Thursday 30 June 2011

Freedom Giveaway Hop

It is time for the Freedom Giveaway Hop, hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Simply Stacie!

Many other blogs are also involved in the hop. To find them and enter their giveaways, please follow this link to I am a Reader, Not a Writer.


This is my first time participating in a giveaway hop, so bear with me.

What's up for grabs? Well, one lucky winner can pick a book of their choice up to $10 AUD from The Book Depository.

Entries are open until 7th July 2011 and the following conditions apply:
  • Entrants must be 13 years old or over
  • Open Internationally so long as Book Depository ships free to your country
  • Be a GFC follower of my blog
  • Fill out the quick form below

Entries now closed

Tuesday 28 June 2011

My Disappearing Books

If any of you follow my writing or have read any of my books, you may be surprised to learn that they are currently not available for sale.

Let me explain.... All of my previous releases were published by Wicked Nights Publishing. Wicked Nights is in the process of an overhaul and a move towards self-publishing, since the owner was unable to keep running the company as a royalty paying endeavour for personal reasons.

All writers were given the option of continuing with Wicked Nights, but self-publishing and working as a co-op, or having the rights for all works reverted and going our seperate ways.

I chose the latter path since I was not keen on self-publishing and I do not have enough time in the day as it is without devoting time to the co-op and gaining no remuneration for any editing work etc that I did.

This means all my current releases are now unavailable for sale. That is a slight blow, but all is not lost.
I still have Day-Walker coming out with Silver Publishing in September and I have lots of plans....

  • I am currently working on a new paranormal romance novel. It's still early stages, but it is going well.
  • I am planning to rework my Time Keepers mini-series into a full length novel now that the rights have all reverted to me.
  • I may also rework Dragon's Heart into a full length piece at some stage.
  • I am still undecided on Awaken to the Night. I may try to submit it elsewhere or I may offer it as a free read later this year or early next year while I am in between releases. Will keep you posted on that one.
So, that's the long and the short of it. I must update a few pages and remove links then get on with some work on one of my current editing jobs before bed! See you tomorrow, everyone!

Majanka Verstraete - Interview

Today, I am lucky enough to be joined by author, Majanka Verstraete, who kindly agreed to answer a few questions. Here we go...

Welcome Majanka

1) Tell us a bit about you and your writing?

I love imagining things and making stuff up. Whenever I have a spare minute - right before going to bed, when I'm on the train or waiting in line at the grocery shop - I'm always making up stories in my head. So naturally, those stories have to come out someway. Some of these are just plain amusing, but not really writing-material, but others are. When a story sticks around in my head long enough so that it develops into an actual manuscript, complete with characters, a plot and some nice twists, that's when I know I'm ready to start writing it. The writing process itself usually doesn't take that long. If I have sufficient spare time on my hands, I can write a complete novella in under a week, and a novel in under a month. Unfortunately, I often have time limits due to work, university, etc. and I don't have that much time left to write.

Although my first book was situated in the horror genre, and my second book will be as well, there are a lot of other genres I enjoy. I love writing epic fantasy - that's my absolute favorite - but I also enjoy writing paranormal romance, urban fantasy and everything related to supernatural creatures and/or events.

Witchlanders by Lena Coakley - Book Review

Title: Witchlanders
Author: Lena Coakley
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: 30th August 2011
Pages: 416
Format: E-book - PDF
Genre: YA/Fantasy
Source: ARC from Galley Grab




High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.
It’s all a fake.
At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated?
But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned—
Are about him. (Goodreads Synopsis)


I found the opening of this book a little slow, but by the time I was a few chapters in the story and characters had really grabbed me.
The story itself is a wonderful fantasy tale, set in a believable world. As the story progresses, we learn more of the history of the world as well as its laws and mythology.
Ryder and Falpian are an extremely likeable duo, both with their own quirks and manner. I thought the way they were gradually brought together worked well and the pacing overall was good.
There were plenty of twists that I didn't see coming and, when I reached the end, I wished there was more. I do hope a sequel is in store as I would love to find out what will happen next to the two boys as they journey over the border.


