Book Promo & Review: She Speaks To Angels, by Ami Blackwelder

She Speaks to Angels

By Ami Blackwelder



"I tried not to sound hysterical, but it’s not every day you find out the paranormal is hunting you."
What if everything you believed was a lie?

A Suicide

Seventeen year old Allison Maney attends Millennium High School in Manhattan. Nothing out of the ordinary, unless you consider the occasional suicides at the school. At least that is what everyone is told, what everyone believes. But Tommy Bachelor was a popular football player; why would he jump off the roof of the school?

Dangerous Liaisons

When Dameon pays attention to Ali, she couldn't be more excited, because for the past three months he was all she could think about. But now that Dameon is finally pining for her affections, she is becoming more and more wrapped up in a clique of three who, as new transfers to the school, are proving to be trouble. But at least Dameon loves her, doesn't he?

Kian- a dangerous love interest she did not ask for.
Powers- belonging to an underworld she never knew existed.
A Clique- that could be friends or foes?

A Soul Purpose

The underworld of angels and demons have one thing on their mind: Earth.
Demons want to do what they want.

Angels want to protect humans from these rogue angels, AKA: Demons
For Allison Maney, everything is not exactly what it seems…

A Suspenseful Romance

Caught between Dameon and Kian, the suicide and the clique of three,
Ali won't know who to trust…or who to love.

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

Excerpt

Ignorance



“Ignorance is bliss,” Molly replied at the park picnic park table. “Better if we don’t push our noses into someone else’s business.”

I fidgeted with my galoshes until I finally curled one leg under the other. “Tommy died for a reason. Doesn’t that reason bother you?” A gust of wind blew past and tousled my hair.

“How would we ever know the reasons? We can’t read his mind,” Molly retorted as she fixed her favorite avocado-colored scarf, which draped on her neck, a scarf that accented the green in her irises.

Sniffling, Jennifer desperately wanted to join the conversation, but couldn’t speak without shaking and bawling. She tended to her wool mittens instead. Red-eyed and disheveled, she reminded me of an old rag doll. Dressed in heavy beige coats, knit hats and boots, the three of us stayed relatively warm in the 30 degree weather. We were well acclimated, since we were all born and raised in New City.

“There has to be something we can find. He was popular for heaven’s sake, ” I insisted as Molly stared at me incredulously. “Girls loved him. Teachers adored him. Doesn’t make any sense.” I shook my head.

“Why? His best friends don’t even know why. Why does anyone do it?” Molly plopped her hand down on the picnic table, the hand holding the fanning paint brush. Dabbing her ocean blue canvas with specs of white, she created a snowy effect. “Maybe he just couldn’t take the pressure of being popular anymore.” When she rolled her eyes, I knew what Molly was thinking. She didn’t like the so-called jocks. Suicide or not, she didn’t want to give them any more of her time. But I didn’t want to let it go, couldn’t let it go. Something about it nagged me.

“Because...people just don’t go killing themselves for no good reason.”

“If you care so much, maybe you should write something up for the school paper.” Molly tilted her head to me and I lit up like a neon light. “You know...like one of those in-memory pieces.”

Brilliant! I hadn’t even thought of it, but I did have journalism fifth period. I could satiate my persistent curiosity and complete an assignment all in one. Every writer needed a muse and Tommy would be mine. A muse from the grave.

“We could work on it together...like Bonnie and Clyde.” I grinned as a snowflake dropped from the pines above and lit my long lashes.

Tightening the hug-grip around her chest, Jennifer sniffed one last time before raising her gaze.

“Wait, wait, wait...first of all Clyde was a guy,” Molly interjected, “and I’m not going to be the guy in this scenario. More like Rizzoli and Isles. And second, I am n-o-t going to be a part of this.”

“Why not? Could be intriguing. Today is Wednesday and we don’t have to be back at school until Monday. What else are we going to do?” I rationalized.

“I’ll do it.” Jennifer interrupted, the sound of her voice almost foreign at this point in the conversation. We both jerked our heads in her direction. Wiping her nose with the back of her coat sleeve she held a sneeze and repeated more firmly. “I’ll do it.” Her big brown eyes widened as her lips tensed.

