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Stage Fright
Broadway actress Skye Andrews inherits a journal from her soothsaying aunt, and sets her career aside to fulfil her aunt’s final wishes to be buried in the family plot in Kilmarnock, Scotland.
Captain Jet Dalry, a recuperating war veteran, helps Skye slice through the cemetery’s red tape. Despite their mutual attraction and her persistence, Jet is a tormented man who repeatedly pushes her away.
Skye discovers the journal is enchanted. It reveals how Skye and her aunt lived parallel lives. Under its magical lens, Skye discovers a jealous psychopath is stalking her. Will the mystical unveiling be enough to save the man she loves from certain death?
Captain Jet Dalry, a recuperating war veteran, helps Skye slice through the cemetery’s red tape. Despite their mutual attraction and her persistence, Jet is a tormented man who repeatedly pushes her away.
Skye discovers the journal is enchanted. It reveals how Skye and her aunt lived parallel lives. Under its magical lens, Skye discovers a jealous psychopath is stalking her. Will the mystical unveiling be enough to save the man she loves from certain death?
375 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2022
About the author
Diane L. Kowalyshyn
6 books470 followersDiane L. Kowalyshyn writes heart-hammering, high-voltage thrillers—adventures that run on action, intrigue and romance. Before its publication, her first novel, CROSSOVER, earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. She’s an avid sailor who has survived her fair share of squalls, and relied on the pulse of a lighthouse beacon to find safe harbor. When she’s not on the water or writing, she's exploring exciting new locales. Her books are available worldwide in trade paperback and ebook. Visit her at http://www.dianelkowalyshyn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 4, 2022
‘Skye loved acting…pretending to be someone or something she wasn’t’ - Parallel lives
Author Diane L. Kowalyshyn made her literary debut with CROSSOVER - the thesis that earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from Seton Hill University – and that served as the first volume of her trilogy CROSS YOUR HEART AND DIE. Not one to rest on her laurels, she subsequently added SKADEGAMUTC: MONSTER IN THE MIRROR, CATCH.22, and now STAGE FRIGHT– a novel that embraces her ‘overwhelming need for happily ever after.’
Diane has discovered the impact of setting the tone of a story in the opening lines and she underscores that gift as this novel begins with a lovers’ quarrel between a Pansy and a Rex that is actually a stage performance in action, then ‘A hush blanketed the theater. Skye Andrews stood on her mark with Pansy Parker’s horror plastered on her face. She froze. The lights dimmed, the curtain dropped, and the applause started. In seconds, stagehands surrounded her and disassembled the set for the second act.’ And how that onstage moment hints at the content to come proves Diane’s skill.
A tightly condensed overview of the plot – ‘Broadway actress Skye Andrews inherits a journal from her soothsaying aunt, and sets her career aside to fulfill her aunt’s final wishes to be buried in the family plot in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Captain Jet Dalry, a recuperating war veteran, helps Skye slice through the cemetery’s red tape. Despite their mutual attraction and her persistence, Jet is a tormented man who repeatedly pushes her away. Skye discovers the journal is enchanted. It reveals how Skye and her aunt lived parallel lives. Under its magical lens, Skye discovers a jealous psychopath is stalking her. Will the mystical unveiling be enough to save the man she loves from certain death?’ The manner in which Skye’s life parallels her deceased aunt’s journal revelations makes for a terrific drama.
Creating visually convincing, credible characters and capturing sensitive moments of drama, Diane Kowalyshyn continues to impress with her talents. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Author Diane L. Kowalyshyn made her literary debut with CROSSOVER - the thesis that earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from Seton Hill University – and that served as the first volume of her trilogy CROSS YOUR HEART AND DIE. Not one to rest on her laurels, she subsequently added SKADEGAMUTC: MONSTER IN THE MIRROR, CATCH.22, and now STAGE FRIGHT– a novel that embraces her ‘overwhelming need for happily ever after.’
Diane has discovered the impact of setting the tone of a story in the opening lines and she underscores that gift as this novel begins with a lovers’ quarrel between a Pansy and a Rex that is actually a stage performance in action, then ‘A hush blanketed the theater. Skye Andrews stood on her mark with Pansy Parker’s horror plastered on her face. She froze. The lights dimmed, the curtain dropped, and the applause started. In seconds, stagehands surrounded her and disassembled the set for the second act.’ And how that onstage moment hints at the content to come proves Diane’s skill.
A tightly condensed overview of the plot – ‘Broadway actress Skye Andrews inherits a journal from her soothsaying aunt, and sets her career aside to fulfill her aunt’s final wishes to be buried in the family plot in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Captain Jet Dalry, a recuperating war veteran, helps Skye slice through the cemetery’s red tape. Despite their mutual attraction and her persistence, Jet is a tormented man who repeatedly pushes her away. Skye discovers the journal is enchanted. It reveals how Skye and her aunt lived parallel lives. Under its magical lens, Skye discovers a jealous psychopath is stalking her. Will the mystical unveiling be enough to save the man she loves from certain death?’ The manner in which Skye’s life parallels her deceased aunt’s journal revelations makes for a terrific drama.
