Sunday, November 17, 2013

Happy Hour in Hell by Tad Williams

Happy hour in Hell
By Tad Williams







This was an Advanced Reader’s Copy given to me by the author.

Amazon Blurb:

I’ve been told to go to Hell more times than I can count. But this time I’m actually going.

My name’s Bobby Dollar, sometimes known as Doloriel, and of course, Hell isn’t a great place for someone like me—I’m an angel. They don’t like my kind down there, not even the slightly fallen variety. But they have my girlfriend, who happens to be a beautiful demon named Casimira, Countess of Cold Hands. Why does an angel have a demon girlfriend? Well, certainly not because it helps my career.

She’s being held hostage by one of the nastiest, most powerful demons in all of the netherworld—Eligor, Grand Duke of Hell. He already hates me, and he’d like nothing better than to get his hands on me and rip my immortal soul right out of my borrowed but oh-so-mortal body.

But wait, it gets better! Not only do I have to sneak into Hell, make my way across thousands of miles of terror and suffering to reach Pan- demonium, capital of the fiery depths, but then I have to steal Caz right out from under Eligor’s burning eyes and smuggle her out again, past demon soldiers, hellhounds, and all the murderous creatures imprisoned there for eternity. And even if I somehow manage to escape Hell, I’m also being stalked by an undead psychopath named Smyler who’s been following me for weeks. Oh, and did I mention that he can’t be killed?

So if I somehow survive Hell, elude the Grand Duke and all his hideous minions and make it back to the real world, I’ll still be the most hunted soul in Creation. But at least I’ll have Caz. Gotta have something to look forward to, right?

So just pour me that damn drink, will you? I’ve got somewhere to go.


My favorite character:

I would have to say I still love Bobby Dollar; he becomes even more real to me in this installment. The things you do for the one you love can scary and amazing. The other two would be Gob, and Riprash, the slave trading demon. I was enthralled that even though they are in Hell you really have to wrap your brain around the fact that demons really can have human qualities.

My thoughts:
This installment starts from where it ends in the first book. This time he thinks up a plan to get into Hell to save the love of his life, Caz the Countess of Cold Hands.  The journey into Hell is very vivid and descriptive (like all of Tad’s work) and really immersed me in the story. I took my time reading this savoring the sights, sounds and smells of Hell. 

The other side line story of a Heaven conspiracy made you think when you read it. Theories abound and I’m interested to see how it plays out in the next installment. It’s really a love story underneath it all and touched me. The things you do to save the one you love can be terrifying and intense. 

References to Dante's Inferno really interested me. The thought there are many different layers of Hell is hair-raising and thought provoking. The denizens you see in Hell give you an provocative look into a person's soul.  This book has similar storytelling aspects to another one of my favorite authors, Clive Barker.


MY REVIEW RATING:

  I'm giving this 5 fairies because I really love the plot and storyline and I really connected with the characters of the book. Thought-provoking and riveting story that really appealed to me. It touched my heart strings and was nerve tingling at times. I look forward to reading the next installment.


Check out Tad Williams website for more information on his books.

Tad Williams




Tuesday, November 12, 2013

My first repost for BTS emag-Check it out

 

REPOSTED WITH OWNER’S PERMISSION

A little taste of the entertaining and informative columns in November BTS Book Reviews magazine.

See all 6 sexy books covered in Nikki's column.


Heat Diva

Sizzling It Up Indie Style

By Nikki McCarver

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Many people are on the fence when it comes to indie publishing. I can’t help but ask them why. The indie explosion is quite fascinating and has opened so many doors for so many incredibly talented people to share their work. I say don’t knock until you try it . . . and the Diva has quite a few naughty nibbles for you to sink your teeth in. The great thing about indie publishing is that the rules don’t apply. You end up having a literal smorgasbord of raw sex scenes that will make your toes and other areas . . . curl . . .

Heat Level: 3 Flames

Hot, Hot, Hot Indie Paranormals.

