Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Deceptive Cadence Release Day!
Today is the big day!!! After months of waiting, plenty of back and forth, Cadence is out in the world. Well, at least part one anyway!
I have a few things going down. I have a Facebook release HERE with giveaways an authors showing up to celebrate, and you can chat with my about Cadence (no spoilers!) or any of my other works. Come and have fun and hopefully win a book or two.
There is also a tour running. I don't have any details yet, but I will share them asap.
But! You can add Deceptive Cadence on Goodreads and you can purchase it from Amazon.
Whoo hoo for this day finally being here! So come join me and have some fun. And don't forget to always leave reviews for any book you read.
Book Trailer!!!
Friday, June 26, 2015
Review: Reasons I Fell For The Funny Fat Friend by Becca Ann
From Goodreads:
It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.
She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.
But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.
Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.
My Thoughts:
Brody's into his brother's ex. The ex his brother cheated on. Hayley is there and willing to help, but the problem is, the more she helps and spends time with him, the more he needs to spend time with her. It's quickly obvious to him where his feelings really lie, the trick is convincing her.
In typical Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) fashion, this book is lighthearted, fun and charming. It's an easy read, not in the sense that it's simple, but that it flows well and has a great voice that grabs you and holds on as you can't help but flick through the pages.
Brody is a sweet guy with his heart in the right place. His biggest problem is that he's terrified of being like his biological dad and brother. Except everyone knows he's not "that guy."
Hayley is a girl everyone considers chubby, and always sticks in the friend zone. I think we all know a girl like that, or have felt that way at some time or another. But she's strong, and despite her family issues, she's still such a bright spark, which is what draws Brody to her.
I'm never disappointed by a Mae/Ann read, and this book is no exception. She is easily one of my favorite YA authors, and if I need something fun and light, I always know exactly where to turn.
It’s stupid to fall for your brother’s ex. It’s even worse to enlist another’s help to win the ex over. But Brody is desperate and Hayley, his partner in American Sign Language, is more than willing to lend him a few tips.
She’s the school’s matchmaker,’ and with her bizarre and positive personality, Brody finds her easy to talk to, even about the most awkward situations. Hayley’s tips seem to be working, but as Brody learns more about his matchmaker, he starts finding reasons to spend time with her, and not the girl he thought he was in love with.
But Hayley isn’t ready to fall for anyone. Labeled the “Funny Fat Friend” within her group, her self image makes it impossible for Brody to share his feelings without Hayley shrugging it off as a joke.
Convincing her Brody can, and did, fall for the “Funny Fat Friend” turns out to be harder than simply falling in love.
My Thoughts:
Brody's into his brother's ex. The ex his brother cheated on. Hayley is there and willing to help, but the problem is, the more she helps and spends time with him, the more he needs to spend time with her. It's quickly obvious to him where his feelings really lie, the trick is convincing her.
In typical Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) fashion, this book is lighthearted, fun and charming. It's an easy read, not in the sense that it's simple, but that it flows well and has a great voice that grabs you and holds on as you can't help but flick through the pages.
Brody is a sweet guy with his heart in the right place. His biggest problem is that he's terrified of being like his biological dad and brother. Except everyone knows he's not "that guy."
Hayley is a girl everyone considers chubby, and always sticks in the friend zone. I think we all know a girl like that, or have felt that way at some time or another. But she's strong, and despite her family issues, she's still such a bright spark, which is what draws Brody to her.
I'm never disappointed by a Mae/Ann read, and this book is no exception. She is easily one of my favorite YA authors, and if I need something fun and light, I always know exactly where to turn.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Review: Souls Entwined by Ann B. Cole
From Goodreads:
When a cursed family heirloom sends Gretta Dobbs back in time, a hunky construction worker, Sam Daggett, suddenly finds himself love struck and joins her adventure. Their souls entwine within the bodies of young lovers on a Greek island in 1829, where they begin to unravel the mysteries behind Gretta’s ring all while avoiding a bloodthirsty pirate who is determined to seek revenge. Gretta and Sam must find the secrets needed to save her and her relatives from an afterlife in purgatory and return to their own lives—or risk becoming prisoners of the past, continuing the evil cycle of the ring’s curse.
My Thoughts:
I've had this sitting on my Kindle for a long time, but it kept getting pushed back. Anne was a contestant in Aussie Owned and Read's Pitcharama a few years back, which is where she got this book deal. I've been intrigued to read it ever since.
In the beginning, we see several women in the PIT, a limbo state as they wait to be freed by their descendants. A curse has been placed on their family, and they are determined to have it broken.
Enter Sam, a smart young man who has lost his way since his mother's death. He dropped out of college to care for his father, and lives each day missing his mother. Until Gretta literally stumbles into his life. She's part of the cursed family, and together, they are sent back to observe the events leading to the curse in hopes of finding a way to break it.
I don't know if anyone out there has played Assassin's Creed, or at least knows the concept. To me, this has a similar feel. The main character are sent back in time to figure out the answers for current day problems. I love the set of the Grecian Islands, along with the action of pirates blended with romance.
My complaint would be the perspectives sometimes feel jumpy, and there were times I had to go back to figure out who said what.
