Anna Abner's Blog, page 38

Author Christine Rains Teases Spell of Summoning

Or, Teaser Tuesday With The Dark Caster

“Yeah.” It wasn’t that she didn’t or couldn’t trust Kristin, but how did a person admit they were being possessed by a demon? 

Good line for being a random page, don’t you think?

Check out the post here.

Don’t Miss My Q&A With Author Suza Kates Jan. 29

Or, Stop By Tomorrow And Meet Savannah Coven Author Suza Kates

Fun at the Carnival

Or, Hanging Out At The County Fair

I am not a fan of heights. I can fake bravery and act like it’s all cool, but I really do not like heights. Add that to sketchy ride operators and (I’m assuming) nonexistent safety inspections and I can freak out a bit at the carnival.

Okay. Honestly? I cried once.

And that’s all I’m going to say about it.

The view from the mega ferris wheel.

The night ended with fireworks! How cool is that?

Flirty Clip Friday #19

Or, I’m Sharing My Favorite Romantic Video Montages

Warning, if you’ve read the books, seen the movies, and are invested in Katniss & Peeta’s relationship this video may cause uncontrollable crying.

Video created by lizpotter4cp.

5 Star Review for Spell of Summoning

Or, A Great Review For The 1st Book In The Dark Caster Series

Here is a great review of Spell of Summoning by 13th Floor author Christine Rains. You can see the original review here.

Holden Clark would rather hide out in his house with his dog and fix the place up than mingle with people. But his Grams, or rather, the ghost of his Grams, urges him to help Rebecca Powell who has a demon possession spell cast on her. He’s a necromancer with little experience, but he has to learn a heck of a lot to help Rebecca or she’ll lose her soul to the demon.

This is a great paranormal romance with a fresh take on necromancers. Necromancers do usually get a bad rep in the paranormal world, but in this book, they’re like any other magic user in that they can be good or bad. Some are born and some are made, but it’s a fascinating take on them. Holden is the perfect necromancer paladin too. Strong, moral, and handsome. He’ll do the right thing no matter what it takes.

Rebecca is the perfect complement to him. She’s feisty and independent. She has a successful career and is not in the business of being rescued by anyone. Though it is hard to resist sexy Holden!

While I guessed who was the evil necromancer, the joy was in the journey. A wonderful romantic plot that was sizzling and sweet along with excellent characterization.

I’ll definitely be picking up the next one in this series.

Thanks, Christine!

Prepping For The Zombie Apocalypse

Or, Goofing Off At The Shooting Range

With a rare day to ourselves last week my husband and I ran off to the shooting range and practiced our skills.

My zombie target.

My hubby looks much cooler shooting than I do.

Flirty Clip Friday #18

Or, I’m Sharing My Favorite Romantic Video Montages

This is a fan made video of all the long looks and brief touches between Allison and Isaac on Teen Wolf. Enjoy!

The Curse of the Overworked Openings

Or, The UNDERworked Middles and Endings

I read a historical romance lately that disappointed me and it wasn’t the first time. I call it the 1st 50 pages dilemma. To win contests and catch the attention of literary agents our first 50 pages (or first 3 chapters) better shine. Of course we’re going to polish those pages until every word, every phrase, is perfect.

But what about page 51? Or page 186?

This novel I just started a couple months ago had the most amazing opening I’ve read in a long time. It sparkled. The characters leapt off the page. The dialogue dazzled. I could not get enough. I raved about it to anyone who would listen.

And then around page 50 the writing flatlined. Because the beginning was so, so good I read all the way to page 125, but by that time I was so disheartened I stopped reading. Nothing was happening! Which is unbelievable because the heroine had run away from home and stowed away on a ship destined to run down a notorious pirate. What’s more exciting than that!? But the heroine gets everything she wants. All the crusty sailers have lovely manners. She insults her host, with no repercussions. The mysterious coded message she receives from a pirate is simple enough a child could crack it.

I’m so disappointed I won’t look for any of the author’s other books, let alone finish this one.

And I’ve read too many novels just like it. They start out with a bang, and then they bottom out around chapter 5 and I never finish them.

The lesson I’ve learned is to work that beginning, but don’t set down the red pen after chapter 3. Fine tune every scene with the same enthusiasm and critical eye you give to the opening. Your readers will thank you.

Tuesday Tease #16

Or, An Excerpt From My Upcoming YA Paranormal Antidote

Carr busied himself ripping lids off tubs of old toys as if he wasn’t going to answer me. After clearing the garage, though, he must have had second thoughts. “I assumed he was another one of Smart’s guinea pigs.” At my confused frown, he added, “He experiments on zombies.”

–Antidote ms pg 114

Flirty Clip Friday #17

Or, I’m Sharing My Favorite Romantic Video Montages

The relationship between Klaus and Caroline has a lot of room to grow (and he is still in need of redemption), but I’m hooked. Enjoy this fan video dedicated to the Vampire Diaries’ bad boy + good girl romance.