Monday, June 27, 2011

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Win a signed copy of Piper's Fury. Drawing from the first 50 new signups for my newsletter.http://eepurl.com/d9L5f



WRITER WEEK-FEATURED PATRIA DUNN-ROWE

Patria Dunn Rowe, author of The Gifts Vol 1 gave me the pleasure of an interview with her. I'm currently reading her book and will have a review up later this week.
SHE HAS GENEROUSLY DONATED HER BOOK FOR GIVEAWAY TO ALL COMMENTERS. SO COMMENT AWAY AND PLEASE GIVE ME A FOLLOW IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY:)





The Gifts Facebook Page


Read Now - http://bit.ly/l1eyHo  -For FREE! (first 5 chapters)


Excerpt from The Gifts: Trilogy books:
Prologue: The Color
Binding, however it may be, it is now a part of what makes me who I am. Yesterday's secret is today's
way of life, and I've come to the conclusion, that existing is simply impossible without it. Close your eyes
for an instant and imagine the way it feels to have that first fallen rain drop settle on your skin. So little a
change, it could be that it never even happened, but if you concentrate hard enough you'll feel it. Pores
expanding to accommodate the added moisture, temperature cooling for a millisecond in response to this foreign thing that has made itself a part of you. It sinks and disperses, adding itself in pieces to the unseen layers of what protects your inner self.  In this one instance, everything that you do in the next millisecond following is controlled by it. Without ever noticing, your veins have contracted to accommodate the flex of your muscles response to the nerve signals your brain has ignited in an effort to tell your arm, to tell your hand, to tell your fingers, to lift and wipe away the offending source of intrusion. It is in this one touch that change is created. This, is how best to imagine my color…involuntary, but welcomed.

First let me just introduce myself: 


My name is Patria Dunn-Rowe (author of The Gifts:Trilogy) and I'm super excited to be doing my second first author interview with Heather Powers! I’m a 29 year old mother of three children (ages 4, 5, & 7) from Louisa, Virginia. Writing, while it is my passion, and will hopefully be my full time career one day, is only a side hobby at this time. During the day I am a full time financial editor for Standard & Poor’s, in the afternoons I am a full time mom, friend, playmate, and mentor to my three beautiful children, and finally, once they are in bed (whatever time that may be- LOL-) I am a full blown full time writer!


My interest range from classic to unimaginable, and everyday I find that I've begun to live within my imagination instead of it within me. Reality is  becoming what I dream it to be and it’s amazing how liberating that is after finally admitting to myself that I was meant to be a writer. Now, while The Gifts: Trilogy is my first work, it certainly won’t be my last. Now that I’ve finally found my innerself, I’m never letting go! Other things many people don’t know about me is that I am also a Pianist, & Poet. I never look at my accomplishments as being my best because I always feel like the best is yet to come.


Do you listen to music when you write? And if you do what would be on your playlist?  


I don’t listen to music when I write. I like the house to be totally quiet when possible. Being a mother of three small children (ages 4,5 &7) that’s almost impossible in my little world. If I didn’t have a full time job, and had the luxury of just being a full time writer, then I would probably have music playing in the background sometimes. I love all genre’s of music, so if you were to check out my Ipod or any of my playlist, one minute you might be listening to R&B, the next country, soul, alternative, rock...whatever. I love music!


What do you do before you sit down to write? How do you get into the zone?? 


I’m always in the zone to write. I wake up writing in my head. When I’m at work or in the car I either keep a blank tablet or my phone handing just in case I need to jot down something important (even if I’m not working on that particular piece at the moment.) My day starts at 6:30 am every morning, getting the kids and myself up and ready for the day, off to daycare and then to work. After work, I’m picking up the kids, home for dinner, bath times, and homework. Finally after bedtime for them (usually 8:30 or so) I finally settle down at the computer to write. I only have a few precious hours each day to get down what’s been running through my head, so I take for hours very seriously. By the time my fingers finally settle on the keyboard, it’s already 9:00 pm and I’m focused on what I need to get done for the night. Writing time usually ends for me around 12:30 or 1:00 am. I’m usually in the bed by 1:30 and up at 6:30 am again the next morning to do it all over again.


