Lorel Clayton's Blog, page 4

Eva Book 2 Goodreads giveaway now on

Goodreads Book Giveaway


A Thorne for a Crown
by Lorel Clayton

Giveaway ends March 15, 2016.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Penny Dreadful, Suckerpunch and the joys of there not being crap on TV now

Is it me or has TV deteriorated even more of late? For a while it was a bastion of creativity exceeding film–Rome, Game of Thrones, Hell on Wheels … some great stuff, mostly from the pay channels. Now, Doctor Who isn’t doing it for me, and I can’t watch more than an episode of the latest Supernatural, Falling Skies or Continuum or whatever without going *meh*. I’ve been re-watching my DVDs instead and catching up on series I missed. Here’s two of my great finds.

Penny Dreadful

I liked season 1 enough to tune back in, but season 2 is where it comes into its stride. I had a whole season to catch up on, and there’s nothing better than having a marathon of a good show. Vanessa Ives was always my favorite character and it was hard to say why she was so compelling until this season – wow. She is a surprise. I’ve always pictured a curvier Eva Green would make a great Eva Thorne (*cough* minor book plug there), but by the end of this season I knew she was the one.

Both characters seem fragile, the damsel to be rescued at times, and when they try to show strength and bravado you’re not really too sure even they believe it. Then BAM! they surprise you. I won’t spoil the series if you haven’t seen it, but I’d like to highlight “Nightcomers” which was my favorite episode so far. Finally, some back story for Vanessa that makes me realize why I love her so much. It was all about her too. As much as ensemble casts are all the rage (i.e. Game of Thrones), I prefer an intimate character tale and this episode was it for me. Where did she get those pseudo-tarot cards? Why does she seem wiser than she lets on? What’s with those bloody scorpion signs? All explained and well worth the wait!

 

 

2. SuckerPunch

This movie gets rotten tomatoes, but that just shows you how stupid critics are. I loved it first viewing, and my *critic* husband finally came around recently. The film is mind-blowing, imaginative, beautifully filmed and full of poignant subtext and symbolism overlooked in the explosions and sword fights. It starts like an epic music vid with a cover of “Sweet Dreams” and more beautiful music vid scenes play throughout.

I also love the narrative voice over at the start about angels (I’m a sucker for narrative voice over), and it’s not until the end you realize what it means. The juxtaposition of how powerless these girls are – they are insane, full of remorse, at the mercy of people who want to lobotomize them – with the story they tell themselves about dancing and high rollers (an imagined world layered on top of the dingy hospital ward) juxtaposed yet again with the full blown imagination of Baby Doll and the team battling giants, dragons and armies of undead Nazis … the sheer power of their will and inner being is realized in those action dreams. And when the movie returns to the final, hard reality in the end it’s even more poignant.

I got it. I liked it. Give it a try.

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Yay the paperback!

I love the feel of paper (sorry trees, really really sorry), but I want to squee when I hold a printed book, especially mine, which is the most fantastic of all right?

If you’d like to get a copy and jump for joy with me (I’m sure you’ll jump) order links are below. ALSO I’M LOOKING FOR AMAZON REVIEWERS. Interested? I’m giving away a few review copies so message or email me if you’d like to do a written review for Eva Book 2. You can read it before reading book 1, but it does spoil the first book.

Cheers!

Paperback available from Book Depository, Amazon and other sites as well as your local bookseller!

 

The first real case femme fatale turned private eye, Eva Thorne, has had in months may be more than she can handle. King Rutgard has been kidnapped, only he’s not entirely alive, which makes finding him difficult. What’s more, dwarf men are joining the suffragist movement in droves to win freedom from the matriarchy, and there’s a werewolf terrorist in town causing chaos. Eva needs a case like this to make her reputation, but she has problems of her own. Dark magic is rising in her, the Thorne legacy, and she can’t control it. She has to find a way or risk imprisonment by the jackbooted elf soldiers who are cracking down on illegal necromancy and worship of the Dead God. Worse, the God of Death wants her soul, as does her twin sister, so Eva denies her magic and hides from her family. But some things are impossible to hide from, like the tax collector … and love.

Ebook available from Amazon

 

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Eva Thorne Book 2 is out!

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The e-book is up on Amazon – hope you enjoy!

 

I don’t feel it’s really truly out until the paperback is ready, but that should be just a few more weeks. Will update everyone when it’s available.

 

Thanks so much to all the bloggers who helped with my cover reveal! 

Samantha March at CLP Blog Tours (special thanks for organizing!) and:

Book Lover In Florida

Book Babble

Mallory Heart’s Cozies

Brooke Blogs

Whispering Stories

Around the World in Books

One Book At a Time

I Love My Authors

Chick Lit Plus

Nerdy Dirty & Flirty

 

 

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Book deals and $900 giveaway!

 

 

In the the lead up to release of book 2, Eva Thorne Book 1 is free on kindle. Get it before 12 Dec!

Free for Kindle! 4.7 stars -Fantasy/Mystery/Romance http://tinyurl.com/gooca96

 

I’m also involved in the $500 giveaway so stop by before 21 December and choose my book!

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Goodreads Giveaway

As part of the countdown to the release of Book 2 in December, I’m giving away a paperback copy of Eva Thorne Book 1. Tell your friends!

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Tangle of Thornes
by Lorel Clayton

Giveaway ends December 15, 2015.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Book Expo Australia

It was an amazing experience yesterday at Book Expo Australia! I got to meet so many book lovers, and it was especially great to talk to people who bought my book, signed up for the giveaway or who just wanted to know more about publishing.

A special shout out to those (like me) who love print books and bought copies at the stall, and congratulations to giveaway winners Kristy and Grace who were both so lovely and let me take their photos!