“You will? why?” Molly cocked a brow and spun her body around on the bench to face Jennifer better. Her fingers inched across the table and found Jennifer’s mittened hands. “You don’t have to do this just because...” she didn’t want to say it aloud, but Molly had a way about her. Truth, whether crass or not, always popped out of her uncontrolled mouth. “...you liked him.”

Blushing, Jennifer tilted back and the freckles on her cheeks almost faded away. “I am going to do this because Ali is right. Tommy was not the sort to commit suicide. He had everything going for him. With his death this makes...” she paused in thought counting on her fingers, recollecting the names listed in the morning paper, “five deaths from Millennium High in seven years!”

“Don’t forget Emily.” I reminded them, and they each gave me wrinkled foreheads of confusion. “The girl who was found dead in Central Park. She went to the school too...and just because she didn’t die on school grounds doesn’t make her death any less odd.”

“Something is going on at this school and I’ll be damned if I’m just going to sit and do nothing.” Jennifer got her mojo back, a newfound task of investigation motivating her out of her misery.

“Well damn, if you two are going to go at this then...” Molly raked her fingers through her shoulder length cut and sighed, “then I might as well do it too.”

Jennifer and I both turned at the same time and grinned.

“What else am I going to do until Monday without the two of you?” Molly reasoned.

“It’s settled then. We are officially the unofficial team investigating this suicide,” I added as another gust of wind brushed through the park, rushing over Molly and Jennifer.

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

About the Author:

Ami Blackwelder is a romance suspense writer in the paranormal, scifi and historical genres. Growing up in Florida, she graduated UCF and in 1997 received her BA in English and additional teaching credentials. Then she packed her bags and travelled overseas to teach in Thailand, Nepal, Tibet, China and Korea. Thailand is considered her second home now. She has always loved writing and wrote poems and short stores since childhood; however, her novels began when she was in Thailand.

Having won the Best Fiction Award from the University of Central Florida (Yes, The Blair Witch Project University), her short fiction From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return was published in the on campus literary magazine: Cypress Dome and remains to this day in University libraries around the USA. Later, she achieved the semi-finals in a Laurel Hemingway contest and published a few poems in the Thailand’s Expat magazine, and an article in the Thailand’s People newspaper. Additionally, she has published poetry in the Korea’s AIM magazine, the American Poetic Monthly magazine and Twisted Dreams Magazine.

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

My Review:

She Speaks To Angels, is a great YA Thriller book, full of twist and turns and mystery that will keep you guessing throughout the book. The mystery begins when a boy from Ali's class commits suicide...while everyone in her school are shocked that the popular football player would take his own life, Ali isn't...She's suspicious. She begins her own investigation and finds a world she never knew exisited... A world filled with Angels who serve mankind by protecting humans from demons...soon she discovers that his death was not suicide, but murder...

Ami Blackwelder did an awesome job with this book. She created a new twist on the whole YA Angel thrillers...I really enjoyed how Ali's character developed with every experience she went through througout the book. Although at fist the book was slow, but I felt it was builting up to the suspense....The characters and the world of Angelfire will remain with you long after reading the book.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a different take on the whole YA Angel/ Demon genre. I will definitely be looking for the next installment in the series.

Cover for the second book in the series:

Where to connect with Ami Blackwelder-

* Blog
* Twitter
* Facebook

Review + Giveaway: Promises by Amber Garr

Promises
Book One of The Syrenka Series
By Amber Garr
Genre: Fantasy/paranormal YA



Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love.

When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids.
Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined.
A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those who she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life that she had so adamantly tried to escape.

Where to buy Promises:


~ Amazon ~ Smashwords ~ Barnes and Noble

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

Excerpt One:

I barely heard her parting words as the screen door slammed shut. My head was spinning in desperation as the anger coursed through my bones. “Get back in here Eviana!” she continued to scream at me. “We are not finished with this conversation!”

I was already racing down the deck stairs towards the sandy beach, kicking off my shoes and unbuttoning my blouse. We are for now, I thought as my blood boiled with rage and resentment. I was going to be trapped! How dare they? This was not the eighteenth century anymore! I had rights!

