Melissa Snark's Blog: The Snarkology, page 103

September 18, 2013

Christine Brant's RED AND GREY Excerpt & Author Interview



Christine, please tell us about yourself and your writing.
My name is Christine Brant, I’ve been writing for about seven years. The first short story I wrote won the Surrey International Storytellers Award in 2007. Red and Grey is my first published novel. 
My husband and I have been married for 18 years and we have three children, two cats, and a pet snake named Bob.
What does your writing space look like?
How long have you been writing? I have been telling stories since I was a little girl, as a child I used to tell my older sister stories at night when we were falling asleep. I would record stories on tapes – if anyone remembers what those things are. Recently, I found a note from my fourth grade teacher telling me she was sure I would be published one day. However, as I got older and “real life” took over I lost that dream to pursue real life things. I started to pursue writing again eight years ago after being inspired by Kelley Armstrong’s web site, bio, and book Bitten.

What inspired your current book?
 I was in a workshop at a Writers conference and the writer leading the workshop asked us to consider the story of Little Red Riding Hood from the Wolf’s POV. Everyone wrote a few lines and the more I listened the more I felt like everyone was off. The wolf didn’t want to steal the food because he was evil or greedy – he needed that food. And he needed it desperately for a reason not even he understood, but I wanted to know why. I went home that night and started writing Red and Grey thinking it would be a short story. 100,000 words later I was looking at a novel.

How do you come up with your book titles?
The titles mean something to me and they relate to the book in some way, they fit. I’ve already come up with the title for the sequel to Red and Grey. On the other hand, I wrote one manuscript years ago that I still dislike the title of and often think I would like to re-title. But nothing seems to fit. Perhaps if I ever sell it an editor will have some clever ideas. J
How do you name your characters?
I have lots of methods for naming my characters. Some of the names I took from baby name web sites or baby books. Others I name based on how they behave and who they are internally. A few I have named because of the fairytales that they are part of. I have even let my fans name some characters on Facebook. I have used the name of a friend’s child (with her permission) and I may use my daughter’s name at some point because they are unique and different names.
I guess, I am trying to say, I do not have a standard naming system. I go with what feels right for the character and story, and if I really can’t decide I put it to my fans and let them decide for me. J
Do you write with music going in the background? What are some of your favorite types/bands?
Yes, when I can. I have very eclectic taste in music. I don’t mind listening to a varied playlist on Pandora. On my iPhone I have a variety of songs from bands such as: Fun. (not the Swedish death metal band the one with the period), U2, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Muse, Mumford and Sons, Jennifer Knapp, Cake, Goo Goo Dolls, Florence and the Machine, and Alanis Morissette.
In fact several of my characters have “songs”, these are songs that when I hear them immediately make me think of this particular character and put me in the mood to tell that character’s story. Grey’s song is “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Do you have a favorite character from your books? Who is it and why?
No, I can honestly say I like all my characters, even my bad guys. I guess I have a handful of favorites, all of the POV characters in Red and Grey, even my villain, who I hope my readers come to feel as deeply for as I do in the next two books in the series when his story will be explored more in depth.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three modern conveniences would you take with you?
Indoor plumbing – I am not sure I could survive without a toilet. My migraine meds – I can be out for days without those blessed little pills.  The Internet – cause you know I need Facebook, oh and then I would not be stranded anymore J

Is there anything else you'd really like our readers to know?
As a child my parents owned a bookstore. Now as an adult I work at a bookstore and I’m a writer.  I truly love books, I love stories, I think there is power in storytelling and the written word. It’s funny, even now I have a hard time thinking of myself as an “author” I see myself as a storyteller. I feel grateful to have this incredible gift and be able to share it with my readers.
Quick quiz: Favorite food? ChocolateFavorite color? Green or Purple depending on the day.Favorite animal? CatsBiggest pet peeve? Characters who are “practically perfect in every way”. Please, give your character some flaws, make them human. Dream car? A Prius – I know – a really practical dream car, but I had one once and it was totaled by a drunk driver I still miss it. 


 ######   Connor believed he lived a relatively easy life until a sorceress transforms him into a wolf. Refusing to do her bidding, Connor escapes. He follows his intuition to travel far away, all the while fighting to keep his humanity from the wolf’s all-pervading instincts. Lost and alone, Connor’s dreams of a beautiful young woman who brings color back to his monochromatic existence.

Ever since her mother passed away, Melody Saltman has been plagued by nightmares. No night occurs without her fighting for her sanity, until one evening a beautiful grey wolf breaks into her dream to save her from the inky darkness. In this dreamtime, Melody and Connor discover that each is more than what they appear to one another.

Trevor has been watching Melody ever since she was a little girl, manipulating and manoeuvring to have her as his own. When she agrees to him courting her, Trevor knows that he is close to realizing his return to full power as one of the Brotherhood. One way or another, he will have Melody.

When Melody discovers Connor is real, new questions about her past and her sanity come to the fore. How can it be possible to love a wolf, let alone spend the rest of her life with one, when Trevor is there for her? Can Connor become the man Melody needs in her life? More importantly, does he want to?
I am going to include a brief exert from the ARC of Red and Grey. This is one of my favorite scenes. I hope you enjoy.
            Connor crouched in the brush. The sky boiled with dark clouds that shifted and changed constantly in the winds. Dust swirled down the bare road. At any moment the storm would tear open the sky and rain would drench the forest.             He snarled. It should have been an easy meal. For three days he had watched the nanny goat before he selected his prey. No one came in search of her or the kids. Moments ago, he tried to separate the smaller of the two kids from its mother in a meadow north of here, but the nanny goat surprised him with her ferocity. A bruise ached on his shoulder from the nanny goat’s horns. Her maneuver gave the kid a chance to run. Frustration swelled inside him. The kid ran out onto the open track and across into the thick forest on the opposite side of the wheel-rutted road. He did not realize how close they were to the road. His primary goal, to obtain the kid, distracted him.  From his position he could see the bridge that spanned the river. Scents from the village carried across on the wind.             He hunched in the bushes and felt the grass rub his stomach. Shifting slightly, he scanned the road in both directions and considered. He did not want to run out in front of anyone and bring hunters down on himself. He had been so careful to stay north of here, away from the road and the village. He almost whined as he moved from paw to paw, glaring at the path.             He smelled the food before he saw her. Fresh bread, roast beef, and strawberry pie.His nose identified each scent in turn. They hit him like a physical force. He forgot the kid. His body yearned toward these smells. He wanted that food with something more than hunger; he needed it with a persistent, deep, ache.             Then he saw her. She wore a simple dress. Even to his limited vision it stood out dark against her pale skin. Over Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:Christine Brant is a Seattle author who lives with her husband, three children, two cats, and Bob, the Ball Python. She won the Surrey International Storytellers Award in 2007 with her short story "A Decade of Scottsdale". In her spare time, when not herding cats and kids, she loves to read and gaze out her window at the Puget Sound. Visit her online at www.christinebrant.com.
Where can you find Christine Brant on the Internet?WebsiteFacebook 
GoodreadsAmazon Author PageE-mail – Christine at christinebrant.com

