A.F. Stewart's Blog, page 97
March 17, 2013
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
In honour of St. Patrick's Day, I'm posting one of my poems of Ireland from my book, Reflections of Poetry. Enjoy.
Irish Sons and Daughters
Sing a song for the Emerald Isle
All you Irish daughters and sons
All you sweet, fortunate ones
Sing a song for the Emerald Isle
All you Irish daughters and sons
Show me your nation’s pride
Leave no listener here dry-eyed
All you Irish daughters and sons
Show me your nation’s pride
Remember olden days of glory
Ring out each and every story
Show me your nation’s pride
Remember olden days of glory
Tell the gathered, lads and lasses
While the ale and whiskey passes
Remember olden days of glory
Tell the gathered, lads and lasses
Sing a song for the Emerald Isle
A song of cheer and stay awhile
Tell the gathered, lads and lasses.
Reflections of Poetry is available at:
Amazon
Smashwords
B&N
Kobo
iTunes
Irish Sons and Daughters
Sing a song for the Emerald Isle
All you Irish daughters and sons
All you sweet, fortunate ones
Sing a song for the Emerald Isle
All you Irish daughters and sons
Show me your nation’s pride
Leave no listener here dry-eyed
All you Irish daughters and sons
Show me your nation’s pride
Remember olden days of glory
Ring out each and every story
Show me your nation’s pride
Remember olden days of glory
Tell the gathered, lads and lasses
While the ale and whiskey passes
Remember olden days of glory
Tell the gathered, lads and lasses
Sing a song for the Emerald Isle
A song of cheer and stay awhile
Tell the gathered, lads and lasses.
Reflections of Poetry is available at:
Amazon
Smashwords
B&N
Kobo
iTunes
March 14, 2013
Book Review: Gastien (Part 1: The Cost of the Dream)
My Review of Gastien (Part 1: The Cost of the Dream) by Caddy Rowland:
Gastien (Part 1: The Cost of the Dream) by Caddy Rowland is an interesting novel, a blend
of history, sex and artistic dreams. It is an illustrative glimpse into a past world
decorated with steamy sex and colour.
Set in 19th century France, book tells the beginning
of Gastien’s story, a French peasant who wants to be an artist. It details his
abusive childhood, his escape to Paris, new friendships and sexual relationships,
and the suffering he endures to fulfill his aspirations.
The novel’s strength is in its main character, a well-written
and relatable persona. You do feel for his trials and get a good sense of his
personality when reading, as well as engage with his life. Plus, the author did
an excellent job with the details of an artist’s existence in the time period and
the details of painting and technique; I found them realistic. There are some
nice historic particulars, too, and the sex scenes are vividly portrayed.
However, the novel does have its problems. I found the prose
did get repetitive at times, the plot to be stretched a bit thin, and the story
lagged in the middle of the book. Some of the characterization (other than
Gastien) is a bit one-dimensional, especially with secondary characters and I
found much of the dialogue peppered with too many modern phrases such as “okay”
and “gig”. These words detracted from the historic feel of the book for me and I
felt the characters’ speech was at odds with the setting. The author also had
the occasional tendency for explanative narrative regarding Gastien’s state of
mind which I found unnecessary and distracting.
Overall though, I did enjoy the book, so I give it a mild recommendation,
though readers should be warned this novel is quite explicit in the portrayal
of sex and abuse.
Gastien (Part 1: The Cost of the Dream) is available at Amazon
Gastien (Part 1: The Cost of the Dream) by Caddy Rowland is an interesting novel, a blend
of history, sex and artistic dreams. It is an illustrative glimpse into a past world
decorated with steamy sex and colour.
Set in 19th century France, book tells the beginning
of Gastien’s story, a French peasant who wants to be an artist. It details his
abusive childhood, his escape to Paris, new friendships and sexual relationships,
and the suffering he endures to fulfill his aspirations.
The novel’s strength is in its main character, a well-written
and relatable persona. You do feel for his trials and get a good sense of his
personality when reading, as well as engage with his life. Plus, the author did
an excellent job with the details of an artist’s existence in the time period and
the details of painting and technique; I found them realistic. There are some
nice historic particulars, too, and the sex scenes are vividly portrayed.
However, the novel does have its problems. I found the prose
did get repetitive at times, the plot to be stretched a bit thin, and the story
lagged in the middle of the book. Some of the characterization (other than
Gastien) is a bit one-dimensional, especially with secondary characters and I
found much of the dialogue peppered with too many modern phrases such as “okay”
and “gig”. These words detracted from the historic feel of the book for me and I
felt the characters’ speech was at odds with the setting. The author also had
the occasional tendency for explanative narrative regarding Gastien’s state of
mind which I found unnecessary and distracting.