I have a feeling with this open ending this is the first book in a series. If not, I'm pretty bummed. I want to see what happens with Sam and Gretta.
This book has a steady flow, slow in some places, but in general I enjoyed the pace and the action, and the characters captured my heart.
When a cursed family heirloom sends Gretta Dobbs back in time, a hunky construction worker, Sam Daggett, suddenly finds himself love struck and joins her adventure. Their souls entwine within the bodies of young lovers on a Greek island in 1829, where they begin to unravel the mysteries behind Gretta’s ring all while avoiding a bloodthirsty pirate who is determined to seek revenge. Gretta and Sam must find the secrets needed to save her and her relatives from an afterlife in purgatory and return to their own lives—or risk becoming prisoners of the past, continuing the evil cycle of the ring’s curse.
My Thoughts:
I've had this sitting on my Kindle for a long time, but it kept getting pushed back. Anne was a contestant in Aussie Owned and Read's Pitcharama a few years back, which is where she got this book deal. I've been intrigued to read it ever since.
In the beginning, we see several women in the PIT, a limbo state as they wait to be freed by their descendants. A curse has been placed on their family, and they are determined to have it broken.
Enter Sam, a smart young man who has lost his way since his mother's death. He dropped out of college to care for his father, and lives each day missing his mother. Until Gretta literally stumbles into his life. She's part of the cursed family, and together, they are sent back to observe the events leading to the curse in hopes of finding a way to break it.
I don't know if anyone out there has played Assassin's Creed, or at least knows the concept. To me, this has a similar feel. The main character are sent back in time to figure out the answers for current day problems. I love the set of the Grecian Islands, along with the action of pirates blended with romance.
My complaint would be the perspectives sometimes feel jumpy, and there were times I had to go back to figure out who said what.
I have a feeling with this open ending this is the first book in a series. If not, I'm pretty bummed. I want to see what happens with Sam and Gretta.
This book has a steady flow, slow in some places, but in general I enjoyed the pace and the action, and the characters captured my heart.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Cover Reveal: Link by Summer Wier
As I've said in the past, I LOVE Summer, and this book is fantastic. I read a earlier version, so I'm excited to see the final product.
About Link:
For seventeen-year-old Kira, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than being surrounded by friends and huddled beside a campfire deep in the woods. And with a birthday in the peak of summer, that includes late night swims under the stars.
For seventeen-year-old Kira, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than being surrounded by friends and huddled beside a campfire deep in the woods. And with a birthday in the peak of summer, that includes late night swims under the stars.
Or
at least, it used to.
Kira’s
relaxing contemplation of the universe is interrupted when a piece of it falls,
colliding with her and starting a chain of events that could unexpectedly lead
to the one thing in her life that's missing—her father.
Tossed
into a pieced-together world of carnivals and gypsies, an old-fashioned
farmhouse, and the alluring presence of a boy from another planet, Kira
discovers she’s been transported to the center of a black hole, and there’s
more to the story than science can explain. She’s now linked by starlight to
the world inside the darkness. And her star is dying.
If
she doesn’t return home before the star’s light disappears and her link breaks,
she’ll be trapped forever. But she’s not the only one ensnared, and with time
running out, she’ll have to find a way to save a part of her past and a part of
her future, or risk losing everything she loves.
Dreamy, fluid, and beautiful, LINK pairs the mystery of science fiction with the minor-key melody of a dark fantasy, creating a tale that is as human as it is out of this world.
About The Author:
Summer Wier grew up
spending Saturdays with a maxed out library card and her nose in a book. But as
much as she loved reading, and even writing, both took the back seat when it
came to career choices. With her sights set on law school, corporate greatness,
and even a hankering to become the first female president, she set off to
conquer the world. As life would have it, though, she didn’t attend law school,
nor did she become president (although, one day, your vote may be appreciated),
finding her strengths, instead, in accounting and business management. After
finishing her MBA, she revived her love for reading and began writing with
dreams of finishing a book of her own. When Summer isn’t working, reading, or
writing, she’s trying to keep up with two energetic girls and her husband, and
dreaming of the mountains of Montana.
LINK is her debut young
adult sci-fi novel, the first in THE SHADOW OF LIGHT trilogy.
Find more of Author
Summer Wier on her website, twitter, facebook, or goodreads.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Teaser Tuesday #9
Deceptive Cadence comes out on the 30th, which is next week! So here's some teasers!
(You can pre-order it now!)Monday, June 22, 2015
Cover Reveal: Sun-Kissed Summer by Marta Brown
Publication date: July 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Summer can change everything.
For shy, bookish Katie Quinn, it just might after an accidental mix-up at the airport on the way to visit her grandparents for the summer leaves her stuck with the wrong suitcase. One full of short shorts, high heels, and absolutely nothing she would normally dare to wear. Until she realizes her newfound look has garnered the attention of Key West’s biggest hottie, Brad-freaking-Garrison, and might just give her the one thing she’s always dreamed of—an epic summer romance.