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Published on September 18, 2013 01:00

September 17, 2013

Calinda B's THE BECKONING OF BROKEN THINGS #Excerpt @calindab1




The Beckoning of Broken Things
The Beckoning Series

Book 2Calinda B
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Sumner McKenzie, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-9839126-8-2
Number of pages: 342Word Count: 92k
Cover Artist: Calinda B
Book Description:

Is Marissa Engles crazy? Or is she a paranormal Light Rebel who can shape form from the electricity buzzing through her veins. Her aunt and sister think “Crazy.” The locked mental facility they’ve put her in thinks “Delusional.”
She’s so drugged up, she can’t tell if they’re right. Only her new pal, Rafe Caldwell, another mental patient “inmate”, thinks she is what she says she is. And he intends to find out more – lots more.
The only problem is her missing soul bound lover, Daniel Navid, who commands the darkest of the dark. But as they say, if the cat’s away…Short Excerpt: “So tell me how you feel.”I must be pretty heavily sedated because when the therapist asks me that question, the word “feel” comes out sounding like it’s a slide. I’ll just bet if I could climb on top of that slide, I’d be able to slip from the room and not have to answer that stupid question. I shake my head. What does she mean, how do I feel? I feel like been given something like heroin or Clonazepam or Secobarbital or some other mind-numbing agent. I feel like I weigh a thousand pounds, and I’m looking at her through thick glass walls and she’s talking to me through some kind of filter made of seven layers of dense foam. I feel like…wait, I know. I’m in here because I’m different. I’m sitting here with what feels like two hundred pounds of cotton between my ears because they don’t “get” who and what I am. They think there’s something wrong with me. They all think I’m broken.She pushes up her glasses on her nose and taps her pen on the arm of the brown leather chair in which she sits, like a prim, porcelain doll. “I’m waiting.”“Are you talking to me?” Her face is wrinkled, like an Amish Apple Doll. Her dyed brown hair needs a touch-up. White and gray roots serve as a flag to her age. She smiles, a crisp, stiff smile like peanut brittle. “I don’t see anyone else sitting across from me, do you?”I picture taking her smug smile in my fingers and snapping it in two, resulting in my own satisfied smile. “Where’s Daniel?”“Who?”“Daniel Navid. My soul bound lover.”She frowns and scribbles a few notes in the black binder sitting on top of her lap. She smoothes her blue tweed skirt. Clears her throat. Tries again. “How do you feel right now, Ms. Engles? Your sisters were pretty concerned about you when they brought you in here.”“Where, exactly, is here?”“You don’t know?”“If I did, I wouldn’t ask the question.”The therapist nods, as if I’ve just said something profound. She gestures to the room with her certificates of accomplishment and education lining the beige walls like little soldiers. “Well, you’re at the Brookstone Center for Healing, in Bellevue, Washington. Do you know where Bellevue is?”“Are you kidding me? I’ve lived in this area all my life. I live over in West Seattle, two bridges away from Bellevue. Of course I know where Bellevue is.” I reach up and rub my eyes, trying to clear the spider webs, mud puddles, and sludge clouding my mind. “Do you know what day it is?” The peanut brittle smile appears again.I want to smash that smile with a hammer. “Yeah, it’s today. And yesterday was yesterday. And tomorrow’s going to be tomorrow.”She taps her pen. Scribbles. Frowns. Scribbles some more. “So you don’t actually know what day it is.” She says that as a statement, not a question.“Let’s see, two days ago I was in Brazil, and it was Thursday. That must make today Saturday. What do I win?”“What were you doing in Brazil?”I pause and squint at her. This is a trick question. “I was visiting a friend.” I was kidnapped by a demented sorcerer. I stabbed his dead, but not really dead, girlfriend’s chest, and she exploded and her crystal dagger pierced the old man’s heart.“I see.” “And how did you get back from Brazil?”“I flew.” On a beautiful winged creature known as a Coati-lumina. Her name is Chiara, and she allowed me to claim her a few nights ago. She’s huge and brilliant, and she shines like diamonds. “Where’s Daniel?”“There was no one at your home but you when your sisters stopped by. They were very worried about you. Said you were having a completely delusional conversation with them. Do you remember what you said?”I incline my head and study her. Another trick question. “Maybe.”“Can you tell me what you said to them?”“Will you let me go if I do?”“I’m afraid not. I’m afraid we need to keep you here for a while. Your sisters were very worried.”“You already said that.”“And they decided that a good psych evaluation was in order.”“Oh, they did, did they?” I’m going to murder them. I’m going to strangle the daylights out of them. In my mind, I pick up a pricey sable paintbrush and paint them as tiny fragments of skin and bone, being blown to smithereens. “What gives them the right to have me evaluated?”“Your aunt still holds guardianship. She was the one who ordered this.”Aunt Topaz. “I’m 26 for God’s sake. I’ve lived on my own since I was 18. I think I get to be my own guardian, don’t you?”“In this case, no. When someone is…when someone is ill…” She pauses, frowning. She was going to say mentally deranged. They all think I’m delusional because electricity flows through my veins, and I can burst into brilliant light and paint things with my mind and will them into…“When someone is ill it falls to the guardian or parent.”I don’t think that’s true but can’t argue it right now. My head is so heavy I need a crane to keep it upright. I purse my lips trying to remember something about my aunt. This goddamn drug is making it hard to think. My mouth is dry. I want to leap into a lake and suck it into my throat in one long swallow. Think, Engles, think. And then it all came back to me, like someone shot a memory cannon through my head, blasting open my brain. My dear Aunt Topaz hid my abilities away from me when I was 15. She and Daniel’s father, Armando, cast a spell over me and wiped my memories clean. And now she put me here? Armando and Aunt Topaz are definitely on my to-do list. I just don’t know what to do - yet. My hands squeeze tight, capturing my anger. I restored my Light Rebel skills with Tom the sorcerer’s help. He taught me how to hunt like a predator before taking me on an ether trip to discover what happened. When I showed Daniel my newly restored light, he…I swallow my arousal and blink back tears. Daniel. He’s a Night Numen and commands the darkest of the dark. He can wave his hand, rip the atmosphere in two, and draw foul creatures from wherever the hell they live. Thinking of his handsome tan face, stubble-covered jaw, eyes that are hypnotically blue, 6’1” muscular body, dark hair that falls in his face when he’s on top, his bronze skin, his hips, his legs, his hands…thinking of him makes me seriously horny, even with this drug-filled, muzzy-headed haze between my ears. And then I get a little mad. I mean, a couple of weeks ago he did bind my soul until the end of time to his without asking me, but it might have been for my own good. Might have. Not sure. Still a little miffed. We’ll sort it out by and by. I really need to see him. I need to get out of here - now. “I want to go home. I want to talk to Daniel. I need to see Daniel. I need to take care of my dog, Sober Dober.” I nod, satisfied with this statement, certain that it will yield results.“I don’t know who Daniel is. Your dog is being well-cared for by your aunt.”I lunge to my feet, or at least I want to lunge. It turns into more of a lurching wobble. “Aunt Topaz has my dog? That’s just wrong. Aunt Topaz hates things that are messy. She detests mess and color and light and…” And Sober has brand new sparkly wings. They’re training wings. He’s not very good with them yet. He got his wings when I restored my light. But I don’t say that. I dare not say that. I’ll be in this place for a million years if I tell her my dog has wings.
About the Author:
An award-winning web designer and certified SEO specialist, Calinda B has worked in the Internet industry as a web page designer/developer since the early 1990's. She has also taught web site design and computer graphics at community colleges in Northern California. In addition to writing, Calinda B creates fine art and music, and enjoys scuba diving, kayaking, and bike riding. Calinda B makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with the love of her life and her two cats. She is currently working on the fourth book in The Wicked Series, tentatively entitled A Wicked Ending, or the third book in The Beckoning Series or maybe those are done and she's working on.... She loves to write and does it daily.
Website: http://www.calindab.com
Blog: http://blog.calindab.com
Twitter: @calindab1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalindaBauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5200691.Calinda_B_

