Raye Wagner's Blog, page 4
September 4, 2013
Book Reviews!!! Daughters of Zeus Series by Kaitlin Bevis
4 1/2 Stars or as Apollo would say… A Beautiful Sunset, streaking the sky with lavender, rose, and gold…
I’ve posted reviews for all three books in the Daughters of Zeus series, in reverse order (newest first).
I anxiously awaited the Iron Queen, and bought it on release day, and read it that night. I have a family, so my time isn’t always my own, but at night, I still can act a fool. Shhh. Don’t tell.
We again, pick up right where Daughter of Earth and Sky, left off. Persephone is kidnapped by Zeus, who then tortures her in an attempt to get her to relinquish her powers to him. Hades is near frantic trying to find and save Persephone, and Aphrodite gives us perspective beyond the other two.
I enjoyed the plot, the writing was strong, and the story flowed well. The characters acted predictable and consistent to their personalities, which is always appreciated. I love Persephone. I love Hades. I HATE Zeus! This is probably what Ms. Bevis was going for, and so kudos to her. I think it is difficult to vilify someone to the point of having no redeeming qualities, and still have your villain believable.
That being said, I think it came at a bit of a price. I read YA specifically because I’m not a huge fan of graphic anything, and there was some graphic violence- not much, but still some. I do understand that to fully appreciate the depravity of Zeus’s soul, he would have to act depraved. He did. And I didn’t like it. But then again, if I did like it, wouldn’t that make me depraved?
Of course, the balance to human depravity is compassion, love, and sacrifice, which we see readily displayed in our protagonists.
I was quite surprised by the ending. Greek mythology is not associated with “happily-ever-after” endings, but I was still surprised, nonetheless. I was also quite pleased to see that Ms. Bevis isn’t done with the series.
I am hoping to see a bit more of Hades and Persephone in the upcoming Venus and Adonis, just a nod so we can keep tabs on them. 
I’m also looking forward to getting to know Aphrodite a bit better, and what in the world (pun intended) happens next with the gods! Please, Kaitlin, give us a release date!
Here’s the Blurb:
Death is a luxury she can’t afford
Life is hell for Persephone. Zeus will stop at nothing to gain access to the living realm and the Underworld, and as the only living god with a right to both, Persephone’s in trouble. Captured and tortured beyond the limits of her resolve, Persephone must find the power to stand against Zeus. But will she be strong enough?
Meanwhile, Hades contem plates desperate measures to rescue his queen. Persephone never thought of herself as dangerous, but there’s a reason gods never marry for love. A being with the power to destroy all of creation shouldn’t place more value in one individual than the rest of the planet. But Hades…Hades would break the world for her.
To save the world and stop both Hades and Zeus, Persephone must make a difficult choice. One that may cost her everything.
Read Reviews on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17189031-the-iron-queen
Musa: http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=587
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-iron-queen-kaitlin-bevis/1115360048?ean=2940016701929
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/317007
ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theironqueen-1211958-153.html
** Also available anywhere else ebooks are sold
5 stars for Daughter of the Earth and Sky!!!
No significant time has elapsed between Persephone and the second book in Kaitlin Bevis’ series, Daughter of Earth and Sky.
The end of Boreas is really just the beginning of the horror that awaits Persephone, and Thanatos isn’t willing to just have a little secret between friends. Being privy to Thanatos’s alliance with a power-hungry Olympian is only half the problem. There is also the newly created goddess, Aphrodite, Persephone’s half-sister that has unlimited charm (think almost mind control), but almost no control over her own will.
The plot thickens and the depth of the characters makes them seem like loved ones we NEED to catch up with. I wanted more Hades! I wanted more resolution, but the tension built and built, and it was hours upon hours of rapidly hitting the edge of my ipad as I stayed up way too late, again! I had to know what happened!
You might call me irresponsible, and that may be true. But when a series comes along and grabs you like Daughters of Zeus, it really can’t be helped.