A romance her summertime best friend only wishes he could give her. But for Oliver, getting Katie to see him as more than just some dumb jock isn’t going to be easy after he agrees to compete against Brad in a kite-surfing competition. And if Brad has any say in it, the prize is Katie herself.
With more than just a contest on the line and a friendship at stake, will this be the summer Katie finds her footing, even if it is in someone else’s shoes? Will Oliver finally get the courage to tell Katie how he really feels and get out of the friend-zone for good? Or, like a kite in a hurricane, will everything they’ve ever hoped for be lost in the storm?
AUTHOR BIO:
Marta Brown grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was a teenager when Doc Martens, Pearl Jam and flannel were the norm, and Dylan loved Kelly forever. (Beverly Hills, 90210 shout out!)
She still lives just outside Seattle, now with her husband and cat, and loves the rain.
When she’s not writing about cute boys, first kisses and the magic and wonder of being seventeen, she’s watching The CW. And she sleeps in. Late.
She still lives just outside Seattle, now with her husband and cat, and loves the rain.
When she’s not writing about cute boys, first kisses and the magic and wonder of being seventeen, she’s watching The CW. And she sleeps in. Late.
Author Links:
Friday, June 19, 2015
My Summer Reads!
I've seen a few of these floating around, so I thought I might pull one together. I've already read a few, like Sachael Dreams and Night of Pan (You can find my reviews by clicking the tab above) but here are the ones at the top of my list to read. Hopefully I'll get time to read them between my three releases and having a baby! I have every intention of cramming while in the hospital.
Here we go!
Souls Entwined
I've had this sitting on my Kindle for a long time, but it keeps getting pushed back. Not any more! Anne was a contestant in Aussie Owned and Read's Pitcharama a few years back, which is where she got this book deal.
Anne is a doll, and I'm eager to see where this time travel romance goes.
Altar of Reality
This is written by a good friend of mine, Mara. I helped her prepare the first few chapters for Curiosity Quills, and have been dying to finish it ever since. It's like a dystopian, but not. I'm intrigued to see what this story does.
Fight for Me (The Tate Chronicles #2)
I started this series a few months back with book 1, Fall For Me, then read the two novellas. You can find my reviews for them under my reviews tab above. So, since I have started it, I want to continue the story.
Plus, it's set in Australia. Can't beat that.
Reasons I Fell For The Funny Fat Friend
Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) is always a treat to read. Her characters are witty, quirky, and have voices that pop off the pages. I have no doubt this novel will be the same.
And bonus, they're pretty clean too. I feel safe reading and sharing Cassie's books.
Broken Forest
This is another one of those books I've had sitting on my kindle forever that keeps getting pushed back. Again, I'm making this one a priority. Eliza has been a wonderful support and is a great person, so I really need to get on this one. We were actually signed about the same time by the same person! Crazy, huh? I don't read much fantasy, but this doesn't seem too heavy, and has strong family elements that I enjoy.
Here we go!
Souls Entwined
I've had this sitting on my Kindle for a long time, but it keeps getting pushed back. Not any more! Anne was a contestant in Aussie Owned and Read's Pitcharama a few years back, which is where she got this book deal.
Anne is a doll, and I'm eager to see where this time travel romance goes.
Altar of Reality
This is written by a good friend of mine, Mara. I helped her prepare the first few chapters for Curiosity Quills, and have been dying to finish it ever since. It's like a dystopian, but not. I'm intrigued to see what this story does.
Fight for Me (The Tate Chronicles #2)
I started this series a few months back with book 1, Fall For Me, then read the two novellas. You can find my reviews for them under my reviews tab above. So, since I have started it, I want to continue the story.
Plus, it's set in Australia. Can't beat that.
Reasons I Fell For The Funny Fat Friend
Cassie Mae (aka Becca Ann) is always a treat to read. Her characters are witty, quirky, and have voices that pop off the pages. I have no doubt this novel will be the same.
And bonus, they're pretty clean too. I feel safe reading and sharing Cassie's books.
Broken Forest
This is another one of those books I've had sitting on my kindle forever that keeps getting pushed back. Again, I'm making this one a priority. Eliza has been a wonderful support and is a great person, so I really need to get on this one. We were actually signed about the same time by the same person! Crazy, huh? I don't read much fantasy, but this doesn't seem too heavy, and has strong family elements that I enjoy.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Review: Night of Pan by Gail Strickland
From Goodreads:
The slaughter of the Spartan Three Hundred at Thermopylae, Greece 480 BCE—when King Leonidas tried to stop the Persian army with only his elite guard—is well known. But just what did King Xerxes do after he defeated the Greeks?
Fifteen-year-old Thaleia is haunted by visions: roofs dripping blood, Athens burning. She tries to convince her best friend and all the villagers that she’s not crazy. The gods do speak to her.
And the gods have plans for this girl.
When Xerxes’ army of a million Persians marches straight to the mountain village Delphi to claim the Temple of Apollo’s treasures and sacred power, Thaleia’s gift may be her people’s last line of defense.
Her destiny may be to save Greece...
...but is one girl strong enough to stop an entire army?
