A while back I was asked by the amazing Yara of Once Upon a Twilight if I'd like to be a part of a blog tour for a book called 12.21.12. Two words: Yes. Please. To see the rest of the amazing blog tour, click HERE to learn more.

I reviewed 12.21.12 today, and I loved how the author, Killian McRae, perfectly balanced a blend of genres, and I'm super lucky to say she sat down to answer a few of my questions, so check it out!

1. Please describe 12.21.12 in five words or less.

Acient murder informs modern apacolypse.

2. If you weren't an author, what would you be?

Unemployed. :)

A librarian. The love of books, it's hard to shake.

3. What traits separate Shep from other male main characters within the genre of 12.21.12?

Shep takes all the new revelations with little fanfare. He's already learned fact usually outscales fiction  (the fact in this fiction is, in fact, fictional).

4. Your book is an interesting mix of reality and fiction - how did you balance the two?

I try to keep the fantasy within two steps of realty. It takes to the edge. That third step takes you over the edge.

5. Why ancient Egypt and why the Mayan prophecy of 12.21.12?

There's just enough in common between these two great, ancient cultures to suggest there's a connection that it was just too irresistable not to explore.

6. Are there any authors or works that inspired you to write 12.21.12?

Not the topic, but as far as treatment of exploiting fact for fiction's sake, Dan Brown is the king.

7. Is there anything specific you'd like to tell your readers?

Even if conspiracy isn't your thing, or gods, or aliens, give 12.21.12 a try. It really doesn't stay in the bounds of one particular genre. You might be drawn in by the love story, or the history, or the intrigue, or any number of elements.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Killian! To all of you...12.21.12 is out now, and to see what I thought of it, click HERE!
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Today is day 10 of The Long Weekend Blog Tour! Be sure to check out today's tour stop at Kate's blog, Literary Explorations, for another amazing review of this one-of-a-kind book!

12.21.12 Review

Title: 12.21.12
Author: Killian McRae
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Published: December 21, 2010
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 238
Source: Tour/Once Upon a Twilight

Archaeologist Sheppard Smyth has staked his career and the honorable memory of his deceased wife and partner on proving his widely-panned theory: Cleopatra VII, last ruler of Ancient Egypt, was murdered. When a statue of the doomed Queen is discovered in an Olmec excavation site in Mexico, Shep rushes to investigate and, hopefully, find the proof that has evaded him for so long.

Soon, he finds himself in the middle of the rivalry between the sexy, enigmatic international thief, Victoria Kent, and infamous rumored Russian mobster, Dmitri Kronastia. Both hold pieces to the puzzle that will finally shed light on Cleopatras death, as they vie for Shep's trust and assistance. As he is drawn further into their world of ancient gods, supernatural powers, and alternative history, little does Shep know that the fate of all humanity may hinge on his ability to discover the truth in between Victoria and Dmitris' fragmented claims and hidden identities.

Shep has enough problems as it is. He's an archaeologist with a drinking problem since his wife's death, and now he's finally got the chance to prove something to both himself and everyone around him that he's not a kook, he's still got game and he's actually right in his theories about Cleopatra. Unluckily for Shep though, he's going to have to contend between two hustling characters to do so, and he inevitably falls down a path that's darker and scarier than he imagined...but not just that...there's a chance he might just figure out more than he anticipated, and it's not good.

First off, if the world is really going to end in 2012, I'm glad I read 12.21.12, so I'm just going to throw that out there. Killian McRae did something in 12.21.12 that not too many authors can do. She mastered throwing multiple subgenres into one cohesive storyline with dynamic characters and a topsy-turvy plot that never failed to surprise me. While it's leaning towards an older YA audience, I couldn't resist the apocalyptic connotations in the title, and I can definitely say that the dark undertones of 12.21.12 don't disappoint.

One of the biggest strengths of 12.21.12 was the superb cast of characters. Shep, though an older MC than I'm used to, was engaging and heroic. He's got a strong voice that also hints at his loss and vulnerability because of it. As a perfect counterpart, Dimitri was this seemingly stereotypical mobster with his hot features and dirty, dirty ways, and yet, he had this sort of saccharin undertone that made you realize the guy wasn't all that bad if you could look past the whole gangster shebang. Victoria was every bit as snaky as I'd anticipated, but knowing there was more to her than surface beauty made her strong and captivating. I would have to say that some of the interactions between the characters seemed a bit forced though, and I liked them better all in their separate scenes. I also think that the scenery within 12.21.12 fell a bit flat compared to the detailed characters.

Overall, 12.21.12 is a great read if you're looking for a slim book with a fast-paced plot and endless action. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to more of an adult audience due to language and some adult situations. It's especially great for those who enjoy a good mystery and thriller, as well as anyone who wants a taste of the apocalypse.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.