Cindy R. Williams's Blog
April 16, 2016
The Girl Who Heard Demons by Janette Rallison
Review by Cindy R. Williams
Shy Adelle Hansen hears demons, but she’s determined to make friends at her new high school by keeping her ability secret.
When she overhears supernatural voices celebrating the impending death of the school quarterback, Levi Anderson, she knows she has to do something to prevent it. However, the demons aren’t the ones plotting; they’re just celebrating the chaos, and Adelle must contend with earthly forces as well if she wants to preserve Levi’s life.Handsome, popular Levi doesn't appreciate Adelle’s self-appointed role of guardian angel. As Adelle battles to keep him safe, she’ll have to protect her heart, too. Can she do both?
Okay, who wouldn't want to read this? Girl wants to fit into her new school. Hottest guy on the planet is in danger, and only she knows it, since she has this strange ability to hear demons. Somehow she must save him, but alas, her attempts annoy him. What a great struggle. Helping someone who doesn't even know he needs help, and plus she has made a nuisance of herself. Love it!
If you are a Rallison fan, then you know she has a great, sometimes quirky sense of humor. She also knows how to spin a good yarn, and romance. No one does clean romance better. This book, THE GIRL WHO HEARD DEMONS won Amazon's Kindle Scout competition against billions of other books. Okay a bit of an exaggeration, but to win Amazon's Kindle Scout contest is a BIG deal!
Let me tell you more about Janette. I actually know her, and find her to be a regular person--you know, nice, funny, and all around great mother, and recently a grandmother--but she is not old, and doesn't sit in a rocker, although she does have lots of cats, so could be considered a cat lady. I don't think Janette has an enemy in the world. You meet her, she makes you laugh and feel at home. She never puts on airs and is willing to help out new writers. You would never know she has sold over a million books and is usually published by Penguin.
Here is more of the official bio type stuff that is on hand about Janette:
Janette Rallison, also known as CJ Hill, writes books because writing is much more fun than cleaning bathrooms.
Her avoidance of housework has led her to writing 24 novels that have sold over 1,000,000 print copies and have been on many reading and state lists.
Her books are fantasy, sci-fi, and romantic comedy because hey, there is enough angst in real life, but there’s a drastic shortage of humor, romance and hot guys who fight dragons.
She lives in Arizona with her husband, kids, and enough cats to classify her as eccentric.
Get the book. You will be glad you did!
Writers Mirror gives THE GIRL WHO TALKED TO DEMONS ten stars. It is that good!
August 26, 2014
FINDING SHEBA - An Omar Zagouri Thriller by H.B. Moore
by Cindy R. Williams
FINDING SHEBA - An Omar Zagouri Thriller by H.B. Moore
"Fast-paced, intriguing, fantastic characters, and full of surprises. Highly recommended." --James Dashner, NY Times bestselling author of THE MAZE RUNNER.
Back blurb says:
AN ANCIENT LEGEND IS REBORN . . . ONE THAT MIGHT PROVE THE BIBLE FALSE.
For centuries, historians have theorized the Queen of Sheba as only a seductive legend, and scholars have debated over the legitimacy of the King of David or King Solomon. When undercover Israeli agent, Omar Zagouri, stumblers onto a tomb in Northern Jerusalem he unknowingly finds the final clue that threatens to overthrow government claims to the Holy Land, pits wealthy collectors against one another, and sends ruthless archaeologists scrambling to find the queen's secret burial place.
An assassination attempt on the Coptic Pope, His Holiness, Patriarch Stephanus II, is only the first in the chain of lethal cremes. Omar must find a way to prevent the greatest discovery of the century from becoming the most deadly.
H.B. Moore is the pen name for the award winning author, Heather B. Moore. She is the author of ten historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is the author of two non-fiction books and several women's novel --these are written under her real so that women will buy her books. She says using different names can be confusing so her kids just call her Mom.
FINDING SHEBA - An Omar Zagouri Thriller by H.B. Moore
"Fast-paced, intriguing, fantastic characters, and full of surprises. Highly recommended." --James Dashner, NY Times bestselling author of THE MAZE RUNNER.