My Thoughts:
Night of Pan is a fascinating tale about the Oracle of Delphi and her rise to her position during a tumultuous and well renowned time of Greek history. It follows Thaleia as she runs from her wedding and meets the god Pan. This meeting changes the course of her life as she soon comes to realize she is the mouthpiece of the gods, and has the ability to potentially save Greece from the Persians.
This is not a YA read, it's definitely more adult with the heavy internal dialogue and overly flowery language. Although it's not as "mature" as an adult book, I think young readers could easily get bored and distracted by the lack of action verses the heavy description and lyrical language. In my opinion, it feels like I've walked into a high school history class, and while some teens might love this, I think the majority won't. This "heavy" writing, although beautiful and poetic, makes the pace slow. The story doesn't get to the actual war until after halfway through the novel. *spoiler*
Being a history nerd, I wasn't surprised by her youthful engagement to a considerably older man. This goes along with supporting the rest of the historical aspects in showing accuracy and establishing how different the setting is to our modern culture. I can't fault the history. But the fact that Thaleia ran away from the arrangement shows how reckless she is, and how she refuses to conform, a potentially dangerous trait in her time. In fact, it made me struggle to place her in that time. She feels too much like a modern day high school girl, whereas culturally the norm would be for her to be ready to marry and be a mother. This, among other examples of Thaleia's behavior, clashes with how historically accurate the rest of the book reads. It's like a contemporary YA character has been placed into a thesis or journal. Separately they are great, but together it's a bit jarring.
As I said, the writing is beautiful, and imagery colorful. It tells a well known tale from history through a new perspective.
The slaughter of the Spartan Three Hundred at Thermopylae, Greece 480 BCE—when King Leonidas tried to stop the Persian army with only his elite guard—is well known. But just what did King Xerxes do after he defeated the Greeks?
Fifteen-year-old Thaleia is haunted by visions: roofs dripping blood, Athens burning. She tries to convince her best friend and all the villagers that she’s not crazy. The gods do speak to her.
And the gods have plans for this girl.
When Xerxes’ army of a million Persians marches straight to the mountain village Delphi to claim the Temple of Apollo’s treasures and sacred power, Thaleia’s gift may be her people’s last line of defense.
Her destiny may be to save Greece...
...but is one girl strong enough to stop an entire army?
My Thoughts:
Night of Pan is a fascinating tale about the Oracle of Delphi and her rise to her position during a tumultuous and well renowned time of Greek history. It follows Thaleia as she runs from her wedding and meets the god Pan. This meeting changes the course of her life as she soon comes to realize she is the mouthpiece of the gods, and has the ability to potentially save Greece from the Persians.
This is not a YA read, it's definitely more adult with the heavy internal dialogue and overly flowery language. Although it's not as "mature" as an adult book, I think young readers could easily get bored and distracted by the lack of action verses the heavy description and lyrical language. In my opinion, it feels like I've walked into a high school history class, and while some teens might love this, I think the majority won't. This "heavy" writing, although beautiful and poetic, makes the pace slow. The story doesn't get to the actual war until after halfway through the novel. *spoiler*
Being a history nerd, I wasn't surprised by her youthful engagement to a considerably older man. This goes along with supporting the rest of the historical aspects in showing accuracy and establishing how different the setting is to our modern culture. I can't fault the history. But the fact that Thaleia ran away from the arrangement shows how reckless she is, and how she refuses to conform, a potentially dangerous trait in her time. In fact, it made me struggle to place her in that time. She feels too much like a modern day high school girl, whereas culturally the norm would be for her to be ready to marry and be a mother. This, among other examples of Thaleia's behavior, clashes with how historically accurate the rest of the book reads. It's like a contemporary YA character has been placed into a thesis or journal. Separately they are great, but together it's a bit jarring.
As I said, the writing is beautiful, and imagery colorful. It tells a well known tale from history through a new perspective.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Review: The Actuator 1.5: Borderlands Anthology
From Goodreads:
When the Actuator breaks the earth into a patchwork of altered realities, the remaining Machine Monks begin looking for the Keys to put it back. In the meantime, everyone in the world has been transformed without knowing why. This collection tells about some of the people struggling to deal with the change.
In “Remembering Emily,” by Sara Wolf, Daniel must rescue his distant girlfriend from danger. Worse, she might forget him.
Matthew Cox explores Cyberpunked China in "Stolen Orchid,” where a man finds his wife has become a ghost. His only hope is to cross the border to an unfamiliar realm.
In “The Blackbird’s Tale,” Dan Willis tells of a Machine Monk named David, who works his way through Chicago’s noir scene to find an Actuator Key.
Nathan Yocum gives us “The Dream Journal of Oren Smith Wessely,” in steampunk Arizona where his dreams suddenly come to life.
Mara Valderran’s “The Austenation” crosses Pride and Prejudice with werewolves so the young heroine is forced to do the unthinkable and take matters into her own hands.
In “Escape,” by Patrick Burdine, a group of teenagers are caught in a motherless town where all the fathers have turned into faceless, soul-sucking monsters.
“The Ritual,” by Whitney Trang, is a haunted house in Japan where a ghost seeks to sacrifice a young woman’s sister to save his family.
