A Certain Connection


Romance - Sizzle
344 Pages
Reviewed on 05/22/2016
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Zoey Kinsman has written extensively both professionally and personally for years and now transitions into publishing with her new & exciting novel A Certain Connection. Her joy of writing fiction lies in the genre of romance, woman’s contemporary issues, living and learning.



Zoey has immense expertise writing for organizational and growth management and is a professional with experience in for front line programming, human resources, community partnerships, customer quality service, and finance, grant-writing/reporting with duties that also include the creation of policies and procedures and stakeholder relations. Zoey, as well, has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Social Work and a Masters in Public Management. She is an executive professional with expertise in child, youth and parent counseling.



As a passionate spiritualist, Zoey believes in ‘pay it forward’ and lives by the motto ‘you too can make a difference!’ “It’s important to me that my readers feel connected to the work and always take something away from it.”



She is married with a daughter and her interests are in theatre, dance, music and of course, books!



Look for Zoey’s new novel Beckoned By The Mist coming later in 2016

    Book Review

Reviewed by Elizabeth Butts for Readers' Favorite

A Certain Connection by Zoey Kinsman follows the challenged love story of Mel, a forty-something psychiatrist, and Asher, a thirty-something aspiring actor who is on the verge of making it big. A chance meeting at a book store kicks off their romance, which spans more than a year, and challenges both of their mind sets in regards to love, themselves, what they want, what they need, and who they are. There is so much to overcome in this romance. Not only do they have an age difference (which seems to upset Mel more than Asher), they are logistically worlds apart (Canada vs. New York/LA). The question is - how much do they want this relationship? And that is the question that you ask yourself repeatedly as you read this book and root for happily ever after.

Zoey Kinsman has created dynamic and complex characters. Specifically Mel, whom you would consider to be above the 'mind games' that people play with themselves when they consider themselves less than worthy of love, affection, etc. Seeing someone who has had the training and the knowledge of the mind struggling with the things that normal people struggle with, the internal dialogue of self-loathing, the feelings of insecurity and lack of worth, the euphoria of a new love was both wonderful and a little nerve wracking (I found myself yelling at her once or twice). All in all, this is a sweet, fun romance that you will enjoy, and you will cheer Asher and Mel all the way to the last page and beyond.

Annie Rabkin

Loved it! So happy I found this book. I think someone already wrote that the characters Mel and Asher are really memorable. So true. I started reading this book after the holidays and couldn't put it down. New York, Toronto, cottage country and back to LA were all so exciting. Their adventure to try and keep it all together was exciting. And yes, the sex was exciting too! Very, very hot! But not the same stuff over and over again. Each intimate scene seems to advance the story and bring them closer. It's such a beautiful look at two people from different backgrounds, ages, places and experience trying to make it work. It's such a deep look at the workings of the psychological mind in love. I love that the author did that. She made us really think. I also love that she looked at a male in his mid-thirties trying to decide his life. So much there! The book flowed really well for me as you can tell and sometimes I even thought I could see it as a movie. I think someone said that too. I saw that. I might come back and even read this one again. Great writing! (less)

Christina Ferri

Yes, this is DEFINITELY a thinking woman’s book!
The Amazon synopsis of this book started with “Magic can happen anywhere…” That is so true of this book. I didn’t expect the exceptional story that I got. I think the “magic” grabbed me and kept me involved. The long distance love affair is so well written and then told by Mel, the female main character. And I was also so happily surprised by all the wonderful holiday adventures between the two main characters. As someone who absolutely LOVES Christmas, it was just beautiful how Ms. Kinsman captured the Christmas spirit so well. Her descriptions of characters, places and time are really in depth and great.
But more than that, it is the story of a woman looking to figure out who she is and wants to be in a loving relationship. The story is both steamy and real. She has to answer some pretty tough questions and find a way to stay true to herself. Mel has worked so hard to get to a certain place in her life. Does she sacrifice it all to be with a man? It’s an age old question but one that is explored so well again in A Certain Synchronicity. There are so many layers that the author asks us to look at. I liked that it made me think and it wasn’t your standard romantic “fluff.”
And then I found myself totally surprised at how much I liked the male side of things. Asher is a hunk, no doubt, but he is also a guy who is trying to make it as actor. He was poor growing up and never wants to go back to that. Yet, he picks a really tough profession to excel at. Would his talent be enough to propel him to succeed in his chosen profession? We get a real honest look inside of Asher to see a really gifted but tormented soul.
In the end, this book really looks at what it takes to make a relationship work between two people who have major obstacles but share big love. Just finished reading it and I am still thinking about the main characters and missing their story. Really glad I read this one!

Tania Brightowl

A Certain Connection is a rare gem of a book - it shines with the author's excellent prose and also resonates with the song that is her dream: to make this book an evocation of love and romance but with all of the barriers that modern life throws at us.

