Nicky Peacock's Blog, page 22

Book Review: No Biz Like Showbiz by Julie Moffett

Synopsis:

Lexi Carmichael: Helping Geeks Everywhere Get Some Okay, so it’s not exactly as it seems, but that’s what is happening on the dating reality television show called “Geeks Get Some” that I, Lexi Carmichael geek extraordinaire, am called to work on. Not that I’m a fan of reality shows (I can barely deal with my own reality), yet I’ve been sent to Hollywood to find a hacker who’s screwing with the results of the show’s online voting system. So what happens when I get there? Well, the producers convince me to continue my investigation from the inside. What should be an easy hunt for the hacker turns ugly when he sets his sights on me. Add to that a studio obsessed with ratings, a bunch of nerdy contestants, and my own confusing love life, and unraveling this mystery might make me a star—or get me killed. Catch up with Lexi in No One Lives Twice, No One to Trust, No Money Down, No Place Like Rome!

 

 

Book Trailer: http://animoto.com/play/Uvjf5YdOcTrKr1qTkhdUwA

About the Author:

Julie Moffett is the award-winning author of thirteen published novels in the genres of historical, paranormal fantasy, and time travel romances, and action/adventure mysteries. She grew up as a military brat (Air Force) and has traveled extensively. Her more exciting exploits include attending Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, Japan, backpacking around Europe and Scandinavia for several months, a year-long college graduate study in Warsaw, Poland and a wonderful trip to Scotland and Ireland where she fell in love with castles, kilts and brogues. Julie has a B.A. in Political Science and Russian Language from Colorado College, a M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and is nearly finished with her M.Ed from Liberty University in Virginia. Able to speak Russian and Polish, she worked as a journalist for the international radio station, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Washington, D.C. for eleven years, publishing hundreds of articles. She now works as a proposal writer and research advisor for a defense contractor in the Washington, D.C. area. Julie has two sons who keep her quite busy. She belongs to Romance Writers of America and Washington Romance Writers where she served six years on the organization’s Board of Directors. She was also the Market News Columnist and Feature’s Editor for the organization’s monthly newsletter, Update, for eleven years. Website: www.juliemoffett.com Twitter: @JMoffettAuthor https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Moffett-Author/123804877633091 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/190485.Julie_Moffett

My Review:

I liked the idea of having a geek as a protagonist, more often than not they seemed to be renegaded to just being the be-spectacled friend for light comic relief. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that didn’t have a paranormal element, so it was lovely to read one that ‘kept it real’, but still managed to keep my attention.

From a writer’s perspective I do have a little niggle about the start of the book. Lexi clearly defines herself as a strong, intelligent lady and has a go at Hollywood movies who portray hackers as sexy men who save the world, but within the next few pages who turns up in her apartment, but the sexy hacker she’s obviously worked with before. She then asks him (almost shuffling feet around) ‘Do you love me?’ I mean really? Strong women don’t do that, they’re not embarrassed or coy – so I’d have preferred as a reader and writer to have seen a more consistent character right from the get go. That said, characters will often change through books depending on their character arc, but to flip flop within the first few pages at the start, almost stopped me reading – and I’d have really missed out if I had.

The front cover is great – very effective and matches the other books in the series – so great marketing and branding there.

Overall, I’d give ‘There’s no Biz Like ShowBiz’ 3 out of 5 stars – not my favourite recent read, but did a lovely job of making me read something other than paranormal. There’s is more to life and literature than the supernatural – or so I’m told!

Filed under: Book Review Tagged: No Biz Like Showbiz by Julie Moffett

Book Review: A Slither of Hope (Angel Sight #2) by Lisa M. Basso

Synopsis:

Rayna struggles to piece her life back together, but hiding in plain sight from the police, the SS Crazy, and the Fallen isn’t a foolproof plan—something Kade, the World’s Worst Roommate, reminds her of everyday. The late nights of failing to teach Ray how to protect herself against the Fallen are getting to Kade, changing him in ways he doesn’t like, and after a family emergency sends Ray back into Cam’s arms, Kade decides he’s had enough. News of Rayna’s resurfacing brings both angels and the Fallen to San Francisco by the dozens, all eyes scouring the city for the girl with the gray wings. Rayna will need both Kade and Cam’s help to ensure her family’s safety, navigate the new dangers and enemies springing up all over the city, and manage the surprises that arise with her new set of wings.

About the Author:

Lisa M. Basso was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She is a lover of books, video games, animals, and baking (not baking with animals though). As a child she would crawl into worlds of her own creation and get lost for hours. Her love for YA fiction started with a simple school reading assignment: S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. When not reading or writing she can usually be found at home with The Best Boyfriend that Ever Lived ™ and her two darling (and sometimes evil) cats, Kitties A and B. 

http://Lisa-Basso.blogspot.com

Goodreads

Twitter

My Review:

So, this is the 2nd book in the series, and I was thankfully given both by the publishers to review – phew! as you really do need to follow on with the story, these are not complete books in that sense. So I’ll review both together.

Firstly, the concept of Angels is an old one, but its just really starting to hit through on teen fiction. I’m a big fan of the Mortal Instruments series and the theme of good vs evil is a common one, that most readers can really get behind.

From a writer’s perspective, the main character was a little weak for my taste – The story and the character set-up is very Twilight-like (not a bad thing, as it’s the set-up for most teen paranormal books – even before Twilight!)  but there seemed to be nothing totally new in there. There was a love triangle, the main character was just wet enough to make her endearing but highly slap-able. There was the friend that should have been more, and the epic struggle of finding out that you’re not mad, just supernaturally inclined. The plot and pace was very good, and it did read very well, so definitely a talented author driving the book series forward, I’d just like to see something different in the third book, something outside of the normal teen read box…

The front covers of both books are great – they are well branded and attractive – and really do express the essence of the protagonist – so well done Month9 books for that!

Overall, I’d give both books 4 out 5 stars – a teen read that ticks all the boxes.

Filed under: Book Review Tagged: A Slither of Hope (Angel Sight #2) by Lisa M. Basso, Month9Books, paranormal romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Interview with Aimee Roseland

Tell us about your publishing journey…

I think I’m a classic KDP author. I ended up sneaking in through the second story window of the business after the front door was slammed in my face. Well, not slammed precisely, but gently closed with a form-letter rejection from my dream agent (Nooooooo!!!!!!) I’ve done wonderfully well on Amazon as a self-pub. In hindsight, this arena is far more level for writers than traditional publishing is. Now it’s become my first choice rather than the hail Mary it began as.

What do you love about being an author?

Having the story. I don’t want to come off as mystic or anything, but being an author is sort of like having this secret window into another world. You’re the only one who can see through it. The only one with the ability to share what you’re seeing with everyone else. The people, these absolutely incredible characters that deserve to be known, can only exist through you. Pretty heady stuff when you think about it.

If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?

Jack from The Plucker, by Brom. We would have pretend tea with thimbles and buttons…

If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?

Dong Hyun Kim as Lucien. He’s an MMA fighter who’s in incredible shape and looks entirely capable of kicking monster butt. And Shailene Woodley as Chloe. Because she’d be so absolutely perfect…

Vampires – do you prefer them as sexy leads or blood hungry monsters?

Sexy leads. I totally weirded my mom out back in the day when I watched the first Subspecies movie and told her that I liked vampires. I even thought Radu was hot in a grody sort of way. Lol! Can’t help it. Vamps are in my blood…

If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?

I wouldn’t go back, I’d go forward about a thousand years. I desperately want to see how all this turns out. If I could elect to be kept alive indefinitely, even as a head in a jar, I’d do it just to see. When do we get the flying cars? When will we make it against the law to pollute the environment? When will we prove that there’s life on other worlds? If the time machine ONLY went backward I’d probably go to the late eighteen-hundreds. They still had all the pretty clothes, but there was slightly more sanitation. Penny Dreadful has me absolutely enthralled with the eighteen-nineties, can’t wait for next season!

What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?

Don’t just try; do. Yoda was right. Trying is perceived effort. If feels like the best we can. But DOING is an action. It may feel pointless, a failure from the start, but doing is progress.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?