Dead Sexy by Paige Tyler (Indie Book— available now)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18218005-dead-sexy?from_search=true

My vote is that this lovely lady should go from Paige Tyler to Paige Turner . . . such is the way of her books. This unique and incredibly hot partial-zombie wonder is a masterpiece of love, suspense, and panty-drenching sex scenes. If paranormals are not your forte, but contemporary BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, masochism) scenes are? Please take a look at some of her other books. They will absolutely make your nights more memorable.

Discover great tips on promotions from author Mary Manners. Read the full column for full details on "getting twitterpated".

Get Twitterpated

By Mary Manners

So, you’ve just signed a contract for your first book or perhaps even published as an indie author. Or, maybe you’re

on the journey to publication and looking for a great editor or agent while you’re hashing out the final edits. Whether a

seasoned author, a newbie author, or a wannabe author, how does one connect with other writers and readers who

share the same interests without losing an abundance of precious writing time?

One of the answers is Twitter. With a little practice and a bit of patience, navigating Twitter is fairly easy. Here are

the basics:

Set Up an Account

Choose a username that is as close to yours as possible, so others can easily find you. Avoid using underscores if

possible. If someone shares your name, you can add a numeral after yours. For example, my username is

marymanners1. Add a short bio that’s catchy and gives viewers a snapshot of who you are. Be sure to include both a

touch of professionalism and a tidbit of personal. Do you love dark chocolate? Consider flavored coffee a food group?

Hike the Himalayas for kicks and giggles? Let viewers know. A bit of humor goes a long way.

Find Friends and Colleagues

One way to do this is to start with people from your writing circle and see whom they follow and who follows them.

By checking out profiles, you should begin to easily build your follow group. Most people will acknowledge new

followers with a thank-you and are happy to follow back. Another way to do this is to search hashtags that highlight

your interests, such as #writing, #inspyromance, etc. This type of search will bring up others who share your

interests. You can subgroup your followers into lists so each may be located quickly and easily.

Compose Your Tweets

Also BTSemag was in a wonderful magazine here is the link...

http://guardianlv.com/2013/11/bts-book-reviews-emagazine-showcases-great-authors-and-books/

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Oracle of Philadelphia Blog Tour-Guest Post

Hello fellow bookworms, I’m pleased to welcome Elizabeth Corrigan for a special guest post.

BE SURE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY BELOW


ENJOY THE BOOK TRAILER ABOVE

oracle of Philadelphia

 

CLICK ON THE BUY LINKS BELOW

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Oracle-Philadelphia-Earthbound-Angels-ebook/dp/B00BYH680O/

Barnes & Noble Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oracle-of-philadelphia-elizabeth-corrigan/1114884700?ean=2940016360195&isbn=2940016360195

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Oracle-of-Philadelphia/book-Wq6dKF1fekil8PGwnFkELw/page1.html?s=irmDRfLD4kmaL1ue2o1Z1A&r=1

Amazon Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Oracle-Philadelphia-Book-Earthbound-Angels/dp/1482692473/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364162353&sr=1-2&keywords=oracle+of+philadelphia

BLURB

Carrie works at a diner in South Philadelphia, dispensing advice to humans and angels wise

enough to seek her counsel. But there are some problems that even the best advice can’t solve.

Her latest supplicant, Sebastian, is unique among those who have sought her aid. He sold his soul

to a demon in exchange for his sister’s life, but his heart remains pure.

Carrie has lived for millennia with the knowledge that her immortality is due to the suffering of

others, and she cannot bear to see another good man damned when it is within her power to

prevent it.

In order to renegotiate his contract, Carrie must travel into the depths of hell and parley with the

demons that control its pathways. As the cost of her journey rises, Carrie must determine how

much she is willing to sacrifice to save one good soul.

