Julie A. Rainey's Blog, page 11

Author Spotlight - Joe Anderson

Description:
Destiny leaves home one day and finds herself beneath the roof of a bus stop while all around her is pouring rain. The bus arrives and its doors slide open. The only problem is; Destiny has nowhere she wants to go.

As the bus takes her away, Destiny becomes aware that something is very wrong. She ends up in a strange city she's never heard of before, and the only person who seems to want to help her is the mysterious Adriel; an aloof, teenaged artist with a habit of dissapearing.

Destiny must then find a way back home to her own reality. To do this, she must first discover the secret of what hides behind a pair of ominous, black doors in Adriel's mansion, and what has happened in both of their pasts to bind them to this place together.



Where to Buy:
Amazon

Author Website:
Joe's Blog

Reviews:
The Black Doors is a surreal story of hurt and love, and how the things that we hide away in our hearts can keep us captive. Nice imagery and a well-told story.

Author Spotlight - Bob Brill

Description:
Despite all the glory and job creation theories heaped as praise on the Internet the fact remains the Internet has destroyed the world business model as we have known it and destroyed many businesses around the world. NO BARRIER takes an in depth and human look at how this happened and why there must be some cost to doing business on the World Wide Web. Well known and award winning journalist Bob Brill takes a deep and sometimes personal look at what the Internet has done and where it still may go as it destroys everything from mom and pop businesses to larger companies and why many of the jobs we've known for so long will never come back again. With a forward by a respected economist, NO BARRIER is must reading for anyone with a business or an interest in the future of the Internet or anyone for that matter who surfs the web. Brill looks into the Napster disaster and the loss of entire industries due to the forces of the web as well as the creation of more industries. Should there be government control or at least restraints on the web? This is the question Brill delves into in exploring what might be called the most dangerous, fraudulent and criminal creating yet dynamic force the planet may have ever known. It is fascinating reading for anyone who has ever bought or sold on line, or whoever had to process an insurance claim on the Internet. It is here and it is not going away. Now the question arises how do you deal with the juggernaut without losing your shirt and everything else you hold dear to you?

Where to Buy:
Amazon

Author Website:
Bob Brill

Reviews:
A well researched and well written book tracing the history and predicting the future of eCommerce. A must read for anyone involved in eCommerce or brick and mortar retailing. A sobering look at how easy the Internet has made it to bring even the largest entities to their knees or destruction.

Author Spotlight - Loukia Borrell

Description:
"Raping Aphrodite" is a novel with two story lines. The first story line involves a woman named Tash Colgate, who lives in Virginia and owns an art gallery. When she agrees to exhibit artifacts from Cyprus in her art gallery, her life begins to unravel as she suspects the pieces were stolen when Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974. Her husband pieces together the mystery and in doing so, comes to understand his wife isn't who either of them think she is. The second story line involves a young Peace Corps volunteer, Barbra Duffy, who escapes a hostage situation in Cyprus in 1974 and begins a perilous walk to find help for those she left behind. Toward the end of the novel, both story lines merge and the truth about Tash's identity is revealed to her husband, Christian. Will he try to keep it from Tash or tell her the truth and risk losing her?
Where to Buy:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Random Thought - Teleporters

As much of a nerd as I am, I have never watched a single episode of Star Trek or any of the spin off series. It's impact on pop culture is ever present however and it's through that I learned of teleporters. "Beem me up Scotty." That's the phrase that jumps to mind whenever I here the word teleporter.

Just imagine how totally awesome it would be if we had the capability to teleport. (Energy crisis solved I do believe.) I can't tell you how many times I have gotten up the road a little ways from my house and realized I had forgotten a vital object. Instead of turning around, driving back home, retrieving the object, getting back in the car and resuming my original path, I could simply call whomever was at home and make them teleport it to the front seat of my car.

Another instance where this would be extremely useful. Road trips. Don't get me wrong, I love to view the beautiful varying landscapes that make up America but after traveling from my home to California a few years ago (a 27 hour drive) I think I would rather just be there instantaneously. Makes visiting the in-laws much easier if I can go home at night and return in the morning. Of course flying there would have been a lot shorter but after witnessing the horror of 9/11, I think I'll keep my feet planted firmly on the ground. I just wish I could drive to my dream destinations across the Atlantic, guess that's what alcohol is for. Courage.

My point is that we should be researching the crap out of this. It would be so cool to not have to put up with slow-as-molasses drivers or distracted texting drivers or idiotic drivers in general. And waiting in mile long lines to board planes would be a thing of the past. Alright scientist, you have your goal. Go!

Just a thought.

Romance in Books and the Movies

    Romance. It makes even the most violent, gory, action packed movies tolerable to anyone that doesn't have hoards of testosterone flowing through their veins. Unfortunately most movies and books portray the relationships between men and women in the most idealistic manner, completely devoid of any roots in reality.

