Interview & Review: Life on Hold by Beverly Stowe McClure

Today I would love to welcome Beveryly Stowe McClure to my blog. Lets begin with a little blurb about yourself....
I’m Beverly Stowe McClure, and I live in the country with my husband, two cats, and a variety of wild critters that stop by for a visit. My three sons are grown and married and have blessed me with lovely grandchildren. One son and a granddaughter are angels in Heaven. To relax, I play the piano and sing. The cats do not appreciate my musical skills so they run and hide when the music starts. I’m a retired teacher and now spend my days writing, as well as searching dusty archives and the Internet for information about my ancestors. I also teach a ladies Sunday school class at my church.
Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
For years I had no desire to write. Schoolwork was enough writing to last me for eternity. But as my sons grew older I started reading to them so they‘d enjoy a good book, unlike their mother. Before long, however, I discovered Dr. Seuss and was hooked. If Dr. Seuss hadn‘t made me a reader, the Newbery books my fifth-graders read at school would have. It took me many years to learn what I was missing, but today I know, and I read constantly. Then one day, a little voice whispered in my ear: Why don’t you try writing a story, Beverly. So I did; I haven’t stopped since.


How long did it take you to write Life on Hold?
I spent approximately two years writing Life on Hold. The first draft took several months because the English teacher in me had to make every sentence just right, with correct punctuation and spelling. Then came the second draft, the third and the fourth, before I felt the manuscript was ready to submit.


While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I rewrite the plot as many times as necessary. When I’m revising, many times new ideas will come to me and if I think they belong in the story and improve it, then I add the new material. The major plot may not change, but often a character will tell me something new about himself, resulting in a new subplot.


You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The young adult section.


How many books in a month do you tend to read?
Two to three, depending on how many reviews I’m doing.


In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind. She’s selfish and sassy and will do most anything to get what she wants. She’s also searching for love and meaning to her life, though she doesn’t realize it. By the time she discovers the truth, it’s too late. I think she’s like a lot of people even today, who have so much but always want more.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
I was a majorette in the junior high and senior high school bands.
Once, I fell off a mountain and landed on my head. (Hard head.)
I was an actress for one afternoon when I played Snow White at summer camp.
I love to take pictures of birds and deer and other wildlife.
Music is my favorite way to relax, and I play the piano.

Your favorite Genre?
I enjoy most all types of stories so it’s hard to pinpoint just one genre. I guess, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and fantasy are a three way tie.


What are you currently reading?
Griffin’s Fire by Darby Karchut, the second book in the Griffin series.

What is the best book you've read?
Gone With the Wind. It’s historical, romantic, and adventuresome with characters you either love or hate.

Any new projects coming up?
I’m working on a YA contemporary tentatively titled Survivor’s Club about four teens that form a club to survive their families and school. Also, I’m writing a sequel to my MG/Tween story, Just Breeze. And another historical is whispering in my ear.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?
Life on Hold is a contemporary YA novel, published by 4 RV Publishing LLC, about family, love, and forgiveness.
The jacket blurb:
A paper found. A secret revealed. A girl’s life changed forever.
Myra Gibson’s life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the guest house tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.
Many young people who are adopted or have friends that are adopted will relate to Myra’s situation. A newspaper article I read about a high school boy and girl that had a baby and gave the baby up for adoption sparked the idea for the story. Their story had a happy ending. Others I read for research were not so happy. Readers may agree or disagree with Myra’s decisions in the story. But each of us makes choices every day, and we live with the choices we make.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review for LIFE ON HOLD:

Life on Hold is a story about a girl named Myra Gibson, who discovers that her parents have been hiding a secret. Her family life as she knew it, will never be the same. The once goody two shoes girl begins to rebel against her parents because of their betrayal. Beverly did an awesome job with this book. Myra's character and the decisions she make throughout the book are believeable. Her friends, family and love interest, Jeremy, are all characters that the readers can relate to. None of them are perfect, they each have their own "demons" to face, throughout thre book and the way Beverely constructed the plot, will keep you glued to the book to see what will happen next.
Now that Myra know she's adopted, and the man she knew as "Dad" is not really her father what will she do? Will she look for her real father? Will she be happy with her real father or will she be disappointed? Well you have to read the book to find out! ^-^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where you can find author Beverly Stowe McClure:

FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ GOODREADS ~ WEBSITE ~ BLOG ~ OTHER


Other books by Beverly S. McClure

Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines


Tumbleweed Christmas:

Kaitlyn and Dakota Review of Tumbleweed Christmas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkSM-mOU0HY&feature=related

Rebel in Blue Jeans:

Author Interview: Mary Lynn Bast, author of No Remorse

Today I would love to welcome author Mary Lynn Bast to my blog. Lets begin with a little Blurb about yourself:
I grew up in Texas but moved to Las Vegas 2 years ago. Since moving, I have traveled extensively with my job, all over the US, S. Korea and to Japan. I have been home now for six weeks and am ready to go again! As you can probably tell, I love to travel. I am married, have three grown children, and three step children.

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
Reading as a child was my biggest inspiration. I always had my nose in a book and to this day, I love to read. My husband tells me I don’t read, I just inhale and I’m done.

How long did it take you to write No Remorse?
I wrote a 1500 word short story intended to submit to a contest. That took me about two hours to write. I put it away because I was working on something else. When I pulled it back out, I spent a solid 4 months writing No Remorse. Then another 3 months going through beta readers and editing. So overall, 7 months.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I generally write the beginning, some of the middle and the end. I go back through probably 10 – 12 times adding to the scenes, clarifying, or moving something if it fits better somewhere else.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
I have to pace myself to keep from actually running, but I go straight to the paranormal romance section.

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
When I’m not writing, I usually read 8- 10 books a month

In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter Series has my favorite characters…Just to narrow it down to one, I would have to say Acheron’s Demon Simi. She is the best! She can kick butt and just eats those who make her mad.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
I have always loved Wolves,
I am shy in a social setting, get me in a work setting I can be aggressive, Hard worker I give 120%,
Overachiever, I can’t halfway do something, it has to be the best it can be
Confident on the outside, can’t let them see me sweat.

Your favorite Genre?
Paranormal Romance

What are you currently reading?
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s “Infamous” Chronicles of Nick. After all, she is my favorite.

What is the best book you've read?
That is a tough one since I have read so many books. Again, I have to say Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter Series does it for me along with Christine Feehan and Laurell K. Hamilton…do you see a pattern here?

