Maria Savva's Blog, page 9
January 31, 2017
Book Review: Deathbed (Dovetail Cove, 1971), by Jason McIntyre
Deathbed by Jason McIntyreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a wonderfully engrossing tale that kept me hooked from the start. There is a story within a story, and there seems to be a theme of connection running throughout about how everything and everyone is part of the bigger picture, each person's story making up the whole. Twelve-and-a-half year-old Farrah visits a market and buys a mystery box from quite a mysterious woman. Farrah is eager to share her find with her grandmother. Farrah has already opened the box and finds nothing of real interest but is sure that her gran will be able to tell her a story that will bring the box alive.
Deathbed is a story that thrills and entertains the reader with lots of intrigue, adventure, and a touch of horror. The descriptive quality of the writing is excellent. There is a lot of wisdom in the pages, with thought-provoking and memorable quotes. The great thing is, Dovetail Cove is a series of books by Jason McIntyre, which means the reader can take another trip to this fascinating place by reading another story in the series. I am definitely going to be visiting again soon.
View all my reviews
January 18, 2017
New Release: Fled, by Jason McIntyre
The latest in the Dovetail Cove series of books by Jason McIntyre has just been released. Fled is set in 1973.
About the book:
In this noir chapter of the Dovetail Cove saga, it’s May Day, 1973, and Charles Scobie finds himself hitched to Chrissy Banatyne, the daughter of the wealthiest and most talked-about power couple on the island. And, of all the rotten luck, Chrissy’s honeymoon destination of choice brings her home, while bringing Charlie back to an icy batch of memories he’s trying to leave behind. Desperate to finally outrun a violent childhood, a disastrous start to his career, and his estranged family, Charlie believed he could finally set everything right after one last backroom deal, executed on a snowy night—right here in this very island town. Now, Charlie’s gotten used to the high life. Newly wed and wealthy, he has everything going for him. Still, it seems, no matter how fast Charlie runs, he finds himself right back where he started.
You can get a copy from Amazon worldwide:
US: https://www.amazon.com/Fled-Dovetail-...
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fled-Dovetai...
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Fled-Dovetail-C...
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Fled-Doveta...
IT: https://www.amazon.it/Fled-Dovetail-C...
ES: https://www.amazon.es/Fled-Dovetail-C...
IN: https://www.amazon.in/Fled-Dovetail-C...
DE: https://www.amazon.de/Fled-Dovetail-C...
JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Fled-Dovetai...
MX: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Fled-Doveta...
BR: https://www.amazon.com.br/Fled-Doveta...
FR: https://www.amazon.fr/Fled-Dovetail-C...
NL: https://www.amazon.nl/Fled-Dovetail-C...
Author links:
Website: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterJasonM...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonCMcIntyre
About the book:
In this noir chapter of the Dovetail Cove saga, it’s May Day, 1973, and Charles Scobie finds himself hitched to Chrissy Banatyne, the daughter of the wealthiest and most talked-about power couple on the island. And, of all the rotten luck, Chrissy’s honeymoon destination of choice brings her home, while bringing Charlie back to an icy batch of memories he’s trying to leave behind. Desperate to finally outrun a violent childhood, a disastrous start to his career, and his estranged family, Charlie believed he could finally set everything right after one last backroom deal, executed on a snowy night—right here in this very island town. Now, Charlie’s gotten used to the high life. Newly wed and wealthy, he has everything going for him. Still, it seems, no matter how fast Charlie runs, he finds himself right back where he started.
You can get a copy from Amazon worldwide:
US: https://www.amazon.com/Fled-Dovetail-...
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fled-Dovetai...
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Fled-Dovetail-C...
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Fled-Doveta...
IT: https://www.amazon.it/Fled-Dovetail-C...
ES: https://www.amazon.es/Fled-Dovetail-C...
IN: https://www.amazon.in/Fled-Dovetail-C...
DE: https://www.amazon.de/Fled-Dovetail-C...
JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/Fled-Dovetai...
MX: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Fled-Doveta...
BR: https://www.amazon.com.br/Fled-Doveta...
FR: https://www.amazon.fr/Fled-Dovetail-C...
NL: https://www.amazon.nl/Fled-Dovetail-C...
