Maggie Thom's Blog, page 8
February 22, 2013
Untangling the Knot by Deanne Wilsted
UNTANGLING THE KNOT
By
Deanne Wilsted
BLURB:
“I did what?”
Twenty-eight year old Gabriella Bessu is St. Therese’s meticulous wedding ceremony coordinator. So the fact that she has mistakenly signed her newest couple up for an annulment, rather than a wedding, sends her Catholic guilt into overdrive.
But who can blame her? The groom is gorgeous and his two kids tug at Gabriella’s heart in a way that overcomes all her best intentions. Before long she’s in over her head, fixing her mixed-up plans and helping the children and dad come to terms with their haunting grief for the mother and wife they lost years earlier.
Can Gabriella untangle her own fears and accept the messy life that God has handed them?
EXCERPT:
Gabriella heard Mandy’s screech all the way down the corridor. Oh no! That didn’t sound good. She’d sort of thought Mandy appeared wound up when they had first arrived at the office but she couldn’t imagine what would have made her explode like that.
She didn’t have to wait long to find out. Seconds later, Mandy stormed into her office pointing a piece of paper at her like a gun. Within moments, Ryan and Fr. O’Shea followed her through the door, Ryan seeming confused and Fr. O looking apologetic.
To read more click here... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-91
By
Deanne Wilsted
BLURB:
“I did what?”
Twenty-eight year old Gabriella Bessu is St. Therese’s meticulous wedding ceremony coordinator. So the fact that she has mistakenly signed her newest couple up for an annulment, rather than a wedding, sends her Catholic guilt into overdrive.
But who can blame her? The groom is gorgeous and his two kids tug at Gabriella’s heart in a way that overcomes all her best intentions. Before long she’s in over her head, fixing her mixed-up plans and helping the children and dad come to terms with their haunting grief for the mother and wife they lost years earlier.
Can Gabriella untangle her own fears and accept the messy life that God has handed them?
EXCERPT:
Gabriella heard Mandy’s screech all the way down the corridor. Oh no! That didn’t sound good. She’d sort of thought Mandy appeared wound up when they had first arrived at the office but she couldn’t imagine what would have made her explode like that.
She didn’t have to wait long to find out. Seconds later, Mandy stormed into her office pointing a piece of paper at her like a gun. Within moments, Ryan and Fr. O’Shea followed her through the door, Ryan seeming confused and Fr. O looking apologetic.
To read more click here... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-91
February 21, 2013
Wind's Aria by Tessa Stockton - Review
Wind's Aria by Tessa Stockton - Review
BLURB:
Elected as the Songstress, Aria takes her place on the sacred platform to sing before every dawn. As long as she does so, peace and abundant life belong to her people. One morning, amidst a strange wind that brings with it a curse in its eerie howl, Aria loses her ability to make music. But the encroaching death that transpires isn’t her biggest tragedy. It’s that she adores the cause of her blunder, for he’s a magnificent winged creature who’s stolen more than her voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
“Who are you?”
He pushed further back into the shadows as she strode closer. “Someone you need not know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
When he didn’t answer, she sighed.
“What a strange, terrible day,” she mumbled. “Well, at least tell me your name . . .”
To read more click here: http://wp.me/p2ydBl-8A
BLURB:
Elected as the Songstress, Aria takes her place on the sacred platform to sing before every dawn. As long as she does so, peace and abundant life belong to her people. One morning, amidst a strange wind that brings with it a curse in its eerie howl, Aria loses her ability to make music. But the encroaching death that transpires isn’t her biggest tragedy. It’s that she adores the cause of her blunder, for he’s a magnificent winged creature who’s stolen more than her voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
“Who are you?”
He pushed further back into the shadows as she strode closer. “Someone you need not know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
When he didn’t answer, she sighed.
“What a strange, terrible day,” she mumbled. “Well, at least tell me your name . . .”
To read more click here: http://wp.me/p2ydBl-8A
February 19, 2013
Tainted Waters
I am really excited today to reveal the new cover for my next book coming out in April - Tainted Waters.
TaintedWaters400x800I always find it interesting when it comes time to do the new book cover. I usually have a few ideas of what I want in it but I am not one of those people that has a clear vision of what the final book cover should look like.
I want to give thanks to digital donna (http://digitaldonna.com/) for the incredible job she did on this cover and on Captured Lies. She definitely is very talented. This one took a little bit of back and forth (only three times, so not bad). I don't always know what I want but I do know what I don't want. I am always impressed though from where this starts to where it ends up. Donna was awesome to work with.
Click here to check it out... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-bp
TaintedWaters400x800I always find it interesting when it comes time to do the new book cover. I usually have a few ideas of what I want in it but I am not one of those people that has a clear vision of what the final book cover should look like.
I want to give thanks to digital donna (http://digitaldonna.com/) for the incredible job she did on this cover and on Captured Lies. She definitely is very talented. This one took a little bit of back and forth (only three times, so not bad). I don't always know what I want but I do know what I don't want. I am always impressed though from where this starts to where it ends up. Donna was awesome to work with.
Click here to check it out... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-bp
February 14, 2013
Interview with Kim from Read Your Writes Book Reviews
Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Kim from Read Your Writes Book Reviews. If you love to read and want to know if a book is good or not, Kim writes really thorough reviews that let's you get a feel for the book, so you can tell if it is one that you will like to read or not.
Kim's Bio: Oh, the tell me about yourself question.... Let’s see... I’m a shy girl from Texas, who loves Tex-Mex. I don’t talk very much, because I’m shy. But get me on the computer and I’m a totally different person. I’m a former accountant (but I’m nice and a little funny) turned stay at home mom to two humans, two cats, and a Husky. I’m lucky enough to hear the Pacific from my living room.
Read Your Write Website: www.readyourwrites.blogspot.com
1. When did you start reading?
Honestly, while most girls were reading Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, I was reading The Knowledge Encyclopedia. I could actually tell you everything you wanted to know about all 50 states. Then when everyone was reading the latest Sweet Valley High books, I was reading the one magazine my mother bought, Newsweek. Are you sensing a nerd vibe? I didn’t really start to love reading until around 2008, when the first Twilight movie came out. I had to find out what the big fuss was all about so I started to devour the books. After reading all of them in a fairly short amount of time, I discovered I liked reading. Up until that point I was always on my computer playing The Sims.
2. What was the first book you remember reading?
I’m going to have to say Run Spot Run, because that’s the book that popped into my head.
3. What attracted you to or got you started reading?
To read more, click here: http://wp.me/p2ydBl-9K
Kim's Bio: Oh, the tell me about yourself question.... Let’s see... I’m a shy girl from Texas, who loves Tex-Mex. I don’t talk very much, because I’m shy. But get me on the computer and I’m a totally different person. I’m a former accountant (but I’m nice and a little funny) turned stay at home mom to two humans, two cats, and a Husky. I’m lucky enough to hear the Pacific from my living room.
Read Your Write Website: www.readyourwrites.blogspot.com
1. When did you start reading?
Honestly, while most girls were reading Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, I was reading The Knowledge Encyclopedia. I could actually tell you everything you wanted to know about all 50 states. Then when everyone was reading the latest Sweet Valley High books, I was reading the one magazine my mother bought, Newsweek. Are you sensing a nerd vibe? I didn’t really start to love reading until around 2008, when the first Twilight movie came out. I had to find out what the big fuss was all about so I started to devour the books. After reading all of them in a fairly short amount of time, I discovered I liked reading. Up until that point I was always on my computer playing The Sims.
2. What was the first book you remember reading?
I’m going to have to say Run Spot Run, because that’s the book that popped into my head.
3. What attracted you to or got you started reading?
To read more, click here: http://wp.me/p2ydBl-9K
February 12, 2013
Interview with Lisa Regan, Author of Finding Claire Fletcher
Finding Claire Fletcher
by Lisa Regan
Down on his luck, Detective Connor Parks takes solace in the arms of a woman he meets at a local bar, but in the morning, Claire Fletcher is gone, leaving behind clues to a decade-old mystery. Abducted at age fifteen, no one has heard from Claire Fletcher in ten years. Until now.
Driven by an unsettling need to see Claire again, Connor sets out to solve the mystery of her disappearance once and for all.
Author’s Website: www.lisaregan.com
Interview with Lisa Regan
1. When did you start reading?
My parents and grandparents always read to me. I was reading on my own at 5.
2. What was the first book you remember reading?
The Monster at The End of This Book with Sesame Street’s Grover in it. I knew that Grover was the monster at the end but it still scared the crap out of me every time I read it!
3. What attracted you to or got you started reading?
My grandfather, Walt was a big reader. He used to go to the library once a week, come home with a stack of books and mow right through them. My mom and stepdad always read, and there were always books in our house. For as far back as I can remember I was surrounded by books and readers.
4. What was the first book that had a real ‘wow’ factor for you?
To read more, click here... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-9x
by Lisa Regan
Down on his luck, Detective Connor Parks takes solace in the arms of a woman he meets at a local bar, but in the morning, Claire Fletcher is gone, leaving behind clues to a decade-old mystery. Abducted at age fifteen, no one has heard from Claire Fletcher in ten years. Until now.
Driven by an unsettling need to see Claire again, Connor sets out to solve the mystery of her disappearance once and for all.
Author’s Website: www.lisaregan.com
Interview with Lisa Regan
1. When did you start reading?
My parents and grandparents always read to me. I was reading on my own at 5.
2. What was the first book you remember reading?
The Monster at The End of This Book with Sesame Street’s Grover in it. I knew that Grover was the monster at the end but it still scared the crap out of me every time I read it!
3. What attracted you to or got you started reading?
My grandfather, Walt was a big reader. He used to go to the library once a week, come home with a stack of books and mow right through them. My mom and stepdad always read, and there were always books in our house. For as far back as I can remember I was surrounded by books and readers.
4. What was the first book that had a real ‘wow’ factor for you?
To read more, click here... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-9x
February 5, 2013
Two Talk Books
Why did I pull my book, Captured Lies from a Traditional Publisher? My interview with Starla Faye on Two Talk Books on LA Talk Radio. http://wp.me/p2ydBl-a3
January 31, 2013
Seven Point Eight (The Second Chronicle) by Marie Harbon
Seven Point Eight:
'The Truth Will Set You Free'
In the second installment of the Seven Point Eight series, the legacy of the OOBE project weighs heavily on the conscience of Dr Paul Eldridge. Tahra Mamoun needs to muster all her courage and venture back into the alternate dimensions of reality. Through a series of challenging, surreal and frightening experiences, she comes to comprehend the destructive power she can yield and must face her own demons in the process.
Paul continues his quest to understand the ancient knowledge of the cosmos, while dark forces seek to hijack his research to further a secret agenda. With their lives in jeopardy, Paul and Tahra confront their enemies against an international backdrop featuring the pyramids of Giza and the peaks of Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Sam and Ava endeavour to uncover their past, even though it may irrevocably change their lives.
In a tale of courage and tragedy, love and betrayal, their lives are interwoven around the demons of one man, Max Richardson, who'll stop at nothing to achieve his objectives.
Written in the style of a TV series, Seven Point Eight draws together quantum physics, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, ancient wisdom and conspiracy in a soap opera for the soul.
It’s the ideal read for lovers of sci-fi, contemporary fantasy, paranormal, metaphysics, ‘Lost’, ‘Fringe’, ‘Touch’, and Dan Brown books.
Please tell us and our readers a little bit about yourself.
I’m a UK based author who writes mainly in the science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal genres, although I may break that rule from time to time. Apart from writing, my greatest passions also include fabric and stitching; I create bags, corsets and clothing in the vintage, retro and alternative style.
Describe your book series in a sentence to convince us to buy it.
Be prepared for a journey, an expedition that draws together fringe science, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, folklore, consciousness, conspiracy and ancient wisdom, in a soap opera for the soul.
Why science fiction?
I like geeky science, but I also love the grand and epic scope that sci-fi offers. Speculative fiction really stretches the imagination and whole creative process, plus you can integrate all kinds of technology, while examining the moral aspects of it. There are many movies and TV series in this genre that remain favourites too, such as Star Wars, Contact, Star Trek, Star Gate, and Fringe.
If your book got turned into a movie, who would you select as your actors?
Seven Point Eight is written in the style of a TV series, with a complex and epic plot full of numerous story threads. If I had rich pickings, I’d cast Michael Fassbender as Dr Paul Eldridge, Henry Cavill as Max Richardson (with a bit of age added), Dianna Agron as Ava, and Nicholas Hoult as Sam. The cover girl for The First Chronicle is New Mexico actress, Monique Candelaria, and I’d love her to take the role.
Who do you admire most in your life?
I admire people who follow their own path, regardless of what society thinks. It takes a lot of courage to do what you know to be right, rather than just following the crowd. Strong and successful women also inspire me, and people who stand up to the shortfalls of the system. Bradley Manning, Julian Assange, and The Occupy Movement stand against the immoral and greedy nature of our governments and banks. I believe in liberty, creativity, and spirituality.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
To read more, click here.... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-6d
'The Truth Will Set You Free'
In the second installment of the Seven Point Eight series, the legacy of the OOBE project weighs heavily on the conscience of Dr Paul Eldridge. Tahra Mamoun needs to muster all her courage and venture back into the alternate dimensions of reality. Through a series of challenging, surreal and frightening experiences, she comes to comprehend the destructive power she can yield and must face her own demons in the process.
Paul continues his quest to understand the ancient knowledge of the cosmos, while dark forces seek to hijack his research to further a secret agenda. With their lives in jeopardy, Paul and Tahra confront their enemies against an international backdrop featuring the pyramids of Giza and the peaks of Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Sam and Ava endeavour to uncover their past, even though it may irrevocably change their lives.
In a tale of courage and tragedy, love and betrayal, their lives are interwoven around the demons of one man, Max Richardson, who'll stop at nothing to achieve his objectives.
Written in the style of a TV series, Seven Point Eight draws together quantum physics, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, ancient wisdom and conspiracy in a soap opera for the soul.
It’s the ideal read for lovers of sci-fi, contemporary fantasy, paranormal, metaphysics, ‘Lost’, ‘Fringe’, ‘Touch’, and Dan Brown books.
Please tell us and our readers a little bit about yourself.
I’m a UK based author who writes mainly in the science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal genres, although I may break that rule from time to time. Apart from writing, my greatest passions also include fabric and stitching; I create bags, corsets and clothing in the vintage, retro and alternative style.
Describe your book series in a sentence to convince us to buy it.
Be prepared for a journey, an expedition that draws together fringe science, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, folklore, consciousness, conspiracy and ancient wisdom, in a soap opera for the soul.
Why science fiction?
I like geeky science, but I also love the grand and epic scope that sci-fi offers. Speculative fiction really stretches the imagination and whole creative process, plus you can integrate all kinds of technology, while examining the moral aspects of it. There are many movies and TV series in this genre that remain favourites too, such as Star Wars, Contact, Star Trek, Star Gate, and Fringe.
If your book got turned into a movie, who would you select as your actors?
Seven Point Eight is written in the style of a TV series, with a complex and epic plot full of numerous story threads. If I had rich pickings, I’d cast Michael Fassbender as Dr Paul Eldridge, Henry Cavill as Max Richardson (with a bit of age added), Dianna Agron as Ava, and Nicholas Hoult as Sam. The cover girl for The First Chronicle is New Mexico actress, Monique Candelaria, and I’d love her to take the role.
Who do you admire most in your life?
I admire people who follow their own path, regardless of what society thinks. It takes a lot of courage to do what you know to be right, rather than just following the crowd. Strong and successful women also inspire me, and people who stand up to the shortfalls of the system. Bradley Manning, Julian Assange, and The Occupy Movement stand against the immoral and greedy nature of our governments and banks. I believe in liberty, creativity, and spirituality.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
To read more, click here.... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-6d
Where do You Like to Read?
Recently I've been thinking about where I like to read. Where do I read the best. For me I just like to read, so I can pretty much read anytime, anywhere. I think we've all been there where we read to pass the time, maybe the kids have practice and you have to stay and watch until they are done. You are traveling somewhere and don't really want to talk to your seat mates. Or you just have a good book you really want to read so when you have a few free minutes you want to open it. However I started to think about where my preference is. I think it would be one of the following:
1. Sitting in a big overstuffed chair that I can curl my legs under me or hang them over the side. I used to have the perfect chair for this but sadly no more. I haven't found one I like to replace it.
2. Sitting in the corner of the couch, with my feet up under me, a pillow on my lap and my tablet on the pillow.
3. Sitting at the table in a comfortable chair with arms. I never used to read like this but I am finding I like it. Maybe because if I'm at the table...
To read more, click here... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-8M
1. Sitting in a big overstuffed chair that I can curl my legs under me or hang them over the side. I used to have the perfect chair for this but sadly no more. I haven't found one I like to replace it.
2. Sitting in the corner of the couch, with my feet up under me, a pillow on my lap and my tablet on the pillow.
3. Sitting at the table in a comfortable chair with arms. I never used to read like this but I am finding I like it. Maybe because if I'm at the table...
To read more, click here... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-8M
January 24, 2013
Review Tour - A World Apart by David M. Brown
A World Apart
Demetrius makes his first mistake when he lets his best friend Halcyon marry Eleyna, the love of his life, without saying a word. On the day of the wedding, he walks away from the Elencheran town of Dove’s Meadow and joins the army.
He makes his second mistake when the pirate Black Iris tricks him into letting dozens of men, women and children die in a fire. Demetrius is imprisoned in grief and disgrace.
But he can atone. The Black Iris is dead. The Ivory Rose has risen to the top of the pirates and is leading brutal raids on the coast. If Demetrius can capture and kill her, he’ll win his pardon.
And then Demetrius discovers the Ivory Rose is Eleyna. He must decide which will be his third mistake: losing his last chance at a pardon or destroying the one woman he’s ever loved.
~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Author
David Brown could be considered a fantasy fanatic, especially since he has spent the last 10 years developing a 47,000-year history for his fictional world of Elenchera. When converting his obsession into literary form, David commits himself to a rigorous writing and editing process before his work can meet his approval. Combined with the critical eye of his wife and a BA Hons in History and English, David’s dedication leads him to his goal of inspiring readers through heartfelt stories and characters.
Although David is inspired primarily by fantasy fiction, he also finds his muse in the form of anime, world cinema, history, and biographies. His own books, Fezariu’s Epiphany and A World Apart, and the in-progress Ansel’s Remorse and The Stars Beneath the Parapets combine aspects from worlds both old and new into compelling tales of a world not soon forgotten. David himself certainly does not lack a spirit of adventure; in fact, he left his job in 2007 in order to...
Click here to read more.... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-4C
A World Apart
Demetrius makes his first mistake when he lets his best friend Halcyon marry Eleyna, the love of his life, without saying a word. On the day of the wedding, he walks away from the Elencheran town of Dove’s Meadow and joins the army.
He makes his second mistake when the pirate Black Iris tricks him into letting dozens of men, women and children die in a fire. Demetrius is imprisoned in grief and disgrace.
But he can atone. The Black Iris is dead. The Ivory Rose has risen to the top of the pirates and is leading brutal raids on the coast. If Demetrius can capture and kill her, he’ll win his pardon.
And then Demetrius discovers the Ivory Rose is Eleyna. He must decide which will be his third mistake: losing his last chance at a pardon or destroying the one woman he’s ever loved.
~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Author
David Brown could be considered a fantasy fanatic, especially since he has spent the last 10 years developing a 47,000-year history for his fictional world of Elenchera. When converting his obsession into literary form, David commits himself to a rigorous writing and editing process before his work can meet his approval. Combined with the critical eye of his wife and a BA Hons in History and English, David’s dedication leads him to his goal of inspiring readers through heartfelt stories and characters.
Although David is inspired primarily by fantasy fiction, he also finds his muse in the form of anime, world cinema, history, and biographies. His own books, Fezariu’s Epiphany and A World Apart, and the in-progress Ansel’s Remorse and The Stars Beneath the Parapets combine aspects from worlds both old and new into compelling tales of a world not soon forgotten. David himself certainly does not lack a spirit of adventure; in fact, he left his job in 2007 in order to...
Click here to read more.... http://wp.me/p2ydBl-4C
A World Apart
January 22, 2013
12 Year old Author - Pamela Shine
Red Flames: Wizards’ School by Pamela Shine
Bio: I am 12 years old and wrote my first book Red Flame: Wizards’ School while I was still 12.
http://redflamebooks.com/
My Interview with Pamela
When did you start reading?
At four years old
What is the first book you remember reading?
Goldilocks and the three bears. It was a kid’s book but still had quite a few words in it to explain the pictures.
What attracted you to or got your started reading?
It started as a pass time hobby then whilst at first primary school reading became part of my learning. Whilst at school I would regularly visit the nearest library every two weeks or so.
What was the first book that had that ‘wow’ factor for you?
‘The Anti-Prom’ by Abby McDonald. It was a funny story with quite a few tense areas. I read it in 5 hours and enjoyed every second! But there’s also ‘The Karma Club’ by Jessica Brody which I read the day after which was also amazing!
What genres have you read?
To read more click here...
http://wp.me/p2ydBl-7F
Bio: I am 12 years old and wrote my first book Red Flame: Wizards’ School while I was still 12.
http://redflamebooks.com/
My Interview with Pamela
When did you start reading?
At four years old
What is the first book you remember reading?
Goldilocks and the three bears. It was a kid’s book but still had quite a few words in it to explain the pictures.
What attracted you to or got your started reading?
It started as a pass time hobby then whilst at first primary school reading became part of my learning. Whilst at school I would regularly visit the nearest library every two weeks or so.
What was the first book that had that ‘wow’ factor for you?
‘The Anti-Prom’ by Abby McDonald. It was a funny story with quite a few tense areas. I read it in 5 hours and enjoyed every second! But there’s also ‘The Karma Club’ by Jessica Brody which I read the day after which was also amazing!
What genres have you read?
To read more click here...
http://wp.me/p2ydBl-7F