Any new projects coming up?
Book two of the “Heart of a Wolf” Series – “Softest Touch” is in process. I am nearly halfway with the manuscript. Anticipated release date is early 2013. If you insist on a sneak peak:
“A Justified Kill” is being released August 2012 and takes the readers back to when the main character of “No Remorse” Amber makes her first change and the chaos that ensues. Is she ridding the world of a predator is it going to be a justified kill?
I have quite a few other short stories for the characters of “No Remorse” that have been written. Once I make it through the No Remorse Blog Tour, I will settle down and begin writing on those again.
“One Bite To Passion” is a story that a publisher requested I write, a paranormal fantasy romance geared towards adults. Once the editors have done their magic, the novella should be released as an e-book mid-summer.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?
No Remorse is not a run of them mill, typical romance novel. I tossed in a bit of mystery and suspense, with a lot of paranormal. Amber is stubborn and headstrong. When she meets Blake after years of being alone, her sensual side is awakened and she finds that she is very passionate. Her special birthing circumstances gave her abilities no other werewolf has ever possessed. Isaac, the council leader is after Amber. He intends on finding the source of her abilities and use as his own. Amber is still learning to use her abilities and warring with her emotions. She must push her capabilities to the limit to keep Blake and his pack safe.

Where you can find author MaryLynn Bast:
Website
Facebook:
~Author~ ~Series~ ~Group Page~

~Twitter~ G~Goodreads~ ~Blog~ ~Other~


Review For No Remorse coming May 31, 2012

Artist Interview: Barbara Neal

Today I would love to welcome the very talented graphic artist, Barbara Neal to my blog.
Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself....
Well, I am much older than most in this business. I am a Mother and Grandmother. I was born in Chicago and pretty much lived here all my life. I love to cook, read, spend time with family and of course paint. I live life to the fullest and always take time to stop and smell the roses as often as possible.


Who or what inspired you to become an artist?
My Mother, she was a very gifted artist. She was able to sketch portraits that were so beautiful and realistic to her model. Sadly she never followed through on making a career of it. She passed away in 2006 and I have a huge notebook filled with her sketches some dating all the way back to the 1940s I do not think she ever knew or realized how talented she really was, I will always admire her as an artist and truly my inspiration.


Did you go to school to learn your skill?
I did not go to School to learn my skill, I am self-taught by trial and error.



Who is your favorite artist? Why?
I admire Luis Royo; his sensual and dark paintings are amazing, his fantasy worlds and mechanical life forms look so realistic. I have been a fan of his work for many years



What type of Art do you prefer?
I love all Digital Art. I am blown away at some digital art pieces I see. They are so vibrant; it seems sometimes the subjects can actually jump out at you.


How long have you been creating your art?
I have been digitally painting for about 17 years. I started with smaller pieces for web sites or personal tags. Years later I started on larger pieces for prints.


Did you ever feel like giving up?
Yes Sometimes I do. I am not as young as most Digital artists. It’s a very competitive business and my competition is the younger artists who have learned their skills in School. They’re Schooling has taken them way beyond what I know.


Who normally buys your art?
Generally it is more the online shopper who loves Digital Art. I have found that most of my sales are from people who love Fantasy art.

What is your preferred medium? Why?
Photo manipulation. I really enjoy the challenge of doing this type work. To take a model and or objects and merge them together on a completely different background blending it so well that the viewer actually believe this is for real is a rush to me.
I love when people look at my work then glance at the before images and gasp in shock that I made the scene so realistic.

What is the best thing about being an artist?
The freedom we have to use our imaginations in the work. To be able to get a vision and make it happen is wonderful.

What is the worst thing about being an artist?
Ha-ha the money you can earn hence the saying “Starving Artist” this is so true. It’s very hard to sell art now days. Like I said above the competition is fierce.

Besides designing the book cover for The Rising Moon, by Nilsa Rodriguez, did you design any other?
No sadly I have not done any more Covers as yet.
I am hoping soon that changes but again it goes back to what I said the competition is huge in this business.

How did you come up with design for the book cover?
Once the author told me about the story, the characters, their own vision and the book title I started to see the design in my imagination. After a little fine tuning we had the cover fitting the author’s vision.

Is there any new projects you're working on?
Not at this time.

Do you have any art ready for purchase?
Yes my Art Gallery is at Fine Art America http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/Barbara+Neal/all

Here’s your chance to market your art. Describe it and why readers should take a look?

Well I think anyone who wishes to have quality prints on their walls my art will not disappoint. Especially if they like Fantasy Art.
I pour my heart and soul into my work. I try to capture true fantasy in my fantasy work so that when you look at it you can actually believe the scenes are real.

Where you can find artist, (Barbara Neal a.k.a. MistRaven):

Facebook: Website : Blog

Review: Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story by Marilyn Nelson & Tonya C. Hegamin

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: September 1, 2008
Genre: Young Adult (ages 12- up), Paranormal, Ghost Story

Book Description:
A Newbery Honor winner collaborates with a new writer in this hip-hop-inspired historical thriller.

My Review:

Pemba's Song is a story about a girl named Pemba who discovers a special gift: She sees ghosts.
In the begining of the book we are introduced to Pemba and her mother. Pemba is upset with her mom, because she is moving her away from Brooklyn and her friends to a small town in Connecticut where her mom was offered a great job and an opportunity for a fresh start.

Pemba and her mother meet a strange man named Abraham who lives at the local library. She soons befriends this man and helps him with some local research. She soons discovers that the little town and the new house (or should I say old house) they live in holds lots of secrets and one of them is the ghost a slave girl named Phyllis who lived in the house in the late 1700's.

Phyllis begins to visit Pemba in supernatural ways, asking her to help her bring justice to two unsolved murders that occured there....

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good ghost story. At the end of the book we learn that the writers of the book indeed met a man by the name of Abraham who inspired this book and its history. So I thought that was pretty cool ^-^

Where to buy this book: Amazon

Author Interview: Ron Wyn

Today I'm pleased to welcome Ron Wyn, author of Irregular Therapy. What inspired you to write Irregular Therapy?

Irregular therapy came to fruition in the aftermath of a storm—a storm I call the first four decades of my life. From wounded child to rebellious teenager and troubled adult, I eventually reached a point where I felt completely lost. I certainly knew what was best for me, but try as I might, I couldn’t overcome the old, repetitive patterns that ran my existence. Finally, I came to see I had to do something about my precarious situation. I had to do something to make things better. I decided to take quality time and really dig deep into my troubles and face my fears. Well, it so happens that I took notes as I went along. Hence comes irregular therapy: a subjective storytelling event, an emotional release.