Author links:
Website: http://www.thefarthestreaches.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterJasonM...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasonCMcIntyre
January 14, 2017
Book Review: The Baker's Man, by Jennifer Moorman
The Baker's Man by Jennifer MoormanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mystic Water is no ordinary place, it has a magical quality; nothing is really what it seems. The author has a wonderful, original style of writing, where she describes everything by sounds and smells that really bring the story alive. The main character in this fantasy story is Anna, a baker, who has inherited her talent for baking, and the family bakery, from her grandmother. All her life, she has heard the stories and rumours about her grandmother and grandfather. Mystic Water is a small town where everyone knows everyone. When Anna's boyfriend leaves town to take a job far away and doesn't ask her to go with him, Anna is left alone and feels rejected. With the help of her best friend and a bit of magic she is soon back on her feet, but who is the mysterious Eli, and will he come between her and one of her oldest friends?
This story is really well written and engaging. It's like a fairy tale for grown ups. The descriptive quality of the writing and the way the characters all seem so real, makes this book one that you can get lost in. "The Baker's Man" is a magical escape from reality that I would recommend to anyone who likes romantic fiction and fantasy.
View all my reviews
Book Review: Stuff the Turkey, by Tara Ford
Stuff the Turkey by Tara FordMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Susie Satchel is either the luckiest or unluckiest woman on the planet, depending on how you look at it. In this novel we follow her through a series of adventures, some funny but some extremely sad.
When you look at the cover and the title, and even when you first start reading the book, it's easy to think that it will be just a fun chick-lit read, but "Stuff the Turkey" is so much more than that. It is a rollercoaster ride of emotional highs and lows. It's well-observed and the characters are very believable.
When the book starts, Susie is in a steady relationship and is very happy after starting a new job as a teaching assistant. When her colleagues play a practical joke on her she is left humiliated, but she does her best to see the funny side.
Christmas proves to be life-changing for Susie in more ways than one. "Stuff the Turkey" is written in the first person, so sometimes it did feel a bit like reading someone's diary or journal. It's a bit like a modern Bridget Jones.
The novel is fast-paced and kept me interested. I'd love to see it on the big screen as a romantic comedy.
The ending isn't really an ending, and I was pleased about that. I'm looking forward to reading more about Susie Satchel's adventures in the future.
View all my reviews
December 26, 2016
Interview with Sandra Yuen MacKay
Sandra Yuen MacKay is a very talented artist and writer. We've been online friends for a few years.
I read her memoir, My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness back in 2010. Here's an excerpt from my review:
'My Schizophrenic Life' is a memoir about Sandra Yuen Mackay's experience of living with schizoaffective disorder. It is ultimately a book about how Sandra has coped with the illness and more importantly the lessons she has learnt from it and how she has been able to recover, although the author does still suffer from symptoms but has now been able to find a way to almost control the effects. The book is a fascinating and compelling story giving valuable insight of the view of the world from the perspective of someone with a mental illness. [...] In many ways this book is important as it breaks down a barrier of ignorance about mental illness. Here we are told a story by a very intelligent, creative woman who works as an artist and writer and has used her experience of suffering with this disorder to help others, by taking part in talks and public speaking.[...] By reading Sandra's story I personally feel that I have learnt a great deal about how Schizophrenia can affect someone's life [...] Sandra Yuen Mackay's book is very important as a bridge to understanding how a mentally ill person feels. She is a great advocate and has put her story across in a way that is compelling and easy to understand. I would recommend this book to everyone. Its worth is not only in helping to dispel certain myths surrounding mental illness, but it's also the story of a person who has overcome great adversity and is now successful and an example to us all. [full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...]
Sandra has just released a new book, Chop Shtick.
About the book:
Are you interested in art, artists, comical situations, unusual circumstances, or stand-up comedy that verges on political incorrectness? If you said yes to any of the above, I recommend my novel, Chop Shtick. Told by Cathy Fung, a single, schizophrenic, Chinese artist, nicknamed the "Queen of Cliches," this story twists quickly into mayhem and amusement. The Big Six, made up of six struggling artists including Cathy, are commissioned to build an Upcycled sculpture in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Cathy is paranoid about the neighbours' missing cat and strange goings on next door. The artists investigate, which leads into a dangerous escapade. Not only is Cathy envious of her older brother Leonard the Pest but also Nathan X, an aspiring painter in the group, who dates a snobby Parisian named Sylvie. "I know all about Canada. The beaver fur trade, hunting buffalo, igloos and pemmican," says Sylvie. Marco Manicotti, a muscled sculptor, fights with Denise, a Chinese accessory designer, over the position of a pipe. The leader of the group, Raj aka the Big Kahuna, a troubled artist himself, knows Cathy's weaknesses are her naivety and a heart that cares too much. Cathy is led on a path of self-discovery toward her true potential."
