Cathrina Constantine's Blog, page 63

Prah & Constantine Review: KINETIC by S.K.Anthony

Welcome to the Prah & Constantine Monthly Review. This month Nana picked The Luminaries KINETIC by S.K. Anthony.

Let me first begin by saying I love Superheros! I always wanted to be one, and Kinetic is raging with super powers. S.K. Anthony has the ability to make it sound realistic and scientific how these people evolved with unimaginable powers such as healing, hypnotizing, fire-beams charging out of their hands, disappearing, and more. Our main character Annie has strength, great strength. The petite Annie can wrestle anyone and anything and come out on top. The big problem is, their power has a draining effect on their bodies.

The Blurb:
 Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.

Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.

A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything

   Now that you all read the blurb, I can say Kinetic is a fast paced read and held my interest. I especially liked the despicable Nick Logan, enemy number one. He was one pissed-off dude that you have to love. He was sexy and lethal all in one. I admit, I have a thing for 17 year-old, Kevin, who can disappear and reappear anywhere, cool. I'm drawn to witty sarcasm and Kinetic has some of that. S.K. Anthony spins an intriguing tale. I did figure out who the bad guy was, but that's okay. It was interesting and somewhat typical as to why he was doing what he was doing. Remember I don't like leaving spoilers. If you're interested, I highly suggest reading Kinetic. 
What Super Power Would You Pick If You Could Only Pick One?

Now Jump Over to Nana Prah's Blog and read her Review.
    

GOALS & CELEBRATE

Today I'm Combining Hops
 Do You Have Goals Blog Hop posts on the last Friday of the month. Thanks to Misha Gericke for creating this bloghop. Press HERE to add your name to the linky list.
Thanks to Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for creating Celebrate the Small Things. Press Here to add your name to the linky list.
This week I finally sent (with a prayer) my revised ms to my agent for her consideration. Now it's nail biting time. However, I'm reading a good book by Laurie Halse Anderson and she's blowing me out of the water. (I should save that part for IWSG)
After weeks of an empty head when it comes to a new story, I must admit, tiny whisperings tickled my brain. Since I'm a total pantser, who knows where it will lead me. I began typing and barely made a dent into my wip with a 4k word count.
My goal for next month is to reach 20k on this new wip. (I'm a slow writer)
Are you reaching your goals & What are you Celebrating?

Melissa Maygrove is Teasing Us!

In anticipation of her debut cover reveal on Monday, March 31st, Melissa Maygrove is sharing some teaser images this week. A trivia question has been paired with each one. It’s a contest!
Hop around to participating blogs and collect all 7 answers, then give them to Melissa by Saturday. Your answers don’t have to be correct to win, but you must submit a complete list by the deadline to be entered in the drawing for the giveaway.
The prize is a free e-copy of her book once it’s published and a $10 gift certificate to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble.



‘Sometimes a single choice alters the course of a person's life forever.’
Come Back
Western Historical Romance
Adult / New Adult
Coming May 2014
Teaser images designed by Carrie Butler, Forward Authority Design Services


Check Melissa’s blog for links to all the questions. Submit your answers to her email, melissamaygrove(at)gmail(dot)com, or use the contact form found on her blog. *Deadline for entries is Saturday, March 29th at midnight central time. A randomly drawn winner will be announced in the cover reveal post on her blog on Monday, March 31st. She’ll list the answers to the questions then, too.
If you’d like to be notified of important events, like cover reveals and releases, consider signing up for Melissa’s newsletter. You can do the on the home page of her website, www.melissamaygrove.com.

BIO: Native Texan Melissa Maygrove is a wife, mother, nurse, freelance editor, and romance writer. When she's not busy caring for her tiny nursery patients or shuttling teenagers back and forth to after-school activities, she's hunched over her laptop, complicating the lives of her imaginary friends and playing matchmaker. Melissa loves books with unpretentious characters and unforgettable romance, and she strives to create those same kinds of stories for her readers.Melissa's Social Media Links: Twitter @MelissaMaygrove: https://twitter.com/MelissaMaygroveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMaygrove?ref=hl
Google+:https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMaygrove?ref=hl
Melissa's blog: http://melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/Contact form: http://melissamaygrove.blogspot.com/p/contact-me_24.htmlMelissa's website: www.melissamaygrove.com
Divider image came from dafont.com:

Author: Jodi Linton

Release Day for Author: Jodi Linton and her debut novel: PRETTY RECKLESS

Welcome to Pistol Rock, Texas where everyone knows secrets last about as long as the sporadic west Texas rain showers.

