Red Dirt Road by Annie Rose Welch Book Review

The Saving Angels Series continues…

A new cast is introduced, while journeys already taken start to merge with the present, leading you down the old Red Dirt Road.

Death has always seemed just one step behind Layla Hill, taking almost everyone she’s ever loved. After she loses the love of her life, Layla vows to never love again—how could she, when she’s a death magnet?

Trying to outrun fate traveling with her uncle Willie and his band, Layla meets Michael Roberts, a beautiful Irish boxer as gentle on the piano as he is brutal in the ring. He proves as relentless in life, fighting for a place in her world even as she pushes him away, trying to protect him from her killer tendencies.

But neither foresees the sinister presence waiting for Layla at the end of the Red Dirt Road.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Annie has a habit of shortening her words and telling long stories. She speaks with a southern flair and cooks with it too. At the tender age of twenty- one, she hitched up her wagons (took her first plane ride) and moved out west to the big shake (California). Her writing career began one sleepless night when she imagined a gorgeous woman and a man with maniacal hair floating above her like lightening bugs falling from the sky. Curious about them, their story, and why they were floating around in her head, she sat down and penned (typed) her first novel, Marigny Street. A dream come true for her, she hasn’t stopped writing since. She loves a damn good love story, always has, no matter what the genre. She is particularly moved by imperfect love that in its own unique way is perfect, the notion of love at first sight, soul mates, and things that are generally out of the norm.

When she’s not writing she enjoys dabbling in photography and finding new, inspirational music to add to her collection. She currently (still) resides in the big shake (although her southern roots are calling her home) with her husband, daughter, and their two peculiar dogs, Boudreaux and Tabasco (who, call her crazy, bark with an accent).

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | GOODREADS AUTHOR

1. Tell your readers something about you that is not in your profile.

There is a lot of crazy bottled up in me. (Doesn’t everyone say that, though?) In my case, though, it’s very true. (Yes, I know, they say that, too.)

2. When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

I never planned on becoming an author. In fact, if someone would have told me that’s what I’d be doing today, I would have laughed and said, “You are insane!” And I had. One of my college English teachers had encouraged the idea more than once. Looking back, he was right on the mark. Isn’t it funny how other people can see things so clearly about your life and you can’t? Then, one day, the story came to me. Eva and Gabriel came to me. And the rest, as they say, is history.

3. They say an author always puts a part of them into their characters. With Red Dirt Road, which character or part of the book is most like you?

I would have to say Layla. I found her thoughts and mine to coexist almost harmoniously. But even so, she is much different than me. She was more like a good friend—one who is different, but at the same time, I share a connection with her.

4. Was it written from any personal experience if so can you tell us about it

I would have to say the characters, more than the story line, were written from personal experience. It always amazes me how people I know creep their way into my characters. After I’ve edited (to the point where the story, hopefully, shines), I always re-read my stories as a reader. I take a step back and reevaluate. And it’s then that it hits me—he or she reminds me of someone I know, or a person I had a passing conversation with. But I love that, because it makes them real. The spark from that person comes alive on the page. But I’ll say this... I do believe anyone can understand the story line in RDR. We all experience times in our lives where we are forced to come face to face with our demons. And we are forced to look them in the eye and say No, not this time! I refuse to allow you to consume me. I refuse to allow you to take me out of the game. Even if it means I have to hit rock bottom before life gets better.

5. If you were given the opportunity to change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?

I’m not sure I would change anything. I mean, there are terrible things that have happened to me, and yes, some of those things I desperately wish I could change. I wish I could go back in time and take back the moment and change the outcome. But I refuse to dwell on it. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason—I just try my best to have faith that my life is going in the direction it was meant to.

6. How did you come up with the characters for Red Dirt Road?

I don’t believe I came up with the characters. As crazy as this is going to sound (refer back to question 1... I did warn you), I feel my characters find me. It’s their story. I’m just willing to tell it.

7. If you had to sum up Red Dirt Road in 30 or less words, what would you say?

Real, truthful, full of love and hope, love at first sight, but truly, a slow-burning romance.

8. List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend to readers?

I don’t have much time to read, but I do try. I wasn’t feeling well last night, so as much as I wanted to edit my own books, I knew editing in that state would only lead me to delete, delete, delete (to which my editor would probably say, “You go, girl!”), but to avoid kicking myself the next day, I decided to take a break and read. I readMy Big Fake Irish Life, by Caitlin McKenna. It was fabulous—a fun and light read. And yes, I do realize this was an extremely long answer to a simple question.

9. Are you currently working on any upcoming projects?

I’m currently working on edits for the Saving Angels Series. But I’ve just completed a stand-alone book, Pistol Fanny’s Hank & Delilah. It’s much different than anything I’ve ever done.

10. Where is your favorite place to escape to read?

In my bed.

11. What is your favorite drink while reading?

Diet iced tea—I’m southern. Don’t judge.

604 pages is alot, but you get pulled in and all of a sudden you're done. That's what Annie Welch, Author of

Red Dirt Road does.

Meet Layla "Lotus" as we begin, going through one of the most horrible times of her life. People don't understand why she's doing what she is, dressed the way she is.

Out on the road with the band CCR, Jr, it's time to go home. All the team is there, one new exception and that is Yuma, he's the newbie to the group, only been with them 2 years. Something about him unnerves Lotus, but she just can't put her finger on it. She thinks death follows her and that everyone she loves or will ever love or care about is taken from her. A death magnet.

In comes the boys from Ireland, they head home with the band one in particular, Michael seems to be smitten with Lotus. Things develop, it's almost as if there's a war between good and evil, or is it just jealousy between Michael and Yuma where Lotus is concerned?

The stone walls start to crumble down around and Lotus starts to live. Her friends Lizzy andGenny have found their Mr. Right's as well and wedding bells are ringing. All that is but for Lotus and Michael. Then the unthinkable. Michael leaves her. Where did he go,why did he leave? Evil steps in, the fight between good and evil, no one is there to help her, to save her. Does evil win?

Cheers,

Steph

Book rating: 4 stars

http://www.amazon.com/Dirt-Road-Saving-Angels-Series-ebook/dp/B00FE0FI6C/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

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Red Dirt Road by Annie Rose Welch Book Review

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