I stumbled onto the sand, taking just a brief moment to savor the warmth and the feeling of the grains massaging my toes. My shirt came off and I started to unzip my jeans. No one was around. But I wouldn’t care anyway. The water was calling me and it was the only voice that I could hear now. With one pant leg off, I hopped along in my forward progression until the other one was free. My oasis was so close now that I could taste the salt in the air. The sun broke free of a cloud, stopping me for a moment. It was late afternoon and the sunset was still a few hours away, but the sky was already turning multiple shades of pink and orange; the coloration reminding me of the inside of a brilliant conch shell.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I knew that there was going to be hell to pay when I returned to the house. Marguerite, my mother, had tolerated my rebellious behavior when I was younger, giving me more freedom and second chances than anyone in our clan. But apparently now, at seventeen, I was an adult. Adult enough to bear children. Adult enough to participate in clan gatherings. Adult enough to navigate our youth through their transition period. But not adult enough to choose who to love.

A slight breeze wafted off the ocean, bringing with it scents that filled my gut with longing. The freedom of the ocean. Why couldn’t I just stay there forever? A gull called overhead, beckoning me to join him. The splashing waves calmed my inner rage as they ebbed and flowed in a hypnotic pattern. A distant moan of a shipping vessel reminded me of our history. I opened my eyes to see that I was standing alone along miles of sandy beach interlaced with large rocks and cliffs emblematic of the northern California coast. So beautiful. I stripped off the rest of my clothes and ran into the ocean.

As soon as I was under the water, I could feel the transition begin. My lower body ached as the bones adjusted from a life on land to one at sea. Both legs began to fuse together and work as one. My foot bones elongated while I prepared for the agony. I was accustomed to the changes now, but it was still a struggle of mind over matter. Breaking through the surface of the water, I grabbed one last breath before the final jolt of pain ravaged through my body. I bit my bottom lip and squeezed my eyes shut willing the moment to be over. At last I felt an electric tingle move from my hips to my toes as the hardened iridescent, scales appeared on the bottom half of my body. I opened my eyes to find that the internal transformation was complete as well. My vision cleared. My lungs expanded. I could hear for miles. I was free.

So I swam. I swam away from the shore and the house that I lived in. I swam away from my fears and obligations as though they could disappear with the distance. I would temporarily forget my responsibilities, my duties, and the argument with my mother. In here, I wasn’t trapped. The sea was my true home. I was a mermaid and this was my world.

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

Excerpt Two:

My swim home was too quick. I was lost in the elation of Brendan’s promise and thinking about what I could take with me when I left my home. Maybe one suitcase and my iPod; we could always replace what we couldn’t carry. Would we fly or drive? Where would we go? Brendan had promised to make all of the necessary arrangements soon, but I didn’t know if I could wait to hear his plan.

Night was nearly here and the silhouette of my house looked bleak and menacing. When I reached our backyard stretch of beach, someone was waiting for me. I sighed and picked up my scattered clothing without acknowledging my guest.

“You are in so much trouble this time,” a whiney, nasally voice taunted.

“Shut up, Marisol and mind your own business.” I began walking briskly back to the stairs, trying to ignore my sister, but she followed closely at my heels.

“I don’t understand what’s wrong with you. This is what we were born to do and Kain is super rich and totally gorgeous.” She tripped on one of the steps and stumbled into me. I turned with a glare so evil that she stepped away. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

The words were sharp but I knew that they rang true. Kain didn’t deserve someone who couldn’t love him. He was too good and too nice. My sister was right, but that didn’t mean I had to let her know it.

“You don’t even know what you’re talking about Mars,” I snapped at her, using the childhood nickname she loathed. “Just mind your own business for once and leave me alone!”

Stomping up the stairs was probably a mistake. Although I managed to lose one nagging voice, two more were waiting for me at the top. I looked into my parents eyes and could see their growing disappointment. The dark wood deck wrapped entirely around the raised first floor of our house, and was large enough to hold a hundred people. But there were only two of them standing there now. They were leaning against the railing on the far side with my father holding my mother in front of him in a show of support and unity. I rolled my eyes.

“Told you,” chirped Marisol as she dodged out of the way of my swinging hand.