How long did it take you to write Irregular Therapy?
From initial meltdown to final catharsis, I’d say about two years.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
This book was a very intuitive thing. I left the plot as it initially came out. But since I’m a perfectionist, I must have re-read it and reviewed it fifteen to twenty times.

When you go into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The spiritual/self-help/esoteric section.

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
When I have the time, I’d say 4 or 5 books a month.

In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
I would have to say that my favorite character of all time is Ron Wyn in Irregular Therapy because of his honesty, sense of humor, and courage to expose himself to such a degree.

State 5 random facts about yourself.

-I play the guitar and sing.
-I have two college degrees: Psychology and…Math!
-I live in the here and now.
-I love cold weather.
-A smile a day keeps me on my way.


What are you currently reading?
Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz and The Bliss of Inner Fire by Lama Yeshe.


What particular place do you write in?
I write at home in utter and complete silence.

Your favorite Genre?
I call it awareness – and its authors are people whose objective is to color the world with meaningful and inspirational words while effectively bringing out a wealth of down-to-earth knowledge in simple and understandable terms to promote practical solutions, and to demystify spirituality while guiding and supporting fellow humans on their journey to reconnect and realign with their true nature—awareness.

Paperback, Hardcover, eBook? Why?
As long as the message comes through, makes no difference to me.

What is the best book you’ve read?
There are many great books out there. Hard to pinpoint one. I’d say a great book is one that completely captivates the reader; a great book is an unforgettable and life-changing experience; I’ve had a few of those…

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it and why readers should pick it up?
Irregular therapy is a story about how my despair over broken affairs and damaging repetitive behaviors led me to look within and realize that by clearing my inner patterns, my relationships with other people improved as if by magic. Although it was written from a man’s point of view, I feel the book is beneficial to either gender—men will find structures and stories they can certainly relate to, and women will be able to better understand men and their issues, especially regarding relationships. irregular therapy is funny at times, sad at times, thought-provoking at times, even scary at times, but always amusing; always entertaining. It will move you in unforeseeable ways. It is an archetypal tale, after all.

Any new projects coming up?
Irregular Therapy is actually a series. I’m currently writing the second book in the series, which should be out by the end of 2012. The second book in the irregular therapy series reflects the results of my note-taking process. It is an attempt to organize the knowledge I have acquired throughout the years—translated not only into techniques, but also into first-hand knowledge of human behavior and functioning. And, as a teacher at heart, I do my best to convey this knowledge in simple, understandable, and practical terms.

Another part of the irregular therapy project involves speaking engagements, life coaching, workshops, as well as other practical and effective things such as teaching people how to write their own personal vision statements for a more focused and fulfilling life path. That’s all coming in 2013.

I have also been developing a website, www.irregulartherapy.com, and blog, blog.irregulartherapy.com, where I have placed much of my writing and intend to develop other areas of interest such as music, guided visualizations, and subliminal messaging, among other things. I have been exposed to many teachings and techniques on my journey, and now it is time to show others the tools that have assisted me. I’m positive they will help many people as they have helped me.


Who does your cover art? Did you design it yourself?
I designed the interior of the book myself, but felt the cover was much too important to be left to my somewhat limited book design expertise, so I had it created by a professional—Kathi Dunn.

What advice can you give someone who is thinking on writing a novel?
My advice is simple. Just do it. Don’t let your mind get in the way and sabotage you by saying your work is not good enough, the market is saturated, things of that sort. Other people will also say these things to you, you know. Don’t pay attention to them. But be realistic. Gather your energy and persevere. Make an inner resolve and go for it. Set aside some time every day for your most important work and stick to your schedule. Self-publishing requires a lot of planning, but it need not be daunting. You can publish your own work, but that does not mean you’ll have to do it alone. Establish your budget; be smart and honest about the stages you can complete yourself. For example, you might be enthusiastic about design, but unless you are a professional designer, I suggest you outsource your cover. You don’t want to look amateurish. In my case, I wrote and edited the book, then sent it out to an expert for his opinion (I was not going to commit my time and effort to something that was not good, or something that reflected some delirium of grandeur). I had a couple of people copyedit it. Then I invested most of my money in the cover design and text. The rest was technicalities. Setting up a website, finding a distributor, joining associations, submitting articles, marketing. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. If you’re committed, you can do it. Or maybe your budget allows you to hire a book shepherd, who will do it all for you. I know I didn’t have the money for that. But the book is out, nevertheless.


Where you can find author Ron Wyn:

Facebook: Twitter: @irreglartherapy Goodreads: Website: Blog

Other:

irregular therapy: one man’s struggle to find meaning, money and a soul mate can be purchased on my website www.irregulartherapy.com in several formats: paperback, ePub, Kindle, or PDF. It can also be found at major online outlets worldwide such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, smashwords, and the iTunes Bookstore.

ISBNs
Paperback: 978-0-9832810-4-7
ePub: 978-0-9832810-3-0
Kindle: 978-0-9832810-5-4
PDF: 978-0-9832810-2-3

Blog Tour Stop: A Stranger's Kiss, by Roxy Boroughs

Publisher: Baucis & Philemon with Bandit Creek Books; 2 edition
Release date: February 7, 2012
Genre: Romantic Suspense novella. Adult language, some violence, sexual situations.

About the Book: Sam Hutchinson, a successful lawyer, is devastated by the murder of his son. Hoping to gain closure by learning more about the suspected killer, Sam traces the murderer's roots to Bandit Creek, Montana.

There, against a serene mountain backdrop, he finds Amy Tesher. Lies are Amy's camouflage, all fabricated to escape the secrets of her past. And to protect her eleven-year-old daughter, Renee, who is able to communicate with Sam's ghostly son.

Unaware of Sam's real mission, Amy takes him into the boarding house she's inherited from her grandmother. Just as the serial killer, James Ryan Morley, returns to claim Amy … and her daughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've had the pleasure of interviewing Roxy Boroughs, author of A STRANGER'S KISS, part of the Bandit Creek Book series. Welcome to my blog, why don’t we begin by telling your readers a bit about yourself…

I was ill quite a bit as a child and, since my only sibling is fourteen years older, I spent a lot of time amusing myself reading. When I was nineteen, I went away to university to study drama and met the love of my life. After spending some years as a working actress (I’ve made minor appearances in TV commercial and movies), my man and I got married and moved out west. That’s when I turned my attentions to my other passion – writing.

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
It’s something I’ve always done. Though, in the beginning, I was creating plays and skits. Which I still do. In addition to novels, I write interactive murder mystery scripts for a local company, Pegasus Performances. And, on occasion, I act in those plays, which is always great fun.