The Blurb:
Some vows can never be broken.
Persephone thought she could go back to her normal life after returning from the Underworld. She was wrong.
The goddess Aphrodite is born among the waves with more charm than she can control. Zeus is stalking Persephone and her loved ones, and Thanatos is no longer content with Persephone’s silence.
He wants her soul.
Persephone can’t tell anyone about Thanatos’ betrayal, and it drives a wedge between her and Hades. Her mother is still keeping secrets, and Melissa’s jealousy of Aphrodite threatens to tear their friendship apart.
Alone, Persephone turns to a human boy for comfort. But will their relationship put him in danger?
Sacrifices must be made, and Persephone must choose between her human life and her responsibilities as a goddess. If she doesn’t, she could lose them both.
But will either life be worth choosing once Zeus is through with her?
5 stars for Persephone!!!
A few months ago, I went on the hunt for Greek mythology books and found this treasure. I devoured it in one sitting staying up until…well, too late to admit to publically.
I had always felt a bit sorry for Persephone, kidnapped by Hades, the god of the Underworld. What a horrible existence. And then, by trickery, she ate pomegranate seeds, sealing a terrible fate of having to return regularly to hell. Of course the earth mourns. I would mourn too… or so I thought!!!
Well, Ms. Bevis has woven a tale that has me changing my tune! Hades chose the Underworld! He is wise, caring, and oh, more than a bit on the sexy side.
And Persephone?! She has been kept in the dark by her mother, Demeter. She doesn’t even know she’s a goddess, and when she finds out…she acts like the human she thought she was and totally freaks out. I have to say, it was quite refreshing to have such a human reaction, instead of the quick acceptance of the impossible, and lent a believability to the characters.
We the reader aren’t asked to swallow our disbelief and just ‘go with it’, but as Persephone gains knowledge and understanding, we can likewise believe the journey that she is undertaking. Persephone is every bit the irrational teenager, and yet, she has the strength and character one would expect with a god. She matures readily, but again, believably, and we come to appreciate her, and perhaps envy her a bit, too.
The plot was excellently presented, the writing strong, and the characters well developed. I found myself personifying them, so much so that I enjoyed their company long after I finished Persephone.
The Blurb:
There are worse things than death, worse people too.
The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.
Read Reviews on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15724908-persephone
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/persephone-kaitlin-bevis/1111973897?ean=2940014686051
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/181487
Ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/persephone/id550273478?mt=11
ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-persephone-1041197-143.html
youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5yelWX9BTI
September 1, 2013
Guest Blog with Kaitlin Bevis
So… You know THAT person… the one you look up to in your field (be it in work, school, or even your hobby)? They’ve done something fabulous, and you lurrvvv it. It’s marvy, cool, and tré magnifiqué! Well, Kaitlin Bevis is THAT person. She has taken the Persephone myth and made it into a story that is incredible! Here’s a bit from Kaitlin about Persephone the first book in her Daughter’s of Zeus series.
*Myths were passed on and adapted through oral retellings through multiple cultures, and retold by a variety of authors. Homer, Ovid, Virgil and many other classical writers each put their own spin on the myths to suite their stories, just as I altered the myths to fit the plot of Persephone. I pulled from a variety of sources, combining the elements of multiple versions, so please be aware that the myths you read below are by no means the “official” or definitive versions of the myth. If you hear or read an alternate version somewhere else it is not wrong or inaccurate. It is simply a different telling.
The rape of Persephone:
Kore, the goddess of Spring, was a beautiful goddess and would have had many suiters had her mother, Demeter, goddess of agriculture, not kept her hidden away from the other gods. One day Kore went to a meadow to pick narcissus flowers, lilacs, poppies, or some other flower depending on the source with some nymphs when Hades, God of the Underworld spots her and decides he wants her for his wife. He bursts through the earth (in some versions, Gaia, goddess of Earth assists him) in his creepy black chariot of death, and drags Kore into the Underworld. After her rape/marriage, Kore becomes known as Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld.
