Description from Amazon
This is the author's first collection of poems and they are inspired by her experiences growing up in Jamaica and her adjustment to life in North America. The themes of the poem are family, love, loss, race and politics.
Review
When reviewing poetry I have to move away from my normal review standard as you do not review poetry based on a set of points. Poetry is reviewed based on prose and feeling and this is how I will go with this one.
I feel that Yasmin has compiled a rich combination of poems into a very endearing work. She has captured that feeling of moving from one land to another and expressing her love and growth from both. I find this collection to be very well written and some of the poems to show growth both in the feelings presented and the experimentation of different prose. If you like poetry this will be one to grab.
Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
Sony
Banner designed by Christine DeMaio-Rice and Athanasios Galanis. Find them at www.facebook.com/FlipCityBooks and http://www.mad-gods.com/CoverHIRE/ respectively.
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Monday, October 31, 2011
Book Review: 33 Days: Touring In A Van. Sleeping On Floors. Chasing A Dream. by Bill See
Description from Amazon
For 33 days in the summer of 1987, critically acclaimed L.A. indie rock band Divine Weeks toured in a beat up old van, sleeping on strangers' floors, never sure they'd make enough gas money to get them to the next town. Bill See's deeply personal memoir follows his band's first tour across the U.S. and Canada. No soundman, no roadies, all they have is their music and each other's friendship.33 Days captures the essence of what it is to be 22 and chase a dream, back to a time in life when dreams don't have boundaries, when everything is possible. The tour is one of those now or never experiences. Take a shot at making the band work or leave it all behind and go your separate ways. Every one of us has that moment where we have to decide to either live our dreams or give up and regret it for the rest of our lives. 33 Days touches that part of us.The road is filled with yuppies, brothels, riots, sleeping on floors, spiked drinks, DJs with no pants, and battles with racism. They set out on the road to discovery to drink in all they could and maybe sell a few records. They grew up instead.
Review
Overall Feedback: I started out this book thinking it would just be a memoir of a band trying to make it to the big time but found that it was much more than that. This is one of those that you have to take the time to see the bigger picture that is being painted by the author. I found myself immersed in the story and intrigued by the meaning behind it all. Do not be put off by the memoir feeling of this one and go ahead and grab a copy you will not regret it.
Point of View: Follow Bill See and his band mates as the find themselves on a journey they did not expect.
Voice: The big picture meaning will be the crux that catches your attention once you find it.
Character Development: Although this is not really an aspect of this one you will be endeared to the characters.
Plot: The end is what makes the journey worth it and I believe the plot is the driving force behind this one.
Dialogue: Realistic and natural.
Pacing: It takes some time to really get into it but after a few chapters you are hooked.
Setting: Many bands make this choice and this is just one story of many.
Continuity: Flowing and natural without a hitch.
Where to Find
Amazon
Author's Blog
LuLu
Smashwords
For 33 days in the summer of 1987, critically acclaimed L.A. indie rock band Divine Weeks toured in a beat up old van, sleeping on strangers' floors, never sure they'd make enough gas money to get them to the next town. Bill See's deeply personal memoir follows his band's first tour across the U.S. and Canada. No soundman, no roadies, all they have is their music and each other's friendship.33 Days captures the essence of what it is to be 22 and chase a dream, back to a time in life when dreams don't have boundaries, when everything is possible. The tour is one of those now or never experiences. Take a shot at making the band work or leave it all behind and go your separate ways. Every one of us has that moment where we have to decide to either live our dreams or give up and regret it for the rest of our lives. 33 Days touches that part of us.The road is filled with yuppies, brothels, riots, sleeping on floors, spiked drinks, DJs with no pants, and battles with racism. They set out on the road to discovery to drink in all they could and maybe sell a few records. They grew up instead.
Review
Overall Feedback: I started out this book thinking it would just be a memoir of a band trying to make it to the big time but found that it was much more than that. This is one of those that you have to take the time to see the bigger picture that is being painted by the author. I found myself immersed in the story and intrigued by the meaning behind it all. Do not be put off by the memoir feeling of this one and go ahead and grab a copy you will not regret it.
Point of View: Follow Bill See and his band mates as the find themselves on a journey they did not expect.
Voice: The big picture meaning will be the crux that catches your attention once you find it.
Character Development: Although this is not really an aspect of this one you will be endeared to the characters.
Plot: The end is what makes the journey worth it and I believe the plot is the driving force behind this one.
Dialogue: Realistic and natural.
Pacing: It takes some time to really get into it but after a few chapters you are hooked.
Setting: Many bands make this choice and this is just one story of many.
Continuity: Flowing and natural without a hitch.
Where to Find
Amazon
Author's Blog
LuLu
Smashwords
Book Review: Kickshaw Candies by R.K. Finnell
Description from Amazon
The town of Baile seems to be just a small town with ordinary people until Teagan O’Brien opens an unusual candy shop. Something ancient and buried begins to awaken in the people when they consume his sweets. They remember a life they had long ago left behind becoming their true selves, and a maleficence awakens that had been locked away in forgotten memories. Out of those memories comes the truth of what brought them to the world of humans and the path back to the place they call home. The path to their salvation depends on three of their human-born children, who are thrust into a future of uncertainty as each one discovers the truth behind the people of Baile and the secrets locked within their own bodies and Only these three have the ability to overcome the evil that threatens to corrupt and dominate every living creature, to save not only their kind, but humanity itself.
Review
Overall Feedback: This is an absolute do not miss, if you are looking to read at least one book this month, this is the one you should get. I was captivated slightly after the first chapter throughout. Finnell has obvious talent and I am looking forward to more works from this author.
Point of View: A unique perspective from the residents of the weirdest town you will ever visit. A bit confusing but fleshes out through the plot.
Voice: The author does well to compel the reader through this one especially the first two or three chapters.
Character Development: If you are only interested in character development please pass this one as this one is more about plot than characters.
Plot: This is where Finnell shines the most. Throughout the book the plot is what drives you to read more and more and never give up.
Dialogue: Sometimes confusing and stilted but again the plot makes up for it.
Pacing: After the first two chapters you will fly through the pages with ease.
Setting: Haven, think Haven but with more of the weird. We know and are afraid of this town. Baile is twice as weird and somewhere out there.
Continuity: A few minor misses but nothing that completely pulls you out of the story.
Where to Find
Amazon
LuLu
Sony
The town of Baile seems to be just a small town with ordinary people until Teagan O’Brien opens an unusual candy shop. Something ancient and buried begins to awaken in the people when they consume his sweets. They remember a life they had long ago left behind becoming their true selves, and a maleficence awakens that had been locked away in forgotten memories. Out of those memories comes the truth of what brought them to the world of humans and the path back to the place they call home. The path to their salvation depends on three of their human-born children, who are thrust into a future of uncertainty as each one discovers the truth behind the people of Baile and the secrets locked within their own bodies and Only these three have the ability to overcome the evil that threatens to corrupt and dominate every living creature, to save not only their kind, but humanity itself.
Review
Overall Feedback: This is an absolute do not miss, if you are looking to read at least one book this month, this is the one you should get. I was captivated slightly after the first chapter throughout. Finnell has obvious talent and I am looking forward to more works from this author.
Point of View: A unique perspective from the residents of the weirdest town you will ever visit. A bit confusing but fleshes out through the plot.
Voice: The author does well to compel the reader through this one especially the first two or three chapters.
Character Development: If you are only interested in character development please pass this one as this one is more about plot than characters.
Plot: This is where Finnell shines the most. Throughout the book the plot is what drives you to read more and more and never give up.
Dialogue: Sometimes confusing and stilted but again the plot makes up for it.
Pacing: After the first two chapters you will fly through the pages with ease.
Setting: Haven, think Haven but with more of the weird. We know and are afraid of this town. Baile is twice as weird and somewhere out there.
Continuity: A few minor misses but nothing that completely pulls you out of the story.
Where to Find
Amazon
LuLu
Sony
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sundays with Halo by Jared Huber #11
Our eleventh installment of Sunday with Halo. Brought to you by Jared Huber from his youtube channel. So go ahead an visit his channel and make some comments. Do not forget to follow him.
Thanks for the contribution Jared.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Author Interviews: Henry F. Mazel author of The Plot Against Marlene Dietrich
About your book: The Plot Against Marlene Dietrich
I have four on Amazon: One written some years ago, Murderously Incorrect (Crime and Again Press), a trade paperback. As publishing seems to have become democratized, the other three are Indies for the Kindle. My latest is The Plot Against Marlene Dietrich --- I hope some people will become familiar with that. The other two are The Principal of Rivington Street, which has done quite well, and The Chooser
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Henry F. Mazel
Well, I'll speak to The plot Against Marlene Dietrich, which is the most current and some of my best work. It's notable in the sense it's historical fiction and the backgrounds are very accurate. The research took considerable time. And on top of that -- it's a good yarn.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way? If so, could you share one?
Henry F. Mazel
First, I guess (according to English profs) it's a novelette, but I dislike the terms. It's a long short story. I was very surprised to what lengths Marlene Dietrich went to rescue people from Nazi Germany, and the more I read the more I needed to read. It slowed down the writing process, that's for sure. Sometimes I get caught up in process.
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
Henry F. Mazel
I'd like readers to say that The Plot Against Marlene Dietrich is a good read, and it's historically accurate -- and a pretty fair detective story to boot. There's also a subtext -- about race and ethnicity. That would be great, if readers told others about some of these points. I'd rather have quality readers that are figuratively on the same page as I am.
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
Henry F. Mazel
Well, the ending is ambiguous, I like to do that, so the reader can draw his or her own conclusion. I'd very much enjoy readers discussing that, or the small details of the period might provoke discussion.
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
Henry F. Mazel
Shout about it from the rooftops! I certainly hope people would tell their friends, blog about the book, and write some reviews. They don''t have to be long or academic -- just thoughtful. I hope that's not asking too much; I realize most folks don't have so much time.
About You: Henry F. Mazel
FROM HENRY MAZEL: I'm writing mostly historical fiction these days, with a Jewish flavor; but certainly accessible to all. Two additional stories are now available for Kindle: The Principal of Rivington Street and The Chooser.
HENRY MAZEL ON AMAZON AUTHORS AND BOOKS:Never before have so few been exposed to so many at so affordable a cost.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Henry F. Mazel has written for The New York Times, and has published numerous stories and articles in his twenty-year career. His novel, Murderously Incorrect, won the OLMA award for first time mysteries. A play, Life and Other Games of Chance, was produced on Theatre Row in New York City.
He is a member of the Writers Guild of America and The Mystery Writers of America. He is also past professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at The City University of New York.
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
Henry F. Mazel
I suppose the stock answer is because I have to. But in reality it's slightly different. There's an old joke about a psychiatrist: A patient is on the couch and says he has a brother who thinks he's chicken. The psychiatrist asks. "Why don't you have him committed?" The patient responds, "I can't I need the eggs." So I guess the answer to your question as to why I write is, I need the eggs.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Henry F. Mazel
I suppose dialog. I'm good at that. I used to write screenplays for a living, so I'm very visual as well.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
Henry F. Mazel
Integrity. I do try to get it right, and I'm considerate of the reader. I don't write down.
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
Henry F. Mazel
I suppose I could say film. And I can't leave out love. Love comes first. It's important to share life's curves with someone, both the good curves and the bad. My characters are always searching for where they stand in the firmament, certainly that's a theme in all my work.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Henry F. Mazel
It's hard to pin down one thing. Besides the obvious - family. In the writing world, My play Life and Other Games of Chance had a good run off-Broadway. I'm very proud of that.
Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
Henry F. Mazel
I'm going to go back on this one. Aldous Huxley is not read as much as he used to be. His characters, too, were in search of themselves. He once said, "An intellectual is a person who's found one thing that's more interesting than sex." Now that's a great line. Also Kafka has faded. When I taught college classes, most of my students never heard of him. That's a great pity.
Intrigued by this interview? Then hop on over to Henry F. Mazel's blog or grab his book at the following:
Amazon
iTunes
Smashwords
I have four on Amazon: One written some years ago, Murderously Incorrect (Crime and Again Press), a trade paperback. As publishing seems to have become democratized, the other three are Indies for the Kindle. My latest is The Plot Against Marlene Dietrich --- I hope some people will become familiar with that. The other two are The Principal of Rivington Street, which has done quite well, and The Chooser
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Henry F. Mazel
Well, I'll speak to The plot Against Marlene Dietrich, which is the most current and some of my best work. It's notable in the sense it's historical fiction and the backgrounds are very accurate. The research took considerable time. And on top of that -- it's a good yarn.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way? If so, could you share one?