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Chop-Shtick-Sa...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chop-Shtick-...
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Chop-Shtick-San...
INTERVIEW WITH SANDRA YUEN MACKAY
Welcome to my blog, Sandra! Please introduce yourself.
I'm a Chinese artist diagnosed with a form of schizophrenia, living in Vancouver, British Columbia much like the main character of my most recent book, Cathy Fung in Chop Shtick. My first book is My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness, published by Bridgeross Communications. I have an art history degree from the University of British Columbia and have won awards for advocacy.
Why should people buy your books?
My Schizophrenic Life is a poignant, inspiring story about my journey through life and recovery from mental illness. It gives insight into symptoms of the illness and is intended to build awareness and lessen stigma. Chop Shtick is a humorous work of fiction about relationships between people and Cathy's search for answers in life and awakening as an artist. The story peaks several times before the final ending, which I hope will surprise readers.
Tell us a bit more about your latest novel.
Chop Shtick is a romp about a group of artists, their intertwined lives, absurd situations, danger, loss, and triumphs. There are many themes in the book, creating a mishmash of ideas and emotions. It's easy to read and the story shifts quickly, reflecting Cathy's scattered thought processes and vulnerable sensibility. The Big Six, a group of struggling artists are commissioned to build a sculpture in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.
I think Chop Shtick could be considered controversial because of the way I point out ethnicity, like Italian, Chinese, Eskimo, etc. But that's the whole point. If you make an issue of it by pointing it out, are you being politically incorrect? Stereotypes are prevalent in the book, but they are justifiable as a fictional character's opinion. Life isn't so serious, if we can laugh at ourselves. I consider the book to be satirical also because it pokes fun at the individual and serious issues like schizophrenia. You may have heard of Russell Peters, a Canadian comedian and actor of Indian descent. He uses accents and pokes fun at ethnic groups in his acts. I do much the same but in print. If Archie Bunker can be a bigot in the comedic All in the Family, or John Cleese in Monty Python can mock religion or gender, why not today? Are we so afraid to poke fun at anyone at any time?
I totally agree, Sandra.
Where does your inspiration come from?
The inspiration for Chop Shtick came from reading TEMP by Douglas Coupland published as a series in the Metro. A fellow writer James D Young sent me the newspaper clippings from New York. I looked at his style of writing and humor and wanted to write this novel.
Are there any characters in your books that are based on real people?
In stories, you write what you know. I believe all writers borrow from their own experience when formulating a book.My Schizophrenic Life is based on my real life, so the names of persons are changed to protect their privacy. In Chop Shtick, I draw attributes from people I know, but much is fictional as well. I think it makes the characters more multi-dimensional and reality is a springboard for characterization. Also the café Montagna's in the book is based on a café on Main Street in Vancouver.
What are some of the pros/cons of being an indie author?
In my experience, the book industry frowns on self-published books as being inferior and that anyone can publish a book nowadays. However, I have met some very fine indie writers and the big publishing houses turn away good writing. With e-books and the availability for self-publishing, the publishing market has changed drastically. Self-published books may not be as available in bookstores if they are print on demand. Promotion is left up to the author. And so it goes.
Most of my favourite writers these days are self-published, and I grew up reading bestsellers. I think people are missing out on some real gems by only reading traditionally published books.
Who did your cover design?
I designed the covers of both of my books and did some work on covers for other Bridgeross Communications titles. I think the cover is very important to sell the book because that's the first thing you see. It should be eye-catching. For the cover of Chop Shtick, I made it as modern as possible and give nothing away, hoping potential readers will be curious and want to preview it.
You're covers are great. I love your art work. I've been seeing you posting a lot more of it online recently. It's great stuff.
What do you enjoy most about the writing process?
I enjoy word play and puns, and sometimes would rather type than speak in a conversation. The written word is powerful. Writing stories is about creating a believable world for the reader that moves them.
Writing can certainly be a lot of fun and very challenging :)
Thanks for joining me here, Sandra. Best of luck with the new book. It sounds fascinating. I'm looking forward to reading it.
****************************************
Author Bio:
Sandra Yuen MacKay has a Fine Arts Diploma from Langara College and an art history degree from the University of British Columbia. She received the Courage to Come Back Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for overcoming severe obstacles to become an artist, writer and speaker on mental health issues.