Demeter, goddess of Agriculture and Persephone’s mother, searches frantically for her daughter, neglecting her duties as a goddess and plunging the earth into famine. Helios, god of the sun, or in some versions Persephone’s nymph friends, tell Demeter what happened and she begs Zeus to rescue her daughter.
At first Zeus tells Demeter she should be pleased to have such a high ranking son in law, but eventually relents since too many people are starving to worship him properly, and sends Hermes to liberate Persephone so long as she has not consumed food or drink in he Underworld.
Meanwhile, Persephone is tricked into eating 3-7(depending on the version) pomegranate seeds by the god Ascalapus, Hades’ gardener. He is turned into a screech owl in retribution for his crime, and Persephone is forced to return to the Underworld for a month every year for each seed she ate. While she is home with her mother, plants grow, but during her time in the Underworld every year they die. This myth is considered an explanation for winter.
Why did her name change?
Changing a gods name to reflect a change in their divine role was not uncommon. In Persephone’s case she doesn’t even get a name until she’s important. Kore translated to girl, or maiden.
Persephone has a variety of other names and titles within her cult the Eleusinian Mysteries.
Why a pomegranate?
The pomegranate is known as the fruit of the dead as well as a symbol for fertility, and thanks to the little crown on the top of a pomegranate is a symbol of royalty. So it’s easy to see why it was chosen as symbol in the Persephone myth. You’ve got royalty for the new Queen of Spring/fertility of the dead. When you cut it open is naturally divided into three to six sections depending on the fruit. It is full of tiny little seeds covered in a blood red juice.
While the Persephone myth is the most well known example of using a Pomegranate for symbolism, way back when, this weird little fruit found its way into a variety of stories across cultures.
Why does it matter what flower Persephone was picking?
The flower chosen in the myth kind of sets the tone for the whole story. The narcissus flower for instance is commonly seen as a phallic symbol, and a symbol of unrequited love, and as a portent for death, so you’ve got some foreshadowing, and loss of innocence going there. Other flowers symbolize different things that the story teller may be trying to get across.
Why did I change it?
In my version of the story Hades was actually rescuing Persephone. The idea that Hades may not have been the bad guy has been toyed with in popular culture throughout my entire life (Beauty and the Beast anyone?) so it’s logical, and certainly not original, to consider that Hades may have just been misunderstood.
That myth has never really vanished or fallen out of fashion. It resonates with us for some reason. If you studied any mythology at all in school, you learned the Persephone myth. I think part of it is if you take the myth at face value, it’s unspeakable, so we want to fix this poor girls fate. But another part of it is that it seems incomplete. In most myths you get a bit of characterization. Zeus’s personality and wants and needs come across crystal clear in every single myth he’s a part of. Hades and Persephone both are ambiguous in this myth. Instead we learn a lot about Demeter, and her devotion as a mother. I wanted to know what happened down there. So I wrote my own version.
Bio: Kaitlin Bevis spent her childhood curled up with a book, and a pen. If the ending didn’t agree with her, she rewrote it. She’s always wanted to be a writer, and spent high school and college learning everything she could so that one day she could achieve that goal. She graduated college with my BFA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, and is pursuing her masters at the University of Georgia.
Her young adult series “Daughters of Zeus” is available wherever ebooks are sold. She also writes for truuconfessions.com and Athens Parent Magazine.
Here’s the blurb from Persephone:
There are worse things than death, worse people too.
The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.
Blog Swap with Kaitlin Bevis
So… You know THAT person… the one you look up to in your field (be it in work, school, or even your hobby)? They’ve done something fabulous, and you lurrvvv it. It’s marvy, cool, and tré magnifiqué! Well, Kaitlin Bevis is THAT person. She has taken the Persephone myth and made it into a story that is incredible! Here’s a bit from Kaitlin about Persephone the first book in her Daughter’s of Zeus series.