Creating visually convincing, credible characters and capturing sensitive moments of drama, Diane Kowalyshyn continues to impress with her talents. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
May 16, 2024
I couldn’t put the book down, and even when I did I couldn’t wait to pick it up again.
July 4, 2023
Actress Skye Andrew's and her late Aunt Bessie, led intertwined lives. Skye inherited Bessie's journal, and then was given a mysterious brooch at Bessie's funeral service by a strange man named Aldo Genovese. Skye takes her aunt's remains to be buried in Scotland and there she meets a man who she finds irresistible, but the man, named Jet, doesn't seem interested in Skye, and rebuffs her at every turn despite the chemistry they both feel.
Although her aunt's journal seems indecipherable at first, Skye learns that the brooch, the "Luckenbooth" brooch, allows her to "topple, body and soul" into the script. While holding the brooch Skye can see the life her aunt led, and can also see her own life happening. But, each time she uses the brooch, it becomes weaker. When Skye sees death and tragedy to come, will the stone be able to help her before it is too late?
Will she be able to save the ones she loves?
Interesting info about the Royal Scots and memorabilia, obviously well researched. Believable characters, a bit of mystery, and some steamy sex scenes to keep you turning the pages. 😊
I liked it. A solid 4.5 stars.
Thanks to Diane for the copy.
Although her aunt's journal seems indecipherable at first, Skye learns that the brooch, the "Luckenbooth" brooch, allows her to "topple, body and soul" into the script. While holding the brooch Skye can see the life her aunt led, and can also see her own life happening. But, each time she uses the brooch, it becomes weaker. When Skye sees death and tragedy to come, will the stone be able to help her before it is too late?
Will she be able to save the ones she loves?
Interesting info about the Royal Scots and memorabilia, obviously well researched. Believable characters, a bit of mystery, and some steamy sex scenes to keep you turning the pages. 😊
I liked it. A solid 4.5 stars.
Thanks to Diane for the copy.
January 17, 2023
Stage Fright by Diane L. Kowalyshyn is a well-written novel and one that grabs your attention right away. It opens with a stage performance and sets the tone well for the rest of the novel. Skye Andrews, the actress on stage has inherited something from her late Aunt, a journal, one that reveals her Aunt's true wishes, to be buried in Scotland. Soon Skye meets a reluctant to-get-involved man, at least with Skye, and from there the story takes off. The author skillfully inserts a paranormal theme, immersing you in a story that is both involved and magical. Truly a captivating story and one that is recommended. Highly recommend.
July 25, 2024
Skye has made choices in her life to make sure her theatre career is a successful one. But when her aunt passes, she drops everything to fulfill her last wishes. Warring with lots of feelings, she packs up and travels to Scotland to arrange for her aunt to be buried with her parents in a military cemetery. Cue a run in, and take down, of veteran Captain Jet Dalry in the Royal Scots office. And another one. And another. These two keep getting thrown in each other's paths until they finally stop fighting fate and team up to accomplish everything they want.
Sound good? Oh but there's more. Magic! ✨
Skye's aunt also left her a journal and Luckenbooth locket. One that keeps heating up and transporting her through time to both her own past and her aunt's. Meanwhile, weird things are happening at the theatre. Can you figure it all out what that's all about before the ending reveals it all?
When I saw it at a book fair last summer, it called to me (🤔...magic?) and I needed to read it. Then in typical fashion, it took me a year to actually pick it up. Then I couldn't put this book down, it was so good! The flashbacks, while essential to the story and very very interesting, kind of broke up the plot for me but I'm never a huge fan of multiple timelines to begin with. But the chemistry between the characters and the adventures they embark on balanced it out well.
Sound good? Oh but there's more. Magic! ✨
Skye's aunt also left her a journal and Luckenbooth locket. One that keeps heating up and transporting her through time to both her own past and her aunt's. Meanwhile, weird things are happening at the theatre. Can you figure it all out what that's all about before the ending reveals it all?
When I saw it at a book fair last summer, it called to me (🤔...magic?) and I needed to read it. Then in typical fashion, it took me a year to actually pick it up. Then I couldn't put this book down, it was so good! The flashbacks, while essential to the story and very very interesting, kind of broke up the plot for me but I'm never a huge fan of multiple timelines to begin with. But the chemistry between the characters and the adventures they embark on balanced it out well.
March 13, 2023
Stage Fright is a wonderfully weaved story of parallel lives, mystical magic, and a long but rewarding road to love. This engaging novel reaches in and tugs at heart strings, insisting on drawing out a tear or two.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews