It’s been a while since I have posted a book review on my blog. Have I not been reading? Don’t be silly, of course, I am reading, It’s my passion! And just so you know, I have been reviewing my books on Amazon (New York Army Mom) and on Goodreads (Sharon Aguanno). Not always both but definitely Amazon.
Having said that, I met a new author on Facebook a week or so ago. I found her to be quite interesting and grabbed a copy of her first book. With her permission, I am going to introduce you to her. Thank you Ronnie Allen.
If you click on her name, it will take you to her facebook page, but do read to the bottom before you leave and enjoy my personal discussion with Ronnie! I will share my thoughts about the first book in her series (The Sign Behind The Crime) and the interview will give you some insight into her personal life.
So, please meet Ronnie Allen
Gemini (The Sign Behind The Crine Series Book 1) Synopsis from Amazon:
His life is exactly the way he wants it to be—until he meets her…
Both psychic and clairvoyant, Dr. John Trenton is a forensic psychiatrist who has a wife he worships and a position as a department head at a hospital for the criminally insane in Manhattan. His patients—young adult men, who are some of the most psychotic and psychopathic criminals in NYC—enable him to live his life on the edge, just the way he likes it. Then he meets a woman who changes everything.
She is two days from accomplishing the revenge she lives for—until she meets him…
Stripper by night, school psychologist by day, Gemini obsessed Barbara Montgomery, makes a critical mistake and is committed for seventy-two hours of observation, where she risks it all in an unnerving escape. Furious with Dr. Trenton for interfering in her life, she is now determined to kill his wife and unborn child, along with everyone else who has ever caused her pain—real or imagined.
As the killing spree continues, John is forced to use all his ESP, as well as his knowledge and expertise, to interpret this psychopath’s Gemini obsession and unravel her dark and murderous past. But can he track her down and bring her to justice—before she destroys his world completely?
My Thoughts:
Those of you who know me well, know that a Psychological Thriller is way out of my genre. I tend to read cozies to relax, and crime mysteries to keep my mind going. But wait! Maybe crossing over genres is what I really enjoy doing. Because lately, I have been doing a lot of it. And guess what? I am loving it!
Gemini, which is Ronnie’s debut Novel, is amazing! I happen to love a story that bounces back and forth in time. In this story it’s present and 3 years prior. It is very easy to follow since Ronnie indicates the time at the beginning of the chapters. It’s almost as though you’re reading two different stories with the same characters. In this case, the prior years build the relationship of two of the three main characters. I loved that.
A psychological thriller with clairvoyance and paranormal throughout? Before reading Gemini, I would have said, “not my cup of tea”… but after reading it, I am truly looking forward to reading the rest of the books Ronnie is offering.
So, the plot… Excellent, The characters…yes excellent, twists and turns… all over the place…excellent and the ending….well let’s just say I was on the edge of my seat in the last two chapters… I was talking out loud to Ronnie… don’t you dare, no, no, no… well my friends, I guess you will have to read it to find out!
In case you haven’t already guessed, I must reiterate…. I loved this book and highly recommend!
Enough of what I think, how about a little personal information about Ronnie: She was kind enough to answer some questions for me, so here goes:
Sharon: I know that for most authors writing is their Dream job! But if you were unable to write for some reason, what profession would you fall back on?
Ronnie: First, thank you so much for having me on your blog! Excellent question. Interestingly, I never really had my dream job. I decided when I was a teenager that I wanted to be an exotic animal veterinarian. My parents and my doctors went berserk because I was a severe asthmatic and I was told I’d be allergic to all of the animals. So in college I majored in psychology and wanted to become a psychologist so that I could psychoanalyze myself, then get rid of the asthma and then go to vet school. I had even applied to a pre-med program in the state of Washington. Well, that didn’t happen. But I did become a school psychologist and I worked in the position of teacher in the New York City school system for 33 years. I guess that was my destiny because I am truly an advocate of the child, and that as well is a focus in my novels. I also had my journey into alternative therapies and the mind-body connection. I will tell you that that as well helped me to help others. Now that I am retired from teaching since 2003, and began my novel writing journey in 2011, if I couldn’t do that, I would go back to my holistic healing practice and develop it in Florida. Oh and by the way, we’ve had animals our married life and I’m not allergic to any of them!
Sharon: If one of your books was made into a movie, and you could be an actor, which character would you play and why?
