Beagle Book Space

Tour Spotlight - Dark Shala by Cathy Benedetto

2013-05-22T20:04:00.001+10:00

About Cathy Benedetto:

Ms. Benedetto is a writer, artist and avid reader. Her love of science fiction and fantasy inspired her trilogy about the mystical race of warriors known as Shala. Her favorite authors, Anne McCaffrey, Robert Jordan, and Orson Scott Card, have spun stories that shifted Cathy’s imagination into high gear.

The former Vice Principal and education consultant, Cathy was also a five time softball All-American, and AAU basketball All-American. She was a member of the U.S. Women’s basketball team that played in the World University Games in Czechoslovakia and the Pan American Games in Canada. While coaching, she was published in the Women in Sports magazine and wrote a column for the Bellevue Journal American.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Cathy moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 2003. The former coach enjoys supporting the Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team, woodturning, lapidary arts, and loves fishing on her pontoon boat. A special joy is playing with David, Charlotte, Kendall, Lily, and Liz.

Dark Shala

Book Synopsis:

Vigilance reader! There are more battles, more strategies, more Shala and Fels and most of all more mysteries! Many questions about the Shala from The Eyes of Sandala have been answered and many new ones arise. The most pressing question being who are the Dark Shala and what is their place in the war? But the mysteries do not end there, as new characters bring new questions and new prophecies as well. The back and forth battles cause each side to make adjustments in strategy which lead to more suspense and a strong desire to find how the future will unfold.

The Eyes of Sandala

Book Synopsis:

Like the Navi on Pandora, the exotic warrior race called Shala dominates the continent of Sandala. Over seven feet tall and as strong as three men, the dark-skinned Shala share a life-long bond with wild felines. The fierce fighters are blessed with telepathic powers, and have eyes that radiate a kaleidoscope of colors.

The Shala live apart from the humans of Sandala, dwelling inside the crater of an extinct volcano. But when invaders appear, they must obey the prophecy and rise to defend the land. It will take all the cunning and guile of their young leader, Tahjeen Tier, to contend with assassination and betrayal, and a massive army poised to attack.

The King of the Fels

Book Synopsis:

In the exciting conclusion to the Shala Trilogy, Latiga is under siege, travel mirrors are lost, lovers have been torn apart by the ravages of war, and the King of the Fels is dying. These are the challenges that Tahjeen Tier, leader of the Shala, contends with as he confronts the King of the Fels to find out why he must sacrifice his own people to save the Sandalese. Is there something special about these particular humans? While Tahjeen demands answers, the Surmese invaders are poised to launch their own final two battles — one in the heartland’s frontier, home of the fels, and the other at Latiga, the capital of Palaton. As humans and Shala gather for the final battle, Tahjeen learns the truth about his unborn son.

Amazon Links for Books:

Link for Dark Shala

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Shala-Cathy-Benedetto/dp/1613181167

Link for The Eyes of Sandala

http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Sandala-Cathy-Benedetto/dp/1613181159

Link for The King of the Fels

http://www.amazon.com/King-Fels-Cathy-Benedetto/dp/1613181396

Tour Schedule and Activities

Tour Page URL:

http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/cathy-benedetto-virtual-tour/

May 13 - Writings, Musings, and Other Such Nonsense - Guest Post

May 14 - Sheila Deeth - Interview

May 15 -Read 2 Review - Guest Post

May 17 - Breath of Life - Review

May 19 - Sapphyria’s Book Reviews - Promo/Spotlight

May 20 - Spellbindings - Character Interview

May 21 – SpecMusicMuse - Review

May 22 - Beagle Book Space - Promo/Spotlight

May 23 - Pandragon Dan -Review

May 26 - Azure Dwarf - Review

May 27 –JeanzBookReadNReview - Interview

May 29 - Crossroads Reviews - Review

May 31 - Angela Meadon -Interview

June 1 - The FlipSide of Julianne - Guest Post

June 4 - The Dan O’Brien Project - Promo-Excerpt

June 6 - Darlene’s Book Nook - Guest Post

June 8 - Mom Cat’s Book Blog - Character Post

June 11 - Kayla’s Reads and Reviews - Guest Post

June 12 - Recent Reads - Review

Tour Spotlight - Seasons of Death by Marlene Mitchell & Gary Yeagle

2013-05-19T07:22:00.000+10:00

About Marlene Mitchell:

Originally from St. Louis, Marlene makes her home in Kentucky now. A mother and grandmother, Marlene has a wide range of interests including watercolor and oil painting, yet writing has always been her passion. That comes through loud and clear in her wonderful novels!

These novels reflect a genuine sincerity with very strong characters to which her readers can relate. To quote Marlene: “It took me a long time to start writing, but now I can’t stop. The stories just keep on coming.”

About Gary Yeagle:

Gary Yeagle was born and raised in Williamsport, Pa., the birthplace of Little League Baseball. He grew up living just down the street from the site of the very first Little League game, played in 1939.

He currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife and four cats. He is the proud grandparent of three and is an active member of the Jeffersontown United Methodist Church. Gary is a Civil War buff, and enjoys swimming, spending time at the beach, model railroading, reading, and writing.

Seasons of Death
Book Synopsis:

In the fall of 1969 in the mountains of eastern Tennessee, a poor backwoods farmer and his wife were brutally shot and killed by four drunken hunters, along with their three dogs, horse and two fawns. The farmer’s two young sons managed to escape but were unable to identify the killers. Now decades later, the murders of the Pender family remain unsolved. In Townsend, Tennessee, in Blount County, someone has decided to take revenge.

Echoes of Death

Book Synopsis:

It’s springtime in the Smokies and despite the four murders of the previous year, tourists from every corner of the country have made the journey to Townsend, Tennessee. The hiking trails are packed, the restaurants are jammed, and the campsites are full. Vacation season is in full swing in the peaceful side of the Smokies.

But then… there is another murder.

Links:
Seasons of Death - Amazon
Echoes of Death - Amazon

Tour Schedule and Activities

Tour Page URL:

http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/marlene-mitchell-and-gary-yeagle-virtual-tour/

May 15 - Bookishly Me - Promo/Spotlight

May 16 - Full Moon Bites - Interview

May 17 - Read 2 Review - Excerpt

May 18 - Pick of the Literate - Review

May 19 - Beagle Book Space - Promo/Spotlight

May 20 - Sheila Deeth - Guest Post

May 22 - A Daydreamer’s Thoughts - Interview

May 25 - The FlipSide of Julianne - Excerpt

May 26 - CelticLady’s Review - Promo/Spotlight/Excerpt

June 1 - Mochas, Mysteries, and More - Guest Post

June 3 - Crossroads Reviews - Review

June 4 - Shelley’s Book Case - Review

June 5 - Darlene’s Book Nook - Character Interview

June 6 - Breath of Life - Review

June 6 - Babs Book Bistro - Promo/Spotlight/Excerpt

June 8 – JeanzBookReadNReview - Interview

June 10 - Bee’s Knees Reviews - Review

June 11 - Mary’s Cup of Tea - Review

June 12 - The Dan O’Brien Project - Excerpt-Promo

June 13 - Mom Cat’s Book Blog - Character Post

June 14 - Fictional Candy - Review

Tour Spotlight - Burning The Middle Ground by L. Andrew Cooper

2013-05-11T08:00:00.000+10:00

About L. Andrew Cooper:

L. Andrew Cooper thinks the smartest people like horror, fantasy, and sci-fi. Early in life, he couldn’t handle the scary stuff–he’d sneak and watch horror films and then keep his parents up all night with his nightmares. In the third grade, he finally convinced his parents to let him read grownup horror novels: he started with Stephen King’s Firestarter, and by grade five, he was doing book reports on The Stand.

