A.B. Shepherd's Blog, page 13

NaNo is calling my name. Is it calling you too? #amwriting #nanowrimo

NaNoWriMo
(courtesy NaNoWriMo.org)If you have been following my journey you will already know that I've been a blogger for a few years now. 

Last November (2012) I happened across NaNoWriMo - the National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org) - which occurs in November every year. 

While I have always wanted to write, and had attempted it many times over the years, I had never managed to complete anything I had started - except my blog posts. ;)

The premise of NaNoWriMo, for those of you have not heard if it before, is to write a 50k word novel in 30 days. That might sound like a lot, but it isn't nearly as much as you might think. It equates to something like 1667 words per day. Basically, a long blog post.

I thought, why the heck not? The worst that can happen is that I don't complete it, right? So I signed up. I had a vague story idea in mind, but no real plan. I sat down on November 1st and began to write the story that I'd been toying with. I didn't get far before the story took over and changed direction completely.

Once that happened, I loved it. I didn't plan the words that flowed out of my fingers onto the keyboard. Every morning I got up and couldn't wait to sit down with my laptop so I could find out what would happen next. I had no idea where I was going with it. It was as exciting as reading a great new book for me.

I had always thought that I had to have my story outlined before I could write one. I know that works for many authors. I found it doesn't work for me. I'm a pantser. I function better if I start with an small idea and let my imagination flow in smaller chunks. I don't have to know what is coming next, or how it will end.

What I wound up with at the end of November, was a very, very rough draft of Lifeboat. It took a great deal more work to get it to where it is today, but if I had never sat down in November and written that very rough draft I would still be where I was a year ago.

Instead, Lifeboat is available now on Amazon, and my second work, my novella The Beacon, will be available December 1st.

So will I do NaNo again this year? You bet your sweet bippee I will. This year I'm going to write the sequel to Lifeboat.

How about you? Is that novel within you begging to be written? Is NaNo calling your name too? Will you pursue your writing dream, or will you be in the same place next November that you are today. The choice is yours. Listen to your muse.

How many of you are participating in NaNoWriMo this year? If you are looking for writing buddies hit me up on there - ABShepherd. That's me.

Do you like your authors caged?

How do you feel when your favorite author switches it up and writes in a new genre? Do you prefer them to stay in the genre cage you've put them in?

J.K. Rowling, famous for writing the Harry Potter series - the young adult fantasy series - decided not too long ago to write an adult novel - a crime novel. To do so she used a new pseudonym. Why?


Since she was known for writing a specific genre, she honestly didn't believe she would be well received if she tried something new.

Nora Roberts, famous for her romance novels, also writes crime novels set in the future as J.D. Robb. I still remember when I discovered they were one and the same. Since I had enjoyed the writings of both I was intrigued to learn it.

Others have switched up the genres they write after becoming famous - like Stephen King, and James Patterson. 

My novel, Lifeboat, is a science-fiction/suspense novel.

My novella, The Beacon, (coming soon) will have nothing to do with science fiction. Instead it is a pscyological thriller.

I do plan to step back into the science-fiction realm with my third, but may again try something else after that.

I know many authors who write several different types of fiction. Some of them use a different pseudonym for each genre and build separate fan bases with each pen name.

How do you feel about that? What do you think when an author you have enjoyed writes in more than one genre? Will you try the new genre, because you love the author? Or will you skip it because it is not your preferred genre?

Liked but not loved - Amulet of Elusion by Katie Lynn Johnson #amreading #bookreview

I was provided a free ebook copy of this novel by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Like the book I last blogged about, this is a YA novel. This one is a fantasy set in a period similar to the 1900s, where horses are the primary mode of transport, and technology doesn't yet exist. 

Alexa's parents and sister were killed in a fire when she was a child and she's been raised by Ivy, her (very young) guardian.

The story begins just before Alexa's 18th birthday, when her life will change dramatically, because she finds out her destiny has been prophesied and she is the only one who can save her kingdom.

Although this is a fantasy world, it is set in an island chain and has a heavy latin/Spanish influence. I found that aspect of the author's choice interesting.