“Eviana Anne Dumahl. Do not strike your sister.” My father’s harsh command sent chills through my body. I really hated it when he was this mad at me. “And put some clothes on.”

I was standing before them completely naked and soaking wet. Succumbing to the grueling glares, I reluctantly pulled on my blouse using my arms to secure it to my body rather than button it up.

“Where did you go?” my father asked in a lighter tone.

Before I could answer, my mother cut in, “You were with him weren’t you?” She pulled away from father’s arms and walked towards me with determination. Her long dark hair flowed around her perfectly smooth face. The grace and confidence with which she moved still astounded me. Without looking into her eyes, I threw back my shoulders and stood my ground. Anything to defy her.

She literally sniffed me. Her nose moved around my neck, my hair, and even my hands. There was no way that I could deny who I’d spent the last few hours with, and I wouldn’t try to anyway.

“I want to be with him. Not Kain.”

My mother tsked at me in disgust and grabbed my face with her hands. She was slightly shorter than me, but her domineering personality was still intimidating. Plus she was squeezing my cheeks pretty hard.

“You will not see that boy again, do you understand? The Matthews have finally agreed to conduct this marriage and you will respect your duties and your family. This is very important to our survival. Can you even begin to comprehend what type of message your behavior is sending them?”

I could see the frustration building in her eyes, and before I even realized what was happening, my tears were spilling over. I pushed her hands away and turned to my father.

“Please, dad. Please! Don’t make me do this!” I waved my arm back towards the house. “Marisol would kill to have the chance to marry Kain and provide him children. Why can’t she just do it?” I was hysterical now.

“Oh Eviana, please don’t upset yourself like this.” He glided over to me and wrapped me in an embrace. His warm body and soothing voice kept offering me false hope.

“Stop babying her, Charles,” my mother snapped. “She is almost eighteen now. It’s about time she started acting like it.”

Marguerite, my mother and the Dumahl Clan leader, didn’t stop there. “You and I had to endure our arranged marriage when we were much younger than this.” Turning towards me, she continued, “I became a leader when I was your age. I survived. Charles and I survived. And so will you. Stop acting like a spoiled brat and accept your responsibility!”

My mother walked away towards the deck’s edge to regain her composure and my father sighed. I knew what was coming next.

“Eviana, you must do as you are told. Kain is a nice young man with a good family. And from what I can see, he is already quite taken with you.”

The sobs were out of control at this point. I really did hate to disappoint my father and even my mother sometimes. But this is not the life I wanted. I suddenly realized that I wasn’t crying because I’d have to marry Kain, I was crying because I knew that I had to run away. There was no other choice at this point. Feigning total defeat, I pulled away and looked up at him. His middle-aged face could pass for someone ten years younger, but the wrinkles around his eyes did little to hide his distress. I’d probably been the cause of most of those lines.

“When is it?” I asked.

Both of my parents looked at me in shock. They shared a glance between them, no doubt trying to figure out if this was a trick. My mother replied hesitantly, “The first of the month.”

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

About the author:

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

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

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

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

My Review:

Promises is a WONDERFUL book! I read it in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down. I love stories with mermaids and mystical sea creatures, so I totally got wrapped in the story from page one!

Promises is a book about a girl named Eviana (Mermaid) who is to marry a Merman named Kain. Their marriage was arranged when they were just kids...but now that Eviana is old enough to understand LOVE and commitment, she rebels against this age old custom and follows her own heart which belongs to Brenden, a Selkie.But was it a decision she will soon regret?

Amber Garr's descriptions of the sea and the change Eviana and the rest of the sea creature experience are so vivid that you feel as if you're there with them. The world she created of shapeshifters, mermaids/men, and selkies are well-detailed and very intriguing.
Promises is action packed and loaded with twists and turns, as soon as it seems one thing is going to happen, something completely unexpected takes place. Will Eviana follow her heart and stay with Brenden? Or will she follow tradition and marry Kain to secure the future of her people? Well you are going to have to read the book to find out! ^-^*

(Promises is the 1st book in a new series call The Syrenka Series by Amber Garr, the next book is titled Betrayal) Get your copy TODAY!

