Lorie Langdon Archives - Books and Beverages

Shades of Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon | Book Review

January 30, 2019 by Jamie 2 Comments

While reading series is sometimes hard because you have to wait FOREVER for the next releases, the good ones always make it worth the wait! I was super excited to dive in the the third book of The Doon Series and of course now I can’t wait until next year to finish it off.

After cheating death, Veronica Welling is determined to savor every moment in her idyllic kingdom with both her true love and best friend by her side at last. At the same time, Mackenna Reid is enthusiastically building her new life and a theater with her prince. But just as their dreams of happiness are within reach, the world Vee and Kenna have chosen is ripped away, leaving them to face their most horrific challenge yet—their old lives.

Thrust out of Doon, the best friends are confronted with tormentors from their past and no way to return to their adopted land. When the MacCrae brothers rush to their rescue, the girls’ situation turns from nightmare to modern-day fairy tale. But their happiness could be short lived: unbeknownst to them, someone in their closest circle is aiding the witch of Doon in her bid to destroy the kingdom once and for all.

Much like the other books in the series, these are entertaining, fun and this one (especially towards the latter part of the book), kept you on your toes and guessing just what would happen next. Again, I really love the friendship between Mackenna and Veronica. It think the authors do a fabulous job of portraying a needed and healthy friendship for young ladies and it’s my favorite part of the series.

Those cliffhangers! They know how to get you. I told myself before there would be a drastic cliffhanger, but then I ignored myself. 🙂 But denial didn’t help, so be warned, this one has a big time cliffhanger (much like the Destined for Doon)!

I thought this book also had a healthy balance of adventure and seeing the characters continue to develop, whether that be as a person, in friendships and relationships. It takes courage to let go of past hurts and move forward on the right path.

Fans of the #Doon series, the latest installment is out and the adventures continue!

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I’ve gone back and forth about including this final piece and I decided to go ahead and share it because I know there are many teens who love this series and I always preach being honest and real in reviews, so I’m going to play mom right quick with a heads up:

I understand this is geared toward a YA audience. I get what appeals to young adults and while I know the relationships in the story are deeper than physical attraction (especially since we’re three books in the series), I wasn’t a huge fan of how often the focus seemed to be on looks, the dire need of each other (while that can be romantic, it can easily become unhealthy) or the constant need to kiss. More than the other books, I thought this one pushed the boundaries. I am by no means opposed to having passion, I just noticed quite a bit more in this book. I think for me to take notice is saying something too.

I’m still most definitely looking forward to the conclusion though – even if I have to wait a year!

Have you seen Brigadoon or read this series?

(Thank you to BookLook Bloggers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Where to Buy: Amazon | | CBD | Goodreads

4 Questions with Lorie Langdon | Author Interview + Giveaway

December 31, 2018 by Jamie 17 Comments

What better way to end the month than with a fabulous 4 Questions?? I’m excited to have Lorie Langdon on the blog today! I absolutely love the Doon Series (counting down until Book 3!) she writes with Carey Corp (you can find my reviews here)! They’re creative and a great addition to the YA market. If you love the genre or have teenagers, be sure to check it out.

Lorie Langdon has over ten years experience writing online and print advertising for a Fortune 500 company. A few years ago, she left her thriving corporate career to satisfy the voices in her head. Now as a full-time author and stay-at-home mom, she spends her summers editing poolside while dodging automatic water-gun fire, and the rest of the year tucked into her cozy office, Havanese puppy by her side, working to translate her effusive imagination into the written word.

Lorie has a Bachelor’s Degree from Wright State University. She is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America and a board member for her local Ohio Valley RWA chapter.

1. What is something about your life right now that you would have never imagined 5 years ago?
There are so many things that have changed for me in the last five years! One thing that amazes me almost every day is the outpouring of love and enthusiasm for the Doon series on social media. Our readers from all over the world post edits and videos of what our characters might look like, gorgeous photos of our books and even original fan art! Five years ago, I was still dreaming about Doon being published, so our awesome readers were far from something I could have imagined!

2. What is one thing that you would go back and do differently if you could?
I would go back to the stressful years prior to getting my first publishing deal and trust God’s perfect timing. After lots of rejection, the publishing deal we got for Doon ended up being beyond anything I could’ve imagined! Our book was the lead title for Blink, a brand new YA imprint geared toward delivering clean, compelling stories that delivered a message of hope. With another publisher, Doon’s subtle spiritual thread would likely have been unacceptable. But with Blink we’re able to tell the story of Doon the way it was meant to be told.

4 Questions with @LorieLangdon plus a giveaway! Check it out!

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3. What is one of the happiest moments of your life?
The first time I held the Doon hardcover in my hands, when Carey and I had our first book signing in New York City and people were lined up to meet us, when I saw our amazingly gorgeous cover for the first time, when a reader drove eight hours to get to our book signing…Oh, was I only allowed to list one?

