-vacation with author Michelle Dim-St. Pierre and learn five things you should know about Israel.
http://blogs.republicanherald.com/bookshelves

Monday, June 8 @ Empty Nest
Don't miss your chance to win a copy of Michelle Dim-St. Pierre's debut novel Pinnacle Lust.
http://www.emptynest1.net/

Thursday, June 11 @ Romance Junkies
In the mood for one of the many faces of romance? Enter to win a copy of Michelle Dim-St. Pierre's Pinnacle Lust.
http://www.romancejunkies.com/

Wednesday, June 17 @ Between the Pages
Don't miss a review of Michelle Dim-St. Pierre's debut novel Pinnacle Lust.
https://amshuman.wordpress.com

Thursday, June 18 @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Stop by and meet a new author, Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, who wrote Pinnacle Lust, the story of an Israeli nurse and her doomed love affair.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

Friday, June 26 @ Deal Sharing Aunt
Need a great book to read this summer? Stop by for a review of Pinnacle Lust by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre.
http://www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

Keep up with blog stops and giveaways in real time by following us on Twitter.

Get Involved!
If you have a website or blog and would like to host one of our touring authors or schedule a tour of your own, please email us at blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com.

Book Giveaway Contest: Enter to win a copy of Pinnacle Lust! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget this Friday, May 29.

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Good luck!

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Leave a Comment book club, editor, giveaway, Israel, Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, Pinnacle Lust, romance, suspense

Review and Giveaway of Pinnacle Lust by Michelle Dim-St. Pierre

We all make choices every day...some good, some bad and some that will affect us for the rest of our life. Often we don't don't even know we're making a life changing decision until long after the fact. That's what happened to Sharon Lapidot in Pinnacle Lust. One choice and her entire life--and Sharon herself--changed forever.

Pinnacle Lust
Author: Michelle Dim-St. Pierre
Pages: 354
Publisher: BookLogix (2015)
ISBN-10: 1610055713
ISBN-13: 978-1610055710

Pinnacle Lust is a story that takes place in Israel, during Operation Desert Storm, about an illicit affair that leads to great love, betrayal and a commitment. Sharon Lapidot is a beautiful young nurse who falls deeper and deeper into an affair with a married doctor. Her world is shattered by powerful and eroding mistakes but her courage leads her to a commitment in a land far from home. It is only eighteen years later when her daughter discovers that the man who raised her is not her biological father.

Pinnacle Lust is available in paperback, hardcover, and as an ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBookstore, and Kobo.

About Michelle Dim-St. Pierre

Michelle was born in Tel-Aviv and relocated to the United States in the early 90s. She lived through four wars and served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years. She practiced for 32 years in the surgical field and health care administration. Presently Michelle is a full-time writer and a world traveler who enjoys cooking epicurean food. Pinnacle Lust is her first novel.

Connect with Michelle online:

Website: http://www.michelledimstpierre.com

Twitter: @PinnacleLust

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDimStPierre

***** BOOK REVIEW: PINNACLE LUST *****

Review by Jodi Webb

Pinnacle Lust takes place during a time in history most of us are familiar with: the 1990s and Desert Storm. The twist is, instead of observing that moment in history through the eyes of citizen of the United States we see it through the eyes of an Israeli nurse. The Israeli culture gives the entire story a fresh feel as Sharon deals with love in an extremely conservative and religious community that is ruled by powerful men.

At first, Pinnacle Lust seems like a traditional story of forbidden love...a married doctor and an unmarried nurse. Author Michelle Dim-St.Pierre adds just a taste of love scenes; instead, much of the passion in the book comes from almost constant frustration of the lovers as they are forced apart by their personal situations and culture. But this book is more complicated than a love story, exploring Sharon's relationships--both personal and business--with many men in this male dominated world. How she handles each situation, sometimes giving in and sometimes fighting against their sexism will have you asking yourself how you would react in this culture.

Dim-St. Pierre does a good job of creating uncertainty for the reader, not unlike the uncertainty that Sharon felt about her own situation. Readers will find themselves seesawing back and forth between loving and hating each character. This novel reflects the ambivalence of the real world, where things are never black and white. Like Sharon, after a while you'll find yourself questioning everyone's motives: the wronged wife, the lovers, the friends, the employers. Why do they make the choices they do? I felt the strongest part of the book was not the love affair but the disintegration of the love affair. When the book stops being about passion and instead delves into fear, jealousy, revenge and even hate. You'll find you can't stop reading as you wonder what will happen to the lovers after the love ends. Will they go back to their old lives or will they be forever changed?

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

We know you'll want to win a copy of this book after that fantastic review! Enter the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a print copy of Pinnacle Lust. We will choose a winner April 22. Good luck!

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2 comments Desert Storm, Israel, Michelle Dim-St. Pierre, Pinnacle Lust, romance, suspense fiction