Caron Rider's Blog, page 13

March 26, 2012

El Rey: A Novel of Renaissance Iberia by Ginger Myrick

I have an award winner today! Check it out:

[image error]DESCRIPTION:
Winner of the Rosetta Literary Contest 2012 from a field of worldwide submissions, the soul-stirring short story, "The Converso: A Tale From Renaissance Iberia", was adapted from a chapter in this stunning work of historical fiction by Ginger Myrick. Written in the the tradition of classic period romance from such authors as the Bronte sisters, Anya Seton, and Jean Plaidy, and set against the backdrop of 16th century Portugal and Spain at the dawn of the dynamic Age of Exploration, EL REY boasts an inspiring cast of courageous characters that will touch your heart and capture your imagination. At its core is the turbulent love story between Inez García and El Rey.

Inez is the outspoken, independent daughter of a wealthy merchant who fled the Spanish Inquisition and a domineering mother of English noble stock with secrets of her own. At a dinner party in his honor, she falls in love with El Rey, a dashing, charismatic sea captain with a golden voice who has spent his life expanding the Portuguese empire. He is nephew of the King of Portugal with blood ties to the illustrious royal houses of Castile's Queen Isabella and England's King Henry VIII.

Inez and El Rey strike up an immediate friendship and discover that they have much in common. Inez has spent her childhood in the shadow of her beautiful elder sister, Serafina, so when El Rey befriends her based on her own merits, she vows that she will never love another. Captivated by her spirited charm and mesmerized by her bewitching silver and gold eyes, El Rey promises to one day return and ask for Inez's hand in marriage. Though misfortune, class prejudice, and El Rey's foolish pride conspire to keep them apart, life's disappointments only make Inez more determined to seek out the elusive happiness in which she has never stopped believing.

But it is much, much more than just a love story.

EL REY is a sweeping family saga worthy of Colleen McCullough or James Michener. Interwoven in the main body of the work are four meticulously researched narratives representative of the time. Spanning three continents and two centuries in the history of the warring kingdoms of medieval Portugal and Castile, the vignettes chronicle the heroic struggles of three families to overcome racial discrimination, murder, plague, war, and the Spanish Inquisition. Filled with food and travel, and tempered with humor, tenderness, and tragedy, this intriguing story tells the timeless tale of the triumph of true love and the resilience of the human spirit.

EL REY has something in it for everyone. You will laugh, and you will cry. No one who reads this book will remain unaffected.

BIO:
Ginger Myrick was born and raised in Southern California. She is a self-described wife, mother, animal lover, and avid reader and knitter. Along with the promotion for EL REY, she is currently crafting her second novel, which takes place during the U.S. Civil War. She is a Christian who writes meticulously researched historical fiction with a 'clean' love story at the core. She hopes to persevere with her newfound talent and show the reading community that a romance need not include graphic details to convey deep love and passion. Although having researched, written, and self-published her first novel, EL REY: A NOVEL OF RENAISSANCE IBERIA, in just under two years, she still does not consider herself a writer.
LINKS:
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/El-Rey-Renaissance-Iberia-ebook/dp/B006C9ZW2E/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1
GOODREADS AUTHOR PROFILE: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5352678.Ginger_Myrick
AUTHORSDEN PROFILE: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=160551
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Published on March 26, 2012 19:08

March 25, 2012

How do you write?

I don't know how you write, but I knock something out and then go back through and add, add, add and modify! It drives my editor crazy! Mmwahahaha! :)

So give me some comment luv and tell me the method to your madness! How do you write?
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Published on March 25, 2012 05:45

March 24, 2012

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Meghan for winning a copy of Silver Knight!
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Published on March 24, 2012 18:43

March 22, 2012

The Forgotten Isle by Lynda Engler

Hey, This looks like a really good one for middle graders! Check it out:

Description:
Even Legends Were Kids Once. Before Arthur was King, the legendary Ruler of Britain, before the Round Table, before Lancelot and Guineverea, Arthur finds himself magically transported back to 2200 BC, the Bronze Age. An evil power has entered the realm and Finias is under attack. The people are being hurt and killed, and the villagers flee from the demon power. Kaylee, the Earth Mother, is sworn to protect her people, but she has run out of ideas. So she reaches 2700 years into the future and transports young Arthur of the Britons to her. Someday Arthur will unite all of England and be King, but right now heas only 12. Does he have the knowledge and power needed to save her people?