Henry F. Mazel
First, I guess (according to English profs) it's a novelette, but I dislike the terms. It's a long short story. I was very surprised to what lengths Marlene Dietrich went to rescue people from Nazi Germany, and the more I read the more I needed to read. It slowed down the writing process, that's for sure. Sometimes I get caught up in process.
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
Henry F. Mazel
I'd like readers to say that The Plot Against Marlene Dietrich is a good read, and it's historically accurate -- and a pretty fair detective story to boot. There's also a subtext -- about race and ethnicity. That would be great, if readers told others about some of these points. I'd rather have quality readers that are figuratively on the same page as I am.
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
Henry F. Mazel
Well, the ending is ambiguous, I like to do that, so the reader can draw his or her own conclusion. I'd very much enjoy readers discussing that, or the small details of the period might provoke discussion.
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
Henry F. Mazel
Shout about it from the rooftops! I certainly hope people would tell their friends, blog about the book, and write some reviews. They don''t have to be long or academic -- just thoughtful. I hope that's not asking too much; I realize most folks don't have so much time.
About You: Henry F. Mazel
FROM HENRY MAZEL: I'm writing mostly historical fiction these days, with a Jewish flavor; but certainly accessible to all. Two additional stories are now available for Kindle: The Principal of Rivington Street and The Chooser.
HENRY MAZEL ON AMAZON AUTHORS AND BOOKS:Never before have so few been exposed to so many at so affordable a cost.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Henry F. Mazel has written for The New York Times, and has published numerous stories and articles in his twenty-year career. His novel, Murderously Incorrect, won the OLMA award for first time mysteries. A play, Life and Other Games of Chance, was produced on Theatre Row in New York City.
He is a member of the Writers Guild of America and The Mystery Writers of America. He is also past professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at The City University of New York.
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
Henry F. Mazel
I suppose the stock answer is because I have to. But in reality it's slightly different. There's an old joke about a psychiatrist: A patient is on the couch and says he has a brother who thinks he's chicken. The psychiatrist asks. "Why don't you have him committed?" The patient responds, "I can't I need the eggs." So I guess the answer to your question as to why I write is, I need the eggs.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Henry F. Mazel
I suppose dialog. I'm good at that. I used to write screenplays for a living, so I'm very visual as well.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
Henry F. Mazel
Integrity. I do try to get it right, and I'm considerate of the reader. I don't write down.
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
Henry F. Mazel
I suppose I could say film. And I can't leave out love. Love comes first. It's important to share life's curves with someone, both the good curves and the bad. My characters are always searching for where they stand in the firmament, certainly that's a theme in all my work.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Henry F. Mazel
It's hard to pin down one thing. Besides the obvious - family. In the writing world, My play Life and Other Games of Chance had a good run off-Broadway. I'm very proud of that.
Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
Henry F. Mazel
I'm going to go back on this one. Aldous Huxley is not read as much as he used to be. His characters, too, were in search of themselves. He once said, "An intellectual is a person who's found one thing that's more interesting than sex." Now that's a great line. Also Kafka has faded. When I taught college classes, most of my students never heard of him. That's a great pity.
Intrigued by this interview? Then hop on over to Henry F. Mazel's blog or grab his book at the following:
Amazon
iTunes
Smashwords
Friday, October 28, 2011
Book Review: Emerald (World of Samar) by M. L. Hamilton
Description from Amazon
In one terrible instant, Kai is thrown from his privileged life and plunged into a conflict that began before he was born. Worse yet, he learns that the one man who can help him is his enemy.
Kiameron is the crown prince of DiNolfol. He is torn between two destinies - assuming the crown upon his father's death or answering the call of his non-Human traits, abilities associated with the mysterious Stravad.
The decision is made for him with the destruction of everything he holds dear. Armed with his burgeoning powers and a mysterious talisman that he does not know how to use, Kai strikes back at Gava, the despot who destroyed his life.
Crippled by self-doubt and fear, he falters in his quest, until he meets a man who forces him to take action. However, his new ally is hiding secrets, secrets that will rob Kai of everything he holds sacred.
Review
Overall Feedback: This is an awesome read. That just about sums up the book there but wait I have more. The author exceeds in drawing you into their world and holding on til the last incredible page.
Point of View: Be the hero and save your world.
Voice: Once again Hamilton exceeds expectations.
Character Development: You will find yourself sweating out each fight right along side or hero.
Plot: Action packed with intrigue at every page.
Dialogue: Added depth to the characters and drove the story home.
Pacing: Seemed like non stop and fast paced page turning action.
Setting: Pushing you to the edge of your imagination and begs for more.
Continuity: Simply perfect.
Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
In one terrible instant, Kai is thrown from his privileged life and plunged into a conflict that began before he was born. Worse yet, he learns that the one man who can help him is his enemy.
Kiameron is the crown prince of DiNolfol. He is torn between two destinies - assuming the crown upon his father's death or answering the call of his non-Human traits, abilities associated with the mysterious Stravad.
The decision is made for him with the destruction of everything he holds dear. Armed with his burgeoning powers and a mysterious talisman that he does not know how to use, Kai strikes back at Gava, the despot who destroyed his life.
Crippled by self-doubt and fear, he falters in his quest, until he meets a man who forces him to take action. However, his new ally is hiding secrets, secrets that will rob Kai of everything he holds sacred.
Review
Overall Feedback: This is an awesome read. That just about sums up the book there but wait I have more. The author exceeds in drawing you into their world and holding on til the last incredible page.
Point of View: Be the hero and save your world.
Voice: Once again Hamilton exceeds expectations.
Character Development: You will find yourself sweating out each fight right along side or hero.
Plot: Action packed with intrigue at every page.
Dialogue: Added depth to the characters and drove the story home.
Pacing: Seemed like non stop and fast paced page turning action.
Setting: Pushing you to the edge of your imagination and begs for more.
Continuity: Simply perfect.
Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
Book Review: Cycles of Salvation History: A Short Overview on the Historicity of the Bible by Ulrich Utiger
Description from Amazon
The Bible was written during the centuries between the Exodus - assuming that Moses was its first contributor - and early Christianity. It gives statements regarding the past, present and future relative to this period. This is why biblical historicity must be verified on these three levels:
The past is related to the question whether the Genesis account of creation accords with modern science. Three mainstreams are concurring with each other on this level. The first is hold by young earth creationists taking every word of the Bible literally challenging thus modern science, the second is embraced by those who try to conciliate Genesis with science and the third by those who relegate Genesis to mythology refusing it any scientific authenticity. The present book defends the second view proposing to go deeper into the details by interpreting Genesis according to multiple references thus solving some important inconsistencies.
The present of the Bible is a historical issue applying to ancient Israel. On this level, it is shown that salvation history is recurring through cycles of four typical phases: peace, sin, judgment and return to peace. Applying this to real history yields four cycles centered respectively around the straying of Israel in the desert during forty years after the Exodus, the deportation by the Assyrians and later the Babylonians, and finally the persecutions through Antiochus Epiphanes.
The future the Bible is foretelling relates to the history of the Church and the world up to the end times. It can be shown that the central biblical message, salvation of mankind, recurs throughout the whole Bible in such a typical and coherent manner as if its seventy books had been written by a single author, which is probably the strongest argument for the authenticity of the Bible. Based on this result, a possible answer to the purpose of Mary's apparitions around the world is finally given.
Review
Overall Feedback: Although this is in the non fiction genre and also about religion, I would not label it a dry read. I was impressed by the comparisons made and the author's division of the scripture. This may not be the view of the majority but it will and shall open the door of discussion. A good pick for those studying the bible.
Point of View:Typical of any non fiction book.
Voice: The author obviously put a lot of thought and research into this and it shows along with his enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Character Development: Not graded in non fiction book.
Plot: Being a non fiction book it is more about information than plot. With that said the information is well thought out and researched.
Dialogue: Not graded for non fiction books.
Pacing: Although I appreciate the information and was interested in the point of view I thought that it did seem to drag a bit.
Setting: Again not graded for non fiction.
Continuity: The subject is covered clearly and concisely and the author only leaves questions that have purpose in opening more discussion.
Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
The Bible was written during the centuries between the Exodus - assuming that Moses was its first contributor - and early Christianity. It gives statements regarding the past, present and future relative to this period. This is why biblical historicity must be verified on these three levels:
The past is related to the question whether the Genesis account of creation accords with modern science. Three mainstreams are concurring with each other on this level. The first is hold by young earth creationists taking every word of the Bible literally challenging thus modern science, the second is embraced by those who try to conciliate Genesis with science and the third by those who relegate Genesis to mythology refusing it any scientific authenticity. The present book defends the second view proposing to go deeper into the details by interpreting Genesis according to multiple references thus solving some important inconsistencies.
The present of the Bible is a historical issue applying to ancient Israel. On this level, it is shown that salvation history is recurring through cycles of four typical phases: peace, sin, judgment and return to peace. Applying this to real history yields four cycles centered respectively around the straying of Israel in the desert during forty years after the Exodus, the deportation by the Assyrians and later the Babylonians, and finally the persecutions through Antiochus Epiphanes.
The future the Bible is foretelling relates to the history of the Church and the world up to the end times. It can be shown that the central biblical message, salvation of mankind, recurs throughout the whole Bible in such a typical and coherent manner as if its seventy books had been written by a single author, which is probably the strongest argument for the authenticity of the Bible. Based on this result, a possible answer to the purpose of Mary's apparitions around the world is finally given.
Review
Overall Feedback: Although this is in the non fiction genre and also about religion, I would not label it a dry read. I was impressed by the comparisons made and the author's division of the scripture. This may not be the view of the majority but it will and shall open the door of discussion. A good pick for those studying the bible.
Point of View:Typical of any non fiction book.
Voice: The author obviously put a lot of thought and research into this and it shows along with his enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Character Development: Not graded in non fiction book.
Plot: Being a non fiction book it is more about information than plot. With that said the information is well thought out and researched.
Dialogue: Not graded for non fiction books.
Pacing: Although I appreciate the information and was interested in the point of view I thought that it did seem to drag a bit.
Setting: Again not graded for non fiction.
Continuity: The subject is covered clearly and concisely and the author only leaves questions that have purpose in opening more discussion.
Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Author Interview: Shayna Gier author of Stuck in Estrogen's Funhouse
About your book: Stuck in Estrogen's Funhouse
Stuck in Estrogen's Funhouse is about a young woman named Marti MacCale who is happily married and works as a bartender. When the story starts Marti has quit taking the birth control shot because the price went up and even the best bartenders aren't given health insurance with their job, so it's just not affordable. Without the birth control shot, Marti and her husband are anxiously waiting each month to find out whether or not they are pregnant. Her period no where in site, her body starts acting pregnant, despite numerous negative tests, and Marti finds herself falling for a young college guy at work. With everything else being turned topsy-turvy in her life, the last thing Marti needs is for her marriage to fall apart.
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Shayna Gier
The realness of the characters. Each of the characters have their own distinct personality and each of them stand out in their own way. As their creator, I'm very much in love with each of them, and even found myself wanting to see Erik and Marti together, despite the fact that she is Spencer's wife. I think the story does an excellent job at putting you in the characters' head. My editor said she had to read through it twice before editing because she cried the first time.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?
Shayna Gier
Yes, I have. I had a wonderful chat with my long-time best friend and fellow writer, D. Justine, after she finished reading my book. It was a delightful chat! We were able to talk about the characters and different scenes, and that was the first time I ever engaged in an author-reader chat, as the author. It was surreal. Anyways, when I asked her if she liked it she replied that, "It made me want to hang out, have a drink (and some nachos) with the characters." That really made my day.
Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
Shayna Gier
I don't know that researching really taught me anything, or even the actual writing. This was an experimental writing. I was participating in NaNoWriMo, that's National Novel Writing Month for those of you who don't know, and the story went through many metamorphoses throughout the month. But throughout it all I was writing completely uncensored. If the character said something, that's what was said. Which was a very different approach than I usually took, and I think what made this book able to be published. The characters aren't diluted down, they aren't goody-two-shoe innocent characters. They are people, with opinions and personalities that were not dulled down or covered. So I think the best thing that I learned when writing this, was to value the art of writing.
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
Shayna Gier
That they felt like the characters were their friends. I wrote it with no other purpose than to write what came to me. Having read through it many times, I can say that I published it because I wanted others to get to know these characters that I had come to know and love. I think that plot is important, and you can't write a book without some sort of problem that needs solved, but it's the characters that drive a story. It's the characters that personalize and make each story unique, even though the plot lines probably aren't. So if the reader connects with the characters and falls in love with one or more of them, then I did my job. Bonus if they actually liked the story.