I would be a demon. Something powerful, without the moral expectation that other creatures are burdened with. I believe that demons are not necessarily instruments of evil so much as beings created from the opposing force, whatever that may be. Real evil, people that hurt those who are weaker than themselves, are all around us and would be easy prey for such a creature…

Where do you write best? 

At my desk, totally alone, in the quiet of the morning. Cup of coffee, internet browser off…perfect.

What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?

I read Kresley Cole’s MacRieve. I thought it was almost classic Kresley again. Unexpected, funny, shocking. She is my all time favorite author and her Immortals After Dark series is the best EVER. If you haven’t read A Hunger Like No Other, stop everything and do so now. I’ll wait.

If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?

I’d probably write children’s books. Laughter and hope are threaded through my stories pretty blatantly. I need an outlet for that compulsion or I’ll burst!

Where can fans find you online?

I’m a stalker rather than a sharer so I definitely won’t be found blasting updates for every little thing online. I have a Facebook author page and a Twitter account and blog. I also have a website with an email that I respond to daily. There’s nothing that I like more than connecting with fans of my work. I’m sure I have some bizzarro advice that might help an aspiring author kick over the hump as well. I love talking one-on-one, it’s just the impersonal social media offerings that I shy away from, I’m not called the Hermit on the Hill for nothing. But I am one-hundred percent present for personal emails from my peeps. Write me. I’m listening.


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fangirl_15&sprefix=fangi%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Afangirl_15
 http://www.aimeeroseland.com/

Filed under: Interviews with other authors Tagged: Aimee Roseland, fangirl_15, indie author

Interview with Micah Persell

Tell us about your publishing journey…

I was incredibly lucky:  I started Of Eternal Life, my first book, in the summer of 2011, and it was published by the summer of 2012.  Just one year from conception to being in readers’ hands.  I know not every author has such a story, and I hope I never take it for granted!

What do you love about being an author?

That moment I get an idea for a new story.  It’s the best feeling in the world, and it strikes at the most inopportune times.  That’s why I carry a journal on me always so when I’m at a party (or the grocery store), and the person I’m talking to relays a story that sets off an entire plot line in my head, I can sneak away and jot it down before I’ve lost it.

If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?

Very unoriginal, but I would have to choose Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.  She’s got the best personality of any character I’ve ever read!

If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?

For Of Eternal Life, I’ve always imagined City of Angels Meg Ryan as Abilene.  Eli is much, much harder to imagine.  I’ve actually never been able to picture any actor in his role!

Vampires – do you prefer them as sexy leads or blood hungry monsters?

I’m firmly in the “sexy lead” camp.  I’m a big ole chicken, and I never watch horror movies, so I would miss out on vampire awesomeness if they hadn’t crossed over into romance!

If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?

I like this era!  As a woman, I’d like to keep the right to vote and speak my mind and all of that good stuff that is stillbeing worked on currently.  I’m excited to see how the world is changing and the opportunities my daughter is going to have that I didn’t.

What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?

“Everything matters, but not that much.”  I had a professor in college who said this often, and it really stuck with me.  I sweat the small stuff way too much, and the big stuff?  Forget about it.  I’m a basket case.  This little phrase has helped immensely in the midst of many a freak-out.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?

I’ve always thought Tolkien’s take on elves was phenomenal and not one that has been replicated to his level since.  I’d love to be one of his elves.  And, of course, getting to hang with Legolas wouldn’t suck.

Where do you write best? 

It changes with every book, oddly enough.  Past answers have been home office, work during my lunch break, and right after my work day but before going home.  Right now for my current work-in-progress, it’s on my couch, bouncing my three-month-old in her bouncy chair with my foot, Supernatural on the TV with low volume.  Specific, I know–but it’s writing magic for some reason at this point of my life.

What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?

I got an early copy of Dark Skye by Kresley Cole, and, of course, it’s the best thing I’ve read, as are all of her books.  Love that woman.

If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?

I’ve written in paranormal and historical, and I have a very rough draft of a YA cooling its heels while I figure out how to fix its many flaws, so I don’t have many genres left inside of romance!  I suppose…contemporary? If I was going to break out of romance entirely, I’d love to attempt a really gritty mystery, but I have a feeling I don’t have the attention span to plot out intricate twists and turns.