When his parents weren’t being kept up late by his nightmares, they worried that his fascination with horror fiction would keep him from experiencing more respectable culture. That all changed when he transitioned from his public high school in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia to uber-respectable Harvard University, where he studied English Literature. From there, he went on to get a Ph.D. in English from Princeton, turning his longstanding engagement with horror into a dissertation. The dissertation became the basis for his first book, Gothic Realities (2010). More recently, his obsession with horror movies turned into a book about one of his favorite directors, Dario Argento (2012). He also co-edited the textbook Monsters (2012), an attempt to infect others with the idea that scary things are worth people’s serious attention.

After living in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California, Andrew now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where he teaches at the University of Louisville and chairs the board of the Louisville Film Society, the city’s premiere movie-buff institution. _Burning the Middle Ground_ is his debut novel.

Burning the Middle Ground

Book Synopsis:

Burning the Middle Ground is a dark fantasy about small-town America that transforms readers’ fears about the country’s direction into a haunting tale of religious conspiracy and supernatural mind control. A character-driven sensibility like Stephen King’s and a flair for the bizarre like Bentley Little’s delivers as much appeal for dedicated fans of fantasy and horror as for mainstream readers looking for an exciting ride. Brian McCullough comes home from school and discovers that his ten-year-old sister Fran has murdered their parents. Five years later, a journalist, Ronald Glassner, finds Brian living at the same house in the small town of Kenning, Georgia. Planning a book on the McCullough Tragedy, Ronald stumbles into a struggle between Kenning’s First Church, run by the mysterious Reverend Michael Cox, and the New Church, run by the rebellious Jeanne Harper. At the same time, Kenning’s pets go berserk, and dead bodies, with the eyes and tongues removed from their heads, begin to appear.

Author Links in html:
Website and Blog
Facebook
Google+: landrew42
Twitter
Amazon

Tour Schedule and Activities

Tour Page URL:

http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/l-andrew-cooper-virtual-tour/

May 8 - Read 2 Review - Character Post

May 9 - readings Sunshine - Review

May 10 - Spellbindings - Guest Post

May 11 - Beagle Book Space - Promo/Spotlight

May 12 - SpecMusicMuse - Review

May 14 - Workaday Reads -Guest Post

May 15 - The FlipSide of Julianne - Interview

May 16 - Once Upon a Time - Guest Post

May 17 - Sheila Deeth - Character Post

May 18 - Azure Dwarf - Review

May 19 - MikesFilmTalk - Review

May 20 - Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews - Interview

May 21 - Beauty in Ruins - Review

May 24 - Book Den - Guest Post

May 25 - Come Selahway With Me - Excerpt

May 28 - The Dan O’Brien Project - Promo/Excerpt

May 31 - Armand Rosamilla, Horror Author - Guest Post

June 1 - Bee’s Knees Reviews- Review

June 3 - Rachel Tsoumbako - Review

June 4 - Fictional Candy - Excerpt

June 5 - I Smell Sheep - Guest Post

June 7 - Darlene’s Book Nook - Guest Post

Tour Spotlight & Giveaway - The Man in The Box by Andrew Toy

2013-05-07T20:30:00.001+10:00

Hi All. Today I am very excited to be part of the tour for 'The Man in The Box' by Andrew Toy. Check out all the details on his new book as well as the exciting Giveaway!!

About Andrew Toy:

Andrew Toy lives with his wife and dachshunds in Louisville, KY. He is currently editing books of nearly every genre and is a writing coach for aspiring authors. He and his wife are trying to adopt their first child, and he is using the means of writing and editing to accomplish the goal of enlarging his family. Check out some more of his writing and upcoming books on his popular blog: adoptingjames.wordpress.com

Andrew Toy Links:

Twitter

Facebook

Blog

The Man in the Box Book Synopsis:

Work provided Robbie Lake the perfect escape from his family. But his life is turned upside down when he is unexpectedly fired. When he finds a new way of escape through a cardboard box, everything changes. The imaginary world of his childhood has evolved in his absence and is now more savage and hostile than even he could have dreamed. Robbie is drawn in by the excitement of his secret world, but will the cost of abandoning his family prove too high?

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule and Activities

Tour Page URL:

http://www.tomorrowcomesmedia.com/andrew-toy-virtual-tour/

April 29 - Read 2 Review - Guest Post

April 30 - Ian’s Realm - Character Post

May 1 - Sapphyria’s Book Reviews - Promo/Spotlight

May 1 - Ali’s Bookshelf - Character Post

May 2 - Writings, Musings, & Other Such Nonsense - Guest Post

May 3 - Beagle Book Space - Promo/Spotlight

May 4 - Watch Play Read - Interview

May 5 - Lost Island of Book Reviews - Review

May 6 - Angela Meadon - Interview

May 6 - A Girl and Her Kindle - Review

May 7 - A Daydreamer’s Thoughts - Guest Post

May 8 - Book in the Bag - Interview

May 9 - Lost Inside the Covers - Review

May 10 - Come Selahway With Me- Interview

May 11 - Alex Reads - Review

May 12 - The FlipSide of Julianne - Interview

May 13 - Sheila Deeth - Guest Post

May 14 - SpecMusicMuse - Review

May 14 - Mom Cat’s Book Blog - Guest Post

May 15 - Spellbindings - Contest/Giveaway

May 16 - Darlene’s Book Nook - Guest Post

May 17 - Bee’s Knees Reviews -Review

May 18 - Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews - Character Interview

May 20 - The Dan O’Brien Project - Excerpt/Promo

May 21 - A Book Vacation - Character Interview & Contest/Giveaway

May 23 - WTF Are You Reading? - Review

May 25 - I Smell Sheep - Guest Post

May 28 - Breath of Life - Review

May 29 - Library Girl reads and Reviews - Guest Post

Book Tour & Interview - Through The Withering Storm by Leif Gregerson

2013-05-06T08:00:00.000+10:00

Today I am very excited to be hosting a stop on the 'Through The Withering Storm' tour as well as a great interview by author Leif Gregerson.

Book Overview

Through the Withering Storm: A Brief History of a Mental Illness is the autobiography of a boy who becomes a man in a cold and seemingly impossible world. This book, with foreword by prominent psychiatrist Dr. Brian Bishop, takes the reader through the true life horror of growing up mentally ill. The author shows us what it is like to juggle school, a dysfunctional family, a ‘career’ as an Air Cadet and all the emotions and troubles that come with adolescence – until genetics throws in a curve ball and the worst imaginable happens.

This book also takes the reader inside the hallways and chambers of a hospital treating the violent, criminal and institutionalized in a place built for ‘shell-shocked’ World War I veterans.

As with many illnesses, there is denial and the struggle doesn’t end in these halls. Despite delusions, fights, arrests, reprisals and being institutionalized, years are wasted fighting treatment and refusing medications.

From the cold and frozen north country of Alberta, through the Rocky Mountains and coastal cities of Vancouver and Los Angeles, the author constantly struggles to shake off the demons that haunt him. He loses friends and possessions, becomes estranged from his family and relinquishes every shred of dignity. Each time he is beaten down, he struggles back to find a small piece of sanity, just enough to keep him going. Finally, with acceptance of his illness, comes treatment and peace.