“The Gatekeepers of Change” is James Pratt’s chronicle of the awakening of great power in a man preparing to enact terrible plans.
“The Ringer” is Craig Nybo’s tale about a detective in New Orleans facing zombies and other undead monsters as he assists a client in taking on her crime lord husband.
A Soviet soldier guarding Chernobyl, in Jason Purdy’s “Anna and Lena,” must escape the poisoning by crossing an unknown border.
Jenny Persson brings us a teen in Viking Sweden in “Once upon a Frozen North,” who looks to the steampunk airships just across the border as a means for her escape.
Jay Wilburn tells of drug addicted Travis, in “Halfway,” who finds the sanctuary of the sanitarium suddenly turns violent.
The author Juhi’s “The Search for Punarnav” takes us to India, where a man seeks to become a healer despite the dangerous Hindu mythologies suddenly made real.
Jason A. Anderson brings us “15 Seconds of Fame,” in Steampunk London where a detective risks everything to save a child from her mob boss father.
In “Forever Young,” Wilbert Stanton explores the fate of an old man who finds himself young again, after paying his life’s savings to gain admission into an exclusive realm.
Finally, James Wymore’s tale, “Cult of the Actuation,” continues the story from book 1, as Dragon Star takes on religious zealots, organized in the wake of the Change, who have taken one of the Machine Monks captive.
My Thoughts:
This is a DNF for me. Not that it was bad, more that I lacked motivation. It seems I'm not an anthology type person. But here are my thoughts on what I did read:
Remembering Emily - Great opening story. Sweet ending.
Stolen Orchid - Well written, but I'm not into cyber punk.
The Blackbird's Tale - A bit longer than the first two. This one delves into the Actuator story, while also giving a classic 30's/mobster crime tale. Enjoyed.
The Dream Journal of Oren Smith Wessely - Again, not really my genre, but well written.
The Austenation - I thought this one was fun. An interesting spin on Pride and Prejudice with werewolves.
When the Actuator breaks the earth into a patchwork of altered realities, the remaining Machine Monks begin looking for the Keys to put it back. In the meantime, everyone in the world has been transformed without knowing why. This collection tells about some of the people struggling to deal with the change.
In “Remembering Emily,” by Sara Wolf, Daniel must rescue his distant girlfriend from danger. Worse, she might forget him.
Matthew Cox explores Cyberpunked China in "Stolen Orchid,” where a man finds his wife has become a ghost. His only hope is to cross the border to an unfamiliar realm.
In “The Blackbird’s Tale,” Dan Willis tells of a Machine Monk named David, who works his way through Chicago’s noir scene to find an Actuator Key.
Nathan Yocum gives us “The Dream Journal of Oren Smith Wessely,” in steampunk Arizona where his dreams suddenly come to life.
Mara Valderran’s “The Austenation” crosses Pride and Prejudice with werewolves so the young heroine is forced to do the unthinkable and take matters into her own hands.
In “Escape,” by Patrick Burdine, a group of teenagers are caught in a motherless town where all the fathers have turned into faceless, soul-sucking monsters.
“The Ritual,” by Whitney Trang, is a haunted house in Japan where a ghost seeks to sacrifice a young woman’s sister to save his family.
“The Gatekeepers of Change” is James Pratt’s chronicle of the awakening of great power in a man preparing to enact terrible plans.
“The Ringer” is Craig Nybo’s tale about a detective in New Orleans facing zombies and other undead monsters as he assists a client in taking on her crime lord husband.
A Soviet soldier guarding Chernobyl, in Jason Purdy’s “Anna and Lena,” must escape the poisoning by crossing an unknown border.
Jenny Persson brings us a teen in Viking Sweden in “Once upon a Frozen North,” who looks to the steampunk airships just across the border as a means for her escape.
Jay Wilburn tells of drug addicted Travis, in “Halfway,” who finds the sanctuary of the sanitarium suddenly turns violent.
The author Juhi’s “The Search for Punarnav” takes us to India, where a man seeks to become a healer despite the dangerous Hindu mythologies suddenly made real.
Jason A. Anderson brings us “15 Seconds of Fame,” in Steampunk London where a detective risks everything to save a child from her mob boss father.
In “Forever Young,” Wilbert Stanton explores the fate of an old man who finds himself young again, after paying his life’s savings to gain admission into an exclusive realm.
Finally, James Wymore’s tale, “Cult of the Actuation,” continues the story from book 1, as Dragon Star takes on religious zealots, organized in the wake of the Change, who have taken one of the Machine Monks captive.
My Thoughts:
This is a DNF for me. Not that it was bad, more that I lacked motivation. It seems I'm not an anthology type person. But here are my thoughts on what I did read:
Remembering Emily - Great opening story. Sweet ending.
Stolen Orchid - Well written, but I'm not into cyber punk.
The Blackbird's Tale - A bit longer than the first two. This one delves into the Actuator story, while also giving a classic 30's/mobster crime tale. Enjoyed.
The Dream Journal of Oren Smith Wessely - Again, not really my genre, but well written.
The Austenation - I thought this one was fun. An interesting spin on Pride and Prejudice with werewolves.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Cover Reveal: The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless
Release
Date: 07/14/15
Love
Potion Books
Summary
from Goodreads:
Kate
Kate
I'm the last mermaid.
