K.J. Simmill's Blog, page 64
January 20, 2017
Pocket Dragons – Lot 3 – Ebay
Sadly I am having to sell my Pocket Dragon Collection.
I have created this post so anyone interested can see full photos of the dragons before bidding.
These photographs are for lot three.
Coffee Connoisseur Set (Boxed)
this set contains
-In Search of Coffee
-The First Sip
– Coffee Power
Box – original brown box as displayed on photos. Please not there is a small amount of pain on the bottom, and what i think to be a chip or scratch, see photos on link below for images
Merry Christmas
Gotcha
Happy Anniversay
Cookies for the Queen
Please note I will only ship to the UK
Asking Price £150, Free postage via My Hermes
Thanks for looking
Filed under: writing
Pocket Dragons – Lot 2 – Ebay
Sadly I am having to sell my Pocket Dragon Collection.
I have created this post so anyone interested can see full photos of the dragons before bidding.
These photographs are for lot two.
The Dragons in this selection are:
Happy Birthday
Wedding Day Dragons (Bride)
Wedding Day Dragons (Groom)
I’ll Be The Groom
I’ll Be The Bride
Wedding Day Wishes
Santa’s Helper
Happily Ever After
Special Delivery
Please note I will only ship to the UK
Asking Price £200, Free postage via My Hermes
Thanks for looking
Filed under: writing
Pocket Dragons – Lot 1 – Ebay
Sadly I am having to sell my Pocket Dragon Collection.
I have created this post so anyone interested can see full photos of the dragons before bidding.
These photographs are for lot one.
The Dragons in this selection are:
Pocket Dragon Collector
I’m Not Lis-s-tening
Daisy
I Want It!
It’s Okay To Cry
Tummy Ache
Perfect Fit
SuperStar
Take Your Medicine
I Don’t See A Mess
BRRR… I’m Cold
A Balanced Diet
Tickle
Diet Devil
Bunny Hug
Garden Critters
Please note I will only ship to the UK
Asking Price £110, Free postage via My Hermes
Thanks for looking
Filed under: writing
January 19, 2017
Fantasia Reviews Darrienia
Darrienia by K. J. Simmill
Published 9/1/2015
Ages 14+
“It is said that the past always returns to haunt you. Yet some forgotten pasts have whispered names and a debt for collection. Dangerous curiosities stir a hidden darkness, one that patiently waits to seize control.
The subtle periphery between dream and reality is in peril and those chosen must face the evil behind this looming disaster. But lurking in the shadows, guiding their hand, lies the true threat and a hidden agenda.
Will they discover the truth in time? Or will those who should be heroes, become nothing more than the pawns of evil?”
Story –
Very GoodFrom the first page, you are thrown into intrigue, trying to grasp what is happening. While this can be disconcerting, it changes the way you perceive events as they unfold. Slowly, but steadily, the story, the book, and the world begin to…
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Filed under: writing
Book review: In the Wake of Death by Billy McLaughlin
Billy McLaighlin’s In the Wake of Death is a riveting read filled with dark thoughts, twists, and confusion as the character tries to piece together events before his accident. The characters are deep, well conceived, and all flawed in their own manner. The style of writing is beautifully descriptive with excellent scene setting. I can see myself purchasing more books from this author in the future.
Book link
In the Wake of Death
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
January 16, 2017
Book review: The Pain Season by Libby Doyle
The Pain Season by Libby Doyle is the sequel the The Passion Season and book two in the Covalent Series.
Rainer loves Zan, more than Heaven and Earth, Creation and Destruction, more than [image error]Balance itself. It is as simple as that. Except nothing about their situation is simple, she is a human, born of the Earthly realm and he, well he is so much more. Some would call him an angel, others the son of the devil. Both, in a way, would be correct. He was banished to Earth long ago, and never before has he felt anything like this. Zan is his light, the source of all he finds good. It was no easy decision to decide to trust her with his truth, a secret guarded so closely that even knowing it would jeopardise her life if the wrong people were to discover she knew. But fate had a different plan in mind, a plan to reveal his secret before he has chance to confide in her. She was shown the terror looming in the darkness and knows she is now a target. Zan retreats from him, doubting the truth of all they shared, fearing for her life, her sanity. She knows he will bring nothing but danger and throws herself into work, fending off temptation. Rainer mirrors her actions, throwing himself into battle, whilst working to give Zan the proof she needs to bring the false monks to justice, hoping, praying, she will return to him. Their energies had been as one, forever binding them, and now one of them wants to walk away, and there is more happening in his own realm than any would care to admit.