For any parent or caregiver living with a troubled teenager, this book provides valuable insight into the behaviours of mentally ill youth. For others, such as healthcare professionals, family members or those that suspect they may have an illness themselves, this book sheds light on the symptoms of being bipolar and the all-too-common journey through madness.

Ultimately, this work demonstrates how precious and precarious our lives and relationships are. In the profound words of Dylan Thomas, this book simply says to all who open it and take part in the tragedy that is the human condition, “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

Author Interview

What’s one of the most surprising things you learnt about yourself while writing this book?

What I learned was that despite that I had a genetic condition and despite that I had no control over my actions, good or bad, I had to own up to the fact that I had a problem that needed to be dealt with. I had to accept that friends I lost when I was very sick are friends that don’t now and maybe never will understand, and likely they will never be my friends again.

What was your inspiration behind writing ‘Through the Withering Storm’?

I often like to say I wrote the book to help others understand the illness better, but that isn’t 100% why I did it. A good part of it was that I wanted to be a writer and since I hadn’t written anything yet, I thought the best way to start was to write about myself. The book began as short stories that I polished up and tinkered with and added to here and there. When I was younger I was angry, depressed and bitter a lot and in some ways I thought I was writing to take my problems out on others, like my parents who had me arrested, took away all my property, sold my three cars and such. I also wanted people to read the book and see me as more than just the crazy person everyone talked about for 3 months in my old high school and never saw again. In the end though, I haven’t been nearly so bitter or vindictive in many years. What I really like is when a person who looks sad or worn out comes up to a table I am signing books at and says, “my ex-husband is Bipolar.” “My daughter was Bipolar and she killed herself.” I find it really hard to be that self-centred and bitter youth and think that here is one person that could really be helped with this book. There were times when I even gave a free copy to people in that situation.

What's one piece of advice you would give other aspiring authors?

Choose a genre and choose it before you sit down to even learn about writing. Whatever I have done will not work for most because I have the ability to learn things by myself. I began writing poems and journals, I read every book I could get, I hoarded books. To a writer still young or especially in junior or senior high, take advantage of the tools offered you in school. Above all, take typing, take business, take art. Do well in school, if there is no fund put away for you, shoot for a scholarship but don’t be disappointed if you don’t go to College. Spend that time working as little as you can get away with and reading and writing as much as you possibly can. If school is over, and you don’t want to go back, get an itunes account and take the free courses they offer there, and listen to the podcasts. I know Youtube has some free writing courses because I put a three part course for new writers on there myself. I have taken many courses from various places, but the old, simple rules you learn in grade ten on how to write an essay apply: Start with an outline, put as much detail in it as possible. Research your topic and try and figure out the best time and best place you can work in, then set a schedule. Write five or six days a week for maybe an hour or two, you can work more or less, but remember that the average book is around 60,000 to 100,000 words so try and shoot for a number of words you are comfortable and don’t get up until you have written them. To overcome writer’s block, what works for me is reading and editing what I wrote the day before, it eases you into the whole process, and if you have a well-written outline your word count should be a breeze. When finished, take a week or two and just do what you like to do… take a short trip and stay in a Youth Hostel. Spend some time reading the books you have been wanting to read. Then go back and go through your whole piece of work with a fine-toothed comb. Now you are ready. Ready to BEGIN. Hopefully you have some savings because you are about to do the hardest part-you need to have your work professionally edited, and not by the lowest bidder. Get a Professional, it may cost you up to $2,000 but your book has no hope unless you do it. There is so much more to say, but if you get to that point and you are ready to take the next step, feel free to email me at: lgregersen@ymail.com I am more than happy to help fellow writers. If response is sufficient, I will make some podcasts on the topic and post them at my website, www.valhallabooks.com

Do you have one particular special ‘writing place’ or are you fortunate enough to be able to write anywhere?

When I wrote “Green Mountain Road” my entire first draft was penned in a 24 hour MacDonald’s between 12 midnight and 2 am over the course of a month. I had the guarantee of a clean surface to work from, free-flowing coffee and that all-important separation of bed and work. Now, as I don’t have a car, I do my writing on the dining room table which my roommates generously allow me to cover in papers and my camera and my copy of “2013 Writer’s Market” and of course, my MacBook Air. No matter where I am in the house if I get an idea that needs to go on paper, I head for my MacBook Air, which, though it is a laptop, has never really left my house, and barely left the table.

What’s one thing that many people wouldn’t know about you?

I studied meditation under a real Tibetan Monk for a couple of years and when I was younger I considered becoming a professional pool player.

Do you have any new works in the pipeline which you care to share any details about?

I read a very wise piece of advice that said, “Books that people talk about mostly don’t get written.” I am working on something, but it is stalled for now.

Do you have any pets?

No living pets. One pet I think about and talk about a lot is the cat we had in the house I grew up in, he was incredible, he actually would display some emotions that were like human emotions, but there are no humans that are that kind and non-judgemental. In the evening he would spend a little time with each of us as we sat and watched TV, then he would visit my Mom and often we would put our hands under the comforter on my parent’s bed and ‘pop’ up our hands and he would jump at the little hill like he was chasing a mouse. After that, he would go to my sister’s room (my brother and I shared a room, my parents shared a room, only my sister didn’t have anyone else in her room) and spend the night in her bed. Our cat’s name was Lilleven, which is Danish for little friend. He was unforgettable.

If there is one main point you’d like people to walk away remembering after reading your book, what would it be?

Again, there are two sides to my answer. One side is I would like people to see what I went through and try and understand that when you encounter a mentally ill person you should treat them like anyone else, and the other side of it would be, I like this writer, he shows promise, and that they trust me enough to buy my second book, also available on amazon.com called “Green Mountain Road and Selected Stories”.

About the Author: Leif Gregersen

I grew up somewhat isolated from the harsher forces of the world in St. Albert, a small town just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. Most of my younger years were filled with images of very happy times – trips everywhere from California to Copenhagen, constant school successes and football games in the field near my house that seemed to last forever.

But all was not okay. There were times when my father would discipline me severely or I would come home to find an ambulance in our backyard taking my mother to the hospital for yet another suicide attempt. Although I knew that depression ran in our family, I had no clue of the fearsome beast that was growing inside me.

At that time, I was more concerned about my growing collection of comic books, bought with money my sister would give me for doing her dishes or earned as a bean-picker or weed- puller on a farm not far from town. To be able to buy more comics, I even lied about my age to get a paper route and picked up more money by shoveling walks that hadn’t been done on the route.

Somewhere after the end of elementary school, there was a profound shift. It seemed the wind ran out of my sails and the transition to junior high was not a smooth one. I gave up on sports and I began to hate school and the people in it.

The remaining school years became a painful, out-of-control descent into madness. Gripped by mental illness, my thoughts, actions and behaviours became increasingly bizarre. My world became a true life horror movie of growing up mentally ill. Despite delusions, fights, arrests, reprisals and being institutionalized, years were wasted fighting any form of treatment, denying the illness and refusing medications.

Fortunately, for the past 15 years, my life has stabilized. I have accepted treatment and medications. Today, I have steady work and can afford some of the things I only dreamed of before. My computers, my 1994 VW Golf, a decent apartment and, above all, my books. From the age of three, my father exposed me to literature of the highest quality. Today, he is a much kinder, gentler and alcohol-free 72 year-old. I have him to thank for my passion to read and write.