Back blurb says:
AN ANCIENT LEGEND IS REBORN . . . ONE THAT MIGHT PROVE THE BIBLE FALSE.
For centuries, historians have theorized the Queen of Sheba as only a seductive legend, and scholars have debated over the legitimacy of the King of David or King Solomon. When undercover Israeli agent, Omar Zagouri, stumblers onto a tomb in Northern Jerusalem he unknowingly finds the final clue that threatens to overthrow government claims to the Holy Land, pits wealthy collectors against one another, and sends ruthless archaeologists scrambling to find the queen's secret burial place.
An assassination attempt on the Coptic Pope, His Holiness, Patriarch Stephanus II, is only the first in the chain of lethal cremes. Omar must find a way to prevent the greatest discovery of the century from becoming the most deadly.
H.B. Moore is the pen name for the award winning author, Heather B. Moore. She is the author of ten historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is the author of two non-fiction books and several women's novel --these are written under her real so that women will buy her books. She says using different names can be confusing so her kids just call her Mom.
October 3, 2013
LDS Blog Hop Giveaway!!!!
I'm a part of the LDS Blog Hop brought to you by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Blog.
"What is the LDS Blog Hop?" you ask?
Well, I'll tell you. It's where you can enter the contest to win a copy of a book by one of the many, many LDS writers in the land.
Available here is my very own children's picture book, CHASE MCKAY DIDN'T GET UP TODAY!
CHASE MCKAY DIDN'T GET UP TODAY is a snuggle, giggle book to read to little ones. It has an underlying message of choice and consequences. Great gift too, just in time for Christmas. More info available on www.cindyRwilliams.com
If you would like to enter the free giveaway, please leave your name and email in the comments section and a drawing will be held at the end of the month.
Check out I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Blog. for all the other LDS authors and their books being given away this month.
"What is the LDS Blog Hop?" you ask?
Well, I'll tell you. It's where you can enter the contest to win a copy of a book by one of the many, many LDS writers in the land.
Available here is my very own children's picture book, CHASE MCKAY DIDN'T GET UP TODAY!
CHASE MCKAY DIDN'T GET UP TODAY is a snuggle, giggle book to read to little ones. It has an underlying message of choice and consequences. Great gift too, just in time for Christmas. More info available on www.cindyRwilliams.com
If you would like to enter the free giveaway, please leave your name and email in the comments section and a drawing will be held at the end of the month.
Check out I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Blog. for all the other LDS authors and their books being given away this month.
September 29, 2013
Use Puzzle Pieces To Make Pudding
By Cindy R. Williams
I get a kick out of "talk radio." While driving the other day to play the piano for the baptism of a dear little 8 year-old friend, I heard a boxer talk about his upcoming bout. He mixed two different analogies, but it made total sense. While in the Church, I pondered what he said. I realized it totally works for writing.
Let me paraphrase the interview with the boxer.
Talk Host: Usually you have at least three months to prepare for a bout. This one, you only have 30 days. What are you going to do?
Boxer: I have been boxing for a long time. I'm in good shape and ready.
Talk Host: Yes, but how will you train specifically for this bout. You don't really have the time to hone your skills to take advantage of your opponent.
Boxer: Yes, each opponent has different strengths, and it does help to prepare for each fight, but, no worries. The things I do well are like puzzle pieces. I take all the things I know how to do and then I make a pudding out of them. I have a good pudding. I will be ready.
Hummmmm . . . . the boxer takes his best skills and makes the best pudding that he can. Can't we do this with our writing. We may not know everything about grammar and writing, but we each have some writing skills and strengths. These are our ingredients/puzzle pieces.
How about if we don't worry that we aren't as great a writer as ____ or ____. Let's not think, "Surely this or that agent or publisher wouldn't want my meager story."
How about if we take all that we know and do and then make our best pudding? How about if we take the leap and believe in ourselves enough to submit our puddings?
If not now . . . when?
I love a good pudding. I can do this. Can you? Will you?