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
Shayna Gier
I think the one question that readers can come away with is the same question that most ask anyways during the course of reading a book- namely, "What would I do?" Marti faces the issue of being in love with her husband, and falling for another guy out of her control. Is it fate? Did she make a mistake marrying Spencer? Too often I think that people assume when you get married you just won't want to look at other guys, or girls if you are a guy. That's just not true, and I think a lot of divorces and marital splits could be avoided if people realized that, as Crystal (Marti's best friend) says, "being married doesn't mean other men don't notice you". You still have to deal with hormones and all kinds of attraction and chemistry, even if the love of your life is in your bed every night.
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
Shayna Gier
Pass it on to their friends. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Formspring, Goodreads, or use ond of those venues to tell me the latest and greatest social networking site that I can use to reach more people.
About You: Shayna Gier
I'm 22 and have been writing most of my life. My goal was to be published at 30, I set that goal when I was 20. At the time I had the idea that I would go with the traditional route of publishing, so I didn't dream that I'd be able to hold a paperback copy of something I wrote until way in the distant future. I also work full time at Citigroup and read whenever I get the chance. It's difficult because I always feel like I either read, and have no time to write, or write and have no time to read.
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
Shayna Gier
I write for the enjoyment of it. I love getting to know all the characters and I just have to put them down in writing. I have to let them live outside of my head. I get so wrapped up in their stories as they reveal it to me, that I become my first reader and I feel compelled to share their story with others.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Shayna Gier
Bringing the characters to life. This is kind of contradictory, and I'm not sure how it works because I've been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and part of that is that supposedly I can't read others... I can't understand life outside of my own thoughts/feelings. I say supposedly, but the truth is that I can't. I often say something that everyone thinks- and others in my life look at me like "who thinks like that?" and I flounder around until I just say. "well... I know I do." So given that it's difficult for me to "walk in another's shoes" or see into their perspective, it's odd that I see into the characters so clearly and can make them be so real, despite not having that ability in real life.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
Shayna Gier
My honesty. I am incredibly honest, almost to a fault. If I tell even a little tiny white lie my conscious goes crazy. It's like I have committed murder or something by saying I like orange when in fact I hate it. This trait can be annoying at times, when i don't want to say the absolute truth, but when all is said and done, I think that my honesty is a good thing, and that it is better to be honest than to lie and make others believe you are someone you aren't or believe something you don't.
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
Shayna Gier
Reading. I love to read. I'll read anything as long as it's punchy and not run-of-the-mill. Vampire? Fine, just put a new spin on it. I love Richelle Mead's works. Chick Lit- okay! Just don't make it fluffy. I love attitude and stuff that when I'm done reading it I think "I want a book like that' and when I look into it, I can't find another book like it anywhere. It may drive me insane, but I also love it. Besides reading... I'm pretty passionate about my Mac products. I write on my MAC book, which is the oldest computer I've ever had at over 2.5 years old, and my life is on my iPhone. When my husband stepped on my MAC book on accident (don't ask- long story) and busted the screen I flipped out. He actually asked me, in all seriousness, if I would freak like that if he was mortally wounded. I'm sad to say I hesitated before saying of course I would.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Shayna Gier
D Justine! She's just decided to publish her NaNoWriMo story on Amazon and I've been a long time fan of hers. It's how we met. I really hope to see her make it as an author!
Intrigued by this interview? Well find out more about Shayna Gier on her website or Facebook Page/Twitter or check out her book at the following places:
Amazon
Smashwords
CreateSpace
Stuck in Estrogen's Funhouse is about a young woman named Marti MacCale who is happily married and works as a bartender. When the story starts Marti has quit taking the birth control shot because the price went up and even the best bartenders aren't given health insurance with their job, so it's just not affordable. Without the birth control shot, Marti and her husband are anxiously waiting each month to find out whether or not they are pregnant. Her period no where in site, her body starts acting pregnant, despite numerous negative tests, and Marti finds herself falling for a young college guy at work. With everything else being turned topsy-turvy in her life, the last thing Marti needs is for her marriage to fall apart.
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Shayna Gier
The realness of the characters. Each of the characters have their own distinct personality and each of them stand out in their own way. As their creator, I'm very much in love with each of them, and even found myself wanting to see Erik and Marti together, despite the fact that she is Spencer's wife. I think the story does an excellent job at putting you in the characters' head. My editor said she had to read through it twice before editing because she cried the first time.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?
Shayna Gier
Yes, I have. I had a wonderful chat with my long-time best friend and fellow writer, D. Justine, after she finished reading my book. It was a delightful chat! We were able to talk about the characters and different scenes, and that was the first time I ever engaged in an author-reader chat, as the author. It was surreal. Anyways, when I asked her if she liked it she replied that, "It made me want to hang out, have a drink (and some nachos) with the characters." That really made my day.
Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
Shayna Gier
I don't know that researching really taught me anything, or even the actual writing. This was an experimental writing. I was participating in NaNoWriMo, that's National Novel Writing Month for those of you who don't know, and the story went through many metamorphoses throughout the month. But throughout it all I was writing completely uncensored. If the character said something, that's what was said. Which was a very different approach than I usually took, and I think what made this book able to be published. The characters aren't diluted down, they aren't goody-two-shoe innocent characters. They are people, with opinions and personalities that were not dulled down or covered. So I think the best thing that I learned when writing this, was to value the art of writing.
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
Shayna Gier
That they felt like the characters were their friends. I wrote it with no other purpose than to write what came to me. Having read through it many times, I can say that I published it because I wanted others to get to know these characters that I had come to know and love. I think that plot is important, and you can't write a book without some sort of problem that needs solved, but it's the characters that drive a story. It's the characters that personalize and make each story unique, even though the plot lines probably aren't. So if the reader connects with the characters and falls in love with one or more of them, then I did my job. Bonus if they actually liked the story.
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
Shayna Gier
I think the one question that readers can come away with is the same question that most ask anyways during the course of reading a book- namely, "What would I do?" Marti faces the issue of being in love with her husband, and falling for another guy out of her control. Is it fate? Did she make a mistake marrying Spencer? Too often I think that people assume when you get married you just won't want to look at other guys, or girls if you are a guy. That's just not true, and I think a lot of divorces and marital splits could be avoided if people realized that, as Crystal (Marti's best friend) says, "being married doesn't mean other men don't notice you". You still have to deal with hormones and all kinds of attraction and chemistry, even if the love of your life is in your bed every night.
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
Shayna Gier
Pass it on to their friends. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Formspring, Goodreads, or use ond of those venues to tell me the latest and greatest social networking site that I can use to reach more people.
About You: Shayna Gier
I'm 22 and have been writing most of my life. My goal was to be published at 30, I set that goal when I was 20. At the time I had the idea that I would go with the traditional route of publishing, so I didn't dream that I'd be able to hold a paperback copy of something I wrote until way in the distant future. I also work full time at Citigroup and read whenever I get the chance. It's difficult because I always feel like I either read, and have no time to write, or write and have no time to read.
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
Shayna Gier
I write for the enjoyment of it. I love getting to know all the characters and I just have to put them down in writing. I have to let them live outside of my head. I get so wrapped up in their stories as they reveal it to me, that I become my first reader and I feel compelled to share their story with others.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Shayna Gier
Bringing the characters to life. This is kind of contradictory, and I'm not sure how it works because I've been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and part of that is that supposedly I can't read others... I can't understand life outside of my own thoughts/feelings. I say supposedly, but the truth is that I can't. I often say something that everyone thinks- and others in my life look at me like "who thinks like that?" and I flounder around until I just say. "well... I know I do." So given that it's difficult for me to "walk in another's shoes" or see into their perspective, it's odd that I see into the characters so clearly and can make them be so real, despite not having that ability in real life.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
Shayna Gier
My honesty. I am incredibly honest, almost to a fault. If I tell even a little tiny white lie my conscious goes crazy. It's like I have committed murder or something by saying I like orange when in fact I hate it. This trait can be annoying at times, when i don't want to say the absolute truth, but when all is said and done, I think that my honesty is a good thing, and that it is better to be honest than to lie and make others believe you are someone you aren't or believe something you don't.
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
Shayna Gier
Reading. I love to read. I'll read anything as long as it's punchy and not run-of-the-mill. Vampire? Fine, just put a new spin on it. I love Richelle Mead's works. Chick Lit- okay! Just don't make it fluffy. I love attitude and stuff that when I'm done reading it I think "I want a book like that' and when I look into it, I can't find another book like it anywhere. It may drive me insane, but I also love it. Besides reading... I'm pretty passionate about my Mac products. I write on my MAC book, which is the oldest computer I've ever had at over 2.5 years old, and my life is on my iPhone. When my husband stepped on my MAC book on accident (don't ask- long story) and busted the screen I flipped out. He actually asked me, in all seriousness, if I would freak like that if he was mortally wounded. I'm sad to say I hesitated before saying of course I would.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Shayna Gier
D Justine! She's just decided to publish her NaNoWriMo story on Amazon and I've been a long time fan of hers. It's how we met. I really hope to see her make it as an author!
Intrigued by this interview? Well find out more about Shayna Gier on her website or Facebook Page/Twitter or check out her book at the following places:
Amazon
Smashwords
CreateSpace
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Book Review: The Fat Kid's Wolfy Revenge: Not for the Weak Hearted or Mature Minded by Kristian J. Hanson
Description from Amazon
High School Sucks! Remember those days? Those times that parents and teachers call the awkward years that for some of us go on and on forever. Every day of those four years is a popularity contest that you can never win and many times can't even crack the top half.
Joe is that guy; his high school career will be defined by a Prom that he hasn't found a date to. No date, no money, crappy car, crappier loser friends, all the ingredients of a teenage angst recipe until one night changes Joe's life forever. A life that has been defined by horror movies, video games and teenage sex fantasies will turn upside down when Joe comes face to face with a .............werewolf.
What would any teenage suburban boy do when faced with the terrifying reality of a murderous lycanthrope loose in his town? Call the police? Tell his parents? Contact Discovery Network? No to all. Joe writes a blog following the trail of the beast and highlighting it's barbaric butchering of bad boys and bimbos in bloody gore-a-vision.
Joe's life suddenly turns around. Popular blog, rich girlfriend, werewolf friend, date to the prom and a master plan to keep things going his way. This is not your little sister's romantic horror novel but a full throttled man-beast action thrill ride not for the squeamish. Read away, if you dare, but remember always chew your food and silicone implants can be choking hazards.
Review
Overall Feedback: So as every other review states, what we have here is not your typical werewolf novel. Joe is that high school kid will all try to forget was us and the werewolf is his ticket to the good life. Well high school good life as it is and Joe does his all fire best to keep it that way. Very refreshing addition to the genre and really not what I expected.
Point of View: You get to step back in time and relive your high school days but you are saved by doing so through the eyes of Joe.
Voice: Absolutely funny and satirical. Adds to the story if you read the book this way.
Character Development: Perfect development and you get the real feelings careening back from high school days.
Plot: Rich and funny.
Dialogue: We were all there once and Kristian hits on it perfectly.
Pacing: Non stop action, gore, comedy and popularity. Everything you could want in high school.
Setting: I knew there was something going on in Gilbert, AZ.
Continuity: Hanson did not miss a beat, drawn in to the story and held til the end.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
OutSkirts Press
High School Sucks! Remember those days? Those times that parents and teachers call the awkward years that for some of us go on and on forever. Every day of those four years is a popularity contest that you can never win and many times can't even crack the top half.
Joe is that guy; his high school career will be defined by a Prom that he hasn't found a date to. No date, no money, crappy car, crappier loser friends, all the ingredients of a teenage angst recipe until one night changes Joe's life forever. A life that has been defined by horror movies, video games and teenage sex fantasies will turn upside down when Joe comes face to face with a .............werewolf.
What would any teenage suburban boy do when faced with the terrifying reality of a murderous lycanthrope loose in his town? Call the police? Tell his parents? Contact Discovery Network? No to all. Joe writes a blog following the trail of the beast and highlighting it's barbaric butchering of bad boys and bimbos in bloody gore-a-vision.
Joe's life suddenly turns around. Popular blog, rich girlfriend, werewolf friend, date to the prom and a master plan to keep things going his way. This is not your little sister's romantic horror novel but a full throttled man-beast action thrill ride not for the squeamish. Read away, if you dare, but remember always chew your food and silicone implants can be choking hazards.
