Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 230
June 13, 2021
Review: TEAR DOWN AND DIE by Joanna Campbell Slan
“I was at a crossroads, a spot on the map between emptiness and confusion—and I didn’t know which way to turn.” (5) Cara felt so uneasy and unsettled (know the feeling) that she just can’t help but ball out. On her own for the first time ever, she had no idea what to do next, so she hit the road.
Has a slow start when she’s getting into town and starts talking about her estranged relatives. Did we really need all the odds and ends of this boring town? The read was much too slow. It was more literary than mystery, for sure.
My rating: 2 stars
Review: A GLAZED FINISH by Eryn Scott
Hadley along with her friends and the rest of the town were partaking in the annual marathon race. Just some exercise and fun. That’s it! She didn’t expect to find a dead body on the trail. What’s even more chilling was that this wasn’t an accident—someone had hit over the head with the commemorative runner’s mug. Could this have something to do with the affair and the divorce? The read was okay. Mystery was decent with some lags.
My rating: 3 stars
June 8, 2021
Blog Tour: I CAN STILL HEAR YOU by Nicole Black
I Can Still Hear You
by Nicole Black
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: action/adventure, women's fiction with romantic elements
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
I Can Still Hear You is a powerful and deeply moving story which grapples with the universal pain of grief and the loss of a loved one. When Scarlett O’Connor loses her father at the age of 30, she’s forced to face the shambles that her life has become. With no money and no savings, the only thing that waits for her is a cryptic map and a mysterious letter. With nothing left to lose, she embarks on a trip to Maui for her father’s final adventure, to begin a treasure hunt which will force her to look deep inside herself and come to terms with her pain and grief.
Accompanied by her less-than-supportive fiancé, a close childhood friend, and an enigmatic man who was her father’s old acquaintance, Scarlett must decode the mystery and find the hidden treasure. But she knows she must face her fears alone, and calling upon the spirit of her father for guidance, she struggles to reconcile her emotions and uncover the treasure before her time in Maui comes to an end.
Perfect for fans of contemporary and women’s fiction, I Can Still Hear You is a gripping tale which will resonate with anybody who has struggled with the death of someone close. This book is a testament to the fact that even though we may have lost them, our loved ones stay with us no matter what challenges we face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One: Chapter 1
The hospital room may have been silent, but it was far from peaceful.
The mechanical sounds of the machines melded with the all-too-human sounds of my father’s ailing body slowly giving up its fight. The resulting cacophony was anything but comforting. Though his heartbeat was steady, his breathing was a tortured, sawing rasp, a constant reminder that each intake of air could be his last.
The sound of the clock ticking on the wall reminded me of my grandfather’s old stopwatch. I made a mental note to ask my Dad about the whereabouts of the watch.
He had very little time left.
I knew that from the way the medical staff had left me alone with him. They’d been a constant presence these past few weeks, buzzing about the room, telling me in hushed whispers that this time was near, but I hadn’t really believed it. Those doctors had said, after his lung transplant six years ago, that we could expect him to live two to five years more.
But things were different now. He sounded different. He looked different, smaller, frailer. He even smelled a little different, as if something inside his body was going very wrong. And this was the first time all the doctors and nurses had stopped hovering nearby with a new drip or medication to administer. A nurse usually came in to open the curtains in the morning, but no one had been in for hours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review: Her father’s last words were: “Remember the order, it will be important.”
Scarlett didn’t have much going for her. No job, no money, no place to live, no family, no real life at all. She had such a realistic and grounded sense of what life was all about and she knew that life needed money, not her dad’s fortune cookie advice.
Eventually, she discovers that her dad left her a box with a letter inside. It told her to go to Hawaii for a treasure hunt—it would be a journey that she could only take on her own. Unfortunately, it was also one she couldn’t afford. By the flip of a coin, she ends up going in the hopes that this so-called treasure would be a million dollars. Instead the long trek ended up being frustrating, cryptic, and a complete waste of time. What was her dad thinking sending her here? What was she thinking actually listening to him?