Overall though, I did enjoy the book, so I give it a mild recommendation,
though readers should be warned this novel is quite explicit in the portrayal
of sex and abuse.
Gastien (Part 1: The Cost of the Dream) is available at Amazon
March 11, 2013
A Conversation With Author Michael Brookes
Today, writer Michael Brookes stops by for a chat as part of his blog tour for his new book, Conversations
in the Abyss, the sequel to The Cult of Me. So read on and enjoy...
An Interview with Michael Brookes
Let’s start with introductions. Who is the writer, Michael
Brookes?
By day I work as an executive producer for a video game
company. I spend the day working with one of my passions – computer games and
in my spare time I get the chance to indulge my other love – writing. I guess
I’m fortunate to have both of these opportunities.
Tell us about your new book, Conversations
in the Abyss, the
sequel to The Cult of Me.
In ‘Conversations in the Abyss’ I continue the story from
‘The Cult of Me’. The protagonist has stolen Lazarus’s miracle and becomes
immortal. The miracle wasn’t meant for him and so comes with a price, an
eternal fire that burns within his flesh. To protect the world he is imprisoned
within the walls of a monastery.
He retreats deep within himself, finding the border between
his psyche and death. There he discovers some of the secrets of the universe
and that the apocalypse is coming. And only he can stop it.
How did the idea for Conversations in the Abyss, and its predecessor, The Cult of Me, originate?
The simple answer is ‘Paradise Lost’. For me, Milton’s book
is the greatest story ever told. However I find it strange that in his work God
isn’t portrayed that well. I’m sure this wasn’t Milton’s intention, but it did
interest me. So I started thinking how I would write the story.
This book deals with many mental and emotional aspects of
horror. Do you find writing these psychological terror scenes difficult or challenging?
I think the real challenge is trying not to overdo it. I
think horror works best when the reader fills in the blanks. The fear or unease
comes from their mind when they read the story.
One of the plotlines in the book deals with a coming
apocalypse. What was your approach in writing this well known horror staple?
In this case the apocalypse is a means to an end, rather
than the end in itself. You’ll need to read it to find out more.
As a writer of horror and dark fantasy, what do you think
the main appeal of these books is to readers?
People like to be scared. That’s why they ride
rollercoasters, read scary books and watch frightening movies. Of course, most
like to be in a controlled environment. And I think we all have a dark part
that likes to be fed sometimes.
You’ve also written a book of dark short stories, An Odd Quartet. Tell us a bit about
that book.
As the name
implies it is a collection of four short stories. In it you meet the Yellow
Lady, a ghost seeking revenge. You also meet Death as he contemplates his
existence after the heat death of the universe. There’s also a hostage rescue
where the special forces team encounter more than they bargained for. And
finally there is the tale of a young demon taking his first possession exam.
What are some of your favourite books and authors?
Ian M Banks is my favourite modern author, especially his
Culture series. I’m also a fan of Terry Prachett and Clive Barker.
What other books do you have lined up for the future?
There’s the final book in the trilogy – “The Last True
Demon’ and I have a few first drafts that need developing. The first is a story
about an Internet chatbot that starts granting wishes. I also have the official
novel for the upcoming Elite: Dangerous to write.
About Michael Brookes:
Michael Brookes is an Executive Producer
with a leading UK games developer. Working in games and writing are two of his
life passions and considers himself fortunate to be able to indulge them both.
He lives in the east of England, enjoying starry skies in the flattest part of
the country. When not working or writing he can sometimes be found sleeping.
Which is good as that is where many good ideas come from.
To check out his books, visit his Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Brookes/e/B008OGD8KG/
‘Conversations in the Abyss’ is the sequel to the 5
star rated supernatural thriller ‘The Cult of Me’
Stealing Lazarus’ miracle gifted him immortality.
Combined with his natural ability of invading and controlling people’s minds this
made him one of the most dangerous people on Earth.
But the miracle came with a price for those it wasn’t
intended for. Tormented by perpetual fire and having also been imprisoned
within the walls of an ancient monastery he delved deep within himself to find
the some solace.
Hiding within the depths of his own mind he discovers
the truth of the universe and that only he can stop the coming Apocalypse.
in the Abyss, the sequel to The Cult of Me. So read on and enjoy...
An Interview with Michael Brookes
Let’s start with introductions. Who is the writer, Michael
Brookes?