Review
Overall Feedback: So as every other review states, what we have here is not your typical werewolf novel. Joe is that high school kid will all try to forget was us and the werewolf is his ticket to the good life. Well high school good life as it is and Joe does his all fire best to keep it that way. Very refreshing addition to the genre and really not what I expected.
Point of View: You get to step back in time and relive your high school days but you are saved by doing so through the eyes of Joe.
Voice: Absolutely funny and satirical. Adds to the story if you read the book this way.
Character Development: Perfect development and you get the real feelings careening back from high school days.
Plot: Rich and funny.
Dialogue: We were all there once and Kristian hits on it perfectly.
Pacing: Non stop action, gore, comedy and popularity. Everything you could want in high school.
Setting: I knew there was something going on in Gilbert, AZ.
Continuity: Hanson did not miss a beat, drawn in to the story and held til the end.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
OutSkirts Press
Book Review: Abe's Lucky Day by Jill Warren
Description from Amazon
Any day can be a lucky day.
Abe is a homeless man who lives in the alley behind a bakery and winter is coming. What will happen on his lucky day that will change his life?
Review
Overall Feedback: I very much recommend this book for all adults to buy for every child they can. It teaches our children that it is always better to give to those less fortunate than us when we have what we need. Your child will love each page and each illustration.
Point of View: You are Abe, a homeless man, finding he is in his luckiest day. But always willing to help others.
Voice: Teaches children that giving is always the best thing we can do.
Character Development: Abe will endear himself to both you and your children.
Plot: I love lucky days and so will your children.
Dialogue: Not really applicable.
Pacing: Perfect for children and their short attention span.
Setting: Everybody deserves a lucky day and everybody should be so generous.
Continuity: No issues whatsoever.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Any day can be a lucky day.
Abe is a homeless man who lives in the alley behind a bakery and winter is coming. What will happen on his lucky day that will change his life?
Review
Overall Feedback: I very much recommend this book for all adults to buy for every child they can. It teaches our children that it is always better to give to those less fortunate than us when we have what we need. Your child will love each page and each illustration.
Point of View: You are Abe, a homeless man, finding he is in his luckiest day. But always willing to help others.
Voice: Teaches children that giving is always the best thing we can do.
Character Development: Abe will endear himself to both you and your children.
Plot: I love lucky days and so will your children.
Dialogue: Not really applicable.
Pacing: Perfect for children and their short attention span.
Setting: Everybody deserves a lucky day and everybody should be so generous.
Continuity: No issues whatsoever.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Book Review: Nowhere Hair by Sue Glader
Description from Amazon
A vibrantly and poignantly illustrated book that focuses on explaining the loss of hair due to chemotherapy. Explains hats, scarves, wigs, going bald in public, and the idea that what is inside of us is far more important than how we look on the outside. Appropriate for ages 3 to 12. One of two books LIVESTRONG.ORG recently recommended to help explain cancer to children.
Review
Overall Feedback: A perfect choice for any adult that is trying to explain to a child the nightmare that is cancer. This book is perfect for any child that has been affected by such and everyone should be getting their copy now.
Point of View: Narrator as with most children's books.
Voice: Perfection for children.
Character Development: Not really applicable.
Plot: A good way to help children understand chemotherapy.
Dialogue: Not really applicable.
Pacing: Perfect for children of all ages.
Setting: A great start for a child's introduction to cancer.
Continuity: Perfection for any children's book.
Where to Find
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book's Website
A vibrantly and poignantly illustrated book that focuses on explaining the loss of hair due to chemotherapy. Explains hats, scarves, wigs, going bald in public, and the idea that what is inside of us is far more important than how we look on the outside. Appropriate for ages 3 to 12. One of two books LIVESTRONG.ORG recently recommended to help explain cancer to children.
Review
Overall Feedback: A perfect choice for any adult that is trying to explain to a child the nightmare that is cancer. This book is perfect for any child that has been affected by such and everyone should be getting their copy now.
Point of View: Narrator as with most children's books.
Voice: Perfection for children.
Character Development: Not really applicable.
Plot: A good way to help children understand chemotherapy.
Dialogue: Not really applicable.
Pacing: Perfect for children of all ages.
Setting: A great start for a child's introduction to cancer.
Continuity: Perfection for any children's book.
Where to Find
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book's Website
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
IWU Blog Tour: Interview With Mike Cooley author of The Crystal Warrior (Legend Of The Crystals)
Please help us welcome Mike Cooley to our blog! Also help support IWU on Facebook by joining!
Free Book Reviews
If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?
Mike Cooley
The Larch!
Free Book Reviews
If you were a Star Trek® [or Star Wars® ] character, which one would it be?
Mike Cooley
Spock. He was a big hero of mine when I was growing up. I had a fascination with logic. This is going to sound really twisted, but I even used to emulate the way he walked (without swinging his arms). It's amazing how little of a difference a person has to make in their behavior in order to be perceived as "alien". Even today there are a lot of lessons to learn from Spock. Everything from controlling your emotions to having the same fight music start playing every time you get pissed off.
Free Book Reviews
What is your favorite color?
Mike Cooley
Dark blue. Closely followed by black. I can't stand white cars. They scream type A personality.
Free Book Reviews
You are invited to a large cocktail party at a country club. When you arrive, the room where the party is being held is already over half full of people. How do they react to you when you enter the room?
Mike Cooley
I think most of them wouldn't notice me since I'm not one for making a grand entrance. Some of the girls would shoot me knowing looks that would make me search my memories frantically for current and past lifetime information. I would immediately start trying to place names to the faces since I am terrible at that.
Free Book Reviews
Why are manhole covers round?
Mike Cooley
It all goes back to the Romans. Just like railroad tracks being the width of chariot wheels, manhole covers are round because it was easier for pythons to push them off with their heads and gobble down the peasants. It also made a much cooler noise, since the cover would roll around in a circle scaring the bejesus out of the populace whenever the pythons attacked.
Wait a minute! Romans? Pythons? Tap Tap Tap -- I think my Hitchhikers Guide is on the blink again....
Free Book Reviews
What is your favorite drink?
Mike Cooley
I like my drinks like I like my women: strong and bitter with great head. (India Pale Ale)
Free Book Reviews
What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Mike Cooley
Upstairs or downstairs? Downstairs it's full of diet pop and leftovers. Upstairs has more diversity, containing condiments, milk, and other things that must be kept cool like my Harmonic Generator Intermodulator and a bottle of fusion.
Free Book Reviews
What is the last book you read?
Mike Cooley
Ghosts Can Bleed by Tracie McBride (very good and indie).
Free Book Reviews
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be?
Mike Cooley
Dr. Who (Matt Stone reign [Amy Pond = yum]).
Free Book Reviews
What was the last movie you went to see?
Mike Cooley
I rarely make it out to the movies anymore. Unless I count kid movies I go see with my 11-year-old it would probably be Inception (which I loved).
Free Book Reviews
What is your favorite movie (song)?
Mike Cooley
I have a lot of favorites. Bladerunner would be at the top most days. I love Phillip K. Dick stories and ideas. Song is a lot tougher. I'll have to go with Valium 10 by Hawkwind. Very tribal.
Free Book Reviews
If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what would you want?
Mike Cooley
Immortality. Or do you mean which position? Janitor.
Free Book Reviews
If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?
Mike Cooley
Elric of Melniboné.
Free Book Reviews
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Mike Cooley
Nicole Kidman.
Free Book Reviews
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Mike Cooley
Invisibility and control of electronic devices from a distance.
Free Book Reviews
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Mike Cooley
The Fifth Horseman of Sardonica.
Free Book Reviews
If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?
Mike Cooley
Sleep.
Free Book Reviews
If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?
Mike Cooley
Ham sandwich with crazy sauce.
Free Book Reviews
If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have?
Mike Cooley
Ten Thousand Island.
Free Book Reviews
If you were written about in the newspaper, on the front page, what would the headline say?
Mike Cooley
Naked Homeless Man Runs Amok
Free Book Reviews
What makes you angry?
Mike Cooley
Mysogynism. One issue voters. Yanni. People who don't understand sarcasm.
Now on to your book:
Title of your book?
The Crystal Warrior
Description?
If you love page turning, action adventure with a strong female lead, you will love The Crystal Warrior!
Larissya’s life changes forever when her Grandmother gives her a magic crystal that shows her glimpses of the future. Hunted by mercenaries and an evil group known as the Triad, she is rescued by a large brute of a man named Talos and his band of diminutive followers.
She soon discovers that everyone thinks she is the one referred to in legend as The Crystal Warrior. And that her destiny is to gather the magic crystals and lead an epic battle against the Triad. A battle that will determine the fate of Agorai itself. But she doesn’t yet believe that she is the one.
The Triad has other plans. Plans that involve capturing the crystals and using their powers for themselves. Plans that involve murder, madness and pain. They have been waiting a long, long time for the Warrior to awaken.
From the magic swords Shakari and Antare, to the gigantic reptilian bird known as Taradahn, to the mysterious worm of power called Ishak, to the magnificent tree city of Frizl, Larissya’s story is full of wonder—and darkness.
Will she triumph over the forces of evil?
Will she obtain the power of the crystals?
Will she be able to save her friends?
Or will they die at her side?
Links of where it can be found.
Amazon
Amazon UK
Smashwords
Your Blog/website
http://mikecooleyfiction.com
Free Book Reviews
If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?
Mike Cooley
The Larch!
Free Book Reviews
If you were a Star Trek® [or Star Wars® ] character, which one would it be?
Mike Cooley
Spock. He was a big hero of mine when I was growing up. I had a fascination with logic. This is going to sound really twisted, but I even used to emulate the way he walked (without swinging his arms). It's amazing how little of a difference a person has to make in their behavior in order to be perceived as "alien". Even today there are a lot of lessons to learn from Spock. Everything from controlling your emotions to having the same fight music start playing every time you get pissed off.
Free Book Reviews
What is your favorite color?
Mike Cooley
Dark blue. Closely followed by black. I can't stand white cars. They scream type A personality.
Free Book Reviews
You are invited to a large cocktail party at a country club. When you arrive, the room where the party is being held is already over half full of people. How do they react to you when you enter the room?
Mike Cooley
I think most of them wouldn't notice me since I'm not one for making a grand entrance. Some of the girls would shoot me knowing looks that would make me search my memories frantically for current and past lifetime information. I would immediately start trying to place names to the faces since I am terrible at that.
Free Book Reviews
Why are manhole covers round?
Mike Cooley
It all goes back to the Romans. Just like railroad tracks being the width of chariot wheels, manhole covers are round because it was easier for pythons to push them off with their heads and gobble down the peasants. It also made a much cooler noise, since the cover would roll around in a circle scaring the bejesus out of the populace whenever the pythons attacked.
Wait a minute! Romans? Pythons? Tap Tap Tap -- I think my Hitchhikers Guide is on the blink again....
Free Book Reviews
What is your favorite drink?
Mike Cooley
I like my drinks like I like my women: strong and bitter with great head. (India Pale Ale)
Free Book Reviews
What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Mike Cooley
Upstairs or downstairs? Downstairs it's full of diet pop and leftovers. Upstairs has more diversity, containing condiments, milk, and other things that must be kept cool like my Harmonic Generator Intermodulator and a bottle of fusion.
Free Book Reviews
What is the last book you read?
Mike Cooley
Ghosts Can Bleed by Tracie McBride (very good and indie).
Free Book Reviews
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. with whom would it be?
Mike Cooley
Dr. Who (Matt Stone reign [Amy Pond = yum]).
Free Book Reviews
What was the last movie you went to see?
Mike Cooley
I rarely make it out to the movies anymore. Unless I count kid movies I go see with my 11-year-old it would probably be Inception (which I loved).
Free Book Reviews
What is your favorite movie (song)?
Mike Cooley
I have a lot of favorites. Bladerunner would be at the top most days. I love Phillip K. Dick stories and ideas. Song is a lot tougher. I'll have to go with Valium 10 by Hawkwind. Very tribal.
Free Book Reviews
If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what would you want?
Mike Cooley
Immortality. Or do you mean which position? Janitor.
Free Book Reviews
If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?
Mike Cooley
Elric of Melniboné.
Free Book Reviews
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Mike Cooley
Nicole Kidman.
Free Book Reviews
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Mike Cooley
Invisibility and control of electronic devices from a distance.
Free Book Reviews
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Mike Cooley
The Fifth Horseman of Sardonica.
Free Book Reviews
If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?
Mike Cooley
Sleep.
Free Book Reviews
If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?
Mike Cooley
Ham sandwich with crazy sauce.
Free Book Reviews
If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have?
Mike Cooley
Ten Thousand Island.
Free Book Reviews
If you were written about in the newspaper, on the front page, what would the headline say?