The Ghoul Experience Tour - Interview with Ralph McGeary

2013-05-03T08:30:00.000+10:00

Today I am very excited to be part of the tour for Ralph McGeary's new novel 'Ghoul'.

Synopsis:

'In this fantasy novel of policemen, mercenaries, and necromancers, a Chief Constable becomes embroiled in the political and religious upheaval in his city when he seeks aid from a wandering spellcaster. Across the continent, a band of sword-slinging mercenaries cut a bloody swathe though the countryside, seeking their fortune at their own peril...'

Author Interview:

What was your inspiration behind writing Ghoul?

Ghoul is my first full-length novel, something I’d been planning and hoping to write for a long while before I finally accomplished it. At first I didn’t know what kind of novel I wanted to write, but it was the fantasy ideas of Ghoul that ended up running through my head the most often.

Would you like to share one piece of advice you would give to other aspiring authors?

Different tactics work different for different people, but one piece of advice I’d offer is this: don’t get too hung up on planning and outlining. Once you have a general idea of what you want to happen, just start writing and the rest will come.

If you weren't a writer, what else do you think you would you be doing instead?

Hard to say! I do not have any talent in music or visual art. I suppose I might have gone into acting? I’ve always kind of liked that, but I’ve never seriously attempted it.

Do you have one particular special ‘writing place’ or are you fortunate enough to be able to write anywhere?

I write almost exclusively at home, though where I sit to do it doesn’t matter much. I think that I probably could write away from home, but I’ve never given it much of a try—I really prefer to write in a scheduled, regimented way, so writing away from home could mess that up.

Are there any authors that have inspired you along the way?

There’s no doubt that I gain inspiration from just about everything I read. Particularly inspiring for Ghoul would be Terry Pratchett, an excellent British author who does fantasy humor. I also draw a fair deal of inspiration from Matthew Stover, my favorite author, who writes both fantasy and science fiction. Classic horror authors like Robert Chambers and H.P. Lovecraft have also provided a lot of inspiration for me.

Do you have a favourite scene in Ghoul (without giving the story away too much)?

There is a scene I enjoy in the latter half of the book in which a bestial sort of wolf-man (called, aptly “the Wolf”) has a prolonged duel with a spellcaster (I won’t say who). I was looking forward to writing that for a long time; I’m pretty happy with how it came out.

Do you have any pets?

I do not—I do like animals, though. When I was younger I used to have pet rats, hamsters, and turtles. My favorite animal is the crocodile, but I don’t foresee being able to keep one of those…

What’s your favourite way to spend your spare time?

Nothing too exciting. I enjoy cooking, and I like games a lot, from video games to board games to role-playing games. And reading and writing, of course.

What’s one thing that most people wouldn’t know about you?

Some people may be interested to learn that most of what I wrote in college was humor essays. Maybe someday I can make them available, but I’m glad that I write fiction now instead; humor essays are tough!

Do you have any new works in the pipeline which you care to share any details about?

The sequel to Ghoul is currently in editing, and will be released within a few months! Those who want to know more about that can always visit me at ralphmcgeary.tumblr.com

Ralph McGeary lives in Chicago, Illinois. He holds degrees in History and Anthropology from Loyola University Chicago. Ghoul is his first novel.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway! - Working It Out by Rachael Anderson

2013-05-02T07:17:00.000+10:00

Author Rachael Renee Anderson

Rachael Anderson is the author of four books: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter

Working It Out
A chance encounter . . .
Grace Warren's life is safe and predictable—exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle—a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon.

A chance for love . . .
Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace's rehab clinic post surgery, she immediately recognizes him. Unfortunately, he's every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there's something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he's everything she's sure she doesn't want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along—assuming she's willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.

Giveaway Details
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/31/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal - Skinless by L.M. Davis

2013-04-30T14:10:00.002+10:00

Blurb

Looking at Luca, who’s just saved my life, I can’t respond. No explanation I might offer will satisfy after all of the extraordinary things he’s just witnessed. —Ankh

All I can say is when the girl I like looks at me with wide, freaked out eyes and then runs away, the only thing that I can do run after her. Even if she didn’t ask me, even if she told me not to, I’m not superman enough to fight the instinct to protect her — Luca

AnCaela Murphy's body is a ticking bomb that only her mom can defuse. The problem: her mother is missing and presumed taken by the Skinless, bogeymen from Ankh’s home world who've been hunting her family ever since they fled that world and certain death. With help from Luca, a boy whose touch confuses and who refuses to back down, Ankh races against time to find her mother before the bomb inside of her detonates, taking her life. Tracking the Skinless across the country, the pair search for her mother and uncover the horrifying truth behind the generation's old war.

Bio:

M. Davis loves great storytelling. She needs nothing more than a good book and a comfy chair to be happy. She was born in the south, raised in the north, and has a few degrees under her belt. She doesn't like to admit it, but she may have something of a "shifter" fetish. She still hasn’t gotten her black cat, but she thinks about it everyday. Her thoughts go something like this: "I really should get a cat." For now, she contents herself with spoiling the pets of her friends and family.

She is the author of Interlopers: A Shifters Novel, Posers: A Shifters Novel, and skinless.

Review - The Selection by Kiera Cass

2013-04-28T14:02:00.000+10:00

The Selection by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 339 pages

Published April 2012 by HarperTeen

Source: Own Copy
Challenges: Ebook challenge

Synopsis:
'For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.'

My Thoughts:
The fact that I loved this book as much as I did was such a surprise to me. I've never been that into young adult type books as they always seem to be a little immature to me but The Selection seriously ticked all the boxes in my head that make a good read.

The main female character, America Singer, is a very strong-willed and seemingly intelligent girl who is content with her way of life. As a main character I really liked America as she spoke her mind and wasn't influenced by the fact that she ends up having to move into the palace to live with the royal family and the Prince she is technically trying to win over as a contender in The Selection. She is a very level headed and mature girl which was a nice refreshing change.

Then there is Aspen, the boy who America has been having a secret relationship with for a long time and who is the one who convinces her to apply for The Selection. Poor Aspen just seems to be a whining and annoying character overall. I have to say that Aspen was the only downfall in this book for me. He just seemed so weak and pathetic that I was actually glad when America got chosen and was going to get away from him. Unfortunately, he turns up again further on in the book and then it's just irritating when he does.

Prince Maxon, the boy that all the girls in The Selection are trying to win over and eventually wed, is not your usual spoilt Prince who has been exposed to nothing but money, expensive material things and dinner parties. He actually assists his father with military strategies and decisions and is very willing to understand the hardships that exist in the rest of the country and act accordingly. He does show tendencies of being your young and awkward teenage boy in some parts, but this just made him seem a bit more real rather than if he was cocky and too full of himself because of his easy upbringing.

Once the actual Selection part begins, this book is near impossible to put down. It's so fast paced and sucks you right in like a TV reality show where you just can't wait to find out who gets eliminated next.

One point I have to make is that the world created by the author is very similar to that of The Hunger Games, where there are different classes of people and the fact that a lot of the poorer classes struggle with basic things like food and are ruled by crime. There are slight differences here and there, but overall the setting is very similar which could make it seem a bit unoriginal to some readers.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading The Selection and by the end I was so hooked that I was utterly disappointed that you don't get to find out what happens until the next book, The Elite, which I am now hanging by my fingernails in wait for it to be released next month.

