Wednesday, October 31, 2012

MIDNIGHT BY AMI BLACKWELDER-HALLOWEEN RELEASE

MP2


midnight 1 copy

The world is no longer the way we remember. Few are even still alive to recall the days when midnight didn’t mean cowered away & hidden. Out of sight became our only way to survive since the...Century Vampires. If you want to live, trust no one.


midnight poster1

CLICK ON THE POSTER FOR THE AMAZON BUY LINK


FIND AMI ON THE WEB

AMI BLACKWELDER'S BLOG

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

THE VALKYRIE NOVEL BY TG AYER WRITER WEDNESDAY

I’ve recently came across the VALKYRIE NOVEL series that immediately caught my interest because it has Norse mythology connotations such as the Valkyries. I was excited to connect with the author, TG Ayer  and get this series for my TBR pile. As soon as I get a chance, I will review these books and post your reading  pleasure. So without further ado, here is a special guest post from Bryn.


Used with permission from the author’s media kit

dead radiance

ABOUT THE NOVEL:

Title: DEAD RADIANCE

Series: The Valkyrie Series

Volume: 1

Genre: YA Paranormal

Publication Date: 25th February 2012

Format: E-Book

amzn.to/Ao8SOL

Format: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1469998165

Publisher: Evolved Publishing

Publisher E-Book: Evolved Publishing

Pages: 382

EXCERPT:

"That day I knew for sure. I'd lost control of my tears then. They fell in huge, mocking drops. I stared at Joshua through those bitter tears, my heart missing beats as I tried to remember to breathe. I finally knew what the glow meant. I was a freak and Joshua was going to die."

DESCRIPTION:

Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras - Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead.

The new foster kid, Aidan, isn't helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human. Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she'd never belonged?


dead embers

ABOUT THE NOVEL:

Title: DEAD EMBERS

Series: The Valkyrie Series

Volume: 2

Genre: YA Paranormal

Publication Date: 15th August 2012

Format: E-Book

http://amzn.to/Oh9LUj

Format: Paperback

ISBN-10: 162253798X

ISBN-13: 978-1-62253-798-3

Publisher: Evolved Publishing

Publisher E-Book: Evolved Publishing

Pages: 405

EXCERPT:

“For a shadow of a second, I stared into his eyes, shocked, horrified he'd do such a thing to me. A thousand fears filtered through my frigid brain. Was he in cahoots with Loki? Or was he Freya's dog all along?

It took an eternity for him to blink. Even longer for me to blink.

Then Fenrir pushed me and I fell off the cliff, into pure white oblivion.”

DESCRIPTION:

Valkyrie-in-training Bryn Halbrook just can't catch a break. With her boyfriend stuck in Hel and the taunting laughter of Loki still ringing in her ears, she struggles to concentrate on her training and duties in Odin's realm. The last thing she expects or wants is more adventure—but then treachery, a shocking abduction and a chilling discovery send her forth on another perilous, globe-hopping mission.

As the ultimate battle, Ragnarok, draws closer, it's a race against time for Bryn, Fenrir and their team to discover who kidnapped her foster brother from the halls of Asgard and what's causing the mysterious deaths of so many of Odin's chosen warriors.

In the exciting sequel to DEAD RADIANCE, Bryn encounters dwarfs and dragons, new friends and old foes—but the worst enemy of all may be the person she trusts most!


BRYN CHARACTER PROFILE PIC

clip_image002clip_image004[4]clip_image006[4]Name:

BRYN (Brynhilde) HALBROOK, 17. Bryn hates her given name and hopes nobody will ever find out what a dorky real name she has. Little does she know the history behind the name and how it will rewrite her very future.

Description:

Green eyes, red hair and eventually a pair of hot red wings

Traits:

Bryn is a loner. She sees herself as a freak and is happy to navigate the outskirts of school society. She's stubborn, headstrong and lonely, but longs for friendship.

Food:

Ms. Custers fried chicken tops her list even when her appetite mysteriously disappears. Chocolate comes a close second. The Mead from Asgard soon becomes Bryn's favorite drink though she wonders at its power to intoxicate her senses.

Music:

Green Day and Linkin Park, with a secret love for Melody Gardot.

Favorite things:

Amber pendant given to her by her father. Golden leaf given to her by the Glasir tree. The rose-petal encrusted soap from the Asgard Baths.

Dislikes:

Hamburgers, menthol sweets, cigarette smoke, Astrid, Loki

Ambivalent about:

The sword of Brunhilde, the Eye of the Dragon. Freya. Bifrost (bridge of the gods)

Skills:

Bryn has always been able to see the strange golden glow around people around her. It's not until someone close to her dies that she realizes the meaning of the glow is Death.

Bryn also discovers that she is a skilled fighter - both hand to hand combat and weaponry, as a band of thugs soon find out when they try to attack her.