I get a kick out of "talk radio." While driving the other day to play the piano for the baptism of a dear little 8 year-old friend, I heard a boxer talk about his upcoming bout. He mixed two different analogies, but it made total sense. While in the Church, I pondered what he said. I realized it totally works for writing.
Let me paraphrase the interview with the boxer.
Talk Host: Usually you have at least three months to prepare for a bout. This one, you only have 30 days. What are you going to do?
Boxer: I have been boxing for a long time. I'm in good shape and ready.
Talk Host: Yes, but how will you train specifically for this bout. You don't really have the time to hone your skills to take advantage of your opponent.
Boxer: Yes, each opponent has different strengths, and it does help to prepare for each fight, but, no worries. The things I do well are like puzzle pieces. I take all the things I know how to do and then I make a pudding out of them. I have a good pudding. I will be ready.
Hummmmm . . . . the boxer takes his best skills and makes the best pudding that he can. Can't we do this with our writing. We may not know everything about grammar and writing, but we each have some writing skills and strengths. These are our ingredients/puzzle pieces.
How about if we don't worry that we aren't as great a writer as ____ or ____. Let's not think, "Surely this or that agent or publisher wouldn't want my meager story."
How about if we take all that we know and do and then make our best pudding? How about if we take the leap and believe in ourselves enough to submit our puddings?
If not now . . . when?
I love a good pudding. I can do this. Can you? Will you?
June 5, 2013
Re-inventing Time
by Cindy R. Williams
Writers are inventors. As we write, we invent something new. A book or story that never existed before for others to read. We are also re-inventors of ourselves. We cycle with the seasons of life. By the time you have lived for a half a century--an eerie shiver at the reality of this benchmark just ran through me--you will have lived many rolls in your life.
Walking down memory lane of my first half century I found that I began life as a mermaid, and am now a fairy. Weird but quite true none the less. Follow me here . . . my dad was a P.E. Coach and also managed our local swimming pool. We grew up in the water and often played mermaids.
My childhood home and both my grandparents homes were magical. I lived a life surrounded by lilac bushes and huge peach, pear and apple orchards with a meandering brook and fairy paths over bridges. There was even a Victorian home with goblins living in the cellars. I was an avid reader of fairy tales, including; Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and L. Wizard of Oz series by Frank Baum. I found myself inside the books like Madeleine L'Engle's "Wrinkle in Time" and Amanda Cockrell's "Shadow Castle". Each of these stories became a real part of my conscious world by day and my dreams by night. By the time I grew up and was ready to have children of my own, I was officially a fairy.
I'm now beginning my second century, and as such, all my experiences are coming full circle and combining with my gifts and talents in my many rolls as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, new grandmother, friend, teacher, writer, musician, mermaid, fairy.
Three months ago, I woke up with a new idea of who I am and how it is time to combine all these things I love and do into one great purpose. I am reinventing myself once again. I can't share with you what it is yet until much of the writing, scripts and production has begun, but I can tell you that I have been inspired to take this next step, this leap of faith, and I will soon be flying on the back of a dragon.
Writers are inventors. As we write, we invent something new. A book or story that never existed before for others to read. We are also re-inventors of ourselves. We cycle with the seasons of life. By the time you have lived for a half a century--an eerie shiver at the reality of this benchmark just ran through me--you will have lived many rolls in your life.
Walking down memory lane of my first half century I found that I began life as a mermaid, and am now a fairy. Weird but quite true none the less. Follow me here . . . my dad was a P.E. Coach and also managed our local swimming pool. We grew up in the water and often played mermaids.
My childhood home and both my grandparents homes were magical. I lived a life surrounded by lilac bushes and huge peach, pear and apple orchards with a meandering brook and fairy paths over bridges. There was even a Victorian home with goblins living in the cellars. I was an avid reader of fairy tales, including; Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and L. Wizard of Oz series by Frank Baum. I found myself inside the books like Madeleine L'Engle's "Wrinkle in Time" and Amanda Cockrell's "Shadow Castle". Each of these stories became a real part of my conscious world by day and my dreams by night. By the time I grew up and was ready to have children of my own, I was officially a fairy.