Links:
Amazon
The Book Depository

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway - January Justice by Athol Dickson

2013-04-25T08:30:00.000+10:00

January Justice by Athol Dickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 307 pages

Published December 1st 2012 by Author Author Inc. (first published November 30th 2012)

Source: Blog Tour

Synopsis:
'Reeling from his wife's unsolved murder, Malcolm Cutter is just going through the motions as a chauffeur and bodyguard for Hollywood's rich and famous. Then a pair of Guatemalan tough guys offer him a job. It's an open question whether they're patriotic revolutionaries or vicious terrorists. Either way, Cutter doesn't much care until he gets a bomb through his window, a gangland beating on the streets of L.A., and three bullets in the chest. Now there's another murder on Cutter's Mind. His own.'

My Thoughts:
January Justice has to be one of the better books I have read this year so far and I am so glad to have joined in as a participant in the tour for this book.
January Justice is your typical mystery/crime book that slowly builds itself up into an intriguing story that I ended up finding hard to put down after I was about halfway through.
The main character is Malcolm Cutter, a chauffeur and part-time private investigator who seems to be a very hard but still fairly interesting person when you first meet him. Gradually, as the story goes on you learn quite a lot about Malcolm's background and what has shaped him to be the person he is today and I really found myself liking him immensely as a lead character by the end. He's tough and headstrong when it's needed but can also be very kind-hearted when necessary as well.
The story is based around Malcolm's struggle with losing his movie star wife a few months earlier and the fact that he gets engaged in a complex investigation to clear up the details of an old kidnapping case. It soon becomes clear that there are people out there who don't want him snooping around old business and will stop at nothing to get him to stop his investigation.
What I loved the most about this book was the complex and intriguing characters it was full to the brim with. No-one was who they seemed and even the humble butler and gardener who live on the same estate with Malcolm end up being more than first meets the eye.
This is the first book I have read by Athol Dickson and certainly won't be my last. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading January Justice and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in mystery or crime novels.

Excerpt:

ONE OF THE STRANGEST THINGS ABOUT THE CITY was the sudden way it disappeared around the edges. One minute you were down on Sunset Boulevard surrounded by glass and concrete, and the next thing you knew you were up on Mulholland Drive, alone in the rough country. From a high window or a rooftop almost anywhere in Los Angeles you could see the mountains, and there was always something ravenous up there looking down. I was up among the hungry creatures, standing at the edge of a cliff, with Hollywood and Santa Monica far below me in the distance. One step forward and I would be in midair. I was looking down and wondering if Haley had considered how suddenly you could go from city to wilderness. Then I wondered if it was a distinction without a difference, if the city might be the wilderness and the wilderness the city, and maybe Los Angeles’s edges seemed to disappear so suddenly because there really was no separation between sidewalks and mountain paths, buildings and boulders. Up in the mountains or down in the city, either way the carnivores were in control. I imagined Haley, out of her mind, running full speed off the cliff. I wondered what it had been like, that final second or two before she hit. Had she realized what was happening? Did she recognize the city lights below for what they were, or did she really think she was flying toward the stars? And did she think of me? Stepping closer to the edge, I slid the toes of my shoes into the air. I looked down two hundred feet, toward the spot where she had broken on the rocks. I stood one inch from eternity and tried to imagine life without her. I could not summon up a single reason why I shouldn’t take that final step, except for one. I thought about the kind of animal who would drive someone to do what my wife had done. Predators like that were everywhere. I should know. I had trained for half my life to be one of them. I was hungry, looking down on the city. If I was going to live, the hunger would have to be enough, for now. But I would sink my teeth into him, sooner or later. I would do that for Haley, and for myself, and then maybe it would be my turn to see if I could fly. I stepped back from the edge.

Enter Here to Win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit Our Book Blast Hosts & You could Win!

Author Bio:

A master of profound suspense. Athol Dickson's mystery, suspense, and literary novels have won three Christy Awards and an Audie Award. Suspense fans who enjoyed Athol's They Shall See God will love his latest novel, January Justice, the first instalment in a new mystery series called The Malcolm Cutter Memoirs. The second and third novels in the series, Free Fall in February, and A March Murder, are coming in 2013. Critics have favourably compared Athol's work to such diverse authors as Octavia Butler (Publisher's Weekly), Hermann Hesse (The New York Journal of Books) and Flannery O'Connor (The New York Times). Athol lives with his wife in southern California. Please visit his website at www.AtholDickson.com, and like his Facebook fan page. Praise for Athol Dickson's novels: "Atmospheric, well-paced and powerfully imagined . . . a highly entertaining nail-biter." (Publishers Weekly) ". . . richly imagined . . . lyrically written . . . artfully constructed." (Bookwire) ". . . well-written . . . intelligent . . . suspenseful . . . engrossing." (Library Journal) ". . . elegant prose . . . very well written." (The New York Review of Books )

Websites & Links:

Thank you to Athol Dickson and Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for generously offering this book to me for review. If you'd like to join in on an upcoming tour just stop by their sites and sign up today!

Blogger is not allowing me to reply to comments

2013-04-20T18:32:00.000+10:00

Hi all, I just wanted to say that I promise I'm not being totally rude lately but for the past week Blogger has not been letting me reply to any comments on my blog and just keeps signing me out.

For some reason my Google ID isn't registering when I open my blog to comment anymore and I have tried everything to fix it!

I can't even send Google any feedback because it keeps asking me to log in when I try and then keeps redirecting me back to the login page rather than moving forward.

Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any advice as to what I can do to fix this problem would be appreciated because it's becoming extremely frustrating now.

I hope everyone has had a better week than me!

Michelle xx

Tour Showcase & Giveaway - 'No Alternative' by William Dickerson

2013-04-16T08:00:00.000+10:00

I am very excited today to be part of the tour for William Dickerson's new book 'No Alternative'.

NO ALTERNATIVE is a coming-of-age drama that drills a hole into the world of suburban American teenagers in the early 90's.

Thomas Harrison is determined to start his own alternative band, an obsession that blinds him to what's either the mental collapse, or the eruption of musical genius, of his little sister, Bridget. Bridget boldly rejects her brother's music, and the music of an entire generation of slackers, by taking on the persona of an X-rated gangsta' rapper named "Bri Da B."

NO ALTERNATIVE probes the lives of rebellious kids who transition into adulthood via the distortion pedals of their lives in an era when the "Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll" ethos was amended to include "Suicide" in its phrase.

AMAZON KINDLE

AMAZON PAPERBACK

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT IT

"A sympathetic coming-of-age story deeply embedded in '90s music. Reflective, unafraid of big-picture pronouncements--'nothing is more do-it-yourself than suicide.' The cool, casual tone results in knockout diagnoses of the '90s teenage condition: 'You feel older as a teenager than you will ever feel in your entire life.'" -Kirkus Reviews

"The novel--with its clear-eyed glimpse into the lives of a troubled family--satisfies." -Publishers Weekly

"Simultaneously brutal and funny, caustic and caring, 'No Alternative' is a sacrament to be shared by all the survivors who grew up at the tail end of the fragmenting century." -Jack O'Connell, author of "The Resurrectionist"

ABOUT WILLIAM

William Dickerson graduated from The College of The Holy Cross with a degree in English and received his Masters of Fine Arts in Directing from The American Film Institute. He is an award-winning writer/director whose work has been recognized by film festivals across the country. He recently published his first novel, “No Alternative,” and completed his debut feature film, DETOUR, which hits Theaters and Video On Demand (VOD) this year. He is currently finishing up his second feature, THE MIRROR.

He is hard at work on several new feature films and is writing another novel. In his spare time, he creates music for his band 9068dash39.