In Asgard, training and fighting come easy for Bryn, but soon a mysterious power begins to blossom within her when she fights. Will Bryn's own courage and strength win out, or will the berserker rage that threatens her eventually overcome her in the end?

Special place in her heart for:

Ms. Custer, Brody, Joshua, Sigrun, Njall, Thor, Fen, Steinn

Romance:

Aidan Lee - son of her fathers arch-enemy. It's instant attraction. The kind she has no control of. Hormones, chemistry, who knows but Aidan gets Bryn all hot and bothered from Day 1. The couple barely get a chance to get to know each other before they are thrown into a life-threatening mission on the hunt for Freya's necklace. Bryn battles her feelings for Aidan and the guilt she feels for having put his life in danger. Little does she know there is much more than one obstacle to her relationship with Aidan. Can she come to terms with who he really is? Or is there someone else who deserves her heart more?

Character:

Bryn is sensitive, though impulsive. She is caring but sometimes selfish - a result of not having people around her who truly care for her. she is very independent, often refusing the help offered to her. Will she learn that it takes far more strength to trust than it does to walk alone?

Accepting change is ones life is not easy, especially when part of that change is accepting the existence of a mythology as reality. Can Bryn successfully transition from normal teen to Valkyrie?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

TG AYER

I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other's loves – it works wonderfully…

My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain cross-eyed.

CONTACT DETAILS:

clip_image004 www.facebook.com/TGAyerAuthor

clip_image006 twitter.com/#!/TGAyerAuthor

clip_image008 tgayer.wordpress.com

clip_image010 tgayer@xtra.co.nz

clip_image012 www.goodreads.com/author/show/5726831.T_G_Ayer

clip_image016 www.shelfari.com/tgayerauthor

clip_image014  amzn.to/QECLcY

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

ALISON DELUCA CROWN PHOENIX BLOG TOUR

Today, I’m welcoming Alison Deluca for her Crown Phoenix blog tour stop here at Earth’s Book Nook. There is a blog tour giveaway at the end of the post, FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM FOR ENTRY TO WIN.

tourbuttononfinal
Guest character post – 10/23
My name is Miriam Pearson, and I’m the luckiest person in the world. Not because my father was very wealthy, which he was, or because I live in a huge, luxurious house, which I do.
I’m lucky because someone saved my life.
It didn’t happen in an instant, or even overnight. It took a long time to save me. I was lost, you see – lost in my own anger.
I am an orphan, and I suppose that is what made me so furious. How dare my father die? And, worse, how dare he die before I really got to know him? Why, for example, did I never meet my mother at all? There was never any mention of her, or pictures to look at. In large homes like this, most families have portraits that line the walls. Not here – not a single one. There isn’t even a portrait of my mother in my father’s old room. I should know; I stole in and looked.
Some months after my father died, the Marchpanes arrived and announced that they would be looking after me from that time forward with their beastly son, Simon. That was when I really lost hold of reality. I locked myself into my room and stopped bathing. Really, I was little more than an animal.
And then she arrived – my governess. Mana. She changed everything, and she saved my life.
For one thing, she herself was incredibly neat and clean. Her clothes are spotless, and her hair is braided on top of her head. The white of her shirt is really pretty against her dark brown skin. She is the loveliest person I’ve ever met.
Not only that, but she taught me to keep my temper. I stopped throwing things at Uncle Virgil (Mr. Marchpane) and calling Aunt Theodosia names, even if she does resemble a stickleback.
And as for Simon… well, that’s a bit more complicated. I suppose he really isn’t that beastly, after all. Mana had something to do with it – she explained that he is a good person. And, once I got to know him, I found that I quite liked him, after all.
His parents are scheming to have us get married. Of course, that is ridiculous. For one thing, I’ll probably never marry, and if I did it wouldn’t be to Simon.
I do wish that the woman who just arrived, Barbara Cantwell, didn’t dazzle him quite so much. I’ll admit that she is beautiful, but must he follow her around everywhere? And with such a moony expression?
I have the feeling that things are about to happen, now that Barbara has arrived. I can see that she and her brother are also scheming. I think they are after my father’s business, and now it looks as though Barbara wants Simon along with it.
What happens next should be very interesting.