*Myths were passed on and adapted through oral retellings through multiple cultures, and retold by a variety of authors. Homer, Ovid, Virgil and many other classical writers each put their own spin on the myths to suite their stories, just as I altered the myths to fit the plot of Persephone. I pulled from a variety of sources, combining the elements of multiple versions, so please be aware that the myths you read below are by no means the “official” or definitive versions of the myth. If you hear or read an alternate version somewhere else it is not wrong or inaccurate. It is simply a different telling.
The rape of Persephone:
Kore, the goddess of Spring, was a beautiful goddess and would have had many suiters had her mother, Demeter, goddess of agriculture, not kept her hidden away from the other gods. One day Kore went to a meadow to pick narcissus flowers, lilacs, poppies, or some other flower depending on the source with some nymphs when Hades, God of the Underworld spots her and decides he wants her for his wife. He bursts through the earth (in some versions, Gaia, goddess of Earth assists him) in his creepy black chariot of death, and drags Kore into the Underworld. After her rape/marriage, Kore becomes known as Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld.
Demeter, goddess of Agriculture and Persephone’s mother, searches frantically for her daughter, neglecting her duties as a goddess and plunging the earth into famine. Helios, god of the sun, or in some versions Persephone’s nymph friends, tell Demeter what happened and she begs Zeus to rescue her daughter.
At first Zeus tells Demeter she should be pleased to have such a high ranking son in law, but eventually relents since too many people are starving to worship him properly, and sends Hermes to liberate Persephone so long as she has not consumed food or drink in he Underworld.
Meanwhile, Persephone is tricked into eating 3-7(depending on the version) pomegranate seeds by the god Ascalapus, Hades’ gardener. He is turned into a screech owl in retribution for his crime, and Persephone is forced to return to the Underworld for a month every year for each seed she ate. While she is home with her mother, plants grow, but during her time in the Underworld every year they die. This myth is considered an explanation for winter.
Why did her name change?
Changing a gods name to reflect a change in their divine role was not uncommon. In Persephone’s case she doesn’t even get a name until she’s important. Kore translated to girl, or maiden.
Persephone has a variety of other names and titles within her cult the Eleusinian Mysteries.
Why a pomegranate?
The pomegranate is known as the fruit of the dead as well as a symbol for fertility, and thanks to the little crown on the top of a pomegranate is a symbol of royalty. So it’s easy to see why it was chosen as symbol in the Persephone myth. You’ve got royalty for the new Queen of Spring/fertility of the dead. When you cut it open is naturally divided into three to six sections depending on the fruit. It is full of tiny little seeds covered in a blood red juice.
While the Persephone myth is the most well known example of using a Pomegranate for symbolism, way back when, this weird little fruit found its way into a variety of stories across cultures.
Why does it matter what flower Persephone was picking?
The flower chosen in the myth kind of sets the tone for the whole story. The narcissus flower for instance is commonly seen as a phallic symbol, and a symbol of unrequited love, and as a portent for death, so you’ve got some foreshadowing, and loss of innocence going there. Other flowers symbolize different things that the story teller may be trying to get across.
Why did I change it?
In my version of the story Hades was actually rescuing Persephone. The idea that Hades may not have been the bad guy has been toyed with in popular culture throughout my entire life (Beauty and the Beast anyone?) so it’s logical, and certainly not original, to consider that Hades may have just been misunderstood.
That myth has never really vanished or fallen out of fashion. It resonates with us for some reason. If you studied any mythology at all in school, you learned the Persephone myth. I think part of it is if you take the myth at face value, it’s unspeakable, so we want to fix this poor girls fate. But another part of it is that it seems incomplete. In most myths you get a bit of characterization. Zeus’s personality and wants and needs come across crystal clear in every single myth he’s a part of. Hades and Persephone both are ambiguous in this myth. Instead we learn a lot about Demeter, and her devotion as a mother. I wanted to know what happened down there. So I wrote my own version.