Where can fans find you online?

My website is www.micahpersell.com, and on my “Contact” page, I have links to all of my social media homes.  Hope to see you there!
Filed under: Social Media Links Tagged: Elizabeth Bennet, Extraordinary Love Micah Persell (author touring), interview with author, Micah Persell

Interview with Jane Tara

Tell us about your publishing journey…

It’s been a long and interesting journey for me. I started as a playwright, and won a few awards, which got my plays published. Then I had some children’s picture books published. (To date I’ve had about two dozen published.) I wrote my first novel, Forecast while I was living in New York, and it was published by Dorchester. Over the years I’ve written for TV, magazines and newspapers. In 2009 I started my own boutique publishing company called Itchee Feet, which produces children’s travel books.

When Dorchester went bust, I got the rights to Forecast back and contacted Momentum. They republished Forecast, and have since published Trouble Brewing, The Happy Endings Book Club, and now Hamlet’s Ghost.

Momentum is a good fit for me. It really is about gaining momentum as a writer.

 What do you love about being an author?

I love the solitude. Or at least, I love it when I get it. In my house it’s rare.

I love those moments when I’m writing and I’m totally in the world I’m writing about. There are other times when I feel like I’m smacking my head against a wall, so it’s wonderful when it flows.

Another thing I love about being an author is hearing from readers. I love hearing that I’ve made someone smile.

If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?

Sei Shonagon who wrote The Pillow Book… and we’d eat Japanese food. I can’t imagine that she’d want to eat anything else. And she certainly wouldn’t approve of me being vegetarian, so sashimi and yakimono it is.

If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads? 

Forecast actually had a director attached at one stage, and I wrote the screenplay. I was really hoping for Isla Fisher and Shirley Maclaine to play Rowie and Gwendolyn. Unfortunately the project didn’t pan out.

I think Hamlet’s Ghost would be a fun romcom… Not sure who I’d cast however in my mind Kip looks suspiciously like David Gandy. Can he act?

Vampires – do you prefer them as sexy leads or blood hungry monsters?

Oh sexy leads, definitely.

If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?

I’d go back to the royal court in Heian Japan (794-1185). The world’s first novel, Tale of Genji was written during this time. There were many Heian women writers whose memoirs and diaries survive today. I’d love to hang out with Sei Shonagon, who was the lady-in-waiting to the Empress, and wrote a diary that was passed around the court for entertainment purposes. Her wit and strength and sharp observations astound me.

What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?

Learn how to meditate. I wish I’d understood the power of mindfulness from a young age. I now teach my sons. It’s a very powerful life tool.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?

A fairy. I’ve been waiting my whole life for my mother to tell me I’m part Fey. Maybe next year, on my birthday…

Where do you write best? 

Perched up on my bed.

What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?

I read non-fiction while I’m writing. I’ve just finished The Woman Who Changed Her Brain, by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, the women who started the Arrowsmith School for kids with dyslexia and learning issues. Incredible story and inspiring work.

If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?

Travel memoirs. I’m a traveller. I get restless living in one spot. I’ve lived in six countries, visited dozens more… I love being on the road. And I love reading travel memoirs. I plan to write one, one day.

Where can fans find you online?

janetara.com

https://www.facebook.com/Roadmancebooks?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/janetara

http://www.pinterest.com/roadmance/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1080134.Jane_Tara

http://momentumbooks.com.au/authors/jane-tara/

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Tara/e/B0039AK7SI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KID48C0

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hamlets-ghost-shakespeare/id881730385?mt=11

Filed under: Interviews with other authors Tagged: Ghosts, Hamlet's Ghost, Happy Endings Book Club, interview with author, Isla Fisher, Jane Tara, paranormal reads, Sei Shonagon, Shirley Maclaine, The Happy Endings Book Club, Trouble Brewing, vampires, witches

Interview with J K Coi

Tell us about your publishing journey…

Well, it’s a typical story I guess! It involves secret typing elfs who invaded my home in the middle of the night to write my first book, and a chance meeting with Brad Pitt who loved the story so much he vowed to see it in print, and crazy offers from all the publishing companies of millions of dollars, and diamonds, and private jets…oh wait…that was something else. *grin*

What do you love about being an author?