Sunday 26 June 2011

Winner - Dreams Unleashed by Linda Hawley

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. A random selection has been made and the winner is:

Denise Z

Congratulations. The author will be in touch with you shortly!

Wishing for More Hours in the Day

Wow, life is pretty busy just now, which is both exciting and frustrating.

The workplace I'm temping at just extended my contract for another 4 weeks. Great from a money perspective, but not so great for my writing!

I have actually started a new piece, putting pen to paper for the first time in months. The first chapter is done and I hope to begin the second today.

A couple of weeks back I finished an editing job. The project had a tight timeframe and was rather stressful, but I got there in the end. Today I must start a new editing job, so that will take up my free time after work too.

Then there is the wedding planning (the big day is just 4 months away), my studies, finding time for reading, writing letters to my penpals, updating things online.... Not to mention all those everyday household chores.

The result - one frazzled brain.

My two biggest regrets are the lack of time to write and the lack of time to 'talk' to other writers and readers. I see great conversations/discussions happening on here and on some of my other social networking pages and yet I don't have time to join in the way I'd like to. I've even missed the weekend blog hops the last couple of weeks, which is sad.

Oh well, such is life...and I must get off here now if I am to get any writing done today! Just wanted to let you all know, I am around and I do try to at least scan through all the new posts each day. I just don't have the time to comment much right now. Bear with me.

Saturday 25 June 2011

Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel - Book Review

Title: Beatrice and Virgil
Author: Yann Martel
Publisher: Canongate Books
Publication Date: 3rd April 2010
Pages:197
Format: Paperback
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Bought Copy




Fate can take many forms. For Henry, a writer living in a foreign city, it arrives in the form of an envelope from a reader. Instead of the usual fan mail, the envelope contains a story by Flaubert, a scene from a play featuring two characters named Beatrice and Virgil, and a note asking for Henry’s help. The note is signed “Henry,” and the return address is not far from where Henry lives. When Henry walks his dog to hand-deliver his response, he is surprised to discover a taxidermist’s shop. Here, stunning specimens are poised on the brink of action, silent and preternaturally still, yet bursting with the palpable life of a lost, vibrant world. And when the mysterious, elderly taxidermist introduces his visitor to Beatrice and Virgil—a donkey and a howler monkey—Henry’s life is changed forever. (Goodreads Synopsis)



Having loved Life of Pi I was surprised at the very mixed reviews this book received. Regardless, I decided to give it a go.
I read this book in two sittings and could easily have finished it in one if I hadn't been going out that first night.
Yes, this book does raise some difficult issues, and, yes, many of the literary devices found in this book are far from new.
Even so, I found myself drawn in to the world of the story and its characters. The allegory is very clear in so far as it reflects the Holocaust. This is never an easy topic and I suspect that may be key to some of the negative reviews.
This was not the sole focus of the book though, which also explored the life of the writer with, I feel, overtones and wry commentary on Martel's own success with Life of Pi. The references to this book within this new story are clear.
This is not a book for those who like a pleasant happy conclusion to their literature, but I think it will suit those who like to be challenged a bit by the books they read. 

Friday 24 June 2011

Heather Lin - Interview

Today I am joined by author Heather Lin for an interview. Heather has a new release to tell you all about....

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing in general

I've been writing as long as I've been able to hold a pencil. I've always had an interest in romance, but I didn't read my first “trashy” romance until I was seventeen. After I finished, I thought to myself "Hey, I could do this." So I began writing romantic short stories, and after I discovered the great market for the good bits (a.k.a. the sex) I dove into the world of erotica and had several short stories published. Westridge is my first publication that I can say has more plot than sex, and it's my favorite piece of writing so far.

As for my non-writing persona, I'm living in Delaware with my amazingly supportive fiancé. I graduated from college last year with a degree in English Literary Studies, and now I'm working at a bookstore. I'm paying my bills, getting married next year, and writing. So everything's pretty peachy at the moment. :)

2) When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I was probably eighteen when I realized it might be a possible career goal. I knew I couldn't make a living off of poetry (although I still enjoy writing it), but once I found romance, I knew I'd found a doorway into doing what I love for a living. I always knew I'd write, even if I had to have a day job, and that's where I'm at right now—holding down a job at the bookstore and writing on the side. But I'm still hoping to work my way up, get that bestseller, and be able to concentrate solely on writing.