I’m back on shores of Lake Erie, but the cold waters are silent. There is
nothing here for me but ghosts and the beach glass that litters the rocky
shore. Long ago, I lived below the waves. Now, I am the sole survivor, and at
long last, my mermaid glamour is leaving me.
Every day, I walk the beach. Every day, I wonder what happened to my people.
The little pieces of colored glass that wash ashore give me simple pleasure.
They are gifts from the lake, reminders of home. I fashion them into trinkets:
necklaces, earrings, bracelets. They are beautiful things. The humans seem love
them.
Every day, I walk the beach. Nothing ever changes, until the day he says hello.
Cooper
I’m dying.
It’s not a question, it’s a fact. The cancer is eating me alive. They told me I
have six months to live, maybe less. I came home, back to Chancellor on Lake
Erie, to die. The sunsets are vivid there, and I will relish every one.
I've never seen anything more beautiful than a Lake Erie sunset until I see
her.
All life is fragile as glass.
What would you sacrifice to save the one you love?

About the Author
Romance
author. Cupcake connoisseur. Certified herbalist. Beach bum. Fan of all things Starbucks.
Holistic healing advocate. Surfer girl wanna-be. Lost guru.
Maker of dandelion wine. Counselor. Paranormal buff. Etsy addict. Secretly
Jedi. So not a geek girl. Gifted in sarcasm. Hot wife. Ninja
mom. And now, I'm ready to share a whole head full of witty, mouthy, smart,
lovely, heart-warming, and hot characters with the world. Are you ready?
Poppy
Lawless is the author of the forthcoming series Love & Chocolate releasing
in 2015 and The Glass Mermaid. Poppy holds degrees in English and
Psychology. She is a counselor in the field of mental health and is a trained
herbalist. Poppy's new series blends the best of romance with a Practical
Magic or contemporary Bewitched appeal.
Author Links:
Monday, June 15, 2015
How Did I Become a Writer?
I get asked this question a lot, especially by my "non" writer friends. I think it's interesting because I know it secretly means How do they become a writer? I'm also fairly certain most of the people who ask me haven't read my books, but that's another issue at this point.
So I'll begin with one thing: a burning need to write a story. Then another, then another. This need needs to be more than just an idea. You need to write it down, hash out the plot, the twists and turns, develop the characters.
No time? Congrats, I don't have time either. I'm a mother and wife, which in themselves are crazy busy gigs, I'm massively pregnant, have church and family commitments, and work. Yes, my work is mostly edits, but that leaves very little time for actually writing, and before I received my first contract, I was working in an office part time. Not to mention, I'm a female and put a heck of a lot of pressure on myself.
So no time? If you're serious about writing, you'll find time. Please don't insult me and every other writer out there by asking this.
Next: Remember your first story won't be the next Harry Potter. There's a reason why we have the term "first draft." Working in submissions, I've seen a lot of newbies submit. It's cute, really it is, and I try to send them something constructive for feedback. Yes, please, for the first round get all your ideas down. Better out than in. But after that, get online, join in writers groups, read blogs, make some friends who can critique with you and refine your art. Like anything else out there, there are rules and styles for writing, and these are there to fit the trends and reader expectations. Trust me, you want your readers to be happy.
Once you've written that manuscript and polished it to a shine, then you can look into querying. I started by getting involved with competitions. This way I could get great feedback on my query, and I met other writers at the same stage as me. We worked together, and I'd say most, if not all, the people I met during that time have a book deal of some form.
But you'll need to know a few things.
1. You will be rejected. Over, and over, and over, and over...
2. Know what you're looking for. Do you want an agent? If so, don't sign with just any agent. Know who is good, what agencies have positive/negative reputations, who actually gets big 5 publisher deals (some agencies have little to none of these) etc.
If you choose to go through a press, know the same about them, are they reputable? Do their books sell?
Also make sure you read over any contract you consider thoroughly. You don't want to be blindsided by contract clauses you missed.
So there you have it. Sounds simple enough, right? With hard work and patience, along with frustration and a thick skin, you can get there. There are plenty of writers out there, but the authors are the ones who soldier on and work through the trials.
So I'll begin with one thing: a burning need to write a story. Then another, then another. This need needs to be more than just an idea. You need to write it down, hash out the plot, the twists and turns, develop the characters.
No time? Congrats, I don't have time either. I'm a mother and wife, which in themselves are crazy busy gigs, I'm massively pregnant, have church and family commitments, and work. Yes, my work is mostly edits, but that leaves very little time for actually writing, and before I received my first contract, I was working in an office part time. Not to mention, I'm a female and put a heck of a lot of pressure on myself.So no time? If you're serious about writing, you'll find time. Please don't insult me and every other writer out there by asking this.
Next: Remember your first story won't be the next Harry Potter. There's a reason why we have the term "first draft." Working in submissions, I've seen a lot of newbies submit. It's cute, really it is, and I try to send them something constructive for feedback. Yes, please, for the first round get all your ideas down. Better out than in. But after that, get online, join in writers groups, read blogs, make some friends who can critique with you and refine your art. Like anything else out there, there are rules and styles for writing, and these are there to fit the trends and reader expectations. Trust me, you want your readers to be happy.
