Devrie Spaulding's Blog, page 12

Megg Jensen

Jensen is a very talented writer. Her series, Dragonlands, had me staying up all night until I finished each book in the series. Talk about a coffee filled several days.

I instantly felt for her characters and wanted to know more. The concept for these books was very unique. I could vividly see her descriptions in my mind. I have to say I am definitely reading her other series. Dragons of the Nether will be next for sure.

You can find all her wonderful books here: https://www.meggjensen.com/ And also here: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/j/megg-jensen/

She is a USA Today best seller and I can attest to the amazing writing she has done.

If you are looking for something to read that will suck you in and have you thinking of it even when you are not reading it, these are the books for you.

Read with your heart!

Brian Lumley

Now this is an author I have read countless times. I started them years ago. Once I read the second book, Vampyri!, and went back to read the first, I was hooked. I am, of course, talking about his Necroscope series. This is truly a work of art. You can tell he did his research when writing these. The vampires are extraordinary. If there were ever to be real vampires, I would imagine these as them.

His world building is amazing. He takes you from our world where these vampires have traveled to and then shows you their world. It is absolutely amazing. The way the world works from his geography all the way to its hierarchy is pure genius. You really feel like you are there struggling to survive.

When you are in this world, you feel you should be looking behind every corner or lighting up every shadow. You really want the main character to win above all else but then find yourself rooting for the vampires. They aren’t glamorous or romantic. They are more real than that, more primal.

As you can see, Lumley’s writing really catches you and keeps you. You never forget what you have read. I could go on and on about how much I love this author and his Necroscope series. To do that, would give too much away.

If you have not read these books, please do so. You will find a new love for vampires and never see them the same again. It’s worth the read. I promise.

Here are some links to his work: https://www.brianlumley.com/ https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/brian-lumley/208145/ http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?1356

Read with your heart!

Kristin Painter

My sister showed me this author a while ago. Yet, she is still always on my mind. Everytime I hear Demons, by Imagine Dragons, I think of her House of Comarre series. It is the first thing I ever read by her. From the first book, Blood Rights, to the final one, Last Blood, I was enthralled.

This series is a paranormal wonderland. If you love vampires and shifters and all other kinds of “fae”, this is the series for you. It has a wonderful Japanese feel to how the hierarchy of the vampires is set up.

Here is a page that lists all her books, not just the Comarre ones:  https://kristenpainter.com/reading-list/

Here is her actual page: https://kristenpainter.com/reading-list/

She has urban fantasy, paranormal romance, cozy mystery, and even a book in fantasy romance.

I love how she creates such powerful connections between her characters. It’s like you are actually there with them and rooting them on or wanting to slap some sense into them. I found my self talking to the books as I read them as if I was able to speak to the characters. Her way of painting the world was so real. It urban but in its own world at the same time. To quote her love of writing: “I love being able to write these funny, snarky, sweet books that are filled with great supernatural characters and lots of cats!” Her current love is righting the paranormal romance. She also happens to be the “co-founder of the award-winning writer’s site Romancedivas.com.”

Here are some of her pages: http://www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor, twitter.com/Kristen_Painter

If you start reading her works, begin with the Comarre series. You will fall in love instantly.

Read with your heart.

Kristin Painter

 

 

Terry Brooks

I have to say this author took me by surprise. My grandmother loves to garage sale shop. She found a box full of Terry Brooks books and brought them home. When she gave them to me, I thought it would be ok to read at least one. I mean it was in the fantasy genre that I love to why not.

The first one I read was Magic Kingdom for Sale. I was blown away. Now in the box of Terry Brooks books, there were missing pieces in the stories. So after I read the next one, The Black  Unicorn, I had to buy the next one and so on until I finished A Princess of Landover. That one as published in 2009.

So, I went on to his next series that most everyone knows him by, The Shannara Series. That one also had gaps in the books. Do you think I just said, “Whatever”? Heck no! I bought those suckers quick. I couldn’t get enough. I read Heritage of Shannara, Order of Word & Void, Voyage of the Jerl Shannara, and everything else I could get my hungry little hands on.