Ronnie: Actually in the late 70s I became involved in screenwriting and film and actually did some acting showcases in Manhattan. I would like very much for Gemini and Aries to go to film. Gemini I would like to see as a TV episodic, and Aries would make a great feature film. If Aries was to go to a TV episodic, Aries would be the first season, Scorpio would be the second. The titles would be changed. Since the focus is on the forensic psychiatrists, Gemini would be retitled Trenton’s Law, and Aries could be retitled Khaos Rules. Those who have read both books will understand the title change. Since you’ve read Gemini, let’s talk about that one. I can see Michael Weatherly, Nathan Fillion or an older Matt Boomer as Dr. John Trenton. And which character would I play? Barbara Montgomery, the killer in Gemini, of course. I actually had the same career she has in Gemini but mine was in the classroom. I love her aggression, not holding back on anything she says, though I’m not a murderer.
Sharon: If you were to compare your husband to any of the characters in your books who would he be?
I’d compare Bob to Dr. John Trenton, only physically. I married a jock and raised one.
Sharon: I happen to love your writing style, have you ever written a song? Or wanted to? If so, tell me about that song.
Ronnie: Thank you. No, I have never written a song. So many people need music to write. But I find when I’m in deep POV in the psychopathic mind, music is a distraction. I often write poolside, and I can block out children screaming in the pool, adults all around me talking, even that Marco Polo game, but music takes me out of the moment.
Sharon: Do you play an instrument? If so, which one/ones? Did you take lessons or learn on your own?
Ronnie: I used to play the violin, and I played from sixth grade all the way through high school. I was a first violinist in my high school orchestra. I stopped playing when I entered college. My lessons were only in school.
Sharon: If you decided to pick up and move any place you want as long as it’s in the U. S. where would you want to go?
Ronnie: I’m a born and bred New York City woman, who now lives in rural Central Florida. There are times I love it here, the serenity, no pollution, no potholes, living in the woods is totally relaxing and cleansing. I do miss the energy of the big city and the business world, as well as fashion, foods etc. So if I had the chance to move it might not be back to New York, because I do not miss the snow, but I would definitely move to a larger city in Florida like Tampa, or Boca Raton.
Sharon: If you could sit on a bench with someone living or deceased, who would it be and what would your first comment be?
Ronnie: Probably either James Patterson or Nora Roberts. Why? To ask them how they get ideas for the continued series making it new and fresh with each book. Since that’s what I’m writing, and I’m now on book four, Libra, I can see that can be a challenge.
Sharon: I am guessing that you love to cook, have you ever cooked anything exotic, if so tell me about it?
Ronnie: OMG! Yes, I do love to cook! I don’t cook that exotic because my husband doesn’t like very spicy food. I’ve recently gone gluten-free and I have a lot of my recipes on my Instagram as well as on my health and wellness page and my novelist page. Your readers could follow me on Instagram at ronnieanovelist and they will be able to get all of my recipes, gluten-free and not.
Sharon: Is there anything else you want to share with your readers?
Ronnie: I truly appreciate my readers and have worked very hard and diligently to create books that I hope they will enjoy. I just signed the contract for the third book in the Sign Behind The Crime series, Scorpio. So what I would like to ask is if you read the books to please leave a review. Reviews help us authors immensely.
Sharon: Did I miss anything you really want to talk about? If so, here’s your chance!
Ronnie: I have some events coming up so if people are in the area I would love for them to come over and chat, even about writing and publishing and to ask their questions. I’ll be happy to help them. On October 29 I’ll be a vendor at the Paranormal Expo in The Villages, Lake Miona Rec Center, 1526 Bueno Vista Blvd. Sumpter Landing. The Villages, Fla. 32162. 10-4.
On Nov. 19-20, I’ll be at a Meet the Author event in Melbourne, Fla. Eau Gallie Civic Center 1551 Highland Ave. Melbourne, Fla. 32935.9:30-4:30 both days.
So there you have it, The Sign Behind the Crime Series by Ronnie Allen… I hope you enjoyed the interview and if you are in the Florida area, do stop by and meet Ronnie… I wish I could be there!
For those of you who suffer from Celiac or have just chosen to go gluten free, please follow Ronnie, she has an amazing background and offers lots of good information and tips for healthy living.
Thanks for stopping by, and
Don’t forget to Live, Love, Laugh and By All means READ!
Till next time!
Sharon
newyorkarmymom.wordpress.com 
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