How long did it take you to write A STRANGER’S KISS?
Years! LOL.
I started it as a sequel to my book A STRANGER’S TOUCH, after an editor at Harlequin Intrigue expressed an interest in that project. It got bumped up to the senior editor, but she didn’t care for the paranormal aspects of the story. Also the hero in TOUCH, who is an FBI psychic, is not a traditional alpha male. So after spending a year kicking around the Intrigue office, TOUCH was ultimately rejected. I shelved both stories thinking that was the end of that.
Then Carla Roma invited me to contribute a novella to the Bandit Creek Books series. I decided to resurrect and complete A STRANGER’S KISS, the love story of Sam and Amy. And publish A STRANGER’S TOUCH as a companion piece. Though the two stories share some characters, and both contain paranormal elements, they have parallel timelines so both books are stand-alone works.
That’s why it took so long. Without the interest of Carla Roma, and my readers, Sam and Amy would have been forever stuck at Chapter Three.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
Generally, very little. I’m a plotter so I have most of it figured out before I start writing. Some things don’t turn out exactly the way I envisioned but I liken my outline to a road map. I know I’m going from Point A to Point B. If I find and interesting detour comes up along the way, I’ll take it, but I always know where I’m going.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The cookbooks. I’ve got stacks of them. What can I say? I like to eat. And I like to experiment with different spices. I’m an alchemist at heart. After that, you can generally find me in the fiction section, hunting for romance, suspense and mystery.

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
That fluctuates. When the words are flowing, I tend to read books about the writing craft or biographies. And lately, I’ve been doing a lot of beta reading for the authors involved in Bandit Creek. When I’m on holidays, I pretty much read a book a day, or within two days.

In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Atticus from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. He reminds me of my dad, who passed away in 2004. My father wasn’t a lawyer, but he was a man with a lot of personal integrity, who could explain just about anything with the same patience as Atticus. And he loved his children with a passion. I miss him so much.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
-My star sign is Libra.
-I’m still happily married to that boy I met at nineteen.
-I’m a breast cancer survivor.
-I adore Lady Gaga.
-And I hate dusting.

Your favorite Genre?
Sexy suspense.

What are you currently reading?
Advanced copies of works written by two of my buddies: Lecia Cornwall’s TO WED A DEVILISH DUKE which comes out in November, and a May 1st Bandit Creek release by Brenda Collins called WITCH IN THE WIND.
And I’m looking forward to starting J. R. Ward’s LOVER REBORN.

What is the best book you've read?
I have to go with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD again. ROOM by Emma Donoghue would be a close second. I also love JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte.

Any new projects coming up?
I’ve paired up with the wonderful Steena Holmes on the series Stampede Sizzlers – short, hot reads sure to set your body sizzling! No murder and mayhem here, just sexy fun. My book is called CRAZY FOR COWBOY which follows Steena’s HOT FOR COWBOY. The titles say it all. Hers is available wherever ebooks are sold. Mine debuts today, April 15th.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?

In A STRANGER’S KISS, Sam Hutchinson, a successful lawyer, is devastated by the murder of his son. Hoping to gain closure, he traces the killer’s roots to Bandit Creek, Montana.
There, he finds Amy Tesher. Lies are Amy’s camouflage, all fabricated to escape the secrets of her past and protect her 11-year-old child, Renee, who is able to communicate with Sam’s ghostly son.
And the serial killer who took the boy’s life is hot on their trail.
If you like sexy suspense with a paranormal twist, A STRANGER’S KISS is your kind of read.
Everything happens in Bandit Creek. http://banditcreekbooks.com/

Praise for A STRANGER’S KISS…

“Roxy Boroughs has it all – humor, suspense, and the kind of raw emotion that makes romantic suspense worth reading. This genre has a bright new star.”– Lecia Cornwall author of SECRETS OF A PROPER COUNTESS, an RT Reviewers Choice nominee.

“Packed with romance, suspense and a happily-ever-after guaranteed to leave you laughing and crying, A Stranger’s Kiss had me riveted from the opening page!” – Julie Rowe author of ICEBOUND.

Where you can find author Roxy Boroughs:

Facebook ~ Amazon
Twitter: @roxyboroughs
Goodreads: Roxy Boroughs
Website: http://www.roxyboroughs.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review:

Author Roxy Boroughs did an execellent job creating an atmosphere of supence, romance and paranormal. You instantly fall for the characters and will get wrapped up in this nail biter of a book! Just the opening page in itself is good enough to trap you...

You first meet Amy, a single mother who inherits a B&B and her daughter Renee, who talks to a ghost...Then comes a stranger named Sam, trying to find his son's killer...and Amy is the key to finding him....

Paranormal, Mystery, Suspence, Romance, and Redemption all combined for a satisfying read! I highly recommend this book.

Buy the book on Amazon:

Guest Post Book Promo: The Sun Zebra, by R. Garcia

The Sun Zebra: a children’s book for grownups


Imagine you are hanging out with your family in the Fourth of July weekend on a farm in the middle of Pennsylvania, and your daughter excitedly comes over to tell you she has found a zebra! What would you think? What would you do? That is how the first story in my book “The Sun Zebra” begins. But there are four more stories where an insect boldly embarks on a courageous trek, Poe’s poem “The Raven” is given a new twist, a Christmas tree reveals its secrets, and a forgotten superhero makes a triumphant return.

These are the stories I have grouped together into what I call a “children’s book for grownups.” Its aim is to help adults see the world through the eyes of a child. I feel this book is necessary because many of us adults have forgotten the magic and wonder that defines the world of children. The stories are fun to read and they may even make you laugh or cry (or both) when you remember that receding world that you inhabited a long time ago.

But make no mistake; these stories go beyond the “cute”. They are inspirational and motivational. As one reviewer wrote: “This little book is like iced tea on a hot day. It changes things inside of you.” I could not have put this better myself. The family in the first story does go “look for the zebra,” but what they find is an animal that is part flesh and part metaphor.

I hope you can go look for the zebra too. It will be free on Amazon from Wednesday April 11 to Friday April 13. The book is a short read. Download it for free and let me know what you think about it.

Find the book in Amazon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am Rolando Garcia, the peculiar eclectic writer.