By day I work as an executive producer for a video game
company. I spend the day working with one of my passions – computer games and
in my spare time I get the chance to indulge my other love – writing. I guess
I’m fortunate to have both of these opportunities.
Tell us about your new book, Conversations
in the Abyss, the
sequel to The Cult of Me.
In ‘Conversations in the Abyss’ I continue the story from
‘The Cult of Me’. The protagonist has stolen Lazarus’s miracle and becomes
immortal. The miracle wasn’t meant for him and so comes with a price, an
eternal fire that burns within his flesh. To protect the world he is imprisoned
within the walls of a monastery.
He retreats deep within himself, finding the border between
his psyche and death. There he discovers some of the secrets of the universe
and that the apocalypse is coming. And only he can stop it.
How did the idea for Conversations in the Abyss, and its predecessor, The Cult of Me, originate?
The simple answer is ‘Paradise Lost’. For me, Milton’s book
is the greatest story ever told. However I find it strange that in his work God
isn’t portrayed that well. I’m sure this wasn’t Milton’s intention, but it did
interest me. So I started thinking how I would write the story.
This book deals with many mental and emotional aspects of
horror. Do you find writing these psychological terror scenes difficult or challenging?
I think the real challenge is trying not to overdo it. I
think horror works best when the reader fills in the blanks. The fear or unease
comes from their mind when they read the story.
One of the plotlines in the book deals with a coming
apocalypse. What was your approach in writing this well known horror staple?
In this case the apocalypse is a means to an end, rather
than the end in itself. You’ll need to read it to find out more.
As a writer of horror and dark fantasy, what do you think
the main appeal of these books is to readers?
People like to be scared. That’s why they ride
rollercoasters, read scary books and watch frightening movies. Of course, most
like to be in a controlled environment. And I think we all have a dark part
that likes to be fed sometimes.
You’ve also written a book of dark short stories, An Odd Quartet. Tell us a bit about
that book.
As the name
implies it is a collection of four short stories. In it you meet the Yellow
Lady, a ghost seeking revenge. You also meet Death as he contemplates his
existence after the heat death of the universe. There’s also a hostage rescue
where the special forces team encounter more than they bargained for. And
finally there is the tale of a young demon taking his first possession exam.
What are some of your favourite books and authors?
Ian M Banks is my favourite modern author, especially his
Culture series. I’m also a fan of Terry Prachett and Clive Barker.
What other books do you have lined up for the future?
There’s the final book in the trilogy – “The Last True
Demon’ and I have a few first drafts that need developing. The first is a story
about an Internet chatbot that starts granting wishes. I also have the official
novel for the upcoming Elite: Dangerous to write.
About Michael Brookes:
Michael Brookes is an Executive Producer
with a leading UK games developer. Working in games and writing are two of his
life passions and considers himself fortunate to be able to indulge them both.
He lives in the east of England, enjoying starry skies in the flattest part of
the country. When not working or writing he can sometimes be found sleeping.
Which is good as that is where many good ideas come from.
To check out his books, visit his Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Brookes/e/B008OGD8KG/
‘Conversations in the Abyss’ is the sequel to the 5
star rated supernatural thriller ‘The Cult of Me’
Stealing Lazarus’ miracle gifted him immortality.
Combined with his natural ability of invading and controlling people’s minds this
made him one of the most dangerous people on Earth.
But the miracle came with a price for those it wasn’t
intended for. Tormented by perpetual fire and having also been imprisoned
within the walls of an ancient monastery he delved deep within himself to find
the some solace.
Hiding within the depths of his own mind he discovers
the truth of the universe and that only he can stop the coming Apocalypse.
March 4, 2013
Interview with Matthew Horn
Please welcome author Matthew Horn to the blog. Matthew is current on tour for his new book, Nothing Good is Free (a sequel to The Good Fight) and stops by here today for an interview...
Interview with Matthew Horn
Why don’t you begin by telling us a bit about yourself?
Well, I was born and raised in small town Indiana. My grandparents lived on a lake close by so we always had something to do during the summers, but I think I used reading and writing as a way to help avoid the sheer boredom of living in flyover country. My mother used to give my sisters and me writing courses in the summers. As a result, I’ve always loved to read and write. My first published book, The Good Fight was released by Brighton Publishing in September 2011, and my latest book, Nothing Good is Free is the sequel. I’m currently writing the third instalment and have eight or ten other ideas in various forms of completion.
Can you describe your new book, Nothing Good is Free?
This book continues to follow my vigilante hero, Jeff, after the death of his friend and mentor, Jim. As Jeff continues in his role as a vigilante he starts to confront the same pressures that caused Jim to stray from being a true hero. To complicate matters the Chicago Police Department has come up with a new scheme to catch the famous vigilante, and has put Detective Martell, Jeff’s only ally, at the head of it.
