REVIEW/INTERVIEW: The Firefly Effect by Allie Gail

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 15, 2015

~Blurb~

It was supposed to be nothing more than a fantasy.

All right, so I’ll admit that maybe steamy, impulsive sex isn’t the ideal way to cope with a total stranger wandering into your beach house unannounced. But discovering that my anonymous lover is none other than Shane-the-Pain Becker, the dirtbag spawned only to torment me throughout adolescence...well, somebody kill me now.

To add insult to injury, there’s a major hurricane bearing down on us and we’re stuck together for the duration. I don’t know which force of nature scares me the most – Hurricane Elliott or Shane.
***
Never in my wildest dreams would I have envisioned a scenario where Melanie Lane would be wrapping her sweet legs around me. Scratch that – there were, in fact, an abundance of wild dreams where Felony Melanie was concerned. I just never thought I had a chance in hell of making them reality. I mean, the girl thinks I’m sewer scum and always has.

Even now. She still believes I’m not good enough for her. I’m assuming that’s why she seems bound and determined to shut me out.

She keeps insisting this is just sex.

But as long as the hurricane keeps her trapped in my arms, I will make it my mission to convince her otherwise.

GOODREADS

~Book Review~

5 Stars

Indulge in a little fantasy for a moment. That is after all what romance is all about. Imagine a hot stranger entering your rented beach house, stripping naked, and taking you like you’ve never been taken before. It’s kinda hot and forbidden, a dirty dream come true. That is till you catch his name and realize…

You just had sex with Shane the Pain, your sworn enemy—your biggest tormenter since puberty!

Shane Becker was a little brat in the past, but he’s an adorable, ornery, mischievous brat and the author captures the essence of 6^th—7^th—8^th—9^th grade boys at that age perfectly. You can’t help but read it and remember your own middle school days so I think he can be forgiven at age 28.

“Boys do stupid things when they’re in love.”

He’s all grown up, and he no longer steals homework; instead he removes the nuts of domestic animals. Don’t worry; he’s a certified veterinarian who’s also good at writing love scenes and talking dirty to the former object of his torments, writer Melanie Kristine Lane.

“What was it like? Like a supernova in my balls exploded out the end of my cock, but maybe that’s not the most appropriate thing to say right now.”

Shane is actually a great guy. He thinks cheating’s not cool; he likes Rob Zombie music, and he favors palm trees over pine trees in his landscaping. He’s a man after my own heart. Melanie is also a likeable female character.  She’s down-to-earth, strong, and holds her own. Honestly there’s no weak females presented here. Even her friend, Leah, is quite a ball of spunk, and I hope Leah gets her own story at some point.

The story is mostly light-hearted and low angst. I had quite a few laugh out loud moments…

“‘It would be like trying to solve calculus equations while masturbating.’”

And there are plenty of sexy, steamy times.

“‘You feel this, baby? This big, horny cock—it’s all for you. Been waiting for you all these years. You fucking remember that.’”

When a hurricane keeps the pair secluded together, they get the chance to know each other as adults and lovers rather than the immature enemies they once were. And I really adored both the premise of the story as well as how Shane and Melanie handled their relationship with maturity and sensibility. There are no unavoidable misunderstandings here, nor drama from the outside. (We won’t count “Elliot!” he he) Plus, the flashback chapters are a ton of fun that also help make the characters fuller and at times more colorful.

Told via Melanie and Shane’s alternating first person point of view, The Firefly Effect is a highly recommended, cute, stand-alone romance.

Purchase Today!

**Limited release price of 99 cents – will go up after the holidays are over!**

Amazon U.S. | Amazon U.K.

~Character Interview~

 5 Questions with Shane and Melanie from The Firefly Effect by Allie Gail

Q1. Class Reunion
You two have come a long way since your pre-teen and teen days and your relationship has certainly changed. Complete these sentences about each other: 

Melanie- In high school I would have voted Shane Most Likely to ______, but today I’d vote him Most Likely to ______.
Shane- In high school I would have voted Melanie Most Likely to ______, but today I’d vote her Most Likely to ______.

Melanie: Back in high school? (laughs) Most likely to get pushed in front of a bus. No offense.
Shane: (grinning) That's a little harsh, don't you think? But, yeah. She's probably right. I think ten years ago I would have elected her as the one most likely to push Shane Becker in front of a bus! Come to think of it, I'm still not sure why she never did. 
Melanie: Not now, though.
Shane: No. Not anymore. These days, Melanie's got my vote for most likely to dehydrate certain parts of my-
Melanie: Shane!
Shane: What? She asked. (to interviewer) You asked, didn't you?