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Published on September 17, 2013 01:00

September 16, 2013

A "Typical" Writing Day

Sooner or later, every author encounters the following question: "How much time do you spend writing?"

When asked, I inevitably hem and haw. "Well, the amount of time varies from day to day. It really depends..."

The inquisitor presses, trying to extract more information. "What does your typical writing day look like?"

I sigh. For a long, long time. 

"Monday morning, I get up around six-thirty and get the kids ready for school. I pack lunches, make a pot of coffee, unload and load the dishwasher. I do some promo stuff for my blog--Facebook, Twitter, emails, Google+. If there's time, I might start a blog post. Oh, and I feed the cats."

(Mr. Snark shoulders some of the burden and feeds our fish, Jackie Chan.)

"I get both of the boys out the door so they'll be to school on time. Then hubby and I load Miss Bear into the car and head over to the gym. We check Miss Bear into the kids club, work out for an hour, collect our child and head home to shower. Miss Bear takes a bath."

"Around the time Mr. Snark heads to work, I have an opportunity to review and answer emails while Miss Bear vegs for an hour in front of The Micky Mouse Clubhouse or Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I answer comments on my blog, respond to Facebook and Goodreads messages, return phone calls, start the first of three daily loads of laundry."

"At Noon, Miss Bear starts to get hungry so I take a break and we eat lunch. Then, it's time for an outing. Sometimes we run errands. Other times, we head over to the park to play for an hour. From the grocery store, we call Mr. Snark to ask if he needs anything. From the park, we call Mr. Snark to say hello because it's been two hours since we last saw him."

"Around 1:30PM, we return home and put away groceries. The front yard needs to be watered. Laundry goes from the washer to the dryer and a new load into the washer. Miss Bear drinks a glass of milk and then heads down for her nap at 2PM."

"Approximately fifty percent of the time, I crawl exhausted into bed and
grab a quick nap that lasts until the boys arrive home at 3:30PM. They eat snacks and do homework. A half hour later, Miss Bear awakens and needs a snack prepared. More dishes, more laundry. Sometimes, there's a second trip to the park."

"If I'm cooking that evening, I start dinner prep. The kids almost always eat around 5:30PM or 6PM. Mr. Snark doesn't arrive home until 7PM most nights. We eat together.  More dishes and kitchen cleanup. At 8:30PM, we begin the forty-five minute ordeal that is the Miss Bear bedtime--teeth, pjs and story time."

"Then I take my clean baskets of laundry and fold them for about an hour, usually in front of "Chopped" or some other brainless video entertainment. I put away laundry and then take a quick shower and head to bed. If I have the energy, I read for about an hour."

"Wake up, repeat four more times."

"Weekends are basically the same, except there are more chores, errands to be run and kid functions to attend. The rudimentary social life we enjoy always takes place on Saturday. Mr. Snark's PROJECTS typically happen on Sunday, which means a couple trips to Home Despot. Sometimes, we make day trips. Weekend activities tend to be seasonal. Holidays are even busier."

Winded, I pause for breath.

The bug-eyed inquisitor stares, mouth agape.

"That," I say, "Is my typical writing day."
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Published on September 16, 2013 01:00

September 15, 2013

The State of the Snarkology


The Snarkology:

The third week in September is going to be wonderful fun. On Wednesday, I have paranormal author Christine Brant talking about herself and her writing. On Thursday, I'm reviewing her novel, RED AND GREY.





Goddess Fish Tour:

I'm entering the second week of my Goddess Fish tour for HUNGER MOON. Readers can
follow the tour to see author interviews, character interviews and Norse mythology articles I've written for these sites:

Virtual Book Tour:
September 9:  Literal Hotties Naughty Books Reviews
September 10:  Andi's Book Reviews
September 12:  Crazy Four Books
September 13:  Susana's Morning Room
September 16:  Musings and Ramblings
September 17:  Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
September 18:  Straight from the Library
September 19:  Fantasy Powered by Love
September 20:  Danita Minnis
September 20: Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews

Review Tour:
September 23:  The Crafty Cauldron
September 24: The Simple Things in Life
September 25:  Dalene's Book Reviews
September 26:  Wicked Readings by Tawania
September 27:  Reader Girls


I'll be posting some of the more interesting content such as the character interviews and mythology stuff to my official website. Look for fresh material under the Loki's Wolves drop down menu.