Once you've written that manuscript and polished it to a shine, then you can look into querying. I started by getting involved with competitions. This way I could get great feedback on my query, and I met other writers at the same stage as me. We worked together, and I'd say most, if not all, the people I met during that time have a book deal of some form.
But you'll need to know a few things.
1. You will be rejected. Over, and over, and over, and over...
2. Know what you're looking for. Do you want an agent? If so, don't sign with just any agent. Know who is good, what agencies have positive/negative reputations, who actually gets big 5 publisher deals (some agencies have little to none of these) etc.
If you choose to go through a press, know the same about them, are they reputable? Do their books sell?
Also make sure you read over any contract you consider thoroughly. You don't want to be blindsided by contract clauses you missed.
So there you have it. Sounds simple enough, right? With hard work and patience, along with frustration and a thick skin, you can get there. There are plenty of writers out there, but the authors are the ones who soldier on and work through the trials.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Five-Line Friday: Deceptive Cadence
I decided I need to join Collette Cameron's Five Line- Friday more often. So today, here we go! I'm going to share a snippet from Deceptive Cadence, which releases in just over two weeks! So excited! But first, the rules:
Now the five lines:
Five-Line Friday RULES
- Five lines of your current work in progress, new release, soon-to-be-released … whatever. (Do keep it as close to five sentences as you can.)
- You are welcome to post buy links too.
- PG (I don’t have a warning on my blog about content, so it has to be appropriate for all viewers. I will delete comments that aren’t appropriate or offensive to some audiences. Sorry.)
Now the five lines:
As James walked back, I bit my lip. He was so attractive, and every inch of me screamed to have him. I cursed my raging teenage hormones. It wasn’t hard the first time around because I hadn’t cared about someone like I did James. I hadn’t desired someone like I did him.
But I had to resist. Austin needed to be my first and only, even if I couldn’t feel anything for him yet. I knew I would eventually.Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Names of the Kiya Characters
In Kiya, we see how many of the Egyptian characters are named and their meanings, like Tut and Horemheb. The Egyptian historical figures all have pretty well known names and origins, but for the fictional characters I had to find names to suit them. So, here are some!
Abimbala: A Nubian name in origin, also spelled "Abimbola", this means "Rich child." Since Abi grew up a princess in a culture arguably as rich and powerful as Egypt, she needed a name to reflect her nobility. Nubian queens were highly revered, and treated equally to kings. Abi would have been no exception to this.
Adina: Hebrew name meaning "lean and subtle." Since Adina was to be pretty and far more gentle than Naomi, this seemed fitting. Although Adina did prove to have a fiery side.
Eliora: Hebrew name meaning "the Lord is my light." As the youngest and loveliest of the sisters, Eliora needed something sweet with some kind of praise, especially since their mother died giving birth to her.
Gerlind: Ancient Germanic name meaning Ger "Spear" and Lind "soft, tender." This is perfect for the Gerlind I wanted to portray as she is small, quiet and hardly noticed, but she secretly has this strength and burning loyalty.
Hepsati: Egyptian name. I can't find my notes on the meaning of this unfortunately. But I did swap her name with Jendaji because I thought Hepsati would be better suited to Mordad's daughter for whatever reason.
Mordad: Persian name meaning "immortality." If you've read the story, you'll understand why this is so perfect. It's also the fifth month of the Iranian calendar. Random, huh? So it's kind of like I called her May.
Rena: Hebrew name meaning "joyous melody." Rena is my favorite of Naomi's sisters, which shows more and more through each book. She was named first, and brings a special joy to Naomi her whole life.
And Naomi? Well, she was always Naomi. She picked her own name. But Naomi does mean "pleasantness."
Did I miss any of your favorite characters? If I did, feel free to point it out to me.
Abimbala: A Nubian name in origin, also spelled "Abimbola", this means "Rich child." Since Abi grew up a princess in a culture arguably as rich and powerful as Egypt, she needed a name to reflect her nobility. Nubian queens were highly revered, and treated equally to kings. Abi would have been no exception to this.
Adina: Hebrew name meaning "lean and subtle." Since Adina was to be pretty and far more gentle than Naomi, this seemed fitting. Although Adina did prove to have a fiery side.
Eliora: Hebrew name meaning "the Lord is my light." As the youngest and loveliest of the sisters, Eliora needed something sweet with some kind of praise, especially since their mother died giving birth to her.
Gerlind: Ancient Germanic name meaning Ger "Spear" and Lind "soft, tender." This is perfect for the Gerlind I wanted to portray as she is small, quiet and hardly noticed, but she secretly has this strength and burning loyalty.
Hepsati: Egyptian name. I can't find my notes on the meaning of this unfortunately. But I did swap her name with Jendaji because I thought Hepsati would be better suited to Mordad's daughter for whatever reason.
Mordad: Persian name meaning "immortality." If you've read the story, you'll understand why this is so perfect. It's also the fifth month of the Iranian calendar. Random, huh? So it's kind of like I called her May.