Her books My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness and Chop Shtick are available internationally on Amazon.
Links:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Yuen-Ma...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symackay/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.yuen....
Blog: Letters from Sandra: http://symackay.blogspot.com
Art by Sandra Yuen MacKay: http://symackayart.blogspot.com
I read her memoir, My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness back in 2010. Here's an excerpt from my review:
'My Schizophrenic Life' is a memoir about Sandra Yuen Mackay's experience of living with schizoaffective disorder. It is ultimately a book about how Sandra has coped with the illness and more importantly the lessons she has learnt from it and how she has been able to recover, although the author does still suffer from symptoms but has now been able to find a way to almost control the effects. The book is a fascinating and compelling story giving valuable insight of the view of the world from the perspective of someone with a mental illness. [...] In many ways this book is important as it breaks down a barrier of ignorance about mental illness. Here we are told a story by a very intelligent, creative woman who works as an artist and writer and has used her experience of suffering with this disorder to help others, by taking part in talks and public speaking.[...] By reading Sandra's story I personally feel that I have learnt a great deal about how Schizophrenia can affect someone's life [...] Sandra Yuen Mackay's book is very important as a bridge to understanding how a mentally ill person feels. She is a great advocate and has put her story across in a way that is compelling and easy to understand. I would recommend this book to everyone. Its worth is not only in helping to dispel certain myths surrounding mental illness, but it's also the story of a person who has overcome great adversity and is now successful and an example to us all. [full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...]
Sandra has just released a new book, Chop Shtick.
About the book:
Are you interested in art, artists, comical situations, unusual circumstances, or stand-up comedy that verges on political incorrectness? If you said yes to any of the above, I recommend my novel, Chop Shtick. Told by Cathy Fung, a single, schizophrenic, Chinese artist, nicknamed the "Queen of Cliches," this story twists quickly into mayhem and amusement. The Big Six, made up of six struggling artists including Cathy, are commissioned to build an Upcycled sculpture in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Cathy is paranoid about the neighbours' missing cat and strange goings on next door. The artists investigate, which leads into a dangerous escapade. Not only is Cathy envious of her older brother Leonard the Pest but also Nathan X, an aspiring painter in the group, who dates a snobby Parisian named Sylvie. "I know all about Canada. The beaver fur trade, hunting buffalo, igloos and pemmican," says Sylvie. Marco Manicotti, a muscled sculptor, fights with Denise, a Chinese accessory designer, over the position of a pipe. The leader of the group, Raj aka the Big Kahuna, a troubled artist himself, knows Cathy's weaknesses are her naivety and a heart that cares too much. Cathy is led on a path of self-discovery toward her true potential."
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Chop-Shtick-Sa...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chop-Shtick-...
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Chop-Shtick-San...
INTERVIEW WITH SANDRA YUEN MACKAY
Welcome to my blog, Sandra! Please introduce yourself.
I'm a Chinese artist diagnosed with a form of schizophrenia, living in Vancouver, British Columbia much like the main character of my most recent book, Cathy Fung in Chop Shtick. My first book is My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness, published by Bridgeross Communications. I have an art history degree from the University of British Columbia and have won awards for advocacy.
Why should people buy your books?
My Schizophrenic Life is a poignant, inspiring story about my journey through life and recovery from mental illness. It gives insight into symptoms of the illness and is intended to build awareness and lessen stigma. Chop Shtick is a humorous work of fiction about relationships between people and Cathy's search for answers in life and awakening as an artist. The story peaks several times before the final ending, which I hope will surprise readers.
Tell us a bit more about your latest novel.
Chop Shtick is a romp about a group of artists, their intertwined lives, absurd situations, danger, loss, and triumphs. There are many themes in the book, creating a mishmash of ideas and emotions. It's easy to read and the story shifts quickly, reflecting Cathy's scattered thought processes and vulnerable sensibility. The Big Six, a group of struggling artists are commissioned to build a sculpture in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.
I think Chop Shtick could be considered controversial because of the way I point out ethnicity, like Italian, Chinese, Eskimo, etc. But that's the whole point. If you make an issue of it by pointing it out, are you being politically incorrect? Stereotypes are prevalent in the book, but they are justifiable as a fictional character's opinion. Life isn't so serious, if we can laugh at ourselves. I consider the book to be satirical also because it pokes fun at the individual and serious issues like schizophrenia. You may have heard of Russell Peters, a Canadian comedian and actor of Indian descent. He uses accents and pokes fun at ethnic groups in his acts. I do much the same but in print. If Archie Bunker can be a bigot in the comedic All in the Family, or John Cleese in Monty Python can mock religion or gender, why not today? Are we so afraid to poke fun at anyone at any time?