Mike Cooley
Naked Homeless Man Runs Amok
Free Book Reviews
What makes you angry?
Mike Cooley
Mysogynism. One issue voters. Yanni. People who don't understand sarcasm.
Now on to your book:
Title of your book?
The Crystal Warrior
Description?
If you love page turning, action adventure with a strong female lead, you will love The Crystal Warrior!
Larissya’s life changes forever when her Grandmother gives her a magic crystal that shows her glimpses of the future. Hunted by mercenaries and an evil group known as the Triad, she is rescued by a large brute of a man named Talos and his band of diminutive followers.
She soon discovers that everyone thinks she is the one referred to in legend as The Crystal Warrior. And that her destiny is to gather the magic crystals and lead an epic battle against the Triad. A battle that will determine the fate of Agorai itself. But she doesn’t yet believe that she is the one.
The Triad has other plans. Plans that involve capturing the crystals and using their powers for themselves. Plans that involve murder, madness and pain. They have been waiting a long, long time for the Warrior to awaken.
From the magic swords Shakari and Antare, to the gigantic reptilian bird known as Taradahn, to the mysterious worm of power called Ishak, to the magnificent tree city of Frizl, Larissya’s story is full of wonder—and darkness.
Will she triumph over the forces of evil?
Will she obtain the power of the crystals?
Will she be able to save her friends?
Or will they die at her side?
Links of where it can be found.
Amazon
Amazon UK
Smashwords
Your Blog/website
http://mikecooleyfiction.com
Monday, October 24, 2011
Book Review: A New Name for Worthless: A Hero is Born by Rocky Shepheard
Description from Amazon
Worthless is a chained dog who has never lived inside the house. He suffers through cold winters and hot summers only with the help of his two friends Otto and Sly Fox. His friends plot to free him and they set off on an adventure to look for a new life somewhere where there are no chains. They search for days in snow and ice until they find a place on the edge of a pond to hunker down for the winter. But fate intervenes and presents an opportunity for Worthless to finally prove to himself that he is worthy of love and a good home. Will Worthless have the courage to face his fears and become the dog he has always wanted to be?
Review
Overall Feedback: Wonderful illustrations with a beautiful story that will draw children in and maybe teach them something to boot. As parents it is hard to find books that teach how to be good to all creatures and here is one that does just that. Go ahead and grab this one quick. You will not be sorry.
Point of View: You are Worthless (a dog) and will experience just a small part his life.
Voice: Absolutely perfect.
Character Development: Your children will be all to quick to want to help Worthless before they even get to the end.
Plot: Designed to teach a lesson and a lesson it teaches.
Dialogue: I knew dogs could talk to each other.
Pacing: Perfect for our next generation of reviewers.
Setting: Sets the tone and holds it throughout.
Continuity: I do not think your children nor you will find any problems, as I did not.
Where to Find
Amazon
Google Books
Dogs Deserve Better
Worthless is a chained dog who has never lived inside the house. He suffers through cold winters and hot summers only with the help of his two friends Otto and Sly Fox. His friends plot to free him and they set off on an adventure to look for a new life somewhere where there are no chains. They search for days in snow and ice until they find a place on the edge of a pond to hunker down for the winter. But fate intervenes and presents an opportunity for Worthless to finally prove to himself that he is worthy of love and a good home. Will Worthless have the courage to face his fears and become the dog he has always wanted to be?
Review
Overall Feedback: Wonderful illustrations with a beautiful story that will draw children in and maybe teach them something to boot. As parents it is hard to find books that teach how to be good to all creatures and here is one that does just that. Go ahead and grab this one quick. You will not be sorry.
Point of View: You are Worthless (a dog) and will experience just a small part his life.
Voice: Absolutely perfect.
Character Development: Your children will be all to quick to want to help Worthless before they even get to the end.
Plot: Designed to teach a lesson and a lesson it teaches.
Dialogue: I knew dogs could talk to each other.
Pacing: Perfect for our next generation of reviewers.
Setting: Sets the tone and holds it throughout.
Continuity: I do not think your children nor you will find any problems, as I did not.
Where to Find
Amazon
Google Books
Dogs Deserve Better
Book Review: Birds can fly and so can I by Noa Nimrodi
Description by Amazon
"At twilight with a blowing breeze Giraffe strolls through a forest of trees She lifts her eyes and gazes high She sees some birds take to the sky Giraffe is left without a word As she observes each pretty bird She knows right then how she would love To float and fly -- so far above" Birds Can Fly and So Can I is a charming and engaging book about the joy of dreaming and the thrill of achieving cherished goals. With endearing rhyme and spectacular illustrations, this book captivates its readers as they watch adorable animal buddies "clap with glee and chirp with praise" in support of Giraffe's dream to take flight. Birds Can Fly uses stunning artwork and witty verse to deliver its message about developing undiscovered talents. With innocence and appeal, it teaches children to stretch themselves to reach new heights -- and to cheer others on as they do the same. (Age 3+)
Review
Overall Feedback: Written extremely well and delightful for children at any age to read or be read to. My children were excited by this one and we have read it several times already. Do not pass up. Know a child, buy as a gift they will enjoy it.
Point of View: You are a Giraffe (awesome as that is) and you decide you want to fly.
Voice: All about teaching children to enjoy the journey.
Character Development: Your children will relate to the ideas of the characters and therefore the characters themselves.
Plot: Again the journey is worth more than the destination.
Dialogue: Not really applicable.
Pacing: Very short book. so not really an issue.
Setting: Will release your children's imagination. A good introduction to fantasy, believing in one self.
Continuity: No issues and not a problem for my 3 year old to read to himself.
Where to Find
Amazon
Sony
Author's Website
"At twilight with a blowing breeze Giraffe strolls through a forest of trees She lifts her eyes and gazes high She sees some birds take to the sky Giraffe is left without a word As she observes each pretty bird She knows right then how she would love To float and fly -- so far above" Birds Can Fly and So Can I is a charming and engaging book about the joy of dreaming and the thrill of achieving cherished goals. With endearing rhyme and spectacular illustrations, this book captivates its readers as they watch adorable animal buddies "clap with glee and chirp with praise" in support of Giraffe's dream to take flight. Birds Can Fly uses stunning artwork and witty verse to deliver its message about developing undiscovered talents. With innocence and appeal, it teaches children to stretch themselves to reach new heights -- and to cheer others on as they do the same. (Age 3+)
Review
Overall Feedback: Written extremely well and delightful for children at any age to read or be read to. My children were excited by this one and we have read it several times already. Do not pass up. Know a child, buy as a gift they will enjoy it.
Point of View: You are a Giraffe (awesome as that is) and you decide you want to fly.
Voice: All about teaching children to enjoy the journey.
Character Development: Your children will relate to the ideas of the characters and therefore the characters themselves.
Plot: Again the journey is worth more than the destination.
Dialogue: Not really applicable.
Pacing: Very short book. so not really an issue.
Setting: Will release your children's imagination. A good introduction to fantasy, believing in one self.
Continuity: No issues and not a problem for my 3 year old to read to himself.
Where to Find
Amazon
Sony
Author's Website
Book Review: The Amazing Adventures of Thomas and Erin with Granddad - Market Day by John Vasey
Description from Amazon
Children's book for children under five. It is a story about Grandad, his grandson Thomas, who is 3 1/2 and Erin his grand daughter who is 2 and their adventures.
Review
Overall Feedback: I found this to be an interesting and delightful read to share with my children and they seemed drawn in and as though they really enjoyed sharing a story with me.
Point of View: Typical for a children's book you read through the narrater's view.
Voice: Trying to teach children to enjoy the small things.
Character Development: Not really something to judge for this one.
Plot: Typical for a children's book.
Dialogue: Not applicable
Pacing: Only 24 easy to read pages.
Setting: A day out with grandpa in a market.
Continuity: Told well for a story to share with your children.
Where to Find
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Author's Blog
Children's book for children under five. It is a story about Grandad, his grandson Thomas, who is 3 1/2 and Erin his grand daughter who is 2 and their adventures.
Review
Overall Feedback: I found this to be an interesting and delightful read to share with my children and they seemed drawn in and as though they really enjoyed sharing a story with me.
Point of View: Typical for a children's book you read through the narrater's view.
Voice: Trying to teach children to enjoy the small things.
Character Development: Not really something to judge for this one.
Plot: Typical for a children's book.
Dialogue: Not applicable
Pacing: Only 24 easy to read pages.
Setting: A day out with grandpa in a market.
Continuity: Told well for a story to share with your children.
Where to Find
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Author's Blog
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sundays with Halo by Jared Huber #10
Our tenth installment of Sunday with Halo. Brought to you by Jared Huber from his youtube channel. So go ahead an visit his channel and make some comments. Do not forget to follow him.
Thanks for the contribution Jared.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Youtube Video Saturdays #3
Here we go again celebrating Saturday with two youtube videos. Saturdays were meant for relaxation so take the time and enjoy a few minutes.
The following four videos are brought to you by four indie authors. These are trailers to their books and I hope you will check them out.
Video one is brought to you by Tan Su Yin author of Through The Storm
You can subscribe to this author's channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/gentlecloudonline
Video two is brought to you by Lynn Hubbard author of Return to Love
You can subscribe to this author's channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/lemonpresspublishing
Author Interview: A.K. Taylor author of Neiko's Five Land Adventure
About your book: Neiko's Five Land Adventure
The Indians and the Crackedskulls are locked in the turmoil of war.
Neiko – a warrior with the glistening title of “the Chosen One” – finds herself facing a collection of enemies. Her archenemies, Raven and Bloodhawk, have come up with a scheme to destroy her reputation with the help of a phony Indian chieftain.
However, during the unfolding of their plan, Neiko finds out that a land she thought she had only imagined is actually real - and more terrifying than she ever imagined. It turns out that Ramses - the arch-villain of her collection - has sinister plans of his own for Neiko, whom he eventually traps in Qari.
Neiko must find her way back home and turn the tables on her enemies, but what she finds out during her travels in Qari will change her entire existence for all eternity.
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
A.K. Taylor
One thing that is notable about this book is the unbelievably large cast--for some it is a little much, but others like myself like complexity, but I did include a glossary to help out that is made up like a logbook that Neiko had written. This is how complex my fantasy world is, and since this is the first book of a saga it is an introduction to many of them and all of them receptively. No one can be taken away without changing the story since they all have their functions, and the cast size has no effect on the impact of the story.The different lands, settings, and characters make the story what it is. This story is also notable for its action. All this can be drawn from feedback given to me by others already.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?
A.K. Taylor
Yes, actually. As a consequence of writing this book and my parents talking about it, friends talking about it, and strangers finding it and talking about it, I was invited to go to a writer's conference at age 21 which I was the youngest person there. That's a story in itself. As a result of all this and other feedback is why I even got into publishing it and the rest of the saga in the first place. At first I wrote for fun and planned to keep it to myself and it just be a hobby to retire to after a hard school/workday. I didn't think my work was good enough to be published, and because I was young, I felt like people would eat me alive in the publishing world and ME getting published would be impossible or a fool's hope. I knew nothing about the author community or anything about publishing at all, traditional or indie; I think even indie publishing was unheard of in the early '90s. I thought experts and big people would think my work was stupid and amateurish, but I found out otherwise at the conference from Dr. Dennis Hensley. My long journey from writer to author could fill a book on its own. I have other stories of what my book has gotten me into, all has been good except for a sucky publishing experience at a "big box" publisher, but now I have found a new home.
Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
A.K. Taylor
Since I had written this book at 16 and based it on my own fantasy world, there wasn't any research. Other books in the series have some research on real people and places. Writing this book took my creative ability to a whole new level. It also helped me cope with my loneliness in high school. I spent most of my time with family or alone because people didn't understand me; I was a deep and brooding person. It wasn't my fault, and I don't blame me for that. Once I began writing this book something new became a part of my life, and my time meant more to me. I had something besides homework to keep me occupied now.
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
A.K. Taylor
I would like for readers to say they had a great adventure with Neiko and how exciting it was. I would also like for readers to say that the book doesn't suck or is boring. I hope say they would like to read more of Neiko's adventures when they are published. Then I feel like I did my job as a writer and I have fulfilled my personal goal of entertaining someone else or touches them in a way I didn't originally design. I also want the readers to think about and talk about my characters because they remember them and they know them as 'people' and not just another character from another book. I take the time to draw the pictures to show what they look like and took meticulous care in their design, personalities, and interaction. I love it when people want to know what Neiko will get into next or what she will do just as an example.
