R. Castro's Blog, page 2

Review: Colors of Immortality

Hola, everyone! Sorry about my hiatus. It’s been crazy around here. But, I’ll save that for another blog entry.

I’m excited to announce my inaugural book review blog posts! Yay!

For my first “official” blog book review, I bring to you, Colors of Immortality by J.M. Muller. 

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Here is the author’s description:

Sixteen-year-old Daniel Thatcher has accepted some hard truths. He knows his parents are junkies, his ex-girlfriend’s a cheater, and he’s one write-up away from losing his job. But what h...

I’m Having A Major Meltdown

I’m Having A Major Meltdown – Hear Me Out

First off, I apologize to my local Domino’s delivery guy. I guess finding my address wasn’t so easy for him. I broke down in angry tears explaining how I was sick and couldn’t cook at the moment. Which is why I needed to order the pizza in the first place. Poor lad couldn’t get away from my front door quick enough. I then proceeded to explain in my review how it wasn’t the driver’s fault that I was having a bad day. Thankfully, That was a one liner, a...

My Book Challenge

Hello! How’ve Y’all been? Well, it’s continued to be rather rainy up here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. But, I’ve heard the sun is soon forthcoming. *insert happy dance*

So, every year I challenge myself to read a few more books than the previous year. I’m usually a bit further along from where I am today. However, these past two weeks I’ve made some progress.

Before I get into my reading challenge, allow me to share these two beauties. I’ve been looking forward to these.

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Courtesan by...

Steampunk – Sorry, Victorian Steampunk

Do you know what steampunk is? You do? Great! You don’t? No worries, I didn’t really know what it was neither. Well, at least until an author friend wrote a steampunk novel.

First, here is the technical description of steampunk.

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Merriam-Webster steampunk noun steam·punk \ˈstēm-ˌpəŋk\ Definition of steampunk

:  science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology

Did You Know?

I think Victorian fantasies are going...

Book Marketing

Where to start? Diving right in, I suppose.

First, allow me to share some exciting news. Elemental Linx got to hang out in the No. 4 spot in a category which Rick Riordan (You know? Percy Jackson!) dominates. I know the Amazon rankings change quite often, especially for those of us Self-Published authors, but, I savored the moment while it lasted.

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Now onto marketing. I’d love to say Elemental Linx made it there on its own. But, that isn’t true. Between a fellow author friend, my husband, and...

My New Release & Reader Reviews

Writing the title to this blog entry had me on the verge of wanting to say, “Ooops, I did it again…” You’re welcome. Because I’m sure you are thankful I didn’t do that.

Now for the main event… “Let’s get ready to rumble!” *insert beat* (Yes, I’m cheesy)

Book one of The Tetrad Prophecy series, Elemental Linx, is finally LIVE! Yay!

It only took two years, but it’s done and I couldn’t be happier. You can get your copy in paperback or eBook. Click HERE if Amazon is your go to.

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Now onto a very im...

Talented Self-Published Writers

It’s that time of the month, no, not THAT time, but the time where I get to share a few of my thoughts with you all.

First, allow me to share a few scares I’ve had. On two separate days, I thought my time had come, and I’d gone blind. It’s all fun and games now, but my memory has been slipping more these days, and something as simple as my glasses makes a difference for me. I still have much difficulty seeing/reading, but since I’m in no rush for anything I can take my time. What takes most o...

A Moment of Reflection

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity,equalityand freedom for their spirits… I still believe thatone daymankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land….I still believe thateeshall overcome!” – Martin Luther King Jr, quote from his inspiring Nobel Peace Prize speech.

I don...

Ready Or Not 2017 Is Upon Us

Do you goal set/plan for the New Year? I don’t mean resolutions, I mean sitting down and setting short and long term meaningful goals that have great potential to shape your year, and possibly your life?

I use to be one of those people who would be more or less ‘blah’ about New Year’s resolutions, well at leat until I the need to lose weight became a part of my life. I’d do really well the first 1-3 months, but something would trigger me, and I was right back to old habits. The whole idea of...

My Debut Novella

Where to start?

The fact that I published my debut writing piece and it wasn’t book one of The Tetrad Prophecy Series: Elemental Linx has me taken aback just as much as you.

Here I was minding my own editing business (meaning I was/am in editing STILL with EL), when along comes NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). NaNo, as many writers refer to it, is kind of this herculean task for undisciplined writers such as myself. The challenge is to write a 50,000-word count novel in thirty days o...