The two main characters are set on cupid's collision course from the start - but they are no Romeo and Juliet - they understand that long-distance romance needs constant devotion and care to make it really work. Finding time to see each other always leads to steamy yet meaningful scenes – actually, A Certain Connection is a thinking woman's Fifty Shades of Grey!

Very hot and steamy and wrapped up in such beautiful prose that one cries and laughs and joins in with all of the characters' celebrations, jubilations and there are sad moments too - as there are in life. I read the pre-publication copy and could not put it down - it riveted me completely. I know you will love this book - it dares to speak of love in all of its glory and it is filled with the passion of the author: her vision is truly made reality.

Theresa

I just finished reading A Certain Connection by Zoey Kinsman. I absolutely loved that this was not the typical love story. Most of the fluffy stuff was not there. I also love that she was able to describe the characters in a way that makes you feel as if you know the characters, personally. The author does an amazing job with the details, and this book was so good that I did not put it down from the first page to the last. This book also helps to show people that any kind of relationship is possible, even when there is a difference in age and location, but to make it possible, you have to do the work.

Connie Vergura

I’m the field of education so I really gave this book some thought. Have to say that I really enjoyed reading this literary creation. Tears were streaming down my face from about two thirds in. The author timed each section perfectly. And the characterization is spot on, we immediately connect with the main cast of characters and with the minor roles too, in fact they are warmly written in sparse lines.

I don’t want to give too much away but as the story starts we are not aware of Mel’s searching for love, she is not a lady who has been on countless dates or has lots of horror stories to share with us, she is independent minded and has treated herself to a break in New York, away from demanding patients.

One of the things I loved about it the most was the familiarity I had with the characters, Mel is so very approachable and understandable – she is rooted in the now, even though the story was set at the end of 2002, and she is kind and caring. When Asher is introduced to us he comes off as a haughty New York actor as intended. He is immediately alluring to ladies and yet a real man’s man – someone who can laugh off Mel’s suggestion that he and Paul might have been lovers. And he is not intimidated to display his creative side. Yet, as the story unfolds, so do his layers of intensity and insecurity. Here is a guy who is trying to succeed in the difficult and demanding world of the arts and all of sudden finds himself in love. I found his struggle to deal with all of it very interesting. Like the author said, he is a beautiful combination of “sweet yet savory.” I couldn’t get enough of him either!

Beverley Miller

A friend of mine recommended this book to me. I love a good romance but more importantly, the story has to be compelling enough to get me interested and keep me there. Mel and Asher are too really fascinating characters and it is so much fun to go with them on their journey to try to stay together and make it work. Every visit and time together is a new separate adventure.

One of my favorite passages came from their incredible time at the cottage. "Asher would dance around like a spirit possessed, his singing and dancing were infectious. Twirling and spinning and just moving to the beats."

Zoey Kinsman has written the characters rich with description! Another friend of mine who is reading the book now too also said the same thing. You actually really get to know them well. The author lets you take a long, deep look into what motivates and makes them tick! Her characterizations are so real. You feel like you are walking hand in hand with a friend through her journey to find her destiny. The sex scenes are well done as well. Not too graphic but just enough. My favorite times with these two were at the cottage up north and all their holidays together. They are such a unique pair and yet they are everyday people. And the author has also woven a subplot into the story of Asher’s best friend who is fighting a heroic effort against cancer. The speeding up of time by Asher and Mel is always beautifully juxtaposed by Paul’s desire to slow it down and savor the moments. He reminds them and us the reader to recognize every day for what it is: a gift.

Did they have that special magic recipe to make it work? The writer gave me much food for thought. I just absolutely loved this book. Great writing! Can’t wait for the next one.

Robyn Cramer

This book is a great read! It's not your typical fluffy love story, there is true character development through out the book. You really see how the two main characters change and grow with each other, despite the challenges and several odds against their relationship. The author takes you on a journey with Asher and Mel from their times in New York, Toronto ( my favourite moments), Cleveland, the cottage in Muskoka and LA. A chance encounter at a New York bookstore leads to magic! I recommend this read to anyone looking for a love story with some intellect and realistic approach to relationships. A highly recommended read for this time of year - they meet just before the holidays and it ties back in with the stepping stones that form their relationship. There may be a trend of woman waiting in New York bookstores hoping to meet their " Asher"! You also see how the two characters come full circle at the end, and finally complete their destiny to happiness. Despite their challenges of locations and careers they were finally able to put their love first!

Peggy Scott

This book is one of the best books i have read in years! I could not look away from the pages. I lhave read alot of books that were about relationships but all of them were your more typical love stories. zoey kinsman tops the cake off with this spectacular read. Alot of my girlfriends lso have started reading this book and just adore it. The connection that Mel and Asher have is destiny. This book is more than just about romance it is about finding yourself and where your place is in this world. It is all about taking chances and harnessing your true potential. I highly recommend this book.