 


 

Writing Urban Fantasy

From the early days of the urban fantasy genre I knew I wanted to write one. At the time I planned on a supernatural detective story, and “writing” more meant making stuff up in my head and hoping that it would magically transcribe itself onto paper. Since then I’ve read a lot more urban fantasy and combined my ideas with the patience and dedication to finish my debut novel. Though Oracle of Philadelphia isn’t the whodunit I had planned—and I still plan to write that someday—I don’t think I could imagine writing anything other than urban fantasy.

The genre fascinates me, because it gives the impression that something fantastical could be just outside our reach. Maybe there are a whole horde of vampires planning to “come out of the coffin” and join society as undead Americans. Maybe if I get off at the wrong subway station, I could find myself in a hidden part of the city where monsters are real. Maybe for the few hours while I read an urban fantasy I can believe that the world is a little bit more magical than my mundane life would indicate.

An author might use the power of remaking the real world however she wants to create a kind of paradise, but more often the reverse happens. Urban fantasy, like other types of fantasy and science fiction, offer a way to present social or moral issues in an indirect way. When vampires have to fight for equal rights, their struggles mimic those of real world groups who face discrimination. The seedy magical underbelly of a city can represent the parts of society we would rather pretend don’t exist.

In Oracle of Philadelphia, I present the world’s morality, except that the laws of good and evil are enforced by a group of angels and demons who interact with humanity. There is a demon for each of the seven deadly sins, and they offer an easy avenue for earthly prosperity, provided the human in question is willing to sacrifice his or her soul. The angels, on the other hand, offer no such deal, and their influence is often difficult to see.

But just because I can manipulate the world as I see fit doesn’t mean I don’t have limitations. In a traditional fantasy novel, the author doesn’t really have to worry about getting names and places correct, but he or she does need to have an internally consistent magical system and sociopolitical structure. In a non-fantasy, the author can pretty much expect the laws of physics to take care of a lot, but he or she has to research plenty of stuff in the real world. But in urban fantasy, the author has to do both. I have to deal with calls from my sister explaining to me that they don’t use euros in Switzerland and that the buses in Philadelphia are called SEPTA. Then I get notes from my editor saying that my heroine shouldn’t be able to telepathically read the souls and the demons in Hell.

So as a genre, urban fantasy is not perfect. But it’s the genre I choose to write in, and it is a lot of fun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth-Corrigan-200x300

Elizabeth Corrigan has degrees in English and psychology and has spent several years working as a data analyst in various branches of the healthcare industry. When she's not hard at work on her next novel, Elizabeth enjoys singing, reading teen vampire novels, and making Sims of her characters. She drinks more Diet Coke than is probably optimal for the human body and is pathologically afraid of bees. She lives in Maryland with two cats and a purple Smart Car


PLEASE CHECK OUT THE TOUR WEBSITE FOR MORE GREAT STOPS ON THIS BLOG TOUR

Oracle of Philadelphia Blog Tour


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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

SUBMERGED BY CHERYL KAY TARDIF INTERVIEW BLOG TOUR STOP

 

Submerged Blog Tour

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Interview with Cheryl Kaye Tardif - writing

Do you have a set time that you write each day, or do you wait to be inspired?

I write when I can. Sometimes I will plan to write and set a time frame for doing so.

Do you plan out the entire book before you begin writing, or do you just sit down and write whatever comes to mind?

I always know what happens in the beginning and end, plus a few major scenes in between. I'll often start writing, and then make notes of anything I don't want to forget. I don't do a rigid synopsis or outline though. Usually I allow a plot idea to ferment a bit. The strongest ones are the ones I make notes on.

How do you deal with that dreaded "Writer's Block"?

I don't have to deal with it. I don't get it. Ever. When I decide I need to write something, no matter if it's fiction or non-fiction, or even an interview, the words come. Though I've heard that some writers really struggle at times with the words or the story, I think many are really afflicted by "Procrastination Block." I try not to procrastinate; I'm very organized. I have to be. Otherwise I think I'd go nuts. J

Are you currently working on another book? Would you tell us a bit about it?