Rena: Hebrew name meaning "joyous melody." Rena is my favorite of Naomi's sisters, which shows more and more through each book. She was named first, and brings a special joy to Naomi her whole life.
And Naomi? Well, she was always Naomi. She picked her own name. But Naomi does mean "pleasantness."
Did I miss any of your favorite characters? If I did, feel free to point it out to me.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Monday, June 8, 2015
Cover Reveal: Fast, Fresh, and Hot by Eliza Madison (Men At Work, #1)

Publication date: June 29th 2015
Synopsis:
Fantasy guys were supposed to remain anonymous. They were supposed to be nothing more than pretty faces. I didn’t have time for real.
Even though she’s ordered 4 pizzas this week, Becca Dahl’s interested less in spicy sausage and more in the smoking eye candy provided by her hot delivery guy, Tariq. It’s not supposed to amount to anything, but when he proposes a co-ed study break, the sex is hotter than she expected. They both want it to last more than one night, but Becca doesn’t have time for a relationship. She’s got to finish grad school with honors if she’s ever going to earn her dad’s praise. But when Tariq’s kisses light her up brighter than the Bat Signal, she can’t help but say yes to another date.
As they spend more time together out of bed, Becca starts to see the man behind the pizza box. They find a connection deeper than their mutual love of comic books and nerdy movie quotes. Tariq shares pieces of himself and he sees through Becca’s façade to the pain she’s kept hidden for years. Her resolve to hold him at arm’s length starts crumbling. But when Tariq shows up at her graduation, setting off her overbearing father, can he convince her that when it comes to a relationship, they’ve got what it takes to deliver?
Disclaimer: Fast, Fresh and Hot delivers chocolate that melts on your hand, not in your mouth, Batman tattoos, angry shower sex, 80s movie references, and a lifetime supply of sexy pizza boy. And lots of steamy, delicious sex.
Pre-order: http://www.amazon. com/Fast-Fresh-Hot-Work- Novella-ebook/dp/B00Y3P35IC/ ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= 1433541322&sr=8-1&keywords= Eliza+Madison
Friday, June 5, 2015
Cover Reveal: Coming Back by Emma South
Publication date: July 2015
Synopsis:
Once, Christabelle Jayne defied death. Learning to live and love again is going to be so much harder.
After being abducted and vanishing without a trace, she was presumed dead. But Christie isn’t the kind of girl that goes down without a fight. When she crawls out of the forest almost two years later, bruised and bleeding, she is confronted by a world that seems to have moved on and left her behind.
Dean Hawking returned to Warfields after a terrible tragedy on the job shook his faith in humanity. The cop’s transfer home wasn’t the cure-all he hoped for until the best thing about it, the girl he loved since high school, Christie Jayne, turns up alive.
Their worlds are thrust together again for the first time in years. Though still reeling from her ordeal, in Dean she finds a fathomless love that reminds her there are still beautiful things in the world. In Christie, he sees his chance at redemption…
Then Dean uncovers some startling information about Christie’s case, revealing that she might be in imminent danger, and their second chance at love will be put to the test when the full story of her escape is revealed. Can there be any coming back from what she’s had to do?
After being abducted and vanishing without a trace, she was presumed dead. But Christie isn’t the kind of girl that goes down without a fight. When she crawls out of the forest almost two years later, bruised and bleeding, she is confronted by a world that seems to have moved on and left her behind.
Dean Hawking returned to Warfields after a terrible tragedy on the job shook his faith in humanity. The cop’s transfer home wasn’t the cure-all he hoped for until the best thing about it, the girl he loved since high school, Christie Jayne, turns up alive.
Their worlds are thrust together again for the first time in years. Though still reeling from her ordeal, in Dean she finds a fathomless love that reminds her there are still beautiful things in the world. In Christie, he sees his chance at redemption…
Then Dean uncovers some startling information about Christie’s case, revealing that she might be in imminent danger, and their second chance at love will be put to the test when the full story of her escape is revealed. Can there be any coming back from what she’s had to do?
AUTHOR BIO:
Now a USA Today Best Selling Author!Please visit http://emmasouth.com/?page_id=
I'm in my thirties and living in New Zealand. About 2 years ago I lost somebody very close to me. I was lucky in a way, I was given enough time to make a promise. My promise was that I would never forget our young and innocent love, and it's a promise I intend to keep.
My writing is a way to help me keep that promise. I've always enjoyed writing but was forced into being 'prudent' and giving myself over to soul-crushing office work for the sake of a steady salary. Recent events forced me to re-evaluate my priorities and I decided to take a chance. I like to put little pieces of 'us' into my writing, from funny conversations we had, to apocalyptic arguments, to that special feeling you get when you hop into bed fully aware that your feet are freezing but your partner doesn't kick you away.
Even though these things are set in fictional worlds and attached to fictional characters, in a way it feels like I'm doing something that will make our love live forever. If somebody reads one of my stories and likes a joke or sheds a tear, then our love has lived on, and I thank any readers I might have for that.
Author Links:
http://emmasouth.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/
https://twitter.com/
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