Author Spotlight and Book Trailer: Julie Gilbert, Author of Ashlynn's Dreams

Meet Julie Gilbert, author of Ashlynn's Dreams, Book 1 of the Devia's Children series.

Julie C. Gilbert was born in South Korea but raised in the United States. Once upon a time, she was afraid of typing and even had her sister type up book reports for her. Since that time, she kicked that fear and learned to type by chatting on a movie forum and buckled down to some serious training by a ghost named Spooky who taught her the home keys in a slow, infuriatingly perky tone.

These days, Julie is once again answering to “Miss Gilbert” as a high school chemistry teacher. She also writes YA, science fiction, fantasy, and Christian stories about characters she comes to admire but certainly not envy. How the characters deal with all the triumphs and troubles that come their way is always a fun adventure for her. When 
not writing or reading or lesson planning, she enjoys sunshine, coffee, long walks, tea, 

Book Review: Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George

Just One Evil Act

Elizabeth George

Published by: Dutton Adult

Publishing Date: Oct. 15, 2013

ISBN: 9780525952961

Amazon Synopsis:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth George delivers another masterpiece of suspense in her Inspector Lynley series: a gripping child-in-danger story that tests Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers like never before.

Barbara is at a loss: The daughter of her friend Taymullah Azhar has been taken by her mother, and Barbara can’t really help—Azhar had never married Angelina, and his name isn’t on Hadiyyah’s, their daughter’s, birth certificate. He has no legal claim. Azhar and Barbara hire a private detective, but the trail goes cold.

Azhar is just beginning to accept his soul-crushing loss when Angelina reappears with shocking news: Hadiyyah is missing, kidnapped from an Italian marketplace. The Italian 

Author Spotlight: Elizabeth George, Author of Just One Evil Act

Elizabeth George is in the Author Spotlight today. She is the prolific author of the Detective Lynley series.

Meet Elizabeth George

Elizabeth George was born in Ohio but raised in California. She now resides in Washington State. She received a teaching degree from the University of California Riverside. She also attended the California State University at Fullerton and earned her master’s degree in Counseling/Psychology. In 2004 she was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters.  Then in 2010 she received an honorary Masters in Fine Arts from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts.

Ms. George began her career not as a writer, but as a teacher. She taught high school English at El Toro High School in El Toro, California (now known as Lake Forest, California), until she retired. She was named Orange County Teacher of the Year for nearly a decade’s work with remedial students.

In 1997 Ms. George founded the Elizabeth George Foundation.

THE ELIZABETH GEORGE FOUNDATION

The Elizabeth George Foundation is committed to providing emerging playwrights, short story writers, poets, and unpublished novelists with one-time funding that will enable 

Book Review Blog Tour and Giveawy: The Lost Dacome Files #1 - The Battle for Arcanon Major by Alexandra May

Today is my stop on the Lost Dacome Files #1 Blog Tour - The Battle for Arcanon Major. I am doing a review stop. If you would like to see the other stops on the tour, please click on the tour schedule.

Tour Schedule

The Battle for Arcanon Major “As daughter of our ruler I grew up in the crossfire of an ongoing war... All I’d ever wanted to be was a great warrior and ultimately lead my people into victorious battles." With only a small army at her command Halíka Dacomé, a skilled warrior and daughter of the Elemental King, is ready to lead one final battle to save her planet. A battle against the savage, bloodthirsty Primords who want to extinguish the diminished race of Elementals once and for all. But before battle commences her father is given an ultimatum from the enemy leader, Arfron Uhnok. If the king agrees, Halíka Dacomé must marry Arfron Uhnok to prevent further bloodshed. If the king disagrees they, as a race, will all perish. Horrified by her fathers decision Halíka Dacomé leads her army onward regardless of the consequences. Because her heart belongs to another. A love that blossomed many years ago. A love that her father has forbidden. Halíka faces her toughest battle yet and learns that not all battles are those fought with a sword... The Battle for Arcanon Major is an epic love story set against the backdrop of war and is the first Prequel to Elemental: The First.