Laney Briggs has long been considered reckless, but she’s turned herself around—she’s respectably engaged and she’s become a Pistol Rock deputy sheriff. Everything’s fine until a dead body turns up and her ex, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson, decides to stick his boots into the town’s first murder case.

Laney will be damned if she lets Gunner trample all over her turf and her chance at a quiet, contented life. His seemingly endless ability to undermine her resolve and her libido was only outdone by her constant urge to butt heads with him. But when the bodies start to pile up, Laney has to ask the lethal bad boy for a hand—and a truce in exchange for his help.

Having an ex-boyfriend as an ally might not be the best idea, but Laney has always been pretty reckless…



Author bio:

Jodi Linton lives and works in Texas, with her husband and two kids. She can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry. PRETTY RECKLESS is her first novel. She is currently at work on her next Deputy Laney Briggs book.



buy links:


< a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pretty-Reckle...

Celebrate the Small Things

If you wish to join this weekly hop press HERE. Thanks to Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for this Celebration.
Yesterday was the first day of Spring. *YAY* It snowed!
I finally completed All my editing.
Now I wait for inspiration to club me over the head to start a new wip!
So far inspiration has bypassed me. God must be telling me to take a break!
Looking forward to a nice weekend. 
Today is also time to Reveal My Theme for the A to Z Challenge!
I almost forgot.
My Greatest Enjoyments Come from Books and Movies. My Theme for this year is Novels that are adapted to Film. To me, that would be an Authors Dream!

Congratulations to Stephen Tremp on his release of:Chase ...

Congratulations to Stephen Tremp on his release of:
Chase Manhattan has survived attempts on his life from numerous sources in his effort to destroy the technology. But he is far from safe. Now Chase and his comrades must not only break world renowned physicist Professor Nicholas Fischer out of prison a second time, but also smuggle him across hostile borders in Europe and the Middle East to prevent events threatening to spiral into World War III. 
At stake: an end to Western civilization as we know it. The result: an epic clash where science and the supernatural take center stage, vying for mankind’s destiny. The setting is global as the world divides into an East vs. West climactic battle. The action is swift, adrenaline-charged, and non-stop. Unending twists and turns will keep the reader turning pages and wanting more. 

Together, Breakthrough, Opening, and Escalation follow the lives of the unlikely participants from innocence to a coming of age through sacrifice, betrayal, passion, lust, unconditional love, and hope. Escalation is an international thriller and will appeal to fans of modern-day science fiction, action, horror, and a bit of romance.Press Amazon for Escalation

Meet Tamora Pierce The Utica Writers Club presents award-winning author Tamora Pierce.  She has written more than 20 fantasy novels for young adults; many have been translated into multiple languages.  In 2013, Tamora Pierce won the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association.  Tamora Pierce will discuss reading, writing, and fantasy fiction.  Bring a copy of your favorite novel for her to sign after the discussion. June 7, 2014 – 11:30am to 1:30pm – Kirkland Town Library55 1/2 College Street, Clinton, NY 13323 Join us for a day of fantasy, romance, and adventure. $5 for early registration, $6 at the door. Please email UticaWritersClub@aol.com or call 315-733-8236 for the registration form. The Utica Writers Club is a non-profit organization that has been promoting good writing in the upstate New York community for more than 70 years.For more information about the Utica Writers Club, the Tamora Pierce event, or possible sponsorships, please visit the website: TheUticaWritersClub.org

I love to Celebrate the Small Things This week Weste...