He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Rachel, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Duet.

Filmmaker
FACEBOOK | IMDB | YOUTUBE | TWITTER

Writer
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | AMAZON

Musician
SOUNDCLOUD |PODBEAN

Official Book Trailer!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

$50 Book Blast - Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out

2013-04-12T08:00:00.000+10:00

Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out

Anya Michaels is having the time of her life. She has the man of her dreams by her side. She has graduated at the top of her class. She has the job others were lining up for. Between late night drinks at her favourite bar and fancy dinners at the most expensive restaurants, she has a string of adoring friends. Everything changes when she hears the dreaded words, "You are sick." Being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, her world starts to fall apart, one piece at a time. Now dumped, her four year relationship is nothing but a memory filled with pictures, thoughts and a very broken heart. Her job becomes an even further challenge as she tries to hide her condition. Her friends suddenly have more important things to do, what is a party without a party girl? Perfect could not crumble any faster. Soon, caught between situations, people and pieces of life that she never dreamed of planning for herself, Anya begins to wonder if her brain condition is all that bad. As she absorbs the changes in her life and realization sets in, she begins to wonder if she is the only one saying: Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out.

Amazon Kindle * Barnes & Noble * Amazon

Author Pandora Poikilos Pandora Poikilos has been writing for more than 10 years for various media which include newspapers, radio, television and various websites. A social media enthusiast who is passionate about blogging and finding her way around the virtual world, she wills away time in the real world by reading, writing and people watching.

Facebook * Twitter * Website * Blog * Facebook

Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 4/28/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal - Never Let You Fall by Michele G. Miller

2013-04-11T08:00:00.000+10:00

Never Let You Fall

Book One - The Prophesy of Tyalbrook

A YA Fantasy Romance Series

Expected Release Date- May 1, 2013

Blurb: Orphaned at 7, with no memory of her past or the family she lost, 17 year old Skye Martin is tired of being alone and afraid. After a hard night of partying, Skye wakes up alone in an unfamiliar hotel. All she can remember is the deep voice of her rescuer and his promise: “I am safe.” Xander has been tasked with watching Skye from afar for the past two years, in order to keep her safe from the demons that hunt her. An easy job - until a pair of red glowing eyes reveal themselves to Skye, and Xander, in a moment of weakness, is forced to break his cover to protect her. Never good at trusting people, Skye is inexplicably drawn to Xander and the immediate bond she feels for him. However, Xander is filled with secrets and ties to her past that threaten to thrust Skye into a world she could never imagine existed… As she begins to unravel the truth about who Xander is and the details surrounding her family, she discovers that she might just be the key to saving everything... And, most importantly, she finds that there has always been someone by her side who would never let her fall…

About the Author

Having grown up in both the cold, quiet town of Topsham, Maine and the steamy, southern hospitality of Mobile, Alabama, Michele is something of a enigma. She is an avid Yankees fan, loves New England, being outdoors and misses snow. However she thinks southern boys are hotter, Alabama football is the only REAL football out there and sweet tea is the best thing this side of heaven and her children’s laughter! Her family, a doting hubby and three little minnions, have planted their roots in the middle of Michele’s two childhood homes in Charlotte, North Carolina. Never Let You Fall is Michele’s first novel and she is beyond thrilled to have finally followed up on a dream she has held for over 20 years! God willing there will be many many more books to follow.

Catch up with Michele online at michelegmiller.blogspot.com , on Twitter @chelemybelles or on Facebook

January Black Book Blast & Blog Tour

2013-04-10T08:00:00.000+10:00

January Black

Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.

More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.

What was January Black?

It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He's been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost...or call the king’s bluff.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Amazon Kindle

Praise
Refreshingly intelligent and loads of fun!
I lost a few hours as I read this book. It's a Young Adult novel that is refreshingly and astonishingly intelligent, and the love story is perfectly played out.
~Christine Ashworth, Amazon Review

The mystery was intriguing - I loved how Wendy Russo weaved in all her secrets throughout the book, how she incorporated just enough to keep you reading, while never actually divulging much of anything. I was guessing for most of it and that's pretty hard to make me do.
~Julie, Clean Teen Reads

Wendy Russo has created a masterpiece.
~Ivan Amberlake, Author

Book Trailer

Author Wendy S. Russo

Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.

FACEBOOK * WEBSITE * TWITTER

GOODREADS * AUTHORGRAPH

Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/5/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review - Seriously.....I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

2013-04-07T12:20:00.003+10:00

Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paperback, 269 pages

Published October 1st 2011 by Grand Central Publishing

Source: Own copy
Challenges: Mt TBR Challenge, A-Z Title Challenge

Synopsis:
'Everyone loves Ellen! Television icon, actress and proud wife, Ellen is a star like none other. This comedienne is known for her talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which is going strong in its eighth season.

Seriously… I’m Kidding is a look at Ellen’s life through her humour.

In her own words, Ellen says, “I've experienced a whole lot the last few years and I have a lot to share ... I think you'll find I've left no stone unturned, no door unopened, no window unbroken, no rug unvacuumed, no ivories untickled. What I'm saying is, let us begin, shall we?”

Ellen was also most memorably the voice of Dory in Finding Nemo, hosted the Oscars and served as a judge on American Idol.'

My Thoughts:
First up I want to say just how much I admire Ellen and what she has achieved over the last few years. I absolutely love her show and think she is one of the funniest and generous women in the public profile today.
When I bought this book I didn't really know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by it. Seriously...I'm Kidding is a very lighthearted read that doesn't really discuss any topics in a substantial way, but instead contains short musings and snippets from Ellen on many random subjects in her life.
There were so many parts in this book that made me laugh out loud while reading it, much to the amusement of my husband, and the way it was written it was so easy to imagine Ellen reading out the words to you in her unique way.
I find her entire life, along with her rise and fall and rise again to being popular totally fascinating and am amazed at her determination and courage to put herself and her personal life in the spotlight as she has done.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any Ellen fan if you are interested in a light, quick read that won't weigh you down with too many details and will give you some 'laugh out load' moments. Be aware though, if you are after a more substantial memoir then this isn't the book for you.

Links:
Amazon
The Book Depository

Review - Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

2013-03-29T20:11:00.001+11:00

Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Audiobook, Unabridged

Published November 9th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Audio (first published 2010)

Challenges: Mt TBR Challenge, Colour Coded Challenge

Synopsis:
"I believe there is another man inside every man, a stranger . . ." writes Wilfred Leland James in the early pages of the riveting confession that makes up "1922," the first in this pitch-black quartet of mesmerizing tales from Stephen King.

For James, that stranger is awakened when his wife, Arlette, proposes selling off the family homestead and moving to Omaha, setting in motion a gruesome train of murder and madness.

In "Big Driver," a cozy-mystery writer named Tess encounters the stranger along a back road in Massachusetts when she takes a shortcut home after a book-club engagement. Violated and left for dead, Tess plots a revenge that will bring her face-to-face with another stranger: the one inside herself.

"Fair Extension," the shortest of these tales, is perhaps the nastiest and certainly the funniest. Making a deal with the devil not only saves Dave Streeter from a fatal cancer but provides rich recompense for a lifetime of resentment.