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
A.K. Taylor
Here is one I am always asked, "How do you come up with this stuff?!" This question has its variations, and sometimes it is reflected upon my young age. Not too many would believe that Neiko's Five Land Adventure was written by a sixteen-year-old. I even get these sorts of reactions from experts or seasoned authors both in the past and present. Of course this all was unexpected as I mentioned before.
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
A.K. Taylor
Readers can help me promote the book by reading it first of all. If they like it or love it, I hope that they will recommend it to others. I also hope that they will post reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Librarything, Barnes and Noble, or wherever they are. I hope that bloggers will pick it up and talk about it. Tweet about it, Facebook it, or whatever. It all comes down to the readers and what they think; I'm just igniting the signal fires to get their attention. I'm just one person and can only do so much, so I need their help. As I said before, I hope they also talk about and love the characters who need to be loved, hate the characters that need to be hated, or fear the characters who are imposing and terrible. I want readers to remember the characters as much as the book because they are all part of the world and the story as a whole, and some will be around a long time.
About You: A.K. Taylor
I have been writing Neiko saga since I was 16. I also draw my characters, maps, and design my covers and illustrations. I am a beekeeper, amateur herpetologist (reptiles), scientist, and outdoor sportsman. I grew up in the Georgia backwoods where I spent most of my time in the woods and outdoors. I also enjoy video games, movies, and rural life.
blog: www.backwoodsauthor.wordpress.com
Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/AKTaylorsBooks
Twitter: @A_K_Taylor
Book website: www.neikos5landadventure.net
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
A.K. Taylor
I write because I love it. I have always loved creative writing. Let's change this up a bit. Why did I decide to write a BOOK at sweet 16? Aside from my miserable high school social life, I wanted to do an experiment on myself to see if I could do it and I needed a way to return to my fantasy world because I was at the age I couldn't play any more. I had mastered poetry and short stories in middle school, so now it was to try something new that was not an assignment. I took what I knew from grammar and looking at how books were constructed in general. I taught myself how to write a book. Once I began I thought it was easy once I got the hang of it. As I wrote it, other books came into being. Needless to say my experiment was a success, and it came out better than I had ever hoped for. I didn't have any real teachers or any mentors. Anyone I knew was clueless on how to write a book, so I was completely on my own.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
A.K. Taylor
My greatest strength as a writer for me is my creativity. When I started writing my first book at such a young age it only made my already powerful creative mind stronger. More characters, other worlds, more adventures were born during and after I wrote Neiko's Five Land Adventure. Like my present fantasy world wasn't complex enough people would probably say, but that's all part of being different. I had been creative long before I was a writer, but it just blossomed from there.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
A.K. Taylor
I suppose if I had to pick just one it would be self discipline. I never thought too much about it until now, but it probably takes a lot of self discipline for a teen to write a book in a year. I worked around school, band camp, homework, and band practice. When homework ate up all my time and there was none left I would be so frustrated. It would be as bad as taking away a gamer's playstation or Xbox. I also have a lot of self discipline to be able to get things done in optimal time. I most of the time worked alone in my assignments in college as well.
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
A.K. Taylor
Oh boy, where do I start? I am passionate about beekeeping and honeybees with my dad. My husband and I are both amateur herpetologists, so we are passionate about snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, etc. I love all animals in general even the ones that most people are scared of. I'm not one of the people out there that would have a tiger or a black mamba for a pet, but I think they are so awesome and admire them where it's safe. I love the outdoors so I engage in sports and activities like fishing, hiking, camping, four wheeling, boating, etc. I like action and adventure in my life as well so I don't lead a boring life and it shows in my writing.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
A.K. Taylor
Well graduating from college with a degree is one, and I didn't pick an easy one to pursue: biology. I am also proud that I was able to publish the book I had completed as a teenager after 13 years in 2009. Of course writing it in the first place at such a young age is a big accomplishment and I sometimes forget that and/or take it for granted. After dealing with my crappy experience in 2009, I turned it around in 2010 where my book was republished in Sept. That was a big step to take it out from somewhere and turn it around.
Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
A.K. Taylor
I love Ross Conrad's beekeeping books. He is very detailed but easy to understand. Most beekeepers don't have a college degree like I do so they won't understand all the biological nomenclature and terms; all they care about is keeping honeybees effectively and what to do and keeping the biology lesson to a minimum. I like his books when he covers honeybee biology because it does not sound like a college textbook; I had enough of those already. In fiction I like Brian Jacques, Carolyn Keene, Dixon (Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries) as they inspired my need for action and those were the ones I studied how to construct my own at 16 after reading several of their works.
Intrigued by this interview? Then hop on over to A.K. Taylor's website or find her book at the following:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book's Website
The Indians and the Crackedskulls are locked in the turmoil of war.
Neiko – a warrior with the glistening title of “the Chosen One” – finds herself facing a collection of enemies. Her archenemies, Raven and Bloodhawk, have come up with a scheme to destroy her reputation with the help of a phony Indian chieftain.
However, during the unfolding of their plan, Neiko finds out that a land she thought she had only imagined is actually real - and more terrifying than she ever imagined. It turns out that Ramses - the arch-villain of her collection - has sinister plans of his own for Neiko, whom he eventually traps in Qari.
Neiko must find her way back home and turn the tables on her enemies, but what she finds out during her travels in Qari will change her entire existence for all eternity.
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
A.K. Taylor
One thing that is notable about this book is the unbelievably large cast--for some it is a little much, but others like myself like complexity, but I did include a glossary to help out that is made up like a logbook that Neiko had written. This is how complex my fantasy world is, and since this is the first book of a saga it is an introduction to many of them and all of them receptively. No one can be taken away without changing the story since they all have their functions, and the cast size has no effect on the impact of the story.The different lands, settings, and characters make the story what it is. This story is also notable for its action. All this can be drawn from feedback given to me by others already.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?
A.K. Taylor
Yes, actually. As a consequence of writing this book and my parents talking about it, friends talking about it, and strangers finding it and talking about it, I was invited to go to a writer's conference at age 21 which I was the youngest person there. That's a story in itself. As a result of all this and other feedback is why I even got into publishing it and the rest of the saga in the first place. At first I wrote for fun and planned to keep it to myself and it just be a hobby to retire to after a hard school/workday. I didn't think my work was good enough to be published, and because I was young, I felt like people would eat me alive in the publishing world and ME getting published would be impossible or a fool's hope. I knew nothing about the author community or anything about publishing at all, traditional or indie; I think even indie publishing was unheard of in the early '90s. I thought experts and big people would think my work was stupid and amateurish, but I found out otherwise at the conference from Dr. Dennis Hensley. My long journey from writer to author could fill a book on its own. I have other stories of what my book has gotten me into, all has been good except for a sucky publishing experience at a "big box" publisher, but now I have found a new home.
Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
A.K. Taylor
Since I had written this book at 16 and based it on my own fantasy world, there wasn't any research. Other books in the series have some research on real people and places. Writing this book took my creative ability to a whole new level. It also helped me cope with my loneliness in high school. I spent most of my time with family or alone because people didn't understand me; I was a deep and brooding person. It wasn't my fault, and I don't blame me for that. Once I began writing this book something new became a part of my life, and my time meant more to me. I had something besides homework to keep me occupied now.
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
A.K. Taylor
I would like for readers to say they had a great adventure with Neiko and how exciting it was. I would also like for readers to say that the book doesn't suck or is boring. I hope say they would like to read more of Neiko's adventures when they are published. Then I feel like I did my job as a writer and I have fulfilled my personal goal of entertaining someone else or touches them in a way I didn't originally design. I also want the readers to think about and talk about my characters because they remember them and they know them as 'people' and not just another character from another book. I take the time to draw the pictures to show what they look like and took meticulous care in their design, personalities, and interaction. I love it when people want to know what Neiko will get into next or what she will do just as an example.
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
A.K. Taylor
Here is one I am always asked, "How do you come up with this stuff?!" This question has its variations, and sometimes it is reflected upon my young age. Not too many would believe that Neiko's Five Land Adventure was written by a sixteen-year-old. I even get these sorts of reactions from experts or seasoned authors both in the past and present. Of course this all was unexpected as I mentioned before.
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
A.K. Taylor
Readers can help me promote the book by reading it first of all. If they like it or love it, I hope that they will recommend it to others. I also hope that they will post reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Librarything, Barnes and Noble, or wherever they are. I hope that bloggers will pick it up and talk about it. Tweet about it, Facebook it, or whatever. It all comes down to the readers and what they think; I'm just igniting the signal fires to get their attention. I'm just one person and can only do so much, so I need their help. As I said before, I hope they also talk about and love the characters who need to be loved, hate the characters that need to be hated, or fear the characters who are imposing and terrible. I want readers to remember the characters as much as the book because they are all part of the world and the story as a whole, and some will be around a long time.
About You: A.K. Taylor
I have been writing Neiko saga since I was 16. I also draw my characters, maps, and design my covers and illustrations. I am a beekeeper, amateur herpetologist (reptiles), scientist, and outdoor sportsman. I grew up in the Georgia backwoods where I spent most of my time in the woods and outdoors. I also enjoy video games, movies, and rural life.
blog: www.backwoodsauthor.wordpress.com
Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/AKTaylorsBooks
Twitter: @A_K_Taylor
Book website: www.neikos5landadventure.net
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
A.K. Taylor
I write because I love it. I have always loved creative writing. Let's change this up a bit. Why did I decide to write a BOOK at sweet 16? Aside from my miserable high school social life, I wanted to do an experiment on myself to see if I could do it and I needed a way to return to my fantasy world because I was at the age I couldn't play any more. I had mastered poetry and short stories in middle school, so now it was to try something new that was not an assignment. I took what I knew from grammar and looking at how books were constructed in general. I taught myself how to write a book. Once I began I thought it was easy once I got the hang of it. As I wrote it, other books came into being. Needless to say my experiment was a success, and it came out better than I had ever hoped for. I didn't have any real teachers or any mentors. Anyone I knew was clueless on how to write a book, so I was completely on my own.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
A.K. Taylor
My greatest strength as a writer for me is my creativity. When I started writing my first book at such a young age it only made my already powerful creative mind stronger. More characters, other worlds, more adventures were born during and after I wrote Neiko's Five Land Adventure. Like my present fantasy world wasn't complex enough people would probably say, but that's all part of being different. I had been creative long before I was a writer, but it just blossomed from there.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
A.K. Taylor
I suppose if I had to pick just one it would be self discipline. I never thought too much about it until now, but it probably takes a lot of self discipline for a teen to write a book in a year. I worked around school, band camp, homework, and band practice. When homework ate up all my time and there was none left I would be so frustrated. It would be as bad as taking away a gamer's playstation or Xbox. I also have a lot of self discipline to be able to get things done in optimal time. I most of the time worked alone in my assignments in college as well.
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
A.K. Taylor
Oh boy, where do I start? I am passionate about beekeeping and honeybees with my dad. My husband and I are both amateur herpetologists, so we are passionate about snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, etc. I love all animals in general even the ones that most people are scared of. I'm not one of the people out there that would have a tiger or a black mamba for a pet, but I think they are so awesome and admire them where it's safe. I love the outdoors so I engage in sports and activities like fishing, hiking, camping, four wheeling, boating, etc. I like action and adventure in my life as well so I don't lead a boring life and it shows in my writing.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
A.K. Taylor
Well graduating from college with a degree is one, and I didn't pick an easy one to pursue: biology. I am also proud that I was able to publish the book I had completed as a teenager after 13 years in 2009. Of course writing it in the first place at such a young age is a big accomplishment and I sometimes forget that and/or take it for granted. After dealing with my crappy experience in 2009, I turned it around in 2010 where my book was republished in Sept. That was a big step to take it out from somewhere and turn it around.
Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
A.K. Taylor
I love Ross Conrad's beekeeping books. He is very detailed but easy to understand. Most beekeepers don't have a college degree like I do so they won't understand all the biological nomenclature and terms; all they care about is keeping honeybees effectively and what to do and keeping the biology lesson to a minimum. I like his books when he covers honeybee biology because it does not sound like a college textbook; I had enough of those already. In fiction I like Brian Jacques, Carolyn Keene, Dixon (Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries) as they inspired my need for action and those were the ones I studied how to construct my own at 16 after reading several of their works.
Intrigued by this interview? Then hop on over to A.K. Taylor's website or find her book at the following:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Book's Website
Friday, October 21, 2011
Book Review: Peace, Love, and Murder (A Bo Forrester Mystery) by Nancy Holzner
Description from Amazon
Finding a corpse in the trunk of your cab is a rotten way to start the day. For Bo Forrester, things go straight downhill from there. The cops are asking a hell of a lot of questions. The murder weapon turns up too close for comfort. And the attractive woman giving him the eye turns out to be Trudy Hauser, a cute-but-crazy deputy dead set on arresting him for murder.