This book has some of the elements of a great fantasy novel. There are amulets that grant specific powers to the possessor, and there is conflict. The writing style was simpler than many of the YA novels I've read, and would be easily understood by younger teens. The content is also suitable for younger teens.


The biggest issue for me was how quickly the romance between Alexa and Caleb progessed. I found that a bit unbelievable.

I liked this one - it was okay. But I didn't love it.

What is the last book you felt that way about?

Book blurb:
Alexa Costa has a life-altering secret…only she doesn’t know it yet.

Confined by law to the kingdom of Alvair until the age of eighteen, Alexa Costa has lived a sheltered existence under the watchful eye of her sword-wielding guardian, Ivy. Her love interest, Caleb Whitman, is exactly the opposite. A merchant sailor and seeker of rare artifacts, Caleb has lived a life of adventure in nearby San Lucero, the long-time rival of Alvair.

After her eighteenth birthday, Alexa’s quiet existence becomes tumultuous, and she realizes she does not need to seek to find adventure. Myths become real, legend becomes fact, and Alexa discovers that she possesses rare abilities which make her a target for both sides in a centuries-old struggle for power. She must use every resource available to her—including her talents with the supernatural Amulets— to help her friends, rekindle her romance with Caleb, and save her island home from destruction.

About the author:
Katie Lynn Johnson was an Air Force brat growing up, and has lived in California, Germany, New Mexico, Texas, and Idaho. In college she studied fine art and marketing, all the while taking far more English classes than were necessary for her degree. By day, she works as a writer, editor, and graphic designer for a magazine publisher, and by night she writes novels just for kicks. Katie lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and two children. 

Don't let the title fool you! Anais Butt and the Hairy-Handed Gent by Kate Welshman #amreading #bookreview

You all know I am a fan of YA books, and from time to time I like to read something just a bit quirky. 
I'll admit this one intrigued me with it's title when I came across it on Netgalley.  I got a grabbed my free ARC copy from Netgalley, and...well here we are.
Don't let the title fool you - this is a YA story full of teen angst. There is no sex or pornography here.

Now here's the thing. I will fully admit that when I got to the part in the story where I figured out Shannon's deal, I was initially disappointed. That soon disappated, however. What Kate has done here is created a story that has a lot of great Aussie-ness about it, as well as some fun.
We truly do get to see Anais (pronounced Ah-nay - not Anus as her mean-spirited cousin persists in saying it) grow up quite a bit in this story and I really liked how Kate chose to end it. 
Although I don't think it is intended as a moral treatise, Anais learns that her actions have consequences and that grown-ups are really people too - people who were young once. This is a YA novel that is enjoyable for teens and grown-ups alike. Well done Kate!
Have you ever chosen to read a book based on it's title alone? Which one(s)? 
Book Blurb:When seventeen-year-old Anais Butt is expelled from her fifth boarding school in three years, she expects her parents to slap her on the wrist and send her to another expensive school. However, her fed-up parents have other ideas. They decide to exile her to the isolated mountain town of Glenorie to labour for her child-hating maternal grandmother, Nanny Pam and her hostile cousin, Josephine, who operate a riding school on her three thousand-acre ranch on the Turon River. However, before leaving for Glenorie, Anais spends a few days with her paternal grandmother, Nanny Bette, who has a handsome, mysterious guest staying with her in her flat. Shannon Ferguson has told Nanny Bette that he’s an out-of-work actor, but Anais, who finds herself strongly attracted to him, suspects that he’s lying. Shannon seems to be on the run from the police.

When Shannon follows Anais to Glenorie, she’s scared of him and drawn to him in equal measure. He reveals that he’s being pursued by the police over a crime he did not commit. Anais wants to believe the man she’s in love with, but when a German backpacker goes missing and another is horribly injured near Glenorie, Anais can’t help but suspect Shannon.

Finding herself more and more allied with her serious, goody-two-shoes cousin Josephine, Anais sets out to investigate the disappearances herself. Through a series of thrilling but dangerous events, the girls discover that the prime suspect is not Shannon, but the town’s well-respected pastor, Reverend Hobhouse and his band of ‘foster sons’.