My website is: http://phantomimic.weebly.com/

Follow me on Twitter @Phantomimic

Review: Broken Wings by Alexandrea Weis

Publisher: World Castle Publishing
Published: Novemeber 15, 2011
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

About the Author:

Alexandrea Weis is a registered nurse from New Orleans who has been writing novels and screenplays for over twenty years. Her first novel, To My Senses, was a finalist for commercial fiction in Eric Hofer Book Awards, a finalist for romance in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year awards, and a finalist for romance in the USA Book Awards. Her second novel, Recovery, was ranked #1 on the Amazon top rated for romantic suspense in kindle books. Buyer Group International, an independent production company in Austin, has optioned the motion picture rights for Recovery. Ms. Weis is also a permitted wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and when she is not writing, Ms. Weis is rescuing orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives outside of New Orleans with her husband and a menagerie of pets.

About the Book:

As a wildlife rehabilitator in southeast Louisiana, Pamela Wells has dealt with her fair share of wild animals, but her reclusive life is forever changed when she meets an elusive former soldier named Daniel Phillips. Sent to Pamela’s wildlife sanctuary as part of his parole requirements, Daniel and Pamela quickly clash until Daniel’s troubled past unexpectedly comes to light. After serving in Iraq, Daniel suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Pamela tries to help ease his condition by introducing him to the healing power of animals. Daniel begins to find peace, and an unexpected kindred spirit in Pamela. Fearing one day she will be forced to give up her beloved sanctuary, Pamela confides in Daniel about her debilitating health. United by their misfortunes, the relationship turns romantic.

Just when Pamela has found someone to love and share her burdens, Daniel skips town, crushing her heart. Suddenly Pamela finds herself alone and in a desperate situation. She has no choice but to turn to a ruthless Louisiana attorney, Bob Patrick, for help. Bob promises Pamela financial security in exchange for a life as his obedient wife. When Daniel unexpectedly returns, Bob is not willing to give Pamela up. Like an ensnared bird, Pamela struggles to free herself of her cruel capture. The fight may prove deadly, but Daniel is willing to do anything to save her. Can two broken souls eventually find happiness or, like the broken wings of a dove, will they be forever kept from reaching the heights of heaven.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review:

I highly recommend this book.
Broken Wings by Alexandrea Weis is the kind of book you cant put down, and not think of it. It keeps you wanting more...
Broken Wings is a story about a woman named Pamela Wells who is struggling to keep her wildlife rescue center going. She loves the animals she cares for so much that she doesnt mind having to ask her mean, manipulating ex husband for help.
Soon she meets Daniel Phillips, a man sent to help her as part of his parole requirement. At first their personalities clash, but as they begin to spend more and more time together, they realize that they have fallen for eachother....
I dont like to ruin my reviews with too much details of the story, but all I can say is that Alexandrea Weis did an awesome job with this book. The characters are very well developed and likeable...You will find yourself rooting for Pamela and Daniel's romance, the wildlife sanctuary and hating her ex husband...

*The love scenes maybe a bit too intense for Young Adult readers and there is some profanity used in the book so I would recommend this book for adult readers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where to buy this book:

Amazon

Author Interview: Alexandrea Weis

Today I would love to welcome Alexandrea Weis, author of Broken Wings to my blog. Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself...

I am a nurse from New Orleans who is also a permitted wildlife rehabber with the La. Wildlife and Fisheries. When I am not writing books, I am rescuing orphaned and injured wildlife. Broken Wings is my fourth novel. I have also written the Nicci Beauvoir series: To My Senses, Recovery and Sacrifice. I am married and live with a menagerie of pets in New Orleans.



Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I have to say no one inspired me. I started writing at the age of eight, not because of something I read or one particular person, but because I felt the desire to write. I have no idea why such an impulse came to me at that age, but it did and I have been writing ever since.



How long did it take you to write Broken Wings?
I wrote Broken Wings in about a month. When I am into a book I have to get it out as quickly as possible so the rest of my life tends to shut down. My friends have gotten used to it, but my husband is still warming up to the idea of losing his wife for a time.

"Rodney" the Raccoon from the book, Broken Wings reading his favorite book! ^-^

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
When I was writing book III, Sacrifice, in the Nicci Beauvoir series, I went back a few times and reworked portions of the story to answer questions from the first and second books in the series. But generally, I never work out the plot. Honestly I have an idea for a story and then I just begin writing. Much of what I write comes while typing. I surprise myself sometimes by what I come up with.


You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
That’s easy, The history section! I am a lover of all things about ancient Greek, Roman and Near East history. If I had not become a nurse, I would have probably been a classical history teacher or, even better, and archeologist.



How many books in a month do you tend to read?
It depends on what I am writing. Lately I have been writing more than reading. Sometimes up to five to six books a month.



In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
In the Mary Renault trilogy on Alexander the Great, I loved the character of Alexander. I think she nailed the historical figure of Alexander of Macedon. Those books are still some of my all time favorites.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
-I am a vegetarian.
-I love to bake cookies, cakes and sweet breads and have a small seasonal business at Christmas making cookie trays for gifts.
-I am a runner.
-I am a workaholic.
-And I think squirrels are the most adorable creatures on the planet.


Your favorite Genre?
Anything historical. Romance, biography and non-fiction.

What are you currently reading?
Actually it is a technical book about caring for wildlife. I am getting ready for spring baby season in Louisiana.


What is the best book you've read?
The Persian Boy by Mary Renault. It’s an Alexander the Great thing.

Any new projects coming up?
I have just finished writing a romantic suspense novel called Acadian Waltz. It’s about family secrets, love, Cajuns, smugglers, swindlers and is set against the backdrop of the Louisiana swamps. Acadian Waltz will be out later this year. The next book about to hit bookstores in May is called The Secret Brokers and it takes Dallas August from the Nicci Beauvoir series into his own romantic suspense series. Dallas is a dealer in highly desired information and runs an organization of specialist trained in gathering secrets from the wealthy and powerful.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?

Broken Wings is a very special story about the healing power of animals and all that they bring into our lives. The books is about a solider home from Iraq with post traumatic stress disorder who is sent to do community service at the wildlife facility of Pamela Wells, a wildlife rehabber. Pamela rescues orphaned and injured wildlife and rehabilitates them for release back into the wild. She helps Daniel Phillips recover from his post traumatic stress disorder by teaching him how to care for the animals in her facility. The two fall in love during their time together, but there is much more with a lot of plot twists and turns thrown in that keep you guessing if these two broken souls will eventually find happiness together. I wanted to write something about rehabbing wildlife to not only show the public what we do as rehabbers, but to also highlight the amazing healing power of animals in our everyday lives. This is a very special book for me. It allowed me to put my devotion and adoration for all animals into words. If you love animals, love helping animals, or just want to read a touching story about how love can overcome all obstacles and disabilities, pick up Broken Wings. It really is a touching and heartfelt story.