Bo returned to Rhodes, an upstate New York college town, hoping to reconcile with his parents, gentle hippies who couldn’t accept his decision to join the Army at eighteen. Twenty years later, the commune where he grew up is a subdivision and his parents are long gone. Pondering his next move, Bo takes a job driving a cab. And he has no clue how the bullet-riddled body of art philanthropist Fred Davies ended up in the trunk.
Now, he can’t turn around without bumping into Trudy—it’s not her case, but that’s not slowing her down. The local cops, suspecting robbery as the motive, are right behind her. When Davies’s beautiful widow asks Bo for help, he can’t say no. Starting his own investigation, he plunges into a world of privilege, corruption, and high-stakes greed. A lot of people had reason to want Davies dead: a flirtatious art history professor with a taste for booze and men; her insanely jealous, ex-felon husband; the business partner with a secret addiction; and an avant-garde artist who proclaims that murder is the ultimate art form.
As the body count escalates, Bo must combine the skills he learned as a soldier with the values he grew up with on the commune to flush out a vicious murderer—if he manages to stay alive that long.
Review
Overall Feedback: Exceptional mystery that hits all the right notes and takes the reader for a wild ride and you will enjoy til the last page. Nancy is exceptional at storytelling and is really just giving this one away.
Point of View: This is told from the viewpoint of Bo Forrester, a former soldier and soon to be detective.
Voice: Nancy has a way of drawing the reader in and thrusting you through the story.
Character Development: I know that most writers will be envious of this authors ability to develop her characters.
Plot: Straightforward and helps move the story forward.
Dialogue: Perfect execution and delivery.
Pacing: Unbelievable pace as the story rockets to a suspenseful and mysterious end. You will not be disappointed.
Setting: Nancy is well versed in describing the setting and making it a integral part of the story.
Continuity: I could not find any issues with this area and if you do you are just nit picking and not enjoying the story.
Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
Author's Blog
Finding a corpse in the trunk of your cab is a rotten way to start the day. For Bo Forrester, things go straight downhill from there. The cops are asking a hell of a lot of questions. The murder weapon turns up too close for comfort. And the attractive woman giving him the eye turns out to be Trudy Hauser, a cute-but-crazy deputy dead set on arresting him for murder.
Bo returned to Rhodes, an upstate New York college town, hoping to reconcile with his parents, gentle hippies who couldn’t accept his decision to join the Army at eighteen. Twenty years later, the commune where he grew up is a subdivision and his parents are long gone. Pondering his next move, Bo takes a job driving a cab. And he has no clue how the bullet-riddled body of art philanthropist Fred Davies ended up in the trunk.
Now, he can’t turn around without bumping into Trudy—it’s not her case, but that’s not slowing her down. The local cops, suspecting robbery as the motive, are right behind her. When Davies’s beautiful widow asks Bo for help, he can’t say no. Starting his own investigation, he plunges into a world of privilege, corruption, and high-stakes greed. A lot of people had reason to want Davies dead: a flirtatious art history professor with a taste for booze and men; her insanely jealous, ex-felon husband; the business partner with a secret addiction; and an avant-garde artist who proclaims that murder is the ultimate art form.
As the body count escalates, Bo must combine the skills he learned as a soldier with the values he grew up with on the commune to flush out a vicious murderer—if he manages to stay alive that long.
Review
Overall Feedback: Exceptional mystery that hits all the right notes and takes the reader for a wild ride and you will enjoy til the last page. Nancy is exceptional at storytelling and is really just giving this one away.
Point of View: This is told from the viewpoint of Bo Forrester, a former soldier and soon to be detective.
Voice: Nancy has a way of drawing the reader in and thrusting you through the story.
Character Development: I know that most writers will be envious of this authors ability to develop her characters.
Plot: Straightforward and helps move the story forward.
Dialogue: Perfect execution and delivery.
Pacing: Unbelievable pace as the story rockets to a suspenseful and mysterious end. You will not be disappointed.
Setting: Nancy is well versed in describing the setting and making it a integral part of the story.
Continuity: I could not find any issues with this area and if you do you are just nit picking and not enjoying the story.
Where to Find
Amazon
Smashwords
Author's Blog
Book Review: Kissed by Fire (Sunwalker Saga) by Shéa MacLeod
Description from Amazon
Kissed by Fire
Book Two of the Sunwalker Saga
Vampire Hunter Morgan Bailey’s life is about to take a turn for the weird. As if Sunwalkers,a Templar Knight, and an ancient Atlantean artifact weren’t enough.
When a MI8 analyst is brutally murdered, Morgan is called to London to investigate. She stumbles across a conspiracy involving an extinct supernatural race. Dragons. But the dragons may not be as extinct as everyone thought.
The Darkness grows inside her. A new power rages out of control. She is stalked through the streets of London by the vampire who murdered her.
Morgan must hunt her own killer. She must uncover the truth. Or humanity will be plunged into a war it can never hope to win.
Length: 62k words (about 248 paperback pages)
Review
Overall Feedback: Before I start let me say a few things. If you have not read book 1 (Kissed by Darkness) then go buy it and read it now as you will love it and it will make this one just that much better. Secondly, if you have not heard of Shea MacLeod and her creation Morgan Bailey then climb out of the primordial ooze and look her up. She has penned some great books here and you should get to know her as more will be coming. Now onto the review of another tasty release by the Clan MacLeod. This one is another selection in the Sunwalker Saga the second if you look and Shea has once again performed as promised. This will again have the men wagging their tongues for Morgan and the ladies saying that is one strong woman. Shea does something awesome and brings dragons into the mix. Yay to Dragons. You will be amazed at the story and I think you will be a fan for life if you are not already.
Point of View: Once again you learn the life and circumstance via the eyes of our heroine Morgan.
Voice: Again Shea is masterful at telling her story in a genre with many voices.
Character Development: Knowing Morgan you know she will find new and unexpected ways to endanger herself but you also know she will find a way out. Shea does extremely well shaping her character and adding more along the way.
Plot: Here I will quote Shea as I feel it fits and I agree. "Dragons make everything better."
Dialogue: I said before to buy this one as the last one will make you want more and I will say here look for Dragon Warrior (Book 3) as you will not again want to stop.
Pacing: I can only equate this to unbelievable, wild monkey intercourse for the imagination that just does not stop. Whew, I need a moment.
Setting: London, I knew you had Dragon in you.
Continuity: You will be able to tell this is the second book and you will also be able to tell that more is yet to come. A perfect followup and precursor to what is shaping up to be a great series.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
Smashwords
Author Website
Kissed by Fire
Book Two of the Sunwalker Saga
Vampire Hunter Morgan Bailey’s life is about to take a turn for the weird. As if Sunwalkers,a Templar Knight, and an ancient Atlantean artifact weren’t enough.
When a MI8 analyst is brutally murdered, Morgan is called to London to investigate. She stumbles across a conspiracy involving an extinct supernatural race. Dragons. But the dragons may not be as extinct as everyone thought.
The Darkness grows inside her. A new power rages out of control. She is stalked through the streets of London by the vampire who murdered her.
Morgan must hunt her own killer. She must uncover the truth. Or humanity will be plunged into a war it can never hope to win.
Length: 62k words (about 248 paperback pages)
Review
Overall Feedback: Before I start let me say a few things. If you have not read book 1 (Kissed by Darkness) then go buy it and read it now as you will love it and it will make this one just that much better. Secondly, if you have not heard of Shea MacLeod and her creation Morgan Bailey then climb out of the primordial ooze and look her up. She has penned some great books here and you should get to know her as more will be coming. Now onto the review of another tasty release by the Clan MacLeod. This one is another selection in the Sunwalker Saga the second if you look and Shea has once again performed as promised. This will again have the men wagging their tongues for Morgan and the ladies saying that is one strong woman. Shea does something awesome and brings dragons into the mix. Yay to Dragons. You will be amazed at the story and I think you will be a fan for life if you are not already.
Point of View: Once again you learn the life and circumstance via the eyes of our heroine Morgan.
Voice: Again Shea is masterful at telling her story in a genre with many voices.
Character Development: Knowing Morgan you know she will find new and unexpected ways to endanger herself but you also know she will find a way out. Shea does extremely well shaping her character and adding more along the way.
Plot: Here I will quote Shea as I feel it fits and I agree. "Dragons make everything better."
Dialogue: I said before to buy this one as the last one will make you want more and I will say here look for Dragon Warrior (Book 3) as you will not again want to stop.
Pacing: I can only equate this to unbelievable, wild monkey intercourse for the imagination that just does not stop. Whew, I need a moment.
Setting: London, I knew you had Dragon in you.
Continuity: You will be able to tell this is the second book and you will also be able to tell that more is yet to come. A perfect followup and precursor to what is shaping up to be a great series.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
Smashwords
Author Website
Book Review: Mad Gods - Revelation: Cancelled ? (Predatory Ethics) by Athanasios
Description from Amazon
Kostadino Paleologos is a descendant of Byzantine emperors and lives with honour, duty and sacrifice. Every year he returns to Istanbul and sends trapped souls to their deserved rest. The final soul in this solemn task sends him on a quest to the mythic, ancient Library of Alexandria. There he finds the Idammah-Gan Codex, a unique book which convinces him to abduct the infant Antichrist and raise him as his own. They live life on the run pursued by Satanists, Catholic Church & Dark Nobility, who want the baby back or dead.
What I liked about Mad Gods was that the author started the reader out on a journey right from the onset of the book--the plot was well written, easy to understand, and thought provoking.
Cheryl Bradshaw
Mad Gods takes its reader on a spellbinding journey that spans different continents and time periods. The author seamlessly weaves an intricate plot that connects an array of fascinating characters that propel the momentum of this wonderfully ambitious narrative.
Aman S. Anand
Review
Overall Feedback: So here I was on the IWU Facebook group page, minding my own business when I start getting comments from an author I had yet to have a conversation with. Oh my, me not having talked to an author, oh the humanity. Anyway he points me in the direction of his book, I know, I know, big surprise! So I invite him to submit and so he does. I get his work and read it with a promise that the review would post in a week or so. So here I am at the so as the week has since past. So without further boring chatter from me here is that promised review. Before starting the book I went to Amazon and looked it up and read some of the reviews along with the description, these intrigued me. I mean a book that talks about religion and whatnot but does not overly extend itself to the mantra of this is the end. Come on those do not exist, there has to be something in there that will offend my religion bone, something at all. I then went to Athanasios's (Adam's)blog/website and had a little tour of what I may be in for. Upon visiting and reading some of his posts I could tell that I was in for a well researched and well written book so I stopped the procrastination and started to read. By the second page I was hooked and by the end I was a believer. Athanasios has this way of dragging you into his story without the reader even fully realizing what happened. I would liken it to candy, you start with a little and before you realize it the bag is gone and your kids are asking where the Halloween candy went. I dare you to stop anywhere in this book without trying to pick it back up and continuing to read. A richly told story that will have you questioning the kind of person you are and asking one question. Can a person change?
Point of View: You are looking into Kostadino Paleologos's world and the work he does so well.
Voice: If you are looking at this one stop and buy the book as Athanasios does more than spectacular in moving the reader with the voice in his book.
Character Development: Step right in line with every character and feel every obstacle and emotion in their way. Athanasios will move you with his characters.
Plot: Think 300 with some Clive Barker and a little bit of the Exorcist thrown in for good measure(to paraphrase another review. The plot will drive you to never stop with the reading and you will have to move to the next page.
Dialogue: The dialogue really made me feel as if I was part of the story and making my appearance in the world Athanasios had built.
Pacing: Again Athanasios will astound you with a plot that not only seems real but will also have you on the edge as you make your way through it.
Setting: Our world, immortal beings (not Vampires or werewolves) need I say more.
Continuity: From beginning to end this one does not miss one single detail. Athanasios does well to ensure a complete plot and storyline without losing the feel of any characters. Absolutely stellar storytelling.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
Amazon DE
Author Website
Author Blog
Kostadino Paleologos is a descendant of Byzantine emperors and lives with honour, duty and sacrifice. Every year he returns to Istanbul and sends trapped souls to their deserved rest. The final soul in this solemn task sends him on a quest to the mythic, ancient Library of Alexandria. There he finds the Idammah-Gan Codex, a unique book which convinces him to abduct the infant Antichrist and raise him as his own. They live life on the run pursued by Satanists, Catholic Church & Dark Nobility, who want the baby back or dead.