Well, I guess it’s no surprise that the best part is making stuff up!(see above)

If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?

I think maybe Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights because he’s so brooding and intense and I would love to be able to delve into his character. But I’m pretty sure I’d be too excited to eat anything. Maybe I’d just drink. Lots. :)

If your book was to be made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?

For the first book in my Immortals series, Immortal Duty, I’ve always pictured Clive Owen as Rhys—because he’s dark and rough around the edges, but with a killer accent and a bit of an air of mystery. Amy is more the girl next door type, with a perky personality but the ability to be really focused and intense. I think I like blonde Jennifer Lawrence for her part.

Vampires – do you prefer them as sexy leads or blood hungry monsters?

I’ll pretty much take vampires any way I can get them, LOL.

If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?

I love the idea of the flash and excitement of the roaring 20s, or the glamour of the 30s and 40s.

What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?

Don’t sweat the small stuff, and live everyday like it’s your last. They’re both really important to me. Life is so short, if all you do is worry about every little thing, you’ll burn out really quickly and have regrets.

If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?

Whichever one is the sexiest and lives forever.

Where do you write best?

In special chair in my living room when the house is empty and quiet. Too bad that doesn’t happen very often!

What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?

The last book I read was Holly Black’s Coldest Girl in Coldtown – and I thought it was awesome, I’m eagerly waiting for the next one!

If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?

I like writing paranormal and steampunk, but I’m also a huge fan of fantasy, horror, and YA. Mostly because I like variety in the things I read, so it stands to reason that I would get bored only writing in one genre too.

Where can fans find you online?

Thanks for having me!! I had a great time, and I love to hear from everyone.

www.jkcoi.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JKCoiAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jkcoi
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/jkcoi
Filed under: Interviews with other authors Tagged: author interview, Brad Pitt, Elloras Cave, Erotic Romance, J K Coi, paranormal romance

Book Review: Fangirl_15 by Aimee Roseland

Synopsis:

Chloe is in love with Lucien.

He’s enigmatic, compassionate, generous and intelligent. Likes classical music just as much as kicking ass and knows his way around a kitchen, though he’d never admit it. His Samurai swords are an extension of his personality and a lifetime of heartache has taught him to wield them unfailingly. He’s gorgeous yet humble and can’t see past his own scars. Lucien feels deeply for his chosen family and is absolutely worthy of love.

Sounds perfect, right?

The only problem is that Lucien is a character in a novel.

The Dark Riders is one of the bestselling paranormal romance series of all time, and it was destined to have eight installments, one for each of the brothers-in-arms. Lucien’s story was supposed to be book eight, where he’d finally find true love and live happily ever after. Except the writer died before his story was published. Worse yet, book seven was finished by some poser that thought killing off one of the main characters would bring a more modern twist to the finale.

Chloe is absolutely devastated by the news that one of her “friends” is dead and that the series is canceled. She has a quasi-nervous-breakdown at work and ends up falling asleep in the lounge. Her midnight escape from the locked office lands her in a deserted parking lot after hours where an unseen force has been waiting. Just. For. Her…

The devastating attack strands her in an alternate reality where the Dark Riders are real and the horrible ending created by the publisher hasn’t happened yet.

Chloe decides that she’s been brought there to fix all of the storylines, and tries her best to convince the monsters around her that she’s there to help. She ends up mangling their plots more often than not and now must race the waxing moon to find a way home before Lucien accidentally falls in love with her instead of his destined mate. The Fates are working against her as Chaos interferes and the truth about what really dragged her over threatens to destroy everything that Chloe holds dear.

About the Author: 

I was born and raised near Las Vegas, NV and grew up dreaming of rain. I also dreamt of heroes and villains and the women that inspired the best and worst in them.