*Interviewer grins, well aware it would be a lively interview with Shane involved*
Melanie: (blushing) Anyway. Uh...what was the question again? Oh, right. The voting thing. Let's see...well, I guess I would have to say that now, Shane is most likely to be the one who always has my back no matter what.
Shane: Aww. You know it, baby. Always.

Q2. Editor in Chief
Shane, you did a pretty good sexy job editing Melanie’s fictional love scenes in her book. If she gave you full creative control, give us a hint of what you’d have her publish next. 

Shane: You thought I was going to say erotica, didn't you? Ha! Actually, I think she's doing a fantastic job on her own. I'm proud of her. Trust me, my input isn't likely to be very helpful. But if she were to somehow lose her mind and give me creative control...okay, you know what, I lied. I am going to say erotica. Mel's going to kill me for telling you this, but writing those sex scenes tends to make her a bit...ah, shall we say, frisky? 
Melanie: (shrugging) What can I say? He's a wealth of inspiration.

*Interviewer takes this moment to remind readers to check out the except following this interview as proof of Shane's talents...his writing talents that is.*

Q3. Snowy with a Chance of Steamy
The weather app says a blizzard is in the forecast. What’s in your emergency kit and what are your preparation plans? 

Melanie:  Hm. Lots of Bisquick?
Shane: Better add blueberries to the emergency kit. Can't have a suitable pancake war without the blueberries.
Melanie:  (stifling a giggle) Seriously though - a blizzard, you said? I'm not sure, we never had much of a threat of snow in Florida. Shane, maybe you should take this one. 
Shane: Batteries, radio, portable charger, lots of blankets. Plenty of junk food. And a nice Cheval des Andes Bordeaux. 
Melanie:  Don't forget firewood. 
Shane: Good thinking. Extra firewood, for sure. Not that we'll have any trouble keeping warm without it.
Melanie:  What about the preparation plans?
Shane: Turn off the cell phones and run a steaming hot bath for two. There ya go, preparations complete. Next question?

Q4. You Are What You Do
Being a vet, Shane is clearly good with animals. Melanie, if Shane was an animal, what animal would he be and why? 

Melanie: Oh, that's an easy one! A puppy. Definitely. Because he's cute and cuddly and loyal and he sleeps curled up next to me.
Shane: And I like to lick her all over.
Melanie:  Yep. That, too.
Shane: Wait a minute. Why can't I be a grizzly bear? Or a lion?Melanie:  What?
Shane: You just called me a dog! And anyway, I really can't see myself as a puppy. Can't I be something else?
Melanie:  Oh, for the love of Pete - fine! You're a timber wolf, then. A wild, rabid wolf with sharp teeth and glowing eyes. Is that better?
Shane: (smiling smugly) As long as you're willing to be Little Red Riding Hood.
Melanie:  Didn't Red Riding Hood kill the wolf?
Shane: I don't remember. No, I think the wolf ate her. Didn't he?Melanie:  Why do I get the feeling I was just set up?

Q5. Future Plans
So when you two do attend your fifteen year high school reunion, how many mini Pains and mini Felonies do you see yourselves claiming bragging rights to? Oh and…once the litter is complete, which one of you is getting spayed or neutered? ;-) 

Melanie:  We were thinking two would be perfect. And probably all we can handle, especially if they turn out to be as rowdy as their father!
Shane: Two is the plan for now, yes. But you never know. And I don't think either of us is willing to consider getting spayed or neutered anytime in the near future, so keep in touch and we'll let you know at our thirty year reunion!

Thanks Shane and Melanie so much for taking the time out to have a little fun with us. And a big thanks to author Allie Gail!

~Excerpt~

Forcing my attention back to the manuscript, I am just drafting one of the pivotal scenes in the story when Shane comes strolling in. Guess it was stupid of me to expect any privacy. He stands quietly behind me and I can sense that he’s reading what I’ve typed so far, but I am determined not to pay him any attention.

That is, until I hear him snort a laugh.

Irritated, I turn my head to glare at him. “Something funny?”

“Come on, Felony. You can do better than that.”

“I thought we agreed to retire that name. And what are you talking about?”

He points to the screen. “Is this supposed to be realistic? I could drown in the bottomless depths of your eyes…give me a break. What guy has said that to you, ever?”

I narrow my eyes. Am I really supposed to accept literary criticism from him? The guy who once put a stink bomb vial in my backpack?