Give your top 3 books and why you like them?


It’s hard to give my top three books, because I love, love, love reading! I started reading novels when I was around 11 or 12 years old, and there are so many that I love it would be hard to name just three. Welcome to the world of the indie author is what I have been telling myself, so I will instead tell you the top 3 indie books I have read and loved lately:


Birthrights (Vol 1 of The Awakening Trilogy) by Christine M. Butler
Saletti Blood: The Order by Vana V.
Effie at the Wedding by Tracy Marchini


These are must reads! If you haven’t heard of them, look them up. They are all well worth the few dollars in change you will spend to own them. Amazing stories!


How do you connect with your characters? In dreams? Inner monologues??


For months, I lived, dreamed and breathed my two main characters: Nahla & Gideon. I feel like they are a part of me now, because from the very beginning every thought included them. In my head I would almost ask them: “Okay, where are you going from here? What would you say? What would you do?” 


I make my characters real to me and personalize each of them, so that I’m not really writing from my perspective, but theirs. 


Oh...the conversations...we’ve had... in my head! HA! I could tell you some stories. They were the reason why I fell in love with the first book of The Gifts Trilogy, and they are the reason why there is even a trilogy at all.




What inspires your creations??


Inspiration, for me, comes from everywhere and anywhere. I’m so glad that other people can’t read my mind because they would probably think me, certifiably crazy. My imagination runs wild throughout the day no matter if I’m at work, home, in the car, or even at church. One minute my mind is focused on the task at hand, the next I’m a new character in a not yet created story, living out a fantasy in my head!


Quite often I'm thinking of two things at once, writing out a major cliffhanger to a new chapter -I just thought to add-, while simultaneously cooking dinner, giving the kids a bath, and adding up the work I need to do at my full time job the next day. It's never ending!


One quote that has always stayed with me I actually heard spoken, first, by Whoopi Goldberg In the movie: Sister Act 2 when she quoted Rainer Maria Rilke –Author of Letters To A Young Poet-. “A fellow used to write to him and say: "I want to be a writer. Please read my stuff." And Rilke says to this guy: "Don't ask me about being a writer. lf when you wake up in the morning you can think of nothing but writing...then you're a writer."


It’s my inspiration, and it’s what keeps me going when I feel like I might as well just give up. I wake up every morning and I dream every night about the stories I want to write. I am inspired, and I am meant to be a writer.






If you could be any character in a book, who would you be and why?


If it’s not too vain of me to pick one of my own characters, then I would be Nahla: one of the main characters of The Gifts (Vol 1 of The Gifts: Trilogy) 


why: because even though her story is so much different from my own, I connected with her. I understood her thoughts and feelings. I’m sure we’ve all wondered at some point in time, what it would be like to walk in someone else’s shoes, and Nahla’s path is unimaginable. She inspires me to be more like her. 


When did you decided you wanted to be a writer? What path did you follow to lead you to your destination?


This question leads to a very complex answer for me, but I’ll try to keep it short!
In my heart, I think I have always been a writer, but I didn’t figure that out until about a year and a half ago. My eleventh grade year of high school, I had the honor of being in an advanced English class of one of the best teachers of all time (in my mind) –Ed Buhrer.


That first day I was terrified of what would be required of me, but English was a subject that I was most passionate about, and I was ready to give it my all. That first day I walked into the classroom there was a small 3x5 index card on every desk that read:


This is my daybook.
In it are my dreams, my imaginings and crazy, random thoughts. In here are 
recorded both my good and bad days; lurking in these pages are clues to my 
inner selves. THIS IS NOT MY DIARY; I do not have time to record what I ate 
for lunch, or why I failed that midterm I studied so hard for, and to be honest, I probably don’t care why a friend had a fight(again) with a boy/girlfriend. I care more about what that friend does. Someday, I will re visit these pages to discover how I have changed and what dreams and hopes and lives I wrote about today I still have to live.