When her husband of more than twenty years is away on one of his business trips, Darcy Anderson looks for batteries in the garage. Her toe knocks up against a box under a worktable and she discovers the stranger inside her husband. It's a horrifying discovery, rendered with bristling intensity, and it definitively ends "A Good Marriage."
My Thoughts:
Wow, this is the first Stephen King book I have read in quite a long time and it reminded me of how I never seem to be disappointed in anything that he does.
Full Dark, No Stars is a haunting compilation of four short stories that all seem to centre around human nature and highlight what we could all be capable of as a species if provoked or pushed to our limits.
The first story, '1922', centres around a husband's attempt to stop his family home from being sold off by his wife and is a chilling tale of how our mind can play tricks on us when guilt eats away at our systems.
'Big Driver', the second story, clearly shows us what we can be capable of when pushed to our limits and when the notion of revenge takes hold.
The third story, 'Fair Extension', is a tale that every one of us can relate to who has ever had that one person in our life who seems to have everything and win at every opportunity, and who you may have harboured that tiny amount of jealousy or resentment towards because of it.
Finally, 'A Good Marriage', is a great story that shows us that even the most placid person can be pushed to do the unthinkable in certain circumstances.
I thoroughly enjoyed each one of these stories but have to say that 'A Good Marriage' was probably my favourite.
If you are a fan of classic Stephen King then you certainly won't be disappointed by Full Dark, No Stars. It's full of his trademark psychological horror and vivid detailing that enables the reader to get swept up in the story and completely visualise every aspect as it is happening.
Yet again, this book has ensured that King stays at the top of the list as my favourite author of all time.

Important Links:
Amazon
The Book Depository

WWW Wednesday (27th March 2013)

2013-03-27T08:00:00.000+11:00

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading.

To join in all you need to do is answer the following three questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

I have to apologise for being absent lately but things have been very hectic around my place over the past week.

Anyhoo, here is what I have been up to lately:

* What am I currently reading? Currently I am alternating between reading and

I am also in the process of listening to the audio version of which just hasn't grabbed me like I thought it would.

* What did I recently finish reading? Recently I managed to finish reading which I liked a lot more than I though I would and which actually made me laugh out loud a few times it was so funny.

* What do I think I'll read next? I have a large list that I want to read for April already but I think I'll most likely start reading as part of a blog tour.

What have you been up to lately?

Michelle

Review - The Girl With the Cat Tattoo by Theresa Weir

2013-03-20T08:00:00.000+11:00

The Girl With the Cat Tattoo by Theresa Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kindle Edition, 103 pages

Published May 29th 2012 by Belfry Press

Source: Own copy
Challenges: What an Animal Reading Challenge, Ebook Challenge, Colour Coded Challenge, Genre Variety Challenge

Synopsis:
'For cat lovers everywhere, this sweet, quirky, and delightful romance is about a young woman and her matchmaking cat. A little bit of mystery, a whole lot of whimsy.

When a matchmaking cat takes it upon himself to find his young mistress a new mate, he accidentally stirs up memories better left forgotten.

Melody’s husband was murdered by what seemed a random act of violence. Two years later, the killer hasn’t been caught, and Melody is coping in unhealthy ways. During the day she’s a mild-mannered children’s librarian, but at night she’s a party girl, hanging out in bars, drinking with new friends, and often bringing home strange men. Although acquaintances have tried to keep in touch, Melody has cut herself off from most of the people in her old life. Max, her eccentric cat, doesn’t approve of her new friends, he’s tired of the parade of losers, and he finally takes it upon himself to find Melody a new man.'

My Thoughts:
The Girl With the Cat Tattoo was just such a fun read that was a great book for me to pick up in between some other heavier books so I could get a much needed breather.

This book is told entirely from a cat's point of view, which may make you go 'Yeah right?' and back away slowly, but trust me on this one, it's actually a really well written and fun read that also contains some serious topics as well as being just a little bit adorable at the same time.

Max the cat decides to play matchmaker for his human Melody after realising one day that she is getting nowhere with the unsavoury men she has been bringing home ever since her husband was tragically murdered two years ago.

Therefore, one day he decides to venture out into the big, wide world and eventually comes across a male human who he decides would be the perfect match for his owner Melody. The rest of the story contains some plot twists that are intriguing enough to keep the reader interested, as well as the romance aspect which isn't too sopppy to the point of it being too much to bear.

I'm not usually one for romance books but the cute aspect of this one being told from the point of view of Max the cat totally won me over and made me really wish that I could know what my animals were thinking a bit more.

Overall, this is a quirky story that has all of the right elements mixed in together to make it a quick and interesting read. I highly recommend it to anyone who owns cats or is an animal lover in general as it certainly brought a smile to my face while I was reading it.

Links:
Amazon: The Girl with the Cat Tattoo

New BTS eMag Has Been Published!

2013-03-19T10:18:00.002+11:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More articles

Bye Bye Google Reader

2013-03-17T16:50:00.000+11:00

As you may be aware by now (or not!) Google Reader will be retiring as at the 1st July 2013. This means that any of you who follow me through an RSS feed in Google Reader will need to think about another way to stay up to date with my posts (pretty, pretty please :-))

To make it a bit easier for you, I have a couple of other ways that I can be followed, both of which are listed in the right sidebar.

The easiest way I can see for now is most likely Bloglovin' as they have a super easy way to import all of your Google Reader feeds into their platform. I just did it myself and was amazed at how well it worked.

Bloglovin is also great because they have an app for Android and iPhone that allows you to follow all of your favourite blogs on the go.

I am also on Bloggers which is a universal blog site. It's also a great place to find other blogs you might never had noticed before too!

As I said before, the links to follow me on either of these sites are listed on the right sidebar.

If anyone has any other great reader or blog following site suggestions I'd love to know about them!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Michelle

Follow My Blog With Bloglovin'

2013-03-17T16:04:00.001+11:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Book Blast - Matt Archer: Blade's Edge

2013-03-15T08:19:00.001+11:00

Matt Archer: Blade's Edge

When Matt Archer was fourteen, he discovered monsters are real. As if that wasn’t enough to go on for a few decades, Matt also found out that he’d been chosen to hunt those monsters--with a sentient, supernatural knife. Now fifteen, Matt has spent the last year working with a clandestine military unit, trying to rid the world of monsters, demons and other vicious creatures, all while keeping it a secret from nearly everyone he knows back home in Billings.

Including his mom.

Add in a new girlfriend, family secrets, sibling drama and enough homework to sink an aircraft carrier, and Matt’s life has become more complicated than he ever imagined. Worse, the knife has developed some very definite opinions about Matt’s personal life and it interferes in his business whenever it wants. More and more, Matt’s coming to realize that sharing brain-space with a spirit kind of sucks.

When stories of decimated towns and hordes of zombies start pouring into the Pentagon from Afghanistan, Matt knows he’ll be called up soon. Between the new mission and the knife’s increasing control over his mind, Matt wonders if he’ll survive long enough to take his driver’s exam.

Review Quotes for Matt Archer: Blade’s Edge

“Blade's Edge is an exciting continuation of the Matt Archer series. Kendra Highley did not fall victim to the sophomore funk. She has written an emotional and power story about Matt's horrific journey to rid the world of monsters.” –Kinx’s Book Nook (Amazon)

“I enjoyed Matt Archer: Monster Hunter to the point I was picking it up every time I had spare moments (which are few in my home), but MA: Blade's Edge has blown me away! Ms. Highley has crafted a story that comes to life with vivid images, exciting adventures, and thrilling mishaps that add a touch of humor (driving test, anyone?)” –Kelly C. (Amazon)

“"Matt Archer Blade's Edge" more than delivers what a reader wants from a sequel. The tension and action are taken up a level, as are the mysteries and plot developments.
Best of all, you feel the time passing from book to book and see the characters really grow and change.” –Picky Reviewer (Amazon)

“The Matt Archer books are the best young adult books I've read since I was a young adult! Think Supernatural for a younger audience, but better. I'll be ordering paper copies for my Favorites shelf. Not to be missed!” Sarah G. (Amazon)

Buy Links for Blade’s Edge:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Smashwords * iTunes

Matt Archer: Monster Hunter

Fourteen-year-old Matt Archer spends his days studying Algebra, hanging out with his best friend and crushing on the Goddess of Greenhill High, Ella Mitchell. To be honest, he thinks his life is pretty lame until he discovers something terrifying on a weekend camping trip at the local state park.