“It isn’t believable,” he explains, leaning across the desk on his arms. His face is unnervingly close to mine.

“What makes you say that?”

“Let’s look at this logically. Judging from what I’ve read, it appears your two characters are in the throes of passion. Sex is already imminent. They’re about to get hot and heavy. Am I correct so far?”

“Yes...”

“All right. Well, first of all, at this point the guy would no longer be thinking rationally and intellectually. By now he’s already deferred complete authority to his other head, if you get my drift. The last thing he’s going to be doing is reciting poetry. It would be like trying to solve calculus equations while masturbating.”

I blink, surprised. Holy cow, did he just use the word masturbate?

“Second of all, men are very forward and direct to begin with. Trust me, we are not the complex creatures you think we are. If you come across one who’s spouting off verbosity like that, you should probably run the other way.”

“Verbosity?” I can’t help but smile. There’s another word I never would have pictured the Pain using.

“You’re trying too hard with this. Cut out the ostentatious prose. Keep it simple.”

“But simple is boring,” I argue.

“Is it?” Running an index finger along his bottom lip thoughtfully, he says in a low, impassive voice, “Melanie, I’d love nothing more than to bury my cock in your sweet little pussy right now.”

WHAT?!

Fuck me sideways, did he actually just say that to me? I’m not sure but I think lightning may have struck my panties. The electric current flowing down to the most intimate part of me is almost painful. My startled heart flutters wildly before picking up the beat in double-time. I stare into his smoky eyes, completely and utterly speechless.

“Tell me. What sort of reaction did those words elicit from you?”

“Uh…” Oh my God, I’ve forgotten how to words. I mean talk! Gah!

“That’s what I thought.” The faintest hint of a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. “See? Simplicity.”

Struggling to regain my composure, I turn my attention back to the monitor in front of me. “So that’s what he should say? I don’t know. It seems so…base.”

“Sex is base. If you try to make it anything other than that, it won’t sound natural.”

I contemplate this. While what he says may be true, I’m not sure it fits here. I’m not writing erotica, after all. It’s just a love scene in a romantic suspense novel. “I think something like that might be a bit too graphic.”

“You can always go a shade more subtle with it. Take the crudeness down a notch.”

He’s still watching me intently and I resist the urge to squirm in my seat. This is quite a riveting conversation. I should let well enough alone, but of course I don’t. I’m rather enjoying this. “What do you suggest?”

“Hmm...” The errant finger trails languidly across his bottom lip again and my eyes follow it in fascination. “He would probably start by telling her what he wants to do to her.”

“And what does he want to do to her?”

“It’s your story, Miss Lane. What do you suppose he wants to do to her?”

“That’s a very good question.” I watch the movement of his finger hypnotically. “The problem is, I’m not sure.”

“I would imagine that the first thing he wants to do is strip her down to nothing. He wants to hold that beautiful body close to his. Feel her soft breasts against his skin. Let her touch him, so she knows the extent of his arousal.”

Dear Lord, it’s getting hot in here. “And then?”

“This is only speculation, you understand. But I would also imagine that he is aching to spread her thighs and slide his fingers inside, to find out if she’s as wet and ready as he believes her to be. Now we get the female character’s point of view. Is she wet, Melanie? Is she ready to be taken?”

“I imagine she must be,” I rasp. “Yes.”

“But this action distracts him from his ultimate goal, of course.”

My face might be flushed, but my hands feel ice cold when I clench them in my lap. “How so?”

“Now he knows he has to taste her.” The dark eyes become cloudy as he slides across the desk, so close I can feel his breath on my cheek. “He can’t prevent himself from teasing her with his tongue. Just enough to bring her close to the brink, so he can feel her thighs clenching and quivering against his shoulders. He needs for her to lose control. To forget every name in the world but his. He wants to hear her pleading for him to take her, fuck her, hard and fast and now. Now.” That last word is whispered.

I wet my lips nervously. “And does he?”

“Oh, yes.” His smile is slow and deliberate. “He most certainly does.”

About the Author

I was born in a charming but microscopic town in Alabama with a book in each hand. Well, maybe not literally, but you get the idea. I don't think there's an author out there who didn't start out as an avid reader, and I'm no exception.

It was only fairly recently that I decided to resurrect an old high school interest and once again began writing. There's something cathartic about breathing life into the quirky characters struggling to escape my imagination.

These days I reside in the beautiful panhandle of Florida with my own blue-eyed Prince Charming and three fat, pampered cats who are just tolerant enough to permit us to share the same house with them. As long as they're fed on time, that is.

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