I'm now beginning my second century, and as such, all my experiences are coming full circle and combining with my gifts and talents in my many rolls as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, new grandmother, friend, teacher, writer, musician, mermaid, fairy.
Three months ago, I woke up with a new idea of who I am and how it is time to combine all these things I love and do into one great purpose. I am reinventing myself once again. I can't share with you what it is yet until much of the writing, scripts and production has begun, but I can tell you that I have been inspired to take this next step, this leap of faith, and I will soon be flying on the back of a dragon.
May 13, 2013
Eat up the EVERTASTER book series by Adam Sidwell
THE BUTTERSMITH’S GOLD BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all. Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.
About The Buttersmiths' GoldThe Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing.
Here's the book Trailer. Eat up some more! EVERTASTER Book TrailerHere's the link to get your own copy for an enjoying feast: Amazon Link:EVERTASTER, BOOK # 1A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.
March 14, 2013
Writer Britney Gullbrandsen
Britney GullbrandsenWriters Mirror: Welcome to Writers Mirror Britney Gullbrandsen!Britney: Thanks for having me! This is so fun!
WM: Please tell us a little about Britney.
Britney: Hmmm…this question always trips me up. What do I share?! · I’m 23 years old.· I have a two-and-a-half year old son.· I’m obsessed with Golden Spoon’s peanut butter cup fro yo (frozen yogurt.)· I’m a list maker. I have stacks and stacks of notebooks filled with all kinds of lists. To-do lists. Goals. Grocery lists. Lists of things I love. It’s kind of a problem.· I’m an only child.· I’m terrified of elevators. And I’ve been stuck in three of them.· I LOVE bright colors! They make me so happy! My last house had apple green walls, lime green walls, red walls, turquoise walls, bright orange walls, and a wall with bubblegum pink rectangles with orange in the middle. I know it sounds weird, but I promise it looked good!
WM: Please tell us what you write.
Britney: As a little girl, I wrote picture books. I’d write out the story (each line to a page), print them out, and illustrate them. In the fifth grade, I attempted a novel and got about halfway through before it was lost. I’m still devastated about that. When I got to junior high and high school, I started writing poetry and a few personal essays that I loved. Then came college. I majored in creative writing and spent time with poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, travel writing, and even took a course on writing the modern day fairy tale. I had so much fun!But somewhere along the way I learned that my passion was to write for children and young adults. I absolutely loved reading as a child and I want to help instill that love of reading in other children. My husband and I write picture books and middle grade together and I just started my first young adult novel on my own.
WM: Where do you do most of your writing?
Britney: On the couch or at the kitchen table. Boring, but it gets the job done!
WM: Do you write on a lap top, a desk top, a tablet or long hand on notebook?
Britney: A lap top! I can’t write longhand—my hand cramps up way too easily!
WM: What inspires you to write?
Britney: I gather most my inspiration from other art forms. In fact, most of my story ideas have stemmed from photographs, songs, and dances. A few years ago, a couple on So You Think You Can Dance performed the most powerful dance I think I’ve ever seen. I’m not even kidding. It made me cry. Immediately after the show I wrote a poem based on that dance.
WM: What is your biggest distraction?
Britney: My son. And my lists.
WM: How do you handle it?
Britney: I just make a schedule and try to stick to it. Some weeks are better than others, and obviously sometimes the distraction is necessary. If my son is sick, I’m not going to write that day. I’m going to cuddle with him on the couch. I do most of my writing once he’s in bed at night to try and limit the distractions.
WM: What is your favorite writing food?
Britney: I actually don’t eat while I write. Go ahead—call me crazy.
WM: Why are you a writer?
Britney: I’m a writer because I can’t stop writing. It’s a piece of me that I have to keep. It’s my way of trying to inspire others!
WM: Where do you get your names for your characters?
Britney: I love this question! I think a lot about my characters names. I brainstorm lists of names and narrow them down based on the personality of the character.For instance, in one of the books I wrote with my husband, we have four third grade boys. One is the super smart nerdy kid—Winston. Our big, strong kid is named Brock. Frankie is the smooth talker who always gets his way. And Loco is the crazy one. His name is actually Lawrence, but nobody calls him that. We just thought these names shared a piece of their personalities. Each name helps us picture the character.I’m also writing a young adult set in Denmark during World War II, so I did lots of research on common names in that time period and place. Then I chose the ones that seemed to fit my characters best.