Praise: "Excellent story. Plot line is great, definitely 2 thumbs up. Couldn't put it down, easy read, excellent prequel to the elemental. Would definitely recommend Alexandra May!!" "Amazing story had my attention the entire story it is hard to find a book like this, I definitely give it 5 stars." "Excellent short story. Plot line is great, definitely 2 thumbs up. Couldn't put it down, an easy read. Would definitely recommend Alexandra May!!"  


My Thoughts:

Wow. That was my first thought after reading the last word in this book. This was a fantastic book. From start to finish it gripped me. I finished it in two days even reading with a migraine headache.

 I loved the character of Halika Dacome. She is the daughter of the king, and Overlord of 

Cover Reveal: The Wolf of Descarta by Daniel Pike

Title: The Wolf of Descarta

Author: Daniel Pike

Release Date: November 21, 2013

Series: The Dream Box

Genre: Sci-Fi /Fantasy

Publisher: The Zharmae Publishing Press (Zharmae.com)

Book Description:  Jaren Reese is just another red collar trapped at the bottom of Descarta’s genetic caste system. But in the Dream Box, he has forged a new digital identity for himself: Balmus, the Wolf Knight.

Balmus has long since carried a torch for the Linker Petra, but he doesn’t know her, not really. Outside of the Dream Box she is just another one of his fantasies. But Brea Morgen is the real thing– a living, breathing person who desires Jaren for who he truly is, not merely what he pretends to be. 

When the Dream Box that Jaren depends on crashes due to the evolution of a hostile A.I. life form, a secret military branch commissions a team of gamers and hackers to go back into the corrupted Dream Box to eliminate the threat and Jaren is given the chance of a 

Book Review Blog Tour and Giveaway: a Bargained-For Bride by Marcia Lynn McClure

Today is my stop on the Blog Tour for A Bargained-For Bride by Marcia Lynn McClure. I'm doing a review. If you'd like to see the other stops on the tour, check out the schedule below. Don't forget to enter the draw at the bottom of the post.

Tour Schedule

A Bargained-For Bride by Marcia Lynn McClure (Novella)

Excerpt “You’re the sweetest girl in Mourning Dove Creek, you know?” Jack mumbled as he paused in kissing Jilly a moment. Jilly smiled. “And you’re the handsomest man in Mourning Dove Creek, you know,” she flirted in return. Jack smiled. “I do know,” he said. Jilly giggled. Jack Taylor was so predictable—and a little conceited. He really did think he was the handsomest man in Mourning Dove—and he was, for the most part. Secretly, however, if Jilly ever allowed herself to be completely honest about it (which she tried to avoid), there was one other man in Mourning Dove who always crossed her mind when the subject of the handsomest man in town arose. Yet there was no lingering 

Book Review: Closet by Eric Swanson

Closet

By Eric Swanson

Publisher: Faith Books and MORE

Published: April 26, 2011

ASIN: B005SSYE7E

Amazon Synopsis:

It seemed to be an innocent looking book that John picked up from the local bookstore, but late that night, as he read it in the secret of his closet, a creature emerged. Then with arms extended, it strangled the life out of him, leaving behind Megan and their baby Derek. But as Megan was leaving the house, two other forms attempted to kill her as well.

The mysterious creatures were silent for the next two decades and Derek even managed to get married and start a family with a mentally disabled son. He went to seminary and was starting to look for a job. But, after receiving multiple rejections, Derek was at the 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen

Tour Schedule

Just Ella
by Annette K. Larsen

Publisher: Hidden Falls Publishing

Publishing Date: Aug. 14, 2013

ASIN: B00EK7R5ZW 

Book Summary:
A Proper Romance 

 Ariella was only looking for a distraction, something to break up the monotony of palace life. What she found was a young man willing to overlook her title and show her a new and vibrant way of life. But when her growing feelings for Gavin spiral out of control and clash with the expectations of her station, she will discover that the consequences of her curiosity are far more severe than she’d imagined.