This one little index card is what changed my life. I followed the instructions to a T and I began to write. From then on, through college, and up until I had my first child - I wrote what I imagined; I wrote what I felt; I wrote what I dreamed. I didn’t know at the time that what I wrote then, would later lead me to become a self published author.


A year a half ago I sat down and read the whole Twilight Saga in four days. I even took the fourth day off of work just so that I could finish Breaking Dawn! In the months that followed, Stephenie Meyer’s writing style stayed with me, and I knew that I could write something just as great, but I wasn’t ready yet. So…for months…I read other books, and thought about what I wanted my first book to be about. And then…it hit me!


From the very first sentence that I wrote of book one of the Trilogy, I became a writer. I’ve been writing ever since.




If you go travel in time where would you like to go and why?


If I were to ever be given the opportunity to travel back in time it would be all the way back to the creation of the earth. So many theories, so many questions. Why not settle it once and for all, ask God himself while it is happening....


Why: Because I want to know!?! Doesn’t every one? 


How do you see your books? In an outline, in chapters, in fragment?


I see my books in movies! I eventually see this trilogy becoming big enough to be made into a big screen movie -something that publishing houses will fight for, and something movie directors will argue over whose going to produce it-!


There is no girl next door in this story, and this would be an opportunity for African American, Hawaiian, African, Asian, Caucasian, and many other ethnic actors to come together in a powerful on screen production that could rock the YA & Adult book & film industry. All it needs is a chance.


If you had a million dollars what would you spend it on and why?


The first thing that I would do is give 10 percent of it to my church: Living Water Fellowship. Other than that, I would probably be very boring with my million dollars. I would by a house, probably keep the same car, quit my job (Of course!!!!) and put the rest in the bank to live off of while I continued to work at being a full time writer. 




Feel free to share any other thoughts that you would like to share with your readers.


First I would like to thank Heather Powers for interviewing me. It’s always a pleasure and an honor to have any sort of interest shown towards my work.


I would also like to thank every reader out there that has purchased and read the books of The Gifts: Trilogy, or plan to purchase and read them. You have helped me fulfill one of my lifelong dreams of becoming an author whose work is shared with, and read by many. I pray that this story has inspired you to read more of my books and support my journey to become even more than a self published author.


It is with most humble fervor that I give all glory to God for the many talents he has blessed me with.


I am looking forward to the journey that I have ahead of me, and I hope to include you all in my many adventures I have waiting in my imagination!


My books can be found at:


http://tiny.cc/qblh9  (Amazon.com)


http://tiny.cc/0ox0g  (Barnes & Noble)


Check out the Book Trailer here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC0ZSJCXM_E






Sunday, June 26, 2011

My Life 2011

Repost from my personal blog
5/10/11

In celebration of my impending birthday, I'm writing a blog about what I'm working on this year.

37 years on this earth and man has it been a ride. 3 marriages, 3 kids, 3 fur-kids. I'm a graduate in the school of hard knocks and getting my masters in life right now.

I've always been a writer since I was about 14 years old. The pen and paper were my lifelines. My badge of courage through my turbulent teens. I was a boring kid with a boring life so I chose to create worlds that weren't so boring. I started writing essays in school and the teachers always told me you should be a writer. You have the talent. I am my own worst critic everything I write of course is shit but that is just my negative nelly talking.

I then worked my way to poetry which was an easier medium for me. The words just flowed.