WM: Is there anything else you would like to share about your writing journey?
Britney: I’ve been trying to immerse myself more in the writing community. I joined ANWA (American Night Writers Association) about a year-and-a-half ago and SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) about six months ago. I’ve attended three writing conferences in the past year-and-a-half and plan to attend one or two more this year. I think it’s so important to make connections and continue your writing education and I’m trying to do both these things.
WM: Do you have a website?
Britney: Yes! Come visit me! I took a hiatus, and I’m just coming back. My blog is combined with my website. http://www.britneygulbrandsen.com
WM: Thank you sharing some of your writing journey with us Britney. Keep writing!
Britney: Thank YOU! What fun questions!
February 28, 2013
New Book: Tide Ever Rising
Tide Ever Rising by MandiTucker Slack
Author of Romantic Suspense
Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family. Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.Mandi also has another romantic suspense novel, The Alias. See Writers Mirror Review dated 1/31/13. Tide Ever Rising Purchase Link Learn more about Mandi Tucker Slack at her Website and Blog Web: http://www.mandituckerslack.com/
Blog: http://mudrockandpinknailpolish.blogspot.com/
MandiTucker SlackFebruary 9, 2013
Character Recipe
By Cindy R. Williams
My son did a “People Recipe” project in his 7thgrade Creative Writing Class. What a fun way to hone the features of your characters.Instructions:
Take information learned from interviewing your character. (Yes, sit back and talk to your character.) Create a fresh, fun recipe about him/her. Remember to use recipe-type words, but make your ingredients original and have them differ from the examples listed below.
Questions to ask:
Character’s name
Three physical qualities
Include three other facts
My ask about likes and dislikes, fears and ambitions
End recipe with a two sentence set of directions
Chase Spaghetti
Serves 4 people
INGREDIENTS:
Two green eyes
Add some glasses
A bushel of blond hair
An ounce of hair gel
Several yards of light colored skin
Add a pinch of a shy personality
A spoonful of knowledge
A nightlight
A basketball
And a pair of running shoes
Mix all but hair gel in large bowl and heat over stove. Stir constantly with a large spoon for eight minutes. Pour hair gel in the pot and mix well. Sump into strainer until liquid is drained. Enjoy!
Caitlin Cake
Mix:
1 head of shoulder length light brown hair
A pair of expressive blue eyes
One small gum-chewing metal mouth
A generous love of traveling
A dash of interest in the ocean
3 cups of books to read
Combine evenly and sprinkle with family and friends. Bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees and serve with mint-chocolate chip ice cream.
My son did a “People Recipe” project in his 7thgrade Creative Writing Class. What a fun way to hone the features of your characters.Instructions:
Take information learned from interviewing your character. (Yes, sit back and talk to your character.) Create a fresh, fun recipe about him/her. Remember to use recipe-type words, but make your ingredients original and have them differ from the examples listed below.
Questions to ask:
Character’s name
Three physical qualities
Include three other facts
My ask about likes and dislikes, fears and ambitions
End recipe with a two sentence set of directions
Chase Spaghetti
Serves 4 people
INGREDIENTS:
Two green eyes
Add some glasses
A bushel of blond hair
An ounce of hair gel
Several yards of light colored skin
Add a pinch of a shy personality
A spoonful of knowledge
A nightlight
A basketball
And a pair of running shoes
Mix all but hair gel in large bowl and heat over stove. Stir constantly with a large spoon for eight minutes. Pour hair gel in the pot and mix well. Sump into strainer until liquid is drained. Enjoy!
Caitlin Cake
Mix:
1 head of shoulder length light brown hair
A pair of expressive blue eyes
One small gum-chewing metal mouth
A generous love of traveling
A dash of interest in the ocean
3 cups of books to read
Combine evenly and sprinkle with family and friends. Bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees and serve with mint-chocolate chip ice cream.
