Goodreads Summary: Tasmyn Vaughn didn’t expect much when her dad’s job moved them to a small town in Florida; it was just another new school. But there is more to King than meets the eye, and soon Tasmyn’s ability to hear other’s thoughts is the least of her worries. Entangled in a web of first love, quirky and secretive townsfolk, magic and blood rituals, she discovers the town’s secrets aren’t just bizarre, they’re deadly.
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My Views:
Things I liked
Just get past all that and you will find a book that hooks you with its very first word and pulls you in. Every line was interesting and I wanted to know what would happen next. I loved the characters and that I got to know all of them so intimately despite the book being from a first person point of view, but the subject matter entitled me to know what every character was thinking and feeling. Marvelous!
Things I didn’t
For all those who steer clear of sappy romances, a word of caution. This book has a lot of it. Though I usually don’t mind it but sometimes I got a little too much. Similar scenes/ dialogues were repeated that could have been avoided. And hence the book could have been a lot shorter.
I will admit that I liked the first half better than the latter one because I wished something else had happened. I’m not saying that the concept is not good enough, it was just my expectation that something else had been the theme, the revelation.
I will probably read the second one in the series.
All said and done, this one is a good enough book that you should give a chance.
3/5 stars – I liked it. 
INTERVIEW
Let’s meet the author with the purple hair (Click here to know the story behind her purple hair).
Find Tawdra T. Kandle – Tawdra T. Kandle’s site| Twitter| Facebook
Me: From non-fiction to fiction, what prompted the change?
Tawdra: My first love was always fiction. I published my first short story in A Child’s Life magazine when I was thirteen. But the ensuing years gave me more opportunity to write articles on what I was living: parenting, homeschooling and family life. A few years back, I had a crazy year of life changes, which opened doors of both time and inspiration. . .and within a few months, my first novel was written.
Me: Where did the idea for Fearless came from?
Tawdra: It came together in bits and pieces. The inspiration for Tasmyn’s talent came from a wry joke my sister and I had about our babies being able to hear our thoughts in the middle of the night. That made me think about what raising a child who was born with a special ability might look like. New schools and mean girls definitely came from my own childhood experiences. I discovered the perfect setting for the story when we moved to Florida and visited some small towns in the area. Once all the elements came together, Fearless was born.
Me: Travelling is one of your passion. What is your favourite destination?
Tawdra: New Orleans is always one of my favorite places. It’s one of those rare cities where history is just amazingly present. . .and where it is pretty readily accepted that there is far more to the world that meets the eye. My dream would be to write there one day, although I ‘d have to be very disciplined, because the food there is incredible.
Me: Is there anything you need in order to write? (a place, food item etc.)
Tawdra: I can write any place, though I do most of my work either in my green leather recliner in the middle of the night or in my extremely comfortable bed during the day! When I’m finishing a book or in a crucial spot, I like to go away to really focus, so I try to escape by myself for a few days. When I do that, I take lots of Vitamin Water (XXX flavor) and peanut M & M’s. And I always, always need music.
Me: What is one book you think everyone should read? (except yours, of course)
Tawdra: That’s a tough one! I love history, and I always recommend good historical fiction in order to bring the past to life. Literature-wise. . .probably A Wrinkle in Time or any book by Madeleine L’Engle. She was an incredible writer and a fascinating person. Her stories are timeless.
Me: How do you find the time to write amidst homeschooling two children and managing other three? Some tips please.
Tawdra: Happily, my children are older (20, 16 and 11 still at home), and they are very self-sufficient. They respect my work and do whatever they can to help. But it is still and always a juggling act. Planning is paramount; I need to have my curriculum and lesson plans in order. But then, flexiblity is also essential. I try to be open to opportunities when they arise, whether it’s writing at baseball games, at the hair salon or in the middle of the night. When I was writing Fearless I never went anywhere without my laptop, just in case I had a few minutes.
But I try never to lose sight of my priorities. Writing is my passion, but my family always is most important. If I need to take time away from a project in order to focus on one child or another, I’ll do it without hesitation. I think the fact that my children know that makes it easier for them to be supportive and understanding when I do have to work.
Me: Any book you are eagerly awaiting for in 2012?
Tawdra: Oh, always. I am a huge Nora Roberts fan, so I’m looking forward to her annual hardback release as well as the rest of her current trilogy—and her JD Robb books. Julia Spencer-Fleming might have the next book in her Reverend Claire series out this year. I’d love to say I expect Diana Gabaldon to release the next Outlander book in 2012, but that is highly doubtful!
Me: Are you working on something new?
Tawdra: Always. Right now I am just beginning deep edits of the third book in the King Series—Restless—and at the same time working on the fourth and final book. I’m also doing some preliminary notes on two other books related to the King Series, and I’ve begun a new series—adult this time—that is a good deal lighter than my other books.
Me: If you are asked to write in a genre other than what you write, what would it be?
Tawdra: Historical fiction! I find contemporary adult and/or YA fairly easy to write, but I’ve never seriously tackled historical fic. I’d love to do it.
Me: Can you give suggestions as to who would love Fearless? (eg. People who have enjoyed so and so book would love Fearless.)
Tawdra: Although I hesitate to compare my books to any well-known series, I know lots of Twilight fans have enjoyed Fearless, mostly because of the romance factor. But to my mind, I’d have to step out of the literature world and say that fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer would like Fearless. No demons or vampires in King—at least, that we know of—but it has the same idea of getting through high school intact, whether you’re facing so-called normal problems or supernatural angst.
Me: Thank you Tawdra for being on Reviewing Shelf today.
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