3) What or who inspires you most in your writing?

My fiancé taught me everything I know about love and romance, so I supposed I have him to thank for most of it. I'm often inspired by music ("Mary's Song" by Taylor Swift inspired Westridge), and I often look to other writers to keep my confidence up. If they can do it, I can do it, right? And I have to give some credit to Carly Phillips, of course, since her book, The Bachelor, was the first romance novel I ever read.

4) What has been the highlight of your career as a writer so far?

I just found out last week that Westridge will be going into print! Knowing that I'm going to be able to hold my very own book in my very own hands is absolutely amazing. There's nothing like it.

5) When you're not writing, what books do you like to read?

I try to switch between light and heavy reads. I might read a romance, then Alice Wonderland or The Lord of the Rings. I'm a big fan of the Sci-fi/Fantasy genres. Right now, I'm reading Kushiel's Dart. Next on my list is Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips, then Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin.

6) Tell us about your latest release - Westridge.

Westridge is about childhood sweethearts reuniting in a small town, and writing it helped me to cope with the homesickness I felt while I was away at college. I did  everything I could to capture the feel of the American small town and the love I feel for my own tight-knit family. Here's the blurb:

Gabby Jones and Jason Dawson were born only months apart in the small, country town of Westridge. For the next eighteen years, they were inseparable, but after their high school graduation, Gabby got on a bus to the city, leaving Jason with a weak explanation and a broken heart. After five years of making it a point to avoid her old flame, Gabby comes home for a funeral and, thanks to meddling parents and circumstance, she and Jason are thrown together again.

But now Jason is an auto mechanic with an ex-wife and a daughter, and Gabby owns a successful flower shop in the city. Even if Gabby is able to admit she still loves Jason, and even if Jason is able to convince her to tell him the real reason she left, will they be able to get past the changes and broken pieces in time to start over?

7) What are you working on now? Any other new releases coming up?

A short, paranormal ebook of mine called Strangers was published by New Concepts Publishing on June 3rd. I've had a busy month! I'm in the process of editing two novels, but there's no release date for them yet. The best way to stay updated on my writing is to follow my blog:

http://heatherlin88.blogspot.com/

I'm also running a contest at the moment, in celebration of Westridge's release. So click on the "Contests" tab to find out how you can win a Country Chic gift set from Bath & Bodyworks. :)


Buy Link

https://silverpublishing.info/product_book_info/new-release-c-1/westridge-p-293

Read on below for an extract from Westridge! 

Thursday 23 June 2011

Veronica Li - Guest Blog

Today I am joined by author Veronica Li, who is here to tell us a little bit about her two current releases.

I write to understand.  My two books were both inspired by the urge to understand the great mysteries of my life.  I felt I couldn’t die in peace until I could say, I understand.  The first great mystery was my job, which took me to war torn Somalia, and the second was my mother, who helped me understand the significance of a life well lived.

My first book, NIGHTFALL IN MOGADISHU, is a historical novel and spy thriller set in Somalia.  I was an aid worker in Somalia in the late eighties, just before the government collapsed and Somalia became a failed state.

During my work there, I found the Somalis to be a warm and hospitable people.  Most of the population was still nomadic, roaming the Horn of Africa with their camels as they had for thousands of years.  Their society was organized into clans, and people looked to their clan for everything from personal and financial security to marriage.  The women were beautiful and strong, dispelling my impression that Islamic women were oppressed.  Mogadishu, the capital, was a quaint but charming city, with its blend of Italian and Arab cultures and fantastic view of the Indian Ocean. 

However, the president, Siad Barre, was a brutal dictator who persecuted any clan that opposed him.  He was finally ousted after twenty-two years in power.  Inexperienced in the art of nation building, the clans were unable to form a new government, and thus began the country’s descent into chaos.