I didn't start my first novel until I ran into an idea a few years ago. I had a premise to a story. It never went further than 2 paragraphs but then in a moment of epiphany, I dusted off my folder with my work in it and just started writing. I'm still working on it and it's a slow process. I only have 6 chapters so far but my characters are still in my head demanding to have their say about things. They won't let me rest. I could be at work and a line will pop up and it will sit there and bug me until I unload it. They talk in your head. It's my opinion writers are all schizophrenics :) LOL How else can you explain voice in your head? LOL
OH that's right, I'm a writer. That's what we do.

I also decided I was going to write as an indie/self published author. There is a lot of information out there for indies and SP authors. I've been blessed to meet some exceptional authors who take the time to talk shop to me. It's all about networking. I can't stress that enough.

So following in the footsteps of my writing, book reviewing fell into my lap. Why not do something I love and comment on it to help other authors like me? So needless to say it's been a whirlwind the last few months. The enormous amount of info about book reviewers is a bit overwhelming when it's right in front of you but I love a challenge.
So with the patience of some other really good book reviewers and authors I'm reviewing, I'm slowly learning the blog biz:) Thanks to all those who have helped me and continue to help me as I make this journey to my dream.
Now it's your turn, tell me what your dream is and how are you working to attain it.
As always,
Heather Powers

Here is my contact information:

Facebook-

My Review Blog

My Personal Ramblings


Twitter

Book Review Email
earthsbooknook at gmail dot com

My personal email
wolfwhisper at gmail dot com

Monday, June 20, 2011

WRITER WEEK-FEATURED RACHEL FIRASEK

This week's feature writer is Rachel Firasek

She is affectionately called Boss Lady by my Sassy Street Siren Sisters and I. Learn more about us here Rachel Firasek's Sassy Streen Sirens
And being the generous soul she is, she has offered up a free copy of Piper's Fury to one lucky commenter. The only requirement is to leave a comment with your email address and tell me what psychic power you would like to possess and why. Winner chosen by Random.org


Do you listen to music when you write? And if you do what would be on your playlist?

OH, I absolutely do! I write my fastest and most creative works to Emilie Autumn. She's deliciously dark and twisted.


What do you do to get in the book writing zone??

I turn off my email. I can't write knowing that it's so close. I'm an email addict. I lower my music to a soft background noise, then I plant my butt in the chair and play pretend.

If you could be any of your characters, who would you choose and why?

I'd be Arabella from my new Curse of the Phoenix series. She's a voodoo priestess and is wise beyond her years. I love how she's hesitant to manipulate the magic that comes so easy to her. I can't wait to share her with you all.

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by people and art. I can look at a picture and a story comes to life. It's almost like I see a movie in my head from a static snapshot. It's crazy. Expressions are vivid, even if they're dower. There's always a story behind an emotion.

What do you do to overcome writer's block?

Fortunately, I don't really get writer's block. More likely I struggle with too many stories in my head. They usually don't let me pay attention to the story I'm working on. Lol. Sometimes a simple change of scenery or schedule will fix me.

How do you connect with your characters? Do you have conversations in your head? Dreams about them? Or do they just tell you their story?

A little of all three. When I worked on Piper's Fury. If I didn't play with Piper enough, I'd find myself dreaming about her. I had my husband help me act out a few of the scenes. ;-)

If you could choose a movie to define your life, what would it be and why?

Wow, this is a first. I don't watch much TV, but have you ever seen The Adventures in Babysitting? The heroine has so many hurdles to overcome and for everyone she leaps, two more pop up. That's exactly my life. It's a constant struggle, but I'm anxious to overcome each one.

What advice do you have to share with other writers like myself just starting out?

Write. Read. Write some more. When you feel like you've learned everything you can from your own writing, craft books, and reading—find some critique partners and learn some more. Take classes from veterans that know what they're doing. I still take classes. In fact this year, I've taken 8. Doh! Savvy Authors has some very affordable and fabulous workshops. Invest in your career in small quantities. :) But, most importantly, keep writing. When you stop, you get rusty.

How do you create your story?? Do you see your beginning, middle and ending or do your characters surprise you?