What I liked about Mad Gods was that the author started the reader out on a journey right from the onset of the book--the plot was well written, easy to understand, and thought provoking.
Cheryl Bradshaw
Mad Gods takes its reader on a spellbinding journey that spans different continents and time periods. The author seamlessly weaves an intricate plot that connects an array of fascinating characters that propel the momentum of this wonderfully ambitious narrative.
Aman S. Anand
Review
Overall Feedback: So here I was on the IWU Facebook group page, minding my own business when I start getting comments from an author I had yet to have a conversation with. Oh my, me not having talked to an author, oh the humanity. Anyway he points me in the direction of his book, I know, I know, big surprise! So I invite him to submit and so he does. I get his work and read it with a promise that the review would post in a week or so. So here I am at the so as the week has since past. So without further boring chatter from me here is that promised review. Before starting the book I went to Amazon and looked it up and read some of the reviews along with the description, these intrigued me. I mean a book that talks about religion and whatnot but does not overly extend itself to the mantra of this is the end. Come on those do not exist, there has to be something in there that will offend my religion bone, something at all. I then went to Athanasios's (Adam's)blog/website and had a little tour of what I may be in for. Upon visiting and reading some of his posts I could tell that I was in for a well researched and well written book so I stopped the procrastination and started to read. By the second page I was hooked and by the end I was a believer. Athanasios has this way of dragging you into his story without the reader even fully realizing what happened. I would liken it to candy, you start with a little and before you realize it the bag is gone and your kids are asking where the Halloween candy went. I dare you to stop anywhere in this book without trying to pick it back up and continuing to read. A richly told story that will have you questioning the kind of person you are and asking one question. Can a person change?
Point of View: You are looking into Kostadino Paleologos's world and the work he does so well.
Voice: If you are looking at this one stop and buy the book as Athanasios does more than spectacular in moving the reader with the voice in his book.
Character Development: Step right in line with every character and feel every obstacle and emotion in their way. Athanasios will move you with his characters.
Plot: Think 300 with some Clive Barker and a little bit of the Exorcist thrown in for good measure(to paraphrase another review. The plot will drive you to never stop with the reading and you will have to move to the next page.
Dialogue: The dialogue really made me feel as if I was part of the story and making my appearance in the world Athanasios had built.
Pacing: Again Athanasios will astound you with a plot that not only seems real but will also have you on the edge as you make your way through it.
Setting: Our world, immortal beings (not Vampires or werewolves) need I say more.
Continuity: From beginning to end this one does not miss one single detail. Athanasios does well to ensure a complete plot and storyline without losing the feel of any characters. Absolutely stellar storytelling.
Where to Find
Amazon
Amazon UK
Amazon DE
Author Website
Author Blog
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Author Interview: Gayle Carline author of The Peri Minneopa Mystery Series
About your book: The Peri Minneopa Mystery Series
Book 1 - Freezer Burn
"It's Minn-ee-OH-pa."
Peri Minneopa has heard her name mangled a thousand ways to Sunday and hates them all. What she does like are clean houses, and dirty martinis. She recently traded in her housecleaning business for a P.I. license. Her timing seems perfect, when she cleans a former client's freezer and finds a severed hand inside, wearing an expensive ring. The client, Benny Needles, is a Dean Martin fanatic who swears he's innocent. But where there's a hand, there's a body, waiting to be found.
It's a brand new world for Peri, and she has a lot to learn. Her boyfriend, Skip, a detective in the Placentia Police Department warns Peri that this case could be dangerous, but she can't stop sticking her nose into the middle of things. Her first lesson is that investigating murder can have bad consequences. In the middle of trying to solve the case, Peri takes on a surveillance job. The philandering husband is unhappy with her, and she discovers that even surveillance isn't always low risk.
As the two cases collide, will Peri learn the truth behind both of them? And more important, will she ever get that dirty martini?
Book 2 - Hit or Missus
Private Investigator Peri Minneopa is hired to investigate a wealthy, possibly cheating wife, but the wife's girlfriends have other ideas. After all, a friend will help you move - a good friend will help you move a body.
Book 3 - Clean Sweep
"Either Grant Franklin was getting better with his aim, or he hadn't been using this toilet for at least two days." When a housecleaner discovers a client's son has gone missing, she puts herself in the middle of trouble, trying to convince the client to call the police, and trying to convince the police they need to be called.
Previously published in MISSING as "Cleaning Up at the Franks."
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Gayle Carline
My heroine in this series is a 50-year old housecleaner-turned-detective. I really want people to see her as this vibrant, sassy, thriving woman, as opposed to society's view that the older woman is someone who is disappearing into the shadows and letting the young people have all the fun.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?
Gayle Carline
I wrote my debut novel using an outline. It wasn't very detailed, but it was definitely a script I followed. In the new one, I also had an outline. One day I was writing an outlined scene and it all felt very boring. So I hit my character in the head with a golf club, threw out the outline and went commando.
Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
Gayle Carline
The only thing it taught me is that I can write with an outline or without one, and still tell a story. (Note: the one without the outline did take a little longer to edit, content-wise.)
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
Gayle Carline
That it was a fun read and they can't wait for the next one!
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
Gayle Carline
My usual discussion is the nature of humor. It's so subjective - how does one person find something funny and the next person not? To quote Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, "Funny how? How am I funny?"
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
Gayle Carline
Word of mouth, especially on the Internet. Reviews on Amazon are important, because there are sites that want to see at least five reviews of your book before they'll feature it on their site. And remember, if you don't like my book, I'm okay with that - just make certain your snarky review is well-written and snark-ilicious, so I can submit it to The Worst Review Ever site.
About You: Gayle Carline
Gayle Carline is a typical Californian, meaning that she was born somewhere else. She moved to Orange County from Illinois in 1978, and landed in Placentia a few years later.
Her husband, Dale, bought her a laptop for Christmas in 1999 because she wanted to write. A year after that, he gave her horseback riding lessons. When she bought her first horse, she finally started writing.
Gayle soon became a regular contributor to California Riding Magazine, and in March, 2005, she began writing a humor column for her local newspaper, the Placentia News-Times. Every week, she entertains readers with stories of her life with Dale and their son, Marcus.
Believing that she should experience reincarnation while she is still alive, Gayle has been a software engineer, a dancer, and even a flying angel for the Crystal Cathedral's Glory of Christmas.
In her spare time, Gayle likes to sit down with friends and laugh over a glass of wine. And maybe plan a little murder and mayhem for the next novel.
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
Gayle Carline
I love words. I love looking at them and choosing the correct one, and telling a story with them.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Gayle Carline
I've been told I write great dialogue. I also like to write as if I'm watching a movie, so my readers report they never feel bogged down with back story or description. Like Elmore Leonard, I try to leave out the parts that most people skip.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
Gayle Carline
I have a clearly defined voice in my writing. When people are out there wanting to know how to find theirs, I always sigh in relief that mine just came to me and I didn't have to go looking for it. Whew!
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
Gayle Carline
My family and my horses. I have the best hubby on earth, who let me quit my day job in order to write, and a son in college who makes me nothing but proud of him every day. And my horses are the reason I started writing, so I love them madly.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Gayle Carline
Moving to southern California from Illinois when I was in my 20's. I've been here for over thirty years now, and it was the stepping stone to everything wonderful that's happened to me.
Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
Gayle Carline
Michele Scott. She is a voracious writer of all kinds of genres, from mystery to thriller to women's fiction, and her voice is recognizable in all her work.
Intrigued by this interview? Feel free to hop over to Gayle Carline's blog or check out her books here:
Amazon
Smashwords
Author's Website
Book 1 - Freezer Burn
"It's Minn-ee-OH-pa."
Peri Minneopa has heard her name mangled a thousand ways to Sunday and hates them all. What she does like are clean houses, and dirty martinis. She recently traded in her housecleaning business for a P.I. license. Her timing seems perfect, when she cleans a former client's freezer and finds a severed hand inside, wearing an expensive ring. The client, Benny Needles, is a Dean Martin fanatic who swears he's innocent. But where there's a hand, there's a body, waiting to be found.
It's a brand new world for Peri, and she has a lot to learn. Her boyfriend, Skip, a detective in the Placentia Police Department warns Peri that this case could be dangerous, but she can't stop sticking her nose into the middle of things. Her first lesson is that investigating murder can have bad consequences. In the middle of trying to solve the case, Peri takes on a surveillance job. The philandering husband is unhappy with her, and she discovers that even surveillance isn't always low risk.
As the two cases collide, will Peri learn the truth behind both of them? And more important, will she ever get that dirty martini?
Book 2 - Hit or Missus
Private Investigator Peri Minneopa is hired to investigate a wealthy, possibly cheating wife, but the wife's girlfriends have other ideas. After all, a friend will help you move - a good friend will help you move a body.
Book 3 - Clean Sweep
"Either Grant Franklin was getting better with his aim, or he hadn't been using this toilet for at least two days." When a housecleaner discovers a client's son has gone missing, she puts herself in the middle of trouble, trying to convince the client to call the police, and trying to convince the police they need to be called.
Previously published in MISSING as "Cleaning Up at the Franks."
Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Gayle Carline
My heroine in this series is a 50-year old housecleaner-turned-detective. I really want people to see her as this vibrant, sassy, thriving woman, as opposed to society's view that the older woman is someone who is disappearing into the shadows and letting the young people have all the fun.
Free Book Reviews
Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?
Gayle Carline
I wrote my debut novel using an outline. It wasn't very detailed, but it was definitely a script I followed. In the new one, I also had an outline. One day I was writing an outlined scene and it all felt very boring. So I hit my character in the head with a golf club, threw out the outline and went commando.
Free Book Reviews
Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
Gayle Carline
The only thing it taught me is that I can write with an outline or without one, and still tell a story. (Note: the one without the outline did take a little longer to edit, content-wise.)
Free Book Reviews
What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?
Gayle Carline
That it was a fun read and they can't wait for the next one!
Free Book Reviews
Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?
Gayle Carline
My usual discussion is the nature of humor. It's so subjective - how does one person find something funny and the next person not? To quote Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, "Funny how? How am I funny?"
Free Book Reviews
How can readers help you promote this book?
Gayle Carline
Word of mouth, especially on the Internet. Reviews on Amazon are important, because there are sites that want to see at least five reviews of your book before they'll feature it on their site. And remember, if you don't like my book, I'm okay with that - just make certain your snarky review is well-written and snark-ilicious, so I can submit it to The Worst Review Ever site.
About You: Gayle Carline
Gayle Carline is a typical Californian, meaning that she was born somewhere else. She moved to Orange County from Illinois in 1978, and landed in Placentia a few years later.
Her husband, Dale, bought her a laptop for Christmas in 1999 because she wanted to write. A year after that, he gave her horseback riding lessons. When she bought her first horse, she finally started writing.
Gayle soon became a regular contributor to California Riding Magazine, and in March, 2005, she began writing a humor column for her local newspaper, the Placentia News-Times. Every week, she entertains readers with stories of her life with Dale and their son, Marcus.
Believing that she should experience reincarnation while she is still alive, Gayle has been a software engineer, a dancer, and even a flying angel for the Crystal Cathedral's Glory of Christmas.
In her spare time, Gayle likes to sit down with friends and laugh over a glass of wine. And maybe plan a little murder and mayhem for the next novel.
Free Book Reviews
Why do you write?
Gayle Carline
I love words. I love looking at them and choosing the correct one, and telling a story with them.
Free Book Reviews
What is your greatest strength as a writer?
Gayle Carline
I've been told I write great dialogue. I also like to write as if I'm watching a movie, so my readers report they never feel bogged down with back story or description. Like Elmore Leonard, I try to leave out the parts that most people skip.
Free Book Reviews
What quality do you most value in yourself?
Gayle Carline
I have a clearly defined voice in my writing. When people are out there wanting to know how to find theirs, I always sigh in relief that mine just came to me and I didn't have to go looking for it. Whew!
Free Book Reviews
In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?
Gayle Carline
My family and my horses. I have the best hubby on earth, who let me quit my day job in order to write, and a son in college who makes me nothing but proud of him every day. And my horses are the reason I started writing, so I love them madly.
Free Book Reviews
What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Gayle Carline
Moving to southern California from Illinois when I was in my 20's. I've been here for over thirty years now, and it was the stepping stone to everything wonderful that's happened to me.
Free Book Reviews
Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
Gayle Carline
Michele Scott. She is a voracious writer of all kinds of genres, from mystery to thriller to women's fiction, and her voice is recognizable in all her work.
Intrigued by this interview? Feel free to hop over to Gayle Carline's blog or check out her books here:
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