After an incident in the bush where Shannon is almost killed, he’s forced to face the prospect of leaving Glenorie, and Anais, forever. And Anais must make her own decisions and discoveries about her past, present and future. She may just have to grow up . . .
About this author - Kate says: I was born in Horsham, a small town in western Victoria in 1980, but grew up largely in and around Sydney. I have lived in Sydney's rural north west since I was fifteen. I would like to move to a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley.

I have always loved reading and writing. My greatest passions in life are my family, reading, writing, horses, dogs, the country and beautiful food.

Posse, my first novel, was published in 2009 by Random House. My second novel, Anais Butt and the Hairy Handed Gent, also in the young adult genre, is due to be published by the Writer's Coffee Shop in 2013.

I have an unfortunate habit of developing debilitating crushes on heroes in books. My most pathetic crush ever was on Rupert Campbell-Black from Jilly Cooper's blockbuster 'Riders'. I even named my second son Rupert!

The Beacon is beckoning! #amwriting

Abites, if you liked Lifeboat you just might be anxiously awaiting my next work - The Beacon.

I have exciting news.  

The Beacon is on target for release in November! 

The rough draft is complete and the editing process is begun. 

Cover is being designed as we speak.

Are you excited? Because I am! 

Don't forget you can read an excerpt here.

And keep your eyes open - cover reveal will be coming soon. :D

The Last Clinic: A Darla Cavanaugh Mystery by Gary Gusick #bookreview #amreading

I got a free ARC of this novel from NetGalley.

Darla Cavannah is a fish-out-of-water Pennsylvania detective who moved to the deep south with her husband, the former pro athlete. This book starts six months after he was killed in a car accident. 

Darla has been on leave from work until she is called in to assist in a case because she is a "hate crimes specialist" and the murder in question is of a minister who was an anti-abortion protester.

The book had it's good points and bad points for me. On the good hand there was a pretty decent mystery that mostly kept me guessing trying to figure out what was going on and there was some humor in the secondary character of Tommy - the Elvis impersonator cop.

On the other hand - the romance between Darla and her love interest moved WAY too fast and was not very believable. Also, there were a couple of other places where I thought to myself - this book was soooo written by a man who doesn't understand women. But there were only a few places like that and they weren't really central to the story.

All in all, I did like it and I think Gary Gusick handled some pretty sensitive topics (racism, abortion) really well. 

Have you read any books lately with sensitive topics? How well did the author handle them?

Book Blurb:
In a fast-paced, suspenseful debut novel for fans of Harlan Coben and Lisa Gardner, detective Darla Cavannah goes Deep South in pursuit of a merciless killer.

Outside the local women’s health clinic, the Reverend Jimmy Aldridge waving his protest sign is a familiar sight. But that changes early one morning when someone shoots the beloved Reverend Jimmy dead. Sheriff Shelby Mitchell knows the preacher’s murder will shock the good people of Jackson—and the pressure to find the killer is immediate and intense, which is why Shelby calls in detective Darla Cavannah.

When police detective Darla moved from Philadelphia to Jackson with her husband—hometown football hero Hugh “the Glue” Cavannah—she never imagined the culture shock that awaited. Then after Hugh dies in a car crash, Darla enters a self-imposed exile in her Mississippi home, taking a leave of absence from the sheriff’s department. Now she’s called back to duty—or coerced, more like it, with Shelby slathering on his good-ole-boy charm nice and thick, like on a helping of barbecue.

Reluctantly partnered with a mulish Elvis impersonator, Darla keeps a cool head even as the community demands an arrest. The court of public opinion has already convicted the clinic’s doctor, Stephen Nicoletti, but Darla is just as sure he’s not guilty—even as she fights her growing attraction to him. From the genteel suburbs to a raunchy strip club, Darla follows a trail of dirty money and nasty secrets—until the day of judgment comes, and she faces down an ungodly assassin.

About the author:
Gary Gusick is a retired advertising executive with over thirty years experience as a copywriter and creative director. He is a multiple winner of virtually every national and international award for creative excellence in advertising.

The Last Clinic is his first novel. The Alzheimer's Patient Who Couldn't Forget, Gary's second novel, another murder mystery, is currently available on Amazon/Kindle.