It seemed like every book I read as a teen was a classic bodice-ripper. Wimpy-virgin-heroine always making bad choices and getting herself in trouble, cue the macho hero, yadda yadda yadda. Those books are what inspired me to write my own stories, not because I loved them, but because I constantly found myself tossing them aside and fuming. I would think of all the ways the story would have been better: if she had just picked up the sword and stabbed the bad guy when she had the chance…

I LOVE writing, and I love the new direction that fiction has taken over the last decade. So many amazing, strong female leads now! And so many new writers that finally have a voice in the indie publishing community.

I was blessed with a wonderful husband who supports my passion for writing and reading, and who really helped me focus my desire to publish my work. When I’m not busy enjoying my daughter and husband, I’m usually developing a new story idea, or sneaking in some time with my favorite authors.

I’m a bit of a hermit, they called it being “shy” when I was a kid, but I love hearing from fans. I also love ferrets, hiking, chili dark chocolate, strong coffee, nursing mamas, and rain.

http://www.aimeeroseland.com

My Review:

I’ve read a few books with this premise, a massive fan of a book series/ TV series is pulled into their world to cause havoc and fall in love with the character of her dreams. I read another one a while back that was so obviously based on Twilight that it was verging on copyright infringement, that one had the character dragged into this world, not the fan into the imaginary world though.

Fangirl_15 was actually a pretty good read, it was well plotted out and introduced some lovely characters and scenes. It was also very well written – which the other book I read, was not.

From a writer’s perspective I think that the story would have been better first person from Chloe’s point of view. As it was third limited, it kind repeated itself a lot, which did get annoying to read the same scene twice from two different perspectives. If keeping it third person, perhaps simply integrating the perspectives, rather than limiting, would have solved the problem.

The front cover is a bit of a let down. as it does nothing to capture the distinct urban fantasy vibe that the book has. This looks more like a thriller, which won’t do it any favours in the long run.

Overall, I’d give Fangirl_15 4 out 5 stars – definitely worth a read, as don’t we all want to get lost in our favourite books?

Filed under: Book Review Tagged: Aimee Roseland, book review, Chloe, fangirl_15, Fangirl_15 by Aimee Roseland, The Dark Riders, Urban Fantasy

Book Review: The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

Synopsis:

Wynter Atrialan, the Winter King, once lived in peace with his southern, Summerlander neighbors, but when Falcon, the prince of Summerlea, stole Wynter’s bride and murdered his young brother, Wynter vows vengeance. Calling upon a dangerous Wintercraig magic called the Ice Heart, he gathers his armies and marches against Summerlea, crushing their armies and spreading icy winter in his wake. After three long, bitter years of battle, Summerlea is defeated and Wynter comes to the heart of the kingdom to issue his terms for their surrender. The prince of Summerlea stole Wynter’s bride and slew Wynter’s Heir. He wants the loss replaced. The Ice Heart is consuming him. Wynter hopes holding his own child in his arms will rekindle the warmth of love and melt the Ice Heart before he becomes the monster of Wintercraig legend, the Ice King. The Summer King has three very precious daughters whom he loves dearly. Wynter will take one of them to wife. She will have one year to provide him with an Heir. If she fails, he will turn her out in the ice and snow of the mountains and claim another princess for his wife. And so it will continue until Wynter has his Heir or the Summer King is out of daughters. All the while, Wynter will enjoy the vengeance of knowing the Summer King will suffer each day without his beloved daughter(s), as Wynter suffers each day without his own beloved brother. The plan is perfect—except for one small detail. The Summer King has a fourth daughter. One of which he is not so fond. Blamed as a child for the death of her beloved mother, Khamsin Coruscate, the forgotten princess of Summerlea, has spent her life hidden from the world like an embarrassing secret. Dressed in cast-off gowns and left to her own devices, with only the determination of her loyal nursemaid to ensure she receives the education befitting an Heir to the Summer Throne, Khamsin haunts the abandoned towers and gardens of Summerlea’s royal palace, close to her beloved late mother’s treasures, and waits for the day her father will recognize her as a Princess of the Rose. But though she dreams of the valor and sacrifices of ancient Summerlea heroes and pines for paternal love that will never come, Khamsin is no sweet, gentle, helpless princess-in-a-tower. She is a fiercely passionate creature with a volatile, rebellious temper that is often as reckless and destructive as the dangerous forces of her weathergift, the power of storms. Together will their stormy personalities be able to meld or will their powers destroy not only their love but the whole world?