 5 Star Review:
"Magical incantations mixed with historical facts, make this book a unique blend and a truly entertaining read." -John Visconti

Lynda Engler's Bio:

I grew up in New Jersey, spent 22 years in Connecticut and now make Vermont my home. I live in the scenic northern part of the state with my husband, children, and one ADD yellow lab (ADD=Attention Deficit Dog).

After a long career working with books - first as a buyer for a national retail book chain, then as a production associate publishing leather-bound classic books, I decided to use my creative energy to actually write some books! My kids were a great inspiration.

I wrote my first book, The Forgotten Isle, in 2003, and then started many projects, and never finished any of them. I finally finished and published The Forgotten Isle with illustrations by Noa Chaikin in 2011.

The concept for "Out of E...moreI grew up in New Jersey, spent 22 years in Connecticut and now make Vermont my home. I live in the scenic northern part of the state with my husband, children, and one ADD yellow lab (ADD=Attention Deficit Dog).

After a long career working with books - first as a buyer for a national retail book chain, then as a production associate publishing leather-bound classic books, I decided to use my creative energy to actually write some books! My kids were a great inspiration.

I wrote my first book, The Forgotten Isle, in 2003, and then started many projects, and never finished any of them. I finally finished and published The Forgotten Isle with illustrations by Noa Chaikin in 2011.

The concept for "Out of Ewr" has been around since about 2005, and the three novels have been floating around in my head since then. I'm working on getting them on paper now. The first novel is in it's final rewrite (hopefully!) and the second one, Into the Yellow Zone" is being co-written simultaneously.

Eventually I'll get them all done, and get back to my other projects, including The Lost City of Troy, a sequel to The Forgotten Isle, and My Summer Dad.

I currently belong to a Writer's Group in northern Vermont, and I'd like to thank them all for their invaluable critiques. I wouldn't know what to do without them! And my sincerest thanks go to my best friend/editor/co-writer/bounce-off-the-wall-all-things-important-and-not-important (I'm not sure exactly what to call him) but I couldn't do any of this without him, Henry.

Links:
Website: http://www.lyndaengler.com
Twitter: lynda_engler
Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/539...
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/lyndaengler
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Published on March 22, 2012 18:02

March 19, 2012

Teenagers by Samantha Steele

Today I'm featuring Teenagers by Samantha Steele. She began publishing her work when she was in high school! And now has several novels under her belt. Let's show her some love!

Description:
All her life, Samantha has felt a little awkward, like she belonged somewhere else - certainly not the cold blue mountains of Alaska. Her feelings are confirmed when a Ghost tells her a little story about her past and who she really is: a Sign.

But the Palace is in danger, and its leader must know the story that Samantha has forgotten. The story about Zac and the high school Samantha attended. This is that story; this is the beginning.


5 Star Review from P. Bleu (and many more):
"This book blew my mind! Right from the start it got exciting, then just when I thought I had a pretty good idea what the 'mood' would be, and how it would all play out....Sam threw me for a loopy d loop. It was such a fun ride, the way she wrote from so many different perspectives. I don't think I've ever read anything done in that style before. But I LoVeD it! It was really funky and a little grimy. Almost like getting ping ponged into all these people's head space. I almost felt like a voyuer!! A HIGHLY recommended read!"

Samantha Steele's Bio:
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Steele formed an artistic eye influenced by the beautiful mountains surrounding her tiny log cabin. Her first novel, Teenagers, was published in July 2011, the summer before her senior year of high school. Steele graduated December 15, 2011 from South Anchorage High School and ten days later moved to Reno, NV to get a degree in psychology. She loves coffee and enjoyed her employment at Starbucks in 2011, but hopes that one day her writing and painting will be enough to live on. Until then, her love of psychology and the mind will keep her bank account afloat.

Links:
Website: http://www.stuffbysam.com/
Twitter: samsteele24
Blog: http://www.stuffbysam.com/home/blog
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12106299-teenagers
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Published on March 19, 2012 07:34

March 17, 2012

Silver Knight Book Trailer

My book trailer is finally finished. See what you think!