I totally agree, Sandra.
Where does your inspiration come from?
The inspiration for Chop Shtick came from reading TEMP by Douglas Coupland published as a series in the Metro. A fellow writer James D Young sent me the newspaper clippings from New York. I looked at his style of writing and humor and wanted to write this novel.
Are there any characters in your books that are based on real people?
In stories, you write what you know. I believe all writers borrow from their own experience when formulating a book.My Schizophrenic Life is based on my real life, so the names of persons are changed to protect their privacy. In Chop Shtick, I draw attributes from people I know, but much is fictional as well. I think it makes the characters more multi-dimensional and reality is a springboard for characterization. Also the café Montagna's in the book is based on a café on Main Street in Vancouver.
What are some of the pros/cons of being an indie author?
In my experience, the book industry frowns on self-published books as being inferior and that anyone can publish a book nowadays. However, I have met some very fine indie writers and the big publishing houses turn away good writing. With e-books and the availability for self-publishing, the publishing market has changed drastically. Self-published books may not be as available in bookstores if they are print on demand. Promotion is left up to the author. And so it goes.
Most of my favourite writers these days are self-published, and I grew up reading bestsellers. I think people are missing out on some real gems by only reading traditionally published books.
Who did your cover design?
I designed the covers of both of my books and did some work on covers for other Bridgeross Communications titles. I think the cover is very important to sell the book because that's the first thing you see. It should be eye-catching. For the cover of Chop Shtick, I made it as modern as possible and give nothing away, hoping potential readers will be curious and want to preview it.
You're covers are great. I love your art work. I've been seeing you posting a lot more of it online recently. It's great stuff.
What do you enjoy most about the writing process?
I enjoy word play and puns, and sometimes would rather type than speak in a conversation. The written word is powerful. Writing stories is about creating a believable world for the reader that moves them.
Writing can certainly be a lot of fun and very challenging :)
Thanks for joining me here, Sandra. Best of luck with the new book. It sounds fascinating. I'm looking forward to reading it.
****************************************
Author Bio:
Sandra Yuen MacKay has a Fine Arts Diploma from Langara College and an art history degree from the University of British Columbia. She received the Courage to Come Back Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for overcoming severe obstacles to become an artist, writer and speaker on mental health issues.
Her books My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness and Chop Shtick are available internationally on Amazon.
Links:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Yuen-Ma...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symackay/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.yuen....
Blog: Letters from Sandra: http://symackay.blogspot.com
Art by Sandra Yuen MacKay: http://symackayart.blogspot.com
December 16, 2016
Read my latest author interview on Bookscover2cover
I recently found out about a wonderful website, Bookscover2cover. It features author interviews, book reviews, and lots of other book related stuff. There are some very interesting articles on the site. I found out about it because one of my readers, Piper Templeton, is also an author and I was pleasantly surprised when she told me she was going to post an author study about my books on the website. I've never had anyone write an author study about my books, so I was thrilled that she had taken the time to do that.
Piper based her study on three of my books, The Spider, Delusion and Dreams, and 3.
Here's an excerpt:
Maria Savva brings the reader deeply into the human conscience and inner psyche of her characters. Her fiction expertly weaves moral ambiguities, deep-seated memories, and modern challenges into contemporary storytelling that deals with relationships, jobs, unmet expectations, and living with past choices. These are struggles we can all relate to, and many people will recognize themselves through the inner dialog that goes on inside her characters’ minds. [...] Savva’s thought-provoking fiction is also entertaining. Her evocative writing style is clear and straightforward as her characters tackle complex dilemmas. The dark, sometimes disturbing plots and characters are balanced with humor, believability, and relatable conflicts.
You can read the entire author study at the following link: https://bookscover2cover.com/2016/12/...
Piper also invited me for an interview. You can also read that on the Bookscover2cover website: https://bookscover2cover.com/2016/12/...
Bookscover2cover is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookscover2c... and
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bookscovr2covr
Like/follow them to read some fascinating articles about books and authors. You can also subscribe to their newsletter here: https://bookscover2cover.com/sign-up-...