I wanted answers to this tragedy.  I went to the library and checked out every book there was on Somalia.  But to me, reading wasn’t enough.  I had to write about it.  A person can do as much reading on a subject as he wants, but if he doesn’t go through the process of writing about it, which is a way of synthesizing all the pieces, he can never come up with his own vision.  So I spun all the pieces together into a spy thriller full of international intrigue (with a bit of sex thrown in).  At the end of it, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of what had happened in Somalia.  Unfortunately, the same story is unfolding in neighboring countries such as Libya and Yemen.

 My second great mystery was my mom.  About ten years ago when my parents were getting on in age, I moved them from California to live with me in the Washington, DC area.  My father was crabby, which was no surprise.  But what surprised me was my mother.  She had always been sweet and saintly, but in her old age, she had become cranky and demanding.  I began to wonder who this stranger was.  Fortunately for me, she loved to tell stories about her life.  I sat down with her and taped her stories.

I wove her stories into a memoir, JOURNEY ACROSS THE FOUR SEAS.  It was then that I realized what an extraordinary life my ordinary mom had led.  Born and raised in Hong Kong, she bootstrapped herself out of poverty and became one of the first Chinese women to go to college.  (Before her, Chinese women had to stay home because they had bound feet!)  She survived tuberculosis, two wars and a difficult marriage, raised five children and brought them to the U.S. to pursue the American dream. 

But what she did wasn’t just for the family.  She paved the way for all women.  In spite of her degree in economics, job opportunities for women were limited in her days.  For many years, my mom did the backbreaking work of a keypunch operator.  But the wave she started has kept on moving forward.  One generation builds on another.  Today there’s no limit to what a woman can do.

I was very happy that the book was published when my mom was still alive.  After she read it, all her crankiness went away.  She realized that a person didn’t have to be rich and famous to make a mark in the world.  In fact, it’s ordinary people who shape human history.  She went in peace, knowing the value of her life.

Both books are available as paperback and Kindle edition at Amazon.com.
You can also order the paperbacks at http:/veronicali.com

The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill - Book Review

Title: The Butterfly Cabinet
Author: Bernie McGill
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: 5th July 2011
Pages: 240
Format: E-Book - PDF
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: ARC from Galley Grab




A secret shared. Two lives entwined. Finally the past must come to light. (Goodreads Synopsis)


On the whole I found this a beautifully written story, but I did have trouble really engaging with it.
For that I do not blame the story though. I received this as a free ARC from Galley Grab but the formatting was all over the place. It was a bit of a strain trying to read it when half the lines were so faint you could barely see them and the other half so black and bold it hurt the eyes.
What I could get out of this book, I enjoyed though, so I will consider rereading it in hard copy in the future.
One for literary fictions fans, but I would recommend the print book rather then the ebook in this case.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Her Dark Destiny (Hunters of the Dark #1) by Dave Ferraro - Book Review

Title: Her Dark Destiny (Hunters of the Dark #1)
Author: Dave Ferraro
Publication Date: 9th April 2011
Format: E-Book - EPUB
Genre: Paranormal/YA
Source: Review Copy from Author






Teenager Shanna Hunt has been hunting demons since her parents were murdered by them. She's used to doing things alone, her own way, but one fateful night throws her into the company of a team of hunters, each specializing in a particular kind of monster: vampires, werewolves, witches, shape-shifters... This newly-formed team should be an unstoppable force for whatever is out there picking off individual hunters across the globe, but their first battle together against the monsters of the night could be their last. (Goodreads Synopsis)


I received this book as a review request by the author and on the whole I enjoyed it.
The story will no doubt appeal to Buffy fans and those who like young heroines tackling those demon hoards.
The plot moves along nicely and there is plenty of action. The characters are mostly good, though there were a couple of POV slips and I personally would have preferred if the author had picked just one or two characters' viewpoints. As it is, we see through nearly all the characters' eyes at one point or another and I felt it made the reader more detached as you didn't bond with particular characters as much and get involved in their story.
That aside though, this is an enjoyable tale and should please readers of YA paranormal.

Monday 20 June 2011

Catriana Sommers - Character Interview and Post

Today I am joined by author Catriana Sommers. Over to you, Catriana!