Gary is married and lives in Jackson, Mississippi.

 

Omega Rising by Joshua Dalzelle #bookreview #amreading

You know when you are shopping on Amazon and you see on the page "people who bought this item also bought..." and there is a list of things there? Well it just so happens that when I looked at Lifeboat's Amazon page this book was on that list. I picked it up curious to see if it was in a similar vein to Lifeboat.

Omega Rising does have some similar elements. It has a space ship, and aliens. That's pretty much where the similarities end. 

Omega Rising is the story of Jason Burke, a former military paratrooper who chooses to live in isolation following his discharge, feeling as if he no longer fits in to the world he left behind.  This is very much a "buddy" book. What I mean by that is that Mr. Isolation joins up with a bunch of misfits to become the space equivilant of the A-team.

The book itself is pretty formulaic, but it is a formula that has worked time and again and will likely continue to work for ages. There is a lot of action, some cool technology, an all male cast of characters and the good guys win. If you are looking for touchy feely you won't find it here. I did enjoy it, even though I usually prefer a bit more emotion in my reading material.

What have you enjoyed lately that is outside the norm of what you typically read?


Book Blurb:
Jason Burke was a man hiding from himself in a small cabin high in the American Rocky Mountains when his simple, quiet life was shattered one night by what he first assumed was an aviation mishap. But when he investigates the crash, what he finds will yank him out of his self-imposed exile and thrust him into a world he could have never imagined.

He suddenly finds himself trapped on a damaged alien spacecraft and plunged into a universe of interstellar crime lords and government conspiracies, along the way meeting strange new friends… and enemies. As he struggles to find his way back home he is inexorably drawn deeper into a world where one misstep could mean his death. Or worse. He desperately wants to get back to Earth, but it may be the end for him.

… or is it just the beginning?

About the author:
This author had no biographical information listed on Amazon or Goodreads. 

Help me name my characters and you could win a $10 Amazon Gift Card. #amwriting #alien #giveaway

Hello Abites. I have an announcement to make. Remember when I said that Lifeboat was a one off and there would be no sequel? I meant that. I really did. For me, Lifeboat was Cassie's story and the ending was pretty final. I didn't want to write a sequel when I finished it and I wouldn't let myself see any way that I could. 
Now that some time has passed I have had an idea for a sequel. This is where you come in. I'm looking for your input in naming two of the characters in this sequel.

Character one is a half human, half grey alien hybrid that has been raised by the grey aliens. 

 
 







  
Character two is a grey alien - best friend of character one.

Gender is irrelevant. All I ask is that your suggestions are original. By submitting the names you grant me the unlimited right to use them or not, with no compensation required.  Enter them in the rafflecopter and you are eligible to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

So put on your best thinking caps and conjure up some great names for these characters. I know you will give me some fantastic suggestions. How do I know? 

Because Abites rock!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas Book Blast & Amazon GC Giveaway #giveaway #amreading

A little something different today Abites. This is a children's book written by my friend, Karen Pokras Toz.

From the Award Winning Author of Millicent Marie is Not My Name

Ballet and baking pies – these are two of twelve year old Georgie Harris’ favorite things. When her parents decide to move closer to her grandmother’s nursing home, Georgie quickly learns the bad news: dance lessons are too expensive in this new town. 

Georgie spends most of her time baking pies to bring to her grandmother at the Willow Lakes Nursing Home. There she meets Eve, who inspires Georgie with stories of having danced with a world famous Russian ballerina many years ago.

As Georgie and Eve’s friendship evolves, their tales intertwine in this feel good story showing dreams really can come true.

I have read this story myself Abites, and here is what I think of it.

Pie is the adorable story of a girl who has to find new ways to get what she wants most - ballet lessons. It gives a great message about working for what you want, and the value of the elderly in our lives.