I'm always surprised. I'll plan a scene in my head, but when I sit down to write, bam! I'm thrown for a loop. Oh, and I hate the middle. Maybe I can get a gig that just lets me write the beginning and the end. Oh, wait, I hate those too. The End is hard, I hate parting with my characters.

What is your favorite quote and why?

I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.”~~Edgar Allan Poe

And if you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be and why??

I'd dine with Vlad Dracula! I want to know what he thought of when he had that dinner with all the carnage surrounding him. Some day I will walk on the grounds surrounding his castle and absorb the horror of his legacy.



Saturday, June 18, 2011

Divine Intervention by Cheryl Kaye Tardiff

Divine Interventation
by
Cheryl Kaye Tardif


I sat down to review Divine Intervention and was pulled into the book.

CFBI Agent Jasmine McLellan Leads A Psychically Gifted Team In The Hunt For A Serial Arsonist―A Murderer Who Has Already Taken The Lives Of Three People.

 Jasi and her team members―Psychometric Empath and profiler Ben Roberts and Victim Empath Natassia Prushenko―are joined by Brandon Walsh, the handsome but skeptical Chief of Arson Investigations. In a manhunt that takes them from Vancouver to Kelowna, Penticton and Victoria, they are led down a twisting path of sinister secrets.
Sifting through ashes and clues, Jasi realizes that there is more to the third victim than meets the eye. Perhaps not all of the victims were that innocent. The hunt intensifies when she learns that someone they know is next on the arsonist's list.
Unleashing her gift as a Pyro-Psychic, Jasi is compelled toward smoldering ashes and enters the killer's mind―a mind bent on destruction and revenge. And in the heat of early summer, Jasi discovers that a murderer lies in wait…much closer than she ever imagined."
Set in the year 2012, join Jasi and her team of psychic investigators to unravel the mystery of a fire and murder. Psychic powers being used to investigate crime. I love the premise and that fact that this is plausible. There is sexual tension going on all over the place between Jasi and Brandon the sexy arson investigator and Ben and Natassia, members of the team. I always enjoy books that leave me turning the page to find out more about the main character. What makes them tick and why they do what they do. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
5 fairy review rating. Thanks Cheryl for your masterful storytelling.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy mystery/thrillers with a dash of ESP. Will keep you wanting to read more and pull you into Jasi's story.


Winner of Dreams Unleashed

DRUM ROLL....
CHOSEN BY RANDOM.ORG

SASSY SIREN SISTER LISA R WINS THIS COPY OF DREAMS UNLEASHED.

CONGRATS!!!!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

WRITER WEDNESDAYS-LINDA HAWLEY

Thanks to the lovely Linda Hawley for taking the time to do this interview with me.
She has generously donated a signed print or ecopy of her book Dreams Unleashed to be given away to one lucky commenter. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on what you think the future will be like and your name will be entered into the drawing to win your copy of Dreams Unleashed. Make sure to leave your email address in your comment. Feel free to follow and share this interview with others. This giveaway will run from 6/15/11 to 11:59 pm EST 6/17/11




What made you decide to go Indie instead of traditional?
There were five primary reasons that I published the Indie route:
1) Short Lead Time:  Since my book is set in the future, it's time-sensitive, and I simply cannot wait a year for it to be published.  The clock is ticking.
2) No Physical Book Tour:  I had a long career in sales and marketing where I was a "road warrior."  After many years of that, I had no desire to be on the road again--even if it's a book tour.  I've taken that book tour time and am writing a very good second novel in The Prophecies trilogy.
3) Maintaining Control:  This could be bad a bad thing if my ego was big and I was reluctant to listen to my test-readers or the professional content editor that I pay.  My sales and marketing experience is of great value to me in finding the right individuals to help me make good choices.  In traditional publishing, the author has zero control over anything.
4) Maintaining Copyright Forever:  I see this not only as right (considering that I put my heart and soul into writing these novels), but I see it as an endowment for my children.  I am particularly affected by being the perpetual owner of my own copyright.
5) More Profits:  This is a no-brainer, self-publishing wins.