January 31, 2013
THE ALIAS - A new book by Mandi Tucker Slack
by Cindy R. Williams
I found The Alias fascinating. Not only did the plot take you on a roller coater ride with some pretty high loops but you really came to know the characters. Most of them were extremely likable and those that were meant to be the bad guys were very bad. The kind that you really want them to get what is coming to them.
The lead character, Jacey was pleasant, hard working, kind, trusting, and as decent as could possibly be, which made her perfect as the target for a no-good, bad mob guy with narcissistic tendencies with a propensity to abuse. Readers will applaud her strength and her deep searching inner resolve as she faces her life head on and takes matters in her own hands in order to create a world that is safe for she and her innocent son.
The book is well written. The descriptions, settings and scenes seem real. One can picture being in the room as the action unfolds.
The mother, Jacey, often called her nine year old son, and her friend good friend, Melissa, "babe." This seemed a bit odd. If I called any of my sons "babe," especially in front of any other human being, they would be mortified. I'm not too sure that many girls that are friends refer to each other as "babe."
Now, "babe" aside, the book was a page turner. The topic of wife abuse is serious, and yes, it was treated as such throughout the book. I appreciate how the main character realized she needed time to tackle much of what she had been through before she began a new relationship. This makes her a good, strong example of healing and growing and learning that each of us has the right to respect and even love.
This is one book that you will definitely cheer for the good guys and wish you could get your two cents in where the bad guys are concerned.
I look forward to reading more novels by Mandi Tucker Slack. In fact, her next book, TIDE EVER RISING, is on my reading list right now.
Links to everything Mandi Tucker Slack and her books:
Mandi's website
The Alias - You Tube Link
To get your own copy of THE ALIAS, click here.Here is a preview of Mandi Tucker Slacks next book, TIDE EVER RISING.Be one of the first to get your copy of TIDE EVER RISING - click hereKadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.
Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.
MandiTucker Slack - Author of Romantic Suspense: The Alias, Tide Ever Rising
http://www.mandituckerslack.comhttp://mudrockandpinknailpolish.blogspot.com/
I found The Alias fascinating. Not only did the plot take you on a roller coater ride with some pretty high loops but you really came to know the characters. Most of them were extremely likable and those that were meant to be the bad guys were very bad. The kind that you really want them to get what is coming to them.
The lead character, Jacey was pleasant, hard working, kind, trusting, and as decent as could possibly be, which made her perfect as the target for a no-good, bad mob guy with narcissistic tendencies with a propensity to abuse. Readers will applaud her strength and her deep searching inner resolve as she faces her life head on and takes matters in her own hands in order to create a world that is safe for she and her innocent son.
The book is well written. The descriptions, settings and scenes seem real. One can picture being in the room as the action unfolds.
The mother, Jacey, often called her nine year old son, and her friend good friend, Melissa, "babe." This seemed a bit odd. If I called any of my sons "babe," especially in front of any other human being, they would be mortified. I'm not too sure that many girls that are friends refer to each other as "babe."
Now, "babe" aside, the book was a page turner. The topic of wife abuse is serious, and yes, it was treated as such throughout the book. I appreciate how the main character realized she needed time to tackle much of what she had been through before she began a new relationship. This makes her a good, strong example of healing and growing and learning that each of us has the right to respect and even love.
This is one book that you will definitely cheer for the good guys and wish you could get your two cents in where the bad guys are concerned.
I look forward to reading more novels by Mandi Tucker Slack. In fact, her next book, TIDE EVER RISING, is on my reading list right now.
Links to everything Mandi Tucker Slack and her books:
Mandi's website
The Alias - You Tube Link
To get your own copy of THE ALIAS, click here.Here is a preview of Mandi Tucker Slacks next book, TIDE EVER RISING.Be one of the first to get your copy of TIDE EVER RISING - click hereKadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.
Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.
MandiTucker Slack - Author of Romantic Suspense: The Alias, Tide Ever Rising
http://www.mandituckerslack.comhttp://mudrockandpinknailpolish.blogspot.com/