Additionally, Jeff’s romance with Brooke is put under strain as she travels more and more for her work. Her new Boss, Rick, seems interested in her, but may have his sights set on something else.
How did you come up with the ideas for Nothing Good is Free and the previous book in the series, The Good Fight?
I remember writing my first book, Heroism, (currently unpublished) and having a desire to write something completely different. Heroism is a fantasy epic with many different characters. I wanted my next book to focus on only a few characters and to be bound in reality. I came up with an idea to have a young hero come of age with the help of a mentor. My wife suggested I add some conflict with the mentor and a few months later I had The Good Fight. It met with a great response from readers and because I had left the ending mostly open, it was a given to write the sequel. I believe that it is my best work so far and am extremely excited for the print release in a few weeks.
Your book is a suspense thriller. What do you like best about writing in this genre?
It is a great genre to create a hero that is completely realistic, yet lives just past the edge of normal capability. My hero, Jeff, is a normal guy and uses equipment that can be found using any search engine on the internet. He trained with a great mentor and finds himself very lucky or amazingly blessed depending on how the reader sees it, but he’s not something that a real person couldn’t do if they put the time in. I love creating a dream world that is so in tune with reality that the two blend easily and I think this is one of the best genres to do that.
What is the most difficult part of writing a thriller?
It is hard to be creative in the thriller genre anymore, especially crime thrillers. The first thing I wanted to do was come up with a crime that hadn’t been written of before. That, of course, is nearly impossible. So I based the activity in this book not on the crime itself. The crime is a backdrop to everything else Jeff is dealing with, and I think that gave me a creative storyline people will love.
You’ve stated you also write in other genres. What are some of the ones you’ve tried and why?
I’ve started a sci-fi novel mainly because it’s my father’s favourite genre. I love titles like Star Wars though and am intrigued to try a sci-fi that combines elements of a fantasy novel and a thriller. I’ve also stated a humorous detective story, a fantasy series, mental thriller, and even a zombie apocalypse novel. All of them are in various stages of completion, but are coming along nicely.
What’s the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Frankly, finding time. I am a Chief Financial Officer for my small family company and work nine or ten hour days regularly anyway. I often find myself writing chapters over lunch or sneaking in interviews whenever I can. It’s a difficult balance, but I love writing too much to give it up.
Do you have a favourite author who has inspired your writing?
CS Lewis is hands down my biggest inspiration as an author. The way he was able to combine a gripping story with deep spiritual symbolism was wonderful. I hope first and foremost that my readers enjoy my books, but I also hope that they can see what lies underneath as well. CS Lewis achieved that in wonderful form and I hope to do the same.
What’s next for you?
I hope to get the final instalment of The Good Fight series finished and ready for publishing by the middle of next year. Beyond that, my heart lies in the first book I ever wrote, Heroism. I plan for it to be a trilogy with a prequel, but it’s so large that even just the first two books total almost 1500 pages and the revising is such an incredible and daunting task. I can’t wait for it to hit the bookshelves, but it must be ready first.
You can find out more about Matthew and his books at his website: http://www.matthewrhorn.com/
Interview with Matthew Horn
Why don’t you begin by telling us a bit about yourself?
Well, I was born and raised in small town Indiana. My grandparents lived on a lake close by so we always had something to do during the summers, but I think I used reading and writing as a way to help avoid the sheer boredom of living in flyover country. My mother used to give my sisters and me writing courses in the summers. As a result, I’ve always loved to read and write. My first published book, The Good Fight was released by Brighton Publishing in September 2011, and my latest book, Nothing Good is Free is the sequel. I’m currently writing the third instalment and have eight or ten other ideas in various forms of completion.
Can you describe your new book, Nothing Good is Free?
This book continues to follow my vigilante hero, Jeff, after the death of his friend and mentor, Jim. As Jeff continues in his role as a vigilante he starts to confront the same pressures that caused Jim to stray from being a true hero. To complicate matters the Chicago Police Department has come up with a new scheme to catch the famous vigilante, and has put Detective Martell, Jeff’s only ally, at the head of it.
Additionally, Jeff’s romance with Brooke is put under strain as she travels more and more for her work. Her new Boss, Rick, seems interested in her, but may have his sights set on something else.
How did you come up with the ideas for Nothing Good is Free and the previous book in the series, The Good Fight?
I remember writing my first book, Heroism, (currently unpublished) and having a desire to write something completely different. Heroism is a fantasy epic with many different characters. I wanted my next book to focus on only a few characters and to be bound in reality. I came up with an idea to have a young hero come of age with the help of a mentor. My wife suggested I add some conflict with the mentor and a few months later I had The Good Fight. It met with a great response from readers and because I had left the ending mostly open, it was a given to write the sequel. I believe that it is my best work so far and am extremely excited for the print release in a few weeks.
Your book is a suspense thriller. What do you like best about writing in this genre?
It is a great genre to create a hero that is completely realistic, yet lives just past the edge of normal capability. My hero, Jeff, is a normal guy and uses equipment that can be found using any search engine on the internet. He trained with a great mentor and finds himself very lucky or amazingly blessed depending on how the reader sees it, but he’s not something that a real person couldn’t do if they put the time in. I love creating a dream world that is so in tune with reality that the two blend easily and I think this is one of the best genres to do that.
What is the most difficult part of writing a thriller?
It is hard to be creative in the thriller genre anymore, especially crime thrillers. The first thing I wanted to do was come up with a crime that hadn’t been written of before. That, of course, is nearly impossible. So I based the activity in this book not on the crime itself. The crime is a backdrop to everything else Jeff is dealing with, and I think that gave me a creative storyline people will love.
You’ve stated you also write in other genres. What are some of the ones you’ve tried and why?
I’ve started a sci-fi novel mainly because it’s my father’s favourite genre. I love titles like Star Wars though and am intrigued to try a sci-fi that combines elements of a fantasy novel and a thriller. I’ve also stated a humorous detective story, a fantasy series, mental thriller, and even a zombie apocalypse novel. All of them are in various stages of completion, but are coming along nicely.
What’s the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Frankly, finding time. I am a Chief Financial Officer for my small family company and work nine or ten hour days regularly anyway. I often find myself writing chapters over lunch or sneaking in interviews whenever I can. It’s a difficult balance, but I love writing too much to give it up.
Do you have a favourite author who has inspired your writing?
CS Lewis is hands down my biggest inspiration as an author. The way he was able to combine a gripping story with deep spiritual symbolism was wonderful. I hope first and foremost that my readers enjoy my books, but I also hope that they can see what lies underneath as well. CS Lewis achieved that in wonderful form and I hope to do the same.
What’s next for you?
I hope to get the final instalment of The Good Fight series finished and ready for publishing by the middle of next year. Beyond that, my heart lies in the first book I ever wrote, Heroism. I plan for it to be a trilogy with a prequel, but it’s so large that even just the first two books total almost 1500 pages and the revising is such an incredible and daunting task. I can’t wait for it to hit the bookshelves, but it must be ready first.
You can find out more about Matthew and his books at his website: http://www.matthewrhorn.com/
February 15, 2013
Post Valentine Hop
Yesterday's Bloody Valentine Blog Hop was quite fun and there were some stellar posts by those that participated. I especially enjoyed the posts at A Diamond in the Dark, The Cult of Me and Pagan Spirits. I'd like to thank all the bloggers who joined in on the fun.
Now on to the contest. I woke up in a generous mood today, so instead of awarding one winner I've decided to give away the free books to everyone who commented on my blog post yesterday. Congratulations, you should be receiving an email shortly.
Now on to the contest. I woke up in a generous mood today, so instead of awarding one winner I've decided to give away the free books to everyone who commented on my blog post yesterday. Congratulations, you should be receiving an email shortly.
February 13, 2013
Welcome to the Bloody Valentine Blog Hop!
Welcome to the Bad Side of Love, as you join in with the Bloody Valentine Blog Hop. On this day of romance, hearts, chocolate and flowers, a stalwart few writers and bloggers have banded together to celebrate the darker shades of the Valentine. You'll find no tender affection, no happy endings, as you wander through our morbid maze of love gone wrong, for we will be
breaking hearts and trashing romance....
Here's a list of the participating bloggers. Please visit as many as possible and join them in amorous mayhem.
Here's my little contribution to the Bloody Valentine Blog Hop.
Bring on the romantic misfortune and Down with Love!
First up, to whet your appetite, is a little Twilight
parody:
Rod
Serling Meets the Sparkly Vampires
Submitted for your approval.
One teenage girl with severe self-esteem issues being stalked by a
conflicted love-sick vampire. Next stop
Twilight Zone...
“Oh, why doesn’t Ned like me enough? Why does he keep pushing me away? Oh, Ned, Ned, Ned!” Ella throws herself onto her bed in a
melodramatic huff. “Maybe I should just
forget about drooling after hunky vampires and chase after Jack, my dreamy,
supportive, best friend werewolf instead?”
She groans spectacularly, as if in pain.
“Oh Ned, oh Jack, Ned, Jack, which one should I chose?”
Thirty thousand sighs later, she’s pacing the room moaning
about Ned again. “Oh Ned, I love you so,
can’t you see that?” The wind flutters the
curtains and she turns to the window. A
shadowy figure sits on her sill, a silhouette in the moonlight.
“I do see that you love me, and I can’t resist you
anymore.” Ned enters her bedroom and
crosses the floor to sweep her into her arms.
“Oh, Ned,” she gasps breathily.
“Just remember, you wanted this.” In a flash, Ned strikes, sinking his fangs
into her neck and eagerly he drains her blood from her body. When he’s had his fill he carries her limp
form to the bed and lays her down tenderly.
Ella’s eyes flutter open.
Knowing she is dying, her hand reaches out and her lips part,
whispering, “Why, Ned, why?”
“Really, Ella, what did you expect? I’m a vampire, it’s what we do. Besides,” he said with a blood-smeared grin,
“haven’t you heard, you always hurt the one you love.”
Now follow the decaying scent of the dead roses and read a
few morbid tidbits from my new book of poems, Reflections of Poetry:
What Stays Behind
The lingering scent,
memories of rose petals,
drift in the silence
of an empty room
full of fading ghosts.
Alone again,
with cracked dreams
and a broken heart
thumping, an echo
of that slamming door.
Sitting in the shadows
with disappointment
and the promises dead.
Any hope out of reach,
lost this time, forever.
Tea and Tears
The hourglass runs its sand
as the tea pours; her hand, it shakes
in grief, for her heart breaks
with pain, her spirit aches, adrift.
She fills her cup, his gift
Their tea set, bought from thrift, by love,
flaws ignored, prized above
the chip on the edge of the spout.
She drinks, the bitter doubt
gone; her candle burns out in haze.
Somewhere a soft flute plays,
to echo soul’s malaise, so grand.
Spanish Melody
A sweet song in the night
of past love, adrift.
A mournful, raw lament
for the defeated heart.
On the wind it ascends
as the coo of a tender dove,
evoking gentle memories
across the mountains.
The harmony swirls regret, ache
through the swaying trees.
Even the iridescent moon weeps
with the forlorn singer.
Faded
A faded red silk ribbon
tied around an aged box
full of tattered love letters.
Regrets from a past youth.
Tucked away, overlooked,
but still there, dusty, waiting.
Someday fingers will unfold
the pages of pale memories.
~
Reflections of Poetry
Go through the looking glass into the world of verse and discover
this eclectic collection of poetry. The poems range from musings on Celtic
heritage to embracing emotional turmoil. Throw in a little moonlight, the
soothing sounds of the sea, and mix well with some sci-fi and fantasy for a
lyrical medley of reading enjoyment.
Available at:
Smashwords
Amazon
And now, if you've made it all the way to the end, you get to read about my contest. If you'd like to win a free Smashwords ecopy of both my new poetry book, Reflectons of Poetry and my short story collection, Killers and Demons (complete with a story of a very bad Valentine date) just leave a comment telling me which of the poems in this post you liked the best. The more morbid and outrageous the reason, the better. I'll pick my favourite as the winner. Good Luck!
January 31, 2013
Redeye Cover Reveal
My fellow writer, Michael Shean, author of the Wonderland Cycle (
Shadow of a Dead Star
and the upcoming Redeye) and the novel
Bone Wires
has a new book debuting in April.
Today he's previewing the cover art for that book, the aforementioned Redeye, (and sequel to Shadow of a Dead Star) around the internet and he's kindly asked me to be a part of the big cover reveal, so here it is:
For more on Redeye, you can pop over to Michael's website and read this post: http://michael-shean.com/wordpress/?p=857
Check out the Wonderland Cycle:
SHADOW OF A DEAD STAR:
Seattle, 2078. The future
hasn’t been kind to the spirit of humanity; commercial obsession and
technological fetishism rules the day, religion and belief has died
screaming in the fires of war, and what remains is moral decrepitude.
Life in the future is hard on the soul.
As an agent of the
Industrial Security Bureau, Thomas Walken knows that better than anyone.
His job is to keep the worst kind of black-market technology out of the
hands of citizens, technology born out of the shadowy nation nicknamed
Wonderland. But the kind of fantasies that come out of that place aren’t
for the good people of the world. Wonderland technology is like black
magic made real.
Walken’s newest assignment starts out simply:
intercept a smuggled shipment of Princess Dolls, little girls turned
into sex toys, and bring them into custody. But when the girls are
hijacked from federal custody and Walken gives chase, he finds a trail
of bodies in their wake. Before he’s through, Walken will find himself
confronted revelations that will answer every question that the troubled
lawman has ever had about himself and the world he lives in – but his
mind and soul may not survive it.
"A dark, brooding piece of
future noir, SHADOW OF A DEAD STAR will take you down the rabbit hole on
a ride you won’t soon forget."
REDEYE:
Two
years have passed since Agent Thomas Walken and Bobbi January found
themselves at the heart of a conspiracy of unimaginable greed and
cruelty. The Genefex Corporation remains shrouded in mystery and Bobbi
January faces a life of unanswered questions and mounting
disillusionment to look forward to. But when she receives a mysterious
message from one of Walken's former comrades, she is drawn back onto the
trail. Now, Bobbi will find herself newly equipped to discover the
truth - about Walken, about Genefex and the Yathi race - and the key to
unlocking those secrets rests in the hands of a cyborg terrorist known
only as Redeye.
But the road to truth will be a dangerous one,
from the glamour of Seattle's ultramodern core to the sprawling
wastelands of the Old City and beyond. Alongside a band of lethal
comrades, Bobbi will face death and worse amidst urban rot, abandoned
subway tunnels, and ultimately the nightmarish halls of the Yathi
themselves in a race to stave off what may prove to be the death of
humanity itself. For the Mother of Systems will not be denied, and it
will take all of Bobbi’s intelligence and wit to stave off annihilation.
Drenched in blood and neon, Redeye is a tale of humanity on the edge of
a new and terrible reality.
BONE WIRES:
A thrilling mystery set in the same world as
the Wonderland Cycle, Bone Wires is a grim trip into the streets of the
empty future.
In the wasteland of commercial culture that is future America, police
are operated not by government but by private companies. In Seattle,
that role is filled by Civil Protection, and Daniel Gray is a detective
in Homicide Solutions. What used to be considered an important – even
glamorous – department for public police is very different for the
corporate species, and Gray finds himself stuck in a dead end job.
That is, until the Spine Thief arrives.
When
a serial killer begins harvesting the spinal tissue of corporate
employees all over the city, Detective Gray finds himself plunged into
the first truly major case of his career. Caught in a dangerous mix of
murder, betrayal and conflicting corporate interest, Gray will find
himself not only matching wits with a diabolical murderer but grappling
with his growing doubt toward his employers in the dawning months of the
American tricentennial.
You can find all the latest details and updates on Michael's website: http://www.michael-shean.com/
Today he's previewing the cover art for that book, the aforementioned Redeye, (and sequel to Shadow of a Dead Star) around the internet and he's kindly asked me to be a part of the big cover reveal, so here it is:
For more on Redeye, you can pop over to Michael's website and read this post: http://michael-shean.com/wordpress/?p=857
Check out the Wonderland Cycle:
SHADOW OF A DEAD STAR:
Seattle, 2078. The future
hasn’t been kind to the spirit of humanity; commercial obsession and
technological fetishism rules the day, religion and belief has died
screaming in the fires of war, and what remains is moral decrepitude.
Life in the future is hard on the soul.
As an agent of the
Industrial Security Bureau, Thomas Walken knows that better than anyone.
His job is to keep the worst kind of black-market technology out of the
hands of citizens, technology born out of the shadowy nation nicknamed
Wonderland. But the kind of fantasies that come out of that place aren’t
for the good people of the world. Wonderland technology is like black
magic made real.
Walken’s newest assignment starts out simply:
intercept a smuggled shipment of Princess Dolls, little girls turned
into sex toys, and bring them into custody. But when the girls are
hijacked from federal custody and Walken gives chase, he finds a trail
of bodies in their wake. Before he’s through, Walken will find himself
confronted revelations that will answer every question that the troubled
lawman has ever had about himself and the world he lives in – but his
mind and soul may not survive it.
"A dark, brooding piece of
future noir, SHADOW OF A DEAD STAR will take you down the rabbit hole on
a ride you won’t soon forget."
REDEYE:
Two
years have passed since Agent Thomas Walken and Bobbi January found
themselves at the heart of a conspiracy of unimaginable greed and
cruelty. The Genefex Corporation remains shrouded in mystery and Bobbi
January faces a life of unanswered questions and mounting
disillusionment to look forward to. But when she receives a mysterious
message from one of Walken's former comrades, she is drawn back onto the
trail. Now, Bobbi will find herself newly equipped to discover the
truth - about Walken, about Genefex and the Yathi race - and the key to
unlocking those secrets rests in the hands of a cyborg terrorist known
only as Redeye.
But the road to truth will be a dangerous one,
from the glamour of Seattle's ultramodern core to the sprawling
wastelands of the Old City and beyond. Alongside a band of lethal
comrades, Bobbi will face death and worse amidst urban rot, abandoned
subway tunnels, and ultimately the nightmarish halls of the Yathi
themselves in a race to stave off what may prove to be the death of
humanity itself. For the Mother of Systems will not be denied, and it
will take all of Bobbi’s intelligence and wit to stave off annihilation.
Drenched in blood and neon, Redeye is a tale of humanity on the edge of
a new and terrible reality.
BONE WIRES:
A thrilling mystery set in the same world as
the Wonderland Cycle, Bone Wires is a grim trip into the streets of the
empty future.
In the wasteland of commercial culture that is future America, police
are operated not by government but by private companies. In Seattle,
that role is filled by Civil Protection, and Daniel Gray is a detective
in Homicide Solutions. What used to be considered an important – even
glamorous – department for public police is very different for the
corporate species, and Gray finds himself stuck in a dead end job.
That is, until the Spine Thief arrives.
When
a serial killer begins harvesting the spinal tissue of corporate
employees all over the city, Detective Gray finds himself plunged into
the first truly major case of his career. Caught in a dangerous mix of
murder, betrayal and conflicting corporate interest, Gray will find
himself not only matching wits with a diabolical murderer but grappling
with his growing doubt toward his employers in the dawning months of the
American tricentennial.
You can find all the latest details and updates on Michael's website: http://www.michael-shean.com/
January 17, 2013
Come Join the Bloody Valentine Blog Hop!
This February 14th I'm hosting a trash Valentine's Day blog hop. For one day writers and bloggers will dispense with the sappy romance and show you the bad side of love. Come be part of the fun!
We will be celebrating heartbreak, love gone wrong, romantic mayhem and tragedy, hopefully with that little splash of humour and blood. There will also be prizes to be won, so sign up to be a participant or mark it on your calender.
If you wish to be one of our bloggers, please click over to the Linky List and sign up. You can also put the list on your own
blog by getting a copy of the code (it's the easiest way for people to find all the hoppers come Feb 14th).
January 9, 2013
A Rewarding Mystery: A Review of Old Loves Die Hard
My Book Review of Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr:
The second book in the Mac Faraday mystery series, Old Loves Die Hard by Lauren Carr is
just as enjoyable as the first. It is another satisfying murder mystery chock
full of fascinating characters.
This time around, Mac Faraday’s ex-wife comes calling,
bringing a lot of old baggage and some dead bodies, including hers. Mac becomes
a suspect in his ex-wife’s murder, but ends up investigating the killing. He
delves into his past, both personal and professional, to find answers and the
killer.
The charm of the first book remains consistent in Old Loves Die Hard, with its compelling
main character the strongest asset of the novel. The author provides a nice bit
of character development as well, in both the ongoing relationship between Mac
and Archie and insight into his previous marriage. The well-rounded
characterization is astutely managed.
The plot is solid as well, spinning several threads and then
pulling them into a nice tight conclusion. Several suspects are juggled nicely
until the final reveal, which provides an interesting, and fateful denouement.
Overall, I can recommend Old Loves Die Hard, as a gratifying
murder mystery and a great read.
You can find Old Loves Die Hard and the rest of the Mac Faraday on Amazon.
January 1, 2013
My Top Five Books of 2012
Last year (hmmm, it seems like only yesterday) I suffered from "review interruptus" from the month of May onward so I don't have a huge selection of books reviews to choose from. For that reason I went with a Top Five list this time (plus three honourable mentions) instead of a Top Ten. Now on to the List, drum roll please...
My Top Five Books of 2012:
On Dark Shores 2: The Other Nereia by JA Clement
Since Tomorrow by Morgan Nyberg
The Midget's House by Anita Bartholomew
Grave Situation by Alex MacLean
Magnus Opum by Jonathan Gould
Honourable Mentions:
You, Fascinating You by Germaine Shames
Skin Games by Adam Pepper
Casting Stones by G. M. Barlean
My Top Five Books of 2012:
On Dark Shores 2: The Other Nereia by JA Clement
Since Tomorrow by Morgan Nyberg
The Midget's House by Anita Bartholomew
Grave Situation by Alex MacLean
Magnus Opum by Jonathan Gould
Honourable Mentions:
You, Fascinating You by Germaine Shames
Skin Games by Adam Pepper
Casting Stones by G. M. Barlean
