Cindy A. Matthews's Blog, page 8

I write like... Cory Doctorow !

I write like
Cory DoctorowI Write Like. Analyze your writing!
Very awesome! I do like Cory's writing. This analysis means I'm every bit as good as a big name science fiction author.  So... if Cory's agent or editor is out there, look me up, please! ;)

Robot Uprisings by Daniel H. WilsonMy rating: 4 of 5 star...

Robot Uprisings by Daniel H. Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's hard to sleep at night after contemplating all the frightening scenarios put forth in this wonderful sci-fi anthology. Will we be taken over by our seemingly benign mechanical household servants? Will incredibly small nanobots we create to cure us from disease and infection be our undoing? Will we even have a clue our robot slaves have gained sentience before it's too late? And what is the difference between artificial intelligence and our own, particularly if the machines outwit us at every turn? These and more are part of the exciting worlds that await you in Robot Uprisings. Come the roboapocalypse don't say I didn't warn you.

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BLOOD IN BERLIN gets a nice review!

You know how it's helpful to scan through a book at a bookstore and read the first chapter so you can tell if it's a story you'll enjoy reading? It's not always easy to do so with e-books, but now you can read the entire first chapter of Blood in Berlin at the First Chapters blog by clicking on this link: 

http://drb1stchp.com/2014/03/blood-in-berlin-by-celine-chatillon/

Here's what one reader had to say about Blood in Berlin:


"...Your writing that is very well crafted... your writing IS ‘tight’, is descriptive and emotive, and, also, moves the plotline forward in a natural way... your story... did engage me, quickly, in your altered world and the people in it." --reader Khulwaters
Thanks, Khul!
Blood in Berlin--now available at eXtasy Books, Amazon, All Romance eBooks and wherever fine ebooks are sold! Blood in Berlin By Celine Chatillon
Book 3 in the Kindred vampire series
http://www.extasybooks.com/blood-in-berlin/

    In 1938 London, the vampire Edwin Carstairs attracts the attention of British Military Intelligence. A Nazi scientist known as Madame V is creating super-vampire-soldiers in Berlin and must be stopped. Edwin accepts the mission, hoping to prevent another devastating world war. But what will he and his team do when Edwin’s lost love Ophelia Jones is discovered taking an eager part in experiments that risk the very survival of human and vampire-kind alike?



You can also read the first chapter from Blood Bond at the First Chapter blog, too!

http://drb1stchp.com/2014/03/blood-bond-by-celine-chatillon/



Blood Bond  
(Book 2 in the Kindred vampire series)

 http://www.extasybooks.com/blood-bond
Edwin travels to Liverpool out of duty only to discover desire in the arms of the wildly sensual Ophelia and her darkly exotic employer known simply as Hamlet. When a vampire hunter threatens to destroy Hamlet, the three lovers’ blood bond is tested. Will Edwin be able to save his Kindred sire and return home in time to see the 1904 World’s Fair?  

Why I Don't Care for Amazon--Home of Death Threats and Fake Reviews

Lately it seems morality and fair play are dead and gone in the publishing world. Here are some articles and blog postings that have come to my attention lately to show you why I'm feeling blue. I've included my comments as well.

Anne Rice signs petition to protest bullying of authors on Amazon
  http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/04/anne-rice-protests-bullying-amazon-petition
I'm glad that no one pays attention to my books on Amazon now! Death threats aren't funny, and Amazon has a lot to answer for allowing posters anonymity which only protects the bullies and the fake book reviewers. I haz a sad... Writers are gaming Amazon
 Here's a comment I made after reading The Lover of Books blog posting called "I haz a sad..." (link since taken down/blocked) about how an unnamed but well-known author sends out emails saying that (s)he'll give out free books to readers in exchange for 5 star reviews on Amazon. If you want to give her/his book anything less than 5 stars, please don't post it there but email the review to the author directly instead so (s)he can "discuss it" (and not post it) with you the reader. Here's my comment on this blog:

This is why you can't trust Amazon's "5 star" book reviews. A lot of them are fakes. Some authors buy them from so-called "beta readers" with free books/giveaways and others just outright pay cash for the reviews. (There's a web site link I won't post since I don't want other buying 5 star reviews). If you see a book on Amazon with lots of 5 stars alongside poorly written reviews, just assume these are paid reviews and not the real deal. The "reviewer" may not have even read the book. It's cheating and it makes all authors look bad. At least I can honestly say that I have never paid for reviews--and I currently have zero at Amazon. Go figure!
 In reply to the latest way to "pay your way to reviews on Amazon": http://bestsellerlabs.com/how-to-get-more-amazon-reviews/#comment-37877

I can’t say I agree with this method at all. This is coming from the viewpoint of a book reviewer, editor, and author. To give away free books or to pay cash for reviews up front is basically the same thing. How can you be sure you’re receiving an “objective” review when you’re essentially encouraging the reader to give you a “good” review or none at all? Are they going to say anything “bad” about their “new friend’s book” and especially to your face via Skype, etc.? I think not. The review is worthless and is essentially a “fake”.