CLICK ON THE BOOK COVERS FOR THE BUY LINKS
The  Night Watchman Express cover
Book One – The Night Watchman Express
Miriam Pearson’s father has died. Her guardians, The Marchpanes, take over her house and her father’s company. The strong-willed girl instantly clashes with their son, Simon. The Marchpanes hire a governess, Mana, to take care of her. Mana is black, and has magic powers. She and Miriam eventually become friends. With Simon and Neil, his friend, they uncover a plot by the sinister Barbara Cantwell to use Miriam’s father’s company for evil means.  Barbara is very beautiful, and at first, Simon is very attracted to her.
Once Barbara realizes that Miriam and Mana are on to her scheme, she forces the guardians to fire the governess.  Mana is hustled out of the house by the Marchpanes, but Miriam, Neil and Simon follow her to the Night Watchman Express.  However, Miriam and Simon are captured and put on the Night Watchman, bound for a sinister destination. Mana is loaded onto a boat headed to Big Star Island.
Neil manages to steal a boat and follow Mana’s captors to the island. A native girl, Riki, rescues him and brings him to her house.  She is spoiled and her mother has no control over her, but Neil manages to become her friend.  Her father forces him to stay with the family so Neil can be Riki’s companion and manage her wild behavior.
Neil learns about Atol, the king of the island, who seized power after the last monarch was killed. Atol is plotting with Barbara Cantwell to force the islands to produce drugs instead of bolemor wood, and he is also shipping his people out for use in human experiments.  Neil discovers that Mana is the rightful queen of the island, and is being held by Atol. Neil and Riki manage to rescue Mana, and they head back to the mainland to look for Simon and Miriam.
Devil's Kitchen cover
Book Two – Devil’s Kitchen
Miriam and Simon are imprisoned on the Night Watchman Express, heading for the Devil’s Kitchen. It is a huge, dirty factory where the prisoners process the drug imported from the island.  Simon tries to fight the guards and is hauled away to a huge, strange house belonging to Barbara Cantwell.
Miriam is forced to live in a cell and work underground under the fearsome Headmistress and Headmaster, who run the factory. Meanwhile, Mana and Neil arrive and start searching for their friends.
Simon wakes up in Barbara’s house and undergoes torture.  He manages to gain her trust by pretending to be on her side.  Eventually he is rescued by Mana. Miriam is about to be punished by the Headmistress and Headmaster when Mana and Simon arrive and rescues her.  Barbara tries to kill Mana but is foiled by Simon.
Mana regains her kindgdom, and Miriam regains her home and future control of her father’s business.
The Lamplighter's Special cover
Book Three – The Lamplighter’s Special
Miriam, Simon, Neil, and Riki reunite on Lampala for the summer holiday. They are happy to be together but wonder what has happened to Neil’s family.
Neil’s sisters, short-sighted Lizzie and beautiful Ninna, are forced to work in the Manor House to help take care of new guests.
The guest arrives, a lovely lady called Miss Wilkinsl. She and her brother have a mysterious obsession with the Crown Phoenix.
Lizzie meets Toby, the oldest son who cannot leave the attic. They become friends. Lizzie is also forced to work in Miss Cantwell’s rooms, where the dresser, Siddons, tortures her with violence and overwork. Siddons locks Lizzie in a room, and Toby finally emerges from his attic to rescue Lizzie.
Toby fixes The Crown Phoenix.They all board a ship called The Lamplighter’s Special and sail to the island. On the way, the typewriter works some strange magic and they arrive in a matter of hours instead of weeks.
Lizzie, Ninna, Toby and Priam discover there is a person hidden below deck in the boat.
Miss Cantwell takes the four children to the island and strands them there. They are rescued by Miriam, Neil, and Mana.
Miss Cantwell threatens to blow up the islands with the Crown Phoenix. She is captured. The rest return to the boat and head back to England, but Toby’s agoraphobia returns.
REVIEW BLURBS -
“I really loved this book. It reminded me strongly of Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. (The Golden Compass etc.) The three main characters are likeable and believable as they struggle to understand the hidden perfidy of the adults in control of their lives. It's a great coming of age novel too. I'd recommend it to anyone who liked THE GOLDEN COMPASS and it's sequels, or Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle books. It has the same sense of magic, mystery and intrigue. Although there are occasional typos throughout, the story is so strong they are easy to get past. I devoured it in two long sittings..”
“It's very intriguing! I want to know more about Neil and why he's with these people. And who or what are the Marchpanes? Good set up and hook.”
“Alison DeLuca is a master storyteller who deserves much more recognition than she gets. I would not hesitate to recommend not only this book, but the entire series. This is Steampunk adventure at its best!”
“The story is told almost as if it were a fairy tale, but it has a gritty steampunk quality that makes it a perfect rainy weekend read. There is danger, there is darkness, and suspense; there is a serious good vs. evil plot. I found that I was thinking about the characters at the end, and wondering what was going to happen next. This story captured my interest from page one, and kept me reading all the way through it to the end. I enjoyed it immensely, and I am looking forward to reading more of DeLuca's work.”
- Amazon Reviews
…this is the type of story that will appeal to readers who enjoy immersing themselves in a fictional world. The pacing is slow, but the characters are bold. They almost seem to jump off the page and grasp you by the wrist so that you may live their lives alongside them….
“DeLuca writes in an enjoyable faux-Victorian voice, capturing the ‘prim and proper’ spirit of the times while simultaneously subtly critiquing conventions (for example, the Marchpane’s treatment of Mana, a black governess). Mostly, the style gives the novel both a lightness of touch and, when the voice is at its strongest, an authenticity.” From Doctor Fantastique’s Show of Wonders, Volume One, July 2011. Review by Sophie Playle