Hello folks! It's good to be here, thanks for having me. Today I've brought with me today Rhiannon Liunos, wife of Lavern Liunos and mother of Naliel, one of the main characters of Destined. For those who have read any of my Six Sentence Sundays, you probably know of her.
Rhiannon's character came to life as I was initially writing Destined. Naliel was always designed to be a half-elf, although in the beginning there wasn't much more to know. As The Arcanus Series developed and I continued working on Destined, Rhiannon's personality popped out at me and I genuinely enjoy writing her. So today we'll be doing an interview, I hope you enjoy.

Catriana Sommers: Thanks for coming, Rhiannon. I know you're a busy lady.
Rhiannon Liunos: It's my pleasure.
CS: So, tell us a little about yourself.
RL: Very well. I come from Bavaria, a kingdom that borders Liunos lands to the South and Xenith to the West. My father was brother to the previous king and my mother was a Dukal princess. They met while my father was traveling and she returned to Bavaria with him to marry. I was born shortly after. I grew up rather spoiled and headstrong, and I was very arrogant. A perfect match for my husband. *laughs*
CS: *chuckles* Sounds like you two get along.
RL: Ha! That stubborn bastard loves me like no other, he has the patience of a saint to have put up with me for so long. Lavern, although he tries to pretend, is equally arrogant. Instead of wooing me properly, he used his influence to have us be married - behind my back, mind you - and I went kicking and screaming to Liunos lands. I threw an awful fit for a good year, but he remained confident that we were meant to be together. His patience outlived my anger, but I certainly didn't make it easy for him. *chuckles* I think he rather enjoyed the challenge.
CS: I see. Why don't you tell everyone a bit about your world in general?
RL: Hm...well, the planet is called Meedia. There are five moons, each representative of the Goddesses - Humans don't worship the Moon Goddesses, by the way. There are two major continents, connected by a strip of land that leads to a massive desert, travel is difficult, so any humans you find on the other continent are small colonies and strips of civilization. There are several races, Humans, Vampires, Demons, Elves, and Dragons. Every race except Humans can wield magic, but Humans are the most technologically advanced. We have cars, trains, and airships, powered through steam technology. Elves tend to live secluded areas, Vampires live in enchanted lands that never see the sun, I don't know much about Dragons. Demons, I hear, have another name, but Humans started calling them Demons a few centuries ago when we first encountered them. They like to eat souls or something, I don't remember the details.
CS: Well, if you could use magic, what do you think your element would be?
RL: Fire, most definitely.
CS: *laughs* Alright, what about your family life? How do you feel knowing your two 'sons' are lovers?
RL: Ah, yes. That. Well, to be honest, Sarnaiel isn't really my biological child. During the war between my husband's people and Sarnaiel's kin, the dark elves, he was abandoned at a occupied post we had taken back from them. Lavern made the call to spare Sarnaiel, making the child his responsibility. It didn't matter to me what Sarnaiel looked like, I had wanted children and we had been trying for years with no results. Four years later, Naliel was born and Sarnaiel began behaving differently. At first, I assumed he was merely being a protective big brother, but as the years went by, I knew his feelings were deeper. Although Naliel grew up looking up to Sarnaiel as a brother figure, I don't believe Sarnaiel ever felt that way. I wasn't terribly surprised when Naliel confessed he felt the same.
As for our family life...I was always close to the boys. Lavern's duties as ruler of Liunos lands were constantly taking a toll on his time, so I practically raised them by myself. They're both Mama's Boys, I suppose you could say. I will say this, when we were all together as a family, Lavern made absolutely sure the boys had his undivided attention. Unless the world was ending, he refused to allow any interruptions if he had finally found some time to be with them. I'd like to say we were as close as any family could be, considering our political positions.
CS: How has living in Elven lands and being married to an elf been for you?
RL: Initially, my experience was dreadful. As I said before, my mother hails from the Dukal and all of them are very dark of skin. Even with my dark hair and eyes, many of the elves confused me for a dark elf and were either hostile or panicked by me. I stayed in the main estate for a long time, I felt isolated and put out. For a while, I was very miserable. Nalia, Lavern's youngest daughter and also a half-elf, helped ease my loneliness, and Pavien, Lavern's oldest son, also helped. His family...
CS: Rhiannon? Are you alright?
RL: I...it's nothing. Old memories...fond memories. I'd rather not discuss any more, if you don't mind.
CS: I understand. Well, I think that's enough questions in any case. Thank you for stopping by, Rhiannon, and I hope you all out there enjoyed the interview!