That’s why I tell people to not depend on their friends and family members to give their writing an honest critique. Those who care about you don’t want to hurt your feelings. And just like those poor tone-deaf people who get on American Idol and then get laughed at and ridiculed by millions because they carry a tune in a bucket (and they don’t know they can’t sing), you’ll have millions of “authors” who need to take a decent writing course and join a critique group before trying to publish their books and they won’t do so because their “new reviewer friends” tell them their work is perfect as is. There’s no room to improve on perfection, is there? More “not-ready-for-primetime” stuff to clutter up the ‘net! (And why would Amazon care as long as they’re making money off it?)

If you want to gain some useful writing tips I formulated after working over a decade and a half in the publishing industry, try my funny how-to guide Defeating the Slushpile Monster now at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1452834946  After my public commentary, I expect a load of hate email and bullying on Amazon any day now! Please leave a comment below and share this blog link with others who may be feeling similarly down about the monopoly on the book-selling world that is Amazon. Perhaps they'll clean up their act one day? We can only hope!
 

Book Review: The Science of Discworld

The Science Of Discworld by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

You can't keep a good wizard down! I loved the chapters with the story line of the wizards of the Unseen University meddling with their "Roundworld" universe. My favorite character, Rincewind, finds himself named Egregious Professor of Cruel and Unusual Geography--how appropriate! The one thing that mars this otherwise enjoyable book are the non-fiction chapters. They're simply too long-winded for laypersons and detract more than add to the fun of the Discworld story. Really, for atheists these guys preach and preach and preach... Not a turtle in sight. Boring! It's much more fun to read about the wizards in action trying to unravel the mysteries of a planet very much like our own.

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A nice review of Blood Bond

It takes a while to get a book review nowadays, and at last I have one for Blood Bond:

This was an entertaining short read... I liked Edwin. He was innocent and sweet and a really nice guy. He was “seduced” by Ophelia and Hamlet, but that isn’t a bad thing...Hamlet had that timeless knowledge and wisdom that bespoke a creature that had been around a long, long time. --Lori from Romancing the Book reviews

Thanks, Lori!

  Blood Bond  
Book 2 in the Kindred vampire series

 http://www.extasybooks.com/blood-bond

Edwin travels to Liverpool out of duty only to discover desire in the arms of the wildly sensual Ophelia and her darkly exotic employer known simply as Hamlet. When a vampire hunter threatens to destroy Hamlet, the three lovers’ blood bond is tested. Will Edwin be able to save his Kindred sire and return home in time to see the 1904 World’s Fair?

  
Warning: This story contains m/f/m and m/m/f menage scenes.

Also available from Amazon and All Romance eBooks.

The Valentine's Day Gift Hop is Here!

This cold winter has lasted forever it seems. Wanna read something hot to take your mind off the next polar vortex barreling our way? I do!

I know, I know--some of you may actually enjoy arctic temps and
blizzard-like conditions because it means you can stay at home. For those readers who enjoy cuddling with a very special someone while stranded by a blizzard, you'll enjoy my Valentine's Day contemporary erotic tale Gifts Well Timed.

Click here for a hot excerpt with Trish and Patrick!

And for those who like a little less snow in their romance and a lot more vampires, how about a steamy excerpt from my latest story in the Kindred series?

Blood in Berlin
by Celine Chatillon
Book 3 in the Kindred vampire series
http://www.extasybooks.com/blood-in-berlin

    In 1938 London, the vampire Edwin Carstairs attracts the attention of British Military Intelligence. A Nazi scientist known as Madame V is creating super-vampire-soldiers in Berlin and must be stopped. Edwin accepts the mission, hoping to prevent another devastating world war. But what will he and his team do when Edwin’s lost love Ophelia Jones is discovered taking an eager part in experiments that risk the very survival of human and vampire-kind alike?


Excerpt: Edwin and his fellow infiltrators first learn of Madame V's unconventional techniques...


“You all will really enjoy what you'll see on this particular bank of sets.” Madame V sauntered over to three televisions lined in a row, manned by two assistants. “I hope they've worked on the lighting as I instructed.” She lowered her voice and chuckled softly. “Candlelight alone doesn't help with the image transmission, although it does help strike the proper mood.”

Edwin clenched his fists at her gloating. He knew what they were about to see.

“These cameras are located in the meeting hall of a nearby soldiers’ barracks where our mutual friend is enjoying her regular session with her subjects. Let’s watch and see what jolly fun she gets up to today.”

The technicians worked intensely on making images on the screens clearer and brighter, and Edwin’s suspicions were confirmed. He couldn’t take his gaze away from the screens and neither could the others. Each camera showed a different angle of an orgy of epic proportions. The hall was lit with tall, bright stage lights along with candelabra. Pale naked bodies writhed in ecstasy upon low couches and piles of black and red satin pillows. Male upon female, female upon male, male upon male... It appeared the shortage in balancing the sexes made no differences to the participants.