I first came across Libby Doyle when I read the Passion Season, and promised myself I would read the next book in the series. I am so glad I did. In The Pain Season we see the return of familiar characters as the Covalent realm continues its battle in the turning against Lucifer and his army of corrupted, not to mention the demons. Libby Doyle writes a brilliant tale with well-executed and masterful poise. Each character has their own tale, their own sub-plot. The Passion season is engaging, filled with great characters, conflict, and emotion. It is certainly difficult to put down once you turn that first page. As the second book it has every bit the same pull and intrigue as the first and more. This book is a credit to the author’s talents, as is the fact I will be awaiting the next installment with baited breath.
Book link:
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
January 14, 2017
Book review: Harnessing Altruism by Sava Buncic
Harnessing Altruism is a dystopian fiction written by Sava Buncic
The government’s did their thing. They promoted their successes while brushing their [image error]failures under the carpet, keeping them quiet, away from the public eye as much as possible. But not everything can be kept a secret, especially something that impacts life itself. Groups had rallied, spoken about the warnings of global warming, the impact of the environment, on resources. And they listened, from their comfortable chairs, cranking up the air-conditioning and pretending things weren’t as bad as they seemed. They diverted the fickle minds of the public, pointing them elsewhere until it became too late. Agriculture was failing, energy almost depleted, and even if there was money to import supplies every country suffered the same hardship. There was no chance of surplus, no plan of action, and people would soon learn what it truly meant to tighten their belts. This desperate situation brought about World Organization for Resource Management, or WORM for short. Things were no longer about the fate of an individual, but civilization, but at what cost, and do the ends justify the means?
Harnessing Altruism is a brilliant example of a dystopian world, one which could very easily portray our own future. One question came to mind throughout, is it really worth saving humanity if we sacrifice the very values that make us human? As a species we want to survive, we take from the land and ignore warnings about how much more it has to give. We think things will work out in then end. But they don’t always. Sava Buncic opens a reader’s eyes to a possible path of the future, one of micromanagement and categorisation based on worth, even the restriction of who can be allowed a child with whom. The world becomes divided into Key personnel, developers, and doers, and never the twain should meet. Sava Buncic weaves a thought-provoking tale, with a cast of well-designed characters in both main and supporting roles who take you along on their journey into what could possibly be our own future. Wrought with imaginative ideas, solutions, and creativity, Harnessing Altruism is not a tale to be overlooked, and is certainly something that will leave you thinking.
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Book link:
Harnessing Altruism
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
Author Interview: Amie Irene Winters
Recently I had the pleasure of reading Strange Luck by Amie Irene Winters, so it is with great pleasure I welcome this talented weaver of fantasy to my blog.
About the author
[image error]Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi! I’m Amie Irene Winters, YA Fantasy writer by day, kickboxer by night. I’m a sucker for spooky things, cheesy 80’s movies, and super cute animals. I’m originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently live in western Pennsylvania. I’m the author of the award-winning Strange Luck Series.
What are your hobbies?
I love to bake! I make a new recipe at least once a week courtesy of Pinterest or my extensive recipe book collection. I also love being outdoors—hiking with my dog, running, canoeing, stargazing, picnicking.
Which writers inspire you?
H.P Lovecraft is my all-time favorite writer and it still amazes me that he was never recognized in his own time. I also adore Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling, Joanne Harris, Sarah Addison Allen, and Michael Ende.
For your own reading, do you prefer e-books or paper/hard back books?
Hard back! I love feeling a book in my hands, smelling the paper, dog-earring pages I like, and underlining my favorite passages.
What are you reading at present?
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. I’m loving it so far. Next on my list is The White People and Other Weird Stories by Arthur Machen.
What is your favourite book and why?