August 13, 2013
Apollo’s Review of Entangled
I would give Entangled by Nikki Jefford a bright yellow sun, the kind you rarely find in Seattle, or London. A glorious full sun in February, where humans stare longingly out the window wishing to be outside in the warm rays.
This dark paranormal tale weaves a suspenseful and haunting mix of witches, warlocks and the angst of vacillating teens.
Graylee, our main character, was a good witch, and at one time thought to be quite gifted. She played by the rules (with a couple of exceptions), played nice with the other witches and warlocks, and even tried to play nice with the humans she goes to school with.
And then she dies.
This is where the drama starts to unfold. She wakes up months later inside her twin sister’s body, but it isn’t like she is going to get to stay there indefinitely. There is a crash course in witch-ology, and the befriending of a morally-questionable warlock, all which add fun and adventure to the mystery of how Graylee died, who killed her, and what to do about it.
While who killed her isn’t really a surprise, there are a few surprises that unfold throughout the story. Ms. Jefford does an exquisite job of making the villain truly despicable, and the protagonist while naïve, is usually endearingly so. Character development was well done, and we grow with the protagonist, and can appreciate her wisdom as she gains experience. Although at times she acts egocentric and immature, a definite shift from her typical behavior, this is somewhat true to the typical teen.
Perhaps my favorite character is Raj, the tortured warlock who seeks to help Graylee in her quest. He is a mixture of immoral and noble, gentle and cruel, and quite formidable at times. There was depth to Raj, and I get the distinct feeling that we are going to discover more about him.
Overall, I enjoyed Entangled, consumed it in two sittings; pausing only to attend a ridiculous Olympus council meeting that Artemis reminds me is a must. I guess you could equate it with ‘work’ in your world.
Raye has informed me that she’s added Duplicity to the TBR pile. Perhaps I won’t wait for her to read it first…
August 9, 2013
I’ve been travelling…
I’ve been home a week and I’m just starting to get settled i.e., the laundry is almost caught up, the floor has been vacuumed, and I’m getting back on my computer to write. Actually, I did do some writing while I was at family reunions (yes plural), but clearly not for my blog.
Status update on Legends of the Sphinx: I spent much of a week finding a suitable addition to the 50K words that were already there. Lots of time doing research and now 17K words later, I’m almost done. I say almost, but I mean with the writing. Obviously there will be editing, editing, and more editing… But at least I’m quite pleased with the direction it is going.
I’m also toying with the idea of a v-log. Maybe go have sushi with Poseidon, or something.
Anyway, here are some pics from my trip…
I love Mt. Rainer, and I really think it makes a fabulous Mt. Olympus. I can hardly believe I grew up in Seattle and never put that the Olympic peninsula with the Olympic mountains had a Mt. Olympus. Of course, Greek mythology was not something that I thought much about when I lived there, but still, I feel so clueless. My plan is the next time I’m up in Seattle, I will actually go to Mt. Olympus. Just to say I’ve been there.
The second picture is a building we drove by on our way back from a picnic in Des Moines. It overlooks Vashon Island and the Olympic peninsula, and I just thought it was a great conservatory for demigods. I think it is a lodge of the Freemasons. Interestingly, when I was researching about societies and individuals with Sphinx mythology, the Freemasons came up.
Finally, I got to meet up with Nikki Jefford, author of the Spellbound Trilogy and Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series. We got to hike around Friday Harbor and then had a quick dinner before I had to catch the Ferry. We had chatted online, and it was fabulous to get to meet her.
At the end of a crazy week of catch up, it is nice to put it all down and gain some perspective. Really, it’s not fair; I have a fabulous life.
July 19, 2013
Apollo’s Review of Lichgates by S. M. Boyce
I give Lichgates by S.M. Boyce a rising sun at daybreak…in the Spring. Lots of pinkish orange hues, and bright yellow streaking the dawn sky. It is a very well-written fantasy with a unique voice.