Lorel Clayton at Book Expo Australia

Kristy with her copy of Tangle of Thornes

Book winner Grace was so happy to get a signed copy

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Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Why I don’t write what I know

I just had my first radio interview, and although I spend 4 sleepless hours a night writing my novels because it’s the only time I have for that passion, I didn’t dream once of pitching my book during the interview. I’d say it’s because I like to keep my work and personal life separate, but the interview got a bit personal talking about my son, who has autism, and about the reasons I gave up science (another passion of mine) for marketing, which isn’t a passion so much as a necessary evil for the greater good.

If you’re interested, you can hear the interview here Kinderling Radio.

So why didn’t I slip in that I’m also an Author?

Why don’t I  give away bookmarks at the grocery store and read my book obviously in public to drum up conversation?

If you listen to some very sensible and successful authors I should be doing all that (my husband tells me I should as well), but I have a Complex.

Likewise, my life is full of interesting things that other people might want to read about: life as a scientist, running marketing for a national brand, balancing a full time career with being a mum, dealing with autism… I could write about a lot of things that might even be easier for me to market in a book. I should write what I know, if, once again, you listen to some sensible people. But, as mentioned, I have this Complex.

Writing is my escape from the troubles of the world. It’s something my husband and I have together when we’re often so busy we hardly see each other. It’s a place where my world doesn’t exist, and I, like my readers, can explore a new world full of magic and fun characters. I can deal with Eva’s problems, and I can pile them on her because I know what that feels like, but I have confidence she’ll figure something out. When she does, it makes me feel confident about sorting my own problems out. After all, I don’t have the God of Death after me, so how bad can it be?

So writing and my books (Eva Book 2 is nearly done by the way – I’m at 84,000 words out of 90,000 planned!) are my little corner of the universe that I can control. It’s hard to give up that control and turn it over to the rest of the world for discussion–and rejection. I really loved promoting my first book, doing blog interviews and hearing great reviews from those who read it. I love sharing it, but at the same time this Complex keeps me from integrating Authordom into my everyday life.

I need to get over it and get my books out there to be seen, so please be kind when I do. Just don’t expect me to write what I know, because… Well, where’s the fun it that?

 

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Writing Purgatory

 

The first half of Eva Thorne Book 2 was a breeze, the pages and chapters flowing by. Now, 2/3 through and I keep getting distracted by playing Sims or baking bread. I still love the plot and know exactly what to do next, but I feel something is missing, a sub-plot that needs to be there. I’ve decided I need to fully flesh out book 3 and have that sub-plot feed into it. But now I have to back track. Plus a pivotal character isn’t quite right yet. I need to do some character building exercises, even some combining I think. The honeymoon is over and I’m entering editing purgatory already!

 

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.

Blog Tour Roundup

Thanks to CLP Blog Tours I had a great tour in April, meeting some new bloggers worth following and getting some great reviews for Amazon and Goodreads. Thanks everyone!

 

5 Star Review from Terry’s Book Addiction

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I was sent a copy of this fantastic book (hard copy), my favorite! This book was seriously a treat to read! It is one that I picked up and just could not put down until I finished! Literally!Eva Thorne the main character is not only a likable character, but so very easy to relate too! She finds herself in so many unusual and precarious positions that you can’t help but wonder if the girl was born for trouble. Not to mention she seems to have a knack for attracting not only unusual men in her life (some droll worthy I will admit!) but also unusual characters. I felt by the end of the story that she could have a gang of loyal followers with the way she attracted them to her.I am such a fan of stories with in the fantasy genre, and like the author I would not link this book with just one genre as it certainly crosses several. However the fantasy side of it is by far my favorite. I love that Eva fights her abilities, her powers. She seems intent on being a unique individual regardless of them and her family relations.I do not like to give spoilers in my reviews and won’t in this one. However I will say if you have not read Tangle of Thornes yet you are missing out! Seriously! If you like Mystery, Romance, and Fantasy this book has it all! I am looking forward to reading more in this series!

Paranormal Romance Authors that Rock – Review

Eva wanted nothing more than to find her brothers killer and get revenge for his death, and she’ll do whatever it takes to figure things out. She’s not a detective but she’ll follow whatever clues she can find even when it leads her to places she was afraid to go. She finds herself in the company of a slave who she bought from auction then illegaly release her magical bond, a senile nanny who confuses her for her evil twin sister and a love triangle of three men fighting for her love, or are they…. Will she figure out who killed her brother? Does she fall into the family’s fate/curse of evil? Read it!

I absolutely loved this book. Great mix or paranormal/mystery/ romance. The plot was well written and the scenes very depictive. I love the scene of Eva walking into the bookstore in shambles. It made it seem like nothing she was doing was right and she couldn’t even keep the bookstore together. The scenes with Nanny and the ex slave are great and made me giggle.

 

Books Authors Blogs – Review

Keeping in mind my belief to keep spoilers out of my reviews, you will find I have to say the following about this book…

Tangle of Thornes is an interesting view into the fantasy world created by Lorel Clayton. At first glance we met our brave, and somewhat bold heroine with lots to prove and little to lose. She’s on a mission to search for answers, but somewhere along the way problems arise and she finds herself the target of unwanted attention.

I’ve never entered a world where there was so much diversity between the elves, humans, and other magical creatures. This, for me, made me want to continue reading because I found it to be a great new take on things. Especially when it came to mixing two things like magical interference and machinery.

Great spin. Nice read. Well thought out ending. What more can I say without giving too much away?

If you like fantasy with a few magical twists, pick a copy of this book.

Wendy Garfinkle Pen and Keys – 4 Star Review

Fiction Dreams – Q & A

Book Junky Girls – 4 Star Review

 

Thanks for reading! More posts on books, film, and writing can be found on my website at Lorel Clayton Author.