Steampunk headshot
Alison DeLuca grew up on an organic farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were British, so in the summers she went to stay with her grandparents near Dublin.
There was no stereo or TV there, so Alison, her sister, and her cousins spent the summer inventing stories and plays for each other. “This gave me the ability to entertain myself with my own imagination in any situation,” she says. “We used to be taken to tea with great-aunts, and we were expected to sit on an uncomfortable couch and not move or say a word. It was possible to endure it because I was watching my own little stories play out in my mind.”
After graduating from West Chester University, Alison became a teacher of English and Spanish, teaching students from kindergarten up to college level. She loved teaching, and it was with reluctance that she left the classroom to be a fulltime mom when her daughter was born.
While she was teaching and raising her daughter, Alison took every free minute she had to write. The Night Watchman Express and The Crown Phoenix Series were the result.
She is currently working on the final book in the series, as well as several other projects.

FIND ALISON ON THE WEB

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/alison.deluca.author
OR http://on.fb.me/TNWEfb
Twitter - http://twitter.com/ - !/AlisonDeLuca
Google + http://bit.ly/ADGoogle
Author Central: http://amzn.to/ADeLucaAuthorCentral
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alisondeluca/
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Thursday, October 18, 2012

MARK BACON GUEST POST

Hello and today I welcome Mark Bacon, author of Cops, Crooks and Other Stories in 100 Words to my blog for a guest post on flash fiction. As always, grab your drink of choice from the bar and a bean bag chair while you enjoy this great post.


Mark Bacon 6 x 8Cops, Crooks book cover sml

 

Click on Mark’s pic to be taken to his place on the Web.

Click on the book cover for the Amazon Buy Link. It’s only 99 cents!!! You can’t beat that.

Mark S. Bacon 622 words

www.Baconsmysteries.com

Your quick, daily dose of literature

By Mark S. Bacon

Tired of wading through that ponderous novel? Wishing authors could get to the point a little sooner than page 589? Try flash fiction.

In the time it takes you to brew a cup of coffee or wait on the phone for tech support to answer, you could read an entire story, start to finish. Maybe two.

Although short stories may even predate the novel, flash fiction is a relatively new form of literature. Hard to define, because many editors, writers, bloggers and others have their own ideas of how long they should be, flash fiction stories are generally under 1,000 words. A popular form of the genre is 100 words; some editors tell writers to stop at 50 words. Flash fiction is a short, short, short, story.

Can you really tell a story in, say, 100 words? That’s what I wondered when a friend challenged me to try it. He came across the 100-word story idea as an exercise in a writers’ group.

Writing a complete story in exactly 100 words is harder than it sounds. It was a challenge and one that I tinkered with for months. Finally I got the hang of it. I insisted that each story have a beginning, a challenge to the main character and a satisfying conclusion. After some time, I realized I had enough stories to fill a small book, and “Cops, Crooks and Other Stories in 100 Words” was born. Since I’m a mystery/suspense fan, many of my stories take the form of very small mysteries or cop stories. Here is one sample:

Honor Among Thieves

The darkened home looked empty. Pete tried the front door. Locked. Around back, he jimmied open a patio door with a credit card.

Immediately, he saw a man holding a pillowcase full of something.

“Shit. You startled me,” the man said. “First time I ever seen two guys break into the same house. I came in the window. But hey, I believe in professional courtesy. I’ve got jewelry and laptops. Rest is yours.”

Pete opened a drawer, reached inside.

“Hold it,” Pete said, pointing a revolver.

“What about professional courtesy?”

“I forgot my keys,” Pete said. “I live here.”

Flash fiction is a sometimes quirky but immensely popular art form. Here are a few measures of its popularity:

Dozens of colleges and universities, including Stanford, University of Virginia and Washington University in St. Louis offer courses or seminars on flash fiction. The Virginia course description calls flash fiction, “an emerging genre of ultra-short creative writing.” Flash fiction is also taught at Brown University, UCLA, SUNY Plattsburg, New York and many other institutions.

More than 300 print and online publications are dedicated to flash fiction. Duotrope, a website that matches writers with publishers, lists well in excess of 300 journals, magazines and other publications that feature flash.

Hundreds of flash fiction contests are held annually. The contests range from impromptu competitions hosted by bloggers to official awards ceremonies such as the annual Micro Award, founded in 2008 by author Robert Laughlin to recognize outstanding flash fiction. Editors as well as flash fiction writers themselves enter stories for the Micro Award.

