Samantha Cook's Blog, page 16
May 8, 2015
Hidden Gem Awards: 4th Place
#4
Broken Dolls
B.R. Kingsolver
Private Investigator R.B. Kendrick usually uses her telepathy to help nail cheating spouses. But when she's asked to investigate the disappearance of a missing girl, Kendrick uses her abilities to unravel a much more dangerous plot in the dark underbelly of the telepathic society.
I loved the creativity in this one. The feisty character’s main gift was
Broken Dolls
B.R. Kingsolver
Private Investigator R.B. Kendrick usually uses her telepathy to help nail cheating spouses. But when she's asked to investigate the disappearance of a missing girl, Kendrick uses her abilities to unravel a much more dangerous plot in the dark underbelly of the telepathic society.
I loved the creativity in this one. The feisty character’s main gift was
May 7, 2015
Hidden Gem Awards: 5th Place
Ladies and gentlemen, readers and writers, it's about time I announced the results of the Hidden Gem Awards. Eleven supernatural themed books entered, all self-published. Five were selected from reading the opening alone, and now they are all read and reviewed.
I'll be posting one a day until we reach the winner to give each fantastic entry it's own time in the light. Here's the first runner
I'll be posting one a day until we reach the winner to give each fantastic entry it's own time in the light. Here's the first runner
April 30, 2015
Blog Update
I've had quite the month, guys, one that's been unexpectedly fantastic. Let me break it down:
Nest Pitch 2015
Nest Pitch is a query contest, and I'm ecstatic to announce THE CLEARING made the cut! I'm on #TeamSugarRush, working with the lovely Louise Gornall to polish up my opening for the agent round on the 11th of May. Fingers crossed!
Oxford University Press
After several...
Nest Pitch 2015
Nest Pitch is a query contest, and I'm ecstatic to announce THE CLEARING made the cut! I'm on #TeamSugarRush, working with the lovely Louise Gornall to polish up my opening for the agent round on the 11th of May. Fingers crossed!
Oxford University Press
After several...
April 22, 2015
Book Review: Fairy Keeper
Fairy Keeper by Amy Bearce4 starsVerdict: Young girls will love this one!Shorten blurb:
Forget cute fairies in pretty dresses. In the world of Aluvia, most fairies are more like irritable, moody insects. Almost everyone in the world of Aluvia views the fairy keeper mark as a gift, but not fourteen-year-old Sierra. She hates being a fairy keeper.
Fairy nectar can heal people, but it is also a
Forget cute fairies in pretty dresses. In the world of Aluvia, most fairies are more like irritable, moody insects. Almost everyone in the world of Aluvia views the fairy keeper mark as a gift, but not fourteen-year-old Sierra. She hates being a fairy keeper.
Fairy nectar can heal people, but it is also a
April 10, 2015
SP Book Review: Sleeping Tom
Sleeping Tom by E.V. Fairfall
3 Stars
Verdict: Brilliant first third. I can definitely recommend the first third...
Hitchhiking is a bad idea but Caden is desperate.
When she accepts a ride from the first car to come by she meets Gabriel. He's her age, hot, and the closest thing she has to a savior. Problem is, he is a total jerk. With nowhere to go, Caden convinces Gabriel to let her
3 Stars
Verdict: Brilliant first third. I can definitely recommend the first third...
Hitchhiking is a bad idea but Caden is desperate.
When she accepts a ride from the first car to come by she meets Gabriel. He's her age, hot, and the closest thing she has to a savior. Problem is, he is a total jerk. With nowhere to go, Caden convinces Gabriel to let her
March 30, 2015
Semicolon Frenzy
This week I’ve had the privilege of reading the opening to 11 self-published novels. In at least 8 of them, I spotted incorrect use of semicolons. It was such an issue that I decided not to factor it into my selection.But we need to talk! I love semicolons. I think they can turn a good line into a powerful punch. However, incorrect usage seems to be a huge problem for aspiring authors and indie
March 28, 2015
Hidden Gem Awards: Top 5
Without delay, here are my top 5. I'll spend the next month reading each of your books before choosing a winner,
1) Bloodline by Tara Ellis
By far the easiest choice. From chapter one, we have engaging, strong writing and a story that felt effortless. I want to know what will happen next, and I'm already attached to some of the characters. On to the next round!
2) The Scary Girls by J.D.
1) Bloodline by Tara Ellis
By far the easiest choice. From chapter one, we have engaging, strong writing and a story that felt effortless. I want to know what will happen next, and I'm already attached to some of the characters. On to the next round!
2) The Scary Girls by J.D.
March 26, 2015
SP Book Review: H.A.L.F
H.A.L.F. The Deep Beneath by Natalie Wright
4 Stars
Verdict: A typical alien experiment sci-fi novel.
H.A.L.F. 9 has taken his first breath of desert air and his first steps in the human world. Created to be a weapon, he proved too powerful for his makers and has lived a sedated life hidden from humans. But H.A.L.F. 9 has escaped the underground lab he called home, and the sedation has worn off
4 Stars
Verdict: A typical alien experiment sci-fi novel.
H.A.L.F. 9 has taken his first breath of desert air and his first steps in the human world. Created to be a weapon, he proved too powerful for his makers and has lived a sedated life hidden from humans. But H.A.L.F. 9 has escaped the underground lab he called home, and the sedation has worn off
March 24, 2015
Hidden Gem Awards: Update
That's it, guys. My review doors are now closed. We have 12 (hopefully) excited authors waiting to see whether they'll make it to the next round. I can't wait to get reading!
From here, I'll test each book out by reading the first few chapters to decide whether or not I want to read on. After all, a good book will pull me in from the start and will never let go!
I hope to have my favourites
From here, I'll test each book out by reading the first few chapters to decide whether or not I want to read on. After all, a good book will pull me in from the start and will never let go!
I hope to have my favourites
March 22, 2015
Hidden Gem Awards: The Contestants
I am no longer accepting entries.
My self-publishing contest is finally here. If you're self published and would like to enter, then click here for details. If you’d like me to hurry up and get reading, then please spread the word! The sooner the spots fill, the sooner I can get started.
I’ll update this list as I accept entries. If your name is up here and you haven't sent me a copy of your
My self-publishing contest is finally here. If you're self published and would like to enter, then click here for details. If you’d like me to hurry up and get reading, then please spread the word! The sooner the spots fill, the sooner I can get started.
I’ll update this list as I accept entries. If your name is up here and you haven't sent me a copy of your