Then he saw her at last, his first love. Ophelia Jones—unclothed, uninhibited, unrestrained, and as always in the thick of things. Ophelia, clad only in a black leather corset, garter belt, and silk stockings, enthusiastically directed her charges into sharing their lust while slaking their thirst for blood. Hands stroked and massaged glistening flesh into play as cocks thrust wildly into cunts and anuses. Willing disciples licked come from their lips as newly created Kindred sank their fangs into yielding throats and soft groins.

Typical jack-booted thugs! Edwin noted how some soldiers enjoyed tying others to makeshift pillars and posts with leather collars and chains so they could feast freely upon the lifeforce while roughly taking carnal advantage of their lovers. Paddles and hands reddened buttocks. Dildos and whips and feathers, and all manner of sex-play, danced before the cameras, uncensored and unrehearsed.

Gasps and moans of those delirious with desire arose like a symphony from amplifier speakers. Veronique signaled for the human technicians to leave the room. She then turned up the volume and slipped a hand under her lab coat to stroke her nipples to sharp points. Dietrich groaned and shifted back and forth on his feet, hands in pockets. Klaus shifted his gaze from the screen and stole a glance at young Anna, desire for release evident. Edwin’s own stiffening cock couldn’t be denied...

[Blood in Berlin] really is a unique and excellent plot. I didn’t want to stop reading and could hardly put the book (Nook) down. To sum up this book, the plot and characters are fantastic. --Bella, To-Be-Read book reviews 

(Coming soon in the Kindred series: The Vampire Next Door)
 
Click the books and excerpts link up top to learn more about my erotic-romances. They are available in multiple e-formats from their publisher and at Amazon, All Romance eBooks and wherever fine ebooks are sold.

And now for the fun part--winning contest prizes! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below telling me how you like to keep warm on a cold winter's day to be entered in the Valentine's Day Gift Hop drawing for a Kindle Paperwhite and other adult goodies. I'm be giving away a free ebook to one lucky reader as well. If you haven't already "liked" me at Facebook or follow my blog or become my Twitter or Pinterest friend, then please do so now and I'll give you an extra ticket in my drawing. (Links on the right side bar.) Thank you.

Book Review: Three Hands in the Fountain

Three Hands in the Fountain by Lindsey Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Falco and his good friend Petro find a decaying hand in the local fountain and stumble into solving a good ol' fashioned mystery. Three Hands in the Fountain is a return to what I like best in the Falco series--street characters and action set in the city of Rome with a misogynistic serial killer on the loose who has to be found before he kills again. Falco discovering bits of women's bodies in the aqueducts and trying to work out the psyche of the killer gives the story a rather modern flair. About the only thing that slow the story's pacing are long descriptions of the Roman water supply system itself. (Agreed it was quite an achievement, but can we stick with the characters and their emotions a bit longer, please? I'm not a civil engineer!) Helena Justina makes only token appearances and one hopes her role increases in later stories as their child grows up. Still, Three Hands in the Fountain is an enjoyable read for fans of the series.

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Book Review: A Dying Light in Corduba

A Dying Light in Corduba by Lindsey Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We find Falco and his sweetheart Helena Justina right on the verge of parenthood in A Dying Light in Corduba, and somehow you know it's just not going to be easy for this pair. When Anacrites the Chief Spy is brutally attacked and another spy is killed, Falco finds himself going abroad to Spain to track down the culprits, discover a possible olive oil cartel, and check out the local Roman citizens who hold immense feelings of superiority. Falco wins the day eventually, but almost at the cost of his sanity and pregnant Helena's health. The setting and details in this installment are first rate, but whenever Falco leaves Rome the story pacing seems to suffer a bit, and the reader longs for the political intrigue and familiar characters at the palace and in the streets of the Aventine. Still, A Dying Light in Corduba is for the most part a fun read, and fans of the series will enjoy it.

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Book Review: The Light of Other Days

The Light of Other Days by Arthur C. Clarke

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This is a book that I really wanted to like--tried to like throughout the long slog of reading it. I've always been a big fan of Clarke since his Rendezvous with Rama and 2001 days, but alas I can't say I enjoyed reading The Light of Other Days quite as much. I realize Clarke wasn't the best with developing three-dimensional characters as he is with explaining esoteric science theories, but is it too much to expect at least one character in a novel of this scope be someone you can cheer on? The premise of the WormCam and exploring Earth's past and the social upheaval it causes is intriguing I'll admit. But when the reader is bombarded page after page of the authors' take on historical personalities and events with little attention given to the fact that on page one they've set a planet-killing asteroid directly into Earth's path... Well, your suspension of disbelief gets stretched a bit. You become irritated that you've been tricked into reading what could be equated as anti-religion propaganda and not a science fiction yarn. I expected something a bit better from these authors, frankly.



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