R.K. Summers's Blog, page 6
May 3, 2014
Bandit Book Bloggers: Felinity, an Anthology by Kristell Ink
FELINITY, AN ANTHOLOGY
by
KRISTELL INK
Felinity, noun, plural fel-in-ities. 1. The quality of being cat-like. 2. A divine being, a cat.
Grimbold Books is proud to present our first Kristell Inkling, a collection of feline inspired flash fiction stories written by authors from all around the world.
This collection celebrates what we regard as the most important factor when writing: write foremost for pleasure. The stories showcased in this book are full of laughter, grit, odd contraptions and a lot of fur, with a loud purring nod to our beloved genres of science fiction and fantasy.
From A.F.E Smith’s unique twist on Schrödinger’s cat, to Joel Cornah’s world-jumping old queen, from Clare Neilson’s steampunk creation to Tina Closser’s dragon fighting dreaming kitty, these alternate feline worlds are bound to delight sci fi/fantasy readers and cat lovers alike.
PURCHASE LINKS for FELINITY, AN ANTHOLOGY
INTERVIEW WITH JOEL CORNAH
JOEL CORNAH hailing from a small isolated village in Lancashire, is the author responsible for The Sea-Stone Sword. He was awarded a degree in Creative Writing from Liverpool John Moors University and spent seven years writing a comical newspaper for The Barrow Downs Tolkien discussion forum. Accompanying this paper was a comic strip series called The Phantom and Alien, a bizarre story of bus drivers, dead people, and a slime child bent on inconveniencing everyone around him.
Hi Joel! Nice to chat to you. So, first things first, tell me a little bit about your short story. A spoiler-free version, if you please.
A cat as old as time itself, who can jump from world to world, faces the ultimate decision of her life. She’s been to ancient Egypt, to the edge of the universe, and has done things that most humans couldn’t even dream of. But her great choice could put an end to all of that.
It’s a pretty cool cover, who came up with that?
Hazel Butler, a wonderful artist who I happened to meet the other week at a book signing. She’s cool. She’s also drawing the map to my novel, The Sea-Stone Sword. I keep saying ‘more trees!’ and I think she wants to put me on a tree-free diet! Spoil sport!
*chuckles* I read that you’re a Tolkien fan. Does his work inspire you when you’re writing?
If you’re writing fantasy it’s hard to avoid JRRT. I’ve grown up with an online community of Tolkien fans and discussing and rereading his work a million times has definitely rubbed off on me. From obscure discussions about the linage of the Feanorians, to wether Balrogs have wings, it all builds your understanding of how to make an imaginary world that bit more deep and intriguing. Well, I hope so, anyway.
I’m guessing you’re a fan of cats. Do you own any?
Not now, but I used to. His name was Sammie and he was very fond of sitting on laptops.
Did Sammie inspire your story in any way?
Sammie was a one-eyed cat who was very, very old. We found him already living at our house when we first moved in. In the shed besides the house, anyway. He was sat there next to a brush with the name ‘Sam’ written on it, and that’s how he got his name. We nicknamed him Marcel, too, because he would jump up at the glass patio doors and paw along it like a mime artist trapped in a box.
We lost Sammie back in 2006, and ever since I’ve wanted to remember him in some way. I hope this story does his memory justice.
When it comes to writing, do you prefer to plan ahead or do you just write and write and write until you pass out? We won’t judge, don’t worry.
I tend to work in character arcs. I know roughly the kind of personal journey each character needs to go on and I build around a central theme. There are major events I try and steer them towards, but they don’t always get there. And that’s okay, if a character isn’t ready for that big confrontation, the trip into a volcano, or a meeting with a wizard, then they go to where they need to be at that time.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been telling stories since I was very young. I’ve had siblings all my life and we entertained ourselves with games and tales. Most of these revolved around a troupe of toy dinosaurs, penguins, dragons and bears who all had very odd adventures. I enjoyed writing stories in school, but was diagnosed with dyslexia at around 6 or 7 and felt distinctly discouraged from pursuing writing as a vocation.
It wasn’t until I was leaving collage that I realised that it was still very much what I wanted to do. So I wrote and wrote as if to make up for lost time. It’s been about eight years or so since I first wrote a complete book – a dreadful monstrosity called ‘The Dinosaur Prince’ which ended up being nearly 200,000 words long.
I think I’ve calmed down since then.
Phew, quite the feat for an eight-year-old! So do you write full time or part time?
Part time, I’m afraid. I have a day job that takes me away from it.
And when you’re not writing, what keeps you busy?