Flash fiction anthologies by nationally known writers are climbing the sales charts. Lydia Davis, Etgar Keret, Margaret Atwood and Raymond Carver are among some of the more accomplished professionals in the genre.

Smith Magazine has published a series of popular books containing 6-word stories or memoirs. The publishers invite people to submit 6-word life stories. The latest book in the series is called, “Six Words About Work.”

If six words seems inadequate to tell a story, but you still don’t have time to digest volumes, flash fiction, from 50 words on up, can be your daily bite of literature.

###

BIO

Mark Bacon began his writing career as a southern California newspaper reporter covering police and general assignments. Since then he’s written several business books, one selected by the Library Journal as one of the best business books of the year and printed in five languages. His articles have appeared in many magazines and newspapers and most recently he was a regular correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

NIGHT SEEKER BY YASMINE GALENORN BOOK REVIEW

 

NIGHT SEEKER

CLICK BOOK COVER FOR THE BUY LINK ON AMAZON

AMAZON BLURB:

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the dark Fae to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they could have imagined. Now, the Vampiric Fae are on the move, hunting anyone in their path. As the war with the vampires ratchets up, Myst, Queen of the Indigo Court, enshrouds New Forest in her chilling grasp.

Cicely Waters, owl shifter and Wind Witch, has rescued the Fae Prince Grieve at a great cost. Their reunion has lost them the allegiance of the Summer Queen--and the tolerance of the vampires. In desperation they turn to the Consortium for help. Now, to regain the good will of Lainule, they must dare to enter the heart of Myst's realm. But as Cicely and Grieve embark on their search for the heartstone of Summer, Winter is already wreaking her terrifying revenge.


Another great foray into the Indigo Court series. I just love this book series and it has the right amount of spiritual with twists of romance and there are some Norse references which always tweak my interest. I will definitely keep reading this series as well as her other series.

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FIND YASMINE GALENORN ON THE WEB

http://www.galenorn.com

Monday, October 15, 2012

S.M. REINE INTERVIEW

Today I’m welcoming S.M. Reine to my blog for an insighful interview. She is author of the Descent Series and the Seasons of the Moon series.


S.M. REINE

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Did you always want to be a writer? If so, what medium did you start with? Poetry, Short Stories, Novellas, Novels??

I’ve been passionate about writing my entire life. I’ve always been most interested in novels, although my “books” when I was a child were really more like short stories. I wrote my first full-length novel (over 100,000 words, or 400 pages) when I was in sixth grade. It wasn’t any good. But I’ve been writing books ever since. :)

What was the inspiration for your book series, The Descent Series

The Descent Series evolved from a variety of sources. It’s kind of the spiritual lovechild of Joss Whedon TV shows (like Buffy and Angel), The Last Vampire series by Christopher Pike, and Anita Blake. I had this idea about an exorcist character when I was a teenager, and after a few years of fermenting, it turned into Elise and The Descent Series as it is now.

Who are your top 5 favorite authors??

Edgar Allan Poe, Tamora Pierce, Jacqueline Carey, HP Lovecraft, and Stephen King.

What is your favorite genre to read and why?

I love strange, unique contemporary fantasy--like Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. But I have a very big soft spot for urban fantasy in general.

Do you prefer to be indie published, self-published, or traditional published?? Why?

Self-publishing is exhausting, but it really appeals to my control freak side. Ideally, I think it would be nice to have a hybrid career: some books traditionally published, and some published independently.

Did you ever experience a major life changing event that impacted your writing?

It probably sounds cheesy, but the birth of my son really gave me a kick in the pants. Watching his explosive growth from tiny newborn to pudgy baby and lanky toddler gave me a whole new appreciation for how valuable and precious time is. So after wanting to be a professional writer for years, it was the entrance of my son into my life that made me finally take charge and get it done. The first book I published, Six Moon Summer, was started when my baby was just two weeks old. (If that book is kind of nonsensical, it’s because of the delirious new parent hormones. Sorry, readers!)

If you could be any book genre, which one would you choose and why?

I would be memoir. It’s pleasantly boring, but you only write memoirs about the interesting lives of successful people. ;) Failing that, I would love to be high fantasy adventure.

Name a song(s) that define(s) you as a writer.

Coconut by Fever Ray. Go look it up. It’s a really weird song! But the tone really captures my bizarro head space while I write.

If the world was on the edge of extinction, how would you survive??

I would do everything my husband says, because I am hopelessly incompetent where such things are concerned, and I know he would take care of me.

What advice would you give to other aspiring writers like myself??

Focus on the writing. There is so much other stuff surrounding publishing: agents and publishers, if you’re going the traditional route; marketing and social media once you’re published; lots of other flotsam. It’s distracting and time-consuming. The easiest thing to control is the quality of your writing, and the frequency with which you finish projects. It also happens to be the most fun. So when in doubt, write more books!