    A consequence of these actions is that women begin to have unrealistic notions of how real life should be. We fill are heads with ideas about true love and soul mates and place expectations on the opposite sex that no one in the world could meet, aside from a fictional character.

    Men aren't the most expressive creatures on the planet and most will not run after you in the rain and kiss you passionately, profusely apologizing for having been wrong.  (In fact getting them to admit when they are wrong is a triumph all it's own.) Most men aren't going to take a bullet for you or beat the crap out of the bad guy.

    At the risk of sounding completely jaded, real love is not like that at all. You will not always want to spend every waking minute together, he doesn't want to go strolling on the beach with you and he will probably run if a gun is pointed his way. However, he will most likely do a million other things that will make you love him anyway and a million more that will drive you crazy.

    No one is perfect.

Author Spotlight - Warren M. Bell

Description:
A wildlife photographer studying Arctic Wolves finds a World War II German bomber melting out of a glacier on Ellesmere Island.  The National Geographic article announcing the discovery sparks old memories for Evan Thompson, an elderly attorney who was once a U.S. Navy codebreaker.  He recalls his assignment to Bletchley Park in England to work with a team of experts decrypting the message traffic of the German High Command.  He contacts the photographer and relates the fantastic story behind the wrecked aircraft.

Siegfried von Rall, the premier reconnaissance pilot of the Luftwaffe, becomes Reich Marshal Göring’s technical advisor.  Evaluating ideas to counter heavy RAF raids on German cities, he flies at night with the Wilde Sau, single-seat fighters forced to find British bombers by visual contact.  Enraged by horrendous civilian casualties and determined to counter Göring’s incompetence, Siegfried devises a scheme to kill President Roosevelt and forestall the invasion of France.  Employing a prototype ultra-long-range bomber and first generation “smart bombs,” he plans to fly across the Arctic and blow up the White House.  Göring, who is desperate to restore his sagging prestige with Hitler, creates a special detachment of heroes commanded by Major Werner Brandt to carry out the mission.  The unit trains on existing aircraft while awaiting completion of their Amerika-Bomber.  A woman assigned to film their exploits wreaks dissention with sexual liaisons.  Shot down over Berlin, Siegfried becomes enamored with Eva von Seecht, a young physician, while recuperating at home.  Werner and Siegfried fly harrowing electronic intelligence sorties to the American coast.  At Bletchley Park, Evan’s team reads every signal about Brandt’s unit but wrongly believes it an anti-shipping force.  Just as Brandt prepares to mount his strike, Roosevelt goes on vacation, prompting Siegfried to send new target coordinates by radio.  Evan at last discerns Brandt’s mission.  A desperate race ensues, with the Allies trying to warn the isolated President while the Amerika-Bomber wings toward the U.S.  Werner finds a mansion matching his target description and destroys it with glide-bombs.   American P-38’s severely wound Werner in a fight over New York.   All the crew except dedicated Nazis bail out, taking Werner along.  Those remaining on the plane pass out when the damaged oxygen system fails.  The bomber runs out of fuel and crashes.  Back in Norway, Siegfried finally realizes that the mission has failed and prepares to face Göring’s wrath.

Where to Buy:
Amazon

Author Website:
Facebook

Reviews:
What a great read Fantastic blend of Fact and Fiction. Clearly a HEAP of research went into this. The technical detail is meticulous and all of the characters well defined and "real". Well done, Warren.
Sign me up for whatever you're writing now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a rule I have never been a fan of historical novels. Usually find them boring, inaccurate. Many times I've closed a book without finishing it. I would much rather read real history than fiction. Not this time. I was hooked by the second chapter! The premise is new. The details are incredible and accurate (reminds me of "Red October"). Really puts you into the action and makes you feel "you are there." Whether you do or do not like historical fiction, you should find this book intriguing enough to not put down!

Author Spotlight - Wendy Altshuler

Description:
When an amnesiac girl who thinks she has been born without a heart utters a prayer, she is met by a mysterious angelic stranger from her forgotten past. Together they embark on a journey to recover her removed heart, but enter into battle with an Evil Voice on a rampage to remove the hearts of an entire generation of children.

Where to Buy:
Amazon
Amazon UK

Author Website:
Arbor Gate
**Check out Wendy's other books at her author website.**

Reviews:
From a review of the series: "...a fantasy novel meant for young adults but appealing to readers and fantasy fans of all ages, following the adventures of a young boy, his close friend, and the bond he shares with a tree come to life...and of the mysterious Nadia, who begins searching for her own heart and memory yet finds her purpose in rescuing the hearts of others. An emotionally moving, uplifting, and wholesome fable." -Midwest Book Review
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently reviewed on Good Reads:  "This novel is about a twelve year old girl who goes on a fantastical journey to find her heart which is missing and is well told. The writing has a softness that carries you along with Nadia as she encounters wonderful but sometimes scary places such as the Land of Silence and the Islands of Tears and intriguing characters; Georgeonus and Holofernes for example. I particularly liked the imagery given in the description of the castle in Chapter Four. This is a story that would suit most age groups but may be too frightening for younger readers; the depictions of some of the characters spooked me! There is a message I feel within the story and I would definitely call this a `page-turner' and look forward to reading more." -TSGwilliam

Author Spotlight - Lily Silver

Description:
Guard Your Dreams . . . Lest They Emerge from the Mists to Embrace You!    

After her mother is murdered, Elizabeth’s Irish grandmother uses Druid magic to summon a champion from the mists to protect her from her nefarious stepfather. Granny Sheila calls forth a Dark Hero based on the Gothic Romances Elizabeth devours with relish. When a beguiling Irishman appears at their cottage one magic summer eve, he seems to be everything Elizabeth imagined in a hero. But her dashing Irish beau is much more than he appears to be.

Donovan Beaumont is a tormented recluse who takes refuge in logic and reason. After escaping the torturer’s den he uses disguises to protect himself from those about him. As the mysterious French count, a scarred survivor of ‘The Terror’, he inspires dread in all. As the charming Mr. O’Rourke, he gains people’s trust and learns their secrets, making certain he is never betrayed again. As The Raven, a notorious pirate, he is death to those who cross him on the high seas.

As Elizabeth’s husband, he is much more than she bargained for when she said ‘I do’.  

Once they arrive at his isolated island estate in the West Indies, a dismal place where ghosts linger and sorrow pervades, Elizabeth fears her new husband may be courting madness. She struggles with his dark moods, his eccentricities and their growing estrangement.  

If that weren’t enough for a young bride to deal with, she has troubles aplenty of her own . . .

Elizabeth inherited the gift of the seer and is able to speak with the dead. Married to a scientist, she is reluctant to take up her gifts lest he consider her the mad one and pack her off to the nearest asylum. Tormented by guilt, past abuse and memories of her mother’s murder, she is stalked by a malicious ghost cursed by her ancestor. Elizabeth is forced to embrace her Druidic heritage and confront the disturbing secrets hidden in her soul.  

The price of honesty may be too steep; if Donovan learns her horrifying secrets she may lose his love forever. 

Where to Buy:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

Author Website:
Lily Silver
Blog

Author Spotlight - Jennifer Quail

Description:
What do an ex-Navy test pilot and a Senate staffer have in common? Nothing, really, except for being the two most powerful Mages born in decades. And none too soon, because the forces of evil are gathering to take over the world - or, at least, Washington D.C. Elaine Gates and Alan Graves are the Lady of Wind and Water and the Lord of Earth and Fire, or so the mysterious Mark Valentine and his equally-enigmatic partner, Nadia Julian say. A seemingly chance meeting turns into a race against time and implacable enemies, as Alan and Elaine find themselves pitted against vampires, sorcery, and their own inner demons. A mysterious relic and their lives are on the line as the search takes them from national monuments to touristy Old Town Alexandria to the forgotten graves of the old city as they must discover what their enemies so desperately want, and their own destinies....

Where to Buy:
Amazon (Kindle & Paperback)
Smashwords

Author Website:
Omens in the Night

Reviews:
That I feel that way surprised me. I don't usually like books with vampires in them! But once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down! I agree with the other reviews that one of the best things were characters that didn't frustrate me. They were intelligent and real. The didn't act out of character in order to move the story line along. And from the beginning I wanted, no, needed to know what would happen to them. I also agree with someone else that it was great to have the main characters not just jump right into bed with each other. The way this was handled was very believable.

This book was well and clearly written. The action was well paced. The characters - well, I still want to know more about them and can't wait for a sequel to see more of them. And the ending was completely satisfying at the same time as leaving you wanting more.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My one complaint about this book is that it ended! The characters are engaging. I started reading one evening, and didn't stop until I was done.
I'm really hoping for another book from Ms. Quail and the sooner, the better.

*To read more reviews, click here.

Author Spotlight - Lisa Deckert

Description:
Get out of the heat, play some soccer, see a moose – how could Tori turn down the invitation to play in the Midnight Sun tournament in Fairbanks, Alaska?  Plus it would be a chance to reconnect with her aunt, Kim.  They were close when Tori was little, but have hardly spoken in the last couple of years.  So Tori makes the trip from Dallas to Fairbanks.  Alaska is pretty, the team is winning, Tori is scoring, everything is great until Tori wakes up in a locked room, at the mercy of a kidnapper. 

Bringing in Tori is a brilliant move as far as Denali and Kara are concerned.  She turns out to be an outstanding soccer player and a fun roommate.  Then they find the ransom note, and everything changes. Tori’s parents are on a plane and can’t be reached, so Tori’s aunt insists that they keep the kidnapping a secret.  Denali and Kara struggle to solve the mystery and rescue their new friend without putting Tori or themselves into more danger. Time is running out because once the ransom is paid, Tori could be released, or she might be slated for single elimination.  

Where to Buy:
Amazon