"I watched in helpless horror as two guards hauled Gavin to his feet and dragged him from the room. My voice was frozen, unable to protest as another guard took hold of my arm, leading me upstairs. From the confines of my room, I stared into the darkness beyond my window, hoping to catch one more glimpse of Gavin. He was gone, and I wondered if he would have been better off if he had never met me." 

Amazon Paperback * Amazon Kindle

My Review:

In many romances it’s all about the love. In this one, there is actually a plot. Larsen develops the characters to be fairly believable and likeable, or unlikeable as the case may be.

Ella meets a young man, Gavin, working in the gardens on the palace grounds. He is a commoner and she is royalty. Royalty is supposed to barely notice the commoner except 

An Interview with Joe Corso, Author of The Starlight Club

Today on my blog, I welcome Joe Corso, author of The Starlight Club. Joe's book is based on real events that happened in New York while he was living there. Like many people I like stories that are based on true events. But it's not always easy to tell which parts are real, and which parts are fictionalized.  I've heard some controversy on the internet whether the characters in Joe's book were real people, or whether or not they are his creations. Today Joe is going to settle it once and for all for us about what parts of his book were true, and which parts were fictionalized. 

How many of the characters from the book are real, and which ones did you actually meet?

I met them all. Let’s start with Big Red. I knew him for years and while I never socialized with him, I knew that he liked and trusted me. Trenchie came out of prison and was pretty much as I described him, Jimmy The Hat was a Gallo guy who I met once but I liked the name and made him a central character in the book. Tarzan, Moose, Ralph, Gibby, Creighton, Frankie the Cop and Yip were all real characters and so was Porky. The Gallo brothers were charismatic, especially crazy Joey who was fearless, but aside from that he was a pretty scary guy. Slats who drove the oil truck was real, and Tex and his racket was true, as was the trial in Mineola, NY. The story of Rags happened many years later and was told to me by a friend from the neighborhood and I thought it would be a good fit, so I included it in my book.

How do you decide which parts of your story to fictionalize, and which parts to keep real?

I used the Gallo/Profaci gang war which took place during the late 50’s and early 60’s and I wove my story into it. The truck hi-jacking happened, the horse bets on Wednesdays were real, the part about the Cadillac was real, the fight at the Latin wedding in the beginning of the book never happened but the conversation between the two mobsters and the Latino was spoken word for word.

Are any of the mobsters in your story still alive, and what would they think of what you have written about them?

I gave that question a lot of thought. I know that one of them is alive and that’s why I didn’t use his last name in the book. Albert Kid Blast is still alive but Larry and Joey are dead. I don’t know about the others but there were a few of them that I would like to 

Book Blast and Giveaway: A Light in Dark Places by Jennifer Graves and Emily Clawson

A Light in Dark Places

 In December, 2009, Susan Cox Powell was reported missing from her home in West Valley City, Utah. As law enforcement tried to piece together what had happened to Susan, her husband, Josh Powell, became the only person of interest in the case. For Jennifer Graves, Josh’s sister, the nightmare started long before Susan’s disappearance. From her experiences growing up in the Powell family to the terrifying moment when she first started to believe her brother was a killer, she relied on her faith to stay strong. She devoted herself to the safety of Susan’s boys, Charlie and Braden, whom she hoped to be able to raise as her own. When the boys were murdered by their father in February, 2012, Jennifer was more than devastated, but she had to believe there was a reason for it all—including the deaths of her beloved nephews. In A Light In Dark Places, Jennifer shares her struggles and her triumphs. In coming to terms with such tragedy she finally was able to embrace the truth that we all have the power to choose our own path—and there is always hope, no matter how dark things may seem.