What other projects do you have on the horizon??

I have a few things brewing. Most of my focus in the first half of 2013 is going to be wrapping up the main arc of The Descent Series (which has three more books). I’m also publishing a serial novel in the Seasons of the Moon series. The latter half of 2013 will be a new series--I’m thinking paranormal mysteries. I’m really excited about it.

Tell us about 5 books that changed your life in some way??

1. The whole Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. It was my introduction to high fantasy (yes, before Lord of the Rings!). The depth of his world building, the huge cast, and the epic story lines shaped the way I write in a significant way.

2. The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike. Just the first six books. I don’t like the new ones. The heroine is awesome, his writing style was so lean and mean, and I love how he didn’t back away from the tough ending.

3. It’s a short story, but The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. My mom used to read that one to me as a bedtime story (which should probably say a lot about me). It gave me an obsession with the dark and strange.

4. The Handmaiden’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood. I read it for the first time in sixth grade, and it was my introduction to feminist theory, as well as what later would become an extremely popular genre among teens: dystopian fiction.

5. Peter Pan. It becomes more meaningful as I grow older. The Peter Pan character as a psychopomp, and the way it addresses the concept of aging--it’s very profound.

If you could time travel, what time period would you go to and why??

I would go a few hundred years into the future. I’m so curious about what’s to come.

And a fun one, what would you do if there was a zombie apocalypse?

My husband’s grandparents live a few miles from us at the top of an isolated hill. They have a basement full of canned Spam and shotguns. It would be easy to pick off zombies as they staggered up the road, and we could live on that nasty salted meat for at least a few months.

Feel free to add any social media links you have and anything else you felt I should have added to this interview.

I can be found on Facebook at http://facebook.com/authorsmreine. :)

Thanks for joining me and being a part of my blog!

Thank you for inviting me!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

THE 11TH FLOOR BY CHARLES CULVER BOOK REVIEW

 

THE 11TH FLOOR

CLICK THE BOOK COVER ABOVE FOR AN AMAZON BUY LINK


This is a short novella but it packs a punch....psychological horror with elements of Hell in it.
This was a slippery ride into the psyche. It will keep you guessing until the end and then you will say.. man I should have figured this out.
I wish it would have been longer and hope he continues the story.


4 FAIRY RATING FOR THE SLIPPERY TWISTS AND TURNS

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FIND HIM ON THE WEB

http://www.chuckculver.com

11:11-COUNTDOWN TO 2012 BY VERNA CLAY BOOK REVIEW

11 11 countdown to 2012

CLICK THE BOOK COVER ABOVE TO BUY FROM AMAZON!!

Literally…
Multitudes are seeing the numbers 11:11. Are you a part of this phenomena?
To fulfill his destiny, Theodore Baldwin must bring Eve Applegate into REALIZATION before the Mayan Calendar countdown year of 2012. The fate of the world depends on his successful mission! However, Eve is not cooperating; she wants nothing to do with him. He needs to come up with a plan, and quick! Will she fall for his scheme, or is the earth doomed to the same fate as Atlantis?
Eve Applegate is avoiding her new neighbor like the plague. He’s too good looking and too nice and too everything. The problem is, every time she turns around…he’s around.
Join Theo and Eve in a breathtaking journey of discovery spanning the globe. Explore the mysteries of the 11:11 enigma, the year 2012, Giant Rock, Crystal Hill, the Denver Airport, crop circles, the Illuminati, Atlantis, and much more!


Do you like metaphysical books?? Then this is the book for you. You have Atlantis references, numerology elements, past lives, and the Mayan prophecy connotations. I like this book because it made me think outside of the box and really ask myself....what if???
I hope Verna continues writing more metaphysical books because I will be first in line to buy them.

5 FAIRIES FOR THIS METAPHYSICAL GEM!!!

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FIND VERNA CLAY ON THE WEB

https://twitter.com/VernaClay

Saturday, October 13, 2012

PRIMAL BLOG TOUR FEATURE

PRIMAL BLOG TOUR FEATURE POST

 


Hello and thanks for stopping by my blog. Grab a beanbag and beverage from the bar as you peruse the information below.





Today I’m featuring Primal by D.A. Serra. I haven’t had the pleasure to read this book yet but it’s on my TBR pile.



Information courtesy of


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For complete tour information, please click the image above.