If you could be any of your characters, who would you choose and why?
That’s going to have to be Ann; she’s the main character.  She’s the ideal woman in my mind!


What inspires you?
I think all authors take their life experiences and put bits and pieces in their novels.  What inspires me is the chance to change our world for the better through my stories.


What do you do to overcome writer's block?
I don’t have a serious problem with writers block, but I’ll confess that I abhor the editing process.  Let me say now that I have a Special Forces content editor; she is gifted.  However, it’s the process of loosing words (I lost 20,000 words in the Dreams Unleashed edit) that is very hard for me.  How do I overcome that?  I talk with her about how it can be better in editing the next book.  I also talk to my husband, who reassures me that it’s a finite process.  He’s usually right.


How do you connect with your characters? Do you have conversations in your head? Dreams about them?
I have found that once I flesh out a character, they become real to me.  That’s when I start to dream about them.  I do dream up new chapters; I get lots of ideas that way. 


If you could choose a movie to define your life, what would it be and why?
Oh this is truly impossible.  I often have those close to me say that I should write my biography, because they’ve never heard of anyone having the experiences I’ve had.  They are right; my life has been unique.  I put this in my stories, which I hope makes them unique too.


What advice do you have to share with other writers like myself just starting out?
Never give up.  Keep learning.  Keep asking questions.  Stay humble.


How do you create your story?? Do you see your beginning, middle and ending or do your characters suprise you?
I wrote the last chapter of Dreams Unleashed first, based upon a personal experience I had.  Once I wrote down (in story format) the experience, the character, Ann, came alive.  From there I couldn’t stop her from telling her story.  It was as if she had become alive.  It has been so empowering. 


What is your favorite book and why??
The Passage by Justin Cronin absolutely blew my mind.  I’ve read it twice, and am itching to read it again soon.  I think he’s the best dystopian author of our time.  I think everyone on the planet should read it; it’s not a story that you can forget.


And if you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, who would it be and why??
That would have to be my grandfather.  He died in WWII as a hero.  I never got to meet him, but I have written his biography.  In 2012 I will publish a novel based upon his life story.  I look forward to meeting him one day in the hereafter.  I have a lot of questions for grandpa!


An add-on piece:
The main plot of Dreams Unleashed is certainly dystopian, but I have worked hard as the author to give readers well-rounded characters, some good humor, international adventure, and a heartfelt love story.  Early on in writing the trilogy, I made a decision that I would not include any profanity nor premarital sex in the book.  (Although Ann does know how to use a Taser, and does, in her defense.)  I did this because I wanted anyone of any age to be comfortable reading my trilogy.  I was overjoyed to see that teens have started reading Dreams Unleashed, and are talking about it--they love the technology, the dog Lulu, and the love story.  If you've never read a dystopian novel before, Dreams Unleashed might be the first one to try.


My website is:  http://lindahawley.com/
My blog is:  http://lindahawley.com/b2e/blog5.php
The print copy of Dreams Unleashed is due to be published about June 10th.
The eBook version of Dreams Unleashed is available for purchase now (for all eBook readers) at Smashwords, link:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/61373 and of course at Amazon, link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051VDGJK
You can read a free sample of Dreams Unleashed at Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051VDGJK

REVIEW OF DREAMS UNLEASHED BY LINDA HAWLEY

DREAMS UNLEASHED BY LINDA HAWLEY

Dreams Unleashed Synopsis:
It’s the future year of 2015, where technology governs life. No one on the globe is free from being tracked through government RFID. The worldwide underground organization, GOG, is the one group equipped to fight against citizens’ loss of privacy. Ann Torgeson is a technical writer working for a tidal energy company—living a seemingly normal life in the Pacific Northwest—when her vivid dreams turn real. Is her training as a paranormal CIA agent when she was only nineteen years old now altering the doorway between her subconscious and reality? When Ann starts to dig into her past, her present begins to unravel, leading the reader through events that twist and turn everything upside down. It's the not-so-distant future, and question everything you know is the theme of Dreams Unleashed, book one of this paranormal trilogy.