Piper based her study on three of my books, The Spider, Delusion and Dreams, and 3.
Here's an excerpt:
Maria Savva brings the reader deeply into the human conscience and inner psyche of her characters. Her fiction expertly weaves moral ambiguities, deep-seated memories, and modern challenges into contemporary storytelling that deals with relationships, jobs, unmet expectations, and living with past choices. These are struggles we can all relate to, and many people will recognize themselves through the inner dialog that goes on inside her characters’ minds. [...] Savva’s thought-provoking fiction is also entertaining. Her evocative writing style is clear and straightforward as her characters tackle complex dilemmas. The dark, sometimes disturbing plots and characters are balanced with humor, believability, and relatable conflicts.
You can read the entire author study at the following link: https://bookscover2cover.com/2016/12/...
Piper also invited me for an interview. You can also read that on the Bookscover2cover website: https://bookscover2cover.com/2016/12/...
Bookscover2cover is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookscover2c... and
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bookscovr2covr
Like/follow them to read some fascinating articles about books and authors. You can also subscribe to their newsletter here: https://bookscover2cover.com/sign-up-...
December 13, 2016
Christmas gift ideas
Books make the perfect presents because they can be read over and over again.
Here are some books I'd recommend as great reads. Click on the covers to find out more about them:
Here are some books I'd recommend as great reads. Click on the covers to find out more about them:
November 17, 2016
Bid for books in the Children In Need charity auction!
The Children in Need Authors' Auction is an event uniting authors from all around the world including the U.K, Europe, U.S.A, and Australia.
Authors themselves have signed and in many cases personalised their books with special illustrations and personal inscriptions supporting BBC Children in Need 2016.
These books would make wonderful birthday or Christmas presents to give to family or friends, whilst at the same time supporting a fantastic cause!
The auction ends 9pm Friday 18th November 2016
Click the link to visit the site and browse the books on offer: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/de...
Please note: P&P of £4.00 will be added to items within the U.K & Ireland, postage costs outside UK & Ireland may vary.
This event is being hosted by @FundraiserPaddy - follow him on Twitter!
The Facebook event page is at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/events/17885...
There are many exclusive offers from bestselling authors including Neil Gaiman and Joanne Harris.
You can also bid on signed copies of 5 of my books:
Lost and Found: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
A Time to Tell (Please note the cover shown is the first edition cover, however the book being offered is the latest edition (2nd edition): http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
Haunted: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
3: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
Delusion and Dreams: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
Authors themselves have signed and in many cases personalised their books with special illustrations and personal inscriptions supporting BBC Children in Need 2016.
These books would make wonderful birthday or Christmas presents to give to family or friends, whilst at the same time supporting a fantastic cause!
The auction ends 9pm Friday 18th November 2016
Click the link to visit the site and browse the books on offer: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/auction/de...
Please note: P&P of £4.00 will be added to items within the U.K & Ireland, postage costs outside UK & Ireland may vary.
This event is being hosted by @FundraiserPaddy - follow him on Twitter!
The Facebook event page is at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/events/17885...
There are many exclusive offers from bestselling authors including Neil Gaiman and Joanne Harris.
You can also bid on signed copies of 5 of my books:
Lost and Found: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
A Time to Tell (Please note the cover shown is the first edition cover, however the book being offered is the latest edition (2nd edition): http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
Haunted: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
3: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
Delusion and Dreams: http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/bbccinauth...
October 30, 2016
Halloween reading recommendations
It's nearly Halloween, so maybe you're looking for some creepy fiction to read...
Here are some suggestions. All of them have some kind of paranormal/supernatural elements to the story, and all are very entertaining.
13, by Julie Elizabeth Powell
About the book:
What is found within the depths of the human soul? Does wickedness linger, as if the Devil’s thumb is ready to pluck the strings of certain choices? And with the strumming, just how far will Evil spread?
13 is the story of random souls pitted against the tragedy of the modern world. What is their connection, if any? Nameless; are these mere humans whose weaknesses force them to commit heinous crimes, or demons under the skin, aware of their sins yet indifferent to the outcome?
Will they decipher the unknown and make it out alive?
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/13-Julie-Eliza...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Julie-Eli...
***********************
Signal Failure, by David Wailing
About the book:
It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.
The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.
All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.
To let them out?
Or to let something in?
Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel "Under".
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Signal-Failure...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Signal-Failu...