It’s a toss-up between The Neverending Story by Michael Ende and H.P. Lovecraft’s Lurker at The Threshold. They are both VERY different, but absolutely incredible.
What is your favourite film/ series and why?
Probably the Harry Potter series (books and films).
What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
Completing an eight-day wilderness solo in the Rocky Mountains. It was part of my training for my MA degree in Environmental Leadership. It’s exactly how it sounds. I literally camped by myself with what I could carry on my back. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life (especially when I heard bears and mountain lions at night), but it is also the thing I am the most proud of. Would I ever do it again? No!!!
How do you relax?
Going to kickboxing class, playing the piano, watching movies, reading.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t ever give up! Love your craft and own it
If your friends could use one word to describe you what would it be?
Organized. People tell me that all the time. My whole life is spreadsheets and notes—all color-coated, alphabetized, and ready to go.
About writing
What made you realise your calling as an author?
Writing is the only thing I’ve ever done in my life that doesn’t feel like work. It’s the only time where I’m not looking at the clock. I’m completely immersed in it.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
About 1 ½ years. I try to write the whole thing in one year and then leave the rest of the time for edits and getting it ready for publication.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I loosely outline my ideas at first, but then I let the story take me where it wants me to go.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Creating a consistent schedule in the midst of chaos. There are some days when I don’t get the opportunity to write at all. It’s important to try your best to create space and time to write.
What is the easiest thing about writing?
The freedom to create. I love the limitless possibilities of writing fantasy stories.
Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so, how do you deal with it?
Of course. I deal with it by taking breaks away from my writing. I’ll go for a walk, drive, hit the gym. When I’m not thinking about writing, I get some of my best writing done.
How many books have you written, which is your favourite?
I’ve published two books in the Strange Luck series so far—Strange Luck and The Nightmare Birds. I honestly don’t have a favorite.
What are you working on at the moment?
The third book in the Strange Luck series—Realm of the Shadow Gods. You can expect lots of dark magic mixed with strange things creeping into the light (*insert evil laugh here), plus some new characters. All of this allows the protagonist, Daisy Darling, to get to the bottom of who she really is. But will she embrace her heritage?
About the books
What genre are your books?
Young Adult Fantasy with a splash of mystery.
What book titles have you released so far?
Strange Luck and The Nightmare Birds.
Give us an insight into your main character(s). What does he/she do that is so special?
The main character is Daisy Darling – an eighteen-year-old aspiring writer stuck working retail at her family’s boring antique shop. In Strange Luck, Daisy uncovers a world built using stolen memories. It is in this world that Daisy discovers that she possesses the unique ability to create fake memories. Book II, The Nightmare Birds, flashes forward to Daisy at twenty-one-years-old and explores how and why she was able to accomplish such a feat—she’s a witch. In the process, Daisy uncovers the truth about the mysterious Theater of Secrets – long thought a dark legend by many, but known as a frightening reality to those who truly know its powers.
Daisy is a spunky, down-to-earth girl who isn’t afraid to ask questions.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I always tend to root for the villain. When I watched Disney movies growing up I always wondered about the villain, why they were so vengeful, and why they didn’t deserve sympathy. That said, Mr. Black, the Theater of Secrets’ dark ringleader, is my favorite character in The Nightmare Birds. I love his dark sorcery and mind games. It also helps that he looks like a medieval prince. Swoon.
Tell us a little bit about the book(s)/ series.
The Strange Luck series is about a young girl’s quest to discover her family’s dark secrets, and how her heritage plays a role in the magical abilities she possesses.
Where can we buy it/them?
Amazon Kindle Barnes & Noble
IndieBound BAM! Book Depository
In what formats is your book available?
Print, Kindle, and Ebook.
When is your next book due for release?
The Realm of the Shadow Gods is slated to be released in late 2017. You can sign up for my newsletter to be notified about its release as well as receive special offers.
Book titles and synopsis:
Strange Luck:
Hidden deep in the forest, beneath mounds of forgotten memories, lies the secret world of [image error]the Nameless – a magical realm as beautiful as it is dangerous.