Add it to your Goodreads Shelf

 Available for purchase at Avon Romance Amazon  BN  Kobo

About the Author: 

C. L. WILSON grew up camping and waterskiing across America, from Cherry Creek reservoir in Denver, CO, to Lake Gaston on the border of Virginia and North Carolina, to Georgia’s Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona. When she wasn’t waterskiing and camping on family vacations, you could usually find her with a book in one hand and a sketch pad in the other—either reading, writing stories, or drawing. Sometime around the ninth grade, she decided she was better at drawing her pictures with words than paints and charcoals, and she set aside her sketchpad to focus entirely on writing. Wilson is active in Tampa Area Romance Authors (TARA), her local chapter of Romance Writers of America. When not engaged in writerly pursuits, she enjoys golfing, swimming, reading, playing video games with her children, and spending time with her friends and family. She is also an avid collector (her husband says pack rat!), and she’s the proud owner of an extensive collection of Dept. 56 Dickens and North Pole villages, unicorns, Lladro figurines, and mint condition comic books. Wilson currently resides with her husband, their three wonderful children, and their little black cat, Oreo, in a secluded ranch community less than thirty miles away from the crystalline waters and sugar-sand beaches of Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key on Florida’s gulf coast.

http://clwilson.com/

https://twitter.com/clwilsonbooks

https://www.facebook.com/clwilsonbooks

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1310735.C_L_Wilson

http://www.amazon.com/C.-L.-Wilson/e/B001JS38U6

My Review:

This book was a lovely escape into a romantic fantasy world; it was kind of like a cross between Game of Thrones and a historical romance. I loved the supernatural element and the set up between the two kingdoms was almost Shakespearean.

From a writer’s perspective, it was put together beautifully and built the world around the reader without effort or force. It felt almost fairytale like in its storytelling, and drew you in really quickly. My only criticism, and this is just me, is that the relationship did the typical romance to and fro – he deceives her, she lies to him, they hate each other (a little too much) he’s a bit of a brute, she’s a bit too precious… And I’d have liked to have seen a less tired romance formula used, as the rest of the book was original and enthralling.

The front cover is beautiful too – it really sets off both characters and will do really well on the virtual and physical book shelves alike.

Overall, I’d give The Winter King, 4 out of 5 stars – feeling like reality is getting you down? Then pick up this book and sink into an epic fantasy love story.

 

Filed under: Book Review Tagged: avon romance, Fantasy Romance, game of thrones, Summerlea, The Summer King, The Winter King C.L. Wilson

Book Review: Mary Hades by Sarah Dalton

Synopsis:

Not many seventeen year old girls have a best friend who’s a ghost, but then Mary Hades isn’t your average teenager. Scarred physically and mentally from a fire, her parents decide a holiday to an idyllic village in North Yorkshire will help her recover. Nestled in the middle of five moors, Mary expects to have a boring week stuck in a caravan with her parents. Little does she know, evil lurks in the campsite… Seth Lockwood—a local fairground worker with a dark secret—might be the key to uncovering the murky history that has blighted Nettleby. But Mary is drawn to him in a way that has her questioning her judgement. Helped by her dead best friend and a quirky gay Goth couple, Mary must stop the unusual deaths occurring in Nettleby. But can she prevent her heart from being broken? The first in a series of dark YA novels, Mary Hades follows on from the bestselling Kindle Single ‘My Daylight Monsters’. A spine-tingling tale with romance, readers will be shocked and entertained in equal measure.