Story had a nice 1stperson narrative that was compelling and easy to read. Scarlett’s candid, sarcastic bitterness was refreshing and relatable.
Throughout the whole trip, Scarlett can still hear her father’s voice, advising her and resurrecting long-forgotten memories for her. It soon becomes a journey of memories on a long and winded road to self-fulfillment.
This was a nice read. Although the ending wasn’t completely satisfying, story was inspirational and suitable for the character.
My rating: 4 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Nicole Black is an author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur with a passion for sharing unique stories and helping people grow. For over 20 years, she’s worked in the business world as a corporate trainer in employee productivity and effective growth, where she’s helped some of the biggest brands in hospitality and entertainment grow sustainably through inspiring their employees. She’s been featured on platforms including TEDxWilmington, Jack Canfield Show, Santa Barbara News Press, The George DiGianni show and the Tom Barnard Show. Through her writing, Nicole hopes to empower her readers and impart valuable lessons about grief, loss, and emotional growth. In her free time, Nicole enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with her wonderful daughter in their home of Santa Barbara, California.
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoleblack25
Instagram: @WriterNicoleB and @nicoleblackauthor
Twitter: @nicolebwriter
The Book is On Sale for $0.99 during the tour.
Link to buy on Amazon for print book:
https://www.amazon.com/I-Can-Still-He...
Link to buy Kindle version:
https://www.amazon.com/I-Can-Still-He...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour: IT HAPPENED ON THUNDER ROAD by Susan Antony
It Happened on Thunder Road
by Susan Antony
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: YA Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
When Emmy Russo returns to high school in Moncks Corner, South Carolina after summer break, she discovers some changes. First: Mom has a boyfriend. Second: the cute new student, Charlie Fields, is a Rockabilly greaser with a gang who obeys his every command. Third: attractive Keir Harper wants to be more than just her best friend. And fourth: a perplexed Emmy soon finds herself drawn to two extremely different boys. How do you choose between sweet and smoldering?
Then tragedy strikes on desolate Thunder Road. Strange things start happening, with Emmy in the middle of it all. Intent on finding the truth, she must fight for her heart, her life, maybe even her soul. Because someone wants to possess all of Emmy. And they will be together, no matter what the cost. For eternity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
I hadn’t expected that. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to respond. The old me, the good girl from New Jersey, wouldn’t have choked. She would have told Charlie to take a hike. But the new me didn’t want to let him go.
What was it about this strange boy with greased hair that attracted me so?
“What’s the matter, New Jersey? Cat got your tongue?”
My face flushed. “Why don’t you quit asking me ridiculous questions and do something that you’re good at?”
“What’s that?”
“Drive, Teddy Boy.”
One of Charlie’s brows tipped upward in a cocky salute. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the T- shifter, while rivers of veins formed on his muscular forearm. With a look of steely determination etched on his face, he slammed the shifter into first gear and jammed the accelerator pedal to the floor. The car rocketed forward. My head slammed against the seatback, and I dug my nails into the black tuck and roll upholstery.
“You scared, New Jersey?” Charlie asked, his eyes aflame.
“No,” I said as the blood left my face.
“Then hang on, baby, ’cause you’re about to go for the ride of your life.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review: Emmy Russo was returning home to a mother that left her dad and was stuck living with her and her live-in boyfriend. At school, she is charmed by both the campus bad boy and an old friend.
Story has an easy, diary-style narrative that grabs the reader. It can be slow and long at times, but it gets interesting when the two boys show an interest in her and this love triangle spirals out of control. It’s certainly not your typical YA Romance. Story line is compelling, although a bit drawn out at times. A pretty good read.
My rating: 3 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Susan Antony is an IT by day, hip-shaker and writer by night, artist whenever possible, and an
internet addict. She lives in the sunny south with her teenage son and two Cairn Terriers. Cherokee Summer placed first in the Missouri Romance Writers of America "Gateway to the Best" contest, was a 2019 OKRWA finalist, was a 2020 Author Shout Recommended Read, took 1st in the 2020 Write Touch Readers Award, and took the bronze metal in the 2020 Readers Favorite Contest.