Where you can find author Alexandea Weis:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~ Amazon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Be sure to visit again on Thursday, April 12 for my review on Broken Wings

Blog tour host: From Zero to Four Kids in thirty seconds, by Amy L. Peterson

Today I'm hosting a virtual book tour for Amy L. Peterson's book titled: From zero to four kids in thirty seconds.

About the author:

Amy has been published in numerous magazines and does weekly, light-hearted blog postings at amylpeterson.com about nature, pets and life. She became a stepmother to four great kids in 1994, and wrote From Zero to Four Kids in Thirty Seconds because so many other stories about stepmoms are as uplifting as three-legged frogs or downright scary. Her casual, entertaining style and real experience come together to tell an amusing story filled with some fairly sound advice. She includes upbeat chapter titles like "Can't We Just Duct Tape Them Together and Send Them Outside?" and offers 70 tips which are both fun and useful. Amy manages a grant program by day and spends her evenings and weekends writing, taking outdoor photos and taking care of over a dozen fuzzy animals. She lives in Michigan with her husband, an obsessed fisherman with enough tackle to sink a small boat. Actually, probably now, a large boat.

About the Book:

Amy is a 30-year-old woman who spent many years polishing an unapproachable outer shell and maintaining a long list of reasons why not to have children. She keeps a canoe on her front porch, a mountain bike in her kitchen and a balance in her checking account.

Mark is an older, divorced man with four kids. He sleeps on an Army cot and eats out of pots and pans given to him by his therapist. He has a Ph.D. in stream ecology, a VW Rabbit with 285,000 miles on it and enough fishing tackle to sink a small boat.

Amy falls for Mark hook, line and hundreds of dollars in sinkers.

This is Amy’s humorous and compelling story of becoming a stepmother. The book has catchy chapter titles like "Can't We Just Duct Tape Them Together and Send Them Outside?" And it contains over 70 tips including "Tip #44 You can't exchange a bad child for a good head of lettuce." This book is a must read for stepmothers and future stepmothers, and a fun romance that might just make you giggle somewhere along the way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review:

An entertaining story of a woman who thought she had her life figured out, and then falls in love with a much older man with four kids...It's an honest story, humerous at times and filled with advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation.
It's narration could have used a little more work. I felt like it was rushed, or maybe some parts of the story was left out...
Overall I liked the book I recommend it to anyone looking for a light read that will make you laugh out loud and smile. Oh and it's a true story! ^-^



Where to buy Zero to Four Kids in thirty seconds:

Amazon- Paperback ~ Kindle

Authors Blog:

Natural Wonderings

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next Blog stop:

Literary Corner

Classic Novel of the month: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Publication Date: January 28 1813
Publisher: T. Egert / Whithall
Genre: Literary Novel

About the Book:

The story follows the main character Elizabeth Bennet as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of early 19th-century England. Elizabeth is the second of five daughters of a country gentleman living near the fictional town of Meryton in Hertfordshire, near London. It has become one of the most popular novels in English literature and receives considerable attention from literary scholars. Modern interest in the book has resulted in a number of dramatic adaptations and an abundance of novels and stories imitating Austen's memorable characters or themes. To date, the book has sold some 20 million copies worldwide.

About the Author:

Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature. Her realism and biting social commentary has gained her historical importance among scholars and critics. She's written countless novels as well as poetry and short stories that include: Sense and Sensibility (1811) Mansfield Park (1814) and Lady Susan (1794, 1805)

My Review:

I can't say anything fascinating about Pride and Prejudice that hasn't already been said a thousand times. It is one of the best books I've ever read. That's why I chose it to be this months Classic novel of the month. ^-^

Review: Excelsior by George Sirois

Publisher: Infinity Publishing
Published: July 30, 2010
Genre:Young Adult, Sci-fi Adventure

About the Book:

High school wallflower Matthew Peters has spent the past seven years developing his own web comic about the adventures of a character named Excelsior. With only his uncle looking after him, Matthew has constantly ditched his school assignments in favor of his dreams of seeing Excelsior become an Internet sensation, and it is finally gaining attention outside his school. Now with his burgeoning success, he is ready to reveal his character to a larger audience.

Excelsior is a living beacon of hope for the planet Denab IV. A god in human form, he is the ultimate personification of strength, leadership and innovation. He has fought alongside his fellow Denarians against their tyrannical oppressors, the Krunations. He wields a powerful sword made from the purest elements on the planet, he guides the hands of the leaders and inspires them to create technology advanced enough to reach neighboring galaxies and he lives within the imagination of Matthew Peters.
Or so Matthew thinks.
One day, an intriguing older woman comes into this young man’s life with news that changes his life forever. Not only is she from the planet Denab IV, but that everything Matthew has written and drawn over the past seven years actually happened. They are Excelsior’s memories from thousands of years ago and the lifeforce of this mighty warrior lies dormant within Matthew.

Now, with a skeptical uncle anxious to redeem himself in his nephew’s eyes and Excelsior’s worst enemies returning to power on both Denab IV and Earth, Matthew must bring the legend back to life from within and become his greatest creation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author:


George H. Sirois began creating his own characters in 1985 and has since written various short stories, screenplays and one-act plays. He co-wrote the book to “Halloween at Belvedere: A Monster Musical Adventure,” which was performed in New York City’s Central Park on Halloween weekend from 2002 - 2004. His first novel, “From Parts Unknown,” was published by iUniverse in 2002, and it is currently being re-written for a re-release exclusively as an eBook.

George joined the pop culture web site 411Mania.com in 2004, writing over 100 news reports and 200 weekly columns, and contributing to the Movies Zone’s weekly podcast. His news posts can be seen every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

A New Yorker always in his heart, he currently lives in St. Louis, MO with his wife Cheryl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review:

First off I have to tell you that I'm not much of a sci-fi fan. So when I began reading this book I thought to myself that I wouldn't be able to get into the story, thus not be able to give it a good rating...but I kept on reading...And I'm glad I did!

George Sirois did an excellent job creating a book that keeps you captivited and wanting more, even if you're not a sci-fi fan.