Website * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise for A Light in Dark Places

I just finished reading "A Light in Dark Places" By Jennifer Graves and Emily Gray Clawson. I was impressed with how well written the book was. The descriptions are such that I felt I was part of the story. I was grateful that the message was one of hope and peace in tragedy. The book does tell the tale of Susan Powell, her boys and their demise but doesn't dwell on it. It was nice to see inside the life experiences of someone so close to them and to see things from Jennifer's perspective rather than what you see on the media. I highly recommend this book. It doesn't disappoint! – T. Hyde I love true accounts of people overcoming challenges and helping others with the lessons learned from them. This story of Jennifer's experiences throughout her abusive childhood, and later the disappearance of Susan and the murder of her two sweet nephews is just that. She shares how she felt God's hand in her life, guiding her to make better choices than the rest of her family did. Though the book had so many sad details, it ended with hope, courage and love. ~D. Raymond I had followed the story of Susan Powell very closely so I wasn't sure if the book was going to tell me something I didn't already know...but it sure did. Jennifer was very brave in writing this book and all she had done in support for Susan. I highly recommend the book it sheds a light on the whole situation that helps make things more clear. ~ Carolyn This was a very informative read. I lived in Utah at the time of Susan's disappearance and followed the news every day. This book answered many questions that the news did not. Although it was very sad and I already knew the outcome it was a good read. I admire Jennifer for her part in the whole story and I am glad she had the fortitude to write this book to honor her sister in law. ~Katie O. To finally read about details that were never shared brought closure for me about this insidious crime. While the book was an easy read, the message shared about breaking the cycle of abusive relationships is invaluable. It truly does take someone removing themselves from their abusive family's presence to stop the cycle. Praises to the author for sharing her perspectives. ~Arlene

 

  Jennifer Graves is the mother of 5 beautiful children, 2 girls and 3 boys. She and her husband have been happily married for 19 years and together have been active in their community and church. Jennifer is the sister of Josh Powell who killed his 2 sons, Charlie and Braden, as well as himself in February of 2012, and is also believed to have killed his wife, Susan Cox Powell, in December of 2009. She is the recipient of the 2013 ChainBreaker of the year Award, given for breaking the chain of abuse and violence in her family. She enjoys homeschooling their children and mentoring in classes for the commonwealth school they attend. She also loves reading, playing card and board games, and learning new things. Most of all she loves to spend time with her husband and children. They currently reside in West Jordan, UT.

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♦ ♦ ♦

Emily Clawson is an author, a mother and a mentor. She traditionally writes inspirational fiction. This book has been a life changing experience for her and she is grateful to have been a part of telling this story. She resides in Taylorsville with her husband and four children where they run their leadership mentoring programs for youth.

Facebook * Twitter * Website

 

Tour Schedule

 

  BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/15/13 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 and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

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Book Review: The Starlight Club by Joe Corso

The Starlight Club

By Joe Corso

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: Sept. 9, 2012

ISBN: 0615690491

Amazon Synopsis:

CAUTION THE NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE GUILTY

The Starlight Club was jumping . . .

“They looked like mob guys. They had that arrogance exuded by those who liked to intimidate – those who were the proud purveyors of fear.” Amidst the nightly gaiety was the back room, where business deals were made, hits were ordered, and territories were divided.

Trenchie not being a “rat” is just released from his ten year prison sentence. A new life is waiting – complete with envelopes of money and a steak house to call his own. He finds the woman of his dreams who brings along ex-husband baggage. Hit man Jimmy The Hat finds unexpected fame in the most unlikely of places, yet he always stays true to the 

Book Blast and Giveaway: The Battle for Arcanon Major by Alexandra May

Tour Schedule

The Battle for Arcanon Major

“As daughter of our ruler I grew up in the crossfire of an ongoing war... All I’d ever wanted to be was a great warrior and ultimately lead my people into victorious battles." With only a small army at her command Halíka Dacomé, a skilled warrior and daughter of the Elemental King, is ready to lead one final battle to save her planet. A battle against the savage, bloodthirsty Primords who want to extinguish the diminished race of Elementals once and for all. But before battle commences her father is given an ultimatum from the enemy leader, Arfron Uhnok. If the king agrees, Halíka Dacomé must marry Arfron Uhnok to prevent further bloodshed. If the king disagrees they, as a race, will all perish. Horrified by her fathers decision Halíka Dacomé leads her army onward regardless of the consequences. Because her heart belongs to another. A love that blossomed many years ago. A love that her father has forbidden. Halíka faces her toughest battle yet and learns that not all battles are those fought with a sword... The Battle for Arcanon Major is an epic love story set against the backdrop of war and is the first Prequel to Elemental: The First.