It Happened on Thunder Road placed 1st in The Southeastern Writers Association 2020 Contest.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanAntonyCS
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/susanantony...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SusanAntonyCS
Pininterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susanantonycs
Tumbler: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/susanantony
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@susanantony1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Susan Antony will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayBlog Tour: DANGER IN SHADOW by Tessa Carr
Shadows of Council Creek (Book 2)
Romantic Suspense
Date Published: 03-26-2021
Laurie Lancey has always loved the old picturesque bridge over Council Creek; it's that beauty which gave the town its name.
But then...
A near miss... A chinese fortune cookie with a deadly warning
A murdered co-worker
She knows now the serenity is just a deception. Something sinister is going on here,
And it's all around her.
Investigator Nick Allyn barely manages to save her when the shots are fired.
"This tells me only one thing, young lady," he tells her firmly.
"Those bullets were meant for you.
And only you."
My review: What if you’re sitting at a Chinese restaurant on a bad blind date when the place erupts with open fire? What if you were miraculously saved by the handsome stranger who kept his eye on you? And all because Laurie was warned by a fortune cookie just minutes before. Suddenly, she’s being protected by him against her will. But was it really so bad to have the handsome hottie around?
The question remains: who would be after Laurie and why?
Story has a nice and easy narrative, although lengthy and slow at times. It carries a mild suspense with a romantic flare and too many characters. Characters exchanged some good, witty commentary and a nice romance develops between them.
A pretty good read overall.
My rating: 3 stars
About the Author
It all started with my fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. J. Ever the elegant, perfectly coiffured lady, gave us an assignment to write a short story and read it aloud to the class.
Mine was about a group of fifth grade kids who went on a weekend camping trip, and encountered a grizzly bear. When it was my turn, I read.
Poor Mrs. J! I began to notice a twitch around her left eye sometime around the approach of the grizzly bear. By the time the body parts began flying, it had increased to her mouth, and her whole face was as white as a sheet.
But she was a trooper, and stayed upright throughout the whole story.
However, the other kids loved the story, because it was about them. Suddenly, I was hooked! Over the years, my writing changed from gory stories (my term as a kid) to space stories. Then spy stories, and finally romance. But the other thing I found I really loved was mystery and romance. I wasn’t satisfied with just reading it. I wanted to write it!
Contact Links
Purchase Links
June 6, 2021
Q&A with J.W. Zarek, author of THE DEVIL PULLS THE STRINGS
THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING HERE. FOR STARTERS, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WRITING AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK
The Devil Pulls the Strings, described as The Librarians meet The Magicians is a 76,000-word epic fantasy adventure with series potential, set in modern-day Wentzville, MO, New York City, and 1813 Genoa, Italy, weaves bromance, Slavic mythology, secret societies, Paganini’s music and time travel.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE TITLE FOR THIS BOOK?
I knew my book’s title was hidden in the antagonist’s story. Sinti is a crazed immortal who wants to use Paganini’s music to summon the Devil.
My original title Living to Die and third title The Archivists: The Curse of The Blue Rose didn’t create greater impact or show anything specific about the story.
In the end, I drew a circle around Paganini’s name in the center of a piece of paper, wrote around his name the different ways a violinist uses their instrument, and all these facts I knew about Paganini, the Devil, and the antagonist, and then I starred, and starred and starred. And starred some more. Then, the title leaped off the page.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?
I grew up listening to the oldest Baba Yaga stories, Slavic myths, and epic tales and fantasy adventures. I wrote this book to honor the hero’s journey infused with Slavic mythology and show the world the many faces of Baba Yaga. Because she is so much more than how modern movies, books and video games depict her. Because Baba Yaga is a supernatural force, a trio of sisters, a mentor, a helper, an antagonist, and so much more.
WHAT DRIVES YOUR CHARACTERS IN YOUR STORY?
Boone’s driven to do the right thing, keep his promise to his friend he almost killed in a joust, stop his debilitating panic attacks in dark and tight spaces. And stop the wendigo that stalks him since he was six years old. Sapphire Anjou wants to earn her father’s elusive love, he’s unable to give because he blames Sapphire for the car accident that took her mother and brother’s lives when she was six years old.
