LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Hydraulic Level Five, which released Tuesday, is the newest, highly-anticipated work born and nurtured in the undeniably talented fanfiction world. The release of the Colorado adventure-centric romance marks the debut novel from author Sarah Latchaw, who joins popular Twilight fanfiction alumni, authors E.L. James, Sylvain Reynard, Christina Lauren, and Alice Clayton.
The first book in a planned series, begins with the heart-wrenching story of Kaye, an extreme sports enthusiast, and her ex-husband and successful author, Samuel Cabral, and what happens when the two are thrown back into each other's path after six years of separation and hurt. Their reunion parallels the tumultuous whitewater rapids to which the title refers. Latchaw has created beautifully developed characters that are flawed and real, crafting an intelligent, funny, and emotional literary playground for them to explore.
Dear Author Founder, Jane Litte, says, “The story is one of regrets and rediscovery and there were some really tear inducing passages as we read about [Kaye] Aspen and Samuel retreading their shared past and stumbling over the collapse of their marriage.”
An earlier version of the book began as the online Twlight fanfic hit of the same name, Hydraulic Level Five, which recorded more than two million readers.
Latchaw and Omnific Publishing are in the editing stages for the emotional follow up, Skygods, which is scheduled for release in 2014.
Hydraulic Level Five Synopsis:
Hydraulic Level Five (n.): A whitewater rapid classification indicating large waves, continuous rapids, large rocks and hazards, potential large drops, where precise maneuvering is required. Often characterized by "must make" moves, i.e., failure to execute a specific maneuver at a specific point may result in serious injury or death.
Kaye is an extreme sports addict with a kind heart and an axe to grind with her childhood sweetheart and ex-husband, renowned writer Samuel Caulfield Cabral. While Samuel enjoys a celebrity life in New York, Kaye remains in their hometown of Lyons, Colorado, running her PR agency and chatting daily with Samuel's family, the beloved Cabrals--first-generation Mexican-Americans who have embraced Kaye as their own.
But when Samuel returns home for his sister's wedding with a new love interest, stunning editor Caroline Ortega, the gloves are stripped off. Kaye is determined to unearth the reasons behind the death of their marriage and why two people who lived to love each other were driven apart, all leading to startling revelations about Samuel, about life, and about herself. She soon realizes that maneuvering the tumultuous waters of her relationship with Samuel will prove as dangerous as any outdoor adventure she might attempt... at least where her heart is concerned.
About the author
Sarah Latchaw was raised in eastern Iowa and appreciates the beauty found in mud-splattered gravel roads, weathered farm faces, and combine harvesters powering through cornfields. She also loves to explore the world, thanks to countless family minivan trips across the States to coastal cities, kitschy attractions, and national monuments. This passion for finding stories led to college adventures in Israel and Palestine, Jordan, Slovakia, Germany, and other European countries. Each place’s story rests in the back of her mind and in her childhood photo albums.
In 2002, Sarah received her BA in public relations and media from Wartburg College and entered the workforce, ready to climb the ladder. However, when researching MBA requirements evoked feelings of dread, she realized she was totally unsuited for a life in corporate marketing. With the unfailing support of her loving husband, she chose to pursue a career in creative writing and received her MA from Iowa State University in 2009.
While writing more “serious” works for grad classes, Sarah dabbled with a fun online writing project, titled Hydraulic Level Five. As often happens, this particular little story evolved into something more important, more personal to her and those who read and enjoyed it. Once the story was complete, Sarah loved it enough to desire a proper place for it on bookshelves. This began her relationship with Omnific Publishing and the anticipation of Hydraulic Level Five’s official release in Fall 2013.
These days, Sarah wakes every morning thrilled to cuddle her small children, show them the world, then capture that world and shape it into stories on paper. She also enjoys her piano, volunteering in her community, and reading anything with a cohesive plot. She and her family reside in Des Moines, Iowa.
About Omnific Publishing
Omnific Publishing, founded in 2009, is an independent publisher of romantic fiction that breaks the mold of traditional romance with stories that excite, inspire, amuse, and amaze. Embracing the idea that not every title has to be modeled after the romance novels your mother hid under the bed, we publish fresh, contemporary voices that speak to the modern sensibilities of today's readers. We don't guarantee a fairytale ending, but we do guarantee smart romance for smart women. Imagine a world of romance...without formulas, without guilt, without cliche. Omnific is romance...without rules.