Smashwords coupon codes:
THE ALKANO LETTERS by Kenneth Teicher. FREE until Sept. 28th.  Coupon code: DF34W  HUNGER MOON is 50% off until Oct. 12th. Coupon code:  GJ75H

Rafflecopter Giveaway:
I'm sponsoring a tour wide giveaway for two $25 gift cards and two signed copies of HUNGER MOON.  (Shipping of paperbacks restricted to the continental U.S.)

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Published on September 15, 2013 09:14

September 14, 2013

The Alkano Letters #FREE Coupon Code for Smashwords

THE ALKANO LETTERS is the debut novel in the action/adventure Erin and Craig series. Archaeologist Erin Mathews and ex CIA Agent Craig Johnson team up for these exciting and intriguing tales. On the tiny Greek island of Alkano, they discover ancient letters whose content could undermine the very foundations of Christianity. An ancient religious sect knows the esoteric message hidden in the letters and is sworn to protect it at any cost. Trouble begins almost immediately with a series of mishaps followed by deadly threats. A desperate chase through the back streets of Jerusalem leads to Erin's abduction. What began as a straightforward dig has become a dangerous and complicated mission. They must solve the two-thousand year old mystery, before it's too late. But time is quickly running out...

  The author, Ken Teicher, has made THE ALKANO LETTERS free through September 28th on Smashwords. 
Smashwords url:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/143111
Coupon code: DF34W
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Published on September 14, 2013 22:45

Ken Teicher's THE ALKANO LETTERS

Ken, please tell us about yourself and your writing.

Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, there was one 9” Black & White TV in our house, in my parent’s room. I can recall my older brother (we shared a room) reading, late at night, under his cover with a flashlight. He loved Science Fiction. My father was also a voracious reader, although he preferred books like the Captain Horatio Hornblower series. So, ever since I was a little kid, books fascinated me. Of course, I chose Sci Fi as an easier read and early on became enthralled with the Tom Swift Jr. series. My reading quickly expanded to Mark Twain. My grandparents gave us a set of his complete works, published in 1922, that I read cover to cover. Today, although I still love Sci Fi, my reading interests have expanded to include mysteries, action/adventure, biographies of America’s founding fathers and even such esoteric subjects as The Dead Sea Scrolls. My wife and I have been fortunate enough to do a lot of traveling. In addition to the US, our travels have taken us to many areas that included famous site from antiquity. I became enthralled with the ancient world and searched for a way to express my interest. Travel logs are not my thing, so I began thinking about writing an action/adventure story in which I could express my love for the ancient world in some way. THE ALKANO LETTERS (begun in early 2004) is the result of this effort. I have been told that one reason agents would not accept this story (forcing me to self-publish) is that it is too close to Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. I did not even know that book existed when I was working on mine. I continued writing and produced the other two books of my action/adventure series, THE CARTHAGE CONNECTION and CARVED IN STONE. Every location in these stories is one I have visited. It is my hope that, relying on memories, I have incorporated accurate information in order to help bring a level of realism to my work.    

What does your writing space look like?
A very sloppy desk overshadowed with a large computer monitor.
How long have you been writing?
I began writing in high school; Short stories that no one has ever seen. In collage, I spent some time attempting to write for the school paper but ended up just doing a cartoon for the class paper. During my working career (I’m retired now) I spent a lot of time writing Science Fiction stores, one of which I felt comfortable enough to self-publish on Amazon.
What inspired your current book?
A desire to incorporate my interest in the ancient world and my very amateurish excitement with archeology.
Please tell us about your current work in progress.
I am currently working on a Science Fiction story. Many years ago, I became involved with building our family tree. Today, between my wife and my family, I have almost 1,200 people, going back to 1790. I began thinking about how to incorporate the idea of a family tree into a science fiction story. The idea I came up with essentially takes place now. However, it is initiated with a grave problem in the 25th century. Man has spread out over 23 planets and has all but forgotten earth. I mysteries disease is killing people on almost all of the inhabited planets. After years of research and comparing notes, the medical establishment has determined that the illness is based on a genetic disease tied to DNA. In order to discover a cure, family origins need to be traced. Unfortunately, no such database exists in the 25th century. A doctor, working with an astrophysics, come up with a unique solution. Using a white hole, they slingshot a team of genetically altered people into the past – our time. The team is tasked with the responsibility of covertly promoting people to build family trees. Software is perfected and even a TV show is instigated. The story involves the investigation of a small supply ship sent to the team from the future. Ultimately, the existence of the team is revealed and the story goes into the reaction of the people investigating the ‘alien invasion’.


How do you name your characters?
That’s a very interesting question. When I began my Erin and Craig action/adventure series, my main characters has different names. I posted samples of my story on a number of writer’s forums and got a few comments about their names. Apparently, many people think the sound of a name helps denote the type of character. For example, action heroes should have one-syllable names and they should attempt to invoke something of the character’s attributes. This sounded like an impossible task. That being said, I realized a name like Bob was less appropriate that Craig. Erin invokes her Irish heritage.   
If you could choose any actor/actress (living or dead) to play your protagonist, who would it be and why?
Ha, that’s an interesting question. I can see Julia Roberts as Erin and Harrison Ford as Craig. Although they’d be a bit younger than they are now, especially Mr. Ford.
Tell us something strange or interesting about yourself.
I have a lot of trouble telling people I am a writer. Someone suggested that when anyone asks what I do, now that I’m retired, I should simply say I write. If no further questions are asked, I should not offer an explanation. I can’t think of myself as an author. To me an author is someone that earns a living writing and I certainly don’t. I write because I enjoy the process of creating characters and seeing where they take me in the story. I didn’t even tell my wife I wrote until I received a few nice reviews on Amazon. Only my immediate family has been let in on my ‘secret’. No friends or relatives are aware. I can’t explain why I am uncomfortable thinking of myself as a writer or why I keep it a secret. Perhaps I’m afraid of what people might say about my work. I also don’t want to give away free copies – that’s a joke!
What was your most embarrassing life experience? Your proudest?
I can’t explain why, but I feel embarrassed when I react very emotionally to something. Sometimes silly things. My proudest moment has to be the birth of my first child. That was nearly eclipsed with the birth of my first grandchild.    THE ALKANO LETTERS is the debut novel in the action/adventure Erin and Craig series. Archaeologist Erin Mathews and ex CIA Agent Craig Johnson team up for these exciting and intriguing tales. On the tiny Greek island of Alkano, they discover ancient letters whose content could undermine the very foundations of Christianity. An ancient religious sect knows the esoteric message hidden in the letters and is sworn to protect it at any cost. Trouble begins almost immediately with a series of mishaps followed by deadly threats. A desperate chase through the back streets of Jerusalem leads to Erin's abduction. What began as a straightforward dig has become a dangerous and complicated mission. They must solve the two-thousand year old mystery, before it's too late. But time is quickly running out...
Review:



THE ALKANO LETTERS by Kenneth Joel Teicher proved to be quite different from my usual reviewing fare of romance, paranormal and YA fiction. I'm going out on a limb here in assigning a genre to this archeological action/suspense novel, which was set in the present day but contained notes of the ancient world. I want to compare it to a Dan Brown novel (which I confess to having read), but at the same time I don't want to insult the author by suggesting his careful and detailed prose belongs in the same category with drivel.
Am I qualified to judge the accuracy of the archeological information and theories advanced in THE ALKANO LETTERS? No, not by a long shot. But I will say that the story demands the reader's full focus because so much information is imparted in just the first few chapters. This is not a story to read with the television going in the background. Proper processing of all the plot elements really requires the reader to devote his undivided attention
Craig Johnson is a solider with a degree in ancient history who hires out as a mercenary. As a hero, he is smart, competent and likeable. I had no difficulty in developing an empathetic bond  with Craig and I very much enjoyed his romantic relationship with archeologist/anthropologist Erin Mathews. It's always refreshing to see a woman over thirty portrayed in such a positive and attractive manner.
While the story tends to require a high level of intellectual commitment on the part of the reader, Teicher keeps the plot moving, interspersing the info-heavy chapters with action and romance. The Grecian setting fits perfectly with the themes of ancient unknowns and intrigue. The familiar trope of The Church Conspiracy is adapted to fit with the mystery surrounding the Alkano letters and then given a fresh twist that helps it avoid the cliché of paranoid priests everywhere. Throw in a few good chases, guns, and an employer known only by his initials (CV). It's a recipe for fun.
Secondary characters were well-developed and interesting. I especially liked Craig's mercenary buddy, Thaddeus, and Erin's grandfather, Professor Bannington. The prose is solid. The story is well written and well edited but the cover really doesn't begin to do the book justice. All in all, I'd definitely recommend THE ALKANO LETTERS for anyone interested in an exciting "what if" archeological thriller.  Available for purchase:Amazon Kindle    Amazon Paperback

AUTHOR BIO:
Kenneth Teicher is the author of the reader acclaimed Erin and Craig action/adventure series currently including The Alkano Letters, The Carthage Connection and Carved In Stone. The series follows the exploits of archeologist Erin Mathews and ex CIA agent Craig Johnson. These stories are the result of the author's amateur passion for archeology that developed during more than forty-three years of travel to countless archeological sites in more than 37 countries. Science Fiction is the author's other area of interest. Books include Gateway: The Shaula Intervention, A Matter of Time, The Mission and his current work in progress, The Yesterday Tree. The author and his wife count New York City, New York as their primary residence and maintain a second home in Los Angeles, California. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Where you can find Kenneth Teicher on the Internet:Email:   erinandcraigbooks@yahooAmazon Author Page
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Published on September 14, 2013 01:00

September 13, 2013

Zoe Forward's FORGOTTEN IN DARKNESS Cover Reveal



  FORGOTTEN IN DARKNESS Series:  Scimitar Magi, Book 2Publisher: Wild Rose PressRelease Date: 1/03/14ISBN(s):
978-1-62830-118-2 Paperback 
     978-1-62830-119-9 DigitalPage Count: 356Genre: Paranormal Romance
Book Blurb: After an unjustified two-century stint in purgatory, Scimitar Magus Dakar returns to the human realm, renewing his eons-old curse. Once again he must murder the woman he loves. To break the vicious cycle, he must kill her before she strikes her deathblow, something he's never done in the past.
Archaeology grad student, Shay McGinnis, suffers a near-death attack in pursuit of a piece of Scimitar Magi lore.  But did the magnificent warrior who pinned her to the wall injure her or the daemon he fought?  In her search for answers, she draws the attention of both an ancient evil sorcerer and the warrior Dakar. The attraction between her and Dakar is instant, and for Shay confusing. She wants to be with him, but intuition equates him with death. Not random death. Hers. 
Will this be the lifetime they break the curse before they are murdered by an age old enemy or worse kill each other yet again?
Excerpt: Shay's brain ordered her body to make a break for it, or at least let loose a scream to draw attention, but she stood there, dazed and staring. It was the throw-your-panties-off-gorgeous bad boy from her hotel room.
My God, this guy was a brick shithouse oozing don't-screw-with-me vibes. And didn't that just make her knees weak. She was so not a swooning type of girl.
Despite the warmth of the day, he wore a knee-length black leather jacket. No doubt, he was armed out the wazoo beneath it.
He subjected her to a scrutinizing once-over. A swirling black substance in his irises mesmerized her. She hadn't noticed that last night.
What was this guy? Definitely not completely human. A month ago, she would've rationalized the sludgy black substance obscuring the real color of his irises into normalcy and remained in complete denial of anything amiss.
She wondered if this guy might just be the real deal--one of those mythical, sorcerer-like immortals obligated to fight daemons for all eternity. A Scimitar Magus. Shouldn't he be a good guy? A hero figure? Why then did her intuition demand immediate evasion? For some reason, her gut equated this guy with death, but not random death. Hers.
Author Bio: Zoe Forward lives in the South with her supportive family and an assortment of pets. She has a special love for archaeology, especially anything Egyptian. A deep part of her wishes she had a career that would have her at a dig site in a sandy country. But she is a small animal veterinarian, caring for everything from chinchillas to dogs...and there was even one hermit crab in there.
Contact  Links: FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | GOODREADS | BLOG
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Published on September 13, 2013 01:00

September 12, 2013

Isaiyan Morrison's DEAMHAN @isaiyanmorrison



What inspired your current book?
I've always loved reading about dark supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves. When I was younger I wanted to write a vampire novel but I wanted my vampires to be different. I've read so much about romantic vampires but I preferred the violent, dark types. Writing something different inspired me.