IF YOUR BOOK WERE TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE, WHO WOULD BE YOUR CAST?
Boone Daniels (22) (Protagonist)
Boone can be played by any of the following actors: Joe Keery of Stranger Things; Tyler Posey of Teen Wolf; Noah Centineo To All The Boys; K. J. Apa in The Last Summer; or Wolfgagng Novogratz in The Last Summer.
Sapphire Anjou (Love Interest)
Sapphire can be played by any of the following actresses: Sophie Marceau when she appeared in Braveheart; Zendaya in The Greatest Showman; Léa Seydoux from James Bond No Time to Die; Chloë Grace Moretz in live action Tom & Jerry; Mackenzie Foy in Black Beauty; and Bella Thorne Midnight Sun (2018) and Chick Fight (2020).
WHAT CRITERIA DID YOU USE WHEN SELECTING THE COVER FOR YOUR BOOK?
The cover had to have two contrasting colors: teal and orange. It had to include one or more characters from the story. The font had to be appropriate for epic fantasy adventures, and it had to stand out on a shelf of bestselling books.
WAS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR BOOK THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO CONVEY?
The power of hope, belief and faith can see you through the darkest of circumstances.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A WRITER?
Time constraints. I work long hours as a full-time adjudicator and write whenever I can. This means, I have to wake up an hour early, stay up late, and take advantage of hour long train commutes to and from work.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WRITERS?
Read the top twenty-five books in the genres you’re most drawn to, and ask yourself and others what type of stories you would like to read or see in the genre you haven’t seen before, or want to see more of.
Now, armed with this knowledge, write one or more of these stories in your own voice.
Research and learn how to write an outline, logline, blurb, beat sheet, synopsis, treatment, story grid, and Margie Lawson’s EDIT System. Also check out Derek Murphy, Mark Dawson and Joann Penn’s free and paid content to help improve and speed up your writer’s journey.
DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE READERS CAN VISIT FOR UPDATES, EVENTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS?
My website and blog are found at jwzarek.com.
You can also find me at my Facebook group Home of Misfits, Writers and Other Creative Folks:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/36903...
Review: HONEYMOON COTTAGE by Barbara Cool Lee
“Thanks to her despicable ex-fiancé, her life had been reduced to begging in a junk shop for her next meal.”
With this son by her side, Camilla was trying to survive. Unbelievable how she was accused of taking money her fiancé took. Nobody believed her, but Office Ryan saw the truth in her lovely eyes.
Well-written, but slow. Very descriptive, which was full of lovely words, but were they really necessary? We just need the plot to push forward. Interesting premise, but the execution could use a little work.
My rating: 3 stars
Review: PASTA, PINOT, AND MURDER by Jamie Lee Scott
Willa was a food stylist. What is a food stylist? Well, she was that AND a food blogger. Her blog was called “A Dish in Thyme,” which was clever.
Well, with her being a food blogger, a food stylist, and a food photographer, you pretty much know that this was all about food. What did you expect? Unfortunately, there was not enough on the mystery.
My rating: 2 stars
Review: THE BRIM REAPER by Diane Vallere
Samantha Kidd was helping out in a vintage costume display at the museum, which sounded interesting to me, at first. In reality, the story was pretty slow and repetitive. Unfortunately, it didn’t really progress from there. My rating: 2 stars
Review: THE MISSING SAPPHIRE OF ZANGRABAR by Steve Higgs
Patricia just caught her husband cheating with her best friend, leaving her stunned, revolted, and betrayed. What to do? Clean out his bank account and go on a cruise, of course. Yes, a 3-month cruise around the world in the royal suite would be a lot of money, but what choice did she have? She was a 52-year old overweight lady with no children, no career, no home to go back to, and a marriage on the rocks. Sure, take a trip around the world (I wish I could.) But boat life can be kind of dull. The character was mostly wallowing in misery. The case was also a little too complex for a cozy mystery. Didn’t really get into it.
My rating: 2 stars