Destined - Coming June 25th through Silver PublishingPre-order now!

Blurb: Raised together, Sarnaiel and Naliel are as close as brothers could be, until the dark elf Sarnaiel decides he wants them to be something more. Only after he reveals his intentions does he learn of an arranged marriage that stands between them and their happiness. Unable to stand the idea of the one he loves with another, he vanishes, leaving Naliel alone...or so he thought.

But someone has been watching the young half elf from the shadows, and without Sarnaiel's presence he makes his move in the most brutal of ways. Naliel survives, but his mind and body are broken. Sarnaiel returns to pick up the pieces, mending and nurturing and rebuilding their bond, but once again their relationship is thwarted by the birth of Naliel's bride.

Once the source of his greatest joy, Sarnaiel becomes Naliel's torment. For Sarnaiel, when hurt, strikes back twice as hard and viciously. It doesn’t matter who it is. He almost goes too far and through that, finally learns what should be truly important to him. The oath they make that day is what seals their already unbreakable bond, and the two grow older, and wiser, together. For no matter what happens, no matter what they face, even if it's their own kin, they live by their promise:

"It was us from the beginning, and it'll be us until the end."

Read on below to find out about another of Catriana's releases and links to her webpages!

Saturday 18 June 2011

Cold in California by Deborah Riley-Magnus - Book Review

Title: Cold in California (Twice-Baked Vampire Series)
Author: Deborah Riley-Magnus
Publisher: ireadiwrite Publishing
Publication Date: 9th June 2011
Format: E-Book - PDF
Pages: 126
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Review Copy from Author




Twice-baked vampire, Gabriel Strickland, learns he has a chance at redemption when he's whisked from his final demise into a purgatory secretly tucked in West Hollywood. Sixty creatures, including other dead vampires, pixies, a legendary Navaho stick man and bothersome leprechauns, struggle together to earn brownie points and wait out possible centuries of this purgatory. Gabriel receives dubious advice from the troll who runs the place, but there are always bugs in the pudding and he faces them all. Enter, the beautiful Dori Gallagher, who not only knocks Gabriel off his feet, but also an evil warlock who has designs on her. When menacing forces gather against Gabriel and everything he's come to respect, it's a fiery clash of the supernatural in one heroic effort to save his new reality. (Goodreads Synopsis)



I received this book as a review copy from the author and, to be honest, for the first few pages I didn't think it was my sort of book. But then I suddenly found myself sucked in and loving every minute of the story.
I think my initial difficulty was because the book is rather different in its approach and its rules for the supernatural world than anything I've read before. Once I was used to things, I was able to enjoy it.
I loved Gabriel's character and I thought he came across really well as the flawed hero. Dori was also great, even though I kept thinking of fish whenever I read her name.
One of the things I loved best about this book was the blend of action, love story and humour. The author has managed to create a story which feels real and exciting but which can also laugh at itself from time to time.
The story is left nicely at the end - most things tied up, but still a few loose ends - to make way for the next book in the series and I for one will be keen to read on!

I would recommend this for paranormal fans who are looking for a fun twist on the usual mythology.


The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto - Book Review

Title: The Lake
Author: Banana Yoshimoto

Publisher: Melville House

Publication Date: 3rd May 2011
Format: E-Book - PDF
Pages: 190
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: ARC from NetGalley






A major literary sensation is back with a quietly stunning tour de force about a young woman who falls for a cult escapee.