If you need a list of his  books, go here: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/terry-brooks/

His Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/authorterrybrooks/

His writing sucks you and you can see the worlds he creates in your mind so vividly. The characters are fun. His stories are addictive, very addictive. If you are looking for a fantasy series full of magic, fun, adventure, and wonderfully fleshed-out characters, this is it.

He has been writing since his childhood, but nothing in fantasy until his college years. Like me, he found Lord of the Rings and it changed his life. That is when he started his fantasy worlds. That is when he wrote The Sword of Shannara. And to quote his GoodReads page: “It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.” (Page found here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9629.Terry_Brooks )

Again, this is a must read if you don’t mind the addiction that will follow.

Read with your heart!

 

Terry Brooks

Rick Riordan

I have nothing but great things to say about this author. Rick Riordan has written several series that I have read many many times. Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and The Kane Chronicles are my absolute favorite. Magnus Chase are just as amazing and Trials of Apollo keep you riveted to your seat.  I own these books on kindle and paperback. That is how much I love them. You can see the series here: https://rickriordan.com/

Riordan weaves so much into these books. You learn all kinds of mythology that is accurate to each series. I love his humor that he puts into them. I find myself actually laughing out loud for real. His writing has also inspired mine. Its fun to read and you are leaning at the same time. Don’t get me wrong. There is plenty of action and adventure. You fall in love with all the characters, even the gods.

If you haven’t ready any of his books, check them out. You won’t be disappointed.  I haven’t been and I have read Percy Jackson at least five times now.

Read with your heart!

Rick Riordan

 

Michael Anderle

This author has wowed me beyond belief. I started reading his Death Become Her book and couldn’t stop. I read all the way to My Ride is a Bitch and then took off to other arcs he wrote like The Age of Magic where I read the series Rise of Magic, Storms of Magic, Tales of the Feisty Druid. I could go on and on. I have read so many and never get bored. I have even read the James Browstone series and everything that came after that. For a full list, see:  https://lmbpn.com/ma-books/

To say Mr. Anderle is an accomplished writer is not doing him justice. The books just keep coming and at a fast rate. You would think that pumping out that many books would mean something is lacking in the story or characters. Wrong! I have yet to find any flaws with anything he writes. The characters are so well fleshed out that you feel you know them personally. You cheer for them, you cry with them. You even find yourself liking the same food as them (Brownstone reference). Even the side characters have so much depth that you want to read more about them too.

As a person, he is so funny and helpful. There are many websites and videos where he helps other independent writers. His author notes at the end of each book are great. I found myself laughing out loud for real. He makes you feel like you know him as much as you know the characters he writes.

Here is a link to his site for the Kurtherian world:  https://kurtherianbooks.com/

I introduced my brother-in-law to these books and he is as addicted as I am now. Give them a chance and you will be too.

Read with your heart!

Michael Anderle

Bilinda Sheehan

It’s been a hot minute since I posted something. I do apologize for that. With all the required tasks for my book, Supernatural Sisters, to be published, I have fallen behind.

 

I want to try another type of blog. One where I post about my favorite authors. This time it will be Bilinda Sheehan. You can go to her website at https://bilindasheehan.com/ if you want to check out her books. I do strongly suggest reading what she has. There is The Shadow Sorceress Series, Jena Faith Series, and even Bones and Bounties Series. One of my favorites is Banshee Blues.

Her writing is so fun to read. The characters come alive on the page and you instantly feel for them. I found my self actually cheering them on out loud. (My kids and cats thought I was crazy.) You want her characters to succeed and you find yourself holding your breath at times when things get tight.

Each series is a mind blowing adventure that I couldn’t pull myself away from. Once I picked up a book on Kindle, I couldn’t stop until I was done. There were many sleepless nights but well worth it.

As a person, she is super nice and will take the time to talk to you. I have never encountered that before. Bilinda Sheehan is a very smart and personable author. She interacts with her readers in a way that makes you feel like family.