Monsters are real. And living in his backyard.

But that's not the half of it. After Matt is forced to kill a strange creature to save his uncle, he finds out that the weird knife he took from his uncle's bag has a secret, one that will change Matt's life. The knife was designed with one purpose: to hunt monsters. And it's chosen Matt as its wielder.

Now Matt's part of a world he didn't know existed, working with a covert military unit dedicated to eliminating walking nightmares. Faced with a prophecy about a looming dark war, Matt soon realizes his upcoming Algebra test is the least of his worries.

His new double life leaves Matt wondering which is tougher: hunting monsters or asking Ella Mitchell for a date?

Review quotes for Matt Archer: Monster Hunter:

“Terrific page turner; I stayed up half the night reading it, and now I can't wait for the next installment.” --Amelia Anne (Goodreads)

“The action is quick-paced, abundant and so much fun!!! I can't get over just how awesome of a read this book is; I can't wait for more!!!” --Danielle S. (Goodreads)

“I can't remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book. The eponymous narrator is a very likable and believable hero, the world is rich and detailed….
It has been a long time since I was a teenager, but I'm pretty sure that this book would appeal to an audience of all ages.” -- Misha B. (Goodreads)

“The action doesn't stop. Seriously! I was up until after 1am because I couldn't put it down!” --Riamachia (Amazon)

“It's funny - I thought I was too old for YA stories, and then I realised that I was just looking for the right kind of stories to hold my interest. This is one of those. If you're looking for vampires or angels or similar things that tend to make up YA novels at the moment, you won't find that here - you will, however, find something a bit more awesome.” –Sweartoad (Amazon)

Buy Links for Matt Archer: Monster Hunter:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Smashwords * iTunes

Author Kendra C. Highley

Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to two self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most important job. She believes chocolate is a basic human right, running a 10k is harder than it sounds, and that everyone should learn to drive a stick-shift. She loves monsters, vacations, baking and listening to bad electronica.

Twitter * Facebook

Pinterest * Goodreads * Website

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/2413

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Spotlight - Between Dark and Light by D.A. Adams

2013-03-14T09:00:00.000+11:00

Synopsis:

The stakes are higher than ever in the fourth installment of the popular dwarven saga!

The Great Empire has surrounded the Kiredurks and are preparing to conquer the kingdom, but unknown to them, Kwarck, the mysterious hermit of the plains, has his own plan in action. To the east, he has summoned an elven army and charged Crushaw with leading them into battle. To the south, Roskin will gather an army from the fractured Ghaldeon lands. But to the west, an ancient and powerful evil stirs.

The Great War is about to errupt, if Roskin can overcome the Dark One...

Author Bio:
D. A. Adams is a novelist, a farmer, a professor of English, and in my estimation, a true gentleman. His breakout fantasy series, The Brotherhood of Dwarves, transcends genre and illuminates the human soul in all its flashes of glory and innumerable failings.

He is active on the Con circuit and has contributed writing to literary as well as fine art publications, and maintains his active blog, "The Ramblings of D. A. Adams". He lives and works in East Tennessee, and is the proud father of two boys, Collin and Finn.

His ability as a storyteller breathes life into every character, and his craftsmanship as a writer makes these stories about relationships; human or otherwise.

Author Links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authordaadams

Twitter: https://twitter.com/biggunsalex

Website/Blog: http://www.daadams.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1418876.D_A_Adams

Synopsis of the rest of the Brotherhood of Dwarves Series Novels:

The Brotherhood of Dwarves

The dwarven saga begins... Roskin, heir to the throne of a remote, peaceful kingdom of dwarves, craves excitement and adventure. Outside his own kingdom, in search of fortune and glory, he finds a much different world, one divided by racial strife and overrun by war. The orcs to the south want to conquer all dwarves and sell them as slaves. The humans to the east want to control the world's resources. Caught in the middle, Roskin finds himself chased by slave traders and soldiers alike as he discovers that friendship is the best fortune of all. Just when he thinks he has triumphed, an act of betrayal sends him into bondage. His only hope of escape is the faltering courage of a disgraced warrior whose best days are behind him...

Red Sky at Dawn

The dwarven saga grows... Crushaw, Molgheon, and Vishghu have liberated the Slithesythe Plantation. They must make their way to safe lands before being caught and returned to certain bondage. Across the orc lands, they and Roskin recruit and train an army of freed slaves, for between them and freedom are thousands of well-armed, well-trained orc warriors. Near the Pass of Hard Hope, in the shadows of the eastern mountains, they make their desperate stand. But even if they succeed, Roskin's ordeal is far from finished, as he is haunted by visions of something awful back in Dorkhun...

The Fall of Dorkhun

The dwarven saga continues…

The Fall of Dorkuhn, the third installment in The Brotherhood of Dwarves series, continues the adventures of the dwarf Roskin. Having escaped slavery, and survived the Battle for Hard Hope, Roskin returns home to a kingdom divided by war with the ogres.

On one side, his father desires to restore peace. On the other, Master Sondious, hungry for revenge after having been crippled, seeks to escalate the aggression. Roskin and his friends hasten to the capital, to make a desperate attempt to resolve the growing rift, but unknown to the dwarves, new and powerful menaces threaten to destroy the entire kingdom...

Seventh Star Press Links:

Website: http://www.seventhstarpress.com

Blog: http://seventhstarpress.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/7thstarpress

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/seventhstarpress

Cover Reveal - Dreamscape by Christie Rich

2013-03-13T07:09:00.000+11:00

Blurb:

Every night before Amelia falls asleep she makes a wish to dream of him – the man who calls her to their beautiful private oasis, her sanctuary where she is free of her greedy landlord’s threats. But tonight, he will not call Amelia to him. Tonight, another man will step into her world to claim her. Tonight, Amelia’s shattering reality will crumble - and disappear into the Dreamscape…along with her freedom.

When Amelia dreams tonight, her nightmare becomes her new world where Seth is her captor and anything is possible…except escape. Seth needs Amelia to break the curse that binds him to the Dreamscape. He must convince her that she was made to free him, that she was made to join him.

For if he fails, he will never escape his prison, and he will lose Earth to the Netherworld where the evil Erobos wait to consume the human realm and everything in it. If he fails, Seth will lose the one thing that matters to him: Amelia.

Author Bio:
I grew up daydreaming about fairytales, and my love for discovering new worlds has never died. I am not one of those writers who always knew I would write. I thought that was what other people did until one day a few years ago, I took a challenge from a friend and typed my first words. My journey has been wonderful, and I cannot imagine a day where I would ever give up writing now. My love for reading is what fueled my imagination in the first place and still does. When I am not writing or reading, I am enjoying family time with my husband and two children. We live in a quiet community under the Wellsville mountains in Utah, and I am so thankful for the rich life I have been blessed with.

Author Links: