Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 309

Review: INTERN WITH THE VAMPIRE by Kit Iwasaki

4 of 5 stars



Dr. Aline Harman is a resident in a prestigious hospital until she makes a deadly mistake. Tossed out of a job and shunned by everyone she thought were her friends, she finds herself accepting a position with the mysterious Dr. William Rocque at Vampire General. Once there, Aline has more to think about than just saving the patients. She must learn how to fight irresistible vampire pheromones, stay out of the clutches of a black widow and figure out a plan for surviving her first night at a hospital full of every kind of paranormal creature you can think of.



I've had this book on my Kindle for quite some time now, but once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. The story is engaging, inventive and quite clever. Ms. Iwasaki has a distinctive style of writing, one that pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages. If you're looking for a fresh take on the paranormal, INTERN WITH THE VAMPIRE is a quick and enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to reading what's in store for Aline in the next installment. Recommended.

Interview with Marie Symeou

Can you give us a brief
overview of your latest book?



My
latest novel is called Frozen In Time
(Blood of the Gods #1). It's the first part in a historical vampire trilogy
following an ancient Greek vampire's transformation into a vampire, his longing
to destroy the vampire who made him, and his search for the reincarnated soul
of his dead wife. It's about how love can transend across time, and death or
banishment to otherworldly realms, or the transformation of the lovers into
immortal beings.


http://www.amazon.com/Frozen-Time-Blood-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B005NW1XHO/ref=twoen-20




Did you try the
traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?

I
queried a few with Frozen In Time but
no success, just as it was with my previous work. It's just so hard for an
unknown author to get published, and it's been going on for too long.
Publishers are only interested in celebs these days.




What factors influenced
your decision to self-publish to Amazon?

I'd
been thinking about it for a while, and then I kept coming across all these
success stories (like Amanda Hocking) and I thought well, if others are doing
it, why should I not at least give it a try? I was tired of waiting for my big
break as I have been writing for quite a long time and I'm not getting any
younger.




What have you learned
during your self-publishing journey?

That
it's very hard, and the hard work doesn't end with the writing as it gets even
harder trying to market and promote your books, which unfortunately leaves less
time for writing.




Besides Amazon, are
there any other sites where your books are for sale?

No,
just Amazon at the moment. There are also paperback editions of my novels
available through CreateSpace.




What kinds of marketing
[twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your
book(s)?

I
use twitter, facebook, goodreads, blogger and my Amazon Author page. I also
have a website.

https://twitter.com/#!/marie_p_s


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Symeou-Author-Singer/119520001398734

http://marie-deepthinker.blogspot.com/

http://mariesymeou.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Symeou/e/B005O9NHXE

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5219021.Marie_Symeou




What advice would you
give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?

Do
your research. Find out as much as you can about self-publishing. Join forums
like Kindleboards for networking with other indie authors and for lots of up to
date advice. Make sure your book is the best you can get it. Edit well and
don't rush to publish it. Take your time.




What's next for you?

Book
2 in the Blood of the Gods trilogy. I am also working on a screenplay and a cat
memoir.

Scariest Animal Pictures Ever!

I was surfing the Internet the other day and came across some really scary animal pictures. They were so intense, I had to post them here. If you don't like to be frightened, look away!!!








Every author's nightmare!







I will never ever be able to eat another marshmellow again. There might be a terrifying creature inside the bag. See what I mean:








Did you hear something? What was that roar? 






And finally, this is the most terrifying creature of all. Yes, one of the last dragon slayers around!








So, are you scared????  No? Of course not sillies, 

APRIL FOOLS!!!

#Romance + a GIFT CARD, how FABULOUS!

Best-selling author, Sandra Edwards, is sponsoring a monthly contest and you can win a $100 gift card to either Amazon, Barnes & Nobles or iBookstore (your choice.)



You can also find all the details on how to enter at her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/SandraEdwards.Author



CONTEST UPDATE:



As many of you know, I've decided to run a contest for all my readers out there. The main thing I'm changing is that this will be a reoccurring contest. A new winner will be chosen EVERY MONTH beginning in April!



MONTHLY GRAND PRIZE: $100 gift certificate from Amazon, BN or iBookstore (winner's choice).



TO ENTER: all you need to do is review one (or all) of my books. The review can be GOOD or BAD, it doesn't matter to me. Just leave a review giving your opinion of the book.



Post your review anywhere online (i.e., Amazon.com, BN.com, Goodreads, your blog, or any other place you can think of), then send me a message (via Facebook or email) and let me know where you posted the review.



For each review, you'll get one entry per site where you've posted the review. So, the more places you post, and the more books you review, the more chances you have to win! Posting your review to online bookstores like Amazon.com, BN.com and the iBookstore gets two entries per review.



If you've already posted a review for any of my books at Amazon, BN, etc., just message me and let me know where the reviews are posted and you'll be entered into the contest.



First round of the contest ends April 30th. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Winner will be notified via email, and will be announced here on my Facebook fan page and at my website by May 10th.



For subsequent months, the contest will end on the last day of the month and the winner will be announced by the 5th of the following month. You only need to send me your information once. Past review info will remain in the "pot" until you win!



*Spreading the word is encouraged!*



Disclaimer: A positive review is not necessary to win. Contest may end at any time. In the event the contest is cancelled, a prize will be issued for the month in which cancellation takes place, and the contest will officially end on the last day of that month.

Interview with Martin Pond

 Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Dark Steps is a collection of eight short stories, each with a twist in the tale. I try to avoid genre pigeon-holing, and these certainly aren't horror stories per sé – it's more that they're unsettling tales. That's what I'm aiming for, at least, and hope to leave the reader thinking about these stories long after they've put the book down.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?Not for Dark Steps, no. Partly because I don't believe there is much appetite in conventional publishing for a slim collection of dark tales from an unheralded author, and partly because I wanted to retain complete control over the book – everything from the order the stories were in, the cover art, the title.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?Absolutely, and it has been invaluable! It's a small group, and one that grew out of a creative writing diploma course I took some years ago. The course ended and we just kept on meeting. Having been together for so long, I really feel that I can trust the feedback I get from the other group members. I can almost here their voices in my head when I'm writing now.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish to Amazon?Nothing more complicated than the fact that I own a Kindle! Although in retrospect it was entirely the right decision going with Amazon, seeing them dominate the e-book and e-reader market in the same way that Apple lauds it over the MP3 world.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?No, and some might argue that this was a mistake. I'm pretty good at proof-reading, and my critique group had already helped to rein in my worst excesses! Having said that, any writer will tell you that it can be hard to let go of a line you really love, even when the rest of the world is telling you it's not so great. I try very hard to avoid that pitfall, but an editor would probably help.

What have you learned during your self-publishing journey?Not to expect too much, too quickly! It's easy to fall into the tap of checking your sales figures on a daily basis, much harder to recognize that for the unhealthy and unproductive behavior it is. The simple fact is that it's hard to achieve massive success as any writer, let alone as a self-publishing indie. The lesson here is to be gentle on yourself, try your hardest, take every promotional opportunity you can to push your book but if it doesn't lead to massive sales remember, you're not Random House.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?Plenty. Lulu, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Smashwords, Sony, iTunes, Diesel, Kobo, W H Smith. Oh, and I'm working on Waterstone's too.

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?I have a blog dedicated to all my writing endeavors at martinpond.blogspot.com and I tweet, mostly about books and writing, as @MartinWrites. Having said that, my most successful marketing has come about from hassling book review websites and blogs, plying them with review copies of my book, and asking nicely for a mention.

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?There's a definite correlation – the harder I push Dark Steps the less progress I make with the work-in-progress novel. The latter is important though – one of the reasons for publishing the collection was to build a readership, in readiness for the novel's publication. It's just one more thing to juggle though: with a full-time (non-writing) job and busy family life, there are a lot of balls in the air.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?It is possible to do it all yourself – the writing, the editing, the proof-reading, the cover design, the publication, the PR and marketing, the media. It really is, and without incurring any expense other than time. But it's hard work. Take advice where you can. Accept any help offered. And remember not to get sucked into checking those sales figures!

What's next for you?I'm working on a full-length story, provisionally entitled Drawn To The Deep End, that I hope to have ready to publish by September of this year. It concerns the downward spiral our hero's life takes after the death of his fiancée, and the reasons for the relentless guilt he feels.

New Release: GODS OF SAND AND STONE by Walter Shuler

Book blurb:

After the brutal slaughter of his family, Conn takes justice into his own hands in a quest for vengeance that carries him the length and breadth of the land, earning him the name Fuilteach – Bloodthirsty.



When a seemingly chance encounter reveals that he is merely a pawn in a dark plot by the God of Death, Conn must decide to pursue his vengeance or unravel the twisted strands of conspiracy and stand against the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.



His decision is complicated by the arrival of a dead chieftain's daughter who might be more than she seems and a strange old man poking into the secrets of Conn's past. Can Conn thwart the plot before the god's agents find him? Can he stand against a god? 





Buy link:

http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Sand-Stone-Wars-ebook/dp/B007NZRQRA/ref=twoen-20





Author bio:



Walter Shuler is a father, husband and fantasy writer. His books Blood and Brass and Gods of Sand and Stone are both available on Amazon, as well as Smashwords.

You can connect with him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/anakronisticalThrough Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/hallalitriochtAnd check in at his website here: http://hallalitriocht.com/

Interview with Caroline J Rose

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? No Substitute for Murder is a cozy about a woman who's trying to get her life back on track—she's divorced from a cheating con man and downsized from her job as a radio producer—when she discovers the body of an unpopular teacher and then is assigned to cover his classes. Many of the characters are quirky or a little over-the-top and it was a lot of fun to write.Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/No-Substitute-Murder-Carolyn-Rose/dp/0983735921

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?When I decided to get serious about writing novels, that was the accepted way to go, so that's the way I went. I have a file cabinet stuffed with query letters and rejections—hundreds and hundreds of them. Twice I've had agents, and once was within a whisker of a deal when that particular division of a major publishing company folded. After I sold Hemlock Lake to Five Star, I realized the electronic rights weren't part of the contract and I released the e-version myself. That gave me confidence to launch other works as indie titles—first An Uncertain Refuge, then A Place of Forgetting, and most recently No Substitute for Murder.

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?I belonged to a critique group for many years, but last year broke away. I found that others' stories were getting stuck in my brain and I was spending more time thinking about their plots and characters than my own. I'm not getting any younger, so I decided to put my books first.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish to Amazon?The answer to question 3 is part of the answer to this one. I'm not getting any younger and I don't seem to be writing what agents and editors are looking for. I decided to take a chance that readers might be interested and invested in cover art and professional formatting. Amazon made the rest of it so easy that I was able to upload the books with just a little help from my friends.

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?I worked for many years as an associate editor for Elizabeth Lyon's Editing International so I'm able to do a lot of this myself. But Elizabeth looked at my books and so did some sharp-eyed friends. Still, a few typos slipped past. The eye and brain often fill in what isn't there on an unconscious level and I've found typos in hardcover recent releases from major publisher. That's no excuse, though, and I intend to fix my errors as soon as I can.

What have you learned during your self-publishing journey?To help others when I can, to be kind to myself, and not to let bad reviews get to me.

I taught a novel-writing boot camp in Vancouver, Washington, for about a decade, and am in touch with many writers who took it and are putting books into production one way or another, so I help them when I can.

I don't compare my progress and success to that of others. I'm not much of a saleswoman/promoter, and I don't tweet because I don't think I have anything to say—at least not on a daily basis. But I take advantage of the opportunities that come my way—like this one—and I'm patient and I believe in the power of reader recommendations to sell a book. But not every book is for every reader and freedom of speech is what this country is all about, so I have to expect and accept criticism.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?They are also available at Barnes & Noble

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?I use Facebook, but not often, and I participate in some of the Amazon forums and blog as a guest for others (mostly mystery writers) and on my own blog. I don't do as much of this as I should, but I make an effort to do something every day.

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book? Like I said, I don't do as much marketing as I should so the juggling isn't all that difficult—it's more like I'm juggling two rubber chickens instead of six chainsaws. When I get into "writing mode," lot of other things fall by the wayside—cleaning, laundry, gardening, etc.  Every morning I scan my e-mail and I make an effort to set aside one day a week to catch up on marketing projects.

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?Make sure that self-publishing is the right choice. If your dream is to be published by a major house, then pursue that as far as you can. But if you decide to go the indie route be a good friend to your book, make sure it's ready, and don't rush to publication just because you can. Get a picky proofreader and "professional" formatting and cover art. Write a strong blurb with multiple hooks and create compelling tags when you put the book up. Then be flexible. Review your blurb and tags regularly and change them if you need to.

Go out and get all the reviews you can, participate in forums, blog for yourself and others, use Facebook and Twitter if that's your thing, and let your personality come through.

What's next for you?In a few months I'll release Through a Yellow Wood, the sequel to Hemlock Lake. It's also set in the Catskill Mountains and begins with the death of a search-and-rescue dog trainer at the hands of a serial killer attempting to cover up his crimes.

Review: GRAVITY-A JOURNEY TO NYORFIAS by T.M. Roy

4 of 5 stars

This is the second installment in the "Journey to Nyorfias" series. GRAVITY picks up not too long after book 1, "Convergence"end. Rett is a Sgt. in a Nyorfias elite commando group, F-troup and their orders are to travel to the sister planet of Epnoce with the rest of the 2023rd to try and defeat the Yixolyrn Coalition, an alien race, once and for all. The planet Epnoce seems to be against them with its harsh climate and heavy gravity, but Rett is affected by more than planetary anomalies. Her ego-merge Pam is gone, her sister and lover are acting strange and she's running into problems with her long-time friend and commander, Evetez.  Everything appears to be against her and Rett is struggling to cope with adversity while keeping up with training in the heavier gravity.

What Rett doesn't release, however, is that she is a major player in the game of balance between light vs. dark in the universe. The deity of this universe, Pheasyce, is forced to watch as Rett is stripped of support from everyone who cares about her. Rett must reach deep within herself and rise above the confusion and depression that threatens to overwhelm her or the deity, Xonomer, will win.

The author does an excellent job of letting the reader inside Rett's head to feel her outrage as she struggles to keep it together to her utter dismay as one thing after another is stacked against her.  Her combat skills are legendary, but is it because of love and respect of the soldiers under her command that would willingly die for her or is she a lone wolf who needs no one's support to accomplish the impossible?

The book has its fair share of intense battles against the Yixolyrn Coalition including an epic battle of wills between Rett and her old nemesis, Avok. There is a lot more going on in this book besides battles to defeat an evil enemy. To say any more would be too much of a spoiler, but suffice it to say, T.M. Roy, keeps you entertained and throws some unexpected curve balls into the mix. To fully understand what has happened in the past, I would recommend that you read, "Convergence" first, but even without reading book 1, GRAVITY is one that scifi fans will enjoy. Recommended.

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Gravity-Journey-Nyorfias-Book-ebook/dp/B004GKNOI0/ref=twoen-20

New #Romance Release: I RUINED HIS LIFE by L.K. Rigel

If you're looking for a sweet escape from the humdrum of weekend chores, check out this contemporary romance, I Ruined his Life, currently being offered for .99 on Amazon.



 

Book blurb: Guilt and attraction make a strange blend...



On her first case as a lawyer, Bethany Draughen exposes shoddy workmanship done by a luxury home builder and forces a multimillion dollar settlement. The case establishes Beth's reputation - and ruins Caleb Marke's life.



That was three years ago. When by chance Beth sees Cale again at a deposition, he makes it quite clear he wants revenge--then he double-dog dares her to go out with him. Beth should run the opposite direction, but she can't deny her attraction to the guy.



It's a battle between lust for revenge and just plain lust. Beth ruined Cale's life. Can she trust him now not to ruin hers?



I Ruined His Life is a short novella (novelette length), about 10,500 words. Equivalent to about 42 pages in print. Sweet contemporary romance. 

Buy link: http://www.amazon.com/I-Ruined-His-Life-ebook/dp/B007LVR784/

Sponsorship: FALL FROM GRACE by Richard Jackson

Book blurb:

Tyler made a good living as a Caster - broadcasting his experiences, physical and emotional, through cybernetic implants to millions who accessed him online. But someone wanted him out, and Tyler ended up hustling illegal broadcasts to survive.



Tyler may be out of Casting, but darker players in the industry won't let him go. When Tyler's agent is murdered, he's framed for the crime. He finds out who his real friends are - the only people who don't abandon him are a bartending medical student and an ex-cop gone bad.



Now the lives of Tyler's friends are at risk, and his fate is bound to that of a mysterious little girl. No one will be safe until he discovers what's going on - and who engineered his fall from grace.



Buy Link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032JSJKY



Reviewer's Comments:

"Imagine a world where you not only see the news but you can also experience it while it's happening. Now meet Tyler, a `caster' who would do anything for a great story. After this superstar falls from grace, he begins to see life through new eyes. Jackson does a terrific job creating a world that's sure to put you on the edge of your seat. Not only is the main character well done, but all the supporting characters are finely tuned as well. Even the psycho killer is someone you will love to hate. Take the time to read this adventure packed thriller, a great read and an author worth watching."  Extreme Broadcasting



Author Bio:

Richard Jackson was born in New York and raised in the Bronx. He has been writing off and on since high school. Over the years, he has held a variety of jobs and worked in a wide range of fields. It's given him a very diverse skill set which has come in handy on numerous occasions. His interests include the martial arts, costuming, travel, gaming and just having fun. He enjoys meeting people and talking to people with similar interests.



Blog: http://kyrin007.wordpress.com/











Excerpt:



"I have a job you might be interested in," Manny said.It took all of Tyler's willpower to stop himself from dancing a jig.Manny offered Tyler a smile, one reserved only for someone who could make him money. "I know it's been a while since you last worked. How are your implants?" the agent asked.Tyler nodded. "They're fine," Manny probably knew what the answer to that question would be."And your training?" he asked."I've been sticking to my diet and exercise plan. I also keep busy so my skills don't get rusty.""Good," Manny said. The agent reached into his suit pocket for his notebook. He turned the page in the journal and started to rattle off details about the job as he jotted down some notes.Tyler only half heard what his agent was saying. He had waited a long time to get back into the business after his show was canceled and he was blacklisted. He could finally have his life back. No more busting his ass as a bar back or hustling quasi-legal castings.Tyler's moment of happiness was shattered along with the frosted glass door to Manny's office. The invader filling the doorway was trouble. He held a strange looking device that resembled something out of an old Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon movie serial. Tyler threw himself down and to the side just as the big man pulled the trigger of his ray gun.There was no beam of light or anything Tyler could see. He felt the wave of heat and intolerable pain during the brief time he was in the thing's line of fire.Manny didn't have the benefit of Tyler's reflexes. The beam caught him full on. He shrieked like a lobster being dumped into a pot of boiling water.Tyler snatched a paperweight off of the desk and hurled it at the intruder. It wasn't the most aerodynamic object in the world but it flew true hitting the man in the side of the head. It didn't stun the guy but it got the beam off of Manny. Tyler moved fast. He ducked quickly behind the couch Manny used to "audition" some talent.Tyler heard the man walking. He waited right where he was at. It was his only play. Out in the open, Tyler didn't have a chance. He wouldn't be able to close the distance before the man focused his weapon on him. If the big man leaned over the couch or came around the side of it, Tyler would make him regret it.The man decided to break the stalemate. Tyler could hear him moving away from the couch. "Come out or I'll kill him," he said."Sod off!" Tyler yelled before he could stop himself. He knew what would happen. The caster had heard a lot of threats. This guy wasn't bluffing. He would kill Manny if he didn't come out. Well, it sucked to be Manny. Tyler signed his death sentence with those words.Tyler heard a crunching noise followed by another long drawn out scream from Manny. Even more disturbing was the large man's giggle. It made Tyler's skin crawl. He didn't want to see what the big man was doing to the agent. He wanted to see the killer's gleeful expression even less.When Manny stopped screaming, Tyler risked a peek to see where the man was. The big man was heading for the door. He was bleeding from a small gash on his forehead, yet his weapon remained steady and pointed at the couch where Tyler was hiding. The man wasn't taking chances. If Tyler tried something, the killer would be ready. Tyler ducked back under cover and waited. The risk of fighting the man wasn't worth it. Manny was already dead or close to it. Someone else could avenge him. Tyler waited for the guy to leave or to make the mistake of coming after him. Only when he was sure the killer had gone did he emerge from behind the desk."Manny, speak to me," Tyler said.Tyler's stomach did a slow barrel roll when he looked at what the killer had done to Manny. He wasn't sure the agent could see him, let alone speak. His face was a bloody ruin. Tyler could make out part of a boot print where the man stepped on Manny's face while roasting him alive with his weapon. Smoke still rose from the agent's clothes where the beam had been focused on him.Somehow Manny was able to croak "Tyler?" The effort of speaking sent the agent into a fit of convulsions."Yeah, it's me Manny. You're hurt bad. I called an ambulance," Tyler said. Even if he picked up the phone to call one, the agent would probably be dead before he hung up the phone. For a moment, he wanted to ask about the job but he couldn't do it. Manny was dying and he wasn't going to be a prick to him. Maybe the man wouldn't have killed Manny if Tyler had cooperated? It was doubtful. More likely, the two of them would be dead.Manny tried to speak, but the pain and his injuries made his voice incomprehensible. The agent was fading fast. His voice was barely above a whisper as he said, "the journal….."Tyler nodded in understanding. Manny's journal was still on the desk. "What about it?"Manny was beyond listening. His final act was to point towards the desk then he was gone."God damn it!" Tyler yelled.

***

Joey didn't like killing people. Sure, he was good at it but it seemed like such a waste. Pain was where it was at. You hurt a man or woman enough and they will do anything to make the pain stop. When it came to hurting people, Joey had a lot of practice.Manny wasn't a very satisfying kill. He wanted to take his time with the agent. Joey didn't expect him to have company. It complicated matters and Joey hated complications. The only thing he hated more than complications were witnesses. He would have to do something painful and fatal to whoever it was after he reported in. At least, he accomplished his mission and silenced Manny.