ALWAYS CAMBRIDGE by HK CARLTON

This past weekend I read ALWAYS CAMBRIDGE, the first book in a six book saga by HK Carlton, (you can read my review HERE) that follows Holly Cambridge from age 9 into her early forties. 

This unique saga has a new book releasing on the first of the month. If you're like me, and got a late start to this party, you have time to catch up before book four releases in July!

Book One Always Cambridge - April 1

Book Two Running - May 1
Book Three Misfortune of Birth - June 1
Book Four Law & Order : Crime & Chaos - July 1
Book Five Afterlife - August 1
Book Six Always Holly - September 1

After reading Always Cambridge I sent a few questions off to HK Carlton, and she was wonderful enough to send me her answers to share with you.

MW: What made you decide to write about a mob family?

HK: I didn’t make a conscious decision to write about a mob family. It was one of those plots that chose me. 

MW: Ah, I'm finding those are the best plots to write. They always seem to suck me in as a writer. 

This saga covers a long period of time in Holly's life. Why did you choose to start with her so young?

HK: When I started Always Cambridge, I wanted it to be one of those, I loved him forever kind of love stories. But Always Cambridge began life as a standalone story, and you know what they say about the best laid plots. Once I got to what I thought was THE END, I found out it was only the beginning. I’d go to bed at night and more and more of the story would be revealed to me. This saga has taken me on a journey of a lifetime as a writer. It has been a honour to tell Holly’s story. 

MW: I'm so glad this story took hold and you wrote it and put it out there for all of us to enjoy. I really loved meeting Holly, and can't wait to see what happens in her life next.

The mob is a big part of this book, at the very least in the way it effects Holly and her decisions in life. What special research did you have to do about the mob to make it so realistic feeling?

HK: I didn’t really do much research on the mob part of the story at all. I guess whatever I knew about how the mob works came from other books, the Godfather and Goodfellas. :D 

But truly, this story poured out and told itself. I did more research for Running, Book Two, and also installment five (for very different reasons) but I don’t want to give too much away.

MW: You are so great with the teasers- even in the answers to questions. I can't wait to see what you had to research for books 2 and 5!

Speaking of teasers, there's a part in Always Cambridge where Randy is injured. Will we ever learn what really happened there?

HK: Readers will find out who was behind the attack on Randy, but not really too much about the specifics of the beating itself, only the aftermath.

MW: In another section, Patrick mentioned Randy having special training. Will we have long to wait to learn about that?

HK: The training will be revealed in the next installments, Running and Misfortune of Birth. 

MW: Some authors have problems killing off characters, even when it makes sense in the storyline. Was it hard for you to kill off some of your characters?

HK: The deaths in book one were not difficult for me as an author because I wasn’t really attached to them. But I also thought for the authenticity of the mob life, it had to be believable and violence and death is a part of it. But some of the decisions that come later in the series were rough but that’s all I’m saying for now.

MW: The loss Holly felt brought tears to my eyes. I'm sure I'll be shedding a few more in future books based on that answer!

OK, I have to confess that when I started reading I really wanted Holly and Randy to make it as a couple (once she was older and the age difference wouldn't mean so much). But then I met Victor and I wondered what the two would be like together. Do you have a preferred love interest for Holly? And if so, who?

HK: I do have a preference. But I’d rather not reveal that right now.

MW: Guess I'll have to wheedle that out of you another time!

If you love coming of age tales, the mob, or a root for the underdog story, be sure to check out this saga. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!



Book Blurb:
He is her guardian, but she'll do anything within her power, to protect him.

His only duty is to keep her safe, but he can’t save her.

Holly Cambridge is just a typical kid, or so she thinks, until one day, she takes a good look around and realizes her friends don’t have bodyguards dogging their every step.

At the age of sixteen, Holly is assigned a new bodyguard, Randy Phillips. He is a tall, muscular, God-like force in the young, impressionable and lonely girl’s life. He is her friend, her confident, her conscience, and the older man she adores beyond reason.

Randy Phillips is fully aware of his young charge’s adolescent crush on him. Although he is flattered by the adulation, he maintains a safe distance and professional demeanour until Holly is wounded in a rival family blood feud, and the course of both their lives is changed forever.

Book Links:
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About the Author:
H K Carlton is a multi-published Canadian author of romance and it’s varied sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal, historical, family saga and erotica.