I thought the cover art went well with the story (once you started reading), but it didn’t give any insight into the story just looking at it. A clover design with a stone in the center representing the Grimoire, a book full of knowledge and magic that the protagonist, Kara finds when she enters the realm of Ourea.
This is fantasy, so there is lots of world building, different realms, different species, and lots of magic with various rules. At first I thought I might need to take notes… No, not really. But a human might feel that way. But you don’t have to. Take notes, that is. If you just read, it all unfolds nicely.
The characters were fleshed out, and their behavior was very realistic and human. Even the ones that aren’t human act human, which might be a ploy to make them relatable to the reader. A high note for me was I didn’t have to suspend belief while the protagonist ‘took it all in’ within one or two pages. Kara freaked out, had lots of confusion, inner conflict, and disbelief which made her understandable. And Ms. Boyce did a great job of making more than just the protagonists stand out as individuals. This depth to the supporting cast prevented a two dimensional read.
Not one to gloss over details of the world of Ourea, the author built the settings with precision and detail. She included every sense out there; smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. While this brought the scenes to life, there were times that this distracted from the story. I was more interested in what happened next and not the smell of the woods, or the trickle of the stream. However, there were times that this aspect added richness to the story, and depth to the characters (what they consistently notice adds insight to them).
I did become invested with the author’s writing. And while a quest or two is nothing unusual, nor are heavy decisions with disastrous consequences, I felt the challenges to our protagonists, and I cared about the outcomes. The pacing was good, with lots of action, and the action had purpose, not just some floundering activity to ‘develop character’. This is not a story about angst ridden teens trying to find love, or get out of school, or figure out what their purpose is in life. This is a quest to save a world, and all the people in that world.
As I said, I liked this novel. It was rich in detail, writing and story. I would recommend it.
Raye: I can hardly believe you wrote that review.
Apollo: Why?
Raye: You took the task seriously, and your assessment is quite astute. I find myself agreeing with almost everything you wrote. I don’t have anything I really want to add, or contradict.
Apollo: I’m not just a pretty face, Raye. I’m brilliant, too.
Raye: But… not very humble.
Apollo: If I pretended I was humble, it would be a lie. If you are good at something, and you know it, it’s perfectly acceptable to acknowledge it. So, we’re done here, right?
Raye: Yes. That was it. Thanks for the review.
Apollo: It was my pleasure, really. What book are we reviewing next week?
Raye: You have the list. Pick one.
Apollo: All right. Let’s do Entangled by Nikki Jefford. I like the frigid-looking girl on the cover with a white rose.
Raye: Entangled it is.
July 12, 2013
Coming Soon… Reviews by Apollo!
I had a long discussion with Apollo today, and starting next week he will be helping me do book reviews! I’m quite excited about this, despite the fact that Apollo is a bit of a drama… - queen. Er, yeah, I mean king. Yes, yes, he’s the king (annoying having him read over my shoulder and all).
Anyway, Apollo has agreed to help me with this new undertaking.
Part of the rationale is I do read. A lot. And quite often I find books I like, some that I even luurrrvv. The plan is that after I’ve read a book and I plan to review it, I’ll ask Apollo to read it too. He said he would, even if it doesn’t have him in it—————————
Apollo here. I never said that. I’m not a drama queen, and I don’t appreciate Raye calling names. I’m doing this blog because I am a wonderful god, the best one out there, in fact. Knowledge is important for the development of the mind. And I think reading is sexy. You might just learn enough so you don’t get turned into a tree, or something else stupid. Hey Raye, you might want to take some notes on this!
June 30, 2013
I feel like a rock star…Yep a review can do that!
http://bookdictivereviews.blogspot.com/2013/06/origin-of-sphinx-novella-by-raye-wagner.html
It is an AWESOME thing to get a 5 star review. Actually, as a writer, it is the THING! I was at UtopYA this weekend (totally AMAZING-ooh look, this post is going to be brought to you today by the letter A), and in one of he sessions the moderator asked the panelists, “In one word, how do you feel when you get a 5 star review?”