*****************************
Just Plain Weird, by Tom Upton
About the book:
Travis MacDuff has always led an uneventful life. His greatest concern was making the high school football, until an odd girl moves in next store, a girl whose secrets threaten not only his existence but the existence of everyone on the planet.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Plain-Wei...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Plain-W...
******************************
Into The Light, by Darcia Helle
About the book:
Max Paddington refuses to go into the light until he finds his killer. This presents a dilemma, since Max is even less competent as a spirit than he was as a live person. No one sees or hears him and he can't manage to get anywhere or do anything on his own.
Joe Cavelli is a private investigator, living an ordinary life. Then one day he walks across a parking lot, gets yelled at by a ghost, and his life only gets stranger from there.
Max and Joe team up to find Max's killer. In the process, they form an unlikely friendship and change each other's lives in ways they never expected.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Into-The-Light...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-The-Lig...
*******************************
Lost And Found - A Short Story From Odin's Eye, by Maria Haskins
Somewhere in the vast depths of space, a mission has gone horribly wrong. Now a woman is trapped all alone on an alien planet with nothing but her pain and her harrowing memories. At least, she thought she was alone... Lost And Found is a chilling and evocative science fiction short story from Maria Haskins' book Odin's Eye
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Sho...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Found-S...
**********************************
The Hyde Hotel, by various authors
About the book:
The Hyde Hotel Welcomes You...
The Hyde Hotel looks almost exactly as you'd expect it to: a faceless, budget hotel in a grey city you are just passing through. A hotel aimed at people travelling alone, a hotel where you know so little about your fellow guests that they could be anyone... and where, perhaps, so could you. But sometimes things are hiding in plain sight, and not everyone who stays at The Hyde gets a good night's sleep... Featuring stories about the guests and staff of The Hyde Hotel from James Everington, Simon Bestwick, Ray Cluley, Alex Davis, Cate Gardner, V H Leslie, Alison Littlewood, Amelia Mangan, S P Miskowski, Iain Rowan, Mark West and the editors.
Enjoy your stay.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Hyde-Hotel-Jam...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyde-Hotel-J...
*****************************
Mystical High, by Lisette Brodey
About the book:
In Mystekal, a small, dying town in the Southern California desert, only 75 students attend the old, sometimes creepy high school dubbed “Mystical High,” where strange things have been known to happen. Jessie Dalworth and Jinxsy Patterson are juniors and lifelong best friends. At home, Jessie deals with the pain of an absentee mother who has abandoned the family for the lure of Hollywood; Jinxsy contends with a 17th “birthday present” she never wanted or expected.
Meanwhile, at school, the unexplained activity begins to escalate when Jinxsy keeps seeing a long-haired guy in the hallway checking her out. Jessie can’t see him, but her younger brother, River, can.
Then, in English class, a stapler mysteriously flies off teacher Eve Carrow’s desk, hitting a student in the face who has just mouthed off to her. The beloved teacher is in the unenviable position of having her brute of a father as principal, so she hates sending any student to his office. As Principal Ernest Carrow begins to terrorize Eve and others more openly, something or someone unseen decides that it’s payback time.
School is getting stranger, and Jinxsy and Jessie are faced with mind-boggling changes in their home lives that complicate everything. When a string of shocking events expose explosive secrets, decades-long mysteries are finally revealed.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/MYSTICAL-HIGH-...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MYSTICAL-HIG...
******************************
I'll finish off by mentioning a couple of my own novels that have a paranormal theme:
The Spider and Haunted
You can find more details about those and my other books/stories on my website: http://www.mariasavva.com
Enjoy Halloween!
Here are some suggestions. All of them have some kind of paranormal/supernatural elements to the story, and all are very entertaining.
13, by Julie Elizabeth Powell
About the book:
What is found within the depths of the human soul? Does wickedness linger, as if the Devil’s thumb is ready to pluck the strings of certain choices? And with the strumming, just how far will Evil spread?
13 is the story of random souls pitted against the tragedy of the modern world. What is their connection, if any? Nameless; are these mere humans whose weaknesses force them to commit heinous crimes, or demons under the skin, aware of their sins yet indifferent to the outcome?
Will they decipher the unknown and make it out alive?
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/13-Julie-Eliza...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Julie-Eli...
***********************
Signal Failure, by David Wailing
About the book:
It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.
The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.
All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.
To let them out?
Or to let something in?
Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel "Under".
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Signal-Failure...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Signal-Failu...