Perfect for tween girls. It's as sweet as pie and leaves you hungry for more.  - A.B. Shepherd
Now here is what a few others are saying:

The story will grab you from page one, and keep you mesmerized until the last page. ~ Kristy James

My nine year old daughter and I enjoyed it very much. ~ Gman Writes

Get your Pie at Amazon and B&N


GiveawaySwag Gift Pack with $20 Amazon Gift CardOpen internationallySept. 25 - Oct. 16


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Author Bio:
[image error] Karen Pokras Toz writes middle grade and adult contemporary fiction. Her books have won several awards including two Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, First Place in the Children’s Chapter Books category and the Grand Prize overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for two Global E-Book Awards for Pre-Teen Literature. Her books for children include the Nate Rocks series, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name, and Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas. For adults, she recently published Chasing Invisible. A native of Connecticut, Karen now lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. For more information, please visit www.karentoz.com.

Links where you can find Karen, and Pie:
Karen's Website:  www.karentoz.comKaren's Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.comKaren's Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptozKaren on Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentozGet Pie on Amazon: http://bit.ly/PieKindleGet Pie on Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/PieNookFind Pie on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz




A GWR Publicity promotional event paid for by the author. Giveaway is sponsored by the author who is responsible for the delivery of prize. A.B. Shepherd received no compensation for this post. 

Pulse by HJ Daly #bookreview #bookblog #amreading

Abites, I'm really conflicted by this book. I actually nearly gave up on it at about a third of the way through, but I persevered and got all the way through. It is getting some really high praise and in some ways I can see why. My feelings about it aren't quite as favorable, however.

I loved the premise of the story. There are parallel worlds and a giant Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) has shattered the walls between the worlds - you can now travel through Marks (gateways) into the Second Realm - a magical parallel world next to ours.

But the EMP also caused an apocalypse, and our world is no longer the world it used to be. Governments have fallen, poverty is rampant, and there is no law. It's every man for himself - a prepper's dream.

Esa's parents disappeared in the aftermath of the Pulse when she was just a small child and she's been on her own ever since. Now here's where I begin to have problems - we have no idea how old Esa is in this book - she could be anywhere between 12 and 30.

She's been through hell and back trying to survive on her own and doesn't trust anyone. Normally, I would feel a lot of empathy for a character like that, yet somehow I never really feel like we get to know Esa - I don't feel like I ever get into her head. Maybe if the author had spent a little more time on her backstory that might have changed my feelings - I'm not certain. All I know is that I never connected with Esa.

This book has all the elements that a great fantasy novel needs - it has a war, danger, power struggles, friendships, and magic - but somehow for me it fell short. It was both really well written, and at the same time oddly written. Some of the phrasing is really beautiful. Some of the descriptions are really well done, and yet some of the descriptions are really lacking.

There was a section where Esa had gotten her butt kicked and was quite injured - she is prone to fainting when in physical distress - and the author said she "collapsed" next to Rootu, yet in this case she didn't mean she "collapsed" as in she physically lost control of her body. She meant that she plopped to the ground next to Rootu. I found it confusing. There were some fighting scenes where Thomas (a friend of Esa) was said to be on the floor, yet then he was kicked and fell to the floor. I again found it confusing.

Some scenes end abruptly leaving you wondering what happened. It felt a bit disjointed because of that. The story's setting is England, and yet for over half the book we have no clue that this is the case except for the abundant use of the word "jumper". In fact, we don't figure that out until Esa finds herself in France.

There is a lot of dialogue in the book, yet it doesn't feel natural to me (and that isn't because it is written for a British audience, because I read a lot of British fiction) and the characters never actually communicate. I suspect the lack of communication is designed to be enigmatic and build mystery, but it just doesn't work for me.

The story is good, although it ended abruptly as well - I'm guessing that means there is a sequel coming. There is a lot to love about this book - but I just didn't. I think Pulse could be really great, but it needs a bit more work.

Have you read any books that had fantastic potential but just didn't quite measure up for you? Which ones and why?

Book Blurb:
She looked into their non-existent faces and felt them smile in anticipation.

The light is fading fast and Esa must find shelter before the deviants come crawling out of the woodwork. From the moment she steps into the darkened room her life takes a terrifying turn and she is pulled away from her post apocalyptic world.

With a horde of goblins close on her heels, she enters a magical realm in search of answers. Why can she sense magic and why is a powerful sorcerer determined to end her life?

About the author:
No information available.