I must confess this book was a little hard to get into at first. The main character Ann is jumping different realities in the book and it's a challenge to follow. After the first few chapters, I was drawn into the story. This was also my first dystopian novel and I was impressed by the content. I'm always a sucker for woman heroines Ann is no different. She is former CIA special unit personnel and the book does get into technical stuff about it. This book was a good read for me because it makes me think and the premise is plausible in the technological based world we live in today.
This isn't a quick read by any means. You have to really take your time to read to absorb the massive amounts of data you glean from the book. The writing is pretty formal and you have to be a clear thinker to understand what is being written.
Ann's ability to cross over into her dreams and bring them back has a metaphysical element to it that appeals to my spiritual nature. Science and spiritual meld together into a intricate pattern. A lot of metaphysical ideas are introduced in the book such as chakras and energy fields and I can relate to them as I follow some of them in my real life.
The only critique I have is the formal structure of the words as this is difficult to follow if you aren't well versed in the English language. Other than that, the story is intriguing and makes me want to jump into it and travel with her on her spiritual journey to enlightenment.
Linda Hawley blends science and metaphysics well together and creates a thinking story that kept me turning the pages. Action and suspense combined with philosophical discussion makes this book a winner.
I give this book 4 Fairies for the intriguing nature of the story.

I would recommend this book to readers interested in dystopian novels and want to “think outside the box”. Also for those who enjoy reading about metaphysics.
I look forward to reading more about Ann and her abilities.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

PIPER'S FURY BY RACHEL FIRASEK

PIPER'S FURY by Rachel Firasek
I have chosen this book in part for a mission requested by Boss Lady Rachel Firasek to read her book and give a review. She told me to give an honest review and I shall as I do all my reviews. So here goes.

BLURB
It's an empath thing...
Using your "powers" to help the Dark Hills Police Department hunt down serial killers doesn't leave much time for dating. Not that Piper Anast is complaining. The last thing she needs is some guy brushing up against her and pumping his pornographic thoughts into her head.
When she meets Bennett Slade, a sexy, tormented vampire, Piper stumbles headlong into a telepathic connection with his missing daughter. She can't leave the kid to the evil surrounding her unwanted visions, nor can she resist her draw to Slade. He's the first guy she's been able to touch vision-free in, well, forever.
As she and Slade close in on the evil creature holding his daughter, Piper's powers morph into a deadly fury. To save Slade's daughter-and herself-Piper must face down demons she never knew she had and trust the one thing she keeps from everyone.
Her heart.
Welcome to the world of Piper Anast. Her story leads you down the road of demons, vampires, and gypsies. This is the story of one woman who has the gift of empathy and how she copes with it and also with relationships and love. She meets Bennett Slade who asks for her help in finding his young daughter. As the story unfolds, Piper finds out that evil isn't always what it appears to be. She learns about the origins of her gift as well as her growing feelings for the dark and mysterious Slade.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as it gives you another take on vampires and gypsies and clears up some misconceptions. It's not your usual vamp story. I'm not much of a romance genre reader but the relationship between Slade and Piper drew me in. It blends well with the storyline and explores the fear of commitment and the feelings that consume us when we are in love. It shows there are no boundaries when true love finds you.

Rachel Firasek combines action, suspense, raw love and lust into an intoxicating story weave.

And what is there not to dig about a kick ass heroine who rides a Ducati. Purr Purr.

All these things makes for a page turner that you can't bring yourself to put down until it's finished and then leaves you wanting more.
5 fairies for this masterful story.