*****************************
Just Plain Weird, by Tom Upton
About the book:
Travis MacDuff has always led an uneventful life. His greatest concern was making the high school football, until an odd girl moves in next store, a girl whose secrets threaten not only his existence but the existence of everyone on the planet.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Plain-Wei...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Plain-W...
******************************
Into The Light, by Darcia Helle
About the book:
Max Paddington refuses to go into the light until he finds his killer. This presents a dilemma, since Max is even less competent as a spirit than he was as a live person. No one sees or hears him and he can't manage to get anywhere or do anything on his own.
Joe Cavelli is a private investigator, living an ordinary life. Then one day he walks across a parking lot, gets yelled at by a ghost, and his life only gets stranger from there.
Max and Joe team up to find Max's killer. In the process, they form an unlikely friendship and change each other's lives in ways they never expected.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Into-The-Light...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-The-Lig...
*******************************
Lost And Found - A Short Story From Odin's Eye, by Maria Haskins
Somewhere in the vast depths of space, a mission has gone horribly wrong. Now a woman is trapped all alone on an alien planet with nothing but her pain and her harrowing memories. At least, she thought she was alone... Lost And Found is a chilling and evocative science fiction short story from Maria Haskins' book Odin's Eye
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Sho...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Found-S...
**********************************
The Hyde Hotel, by various authors
About the book:
The Hyde Hotel Welcomes You...
The Hyde Hotel looks almost exactly as you'd expect it to: a faceless, budget hotel in a grey city you are just passing through. A hotel aimed at people travelling alone, a hotel where you know so little about your fellow guests that they could be anyone... and where, perhaps, so could you. But sometimes things are hiding in plain sight, and not everyone who stays at The Hyde gets a good night's sleep... Featuring stories about the guests and staff of The Hyde Hotel from James Everington, Simon Bestwick, Ray Cluley, Alex Davis, Cate Gardner, V H Leslie, Alison Littlewood, Amelia Mangan, S P Miskowski, Iain Rowan, Mark West and the editors.
Enjoy your stay.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Hyde-Hotel-Jam...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyde-Hotel-J...
*****************************
Mystical High, by Lisette Brodey
About the book:
In Mystekal, a small, dying town in the Southern California desert, only 75 students attend the old, sometimes creepy high school dubbed “Mystical High,” where strange things have been known to happen. Jessie Dalworth and Jinxsy Patterson are juniors and lifelong best friends. At home, Jessie deals with the pain of an absentee mother who has abandoned the family for the lure of Hollywood; Jinxsy contends with a 17th “birthday present” she never wanted or expected.
Meanwhile, at school, the unexplained activity begins to escalate when Jinxsy keeps seeing a long-haired guy in the hallway checking her out. Jessie can’t see him, but her younger brother, River, can.
Then, in English class, a stapler mysteriously flies off teacher Eve Carrow’s desk, hitting a student in the face who has just mouthed off to her. The beloved teacher is in the unenviable position of having her brute of a father as principal, so she hates sending any student to his office. As Principal Ernest Carrow begins to terrorize Eve and others more openly, something or someone unseen decides that it’s payback time.
School is getting stranger, and Jinxsy and Jessie are faced with mind-boggling changes in their home lives that complicate everything. When a string of shocking events expose explosive secrets, decades-long mysteries are finally revealed.
Buy the book:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/MYSTICAL-HIGH-...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MYSTICAL-HIG...
******************************
I'll finish off by mentioning a couple of my own novels that have a paranormal theme:
The Spider and Haunted
You can find more details about those and my other books/stories on my website: http://www.mariasavva.com
Enjoy Halloween!
October 28, 2016
Book Review: Blood in the Water, by Tim Baker
Blood in the Water by Tim BakerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another great read from this talented author. Tim Baker's novels always have plenty of suspense, adventure, and humour. Blood in the Water is no exception.
I've read a few books by this author and it's like reading a series—even though there is no continuing story as such—because he sets his stories on Flagler Beach in Florida and many of the same characters pop up in each of his novels.
I enjoyed this story. It's a fast-paced read that makes you want to turn the pages to find out what happens. The ending made me wonder if there might be a sequel; it was very thought-provoking and rounded the story off nicely but with enough intrigue to start me thinking about what could happen next. An entertaining read with a complex but easy to follow storyline.
A 300-year-old Spanish coin found at sea begins the adventure, which takes many dangerous twists and turns. There is also the parallel story of a murder investigation. An engrossing story that kept me interested.
View all my reviews