While The Lake shows off many of the features that have made Banana Yoshimoto famous—a cast of vivid and quirky characters, simple yet nuanced prose, a tight plot with an upbeat pace—it’s also one of the most darkly mysterious books she’s ever written.
It tells the tale of a young woman who moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother, hoping to get over her grief and start a career as a graphic artist. She finds herself spending too much time staring out her window, though ... until she realizes she’s gotten used to seeing a young man across the street staring out his window, too.
They eventually embark on a hesitant romance, until she learns that he has been the victim of some form of childhood trauma. Visiting two of his friends who live a monastic life beside a beautiful lake, she begins to piece together a series of clues that lead her to suspect his experience may have had something to do with a bizarre religious cult. . . .
With its echoes of the infamous, real-life Aum Shinrikyo cult (the group that released poison gas in the Tokyo subway system), The Lake unfolds as the most powerful novel Banana Yoshimoto has written. And as the two young lovers overcome their troubled past to discover hope in the beautiful solitude of the lake in the country- side, it’s also one of her most moving.
(Goodreads Synopsis)



This was a truly wonderful book. I've read a lot of paranormal lately and this was the perfect book to return me to literary fiction.

The book is deceptively simple but has a real hidden depth that you only notice as you reach the end and reflect on what has come before. The prose is gorgeous and flowing and it really draws you in and helps you connect to the characters and their lives.

This is one of the most interesting pieces I've read in a while, with thoughts on themes and ideas such as love and the way we deal with past trauma. It was thought-provoking and yet highly enjoyable at the same time. There are darker moments, but I think overall it is a very heartfelt piece of writing.

Highly recommended to fans of contemporary literary fiction. I shall definitely be seeking out more of this author's works.


Friday 17 June 2011

Follow Friday #14


Q. Genre Wars! What's your favorite genre and which book in that genre made it your favorite?

I have two favourites. I adore paranormal, but I also love literary fiction. I think I intially fell in love with paranormal reading The Vampire Diaries in my early teens then rediscovered it with Anne Rice and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. Of late I love Charlaine Harris too. For literary fiction, I have a steady dose of the classics in my teens to thank. So far in 2011, I've been impressed by Smuggled by Christine Shea and Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen.

Thursday 16 June 2011

Linda Hawley - Guest Post, Interview and Giveaway

Today I welcome author Linda Hawley for a guest post, interview and giveaway! Over to Linda....

Topic:  Perspective

 Why do so many authors wait until they are a little older before they publish their first novels?  I think perspective has something to do with it.  TheFreeDictionary.com (one of two dictionaries I use when writing) define the word as, “The ability to perceive things in their actual interrelations or comparative importance.”  I think that with enough experiences, writers gain perspective.  This insight can give them understanding about the interconnectedness between events, ideologies, and behaviors.

I, myself, waited to publish.  Now is where I won’t go into how long!  I waited before I felt like I would do a good service to my readers, by making those connections.  I certainly don’t think I was mature enough to do this earlier.  When I say mature, I’m not talking about age.  I’m talking about coming into myself—finding a natural balance and rhythm within myself, and in relation to the elements of my life.  It took me a while.

Why are these connections important for a writer?  Connections lead readers into a new world.  No one likes a one-dimensional character, nor an over-simplified plot.  Readers like well-rounded characters, and plots that twist and turn unexpectedly.  Doing both of these is an extraordinary challenge for any writer.  It’s very difficult to develop multidimensional characters in a novel without observing many of these people in one’s life.  It’s probably easier to come up with a good plot, because it relies more on the creativity of the writer’s mind.

In Dreams Unleashed, it was critical that I write multidimensional characters because most of those characters introduced in the first book would continue through the whole trilogy.  I was satisfied that I achieved this in the first book.  I had a particular challenge in my novel, because one of the main characters is already dead.  I had to write the character’s death scene, because it was critical to its connection to the plot.  I am very happy with the end product of the scene.  However, I could have never written that death scene even five years ago.  Not long ago, I watched someone near me unexpectedly lose her husband in an accident.  I observed what it did to her.  I called upon this new perspective (which came from her tragedy) to write the death scene in Dreams Unleashed.  I also relied upon the depth of my own relationship with my husband (who is my soul mate) to write the scene.

How do we gain perspective as writers?  We pay attention…to everything.  Superficiality won’t work here.  We’ve got to dig deeper, asking the question.  Why?  Why do you hurt?  Why is he saying that?  Why isn’t something happening?  The whys give us information that fills in the blanks.  By exploring new dimensions of our reality, we can enhance our writing ability.