I'm working on book 3 in my Divine series. DIVINE SANCTUARY. It's about a series of murders and their connections to a cult in British Columbia. Psychic agent Jasi McLellan and her team of covert agents head up the investigation, and it's smokin' hot!

What new doors has your writing opened up for you? Were there any opportunities that you had never considered before?

Writing has opened many doors. Most recently, I've had a number of foreign rights deals. These translations came out in 2012 and 2013. I've also been contacted by many in the film industry and came very close to a couple of film deals. Whale Song and Children of the Fog have really interested producers and directors. They'd make awesome movies! So would SUBMERGED. J

Do you have any advice for writers?

Write because you love writing. Learn everything about writing. Get your work edited by someone else. Learn the business of publishing. And above all, never, ever give up. If writing is your passion, write!

From Cheryl Kaye Tardif, the international bestselling author that brought you CHILDREN OF THE FOG, comes a terrifying new thriller that will leave you breathless…

SUBMERGED

"Submerged reads like an approaching storm, full of darkness, dread and electricity. Prepare for your skin to crawl."

—Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of 15 Seconds

Get SUBMERGED today.

 

Learn more about Cheryl Kaye Tardif at http://www.cherylktardif.com and follow her on Twitter.

Enter Cheryl’s March Giveaway – 59 Prizes! http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com

Monday, March 11, 2013

March Author Kindle Fire Giveaway





Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!



The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)


Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)


Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)





Sponsoring Authors

The Stone Guardian by Theresa McClinton



Blood Oath (Gabby Girls Adventure, #2)Return of the Dragon Riders: Book Two of the Dragon Stone Saga (Dragon Stone Saga, #2)Hidden HeartA Tale of the Other Kind (Therian, #1)AuraPrison NationFamily Magic (Hayle Coven, #1)The Conduit (Gryphon, #1)Shifting PrideFire Within (Guardian Witch #2)Fall of Sky CityReflectionThe Light of Asteria: Kailmeyra's Last Hope (Kailmeyra, #1)Kiss Me, I'm Irish (Time For Love #1)Grace DollThe Stone GuardianLegend UnleashedInnovera Yakov: The Journey of A Thousand EyesThe GiftedFor What It's WorthForbidden Temptation of a VampireOwlet (Society of Feathers, #1)Cascade Brides: The Complete SeriesTwenty-Five Years Ago TodayAlexander Drake's Extraordinary Pursuit


Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).
Ends: 3/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Friday, March 1, 2013

COVER REVEAL: SHATTERED SILENCE BY RON NIETO

Shattered Silence - Cover Reveal

Keith never believed in Happily Ever After, at least not for someone like him. However, that’s exactly what it feels like when he has the love of his life by his side.

Alice fought everything she was, everything she thought she wanted to be, just to save him. When the nightmare blew over and the both of them were left standing, she thought she’d get her shot at happiness.

But how long can bliss last when everything they hold dear starts to crumble around them? Can they truly be free of a hatred that’s been alive for centuries?

The song has been played and, in its wake, the silence shatters…

If you’d like to preorder this book, grab some cool swag, brag about having a scene written for you or just be part of the project, there's an IndieGoGo page where you can get all that and more! Follow the link below and check out what you could get perks start from just a dollar!

IndieGoGo Button

Silent Song Cover

Alice had it all... By day, that is. By night, she had a secret she would never admit. Not even to herself. Except, if she doesn't acknowledge it, it might be lost forever. It would be easy to let go—if the price weren't his soul.

Psst! If you want to buy Silent Song, consider claiming it as a perk instead!

Add to GR

About the Author

Author Pic

Ron C. Nieto is a fantasy and romance author who has been writing in her secluded fortress for the longest time. Recently, she had a talk with her cat and decided that she should share her creations, because it was selfish to hoard them all for herself.

If you would like to know more about her, please visit her website.