Daisy Darling used to think of Sea Salt, the small mountain town she has always called home, as a boring place where nothing ever happened. Then she met a peculiar wanderer who reveals a mysterious world hidden beneath the town all along. A world where mind-bending, magical, life-altering phenomena happen. A world harboring a dark secret under its snow-capped mountains, aquamarine waters, and perfumed jungles. A world built using stolen memories.
Now that Daisy’s eyes have been opened to the truth about the Nameless, there’s no turning back. Driven to save the other Collectives, Daisy is pulled deeper into the world’s tangled lies, finding herself ensnared in a dangerous network of tunnels and time-altering portals. Somehow Daisy must discover the strength within her to win back her freedom before the Nameless claims her forever.
The Nightmare Birds:
Only those who possess wild eyes, an impulsive heart, and a wandering spirit hunt for the Theater of Secrets–and once they witness the darkest of magic, they don’t return.[image error]
It promises to change your life forever—but is the mysterious Theater of Secrets legend or something more? Tasked to answer that very question, Daisy Darling sets out to uncover the truth and is thrown headlong into a life where inexplicably strange and dark things happen nightly. A life of deception and uncertainty. A life in the spotlight as the theater’s ringleader.
As Daisy assumes her new role, she not only discovers a surprising connection between herself and the previous ringleader, but also the haunting truth behind the theater’s limitless power. Determined to expose the theater and foil its wicked plan, Daisy must first embrace her heritage before she can defeat the dark forces at play.
Connect with the author:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00XZ88V5A
Blog: https://golden-cricket.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiwinters
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13851542.Amie_Irene_Winters https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13851542.Amie_Irene_Winters https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13851542.Amie_Irene_Winters
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amieiwinters/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmieIWinters
Website: http://www.amieirenewinters.com
Filed under: writing 
January 11, 2017
Book review: Who Killed Vivien Morse by Diana J Febry
Vivien Morse was a social worker, looking after the down and outs, rejects and [image error]troublemakers. She never could ignore a good sob story, and perhaps that is what got her killed. Prior to moving to Sapperton she paid frequent visits to prisoners, whilst suffering the fist of her own jealous husband. Now she has been found murdered and there seems to be no shortage of potential suspects. It is up to DCI Hatherall to dig through Vivien’s past in order to piece together the truth about this woman’s life, and in doing so, hopefully discover not only her murderer, but their motives.
If you’re looking for a murder mystery with plenty of twists and a cast of interesting, eccentric, and well-developed characters this is certainly not a title to be overlooked. Whilst it is the fourth book in the DCI Hatherall series no knowledge of previous tales is needed, but I warn you, the plot is so carefully conceived that you’ll find yourself wanting to purchase more of Diana J Febry’s work. It was an enjoyable murder mystery, with an array of characters that will stay in a readers’ mind for some time after.
Book link:
Who Killed Vivien Morse
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
January 10, 2017
Book review: Tarnished Romance by Sandi K Whipple
Tarnished Romance is a contemporary romance by Sandi K Whipple
Judy had been passed from foster home to foster home. Never sure if returning to her real [image error]parents was a blessing or a curse. Her mother beat her and her brothers, but some of the things she had endured at the hands of others seemed far worse. If her early life taught her anything it was never to trust someone claiming to love her. People who loved her hurt her, physically, mentally, and they always left. Judy didn’t need that kind of love. Starting a new life had been difficult, she had been taken in, clothed and fed, but unable to find work the person caring for her offered an alternative, to become a call-girl. Feeling indebted to Gladys, Judy agreed. She was paid well for her services and whilst she had, in the past, had her doubts about her illicit lifestyle, she was comfortable with it now. Then along came Bryce Stevens, stirring complex thoughts and unfamiliar reactions. Can she shield the truth about her career, and if he should discover her secret could he bring himself to forgive her, to overlook her deception?
There are few books that I can pick up and instantly lose myself in, but with Tarnished Romance I did just that. Sandi K Whipple has a easy-flowing style that draws the reader in. The plot is enjoyable and the characters are well-conceived. The story progresses seamlessly, presenting obstacles and events Judy must conceal in order to guard her secret. Her developing feelings for Bryce are beautifully portrayed, as is their growing relationship. This was a brilliant read, and one you simply won’t want to put down until its conclusion.
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Book link:
Filed under: author, book review, reading, writing