I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys steamy romance and vampire stories, with a dash of paranormal to whet your appetite and make your trip into Piper's world one you won't forget.

Something a little different.....

As a few of you know, I'm a very spiritual person and I wanted to share with my readers, my spiritual rebirth....


Earthwindwalker's Pieces of Inspiration


Please read on to find out about the other me :)


Enjoy and please comment.


Heather Powers

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

WRITER WEDNESDAYS-ALISHA PAIGE

So today's featured writer is my good friend Alisha Paige, bestselling Amazon author. Her books include:
Circle City, Lord of the Wolfen, Hourglass Witch,
Uncaged, Voodoo Moon,Nocturnally Vexed, Canyon Wolf Bride, and
Wooden Nickel.


AUTHOR WEBSITE: Alisha Paige

I was happy to interview her as I'm curious to know what makes her create her worlds of wonder and romance.

What inspires you? Beauty in art, emotion, music, nature, simplicity

Why did you choose to write romance and erotica instead of other genres?
I also write Young Adult and Women’s Fiction.

If you could invent something, what would it be and why?
A remote control to shut up rude people who ruin all things beautiful because they are selfish, jealous and sad within their own lives.

What is your thoughts on indie versus traditional press??
The traditional press is dying. It is an outdated business model that rips off the author who does all the hard work. Indie writers have control over cover art, release date, price, creativity. EVERYTHING. And they make more money in the long run. Going indie means that the readers are the gatekeepers..not editors and agents. Going indie means choice and freedom for the reader as well as the author.

How do you see your books, are they shown to you in chapters, in pieces, or you just fly by the seat of your pants and go with the flow?
I'm a total pantster. I have no plan whatsoever when I write. I just do.


If you became a millionaire overnight, how would you spend your money?
I would buy a pink Hummer. Seriously. I would. Then a big ass house on a ranch with a barn and horses. And a vacation home in Tuscany on a winery. And a luxury apartment in New York City so I can sip coffee in cozy cafes, watch shows on Broadway and eat amazing Italian, Japanese and Vietnamese food.


Do you have inner conversations with your characters or are you just show pictures??
Uh..no. I write. Period. I don't cry when a book is finished. I don't miss my characters. I don't dream about them. I don't cry if I kill one of them. They aren't real. I made all of it up. All of it. Seriously though, there are some freaky authors out there who really should see a shrink.

What words of wisdom would you share with other aspiring authors like myself?
Read the genre you want to be published in. And for God's sake, if a successful published author helps you, listen to that person. That person was once in your shoes and feels your dream. Listen and learn from them. They are giving you a shortcut, helping you so you don't have to suffer through half as much as they did to get to where they are today. Saying..uh..I'll think about what you said really makes them not want to help another aspiring writer. Ever. But they will because they want to pay it forward. Get over yourself and listen. You aren't a rock star. Yet.

How do you overcome writer's block?
You don't. I'm not sure it exists. I think distraction does. Find out what is bugging the hell out of you, fix it and the writing will come. You can't focus when your mind is on personal drama.


If you could share a meal with a famous person who would it be and why?
Edgar Allan Poe because he is the grandfather of Gothic writing and because his life was so dark and depressing. I'd like to make him laugh.

She has also generously allowed a giveaway of her book Circle City, Lord of the Wolfen. To enter, you must leave a comment. Extra entries for GFC, Facebook, and Twitter. Leave a comment as well as fill out my form just in case something goes wrong with my form.


CLICK HERE FOR GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM


Thanks for joining me!!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Nearly Dead in Deadwood by Ann Charles Winner

Thanks for all the wonderful comments. Not as big as turnout as I had hoped but there is always next time:)

And the winner is Patria!!! Congratulations, you won a copy of Nearly Dead in Deadwood. Enjoy your read. I know I did.

Thanks Ann for being my first featured author and taking the time to answering my questions:)
Looking forward to BOOK 3 :)

Heather