Excerpt

“When you’re out there on the battlefield with your captains and your soldiers, when you fight, you are the strongest, toughest, fiercest woman I know. Sometimes you scare me at how hardened you are.” “But that’s

Author Spotlight: Joe Corso - Author of The Starlight Club

Joe Corso was born in 1935 in Queens, New York City. He attended the Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades and the Academy of Aeronautics. He is retired from the FDNY and is a Korean Veteran. While on the Fire Dept he invented a firefighting apparatus and has been granted two Patents.

Joe has been writing since the age of 75 and has now published quite a number of books. These help to send his children to better schools. Joe loves to travel, and now lives in South Florida.

Joe Corso’s books have won 

Book Review: Heavenly Haven by Christine Lindsay

Heavenly Haven

By Christine Lindsay

Publisher: Helping Hands Press

Published: Oct 17, 2013

ASIN: B00FZVCO0I

Amazon Synopsis:

Avalanches happen to other people, not us. Marital problems happen to other people, not us, especially nine days before Christmas. At least that’s what Jack and Shaina Burke thought. Married for ten years, avalanche control expert Jack, and ski pro Shaina, only wanted to celebrate their December anniversary in a romantic way, until the shifting snows on the mountain bring havoc tumbling down upon them. Can they find renewed love in a heavenly haven of snow? 

My Thoughts:

Now that’s what I call a romance! This was a wonderful short story about a married couple and what a few angry words between them can do. What I loved about it was that the romance was between a married couple.

Most romance stories we read are between people who are not married and part of the reason why they are attracted to the other is how drop-dead gorgeous or how sexy handsome he is. This romance is between two people who have been married for ten 

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: The Reckless Engineer by Jac Wright

The Cover

The Reckless Engineer

By Jac Wright

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

ISBN-13-9880770074082

Available for Purchase: November 6th, 2013

The Excerpt

The Main Characters

1

 Friday, October 15 – The Day of Arrest

        Harry and Jeremy were just about to call it a day and head over to the pub for a drink when the call came through. Harry had gathered the files and papers spread over the round table that stood diagonally opposite the large polished oak desk that dominated his office. There they liked to sit in the afternoon, take stock, and mull over matters at hand once every few days. The London sky, turning a misty orange-red through the window behind Harry, was being served to them lukewarm and sliced finely into stripes by the blind. Jeremy didn’t envy Harry his large west-facing office. He liked his sun served whole, with a black Americano and two sugars, early in the morning.

        Harry had pricked up his ears on the phone. ‘Jeremy, it’s for you,’ he said, locking grave eyes onto his 

Book Blast and Giveaway: Starchild: The City of Souls by Vacen Taylor

 

Starchild: The City of Souls In The Age of Akra, a pilgrimage to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts brings together four children as an ancient prophecy is set in motion. Having triumphed against dangerous adversaries, Mai, Long, Akra and Sahib are now pursued by the melkarie and must escape to the City of Souls. In the land of Naroan, in a city hidden under a blanket of living green, they are confronted with the challenge to find the Singing Soul. But the underworld has other plans, and a beast so fierce is conjured to stop the children from finding anything that will add to the power to the prophecy of the seven nations.

Praise for Starchild:

“Strong and riveting start to what is sure to be an engrossing series for young readers keen on fantasy, mythology and sci fi.” “Following in the footsteps of shamanic storytellers, the wizardess Vacen Taylor has delivered a winner! Mystical and magical, it’s a thoroughly engaging adventure that will delight both children and adults.”