Pick up one of her books as soon as you can. You won’t regret it. Send me a message if you have read anything of hers. I would love to have feedback. Which series or book is your favorite?

Read with your heart!

Bilinda Sheehan

Supernatural Sisters: Eight Rays of the Sun

Supernatural Sisters is now available to buy at amazon. It is the paperback edition. Digital will be available in about four weeks. I am so excited about my first book being out there. I can’t wait for my next ones that follow it.

Here is the synopsis:

Kat and Pepper never thought monsters were real. That doesn’t stop the monsters from seeking them out.

Two orphans, victims of the system, have only each other to depend on. That is, until they are viciously attacked by something nightmarish. But a mysterious group of supernatural hunters materialize in their greatest time of need, dragging them into a new world with unimaginable threats. Alphas of each faction have started sending out scouts to look for something, something that will tip the balance in their favor against all humanity. Unfortunately, they have set their malicious gaze on the sisters as a key factor to an ancient ritual. The only thing Kat, Pepper, and the hunters don’t know is why. When they finally find out, everything they have ever believed to be true is shattered.

With the help of a mixed mutant demon seeking asylum and a Cat Café filled with Vampires, a Siren, and others, not to mention the Creator, the hunters finally discover what the Alphas are looking for in Old Town. So now, as they prepare for battle, Kat and Pepper have choices to make. How do they accept the heritage they now know runs through their veins? Do they join the hunters or go out on their own? Can they learn to depend on others in order to survive?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zach’s Becoming

Zach’s mother tried to pull him into a tight embrace as his father towered over them. The look in his eyes was pure hatred. Did his father actually hate him? It didn’t matter. He didn’t care. Not really. Something inside him kept him from caring. He pushed against his mother’s hard abdomen. The corset giving him enough solidity to break free.

“Oh, Zach. Are you alright? Never leave me like that again. Do you hear me young man? A dead body is no place for a child to be.” His mother was in near hysterics.

If she only knew the dead things he played with in his room. Maybe that was why his father looked at him like that. Maybe he knew. Zach searched the train compartment for the cold man and couldn’t find him in all the chaos. Something told him his future lay with that man. He needed to find him. Needed to find out what he was. That strength, that coldness. He knew how that coldness felt from his experiments but the strength? Those eyes? He still felt as if those eyes were on him.

 

The rest of the trip went without incident. Well, mostly. Zach spent all his time searching the train for the cold man. He never found him but he always searched. At night, he would wake from dreams of him in a cold sweat. It left him weak. His mother fussed over him but he pushed her away saying he was fine. Food smelled foul. No matter how much water he drank, he was still left with a thirst.

Finally, as the train pulled into the station, his mother insisted on taking Zach to the town doctor. His father dismissed it all as another stunt for attention and went off to a local tavern.  When they got to the doctor’s house, she told him of Zach’s progressive illness on the train. For a brief second, the doctor’s eyes dimmed with a knowledge he knew he couldn’t share. Instead, he gave Zach’s mother a brown glass bottle of tonic to give him every night before bed.

That afternoon they left by horse drawn carriages. The road was bumpy. There was nothing to do. His mother was fascinated by the scenery passing them by and tried hard to get him interested as well. Instead, he retreated to his dark thoughts. The eyes of that man still haunted him. He wasn’t afraid. He was simply curious. And you know what curiosity gets you.

Have You Ever Wondered?

Hello Everyone. Please forgive my long absence. I have had a lot going on. However, I do have some good news. I have a book being published around August or September. To explain what it is about let me start by asking you a question.

What would you do if you suddenly found out monsters were real? Well, that’s what happened to these two orphaned sisters. The problem they faced was, were their lives worth risking in order to fight against them?

I look forward to hearing what anyone thinks about the book when it comes out. I am also going to be more active here. There are stories that are fighting to be written and characters in my head screaming to be released. Zach needs his story told as well.

Have a wonderful day and stay creative!