I love to Celebrate the Small Things 
This week Western New York was hit with Blizzard 2 for the season. And we were prepared! I did not hear of one fatality due to the storm. That's a celebration!
Murphy Jack Applesauce (my dog) loves, loves the snow. It makes me laugh to see him rolling and rooting in it.
I totally changed and reworked the ending to my ms due to the advice of my critique person. This took all week and I believe, I hope, it's finally finished. But like most writers, I'll be breezing through rewording and all that other crazy stuff.
Thanks to Vikki at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for starting this awesome Celebration. Hop on over to her site and join in the fun.

Welcome Author Nana Prah! A Fellow Author, Friend, a...

Welcome Author Nana Prah! A Fellow Author, Friend, and Review Partner!Today we get a peek into Nana's second Book. Her first release Love Through Time is a sweet romance. And Nana turns up the heat with Midwife to Destiny!
Blurb: Ghanaian nurse Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins never expected to find the love of her life while on vacation in South Africa. Engaged to another and believing that love has no place in her life, she returns to Ghana, and puts duty and honor first.
Three years later, Dr. Jason Lartey still can’t get Ora out of his mind or his heart. After learning she never married, he takes a risk and moves to Ghana hoping to They’re in the same country, working in the same hospital, and together but distance creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages? 

Buy Links Amazon | Decadent | ARe | Barnes & Noble
Enjoy the following excerpt from   Midwife to Destiny:
Ora focused on putting one foot in front of the other as if she were a one-year-old learning how to walk. After turning the corner and seeing the back of his head, she froze. She would know that head anywhere. He’d grown his hair out a little, but his adorable, Will Smith ears gave him away. Initiating the process of pivoting and sprinting out of the ED unnoticed sprang to mind when he turned around and his gaze caught hers.
The air became charged with tension and neither of them moved. Her heart threatened to pop out of her chest with the force of each beat. The nurses stood between them, looking back and forth as if they watched a tennis match. They didn’t bother to hide their expressions of curiosity.
5 tips on writing a book review
Since Cathrina and I are review partners, I thought I’d give a few tips on how to write a book review. Remember that I’m not a hard core reviewer. I do it to share my enjoyment all of the wonderful books I’ve read.
I gave a copy of my first novel, Love Through Time, to a friend. When she finished she told me how much she enjoyed it. When I asked her to write a review she reacted as if I requested that she walk blindfolded across a bridge with no guardrails.
Writing reviews is not hard. I speak for myself when I say  I don’t need something extravagant after you have read my book, I’d like the person to share with others what they liked or didn’t like about it. That’s all.
This post is for all of the people who are afraid of writing a review for fear of… Well I have no idea what you’re afraid of, but I’ll let you know that it will make a writer very happy to read what you thought about her or his book. Here are some basic guidelines to follow.
1. Keep it simple2. Be honest3. Write what you liked about the book4. Mention something that you didn’t care for, but in a positive manner (if there was anything)5. Have fun
If a book is rubbish, something I would give less than a 3 out of 5 rating, or I couldn’t finish it, then I don’t review it. I have no desire to decrease an author’s status or  confidence. That’s never necessary.
With that said, my new romance Midwife To Destiny is out. Pick yourself up a copy and then apply my five tips by writing a review, I will be ever so grateful.As Always Be Kind to An Author and...



About the Author:Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.
Contact Details:Blog : www.nanaprah.blogspot.comTwitter: @NanaPrahFacebook: Nana Prah, Author


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MY WRITING PROCESSBLOG HOPI've been invited to participat...