Website * Amazon * Goodreads

*** Starchild: The Age of Akra (Book One) is only $0.99 in the Kindle Store for October ***

Excerpt: The children were unaware of the dark forces that had gathered in the south. A force far greater than any seen before had grown into a power of unconquerable strength. From the very first night of Mai and Long’s journey, the eyes from which this force had grown had been searching for them. The search would not stop until the prophecy, its foreknowledge and the children were extinguished. The four children had travelled a long way. The mountain had disappeared behind them and so had the crumbled Castle of Stone. Akra had been attentive throughout the whole journey, listening to Sahib talk about the City of Beams. Behind them Long listened in, but Mai sensed a twinge of jealousy was beginning to twist his thoughts. Sahib and Akra were friends now. Long’s ‘buddy for life’ had been yanked away from him—by a sealer of all things. Mai noticed the frown on Long’s face, pushing his eyebrows closer together as he watched Sahib and Akra talk. Every so often he stopped to rub his ankles. Mai knew the burns around them would not heal quickly. The wound left from the searing grasp of the invisible hands of the underworld, which had almost pulled him to his death, would soon blister. What she didn’t know was that two nasty red streaks were beginning to snake their way up Long’s legs, and with them came an unusual meddling in his thoughts. When it was clear to Mai they had walked as far as possible for that day they found a place to rest. Long collected some dead wood, and with Akra’s fireruling skills a crackling fire soon spread its warmth as the darkness of the night settled over them. It was a clear night. A starlit blanket twinkled above them. Each of the children, too tired to eat, curled up around the fire and soon they were all asleep. Mai was happy to be back on her journey to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts. But as she slept her flickering eyelids told a different story. Her mind replayed memories of the last few days that had passed. It was a skill only thoughtbankers possessed: the ability to replay a memory as if it were a dream.  

Author Vacen Taylor Vacen Taylor is an author, writer, storyteller, occasional artist and amateur photographer. She describes her writing as a basic prose style with the occasional splash of creative penning. She collects comics and loves superheroes, anime and science.  


Facebook * Twitter * Website

 

BookBlast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Open Internationally Ends 11/4/13 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 publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast and Giveaway: Venice in the Moonlight

Paperback: 194 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN-13: 978-1492720195

A story of vengeance, forgiveness and love...

After her husband’s untimely demise, Marietta Gatti is banished from the family’s villa by her spiteful mother-in-law. She returns to her hometown of Venice and her only kin—a father she hasn’t spoken to since her forced marriage. Her hope of making amends is crushed when she learns she is too late, for he recently died under suspicious circumstances. Grief-stricken, Marietta retraces her father’s last night only to discover someone may have wanted him dead—and she may be next. When the prime suspect turns out to be the father of the man she is falling in love with, Marietta risks her future happiness and her life to avenge the death of a man she once hated.

Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel takes you back to the days of Carnival and Casanova, where lovers meet discreetly, and masks make everyone equal.

Buy Links:

Createspace I Amazon I Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

   Nico shrugged in the French wingback chair they had placed by the fireplace for his portrait. He looked regal in a black silk suit trimmed in gold and a waistcoat of burgundy and gold leaf-patterned brocade. It 

Book Review: The Heaven's Rise by Christopher Rice

The Heavens Rise

By Christopher Rice

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publishing Date: Oct. 15, 2013

Amazon Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice brilliantly conjures the shadowed terrors of the Louisiana bayou—where three friends confront a deadly, ancient evil rising to the surface—in this intense and atmospheric new supernatural thriller.

It’s been a decade since the Delongpre family vanished near Bayou Rabineaux, and still no one can explain the events of that dark and sweltering night. No one except Niquette Delongpre, the survivor who ran away from the mangled stretch of guardrail on Highway 22 where the impossible occurred…and kept on running. Who left behind her best friends, Ben and Anthem, to save them from her newfound capacity for destruction…and who alone knows the source of her very bizarre—and very deadly—abilities: an isolated strip of swampland called Elysium.

An accomplished surgeon, Niquette’s father dreamed of transforming the dense acreage surrounded by murky waters into a palatial compound befitting the name his beloved wife gave to it, Elysium: “the final resting place for the heroic and virtuous.” Then, ten years ago, construction workers dug into a long-hidden well, one that snaked down into the deep, black waters of the Louisiana swamp and stirred something that had been there for centuries—a microscopic parasite that perverts the mind and corrupts the body.

