Kay LaLone's Blog, page 45

My Review Of Three Sisters By Helen Smith

"Fast-paced, funny, and mysterious." Socrates' Book ReviewsThree Sisters introduces twenty-six-year-old amateur sleuth Emily Castles in this popular new British mystery series.

Emily has been invited to a party in the big house at the end of her street in London. How could she know, as she left her house that evening, that she was making an appointment with death?

Readers of M C Beaton or Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy discovering a new mystery author in this entertaining 70-page novella."Fast-paced and unusual, I highly recommend this one." Eva's Sanctuary

 "It grips you from the very beginning." Books Bistro I give this book a five star review. Intriguing mystery. Did Emily really see what she thought she saw? It was fun to follow the clues with Emily as she solved the mystery. Satisfying ending.

My Review of Dream Student Book 1 in the Dreams Series by J. J. DiBenedetto

Dream Student
What would you do if you could see other people’s dreams?  If you could watch their hidden fantasies and uncover their deepest, darkest secrets…without them ever knowing?
Sara Barnes is about to find out.  She thought that all she had to worry about was final exams, Christmas shopping and deciding whether she likes the cute freshman in the next dorm who’s got a crush on her.
But when she starts seeing dreams that aren’t hers, she learns more than she ever wanted to know about her friends, her classmates…and a strange, terrifying man whose dreams could get Sara killed.
“Dream Student” is the thrilling first installment of the Dreams series.

I give this book a five star review. I loved it. I'm facinated by dreams, so this book really intrigued me. I love the dream scenes. They were so real as if I were dreaming them along with Sara. This is a fantastic paranormal suspense novel. A type of book I love to read. Thank you J. J. for a good read. I can't wait to read the other books in this series. So when I finish those books, you'll see my reviews here on my blog.


Here are the links:
www.writingdreams.net(my blog)
www.facebook.com/james.dibenedetto/39
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dream-Series/107699179403603(FB fan page for the books)
www.amazon.com/author/jjdibenedetto
http://www.amazon.co.uk/J.J.-DiBenedetto/e/B00BW6L9GK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1363742951&sr=8-4
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7006618.J_J_DiBenedetto
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/starkllr
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Student-Dreams-J-J-DiBenedetto/dp/1482716275/ref=la_B00BW6L9GK_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1365715105&sr=1-4
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Doctor-Dreams-J-J-DiBenedetto/dp/1482745542/ref=la_B00BW6L9GK_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1365715105&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Child-Dreams-J-J-DiBenedetto/dp/1482745569/ref=la_B00BW6L9GK_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1365715105&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Family-Dreams-J-J-DiBenedetto/dp/1482745593/ref=la_B00BW6L9GK_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365715105&sr=1-1
 


Author Bio:
J.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve University, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.
He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.
The "Dreams" series is James' first published work. I hope to see more books by J. J. Here are his other book in the Dream series that I can't wait to read.


Dream Doctor
“I didn’t expect to be woken up by someone I don’t know dreaming about killing somebody.  I thought I was done with that once and for all…”
But Sara’s not done with it.  As if adjusting to life as a newlywed and starting medical school weren’t difficult enough, she’s started seeing the dreams of everyone around her, again.  Before everything is said and done, those dreams might destroy Sara’s hopes of becoming a doctor, wreck her marriage and even end her life…
“Dream Doctor” is the thrilling second novel in the Dreams series.
 
Dream Child
"I would give anything to take this away from her.  I would gladly go back to having the nightmares myself – the very worst ones, the ones that had me waking up screaming in a pool of my own vomit – rather than see Lizzie go through this..."
As a resident at Children's Hospital, Sara can handle ninety hour workweeks, fighting to save her young patients from deadly childhood diseases.  But she's about to be faced with a challenge that all her training and experience haven't prepared her for: her four-year-old daughter has inherited her ability to see other people's dreams...
"Dream Child" is the suspenseful third novel in the "Dreams" series.   
Dream Family
"Why is this so hard for me?  Why am I having so much trouble?  Why do I feel so helpless, so hopeless?  What the hell is wrong with me?"
After tangling with murders and mobsters, not to mention medical school and three years of residency, Sara thought she could handle anything.  And then the police show up without warning at her new office and arrest her for a crime she can't possibly have committed.  Sara's confidence, and her grip on reality, is shattered during one terrifying night in jail.
Now, the very dreams that have endangered her life and driven her to the edge of madness may be the only thing that can help Sara find herself again...
"Dream Family" is the powerful fourth novel in the "Dreams" series.  Thank you for stopping by the blog. I hope you enjoy reading these books as much as I have. Leave me a comment and let me know.    

My Review Of Blind Dating by Kerry Taylor

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A light-hearted, funny romantic comedy - perfect for fans of Hilary Boyd, Christina Lauren, Lindsey Kelk, Deborah Cooke, Claire Cross, and Jill Mansell.
            When mid-forties, divorced, single-mother-of-three, Kimberly, realizes her own mother has more of a life than she does, she decides to do something about it. Encouraged by success stories from people at work, she joins a dating chat room, ICQ, which starts to rock her world.
All of a sudden she’s a swinging single, online, with extreme dates, a little dirty talk, and a sense of her new, sexy self— until that fateful moment when her long-time chat-room buddy, LonelySingle, wants to meet.
"Are you trying to find a man on Facelook?" her Mom questions, after years of being told it is Facebook!
What if he doesn’t like her?
What if she doesn’t like him?
These are the thoughts, inside her head. Until they meet and realise, that they have been friends offline aswell as online!
What happens next?
LINKS:
Blind DatingAmazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CIKKF6EApple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id640516427Nook - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blind-dating-kerry-taylor/1115191074ean=2940016463124&isbn=2940016463124Createspace - https://www.createspace.com/4258616Kobo - http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Blind-Dating-Light-Hearted-Romantic/book-YA_0nQWUGUO-gJFfopDvlQ/page1.html   My review of this book.  I give this book a 4 star review. I love the cover. A funny light-hearted romance about a single mother searching for true love. I found this story to have some funny moments.     

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A single mom of three living in Madrid, Kerry Taylor has been through many tugs-of-war in her life – from being stalked and abused to separated from her estranged husband – all while expressing her life through writing in different forms. She has released a series of autobiographies in the form of short stories and poetry: Stones of My Heart, Life’s Pebbles, Emotional Rollercoaster of a Single Mom, and Gravels of Moments.   Author's Links: Blog - http://kerrytaylor74.wordpress.com/ Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6539158.Kerry_Taylor Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/paulina2012   

My Review Of Seen The Wanderer Sereies by Heather Sutherlin

Through a portal, into another world, on an impossible quest...This wasn't how they planned to spend the summer.

Rory has no idea what's going on in the woods behind her house, but it's driving her crazy. On the last day of her senior year she finds herself caught up once again in the curious happenings of the forest and walks away without any of the answers she was hoping to find. To make matters worse, she is sent to visit a sick neighbor and instead finds the hottest guy she's ever seen. When she discovers his brother's incredible secret she falls further into her own chaos and into a fate she never could have imagined.

Jaron is just counting the days until the summer is over and he can get back to his real life. Stuck with his little brother on a tiny farm in rural Oklahoma is not exactly his idea of fun. But when Rory shows up on his doorstep with an armload of pie, he knows his summer has just taken a sharp turn into new territory. He never expected the adventure they would discover next or the quest that would change their lives forever.

I give this book a five star review. I loved it. Heather weaved together a magical world. The characters Rory, Rin, and Jaron were great. I was hooked from the very beginning all the way to the end. A page turner. I want more. Can't wait to read book 2. Thanks, Heather, for a good read.

My Review Of Softly Say Goodbye By K C Sprayberry

I have the priviledge of having my dear friend and critique partner, KC Sprayberry author of Softly Say Goodbye on my blog today.

Welcome, Kathi.

I have always enjoyed reading Kathi's stories, and Softly Say Goodbye is no exception. I give Softly Say Goodbye a five star review. Wow. I loved it. This book brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't help but cry with Erin when she lost the love of her life. KC Sprayberry has developed such real characters, I felt as if I knew them personally. This book is about teen drinking and the problems it can cause. But this story is also about love, friendship, and family. Thank you, Kathi, for a good cry as well as a good read. I can't wait to read more of your books.


About the Book:
Erin Sellers, an eighteen-year-old high school senior, hates teen drinking. She and her three friends – Bill, her guy, Shari and Jake - decide to use Twitter to stop a group, the Kewl Krew, from using their high school as the local bar. But the members of this group are just as determined to stop anyone from messing up their fun. Despite veiled threats to her safety, Erin continues her crusade.
To make matters worse for her, the stress of school and extra curricular work mounts and suddenly, shockingly, booze-fuelled tragedy strikes. Erin is now under greater pressure as she spends all hours to produce a mural and other work to commemorate the death of a teen friend. Bill, Jake and Shari support her in all this...
But more tragedy lurks nearby… until it’s time to softly say goodbye.

Excerpt




The whole room erupts into moans and groans. None of us like someone calling us kids, not with most of us already eighteen.
He laughs instead of getting upset. “Sorry. All right, class, here's the list. I'll call out a location, and the first person with their hand up gets it. I have enough locations for everyone to work alone, except one. Two of you will have to share.”
I sit back and go over possible locations in my mind. One sticks out. The park across from the police station on Main Street. There's a fantastic in-ground fountain for kids to play in during the summer and a bunch of concrete benches around it with walking paths and short walls. The fountain has a huge jet in the center and shoots water in a long stream over the nearby area. It also has smaller jets with bubbling water around the basin. But it's so plain, and the perfect place for a fantastic mural about living in a rural area.
“The old Long John Silver's near the Red Foods,” Mr. Janks says. “Mayor Flaggins thought something related to farming there.”
“Me!” Tuck waves his arm back and forth. “I have this fantastic idea. Maybe something including Jackson Valley and all the farms down there.”
Wallis County has a lot of small farms, nothing more than five to ten acres for people to put in enough vegetables to feed their families and sell the rest at truck stands. Tuck's suggestion brings up a visual of a long winding road beside a creek with houses against small hills and open fields to either side. In the summer, during the height of growing season, it looks fabulous.
“Okay, Tuck has the Long John Silver's.” Mr. Janks makes a note. “Let’s get on with the rest.”
The list of places to decorate sounds boring, and like Mayor Flaggins wants free labor to clean up some pretty nasty parts of town. Yeah, the economy stinks, but why do we have to volunteer to do something the mayor can put people sentenced to community service on?
“Okay, just two more,” Mr. Janks says, jerking me back to reality. “Next, the fountain near—”
My hand shoots into the air, and I wave my arm harder than Tuck did.
“Looks like Erin's hot for this one,” he says. “Okay, Erin. Want to share your idea?”
“Not sure yet,” I say. “Something including kids and the fountain. Definitely green.”   
The Author Info:
I am happily married to a man I met while in the Air Force. We recently celebrated our 18 years of marriage. Our teen, the youngest of 8, keeps us on our toes with his band activities. Writing is something I've done since I was very young. At first, it was in a diary and then I poured all my energies into English compositions, earning praise from my Advanced Composition teacher in high school for an extremely visual project. While in the Air Force, I placed second in the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge's annual contest and from then on, was hooked. However, the reality of a military career and raising children forced me to put off attempting publication until my husband and I moved to Georgia. It was after the birth of our now teen that I began taking courses through The Institute of Children's Literature, Long Ridge Writer's Group, and Writers Digest in an effort to make my life's dream come true.
We live in Northwest Georgia, in a small town, where I write Romance, Westerns, Young Adult, and Middle Grade stories, both short and book length. More than a dozen of my short stories have appeared in magazines such as Listen Magazine, Brio, and The Pink Chameleon website. I also have short stories in anthologies, Passionate Hearts Anthology, Mystery Times Ten, The Best of Frontier Tales, Vol. I, and Mystery Times Nine. My western stories have garnered interest by avid readers and appear on The Western Online and Frontier Tales.
My work appears under the pen names of KC Sprayberry and Kathi Sprayberry. Softly Say Goodbye, a young adult novel, was my NaNoWriMo winning project for 2010. This story was inspired by a quote from a song and hearing of an auto wreck involving teens and drinking.
 
Important Links:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KC-Sprayberry/331150236901202
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcsowriter
Blog: http://outofcontrolcharacters.blogspot.com/
website: www.kcsprayberry.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Softly-Say-Goodbye-ebook/dp/B009Y7PYLA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351629050&sr=1-1&keywords=softly+say+goodbye
Solstice Publishing: http://store.solsticepublishing.com/softly-say-goodbye/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/softly-say-goodbye-kc-sprayberry/1113669521?ean=2940015893175

I hear Softly Say Goodbye is on sale this month so check it out. Also you can enter for a chance to win a copy of Softly Say Goodbye.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Edge Of Darkness by Melissa Andrea

Title: The Edge of Darkness
Author: Melissa Andrea
Release Date: May 31, 2013
Tour Organizer: B3 Tours
Synopsis:
 
After a tragic accident, Araya Noelle is left with a constant reminder that nothing is forever.
She is forced to give up her chance to be the youngest dancer accepted into Julliard & taking over their high society school by a graceful storm of determination, is no longer an option. Instead of dwelling over her loss, she accepts the new future she’s been dealt. In a world as black as hers, there's no room for bitterness, no time for regret. Sheltered from the outside world, Araya has become suffocated by a life she has no control over. Until Ryland Dare comes crashing into her life.
You don’t know true darkness until you've felt the light…
Like a firecracker, showering her with colorful sparks of freedom, Ryland quickly sweeps Araya away from her grey existence. For the first time since the accident, living in darkness is no longer something Araya wants to do willingly. Unleashed by the shadows of her reminder, being with Ryland, Araya touches light. Together they will learn what it’s like to feel alive for the first time.
At the edge of darkness, a ray of light, will dare them both to HOPE. 
DARE them to LOVE
DARE them to LIVE


http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5816255.Melissa_Andrea

https://www.facebook.com/m.andrea.author?fref=ts
 
Book Trailer:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U-R5-jolGcc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>  Edge of Darkness Excerpts   Excerpt 1 “I’m afraid I’m going to have this hanging on my conscious all day now.” he teased. “That only seems fair.” “Yes it does, but I have a better suggestion.” his voice slid over my skin like silk. “Better for whom?” “Go out with me.” His proposal stunned me for a second and then I found my voice. “So better for you?” “I like to think of it as a mutual enjoyment.” “I fail to see how.” He shifted, and his breath hit my face in warm puffs. “Go out with me and I’ll show you.” Excerpt 2 “I’ve never met anyone like you before Araya. The way you view life and love; you’re not angry with anything that’s happened to you.” I turned my head toward him, and a smile tilted the corner of my lips. “Yeah, I’m kind of amazing that way.” I teased. He rolled over, bracing his arms on either side of my head, and we stared at each other upside down. His thumbs swept across my cheeks and his fingers caressed the sides of my neck up to my jaw. Tilting my neck back, he kissed my chin, and the dip below my bottom lip. He brushed his lips back and forth over mine, but the touch was so light, I couldn’t even be completely sure it had happened. “Yes, you are.” He whispered. Excerpt 3 His fingers wrapped around the back of my neck, pulling me hard against his body. I knew what he was attempting to do, but his plan was backfiring. My body sighed at the contact, and every curve molded against him; desperate to feel all of him. “If I feel you beneath me, I won’t be able to stop Araya. I want you too damn much! I want you, all of you. I want to be buried so deep inside of you, you won’t know where I end and you begin.” His breath showered my lips with warmth. “I won’t want you to stop Ryland. I need you, all of you, now and forever.” “And the rest?” His eyes move over my face, flushing my skin with the intensity of his gaze. The rhythm of my heart increased, because I know what he wants me to say. “Say it.” He growls against my lips.


Author Bio:
Melissa started reading in high school when she found her mom's romance book collection and has been hooked on books every since. She became a complete book-a-holic, starting her own collection and improving her reading skills. Most of the time she could finish a book walking around the store, while her mom shopped.

She wrote her first short story in high school for a competition in her writing class. It was a child's book called 'Arnold' - it was about an ant who believed he could do anything. Oh by the way, she won!

She has written many stories since then, but this will be her first YA paranormal/fantasy and the first book she will have published.

She lived in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of six years, and her 3 beautiful daughters. They are her biggest fans and they inspire her everyday. She enjoys spending time with her family, weekend dates with her mom & taking vacations. Hawaii anyone?
 
Author Links
Website: http://melissaandrea-justlikethat.blo...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m.andrea.author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5816255.Melissa_Andrea
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/melissa_andrea

Mary Waibel Author of Quest Of The Hart

A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale where the princess goes on the quest to save the prince.
 Princess Kaylee has never had to fight for anything. Her entire life has been arranged, even her marriage. But when Prince Devlin falls under an enchantment, she finds she is willing to do anything to save him, even if it means fighting a dragon.
 Devlin's own sister, Princess Arabella, is behind the deadly plot. She wants the throne and will use any means necessary to gain it. Her perfect plan unravels, leaving Devlin caught in a magical sleep that is slowly spreading through the kingdom of Breniera. All Arabella needs to finish her spell and claim the crown is a drop of Kaylee's blood, but obtaining the single drop is proving more difficult than expected.
 To save her betrothed, Kaylee embarks on a quest to find an ancient sword and gather a drop of dragon's blood, while trying to stay out of Arabella's traps. But Arabella's traps aren't the only danger. Time is everything. For once the last inhabitant of the kingdom falls asleep, the spell will be sealed, and not even true love's kiss will break it. Book Excerpt:           “There’s nowhere to go, Princess,” Arabella said. “And don’t get any ideas, either. I can finish things just as easily with the hag’s daughter as I can with you.”          “Kaylee, don’t listen to her. Only your blood will work, ” Sabrina yelled.          “Silence, wench! Thaddeus, get Princess Kaylee and keep hold of her.”          Kaylee started, so focused on Arabella she had missed the knight waiting at the edge of the stream. When he stepped into the water, she took a step backward, but his long arm caught hold of her and tugged her toward the bank. She considered struggling, but with his height and strength, it would be useless. Instead, she trudged to the shore, her mind whirling with plans to escape Arabella’s clutches.          “Kaylee,” Sabrina said. “You must get away from here.”          “I won’t leave you here with her. There’s no telling what she’ll do to you.”          “Princess Arabella will not harm Sabrina,” Thaddeus said. “She has done nothing to warrant such action.”          “I don’t have the same faith in your princess as you do,” Kaylee said. “Not after what she did to her brother.”          “What she did?” Thaddeus asked.          “Enough talk.” Arabella pressed the dagger closer to Sabrina’s neck, and glared at Kaylee.          It was clear the knight had no inkling that Arabella was the most dangerous person in the area. If she could get him on her side, they might be able to leave unharmed.          “Let her go, Arabella. I’m the one you want.” Kaylee held up her hands in surrender. She gave a low whistle, thankful Arabella didn’t seem to notice. Not knowing what animal ability the other princess possessed made it dangerous to be calling for help, but her options were sparse. Hopefully the birds still in the area were listening. A faint trill rose from below, and Kaylee felt hope spark to life.          “Thaddeus is going to tie your hands, and you’re going to cooperate.” Arabella tipped her head toward Sabrina, a warning in her eyes. “Unless you would like your friend here to pay the price.”          “Princess Kaylee will come peacefully,” Thaddeus said. “Why don’t you put that blade away before someone is injured?”          “Why don’t you tie her up like I ordered?” Arabella snapped.          Kaylee held her hands behind her back, whistling a longer melody, asking the birds to be ready, to wait for her command. She waited for the rope to bite into her flesh, but Thaddeus made it tight enough to restrain her yet loose enough to keep from chafing.          “Kaylee, why didn’t you go? I’m not worth you losing Prince Devlin. You must finish the quest and save the prince.” Sabrina’s words ended on a whimper as Arabella dug the blade into her neck.          “Sabrina!” Kaylee struggled against the bonds holding her. Thaddeus grabbed her shoulders, and she bucked against him, desperate to aid Sabrina.          “She only nicked me,” Sabrina said.          “But the spell. That means—”          “No, Kaylee,” Sabrina said. “She has to have your blood to finish the spell. And it has to be on the special dagger, not this one.”          “Are you suggesting Princess Arabella is working with you to ensorcell the prince?” Thaddeus asked.          “No. I’m saying Princess Arabella is the one who be-spelled him to begin with. She needs my blood to finish the curse. A death curse.”          “Princess? Is this true?” Thaddeus asked, and Kaylee prayed he could be swayed to their side.          “Of course not. They’re just trying to deceive you so they can go free.”          “Good sir knight. Were I to blame for the curse put upon Devlin, why would I be here at Paladin’s Sword when I could have been safely back in Palindore by now?”          Thaddeus frowned. “I don’t know, but my princess has assured me she was not the one to harm her brother. That she saw you cast the spell on him. Why would she lie?”          “Because the only way she can have the throne is if her brother is dead.” Kaylee blinked back tears at the thought.          A clatter of rocks echoed around the clearing, and Kaylee felt Thaddeus stiffen. He stepped forward, sword in hand, relaxing his stance when Lady Deirdre and Lady Maeryn stumbled their way around the bend.          “Well?” Maeryn asked, bending over at the waist and panting. “Have you finished the deed?”          Arabella grumbled something, and the two girls paled.          “W-We should have w-waited at the w-waterfall,” Deirdre whined. “Y-You d-didn’t n-need our h-help at all.”          “I need you to watch the hag’s daughter while I finish things here,” Arabella said.          “Maybe you should just throw it at her and be done with it,” Maeryn said.          Arabella bent and pulled a dagger from her boot. Kaylee shuddered, certain this was the end. Devlin had bragged at how perfect his sister’s aim was, and now she would see it first hand.          “Thaddeus! Bring her here.”          Thaddeus didn’t move.          “I won’t allow you to harm her. Your father’s orders were quite clear about that.”          “I will do as I will with her.”          Kaylee decided she had waited long enough. The knight was not going to believe her, and she wasn’t going to give Arabella a chance to use her for target practice. She whistled, and the air filled with birds.          Arabella, Maeryn, and Deirdre shrieked. Thaddeus released Kaylee, waving at the birds as he rushed toward his princess as all good knights would.          “Sabrina! Follow me!” Kaylee yelled as she stumbled up the path, her hands still bound behind her back.          Chaos reigned by the stream. Thaddeus waved away the birds, but more swooped in. Maeryn and Deirdre screamed. Arabella gripped the dagger and glared at Kaylee.          “Let me help you.” Sabrina grabbed Kaylee’s arm and tugged her up the path. Their only hope was to follow the path around the bend and pray there was a place to hide.          “Don’t let her get away!” Arabella screeched. Today I have Mary Waibel author of Quest of the Hart on my blog today. Welcome, Mary. At the end of this post there is a chance to win a free ebook.  1.      Tell us about your book and how the story came to be.   A friend told me I should write a story where the girly-girl princess had to save the prince, and Quest of the Hart was born. 2.      What three words best describe your main character?  Fragile yet strong
 3.      Do you have a method for creating your characters, their names and what do you think makes them believable?  I search names on the baby names sites, sometimes by meaning, sometimes by origin. I keep looking until I find one that resonates with the image I have of the character in my mind. 4.  Do your characters follow your plot path or do they take on a life of their own? Do you keep them in check? Plot path? LOL! I have a loose idea of where I want the story to go, but my characters definitely lead the way. I've learned when I can't go on from a point, it's usually because I had a character do something they wouldn't, and they won't let me go forward until I fix it and make it right.5.      Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, how did you over come it?
Laundry seems to be the thing that breaks through my writer's block. It never fails, the answer comes as I'm switching clothes from washer to dryer. I also have a great group of CP's (critique partners) I bounce things around with. 6.      What types of books do you like to read?  I a sucker for a good romance, usually with some kind of intrigue or paranormal element in it. Over all, I want a good story, with characters I want to escape with time and time again. I have to agree, Mary.  7.      What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?  Spend time with my family, camp, read, take a trip to the wineries, watch hockey or baseball. My son plays hockey and lacrosse, so I'm usually at a rink or field in my off time.
 8.      What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?  I just finished up my content edits for Charmed Memories, a companion novel to Quest of the Hart, and I am currently revising a third book in the group for submission.
 9.      What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?  If you don't write it, you can't fix it. As long as you have something on the page, you can always work at making it better, but if you leave it blank, it will never become anything. Good advice.    Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When she isn't twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey, and camping. Her debut novel, Quest of the Hart, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing April 19, 2013. Charmed Memories, a companion novel, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in August 2013  You can find Mary Waibel at:http://marywaibel.blogspot.comhttps://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel@mewtweety14 (twitter) Buy Link (Quest): MuseItUp Publishing:https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=620&category_id=6&manufacturer_id=292&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Princess-Valendria-Novel-ebook/dp/B00CF3E8I0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366848813&sr=8-1&keywords=quest+of+the+hart Barnes and Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/quest-of-the-hart-mary-waibel/1115148626?ean=2940016462110 Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Quest-of-the-Hart/book-qCJJoGyBKkSZvKw0rJUB3Q/page1.html?s=lnE5zlLpvEmw5OBWJ6HTmA&r=1  Book Trailers (Quest):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5SvEAbFQtEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-ohY2CEVo   a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review Of Southern Attraction By Tracy Kauffman

Southern Attraction is a young adult romance book about a girl who loses her parents and is forced to live with a redneck uncle from Alabama. There she has to choose between two young men that she likes. Will she choose true love or a lifestyle that she is accustomed to. Heather has everything she ever wanted; money, clothes, friends, popularity and parents that adored her. Until one terrible day, she loses it all. She is uprooted from a place she loves to a small town in Alabama with a uncle she doesn’t know. The small town of Huckleburg was nothing like Manhattan. Country rednecks owned the town and no one accepted Yankees from New York. Heather didn’t think things could get worse until a tornado comes and blast through the small town. Heather has to lose herself to rediscover what life is all about. She meets two guys that she can’t decide between who she really wants. Join Heather as she discovers that there is more to life than money and fame. Will Heather ever fit in and find true love or will she stay an outsider living in the south.

 
Amazon link
http://www.amazon.com/Southern-Attraction-Tracy-Kay-Kauffman/dp/0989188205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366915407&sr=8-1&keywords=southern+attraction+by+tracy+kauffman
Here is the book trailer: http://youtu.be/Vlro6z76yrg
 
I am a Christian author from North AL. I enjoy writing fiction fantasy books for children and young adults, but would venture out on a different genre if the thought provoked me. I hope to encourage, edify and inspire others through my writings.
Now for my review of Southern Attraction. I give this book a five star review. I really enjoyed reading it. Light-hearted romance. Heather weathered many storms to figure out what she really wanted. I admired the strong characters. Thank you, Tracy, for a good read.

My Review Of Flash By Barbara Morgenroth

Title: Flash
 Author: Barbara Morgenroth
 Genre: Young Adult
 BOOK SYNOPSIS:

She’s been pretending to be 18 for so long, it feels like the truth. When the only way for 15 year old photographer, Kip Chanin, to earn a living is as paparazzi, she can’t say no. Kip’s first photo is of Alex Milne, the handsome and volatile young actor. That one photo changes both their lives. Kip finds herself challenged to be a better photographer, a better daughter and to be a better friend. For someone used to getting by on her own, this could be Kip’s biggest lesson. The second biggest--You do what you have to in Hollywood to survive
 I hear the book is on sale for .99. Check it out.
Book Link: http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Mature-YA-Novel-ebook/dp/B005R2LUFA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362423299&sr=1-2&keywords=Flash+by+Barbara+Morgenroth


My review of Flash. I give this book a five star review. I loved it. All it took was one flash, one great picture to change Kip's life. Light-hearted romance of a girl learning what she wants out of life. Can't wait to read Flash Of Light.



AUTHOR BIO:
Barbara was born in New York City and but now lives somewhere else.  Starting her career by writing tweens and YA books, she wound up in television writing soap operas for some years.  Barbara then wrote a couple cookbooks and a nonfiction book on knitting.  She returned to fiction and wrote romantic comedies.When digital publishing became a possibility, Barbara leaped at the opportunity and has never looked back.  In addition to the 15 traditionally published books she wrote, in digital format Barbara has something to appeal to almost every reader from Mature YAs like the Bad Apple series and the Flash series, to contemporary romances like Love in the Air published by Amazon/Montlake, and Unspeakably Desirable, Nothing Serious and Almost Breathing.

 
http://barbaramorgenroth.blogspot.com/  a Rafflecopter giveaway


Link is: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/shar...
  Thank you Barbara Morgenroth for a great read.     

Newly Released Book Palace Of The Twelve Pillars By Christina Weigand

The Peace Summit was in shambles, the prince kidnapped.
When the rival king realizes he kidnapped the wrong prince, hostilities escalate. Loyalties to each other and country are tested for the twin princes of Crato, Joachim and Brandan.
Joachim, captive of King Waldrom, faces deception and betrayal as he struggles to find his way home. Brandan, at home with a father focused on rescuing Joachim, wrestles with his own demons as he searches for his place in the world and the favor of his father.
Torn from the safety and peace of their childhood, they are thrust into a world where bonds of family, brotherhood and roles as heirs to Crato are tested. Through war, spiritual journeys, death and marriage, will they choose the path of good or evil? Who can be trusted, as the world they know slips into a whirlpool of chaos?Except

The High Wisdom raised the crown from its golden case. A loud scream tore the silence in the tent. Joachim turned to look at the entrance. A soldier fell through the opening, blood spurting from a slit stretched across his throat. As he bounded off the dais, Waldrom screamed, “What’s going on here?” A wild rush of wind ripped the tent flaps open, and a horse and rider burst through. Joachim gaped at the body of the dead soldier. His heart raced and leapt to his throat. His gaze traveled up the horse’s legs. A man’s black boots. A scream caught in his throat, and tears filled his eyes. He stared into blue eyes. The horse pawed the ground and snorted. The rider dismounted and stood next to the dead guard. Wriggling free of Waldrom, Lilia ran to the rider. She threw her arms around him. “Brandan, you’re here. You’ve come to free us.” The prince pushed her aside. “Brother, I see you are trying to usurp me again. It appears I got here just in time.” “No, you’re wrong. I have no desire to take anything rightfully belonging to you.” Joachim stepped toward his brother and reached out a hand to him. “I want to help you and see what we can accomplish together.” Swatting his hand away, Brandan laughed. “Help me? You’re the one who needs help. Anything you have to offer is worthless to me. Now out of my way. The king and I have business.” “No, listen to me. You can’t do this.” Joachim spun him around.  He clouted Joachim, knocking him down. “King Waldrom, we need to talk. He’s deceiving you.” He spat at Joachim then turned and bowed to Waldrom. “I’m at your service, My King.” Regaining his feet, Joachim pushed Brandan into the guard standing behind him. The guard wrapped his muscular arms around Brandan. “What should I do with him, Sire?” Brandan flipped the soldier to the ground and put his black booted foot on the man’s chest. “The one you should be detaining is standing there, you fool.” He pointed at Joachim. “What are you doing?” Lilia grabbed Brandan by the arm. “Stop this, or Waldrom will imprison us all. Why are you jeopardizing our lives?” He looked at his mother. “Don’t worry, Mother. The only one in any danger here is the traitor you see standing before of you. First, he betrays me, next he kills Father, and now he would betray you and Waldrom. Guards, seize him!” The king stepped forward and raised his hands to stop the guards. “What do you mean a traitor, and how do you know this?” “Because I know my brother, and that’s the way he thinks. He’ll lie, cheat, and kill to achieve his own ends, and his goal is to have both countries under his to rule at any cost.” “Why should I trust you over him?” “Because I’m just like you,” Brandan responded. Walking around the twins, Waldrom rubbed his goatee thoughtfully. “My boy, you present an interesting dilemma. How do I choose one over the other? How do I know which one to believe? Guards seize both of them.” Two guards stepped forward, and each grabbed a twin.  “You’re wrong.” Joachim struggled to break free. “This is wrong. I’m not a liar. I only want what’s best, and that’s for us to be together.”  “You’re the one who’s wrong.” Brandan pulled his arm free. “I’ve no use for you.” He turned to Waldrom. “Get him out of here, so we can finish.” Joachim broke loose, stepped across the gap and grasped his brother by the tunic. Brandan jerked around and punched him. He rubbed his jaw and shoved Brandan, who fell to the ground “What happened to you? You’re not the brother I know.” Standing up, the black prince pulled his sword. “Nothing is wrong with me. I just realized who I am and who truly cares about me...and it’s not you.” He rested the point of the sword on the cut Waldrom had given Joachim. As Brandan pushed the tip in the scratch, he re-opened the partially scabbed wound. Joa laid his hand on the side of the sword and pushed it away. Guards grabbed Joachim’s arms. “Enough! I can see you two will not make this easy. I put before you a challenge, which will determine my choice. You will travel to the Cave of Njori and extinguish the flame of Asha. Melvane will accompany you and testify to its completion.” Brandan replaced his sword and walked over to his horse. “I don’t see the need for this. It’s obvious I am the one, but I’ll go along if that is what you want.” He remounted his horse and reined it around to exit. Still in the grasp of the soldier, Joachim yelled, “No, Brandan, stop! You can’t do this. We can’t. It’s the light of Asha, never to be extinguished. If you do this, you’ll destroy all hope and any chance we have of defeating this evil.” Brandan laughed and kicked his horse. “All the more reason to get this done quickly. Guards, find a mount for my brother.” “No, I won’t go. I can’t do it.” The king raised his hand. “The choice is made. Guards, take Joachim to the prison tent. Brandan, we will deal with this inconsequential flame later. Right now, we have more important business to attend to.”
Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a middle school daughter. She is also Nana to three granddaughters. She lives with her husband and youngest daughter in Washington State after a lifetime in Pennsylvania. Currently, she’s working on fantasy novels and inspirational writing. Through her writing, she strives to share the Word of God and help people young and old to realize the love and mercy He has for everyone.When she’s not writing, she’s active in her local Church as a lector, Bible Study, or with the church theater group, volunteering at her daughter and granddaughter’s school in the library as well as helping the children develop a love for reading and writing. Jesus fills her home with love as she shares Him through her writing.  Palace Of The Twelve Pillars releases Today April 26https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=571&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=270&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1Sounds like a great book.

Now I asked Christina to answer a few questions.

1. Tell us about your book and how the story came to be.      

It actually started out as a short story for a writing class at the Institute of Children’s Literature. When I finished the short story someone suggested to me that I had too much info for a short story and I should make it into a novel. So I did, but as I was writing the novel I realized that I wanted to know what happened to bring that particular prince to the point he was at in the beginning of that novel. So the Palace of the Twelve Pillars trilogy was born.
 
 2. What three words best describe your main character?

Actually there are two main characters: the twins; Prince Joachim and Prince Brandan.
Prince Joachim: Cautious, Always obeys the rules, well-loved.
Prince Brandan: Reckless, disregards the rules, not so loved.

 3. Do you have a method for creating your characters, their names and what do you think makes them believable?

I really don’t have a method for creating characters. They seem to take on a life of their own as I write their story. Names are another story. These boys along with the secondary characters have been through many names. I knew I wanted names with a certain nationality that was dependent on their personalities. I also tried to find names with definitions that suited the characters. And then of course there is always the problem of having to many characters whose names start with the same letter, and then there were characters that had two names depending on who they were with. So names are a real challenge.
Making them believable was interesting to. I think the best way to do that is to make sure they stay true to their own individual personalities. If they do something out of character then believability comes into question.
 I agree.
4. Do your characters follow your plot path or do they take on a life of their own? Do you keep them in check?

My characters take on a life of their own. Once I tried to make them follow an outline. Seemed like a logical solution to me. Not to them, they went on strike and for the week it took me to realize what they were doing I got very little written. Keeping them in check, no I would say not. If I try they dig in their heels and the story goes nowhere until one of us gives up and that is usually me.
 My characters are the same way. Let them tell their story on their own terms.
 
5. Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, how did you over come it?

Not a problem that I have come up with a consistent solution for. Everytime it takes a different solution to resolve the block. One time it was throwing out the outline, another time putting a bar fight in the scene. Other times it’s taking time to listen to the characters and to tell the story they want to tell.

6. What types of books do you like to read?

The Bible would be at the top of my list. Of course fantasy, historical fiction, sci fi, a little romance now and again, inspirational fiction and nonfiction. Actually when I think about it I’ll read almost anything, short of erotica.
 7. What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

Spend time traveling and playing with my family especially my twelve year old daughter and my three granddaughters. I like to read. I love Bible study. And participating in theatre stuff. I work in the library at my daughter’s school as well as help out with writing at the school. I’m trying to find young people’s groups that are willing to let me come in and help them learn to write.

Thank you, Christina, for being on my blog to tell us about your newly released book. I'm so happy for you and look forward to seeing book 2 come out soon.