I manage a café in the village where I live, Parbold. But, aside from that I am also kept busy by all the Doctor Who memorabilia I have acquired over the years. (Aha! A Whovian!) I think I have a problem. But sometimes a new Peter Davison action figure comes out and he’s got a new hat and I just have to have it!
What book/books are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading God’s War by Kameron Hurley. It’s science fiction and is pretty kick ass. Also reading The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter at last! It’s been on my to-do list for a while.
And lastly, most importantly, do you prefer unicorns or waffles?
I am an animal lover, but I hear unicorns can be dangerous. So, I might go with the waffles. As long as they are potato waffles. I love those things. Good source of protein.
He’s clever, this one. We’ll let him stick around for a while.
Blessed be, my lovely pixies
RK )O(
April 12, 2014
Bandit Book Bloggers: IN THE SHADOWS: AN OUTSIDERS MYSTERY, SUSAN FINLAY
IN THE SHADOWS: AN OUTSIDERS MYSTERY
by
SUSAN FINLAY
There is a stranger amongst the residents of the cave-riddled village of Reynier, France. Suspicious, they believe there’s only one reason Maurelle Dupre would be lurking in their small village—she’s a gypsy, a thief. But a former Chicago detective turned mystery author, Dave Martin, who happens to be visiting his French grandmother, isn’t so sure about the beautiful stranger when happenstance causes them to meet. He wonders why she seems so frightened and distrustful. He knows he shouldn’t get involved. The last time he trusted a woman in distress, the consequences resulted in the loss of his detective’s shield and his wife. But, as always, the detective in him can’t seem to leave well enough alone.
However, what Dave couldn’t know is how persuading Maurelle to reveal herself will ultimately unveil something far worse than mere theft.
In the Shadows is a story of trust, belonging, and murder.
PURCHASE LINKS for IN THE SHADOWS: AN OUTSIDERS MYSTERY
April 6, 2014
Why RK hates writing prophecies
And other assorted “fate” related chapters.
(Just FYI, this post will mostly be a rant, rather than an actual post)
I’ve always hated the idea of my characters doing something because “fate” or “destiny” says so. For me, reading the words “The Chosen One” or “destined to” are massive turn offs if I’m reading something that had previously been interesting. Case in point, Harry Potter.
Calm down, I’m not about to badmouth the Boy Who Lived…
Yes, I loved the books. The films were… okay. The games were just plain weird. But yes, as soon as I read the words “the Chosen One”, my heart sank. It’s not that it’s a bad concept or anything, it just irritates the hell out of me when something that has previously had no mention of deity or higher power suddenly has a plot device in which the main character has been chosen by aforementioned Higher Power to achieve greatness.
In Harry Potter for example, who exactly was it that “chose” Harry? Wizard God? Merlin himself?
Don’t get me wrong, I love this franchise. I loved it so much, I glossed over the Chosen One business and it became one of my biggest fandoms.
However, like all ranting madwomen, I’m a massive hypocrite. I’m guilty of this little plot point… in the original, and in the sequel. Which is currently in progress, more on that later. In The Old Ways, Thomas is chosen by the Old Gods to– well, spoilers. But still…
And in the sequel, I broke my biggest rule of “never include a seer or a prophecy”, and included both. The Keeper of Lore, a past-keeping, present-watching, future-seeing, general know-it-all thorn in my side with a massive tome in her lap. And what do you know, she comes complete with her own flavour of mysticism and a prophecy that, thankfully, doesn’t rhyme. I couldn’t get the wording right.
And although I don’t seem that happy with her, I’ve been planning her for ages. I think I’m just bitter because I had to prise apart two chapters and stick hers in the middle, which means I had to go into every subsequent chapter and insert references to her, and memories, and foreshadowing, and… gugh, I’m going to go pass out…
Blessed be, my darling pixies.
)O( RK
March 16, 2014
The World As Seen By RK, aka, 10 things you didn’t know about me
I haven’t got much to say right now. I’ve had the flu for a week, so I’m going to do a special blog post that gives you ten facts about me, instead of doing something constructive *evil laugh*
1) I hate spiders. Seriously, with a burning passion. Last night, whilst watching I, Frankenstein (a strange movie, by the way. Basically just watch Underworld and replace the vampires with gargoyles and the werewolves with demons and you can say you’ve seen it), a huge ugly garden spider started crawling across the floor. We paused the movie and got rid of the spider. Ten minutes later, and EVEN BIGGER SPIDER appeared, closer to me this time. And when we paused the movie to catch it, holy crap did that spider run for its life… and that’s why I don’t like spiders.