About the Author:

Sarah grew up in the middle of nowhere in the countryside of Derbyshire and as a result has an over-active imagination. She has been an avid reader for most of her life, taking inspiration from the stories she read as a child, and the novels she devoured as an adult. Sarah mainly writes speculative fiction for a Young Adult audience and has had pieces of short fiction published in the Medulla Literary Review, PANK magazine, Apex Magazine and the British Fantasy Society publication Dark Horizons. Her short story ‘Vampires Wear Chanel’ is featured in the Wyvern Publication Fangtales. She is the author of the popular YA dystopia series ‘Blemished’ and the gothic novella ‘My Daylight Monsters’. She is currently working on a YA Fantasy series titled ‘White Hart’. Follow Sarah on twitter @sarahdalton

http://sarahdaltonbooks.com/

My Review:

I’ve read a couple of Sarah’s books before so was really looking forward to this book. Now, I have to add in here that this sounds like a 2nd book in the series – although it claims to the first on Goodreads. There’s a definitive ‘catch up’ in the first couple of pages that chart a book before this one – so not sure what happened there?

I’ve been drawn to ghost books ever since I was a little girl, and anything with a Six Sense vibe is fine by me. So the whole plot and concept was a winner in my mind.

From a writer’s perspective, the mystery part of the book wasn’t hard to work out – although to give it credit it is a YA read, so as an adult I was probably going to catch on sooner (one would hope!) rather than later. My only real gripe was that Mary was a bit boring, if she didn’t see ghosts, should would have been the kind of girl you’d dread sitting next to in class as boredom would have been sure to follow. Because of this, there is no real chemistry in the budding relationship with Seth and quite frankly I could feel myself siding with the vengeful ghost!

The front cover is lovely, very atmospheric and attractive – so should garner a decent amount of attention on the virtual book shelf.

Overall I’d give Mary Hades 3 out 5 stars – a pretty good read, written incredibly well, just wish the main character had been stronger.

Filed under: Book Review Tagged: ghost books, horror, Mary Hades#, Sarah Dalton, six sense, Teen reads, Ya Reads

Book Review: Zomburbia by Adam J. Gallardo

Synopsis:

“Scary, freaky, and original. Get this book!” -Nancy Holder Lifeless. Slow-moving. Brain-dead.

“Welcome To Zomburbia.”

My name is Courtney Hart, and I’m here to tell you about things that suck. Being born in a podunk town like Salem, Oregon, for one. Living in a world infested with zombies? That, too. And the meat heads I go to school with? I think I’d actually take the undead over them most days. But I have a plan to get out of here and move to New York. I just have to keep selling Vitamin Z along with your fries at The Bully Burger. The secret ingredient? Zombie brains.

I’ve noticed things are getting even worse lately, if that’s even possible. The zombies seem to be getting smarter and faster. If I can avoid being arrested, eaten by shufflers, or catching the eye of some stupid boy, I should be able to make it through finals week still breathing. . .

“Gallardo’s world-building is innovative and fascinating, sick and twisted and unexpectedly touching. You’ll want to check that your zombie apocalypse closet is well stocked.” -Molly Harper White

“Readers are guaranteed plenty of mayhem and romance, laughter and heartbreak.” -James Patrick Kelly

My Review:

Looking at the front cover, this looks like an amazing zombie book.  However, instead of it being the full on horror it promises, its more of a teen angst set against an undead back-drop.  If you like those types of books, you’ll love this – it lends itself very much to a teen readership, but as an adult I really expected more, so I was kind of disappointment.

From a writer’s perspective, it was written very well and was well thought-out, but (here’s that big ‘but’ again!) the very start of the book is kind of boring and introduces our protagonist as a whiny teenager, drama-cising her way through the shuffling zombie outbreak. I would have much rather had a Katniss style character that you can get behind that kicks butt and take things seriously – one you actually want to survive.

Also, there’s not much promotion from the author online. I usually include a bio and photo from Goodreads on my reviews, but alas the author is currently an absent blank on there.  that really needs to change. Authors live and die by social media these days and, as the book is available for review now, he should really include his details on Goodreads and Amazon – at the very least.

The front cover is amazing, so two undead thumbs up to whoever put it together – it’ll no doubt get some attention on the virtual book shelf.

Overall, I’d give Zomburbia 2 out 5 stars for adult readers, 3.5 out of 5 for teens – it’s kind of ‘Clueless’ with zombies.

Filed under: Social Media Links Tagged: Courtney Hart, drama teens, Kensington Books, Teen reads, Ya Reads, zombie apocalypse, zombies, Zomburbia by Adam J. Gallardo