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CLICK ON IMAGE ABOVE FOR AMAZON BUY LINK


Publisher: Perry Street Pictures, Inc., May 13, 2012
Category: Crime Thriller
Tour Dates: September 17 – October 12, 2012
Available in ebook: 191 Pages


PRIMAL by D.A. Serra (screenplay originally purchased by James Cameron)

The most dangerous place on Earth is between a mother and her child…

With everything at stake – what are you capable of?  What if the worst happens and you’re not a policeman, a soldier, or a spy with weapons training and an iron heart?  What if you’re a schoolteacher – a mom?  In this gritty crime thriller a family vacation takes a vicious turn when a fishing camp is invaded by four armed men.  With nothing except her brains, her will, and the element of surprise on her side, Alison must learn to kill or watch her family die.

And then, things get worse.




Reviews:


“I honestly loved Primal. It is incredibly well-written with deep, emotionally-charged characters and a storyline punctuated with fear and adrenaline. I found Primal to be an incredibly quick read, mostly because I had a hard time putting it down. I also liked the fact that author D.A. Serra delved into the emotional spiral eclipsing Alison’s life after the horrifying events on the island and wasn’t content to simply go for all-out action, although there’s action a-plenty. I highly recommend Primal if you are looking for a thriller to read this summer. You won’t be disappointed.”-Psibabe, GameVortex Communications (AKA Ashley Perkins )

“To some, Minnesota’s North Woods are a soothing antidote to the stresses of civilization. But to others, all that unpaved, unpeopled wilderness is just plain unnerving. And therein lies the seed of some very spooky storytelling.”- Amy Goetzman, MinnPost
“The book was originally written as a screenplay and there is certainly a cinematic quality to it, with moody descriptions, lively dialogue and a relentless sense of pace. The writing, however, is unexpected, poetic and philosophical by turn, without impinging on the action. The description of a mother hiding a gun in her son’s Batman pyjamas must be one of the most moving, yet ominous, passages of crime fiction I have read in a long time, while the use of household props to distract a rampant killer is ingenious.  A very confident debut novel, highly recommended as a summer read, although perhaps not if you are planning a camping trip.”- Marina Sofia, Crime Fiction Lover


“”Primal” the new book by D.A. Serra is a page turner. The story line and the characters engage you, and once you start you won’t put it down until you are finished. The story reminds us that no matter how carefully we craft the “bubble” around our every day existence, no matter how safe and secure we make our environment and our lives, a chance encounter with evil can shatter that bubble and change our very persona forever. This is a great read.”- Michael C Bertin, Amazon Reviewer

“Better than PD James. An astonishingly gripping tale, but more than that, it is full of insights, and wonderfully well written. The voice is unique, but it has that PD James quality.”- Patricia S. Churchland “Neurophilosopher”, Amazon Reviewer

“Mary Higgins Clark, watch out!  I downloaded Primal and the new Mary Higgins Clark at the same time, and of the two, to my surprise, although I am a big MHC fan, I really enjoyed Primal best. If you love a good thriller, like I do, this is the book to read! A real page turner, riveting suspense, – well conceived and beautifully written – this author should to be on every thriller lover’s ‘to read’ list!- Amazon Reviewer

“”Wow.” It might be an hour or two before my breathing slows down and my stomach unwinds itself from a tight knot. I only put the book down twice since I started reading it. The book was so vivid.  With confidence I can say Primal has brought out the most emotion of any book I have ever read. I have never been so consumed by a book before. The book is honestly one of the best I have ever read.”- Laura, Amazon Reviewer

“I love a great story, one that is packed with explosive action. Primal is right on top when it comes to a suspenseful thriller. I was always anxious to get to the next chapter. I wanted to read fast, but the dialog was so good I didn’t want to miss any of it. I was sad when I realized that I was coming to the end of the story.  The characters in this thriller came to life for me. I couldn’t help but put myself into the plot and to wonder what I would do if put into their same situation. If you love nail biting, explosive action that will not disappoint, Primal is it.” Max- Amazon Reviewer




About D. A. Serra:




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Deborah Serra was a screenwriter for twenty years and recognized by the Writer’s Guild for her long term continuous employment. She has written ten TV movies, four feature films, and numerous TV episodes including two years as a staff writer for NBC.  She worked for top producers, directors, and actors.  She has taught writing at the University of California, San Diego, Wofford College and at writers’ conferences nationwide.  Serra has now turned her attention to novels, and she was honored as a recent recipient of the prestigious Hawthornden Literary Fellowship, and as a semi-finalist for the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Award given by the Faulkner Society in New Orleans, LA.