2) For as much as I love dragons, I can’t stand the movie Reign of Fire. It’s just silly. Now Dragonheart, that’s another story altogether…
3) I’m an RPG player. I adore Elder Scrolls, and I love Dragon Age. I’m so excited for Inquisition to be released later this year, and despite everyone screaming that they can’t wait to play as a Qunari/Kossith, I’m sticking to what I know and love and I’m making my Inquisitor a Dalish elf. Or any elf, really. She doesn’t have to be Dalish. Okay, I’ll stop now, sorry…
4) I still sleep with a teddy bear. Yes, I’m twenty-four years old. Don’t judge me. His name is Bunnykins. No, he’s not a bunny. He’s a bear. He’s called Bunnykins because he’s wearing bunny slippers. He used to have glow-in-the-dark clouds and moons and stars on his pajamas, but now he’s so old, they’ve worn away.
5) I was named after two famous literary characters. Both fantastically bitchy women who refuse to be forgotten or dominated by men. Also, in my day-to-day life, I go by my middle name, which makes for a great Rumpelstiltskin-like game in which I get people to guess what my first name really is. Just… without the whole “I’m taking your first-born child if you can’t guess my name” thing…
I also really love Once Upon A Time…
6) My favourite movie of all time is The Princess Bride. I once let my friend borrow the DVD and I didn’t see it again for two years. I just feel like it has everything that makes a movie great. It has action, romance, comedy, suspense, fantasy, unforgettable characters, I just love everything about it. And even though I could probably recite the whole thing by heart, I would watch it again at any moment.
7) I love hats. Winter, summer, any time, I love hats. Big ones, little ones, fluffy ones, sensible ones. The only hat I hate wearing is a cap. Despite having a “head for hats”, as my mother says, I don’t suit caps. Weird, isn’t it?
8) I find Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch to be two of the most attractive men on the entire planet. I truly believe I have some strange thing for sharp cheekbones and long legs. Seriously, those guys are like six-feet-tall or something. It’s also the reason I watched War Horse. I knew I could never watch a movie about a horse without sobbing like a child, but when I discovered those two were in it? Well… you can imagine what happened on my way to the cinema…
9) I’m disgustingly sarcastic in my everyday life. Not much else I can say about this one, other than I think there should be a sarcasm font.
10) Neil Gaiman is one of my favourite authors. In fact… no, he’s my favourite author. Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, and American Gods are my three favourite novels by him, and I’d love to meet him one day, shake his hand, and say “THANK YOU FOR BEING AWESOME”. In a totally uncreepy way, of course.
February 28, 2014
Bandit Book Bloggers: ACTS OF VIOLENCE, ROSS HARRISON
ACTS OF VIOLENCE
by
ROSS HARRISON
(WARNING: ADULT CONTENT)
My name’s Jack Mason. I made a mistake. Took home the wrong girl. Now she’s dead. Cut up. And they’re telling me I did it.
It’s the same cop that tried to take me down ten years ago. Now he’s coming at me hard. And he’s not the only one. Cole Webster, the city’s crime lord, thinks I stole from him. Broke me out of custody just to ask me about it. Then I killed his son. Now he really wants me.
Add to this equation a government agent, and I’m a real popular guy right now. Pretty much everyone I meet wants me dead, lawfully or otherwise. There’s nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. I’ve got till morning to uncover Webster’s trafficking operation and take the heat off me. And all I’ve got to go on is a pissed off homeless girl with a thirst for revenge.
Guess it could be worse. Can’t quite figure how.
PURCHASE LINKS for ACTS OF VIOLENCE
February 15, 2014
Happy Valentine’s Day!
… oh, I’m a day late… rats.
Oh well, I had a nice day. Aside from the whole “being at work” thing. Although one guy brought in Krispy Kreme donuts for all the girls, and I swear I’m never going to eat anything ever again aside from Strawberry Glaze. My sugar-loving faerie-self was screaming in delight.
And then there was the lovely evening spent with Loki Loki Loki Thor, and the Avengers. And Loki.
*cough*
At present, my dad is shuffling around in the loft above my head with a million-candle torch. The intent was to find what was rattling around up there every night, (I suggested it was a trapped dragon), however, since entering the magical Narnia up there, we’re just getting distracted by my old things from childhood. There are many Teddy Ruxpin stories up there, and a few Disney ones, and even a short poem “Why God Loves Little Girls”.
Yeah. Uhm. *cough*
I’m just gonna go frolic with the Goddess, the Green Man, and Pan now.
Oh, and there’s my old gypsy costume, complete with tambourine… ahh, even as a child, I was a wildflower.