Please tell us about your current work in progress.
Right now I'm working on the third book in the Deamhan Chronicles. The working title is "Revelation." I'm also working on Deamhan Tales; short stories involving characters from the main storyline. 

How do you come up with your book titles?
Research. Often, I don't think about the title until I'm through the second round of edits. It might be a word that I used that stood out in the text. Sometimes it just comes to me one day out of the blue.With Deamhan, it's the name of what they are. It fits.
Do you write with music going in the background? What are some of your favorite types/bands?
I listen to music when I research but not when I write. I get distracted too easily.
I like listening to classical, jazz, 60s, 70s, 80s, early rap, grunge, and industrial. My favorite bands/musicians include The Doors, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rancid, Janis Joplin, Suicide Commando, Notorious B.I.G., VNV Nation, Mazzy Star, Marilyn Manson, Sex Pistols, The Cure, Weezer, Nirvana, Hole, Jimi Hendrix, The Clash, Project Pitchfork, Rasputina, 2Pac, Queen, Sublime, Primus, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane. As you can see, I like all types of music.
Name one person, living or dead, you'd most like to meet.
This is a hard one. There are so many historical figures and celebrities that I'd love to just sit down and chat with. Off the top of my head, I'd have to say it's a three way tie between Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Billy the Kid. 
Tell us something strange or interesting about yourself. 
Besides writing, I also play video games and I'm pretty good at them. At one point I was sponsored to play Street Fighter IV and I got the chance to travel all over America, Canada, and I've been to the Caribbean. It was a fun experience but I had to stop doing it so I could have more time to write. 
Quick quiz: Favorite food?   Pico De Gallo·        Favorite color?   Black Favorite animal?   I love dogs, especially Pit Bull breeds.Biggest pet peeve?   Dirty bathrooms and dirty shower drains. I can't stand them.Dream car?   Toyota Corolla.
DeamhanDeamhan Chronicles Book OneIsaiyan Morrison
Genre: Adult, paranormal
Publisher: Rainstorm Press
ISBN: 1937758400ISBN-13: 978-1937758400
Number of pages: 218Word Count: 85,000 words
Formats available: Print. E-book
Cover Artist: John Cosentino
Book Description:Her soft golden skin, her warm smile…these are the only images Veronica Austin has left of her mother who disappeared without a trace twenty years ago on the streets of Minneapolis while researching the Ramanga, the Lamia, the Metusba, and the Lugat. Known only as the Deamhan, they are a different breed from the modern bloodsucking vampire.
A stranger to this world,  Veronica’s search for the truth about her mother’s unexplained disappearance takes her into their sinister and precarious world. She gains the trust of the only other human familiar with the Deamhan lifestyle. With his help she finds not only can the Deamhan not be trusted but it’s her own father, president of a ruthful organization of researchers, who has diabolically maintained that distrust.Book Trailer:  http://youtu.be/JvXvINwJpH0
Available for purchase at: Amazon Kindle     Amazon Paperback   About the Author:An avid gamer, writer, and lover of history, Isaiyan Morrison was born and raised in Minnesota. She moved to San Diego, California while in the Navy. After serving four years of active duty, she moved to Los Angeles.
After a few years, she moved back to Minnesota where she started to pursue her dream to be an author.
Besides writing, she also likes to read, surf the internet, watch movies, and play video games. She likes warm drinks, pico de gallo, and her love for cilantro is legendary.
At one point she was sponsored to participate in video game tournaments. During that time she traveled to Canada, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Caribbean.
Her novel Deamhan, the first book in the Deamhan series, was accepted for publication by Rainstorm Press for release in mid-2013. She’s currently in talks to have the second book Sensual Appetite published by the same company.
Other novels the author has completed are The Carriers (Sphere Episode One,) The Bond (Sphere, Episode Two,) and Old Farmer’s Road to name a few.
She’s currently writing the third Deamhan book titled, Revelation, and Maris. The Brotherhood Files.
Where you can find Isaiyan Morrison on the Internet:WEBSITE: http://isaiyanmorrison.comNOVEL WEBSITE: http://deamhan.comFACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/isaiyanmorrisonTWITTER: https://twitter.com/isaiyanmorrisonGOOGLE+: http://bit.ly/17Ydqi8GOODREADS:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163501.Isaiyan_MorrisonAMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Isaiyan-Morrison/e/B004CF80F6

The author is offering the following prizes:

1st Place Prize Pack$50 Amazon Gift Card1 Large Deamhan Shirt4 bookmarks1 box vampire incense (100 grams)Deamhan Sticker1 copy of Deamhan (paperback or ebook, winner's choice)
2nd place Prize pack$20 Amazon Gift Card1 Large Deamhan Shirt4 bookmarks1 box vampire incense 40 gramsDeamhan Sticker

3rd Place Prize Pack$10 Amazon Gift Card4 bookmarks Deamhan Sticker

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Published on September 12, 2013 01:00

September 11, 2013

T. Lynn Odom's NEVER PICK ON A JAGUAR PRINCESS @terithackston

Please tell us about yourself and your writing.

I’ve been writing since I was old enough to string together a written sentence, beginning with spy stories when I was a teenager, confession stories as a young woman, and finally several genres of romance. Paranormal romances are probably my favorites but I’ve also written romantic suspense, western romance and, most recently, a young adult paranormal novella series.
What does your writing space look like?
I have a nice-sized office at home with a mish-mash of furniture that includes a tabletop that sits on two small file cabinets that serves as my main desk. One wall is lined with bookcases, which absolutely overflow with books of all types, and I even have a roll-top desk that is currently a catch-all spot for paperwork, more books, and stuff!
What inspired your current book?
Believe it or not, a slot machine did. I was walking through a casino and spotted the Jaguar Princess. Of course, I lost a little money—I give a slot machine only three or four chances to pay—and moved on, but the name of the game stuck with him. By the time I got home from my trip, I had a pretty good plot going for a young adult paranormal novella about a teenage girl who learns she can shape-shift into a jaguar. Never Pick On a Jaguar Princess was born, and it’s turning into a series I’m calling The Jaguar Princess Rules.
Please tell us about your current work in progress.
I’m working on the second novella in The Jaguar Princess Rules series. It’s a lot of fun, and it takes me back to my own teenage days. In this book, the heroine—Juli—has to deal with the fact that someone in the shapeshifter community really doesn’t want her around.
How do you name your characters?
I spend a lot of time playing with names. If something doesn’t occur to me quickly, I’ll go online and look at baby name sites, sometimes looking at the most popular names for the specific year the character would have been born. I’ll often pick a name with a meaning that suits the character’s personality or even one that is popular in the country of his or her ancestry. I can spend a lot of time surfing for just the right name.
Tell us something strange or interesting about yourself.
I never burned myself with my fire baton in high school. LOL. I’m actually a pretty boring person. Regular childhood, married my high school sweetie, have two wonderful children and I love to watch TV and read.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three modern conveniences would you take with you?
The most powerful solar generator available, an air conditioner and an ice maker.
Quick quiz:
Favorite food?  A juicy homemade hamburgerFavorite color?  BlueFavorite animal?  DogBiggest pet peeve? Gum poppingDream car?  1965 Ford Mustang Not a Jag, huh?