Niquette is living proof that things done can’t be undone. Nothing will put her family back together again. And nothing can save her. But as Niquette, Ben, and Anthem uncover the truth of a devastating parasite that has the potential to alter the future of humankind, Niquette grasps the most chilling truths of all: someone else has been infected too. And unlike her, this man is not content to live in the shadows. He is intent to use his newfound powers for one reason only: revenge.

My Thoughts:

This was a very dark novel. While labeled a mystery/thriller, it almost could have been labeled horror. The cause of all the mayhem in the book is a parasite found in the well water at Elysium. The well feeds a swimming pool on the property. Niquette and Marshall fall into the pool and are infected. The power the parasites give them allow them to control others. Sometimes with devastating effects. Shortly after this, the DeLongpre family disappeared in an accident. Marshall Ferriot almost died in a strange incident when he fell 31 stories. It would have been better if he had died, for he ended up in an institution unable to move or communicate – in a “permanent vegetative state”.

Eight years later, strange things start to happen. Outside Marshall’s room, animals are dying. It seems their heads have exploded. Then a nurse kills herself in his room in a most gruesome way. And Marshall disappears.

For the first few chapters the book jumps back and forth from the present, to eight years ago when Niquette, Marshall, Anthem and Ben are just out of high school. This background is necessary in order to understand the events of the present day.

The ability that Marshall has to control other living beings has a very evil feel to it, which is magnified by the evil things he forces those he controls to do. Marshall uses these unsuspecting people to help him recuperate after he wakes from his coma.

The events that follow are strange indeed, with the discovery that any emotional attachment to the person being controlled causes them to change into some kind of monstrous being. No creature has ever been turned back to its original form.

The book has a somewhat happy ending with Niquette and her lover Anthem being reunited and the enemy destroyed. But life in New Orleans will never be the same as long as these parasites are active.

I found this book much too dark for my liking, but I think that people that enjoy the horror genre will enjoy this book. I also did not like crude language in the book either.

On the positive side, I did find the pace of the book was good, and despite the things I didn’t like, there was enough in the story that kept me wanting to read to the end. Because this was such a dark novel, I thought it was good that the ending was not a Pollyanna ending with everything working out perfectly

I gave this book 2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a free review copy in exchange for my fair and honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

About Christopher Rice:

Christopher Rice is the author of 4 New-York Times best-selling novels. He is the son of novelist Anne Rice and poet and painter Stan Rice. He now lives in West Hollywood where he can explore screenplay writing, but did live in New Orleans for a time, and where his novel “The Heavens Rise” is set. Rice is openly gay and his works include descriptions of the gay male in contemporary America.

Books by Christopher Rice

·         A Density of Souls (2000)

·         Snow Garden (2001)

·         Light Before Day (2005)

·         Blind Fall (2008)

·         The Moonlit Earth (2010)

·         The Heavens Rise (2013)

Contact Christopher Rice

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisricewriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.rice.writer

Website: http://www.christopherricebooks.com/

Book Review: Dead Ringers (Vol.1-3) Illusion, Invertigo, Spider

Dead Ringers (Vol1-3)

By Darlene Gardner

Published by: Darlene Gardner

Publication Date: Aug. 1, 2013

ISBN: 9781301328260

Amazon Synopsis:

An Original Publication. These are the first three 25,000-word volumes of a nine-volume New Adult serial with mystery, romance and missing memories. The three volumes together equal the length of a traditional book.

ILLUSION Volume One of the Dead Ringers serial 

Do you know where your time went? Jade’s memories of the two days she went missing are slowly returning, but they involve a blinding headache and an evil clown with a syringe. Not exactly the stuff of sanity.

INVERTIGO Volume Two of the Dead Ringers serial

Do you know who you can trust? Max insists Jade’s best chance to find out why she remembers so little of her abduction is to team up with him. But can she trust him? 

THE SPIDER Volume Three of the Dead Ringers serial 

Do you know where the Black Widow is? Someone in Midway Beach isn’t who they seem and unless Jade and Max can figure out what’s going on, they could become the next victims.

My Thoughts:

There are a lot of things going on in this book. Hang on and see if you can keep up. Jade Green is an 18-year-old resident of the small vacation town of Midway Beach. Jade is a fan of horror movies and books.