4. What is one thing you want the next generation to know?
When I was a teen, I sat on the sidelines and watched the world go by. I was afraid of rejection, of taking risks, of trying new things…I’d rather bury my face in a book then take an adventure. But in college someone very close to me passed on and I realized life was too short to sit back and wait for things to come to me. So I fought my way out of my passive shell and I’ve never looked back. I still feel scared sometimes (especially before a speaking engagement!), but I’ve realized that fear, failure, and rejection are all part of living a spectacular life!

My advice for the next generation…Try new things, take a leap of faith, go after your dreams! You may not succeed every time, but it’s worth the risk—I promise. 🙂

Thank you so so much Lorie! It was a pleasure to have you on the blog and can’t wait for the next Doon book as well as your first solo release! Yay! Alright readers, be sure to connect with Lorie and check out the giveaway – a copy of your choice in the Doon Series!

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Destined for Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon | Book Review

January 6, 2019 by Jamie 4 Comments

Finally after months of waiting, I was able to dive back into the world of Doon with the second in the wonderful and intriguing series by Cary Corp and Lorie Langdon, Destined for Doon. I was pleasantly surprised by the first book, so having the opportunity to get an advanced readers copy of this one? Don’t mind if I do.

In this sequel to Doon, Mackenna Reid realizes she made a horrible mistake in choosing to follow her dreams of Broadway instead of staying in the enchanted land of Doon. To make everything worse, she’s received her Calling—proof she and Duncan are each other’s one true love—and it’s pure torment, especially when visions of the very alluring Scottish prince appear right before she goes on stage. So when Duncan tells her an ancient curse threatens to overtake Doon and the new queen and Kenna’s best friend, Veronica, needs her to return, Kenna doesn’t have to think twice. With darkness closing in on all sides, Kenna and Vee must battle a world of nightmares in order to protect the kingdom. But it will take the ultimate test of courage for Kenna to salvage her happily ever after.

This is such a fun series! It’s keeps my attention, even if meant for a younger audience, and is so creative. As I mentioned in my review of the first in the series, the second again has a great example of a healthy friendship between two girls; something that’s important for teenagers to have examples of – especially when television often portrays excessive drama as the norm for friendships.

A chance to dive back into the world of Doon with the next in the series!

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Oh and this series likes to leave you on a cliff hanger! Not only did I triple check to make sure I was actually at the end because I really didn’t it want it to end (it was, so BOO to that), but I also scoured the internet for a description of the next in the series and you know what? Nothing. To which I once again say boo. I know the book is soon to be released, but people, I NEED TO KNOW! 😉 So be warned, once you reach that last page, you’ll definitely want the next book immediately!

Oh and I suggest reading the first one before diving into Destined for Doon. Not only will you have all the background information, I think you’ll enjoy it. So go ahead and buy both! Although, this one releases Sept 2nd, but that’s what pre-ordering is for 😉

Are you big fantasy fans? Have you had a chance to read anything about Doon yet?

(Thank you BlinkYA for the copy in exchange for my honest review)

Where to buy: Amazon | | Christian Books

Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon | Book Review

January 2, 2019 by Jamie 4 Comments

I’ve always enjoyed the fantasy genre. I love the creativity behind the stories and how you really don’t know what you’re going to get. It’s a total creation of the author’s imagination. I heard a few things about Doon, but didn’t think much of it until the INSPYs came around and it was nominated as a contender. I’m so happy this provided me the opportunity to read it! I enjoyed it so much (along with the rest of the Advisory Board) we nominated it for the shortlist :).

Veronica doesn’t think she’s going crazy. But why can’t anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes? When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months. But the Scottish countryside holds other plans. Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna’s great aunt—and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation. Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica’s daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they’ve longed for… or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

The story itself is creative (I’m pretty such when it involves something Europe-ish and Europe-like, it’s an automatic win. Blame accents). I liked the family history that weaved into the world of Doon. The friendship between Veronica and Mackenna is sweet and such a wonderful example for teens (and even adult readers!). Plus, I liked that the point of view switched between the two – you were able to get more of the story that way.

Love fantasy novels? Escape into the world of Doon with the first in the series!

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Friendship is such an important aspect of life, especially in those formative years and I was excited to read a book that emphasized this. Plus the romances in the stories? Oh so sweet! Plus there’s plenty of laughs from the boys. There’s something to learn from those two. I’m eagerly awaiting the next release, Destined for Doon, (definitely not waiting on an INPSY nomination this time around, I’ll be the first in line!), which is set for release September this year.

What are some of your favorite fantasy novels? How about stories of friendship?

Where to buy: Amazon | | Christian Books