Oooh, my several hundred cuddly cats. I’ve obviously never changed.
AND HE’S JUST FOUND THE ACTUAL TEDDY RUXPIN!!! (Yes, you are getting a play-by-play of what we’re finding in the loft) AH I’M SO EXCITED! AND THERE ARE THE TAPES! *squee!!*
*ahem* sorry… dignity restored.
I suppose I should talk about what’s actually happening in RK-the-author world, instead of RK-the-squealing-reminiscing-big-kid world. Tomorrow, my best friend Tatome is going to help me out with my author photo, which I’ll add to this page, and then we’re going to be posh old ladies and have afternoon tea at Lumley Castle. Also, her fiancé is kind enough to help me make this blog a lot cooler-looking.
^-^ HAIL TO THE AWESOME COUPLE!
Blessed be, my little pixies
RK )O(
January 30, 2014
What 2013 Taught Me
I had something of a philosophical moment when I was in the bath. My toes were playing with the chain attached to the plug and my mind wandered.
2013 taught me a lot of things. It was probably the biggest year of my life. A lot of things happened, a lot of things didn’t happen which almost did, and even more things didn’t even come close to happening.
In 2013, I learned that first impressions are not always correct, and the person you think you can’t stand, becomes a good friend and powerful ally.
I learned that, despite Disney’s incessant insisting, a woman can finally reach her dream without needing a man to help her along the way.
I learned that people are hard, and cruel, and unfair. But people are also good, and kind, and loving. One just needs to distinguish which ones are which.
I learned that being so close to dying doesn’t actually change the way you live your life. If anything, it just makes you appreciate the way you’ve lived up until now.
On a related note, I learned that when I don’t want to eat a cinnamon swirl, something is terribly wrong with me.
I learned that, to some people, money is more important that family, that those are the people I don’t need in my life.
I probably learned a lot more than this, but my brain is full of Spiral Dance and I haven’t had coffee in over nine hours… NINE hours. I don’t even know how I’m still functioning.
Most importantly, 2013 was the year in which my manuscript was accepted for publication, after almost seventeen years of waiting. That moment where I hold my novel in my hands for the first time, smell its paper, thumb through its pages, see the names of my characters printed and bound… it would be indescribable.
To make up for my lack of articulation, here are two adorable wolf cubs.
D’awwww, look at those cute widdle smooshy faces! *pouts*
… *cough*
Blessed be,
RK )O(
January 26, 2014
Bandit Book Bloggers: ARTIFICIAL ABSOLUTES, MARY FAN
ARTIFICIAL ABSOLUTES
by
MARY FAN
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Release Date: February 25, 2013
Genre: Science Fiction (Space Opera/Cyberpunk/New Adult)
Jane Colt is just another recent college grad working as an Interstellar Confederation office drone—until the day she witnesses her best friend, Adam, kidnapped by a mysterious criminal. An extensive cover-up thwarts her efforts to report the crime, shaking her trust in the authorities. Only her older brother, Devin, believes her account.
Devin hopes to leave behind his violent past and find peace in a marriage to the woman he loves. That hope shatters when he discovers a shocking secret that causes him to be framed for murder.
With little more than a cocky attitude, Jane leaves everything she knows to flee with Devin, racing through the most lawless corners of the galaxy as she searches for Adam and proof of her brother’s innocence. Her journey uncovers truths about both of them, leading her to wonder just how much she doesn’t know about the people she loves.
PURCHASE LINKS for ARTIFICIAL ABSOLUTES
January 23, 2014
Sadness, Victory, and Fantasy
Sadness:
The Fae Nation website has come to an end 
Tangle is hanging up her wings and bidding us a a fond faerywell farewell. That was a typo, I swear.
Luckily, the magic continues on Woodland Wild, and the Fae Nation archive is staying active for a little while yet. I love Fae Nation, one of my poems was published there. Good old Tatty Hex, she was a good woman. Still is, really. We haven’t spoken in a while.
Victory:
Briefly, 20 retailers have boycotted the selling of angora products. More bunnies are safe! Sign the petition here. WARNING: if you hate seeing animal cruelty, close your eyes and scroll right to the bottom to pass the pictures and the video of the poor bunnies. It’s a horrible, soul-wrenching sight.
Fantasy:
Onto happier times, several great tv shows are starting up again in the next few months. If you want to keep track of when things start again, here’s the list of the most popular ones that I get asked about. Apparently people think I’m some sort of Mystic Meg that holds answers to all things nerdy. If I’ve missed anything, let me know, and I’ll find out.