Blurb: Fifteen year-old Juli Perry is new at Onca Lake High School. That’s tough enough without being unexpectedly orphaned, moving to the old family farm…and growing new freckles that aren’t really freckles. Juli has to adjust to more than she expected. You see, Juli is a shapeshifter—and not just any old shape-shifter. She’s a jaguar princess.
She can run like the wind, see farther than anyone she knows, and hear even the softest whisper. Oh, and she might be clairvoyant, too. All that is cool enough but there are features of shifting that aren’t so cool. Those freckles are really furry spots that itch like crazy, her toenails grow so fast they tear up her socks, and her hair…well, that golden-brown shade would be nice if it would stay instead of coming and going with her mood.
The freshman just wants to make a friend or two so she goes out for the track team. But the Track Pack has other ideas. A clique of four other teens who try to rule the school, they mercilessly pick on Juli until someone—or something—decides to protect the jaguar princess. Such protection, the Track Pack quickly discovers, can be dangerous.Even deadly.
Excerpt:
She started itching. The sensation started at her ankles and wrists as usual, but it quickly spread over her entire body. She could almost feel that darn fur starting to grow.
Oh, why now?
Staring down at her hands, she saw spots form even though the woods were dark and full of deep shadows. Her eyesight had become that good. The golden fur was coming in, too. Her clothes started to feel tight and so did her shoes. In fact, they were painfully tight on her feet. She quickly took off her shoes and saw her feet taking on a different shape. They grew wider and shorter—almost like cat paws—and they stretched her socks sideways.
What the heck is going on? I’ve never changed this much before.
She remembered Aunt Deb saying that she wouldn’t fully shift before she was twenty-one, but her feet obviously hadn’t gotten the message. As she watched, her toenails poked through the ends of her socks and curved into dangerous looking claws.
Why is this happening now? I should have run off the stress so—
The fur growing on the back of Juli’s neck seemed suddenly to stand up. The scent she’d picked up moments earlier became stronger. A faint buzzing, like static, filled her head. An instinctive alarm went off inside her and, without understanding why—just knowing she should—she threw herself behind a bush.
Crouching there, glancing around, she spied another figure in the shadows on the other side of the clearing. Although undergrowth obscured most of the figure, she could see that it was a huge wildcat of some kind—and it was staring at her. Had she started to shift again just from being near it?
Are you the cat from my dreams? Are you another shapeshifter?
A sense of uncomfortable surprise struck her, but Juli knew immediately that the emotion didn’t belong to her. It came from outside of her…from the wildcat. Amazing. She was picking up on its feelings.
Who the heck are you? she thought.
I’m here to protect you, princess.

Review:


Never Pick on a Jaguar Princessis a young adult paranormal novel targeted at the tween and early teen girl audience. The author employs clear, direct language and doesn't load the story down with superfluous minutiae. The heroine, Juliana, is a fifteen year old girl, recently orphaned when her parents were killed in a car crash by a drunk driver. She comes to live with her aunt on the family farm in Onca lake, Texas.  Juli is a nice girl, smart but on the quiet side. She's bookish, likes to play chess, but is also athletic. She's mature for her age, especially given the terrible loss she's suffered. She remains conscientious, considerate of others and even tempered throughout the novel.

As she nears sixteen, Juli's shape shifting gifts begin to manifest. She scares chickens, has strange dreams, develops itchy spots and eventually grows fur at inconvenient moments. Initially the poor girl is confused and who could blame her? She struggles to accept her feline nature and eventually delights in her newfound abilities. The younger reader will find her journey to be a fun and captivating flight of imagination. However, as a mother of three, the idea of parents not only failing to prepare but actively keeping their child in the dark strained my credibility.

Much of the plot revolves around tryouts for the high school track team. Juli seems to regard membership as more than a way of making new friends. Then team provides social validation in addition an outlet for her innate aggression and high energy. Although I was never on the high school track team, the length of time the tryout took felt too drawn out.

The story deals with the subject of bullies rather extensively when Juli becomes the target of a mean group of girls called the Track Pack. The author adopts a middle-of-the-road approach. Juli talks to her aunt about the problem but they do not go to school authorities. The heroine employs various methods of resolving this external conflict, including attempts to diffuse it and standing up for herself. I felt the matter was deftly handled.

A council of shifters who meet in their partial animal forms provides some comedy relief and also serves to advance the primary subplot. Another cat shifter in Onca Lake is actively seeking to harm the girls who are mean to Juliana. The external threat helped build tension as the story sped at a quick clip toward its resolution.

NPoaJP doesn't wrap up with a neat ribbon tying everything together but the story does offer a satisfactory conclusion.  Since this story was meant to be the first in a series, the questions left unresolved were OK by me. Romance elements are sweet and limited to kissing. There is mention of teenage drinking but in way of the cautionary tale--don't do it. Violence is mild. I'd be perfectly comfortable recommending this book for an eleven-year-old reader interested in paranormal fiction.

Never Pick On a Jaguar Princess available exclusively at Amazon.   Author Bio:
Teri Thackston—also known as T. Lynn Odom in the YA world—is an award-winning, multi-published author of paranormal romance, romantic suspense, western romance and—most recently—young adult paranormal. While storytelling is her first love, she also delves into non-fiction writing, with hundreds of articles floating around the web on topics ranging from how to choose a mother-of-the-bride dress to how to process credit cards for your small business. But she can most often be found creating unique worlds for the characters that whisper in her ear, begging to be brought to life. Her stories are known for exciting action as well as captivating romance.