Matthew Peters is your typical, nerdy and shy teenager who isn't interested in being part of the "popular" crowd. He's too busy with Excelsior, the comic book hero he created and maybe even aspires to be like.
Excelsior is a leader, he's tough, brave, loved by everyone in his home planet, Denab IV while Matthew is the total opposite.
Matthew creates a webpage where he features Excelsior and his many adventures and soon becomes a big hit! And that is when his life begins to change...
He discovers that this world he thought only existed in his mind really exists and the character he thought he created needs his help to defend his people against his enemy, Nocterar. I don't like to spoil a good read with too many details, but I will tell you that you will really enjoy reading this book even if Sci-Fi books are not your cup of tea. I know I did! ^-^

This book is not only filled with action and adventure, but it also has a great spiritual element to it. I really enjoyed reading the AFTERWORD: An Abriged Life at the end of the book. We learn that the author, George Sirois named the main character of the book after his cousin Matthew Peter Henkel who passed away eight years ago. Tears filled my eyes when I read about Matthew's real life struggles, how he overcame them and how he inspired George Sirois.

If you like a great story... this one wont disappoint. From begining to end.

Where to buy Excelsior

Amazon: Paperback ~ Kindle

Author Interview: George Sirois

Today I would like to welcome author George Sirois to my blog. Why don't we begin with you telling us a bit about yourself...


I was born in New York City, and grew up in both Poughkeepsie, NY and Richmond, VA. I came back to NYC for college and stayed in that area until this past August, when my wife & I moved to St. Louis, MO. I graduated from college with a Theatre Arts degree, and I’m about to graduate from Webster University to get my MA in Communication Arts. I’ve been writing stories – or at least jotting down ideas for stories – since high school, and my heart fell to writing while I was in college.

What inspired you to write “Excelsior?”
When I was in grade school, my friends & I wrote and drew about characters we created that were loosely based on TransFormers, Star Wars and other shows and films we enjoyed. I eventually lost touch with those classmates when I moved to Richmond, but I kept working on those characters. In 1992, I wanted to create someone new, someone with a mythic element to him, and after seeing John Boorman’s 1981 movie Excalibur, I realized that my new character would be a mix of King Arthur, Jesus Christ and my childhood hero Optimus Prime. The name “Excelsior” came from the word on the NY state flag, and I had experience seeing that word in a lot of pop culture while I was growing up.

How long did it take you to write Excelsior?
It took me one month to write the first draft (thank you Chris Baty and National Novel Writing Month) and about 2 years and change rewriting and working with my friend and editor JeriAnn Geller.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
The plot pretty much stayed intact from the first day, but the more the rewriting went on, the more both my editor and I realized that certain elements could be compressed so that the book wouldn’t drag and so that we weren’t creating something new just to feed a plot point.
For instance, originally, I had developed a new piece of technology that would be a key factor in getting our villain on Earth involved in the story. But after my editor and I went back and forth on that part, we concluded that instead, we would ditch the technology and have the villain get involved on his own. It’s like the original drafts of Freddy Vs. Jason, how there was a secondary character that would stir up the spirit of Freddy Krueger. Once the story was rewritten, that secondary character disappeared and Freddy was the one creating the conflict. It made him a stronger character, just as this change made our villain more powerful and more dangerous.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
My first stop would be the “Reference – Writing” section. I’m of the mindset that you can never stop learning. Someone always has something to offer you to make you a better writer. If you’re convinced, you know everything about it, then why keep going?

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
My book-reading is not as frequent as I’d like it to be. When I’m on a roll, I can get about a book read per week.

In all the books you've read, who is your most favorite character and why?
I’ve always loved a good “everyman going on an incredible adventure” type of character, so for me, my favorite would have to be Arthur Dent from Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” He comes off as very identifiable with any kind of reader, but at the same time, we meet him at a very critical point in his life: his house is being threatened. And to risk his life by dropping in front of the bulldozer makes him endearing from the start. From that moment on, you’re ready to follow him anywhere and the way he tries to get himself and Ford out of the situations that follow is a real treat.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
– I proposed to my wife on the 70th floor of New York City’s Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Almost 4 years later, I would start working there.
– My favorite film is Network.
– My father raised me to be a New York sports fan: Giants, Yankees, Rangers, Knicks (in that order).
– My main inspiration comes from listening to film scores.
– Since November, I’ve been getting into West Coast Swing dancing. It’s been a blast, and I’m getting better, but I still have a long way to go.

What are you currently reading?
I’m reading two books right now: I’m finishing A.K. Taylor’s “Neiko’s Five-Land Adventure” and having a lot of fun with that so far. The other’s “11/22/63” by Stephen King, and that’s just… wow.

What particular place do you write in?
Sometimes I would get a good amount done at my desk at home, but more often than not, I do well writing at various St. Louis Bread Company restaurants. They offer a mug of coffee with free refills for a little over two dollars, and their food is really good.
Yes, I’m one of those guys who HAVE to be pounding away on their NetBooks in a public place, but since I’m in St. Louis, it feels like I’m cornering the market since there’s barely anyone doing that here.

What's your favorite Genre?
In terms of fiction, I enjoy both Young Adult and Science-Fiction. However, since I grew up as a movie fanatic, I find myself reading a lot of books about the behind-the-scenes world of film and television. I think it’s a matter of reading other people’s success stories; it becomes inspiring for me and it makes me yearn to be at that place, where my source of income and my love of writing come together.

Paperback, Hardcover, eBook? Why?
All 3. They all have their places and the only advantage that one format has over the other is portability. The paperbacks are obviously much more manageable than hardcover when you’re at work or on your way to work (I miss the subways!), and eBooks are MUCH more manageable than both.

The perfect example is Peter Bracke’s “Crystal Lake Memories,” his coffee table book about the Friday the 13th series. I wanted to get it so badly when it first came out, but it’s huge and not compatible for on-the-go reading. But at the end of last month, it FINALLY came out on eBook and that’s when I got it.

What is the best book you’ve read?
So many great books, but a big one for me that my heart fell to right from the beginning is “Good Omens” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It’s a Douglas Adams / Monty Python type take on the apocalypse and it’s absolutely brilliant. I would name this one the best based on the amount of people I recommended the book to over the years.

Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it and why readers should pick it up?
There is something truly universal about Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey,” as well as the different stories that came from that same cloth. “Excelsior” is my nod to that, my tribute to the stories that inspired me. Whether people love it or hate it, that’s obviously up to them, but I know I had a lot of fun writing it since it allowed me to tap into my memories of grade school, middle school and high school, when I was first writing these stories and creating these characters. Plus, it allowed me to give a proper tribute to my cousin Matthew, who passed away seven years ago (March 19, 2005). He was my personal hero, and it was a chance to give him some immortality so I named my main character of Matthew Peters after him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Book Blurb:

High school wallflower Matthew Peters has spent the past seven years developing his own web comic about the adventures of a character named Excelsior. With only his uncle looking after him, Matthew has constantly ditched his school assignments in favor of his dreams of seeing Excelsior become an Internet sensation, and it is finally gaining attention outside his school. Now with his burgeoning success, he is ready to reveal his character to a larger audience.