AMAZON
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CONNECT WITH AMBER GARR:

* WEBSITE * BLOG * FACEBOOK * GOODREADS *





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

Review: The Forever Girl: Sophia's Journey

Published: January 26, 2012
Publisher: Immortal Ink Publishing, LLC
Genre:Urban Fantasy, Magic, Paranormal Series

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A Cult. A Murder. A Curse.

Sophia's family has skeletons, but they aren't in their graves...

At twenty-two, practicing Wiccan Sophia Parsons is scratching out a living waiting tables in her Rocky Mountain hometown, living under religious prejudice, the shadow of her bi-polar mother, and an unsolved murder.

Sophia can imagine lots of ways to improve her life, but she'd settle for just getting rid of the buzzing noise in her head. When the spell she casts goes wrong, the static turns into voices. Her personal demons get company, and the newcomers are dangerous.

One of them is a man named Charles, a centuries-old shape-shifter who Sophia falls for despite her better judgment. He has connections that can help her unveil the mystery surrounding her ancestor's hanging, but she gets more than she bargains for when she finally decides to trust him. Survival in his world, she learns, means not asking questions and staying out of the immortal council's way. It's a line she crossed long ago.

If Sophia wants to survive the council and save the people she loves, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.

The Forever Girl is a full-length Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, vampires, ghosts, paranormal mystery, and paranormal horror.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. She enjoys dancing with her kids to television show theme songs and would love the beach if it weren't for the sand. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently.

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

MY REVIEW:

The Forever Girl is about a sassy girl named Sophia, who is a Wiccan struggling with life and looking for answers. Sophia hears voices in her head, and as she tries to silence them, she uncovers secrets she never wished she stumbled upon, because now she finds herself wrapped in a supernatural world she never knew existed.
The Forever Girl is a thrilling tale and I loved every minute of it. I was pulled into this paranormal world from the moment I began reading the book. Rebecca's writing style is very smooth and the story flowed nicely. I highly recommend this book for anyone into the whole paranormal genre that includes, witches, vampires, ghosts, shapeshifter and other supernatural creatures. This book is part of a series and I can't wait to read the next one!

To Rebecca Hamilton- Congrats on your debut novel! I wish you all the best! ^-^* ~Nilsa

Interview with Rebecca Hamilton author of The Forever Girl: Sophia's Journey

Today I would like to welcome Rebecca Hamilton, author of The Forever Girl: Sophia's Journey to my blog. Here is a little blurb about the author…

Rebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She live in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. She enjoys dancing with her kids to television show theme songs and would love the beach if it weren't for the sand. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently.
To learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder, please visit

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

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I always wanted to write a book. More of a “just because” kind of thing. Once I actually did it (after thinking about it for a decade first!), I knew it was what I wanted to do all.the.time. So, in that sense, I guess I inspired myself. I knew I wanted to read things that weren’t done before, so I decided to write those things myself. That said, now that I am a writer, I’m deeply inspired by my children, especially my oldest son, who has challenged me to understand the world from a less common point of view. That’s become a staple in my writing; I write characters whose POV’s aren’t common, and I try to bring an understanding to these personality types and types of people that the mainstream would not normally readily understand.

How long did it take you to write The Forever Girl?
I wrote The Forever Girl in 6 weeks. I then spent over 3 ½ years rewriting, revising, and editing it. I had a lot to learn through all of those processes, and I look forward to learning more as well with my second novel, though I’m expecting a much faster turnaround time with that one!


While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I can’t even begin to count. Dozens to hundreds of times, I’m guessing. It’s the part I hate the most.


You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
Children’s section to pick out books for my kids.


How many books in a month do you tend to read?
Normally One. But this month I’ve read almost two and will have time for a third, I think! I used to read much more, but between my sons’ therapy appointments (both of them) and my daughter’s gymnastics, and my full time job, and trying to write a book, I don’t have as much free time. And the free time I do have is divided between family, reading, and the occasional TV show or night out.


In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
The Prince in The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure. Because he’s sexy.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
1) I can’t stand the feel of cotton balls. They make my skin crawl like nails going down a chalkboard.
2) I get irritable if the bottom of my pants get wet when the ground is wet outside after it’s rained.
3) I could eat steak or chicken tacos from MOE’S every day and never get sick of them.
4) I don’t separate my laundry. I just wash everything together. I don’t use a hamper, either. I put dirty clothes directly into the wash machine and, once it’s full, I turn the machine on. (Only exception: new red clothing.)
5) I really like ice wine. A lot. And Cupcake dolls.