I like that the serial is written from her point of view, to the point that she tells us what 

An Interview with Justine Edwards, Author of Shine

Today I welcome Justine Edward, author of Shine, a children's book that was published this year. Yesterday I reviewed her book on my blog, and today we will find out more about Justine and the young boy who illustrated the book for her.

Where were you born and where do you call home? 

I was born in Cairns, Australia. I left there when I was 9 months old and, funnily enough, 35 years later I returned there again.

What do you do to relax?

I am fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I relax by going for walks along the beach and spending time there with my family.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell myself that I am worthy. It took me a long time to learn to believe in myself. I wish I could have read a book like Shine when I was a child.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?

Nelson Mandela. I think he is inspirational. The words of Invictus are always with me:

“It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”

What is your favourite book and why?

Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzburg. When my daughter was little she loved being creative but she was always making mess. And it used to drive me crazy. I bought Beautiful Oops as much for as for her because it shows that accidents can be masterpieces too; it all depends on how you look at them.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

Karl’s journey really touched me. For many years I wanted to help but I didn’t know how. With all my heart I wanted Karl, and the world around, to be able to see him as I did; full of light and love and incredible potential. So I started writing Shine.

Why do you write?

To encourage, inspire and empower others. I believe that words are powerful and I know they can shape attitudes, opinions and actions.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Roald Dahl is one of my greatest influences. I think he writes with such style and grace and he has such an amazing wit. He is able to analyze the human condition and summarize it perfectly in a couple of sentences.

Do you see writing as a career?

That is my aim. I hope that my book Shine will resonate with readers and will enable me to continue writing.

Please tell us a little bit about your book.

Shine is a children's picture book. It was illustrated by 7 year old Karl Gabriel, a close family friend. Karl is talented and clever and he also happens to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Each of Karl’s beautiful crayon drawings is complimented by a positive affirmation, written in gentle prose. The message of the book speaks directly to the heart: believe in yourself and anything is possible.

Why do you think your readers are going to enjoy your book?

The book appeals to readers on many levels. One person said they bought it for their baby and ended up reading it to their preteen daughters. I think the illustrations and the poetic rhythm appeal to younger children while older readers fully appreciate the positive message of the book. 

How did you come up with the title?

Shine is what Karl does. It is what we can all do if we believe in ourselves. That is why I called the book Shine.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Believe in yourself and anything is possible.

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Leaving a review is a huge help to a self-published author. Being new, no-one has ever heard of you before. If they come across your book and someone has left an honest review it acts like a personal recommendation. They will be much more likely to read the

book if someone else has done so and enjoyed it. Also, telling others about the book helps to spread the message.

Do you think that giving books away free works and why?

Yes. As a self-published author you don’t have your books in many bookstores. So people can’t just walk in and stumble across it, or browse it before they buy it. That is why I give every reader the opportunity to read my book for free on my website. If they love it they will buy it. If not then I wouldn’t want them to buy it in the first place J Readers deserve to be informed.

What’s your view on social media for marketing?

It’s time consuming but I love connecting with people. And social media gives you the ability to do that.

Which social network worked best for you?

Twitter – surprisingly. Considering that I didn’t even know what a tweet was two months ago!

Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?

I did a Goodreads giveaway and I had 1208 people request Shine (I gave away 15 copies). It was a lot of fun and I received some great reviews in exchange which I really appreciated.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I’d love you to stop by my website and take a look at Shine. I think you will take something positive away from the experience.

How can readers discover more about you and your work?

Website: http://just235.wix.com/shine
Blog: http://justineedward.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustineEdwardAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JEd_Au
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/JustineEdward/e/B00DYRC2R0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Book Links: (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, etc.)
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18122823-shine

Thank you very much for joining us today Justine. All the best to you and to Karl. One of the reasons that I love "Shine" so much is that as a teacher of children with special needs, I can see that Karl is as touched by the book as you have been touched by him.

For my readers, what is the children's book that has either touched you the most, or is your favourite? Please leave a comment.