MY WRITING PROCESS BLOG HOP
I've been invited to participate in this fun blog hop that introduces you to author's you may not know and gives a little insight into each author's writing process.
The fabulous author and now my friend, Debbie Christiana, tagged me. Debbie loves curious tales of magic and mystery. Especially dark and scary stories that makes your hair stand on end. She has a monthly blog post called CURIOSITIES, and each month hosts various writer's to tell their tales of the inexplicable (but true) paranormal, and hauntings around the world. Check out Debbie's blog and learn about her writing.
Here's how this Blog Hop works. I answer four questions about my writing then pay it forward by tagging three author's and links to their blogs. 
I've chosen three unique and gifted author's. First is JAMI GRAY. Jami writes Paranormal, Urban Fantasy with a Killing Edge. My next writer is JULIA JOSEPH. Julia writes Paranormal Thrillers. Last but not least, ANETA CRUZ. Aneta writes contemporary and fairy tales.
Now for my four questions: What am I working on?I've changed genres completely, but not permanently because I love dark and gritty tales of the inexplicable. I've recently completed a Contemporary YA/Mystery with elements of Romance. It is now in the critique stage and hopefully will be ready to send off this week.
How Does My Work Differ from Others of its Genre?This is a hard question because I can't think of an answer. Tallas is a dystopia/paranormal thriller. Wickedly They Come is a paranormal thriller, and I've written two contemporary novels. I guess they differ in that it's a new story for people to enjoy and escape from reality for a little while.
Why Do I Write What I Do?Like I mentioned before, I'm fascinated with the inexplicable. Angels, Demons, Witches, Hobbits, Potter...etc...I turn away from anything too realistic maniacal and gory. I crave a good story. Contemporary, Romance, Mystery, Sci-Fi, I love them all. So I write them all.
How Does Your Writing Process Work?Right now, I'm suffering from a brain malfunction, and can't write a darn thing after spending the past months in the editing stage. I don't normally outline, except for my last book which needed definition. If a story pops into my head, I sit at the computer and create. 
Thank you for stopping by. Remember to check Debbie's post from last week. And on March 17th please remember to visit JAMI, JULIA, AND ANETA to learn more about these wonderful author's.
Now as Promised My Review for OMNI by Andrea Murray Author Andrea Murray takes us into the future with OMNI. Since the original government has disbanded, society is now run by various Stratum's. The highest Stratum to the lowest called the Drudges. One of our main characters is from the Drudge Strata, the gorgeous Pierce. And the next main character is from a higher level, Artist Strata, Harmony. The two meet accidentally when Pierce steps in to save Harmony from an abusive fan. Pierce is an instant sensation and all Stratum's want him.As with all my reviews I ask for you to read the blurb to learn more. Andrea Murray writes a sweet, young adult romance. Omni is plagued with a social caste system that makes your teeth clench. The book has scenes of tension and fights between a hulking boy named Malice who plays football in the OFL, and Pierce who is constantly defending Harmony's honor. It is a fast paced and interesting story, and the ending sets the reader up for the next book in the series.
OMNI BLURB:
Pierce only wants a shot, a real shot, and not just the excuses he's been handed his whole life. Harmony wants to escape her future, the future she fears will be chosen for her. After their chance meeting, they might get exactly what they want.

Since taking over the US government years earlier, the Omni party has created a perfect existence. From consorts to job assignments, every choice, every facet of life is under their control. Each citizen has a specific role in one of the four strata. Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he's hoped--prayed--that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, at a publicity event for her latest movie, his life takes an unbelievable twist. With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them. 

In this retelling of the classic story of Paris and Helen, love must struggle against an ultramodern, ultracontrolling society. They will risk everything, even challenging the all-seeing eye of the Omni government. But will the prize be worth the cost?

Author: Andrea Murray & CELEBRATE

BLURB: Pierce only wants a shot, a real shot, and not just the excuses he's been handed his whole life. Harmony wants to escape her future, the future she fears will be chosen for her. After their chance meeting, they might get exactly what they want.
Since taking over the US government years earlier, the Omni party has created a perfect existence. From consorts to job assignments, every choice, every facet of life is under their control. Each citizen has a specific role in one of the four strata. Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he's hoped--prayed--that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, at a publicity event for her latest movie, his life takes an unbelievable twist. With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them. 
In this retelling of the classic story of Paris and Helen, love must struggle against an ultramodern, ultracontrolling society. They will risk everything, even challenging the all-seeing eye of the Omni government. But will the prize be worth the cost? 
Come Back On Monday, March 10 for my  