Where you can find T. Lynn Odom on the Internet:
Email:  t_thackston@yahoo.com  or   tlynn_odom@yahoo.com  (for YA fans)
Website
Blog
Facebook:   Teri Thackston   or   T. Lynn Odom
Twitter
Goodreads:  Teri_Thackston   or   T._Lynn_Odom
Amazon Author Page:  Teri Thackston   or   T. Lynn Odom
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Published on September 11, 2013 01:00

September 10, 2013

Lisa Rayns's CURSE OF THE EGYPTIAN GODDESS

The Death of Cleopatra by Reginald Arthur, 1892Cleopatra VII is one of the most popular figures in Ancient Egyptian history. Well-educated, clever, and seductive, the Greek Queen of Egypt ruled for nearly three decades. Her drive for power was unprecedented for a woman of her time. Her unforgettable love affair with Marc Antony and tragic death––suicide by asp––makes her story legendary. But of everything we’ve discovered about her, much is left a mystery because Antirhodos, the royal island where her palace was located, sank into the Mediterranean Sea.

That’s why I was so thrilled when I came across this article from MessageToEagle which states, “Lost for 1,600 years, the kingdom of Cleopatra was discovered off the shores of Alexandria, Egypt.”
This is old news, but the photos are amazing and with the prospect of an underwater museum in the future, my muse is in high gear for the next book.
Cleopatra is one of my favorite figures in history, which might explain why my heroine’s name in book 1, Curse of the Egyptian Goddess, is Cleo Patrix. It’s free on a couple sites, so I hope you’ll check it out.
And since this is The Snarkology blog, here is a glimpse of Cleo acting snarky.
Excerpt from Curse of the Egyptian Goddess:
By Monday morning, I had come to grips with my situation and had a firm understanding of where I stood. Nine days ago I was accused of murder, eight days ago I broke the law by hopping on a plane to Egypt, and now I was completely fucked without Calvin’s help. I wore a long-sleeved black shirt with my black jeans because they suited my mood. At least the stewardess still served me, and I felt better, almost numb when I entered the airport back in Madison. Unfortunately, I had a feeling the man rushing toward me in the terminal was about to kill my buzz.
Detective Cade wore another crinkled suit. He had his cuffs in hand, dark circles under his eyes, and deep lines of irritation streaked his forehead. I smiled and waved, but the stuffy ass wasn’t amused.
He growled as he pulled my wrists behind my back and slapped the handcuffs on. “You can’t leave a note that says you’ll be back in two weeks after I told you not to leave town.”
“Ow!”
“Christ. Are you permanently bruised?” He sounded cross, but he loosened the cuffs a little.
Buzz gone, I sighed before I turned around. “You’re going to have to carry my bag now. You realize that?”
He didn’t respond to my second attempt at humor. He picked up my bag and threw the strap over his shoulder before he curled his hand around my upper arm and pulled me along.
Sending thanks to everyone for stopping by! If you’ve found more photos online, please post the link. I’d love to see them!

Blurb:

Given her ten-year curse that leaves her beaten and bruised, Emma Patrix has grown accustomed to drinking away the pain. And with a trail of dead bodies behind her, it was only a matter of time before the law caught up. Now she's accused of murder and she must flee the country to find the one man who can help her break the curse-Calvin Konrad. She finally catches up with him in Egypt, but he's not the same sweet boy she remembers from her childhood. And getting him to help her proves more difficult than she ever imagined.

"Curse of the Egyptian Goddess is truly a twisted curse of all curses." --M.R. Polish, YA author/reviewer.

"A compelling page turner that will suck you in." --Stephanie Nelson, author of Craved.

Review:


Curse of the Egyptian Goddess is a contemporary paranormal romance novel which incorporates intricate mythology into a modern setting. The story's heroine, Cleo, is a flawed but fascinating woman who has the misfortune of being the target of an ancient curse, which is linked to the serpent necklace she wears about her throat. Because of the curse people involved with Cleo, those who touch her, die of strangulation. As a result, she carries the immense guilt of having caused the deaths of her entire family and she remains a menace to anyone who dares get too close to her. To make matters worse, she suffers from regular cuddle sessions with a giant invisible constrictor snake that attempts to squeeze the life out of her, leaving her covered in bruises. Cleo actively shuns human contact and drowns her misery in booze. The addict aspect of her personality is distasteful, although understandable, given the wretchedness of her existence.
Calvin was Cleo's childhood friend and the recipient of a different but complimentary necklace bearing the symbol of a cat. Unfortunately, Calvin starts out acting like a jerk to the extent that the reader struggles to find something likeable or sympathetic about him. Considering that his biggest complaint is being transformed into a cat, the guy's bad attitude is really out of proportion to the chip on his shoulder. (He gets to be a freaking tiger! How cool is that?) As a point in his favor, he does manage to redeem himself as the tale progresses and eventually becomes a hero worth rooting for.
I really liked the investigative mystery portion of the story. An exciting sense of suspense builds as Cleo and Calvin desperately search for a way to end their curses. A determined detective who is gunning for Cleo adds the right touch of external conflict. There are a few other supporting cast characters but Detective Cade is far and away the best and most interesting of them. I actually wanted to know more about him and I'm hoping he appears again at some point in the series.
I liked Cleo and Calvin together. They have great chemistry and are emotionally compelling. Love scenes are sensual. The story uses clean, direct language and the editing is excellent. The pacing remained steady and consistent throughout, carrying the reader toward the surprising conclusion. 
All in all, I'd recommend Curse of the Egyptian Goddess for anyone looking for an intriguing tale involving Egyptian mythology set in the modern world. I believe the "curse" theme is an absolutely fantastic premise for a series and I'm looking forward to seeing what Lisa Rayns does next.
I downloaded this story from Amazon during a free day.

Buy Links:
 Amazon Kindle    Amazon Paperback

Free on:   
Smashwords
All Romance
Author Bio: Lisa Rayns, author of the paranormal romance, "Wanted: Vampire – Free Blood," lives in a small town in South Dakota. She studied Composition/Literature in college and worked with explosives and as a blackjack dealer before beginning her writing career. An avid reader, she weaves romantic stories rich with action, suspense, and her own personal flavor of the paranormal. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and Siamese cat. For more information about Lisa and her books, visit her website at www.lisarayns.com.
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Published on September 10, 2013 01:00

The Snarkology

Melissa Snark
The author blog of Melissa Snark.
Melissa Snark isn't a Goodreads Author (yet), but they do have a blog, so here are some recent posts imported from their feed.
Follow Melissa Snark's blog with rss.