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Published on March 17, 2012 19:36

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop


Check it out and sign up to win some great looking books (including Silver Knight):

http://www.jenbigheart.com/2012/03/lucky-leprechaun-giveaway-hop.html



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Published on March 17, 2012 12:33

March 16, 2012

Mathion by Jeff Shanley

Here is Jeff Shanley with Mathion which is book one of an epic adventure:

Description:
In an ancient time long lost to legend, a race of men known as the Wolven inhabited the land of Ánovén. To the north lay the land of Kânavad, home to a brutal, savage race known as the Kânín. A race we know today as Werewolves…

At the age of seven, the Wolven prince Mathion encountered a dying White Wolf, and received two gifts that would forever change not only his life, but the course of history itself. Centuries later, now with a White Wolf at his side, Mathion gathers together a small band of warriors, consisting of both friends and family. Their mission: help the city of Kihar defend itself against an advancing army of werewolves. Along the way, Mathion learns of a secret that he has carried with him his entire life, and a power that can change the tide of a war that has raged between the Wolven and the Werewolves for over twenty thousand years. Little does Mathion know that his enemy is well aware of this secret. And they will do anything to obtain the final piece of a puzzle that, if completed, could condemn the world to eternal darkness. When someone close to him is captured alive by the enemy, Mathion attempts the impossible: to venture into the enemy's homeland itself, and infiltrate the stronghold of Lord Azgharáth, the oldest and strongest of the werewolves. With this choice, events are set in motion that will hurtle these lands toward a final confrontation, and an epic journey is begun that will change everyone's lives forever.

The MAVONDURI TRILOGY is an epic retelling of the origins of the Werewolf and Atlantis myths, told through the eyes of Mathion, the last King of the Wolven. Inspired by such epics as J. R. R. Tolkien's THE LORD OF THE RINGS and Robert E. Howard's CONAN THE BARBARIAN saga, it is a tale of a forgotten era of our past, where the line between history and mythology is blurred, and where destiny defines its hero.

Praise for MATHION:
"A great tale of discovery, identity, love, loss and duty." --Barnes & Noble.com Review
"By far the greatest independent ebook I've ever read!" --Goodreads.com Review
"No werewolf fan should miss this one." --Glenn G. Thater, author of the "HARBINGER OF DOOM" series.

About this Author:
A longtime fan of science fiction, horror and fantasy, I have always dreamed of writing something that would impact people's lives and experiences, both literary and personal. My biggest inspiration for my writing was and is The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, as well as his entire Middle-earth legendarium.  I don't just limit myself to fantasy novels, though. I've also written a few screenplays and I'm an avid movie buff (to say the least).

Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NIFH8A?ie=UTF8&ref=aw_bottom_links&force-full-site=1
Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Mathion/Jeff-Shanley/e/2940011986383
Blog: http://www.mavonduri-trilogy.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Mavonduri
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Published on March 16, 2012 12:01

Give-a-Way Winner

The I am a Reader, Not a Writer Blog contest is over and the ebook winner is in!

Congratulations Lauren!

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Published on March 16, 2012 11:24

March 15, 2012

Searching for My Wand by Bridget Straub

Check out Bridget Straub today:
DESCRIPTION
Glenda was named (incorrectly) after Glinda the Good Witch and therefore, subconsciously, has spent her entire life trying to live up to the reputation of a fictional character. To the outside world, she's succeeding. She appears to have it all, the perfect husband, two beautiful little girls, a nice house, good friends and a dog named Bono! To Glenda, it's not all that it's all cracked up to be. Life throws her some unexpected curves and her world begins to unravel. Through laughter and tears, Glenda tells the story of how this good witch is searching for her wand and is coming out stronger than ever.



5 out of 5 Star Review:
"I'm going to miss the characters...I just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I get to a point that I just want to finish it no matter what - then it is REALLY good. I started off this morning at 40% on the Kindle and finished (off and on reading) by 5:pm. This is one of those books that will stay with you. You'll remember the characters as if you were there with them and you will wonder how they are doing." --Kjay (NC)
Bridget Straub's Bio:Bridget Straub began concocting stories to entertain her younger sister when she was seven years old, and hasn't stopped since. When she's not writing, doodling, or hanging out with her kids, she's probably cursing at her computer. Her first novel"Searching for My Wand" was published in Dec. 2011. Her next novel will be released in spring 2012. She has also collaborated with Laura Hall on the musical "Room to Grow".

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Searching-for-My-Wand/103456133105764
Blog: bridgetstraub.com Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13265988-searching-for-my-wandBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s?keyword=searching+for+my+wand&store=book&page=%2Ferror.asp&prod=univ&pos=&box= itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/searching-for-my-wand/id486569715?mt=11
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Bridget-Straub/e/B006KEG0KE/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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Published on March 15, 2012 05:02