Links

Author Website | Twitter | GoodReads

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Ripple in Space Time Blog Tour

Today, I’m pleased to turn my blog over to S.F. Chapman, author of Ripple in Space Time, for a wonderful guest post. Sit back and enjoy a beverage from bar.


ripple in space time

CLICK BUTTON FOR BUY LINK

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SF’s Car Service and Storymobile S F Chapman January 30, 2013

One of the big perks of being a freelance writer is that I generally work at home. Since I often have nervous bursts of creative energy in the middle of the night, I don’t have to dash across town to an office to channel it into something useful. I wrote much of my latest novel The Ripple in Space-Time at 3 in the morning on the big blue sofa in my living room.

I’m not confined to a fixed schedule either. This means that I have free slivers of time during the day to tend to other matters.

In the last few months I’ve taken to driving my elderly parents to various doctors appointments and social functions. Both have significant medical problems that make traveling difficult. I call my excursions with them “SF’s Car Service.”

My mom sits in the front seat while I drive. She’s a wonderful storyteller and often shares tales of her 81 years of funny moments, adventures and mishaps.

She recently told me of her family’s ill-conceived effort during World War II to raise rabbits for food in the backyard of their suburban house. Meat was scarce then and a few industrious neighbors were tending to chickens and ducks to makeup for the shortages.

So my grandfather got a hold of a few bunnies and the family set to work with raising them. Unfortunately my mother, who was then an especially empathic eleven-year-old, fell in love with the cuddly little fur balls. They all had names and elaborate back stories few months later when it came time to slaughter them. With big sad eyes my mother conceived my grandfather to spare the rabbits.

They had no meat but they had plenty of cute pets for the rest of the war.

My ancient parents aren’t the only people who use SF’s Car Service. My lively and gregarious teenage daughter is a regular rider as well.

She’s an excellent student and admirable athlete making her way through high school. She is also a very good storyteller.

When she was 5, she recently admitted, she boosted herself up onto the kitchen counter like a tiny superhero, wriggled past the stove and stretched precariously sideways to get to the topmost cabinet. There she retrieved a big bag of flour. The little rascal then secretly set to work making muffins for the family. The problem was that she had no idea of how to accomplish her culinary goal. The final results were sticky burned misshaped lumps and a pint-sized flour-covered superhero.

I’ve particularly enjoyed this recent storytelling in the eons-old verbal tradition and it all takes place in SF’s Car Service and Storymobile.


S.F. CHAPMAN

S F Chapman has done it all. He spent 4 years as a truck driver, 8 years as a scientific glass blower and 20 years as a building contractor. He’s a computer geek, handyman, music lover and relentless tinkerer.
But he is most excited about his latest endeavor. In the next five years, Chapman plans to release 12 books. His first, I’m here to help, launched on July 1, 2012. His next release is the science fiction detective tale The Ripple in Space-Time due out on February 1, 2013.
Born in Berkeley, Chapman is a California boy for life. He grew up on the Pacific coast and has spent the last 54 years in the San Francisco Bay Area.
He’s the third of twelve children, born to an endearing stay-at-home mother and traveling salesman father during the 1960s Space Race.
While working on his liberal arts degree at Diablo Valley College, Chapman chose mostly classes in the English Department, focusing on science fiction literature, composition and short story writing. He generated nearly a dozen short stories in two years and considers that period to be the beginning of his writing career.
S F's six works so far are the post-apocalyptic soft science fiction MAC Series consisting of Floyd 5.136, Xea in the Library and Beyond the Habitable Limit; the science fiction detective story entitled The Ripple in Space-Time, the literary novella I’m here to help and the general fiction tale of death and destruction called On the Back of the Beast. He is currently alternating between two entirely different writing projects; the first is a rough and tumble literary novel about homelessness called The Missive In The Margins and the second is a science fiction detective squeal to The Ripple in Space-Time dubbed Torn From On High.
He is the proud papa of a 19-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter.
S F's huge gray male tabby cat keeps him company while he writes and was the inspiration for Striped Cat Press.

FIND SF CHAPMAN ON THE WEB

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