Once Upon A Time – 09/03/14
Game of Thrones – 06/04/14
The Walking Dead – 09/02/14
Once Upon A Time in Wonderland – 06/03/14
Sherlock – Hinted but not promised Christmas 2014
Doctor Who – Autumn 2014
Falling Skies – Summer 2014
True Blood – Suspected June 2014
Under the Dome – Suspected June 2014
PS, I don’t watch all of these, but I’ve got friends who do. Enjoy and mark your calendars.
Blessed be
RK )O(
January 9, 2014
Bandit Book Bloggers: THE BINDING, SAM DOGRA
THE BINDING (Chronicles of Azaria #1)
by
SAM DOGRA
What do you do when you can’t trust your heart?
All seventeen year-old Eliza Bryant wants is to avoid a Binding— the ancient spell that forces couples into a lifelong bond. It cursed her sister, and for the last two years it’s tried to claim her, too. Her monthly hiding ritual worked brilliantly, until the night she ran into Ryan, a mysterious bounty-hunter. Now Bound to him, Eliza must spend every moment at his side, else she’ll transform into an Unbound; a lifeless husk without mind or soul.
Unfortunately, Ryan’s not looking to settle, and Eliza is dragged into his crazy life on the run. Still, she’s not going to take this lying down. Between grappling with the false feelings conjured by the spell and fleeing an unseen enemy, she plans to find a way to break her Binding; a feat nobody’s achieved in two thousand years. The key to her freedom lies closer than she thinks, and it’s deeply connected to Ryan’s past.
REVIEWS
What an interesting concept, just seeing someone by chance and then provided the timing is right, you find yourself bound to them forever. Sounds a bit like a “love at first sight” only the two people have no choice in the matter due to a “Binding Curse.” Eliza hoping to outwit the curse escaped into the forest only to be thwarted by a wild bear so was it fate or circumstance? I liked Eliza though I sometimes felt that honesty would have been the best policy. I did understand why she was reluctant to own up to the binding as she barely knew Ryan.
Ryan was actually a good guy and he seemed genuine though he was on the run himself and had secrets of his own that he was keeping from her. Desperate to hide the truth from her family, she flees her home with Ryan making up a sordid past for herself. A love triangle of sorts ensues when her childhood friend Adam finds out about the binding as he yearns for something more and sets out to find her.
When all the secrets have been revealed, will Eliza be able to distinguish how she really feels. If there is a chance that the curse can be reversed, who would Eliza pick if she was free to choose? Her childhood friend Adam that she shares a history with or Ryan who claims to love her now despite his binding to another. I can’t wait to read the next book to find out more about this triangle and will true love eventually prevail? – Nereid, Amazon
4.5 Stars. This exciting tale for New Adult/Older YA crosses genres making it difficult to categorise in any one area. Set in another world it has elements of sci-fi, fantasy and a just touch of steampunk. The characters are magnetic and quickly draw you into this exciting world where curses and magic become real. This passionate tale becomes unstoppable leaving you devastated that the second instalment is yet to be published – not a cliff-hanger, just totally addictive writing. – Tracie, Goodreads
Awesome! Can’t wait for the next one!!! – Molly Bonville, Goodreads
The Binding, by Sam Dogra, is an excellent read, with superb settings and characterisation. I really cared what happened to the main protagonist and the first person point of view, really helped me to become immersed in the story. Only one minor criticism. The, use of the word “to” instead of “at”. For example: “Ryan looked to the moon”, or “I looked to my lap”. This jarred me a little, but apart from this nitpick, this is an almost perfect story and one readers of all ages will enjoy. Highly recommended. –Kate Jack, Amazon
PURCHASE LINKS for THE BINDING
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sam Dogra is a junior doctor working in the UK, and is currently training to become a General Practitioner. Between reviewing drug charts and X-rays, taking blood, saving lives and getting grilled by consultants, she also writes fantasy fiction and is a fantasy artist. She has co-written ‘Fated: A Timeless Series Companion Novel’ with author Lisa Wiedmeier, and has also published her first novel The Binding, and its sequel, The Parting, with a third book in progress.
She’s widely traveled, and has enjoyed her visits to France, Germany, Norway, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Rhodes, Turkey, Cyprus, Lesvos, India, Dubai, Australia, Canada and Idaho, Washington, New York, Seattle and Alaska, USA. Her other main interest is fantasy art.
In what little spare time she has, Sam also enjoys reading, baking, shopping, watching movies and anime, astrology, video games, collecting cuddly toy animals, and photography.
LINKS
Blessed be
RK )O(