Excelsior is a living beacon of hope for the planet Denab IV. A god in human form, he is the ultimate personification of strength, leadership and innovation. He has fought alongside his fellow Denarians against their tyrannical oppressors, the Krunations. He wields a powerful sword made from the purest elements on the planet, he guides the hands of the leaders and inspires them to create technology advanced enough to reach neighboring galaxies and he lives within the imagination of Matthew Peters.
Or so Matthew thinks.
One day, an intriguing older woman comes into this young man’s life with news that changes his life forever. Not only is she from the planet Denab IV, but that everything Matthew has written and drawn over the past seven years actually happened. They are Excelsior’s memories from thousands of years ago and the lifeforce of this mighty warrior lies dormant within Matthew.

Now, with a skeptical uncle anxious to redeem himself in his nephew’s eyes and Excelsior’s worst enemies returning to power on both Denab IV and Earth, Matthew must bring the legend back to life from within and become his greatest creation.

Any new projects coming up?
I am currently at work rewriting my 2002 novel “From Parts Unknown.” It’s a SF / Action story that was originally published through iUniverse. I’m giving the story a full overhaul and I plan to re-release it exclusively as an eBook this Spring.

Who does your cover art? Did you design it yourself?
My friend Jason Goodman and I came up with the original artwork, and he took the ideas and ran with them. He was unable to update it due to time constraints, so another friend – Ilya Arbit – took the design and enhanced it for its 2012 eBook-exclusive “special edition.”

What advice can you give someone who is thinking on writing a novel?
The main thing I can say about writing is that it’s not as easy as one would think. Just because you get through the 30-day 50,000-word goal from National Novel Writing Month, that doesn’t mean that your book is ready to go. You have to put a whole lot of work into the editing, the rewriting, the cover design, the marketing, etc. And you absolutely cannot do this alone. If you have a great team around you, they’ll be able to see any mistakes you miss and they’ll help you reach a more universal audience. I can’t stress the importance enough of having help with your novel. It can be done, if you’re willing to put in the work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where you can find author George Sirois:

Facebook ~ Twitter: @GeorgeSirois ~ Goodreads ~ Website / Blog

Book Trailer on YouTube:



Be sure to come back again Friday, April 6 to read my review on Excelsior!

Author Interview: Sara Flower

Today I would like to welcome Sara Flower, author of BY THE SWORD. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm a twenty-something Canadian author who drinks too much tea and has a passion for fashion.


Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I started writing stories when I was five. I think what inspired me then, as well as now, was seeing interesting movies and books –I felt this huge drive to create stories with unique characters of my own.


How long did it take you to write By the Sword?
It took me three months to write the first draft of By the Sword – and then another two years to polish it.


While writing, how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I had to go back a couple of times with By the Sword, especially near the ending. With my other stories, it also takes a couple of edits to get the plot exactly how I (Well, actually, often times the characters) want it.


You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The young adult section.


How many books in a month do you tend to read?
I try to read at least one book every month.


In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Great question! Well, I would have to say Helen from the book When Heaven Weeps by Ted Dekker. She is a bright person and just wants to be loved, but she also suffers with an addiction and keeps having relapses. The story takes place in the 60’s and she’s something of a hippie. I’m really drawn to her whenever I go back to the story.


State 5 random facts about yourself.

~I am fitness nut.
~I can’t leave the house without black eyeliner.
~My favourite films are war movies.
~I wish I lived in the country.
~And I didn’t start drinking coffee until this year.


What is your favorite Genre?
A tie between fantasy and thrillers.


What are you currently reading?
The Hunger Games!


What is the best book you've read?
When Heaven Weeps


Any new projects coming up?
Yes. I am almost finished a supernatural thriller novel, coming out this summer. And I have another fantasy book in the rough draft stage.


Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?

Talya, a seventeen-year-old knight, and Jalarn, a prodigy general of the expanding Malinorian Empire, first meet when the imperial army invades Talya's country. After a brutal defeat, Talya has to flee along with the other survivors to their sister nation of Sanctus. Sanctus declares war on the empire.
In the meantime, being a military general is not enough for Jalarn. He seeks to become a master of the dark arts. Talya is not happy when she finds out from a respected visiting prophet that she is not to fight in the war, but God has called her on a mission to the dangerous Hunter Forest. The journey turns out to be more than she bargained for, especially when she runs into Jalarn again - and it turns out he is not the monster she originally thought.
Readers who love strong female leads and adventurous tales set in a fantastical land will enjoy By the Sword.

Friend & Follow Sara Flower:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~
Blog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Book Promo:

Genre: Fantasy, Young-adult
Publisher: Violet Sword Publishing
Ebook
Pages: 240

Book Description:
Seventeen-year-old Talya's main goal is to bring down the Malinorian Empire. And Jalarn, the empire's prodigy general, is at the top of her list of enemies to kill. Not only has Jalarn murdered Talya's king, he's almost killed her. Twice.
But things don't go as Talya planned when a visiting prophet sends her on a mission to the highly feared Hunter Forest. It is there that she must gain the allegiance of the forest's inhabitants before Jalarn and his men do.
Then, memories of a haunting vision resurface when Talya comes face to face with Jalarn. She makes a rash decision that sends her down a path she never imagined she would follow.

Purchase book on Amazon


Excerpt:
Jalarn could sense that the sword maiden was in the forest. The feeling had intensified after he had finished his meal. He left his men to their games and walked through the dark forest in search of her. She was most likely there to sway the giants’ allegiance before he got to them – the fool. It would be the last time that she would get in his way. She would not escape him this time.
“Show me where she is, lord. I will not fail to kill her for you this time.”
Jalarn’s eyes adjusted to the dimly lit woods. He would find her. He would not sleep until her blood soaked the ground.
He came to a clearing. No sign of her. He backed up and went the other way. He found one set of human tracks. They were definitely not a giant’s. He followed them. It had to be her foot prints. No one would choose to enter that place alone unless they were crazy or forced to.
Why had she come to Hunter Forest by herself? She was asking for death being in the same forest as him. Like a hungry predator stalking his prey, Jalarn knew that he would soon kill her. And then he could finally forget about her.


About the Author:

Sara is a twenty-something Canadian who has enjoyed writing stories since kindergarten. She likes good music & inspiring films, which fuel her creativity. She also happens to be something of a fitness nut and fashion is her passion.

For FULL Tour Schdedule:

*This Tour was put together by FULL MOON BITES blog tour's