Your favorite Genre?
If I HAD to pick, I guess I’d say literary fiction. It’s what I read the most. But I also really love anything paranormal.


What are you currently reading?
I’m about to start The Sin Collector by Jessica Fortunto!


What is the best book you've read?
The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard

Any new projects coming up?
Her Sweetest Downfall, a Forever Girl novella, is due out in June/July 2012.
Come, the Dark, Volume Two of the Forever Girl Series, is due out January 2013.
I’m working on both of those. I also have some literary fiction and paranormal horror that I’m working on.

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

Sophia Parsons' ancestor was hanged during the Salem Witch Trials, and the body went missing before burial. Solving the mystery might silence the clashing whispers in her mind, but the cult in her town and the supernaturals who secretly reside there are determined to silence her first.

I feel like saying why readers should pick it up is broad, since readers have different tastes and I respect my book won’t be right for everyone. Instead, if it’s okay, I’d like to say who I think might enjoy my novel.

Readers who are looking for a genre-bending paranormal fantasy filled with symbolism that blends contemporary and historical fiction as well as elements of mystery, romance, and horror, may enjoy this book. It’s also a great insight to the Wiccan religion and fans of the Occult would probably enjoy as well. The novel may also appeal to those who like urban fantasy, vampires, and shapeshifters, but are searching for a new spin on old ideas.

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

My review for THE FOREVER GIRL: SOPHIA'S JOURNEY will be posted on Wednesday, May 9, 2012



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

Where you can find author Rebecca Hamilton:

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Website * Blog

Interview & review with Nathan Squiers, author of Crimson Shadow

Today I would love to welcome Nathan Squiers, aka the Literary Dark Prince to my blog...Let us begin with a little blurb about the author.

Nathan Squiers (The Literary Dark Prince) is a resident of upstate New York where he lives with his loving fiancé and two demonic beings that have, for the time being, chosen to disguise themselves as cats (incredibly demanding and out-of-control cats). Living day-by-day on a steady diet of body modification and potentially lethal doses of caffeine, he often escapes reality through novels, comics & manga, movies & anime, and (of course) his own writing. When he's not immersed in the realm of fiction (be it his own or someone else's), he can be found in the chair of a piercing studio/tattoo parlor or reacquainting himself with the real world (more often-than-not against his will). Visit Nathan and find out more about him and his work at www.nathansquiers.com.

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I'd say I was inspired to write due to boredom. When I first started writing, I wanted to find an excitement that I wasn't getting from anywhere else, so I decided to make my own. I've since discovered a great deal to the world to enjoy, but I'm already hooked on fiction and these elements inevitably find their way into my work anyway.
As for "who" inspired me...I'd have to say that, while not directly inspired (per se) by any one person, a long line of brilliant and enthusiastic teachers and professors certainly had a strong hand in nurturing the desire.

How long did it take you to write Crimson Shadow: Noir?
Crimson Shadow: Noir is by far my longest-running project. In the 10 years I've been writing, about five of them have been dedicated to this project alone. A great deal of this was due to the book's content, however; while the project wasn't inherently difficult or time-consuming on its own, the material I was writing was often personal and I could only write it in bits-and-pieces. I'd sit, punch out a few chapters, and then try to distance myself from the project again to avoid becoming depressed. One chapter in particular hit me particularly hard and I ended up suffering a breakdown shortly after finishing it.
If I had not been constantly recuperating from the project in between takes, I'm sure it would've taken half of those five years, but I can't say with all certainty that I'd have made it through the process if I'd tried.

While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I'd like to say "once" and I'd be lying if I said "a lot". Truth be told it's never the same. Death Metal's plot was outlined once and I never had to do a thing to it (the characters saw some *ahem* revamping, but the plot as far as A-B-C remained as it was planned). For Crimson Shadow: Noir, it went through a few changes, but the main theme was constant (the process of getting Xander Stryker through the journey changed too often to say that the plot was "perfect" the first time). Usually, however, a piece sees ABOUT six rewrites as far as plot is concerned.