Review  of Omni.
Buy the Book!
http://www.amazon.com/Omni-Andrea-Murray-ebook/dp/B00GBZCGKU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1393366595&sr=1-1&keywords=omni+andrea+murray
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/omni-andrea-murray/1117236902?ean=2940148846673
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/369148
My Interview with Andrea Murray:
What is the best thing for you about being a writer? I love hearing from fans.  It's amazing to get a message from someone who's read one of my novels and just wants to tell me how much he/she enjoyed it.  I also love reading something I've written and thinking, "Wow, did I write that?" Writing has helped me find another connection with my seven-year-old daughter as well.  She likes to talk about my writing, and it's even prompted her to write a few pictures books herself.
What is the hardest thing for you about being a writer? Finding time to write is my hardest challenge.  I write before my children and husband get up for the day, so I'm usually writing (and reading) around 4:30 AM.  Trying to juggle my family and my full-time job as an educator is difficult.  
What genre/s do you like to write and why? Science fiction is my favorite.  My first three novels were paranormal romances, and in my own reading, those are the books toward which I gravitate.  I love to explore a world different from my own.  Reality is boring AND HARD! I like the escape those books offer.
What essential things have you learned about writing in the last year? I have learned a great deal about editing, not punctuation and mechanics, but real editing.  Learning to read my own work critically has been difficult.  It's so hard to cut parts--sometimes whole chapters--that just don't work.
Who is your favorite heroine from your book and why? My favorite heroine is Vivian, the protagonist in my first series.  My choice doesn't come from the fact that she is my own character, though.  Vivian is a strong female but one with realistic flaws that all females, but especially teenage ones, have.  She's insecure about her appearance and her abilities, but she can take care of herself and anyone else, too.  I wrote that novel at time when I had a class of mostly girls.  These girls loved paranormal romance, but every novel I book talked to them showed a weak female, dependent on the boy to save her.  I wanted to create a character I could be proud to call a heroine.
Tell us about your journey in writing. I began writing, serious writing, about five years ago after the sudden death of my brother-in-law.  Terry was killed in a freak hunting accident, and he left behind a wife and a newborn son.  His death really brought home the fact that we never know when we've run out of time.  I had always wanted to try to write a novel, and that was the time.  After Vivid, my first novel, came the sequels, Vicious and Vengeance.  I swore never to write again until Pierce began bouncing around in my head.  Now, I'm working on the sequel to Omni.
Mention something unique about your books and your writing style? I love that adults read my novels, but honestly, I write for young and new adults.  I try to incorporate things I've heard my students say about novels they love.  For example, teens don't generally like a long novel, so mine are fairly short compared to some on the market now.  I try to write short chapters.  Kids like a sense of accomplishment.  Short chapters make them feel as though they are making progress quickly.  Also, real readers HATE to stop in the middle of a chapter; short chapters help eliminate that.  I like to include as much action as possible, sometimes at the expense of description.  I want every sentence to count.  I dislike when a novel is overflowing with extraneous description.  If the weather in a chapter isn't import, why spend four pages describing the day? If I don't need to know what a character is wearing, don't spend a page showing the outfit.
Are you working on anything new at the moment? I'm working on the sequel to Omni.  Omni  focused on the story of Paris and Helen; the sequel will explore the war that followed.  It will be based somewhat on the Trojan War.  
What advice can you offer to aspiring authors? Don't wait, and don't give up.  Rejection is a sickening feeling, but you can't let that keep you from writing if writing makes you happy.  Also, you can't wait.  You can't keep putting it off.  Sit down and write a page, even if you don't have the entire story.  If it's a great one, the characters will tell you what happens next.  Andrea Murray has been teaching English for longer than most of her students have been alive.  She has taught everything from elementary reading groups to concurrent credit classes. She is currently teaching junior high language arts.  She has a BSE and an MA in English.  She lives in a very small town in Arkansas with her husband of nineteen years and their two children.  In addition to teaching, she also blogs on Chick Lit Plus, writes young adult fiction, and recently completed her fourth novel, Omni, a YA dystopian based on the story of Paris and Helen.  Andrea has also written The Vivid Trilogy, a YA paranormal romance. When she isn’t doing that, she’s probably reading or watching bad B movies.

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Today is also Celebrate the Small Things. Press Here and Hop on over the Scribblings of an Aspiring Author to join the fun weekly Celebration.

Even though the temps barely hit 20 degrees lately, I'm thankful for the bright sunshine this week. And today, rumor has it, we're having a heat wave. Temps are rising, at least for the day, into the 30's!!

What are you Celebrating!