 


Deborah’s Website.








































Wednesday, October 3, 2012

FICTION FROLIC FOR ALL HALLOW’S READ-OCT 1ST THROUGH OCT 19TH

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Help Raise 1,000 books for charity and enter to win $200, signed books and swag!
We are excited to share about an ambitious blog tour—Fiction Frolic for All Hallow's Read—where ten authors from several genres are working hard to raise 1,000 books in three weeks for Books for America.
From October 1st to 19th, donate a new book (or books!) and earn extra bonus points in a huge giveaway that these authors are hosting.
Two winners will each receive the following PRIZES!
$100 Amazon G.C.
5 signed books from the authors hosting the event
A swag bag
Plus—in honor of All Hallow's read, gift a signed copy of one of our books to a friend!
With a total of $200, 12 signed books (including the gifted books) and major swag, what better way is there to raise books for charity and celebrate All Hallow's Read?
Each author participating is also donating signed copies of their books to Books for America, an awesome charity that is officially sponsoring their event and excited to be involved with All Hallow's Read. In 2011, Books for America donated more than $800,000 worth of books and materials to DC area schools, shelters and dozens of other educational programs and organizations.
The authors are blogging throughout the event at The Fiction Frolic Blog.
· 10/1-5 Read about how books shaped their love for reading and writing.
· 10/8-12 Read their scariest, funniest or craziest Halloween experiences, or learn about their favorite Halloween themed book or movie, or favorite work of "dark" literature.
· 10/15-19 Enjoy some flash fiction, short stories and novel excerpts.
So donate, share, and look for daily ways to enter to win. Donate to charity for bonus points!.
This event is sponsored by:
Eleanor T Beaty, author of the YA paranormal Veiled Mist
Brewin' author of the supernatural horror, The Dark Horde
Andy Gavin, author of the fantasy horror, The Darkening Dream
Laxmi Hariharan, author of the YA fantasy, The Destiny of Shaitan
Kimberly Kinrade, author of the YA paranormal thriller/romances, Forbidden Mind & Forbidden Fire
Richard Long, author of the supernatural thriller/horror, The Book of Paul
M.C. Mars, author of the mind-bending novel, Burner
Melissa McPhail, author of epic fantasy Cephrael's Hand
Sheryl Steines, author of She Wulf & Days of First Sun
Pavarti K Tyler., author of the Lit Fic Shadow on the Wall and the erotic horror Consumed by Love


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Vanessa Williams Interview

Today, I’m welcoming Vanessa Williams to my blog for an in depth interview. She is author of three books, Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside and A Good Man.

Grab a chair and get a virtual drink from the bar as you read Vanessa’s thoughts.


VANESSA WILLIAMS

Was there anything about your upbringing that influenced your love of paranormal subjects?

I was an anxious child. Even the news scared me. When I was a toddler, I saw an ad for The Planet of the Apes on television. The images from that movie scared me so much that the apes materialized in the living room and continued to 'visit' me for several months. They looked as real to me as my friends and family. Despite my fears, I very quickly became attracted to anything horror and paranormal. I guess it was a way to process those fears. In any case, my fears disappeared as soon as I showed an interest in the genre.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Happy.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Eating out, cooking, going to film festivals, watching movies, reading, cuddling my cat.

What are your favorite writing snacks?

Cheesecake, marinated olives and tea.

What does your family think of your writing?

Most of them don't understand English, so they can't read my books (I'm originally from Belgium and my native language is Dutch). At first they were a bit hesitant about my career choice, but now that I'm starting to be on television and in magazines, they're rather proud.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

Believe it or not, but most letters I get from my readers are from men telling me that I'm beautiful.
What do you think makes a good story?

It depends from person to person, but good characters and a exciting beginning and ending are a good starting point, because people will always remember the beginning and the ending.

Biography

Screenwriter and novelist Vanessa Morgan is known as the 'female version of Stephen King'. She has written three books of supernatural suspense: Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside and A Good Man. You can find out more about Vanessa Morgan and her work by going to her personal blog http://vanessa-morgan.blogspot.com.


Books by Vanessa Morgan

A Good Man (web)

A Good Man

Do you like Dexter and American Psycho? Then chances are you will love A Good Man.

Louis Caron is a good man – he's a vegetarian, feeds homeless people, takes care of animals and is converned with the ecological well-being of the planet. But his altruism has a sinister edge – he's a vampire and local detective Taglioni becomes increasingly suspicious of him. Louis' attempt to escape the police will take him on a journey into his own private hell where he is not only forced to confront his worst fears, but where he will also destroy the lives of those he cares about.

The Strangers Book Cover

The Strangers Outside

Two sisters, Jennifer and Louise, return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they're being surrounded. Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with the strangers outside. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

Drowned Sorrow

Drowned Sorrow

Megan Blackwood has just lost her son in a terrible accident. Now she has come to Moonlight Creek with her teenage daughter Jenna, hoping that a change of scenery might help to put her life back together. But something odd is going on in Moonlight Creek. When rain falls over the village, the inhabitants commit grisly murders, leaving the village deserted with the first rays of sunshine. Beneath the lake's surface, an eerie presence watches... and waits... Waits to reveal a tragic past drowned in mystery and fear. One that doesn't bode well for visitors. By the time Megan realizes that her daughter is in danger, it might already be too late.