You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
The bathroom. I take FOREVER in a bookstore and I hate to be interrupted by nature. Then it's free-for-all on the Horror, Sci-fi/fantasy, and comics/manga section.

How many books in a month do you tend to read?
Ummm... *counting on fingers*
A lot of it depends on the month and what I've got going on. I read more in the summer because I like to sit near the lake by my apartment and read (an average summer month will see ABOUT four-to-six books; sometimes less but usually more). During the winter--with school and holidays--I tend to do a lot more driving (and other motorists will be glad to know that I don't read while behind the wheel). I usually use winter to stock up on what will be summer reading and knock off about two-or-three books a month then.
In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Cal Leandros from the Nightlife series by Rob Thurman because he's half-man, half-monster, and all badass.

State 5 random facts about yourself.
-My first word was "cat" and everything--EVERYTHING--I saw was dubbed as such.
-As a child I learned how to sew because my hunger for action figures was larger than my mother's ability to afford them and I took to making new toys by sewing costumes for my old ones.
-I'm a fat man and eat like one, but every now and again I "detox" with some sushi and a bowl of miso soup (just wait, in several years medical science will prove that miso can cure ANYTHING)!
-I was terrified of horror movies up until I was 14 when I dared my first solo-film: Jeepers Creepers.
-Favorite movie serial killer: Michael Myers.

Your favorite Genre?
Anything with vampires (but I LOVE vampires as action heroes).

What are you currently reading?
I'm currently in between novels at the moment and attacking a hefty stack of comics. Any suggestions?

What is the best book you've read?
There's no way I could answer that. Books are like music, they pertain to a frame of mind at a certain time. What I've LOVED in the past may not do it for me now. That said, Nancy A. Collins' "Sunglasses After Dark" certainly delivered all the goods and made a fan of me when I was in high school.

Any new projects coming up?
I'm currently working on book #4 of the Crimson Shadow series (there's seven books in total planned) as well as outlining book #2 for Death Metal. After that I've got a five-book series planned in ties to Crimson Shadow but with a new list of characters. There's a few other side-novels planned, as well as my comic books and short stories.

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

I wrote Crimson Shadow to be both an action/adventure piece as well as a psychological thriller. Outside being an out-of-control mashup of horror, fantasy, and anime-style "visuals", you get to "meet" Xander Stryker, a self-destructive young man-turned-vampire who discovers a connection to the world of supernatural creatures and a world filled with custom-tailored creatures of darkness (featuring more than three breeds of vampires and a fresh look at the werewolf legend). The book has been form-fitted to entertain any and all (if you're looking for supernatural romance--and who isn't these days?--then I ask that you be patient with me and Xander [trust us, it'll be worth it]). Aside from the entertainment value, the book is, at its core, an inspirational piece for those who sometimes feel like giving up and, along with the message between the pages, a portion of the book's proceeds will go to the anti-suicide and self-mutilation movement, To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA.com).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Review:

Release date: May 1, 2012
Published by: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Action-Adventure, Supernatural

**This book contains mild graphic language that may not be suitable for younger readers**


The Story begins by introducing us to Xander Stryker, a teenager with the hunger for death. Every night he attempts to end his life, but death isn't ready for him yet. As his 18th birthday approaches, Xander is introduced to a supernatural world he didn't know existed. Soon he learns the truth about who and what he truly is, and realizes why death didn't come so easily. Forced to face his un settling past, Xander will have to choose to use his newfound strengths or give in to it and let it destroy him once and for all... As always I don't like to spoil endings or stories...so I will leave it up to you to read and find out what path Xander will decide to take....

Crimson Shadow was a great book! It's descriptions, plot and characters are likeable and intriguing. The Literary Dark Prince, did an awesome job in creating a supernatural world filled with creatures that both excite and fright the readers. The action scenes in the book were so vivid, I actually pictured it in my head and thought to myself, "Wow, this will make an awesome movie!" I can see the hard work and research the author used to make this book as awesome as it is. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed!





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

Where you can find Nathan Squiers (The Literary Dark Prince):
* Facebook * FB/ Author * Twitter * Goodreads * Website * Blog *

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