AHH- FREAKING-MAZING!! (not my word, but I wish I could claim it).
Here’s my take on it. Amazon ranks books on sales AND reviews, so as an author we need both if we are going to be successful. And a positive review (4 or 5 stars) gives us authors that warm, fuzzy, lovey feeling… No, actually it makes me giddy. Giddy like a giddy thing from giddy-land on planet giddy! Like, “AHHHH! DID YOU SEE… OH MY GOSH…WOW…THIS IS….AHHHH!!!” This is how I speak when overwhelmed, I can’t finish my sentences.
Mollie followed me on GR (probably my first follower) and when I noticed this I contacted her to solicit a R2R (read to review). But she had already bought the novella, and she cordially agreed to review it after she had finished. Her review on GR was quite gracious, but the review on her blog BOOKDICTIVE REVIEWS(http://bookdictivereviews.blogspot.com/) made me scream with joy and excitement. Honestly. I woke up the sleeping kiddos in the house. I love sass. Sass and spunk. I love them even more when their on my side.
Guess who will be getting an ARC of everything I write?
The power of a review? Be it reader or reader/blogger- Reviews are our life. They help us sell books. They help us write books (a good review is great motivation). They help give us feedback (the constructive feedback can be painful, but is still good to hear). AND when someone LUURRRVVVS your work…
AHH-FREAKING-MAZING!!
June 25, 2013
Who would you pick- Apollo or Isaak?
I recently had someone ask me which of the two characters (Isaak or Apollo) I would have picked if I were Phoibe.
Arrgghh! Who I like better or who I would have picked? Not always the same. And definitely not the same in this instance.
It is amazing to me how invested we become in our literature, as we read, we become immersed in another world, and the characters become tangible people, and we develop feelings for/about them.
I must admit, I swoon over many fictional characters… Mr. Darcy (P&P), Ari (Exodus), Four (Divergent), Chaol (Throne of Glass), Rune (Haven- War of the Princes), Perry (Under the Never Sky), Peree (The Scourge), and Dave the Laugh (Georgia Nicholson series) just to name a few. Mmmm, Dave the Laugh.
I have a friend that has a list of 5. Five famous people that if she met them, she could kiss them, and her husband would just have to be understanding.
But mine are all fictional characters…
June 22, 2013
Book Reviews…
I really should get used to the fact that I know almost… no, actually, I know NOTHING about the book industry. I’m finding that getting my novella reviewed is almost as difficult as getting it sold, and both of these are more difficult than writing a book.
Wait, what? you may ask… How is that?!
Seriously, I’m losing my hair from the stress. I’m such a control freak, and having so little control is making me crazy. I’d like to think I’m learning patience, but I don’t think I am.
I did find a great link, http://www.theindieview.com/indie-reviewers/ that has helped me find individuals that blog about books, including indie books. I went through all 240 bloggers, and emailed almost a third of them asking for a review. I’m not sure what is normal, so I’m just feeling grateful for the yeses I’ve gotten thus far.
In fact, I had my first book-blog post yesterday on Lost to Books, and here’s the link, http://losttobooks.blogspot.co.uk/ I have to admit I was pretty giddy. My favorite part of the review was the comment regarding not knowing how true this was to the actual mythology. HA! There is no mythology regarding the creation of the Sphinx (at least not that I know about either). My favorite line “it is definitely better than any other novella I have read”. I’m not sure if Ms. Logan reads a lot of novellas, but that is still high praise (as far as I’m concerned). Overall, Origin of the Sphinx got 4 out of 5 stars. Tré magnifique! I went to bed happy.
And today I’m back on the computer (obviously), trying to figure out the next marketing strategy. All I can say is that if I am able to get an agent and publisher for Curse of the Sphinx, I will appreciate what effort goes in to marketing a book. And if I don’t get an agent? I guess this is good practice.
