20 November 2013

Secrets and Lies - Cassie Scot 2 Tour






Fantasy/Paranormal/New Adult Romance
Date Published: 11/15/2013


Cassie Scot,still stinging from her parents’ betrayal, wants out of the magical world. But it isn’t letting her go. Her family is falling apart and despite everything, it looks like she may be the only one who can save them.

To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan her life, making it difficult for her to deny him anything he really wants. And he wants her. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls missing from summer camp, but long-buried secrets may ruin their hopes for happiness.




Read my review of book 1 Cassie Scot Paranormal Detective.



I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!



What I say (review): I really enjoyed the first book in Christine Amsden's Cassie Scot series and was excited to read the next instalment Secrets and Lies. It's difficult to review book 2 without mentioning the events in the first book so if you haven't read Paranormal Detective then be warned!

The story picks up right after the events of Paranormal Detective with Evan sorta owning Cassie and her trying to deny any feelings for him. Cassie's avoiding her family and is trying to find her place in the world; she's the only non-magical from a family of powerful sorcerers.

A lot of the story focuses on Cassie as she tries to come to terms with previous events and to find out where she goes from here. Evan hires Cassie to assist him in finding two missing girls - I thought this was all an excuse for Evan to try to woo her but as events unfold we learn there is so much more going on.

I really wish Cassie and Evan would get their act together but this is extremely difficult when their families hate each other and keep a lot of secrets from their children. I like how driven Evan is and how he does have a dark side; underneath everything he's extremely powerful and dangerous. Evan tries hard to be worthy but he's not always entirely honourable BUT I think this adds to his mystique.

I hated Cassie's parents at then end of the last book and I honestly cannot decide how I feel about them now. Her Dad is definitely not my favourite person and don't get me started on Evan's father!

I really like this series (although I'm not a big fan of the book covers) and find Cassie a charming mix of vulnerable and naive yet strong and spirited. I have my suspicions about certain characters *ahem* Madison, but I'm hoping we get to see Cassie and Evan have a HEA without the dreaded love triangle or a friend becoming-enemy-and-trying-to-steal-your-man kinda deal!

4 Stars in my Sky!


Author Interview:

Hi Christine, thanks for hanging out at Zili in the Sky and taking the time to answer my questions.




1. At the end of book one Cassie finds herself separated from her family. How does Cassie pick herself up from her parents betrayal?


Secrets and Lies is all about that! The book actually starts days after the end of the first book, and in chapter one Cassie is trying to find a job. She goes to the sheriff, but he's kind of mad at her so he doesn't hire her right away and she ends up trying waitressing. That doesn't last long!

There's a lot of movement in book two. I don't believe in spinning the wheels of the plot. Cassie is going to learn about some of the darker parts of the magical world, she's going to have to deal with Evan, and she's going to have to deal with the parents who betrayed her.


2. Cassie wants to avoid the supernatural/paranormal is this even possible when we consider her situation?

Not really, no. :)

Cassie needs to find a way to make peace with the supernatural, but at the end of book one she's been hurt so much that she's not really thinking rationally. She just wants out. 


3. How well does Cassie really know Evan?

Pretty well, actually. The biggest question marks are about his magical past and what, exactly, his powers are (and how strong he is) – things you just don't ask a sorcerer. And there is something... well, her father is right that she doesn't know everything about him.Keep reading and you'll see. :)

But Evan and Cassie have been friends (to varying degrees) for fifteen years. The awkwardness between them now is largely a product of how things changed between them in high school. They were both attracted to one another, but with their fathers' mutual enmity, Evan didn't feel free to act and Cassie just felt confused. Some of this comes out in Secrets and Lies


4. How would you describe Cassie in three words?

Compassionate. Courageous. Conflicted.


5. Where did you get the inspiration for the importance of numbers in terms of magic and protection?

Good question! I don't entirely recall, but I know that 3 and 7 are often touted in fantasy as having some kind of special power for one reason or another. In Charmed, it was the power of three. This is one of those details that I'm afraid is slipping my mind four years later.


6. If you met Kaitlin in real life what would you say to her?

Oh, that's a tough one! The trouble is, I know things about Kaitlin that you don't... and neither does Cassie. Actually, both Madison and Kaitlin are getting their own spin-offs because I couldn't quite wrap up their subplots.

Kaitlin is hurting inside. She wants so badly to be loved, but doesn't know how and doesn't think she's worthy of it. I think she needs a hug.


7. I love how witty Cassie is, did you base her on anybody you know?

She's who I wish I could be. Her witty remarks are the ones I myself would use in regular conversation if it didn't actually take me until an hour after the conversation was finished to come up with them. I'm always thinking, “Oh, if only I'd thought to say that!” 


8. What’s next in terms of you and your writing?

I'm working on Madison's Song right now. I've got a sort of a rough draft going and am hoping to finish in early 2014. Kaitlin's up next. And after that... I don't want to speculate too much. I'd rather just let my mood guide me. 


9. Evan’s a man on a mission, how does anybody go about controlling him?

Ha! You don't. Although Evan is about to realize that there is one thing he can't just use his consider power to get.


10. In terms of Cassie’s parents do you consider their actions as 'Tough love' or selfish fear?

Oh, it's fear. And mostly selfish. I will say in their defence (and God knows they need one!) that they really do love Cassie. But they don't know what to do with her, or how to handle who she is or what she represents. And there's some background Cassie still needs to learn... some secrets and lies. :)

Thanks so much for having me here, and for asking such great questions! It's always so nice to chat with someone who has read the book. :)



Tour Giveaway to win a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card


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