In time—as readers dive into Dreams Unleashed—I will learn whether my perspective was mature enough, or not.  Either way, I will say that when I finished the novel, that I didn’t leave anything on the table.  

All three novels of The Prophecy are being published this year, so if you start reading Dreams Unleashed now, you won't have to wait years for the rest in the series.  Book two will be published this summer (2011), and book three will be published December of this year (2011). 

A free sample of Dreams Unleashed is available at:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051VDGJK
The eBook version of Dreams Unleashed can be purchased at:
The print version of Dreams Unleashed will be published the week of June 10th.

Follow the author and get insiders tips on The Prophecies trilogy:

And here is the interview:

Tell us a bit about you and your writing in general.

I started writing Dreams Unleashed three years ago, but I wrote 3/4 of the novel in two months.  Working with the editor took another month.  The writing process was very satisfying.  I wrote some of the most intense scenes of the novel late at night.  Some of my best writing occurred between 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM.  I didn't lose any characters in the editing process, but I did lose 20,000 words, and a hat I was very fond of.  I spent nearly a whole day researching hotel doorman's hats from the 1920's, because I had this image in my mind of this "hatted doorman" of a hotel  the main character, Ann, was visiting.  I wrote the scene with the doorman and Ann's interaction with him, and I didn't even give him a name, only referring to his hat.  I thought it was a funny scene, but my editor thought it detracted from the storyline, so out went my doorman's hat.  Now he's called "Brian" in the novel.  But here's an insider secret--that hat is coming back in another book!


I am a wife and mother, and we are a traveling family.  I've kayaked from one island to another in the Carribean.  I've backpacked the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia with the Sierra Club.  I've attended a Christmas party at the White House and have been on Air Force One.  I've been to Europe many times, and am in love with Paris.  I am married to my soul mate, and with him, we have an extraordinary amount of fun together.  I’ve jumped out of a plane and had my parachute lines tangle, making me think through the emergency rather quickly.  Of course, I've sailed the San Juan Islands, which are featured in Dreams Unleashed. 



What inspired the world of The Prophecies?

The last chapter of the book was an experience I actually had.  I wrote it down, and during a two week period of time, I had The Prophecies trilogy unfold in my head.



Which authors/books have influenced you the most, both in life and in your writing?

It was Emily Dickinson who I first fell in love with as a writer.  She taught me vulnerability as a writer.  Hands down my favorite dystopian novel that inspired me is The Road, although I love many others.  It didn't inspire Dreams Unleashed, but it did do something for me as a writer.  The Road was the book that made me fall in love with dialog.  I realized when I read Cormac McCarthy's novel, that dialog is what captures the emotions of readers.  In my opinion, it's everything.  I had to give a good bit of background in Dreams Unleashed--because the plot is complex--but in books two and three, I have focused a great deal on dialog.



What are you working on at present? Any future releases?

The Prophecies trilogy will all be published in 2011.  I am working on book two now (yet unnamed), which will be published summer, 2011.  The third and final book will be published December 2011.  I am also co-writing a biological science fiction novel with another author; that should be published at the end of 2011 as well. 






The Giveaway

1 copy of Dreams Unleashed is up for grabs. The winner can choose either an e-book or a print books (Print book option only for US/Canada winner). Here are the rules....

1)Be a follower of my blog
2)Leave a comment on this post as your entry
3)Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you
4)Open internationally
5) Contest ends 25th June 2011

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Wraith's Forest by L J Leger - Book Review

Title: Wraith's Forest
Author: L. J. Leger

Publication Date: 5th April 2011
Format: E-Book - PDF
Pages:60
Genre: Paranormal/Short Story/YA
Source: Review Copy from Author





Fairy tales and haunted woods lead us through L.J. Leger's Beauty and the Beast story of one girl with the weight of a village on her shoulders and the attention of a very unlikely soul.

Jenna is chosen for the coveted task of gathering the magical fruit to preserve the peaceful balance of the secret valley where she and many others live. During the harvest, one fruit is damaged and the task of healing the bruise falls on Jenna’s shoulders. She must enter the Wraith’s Forest, retrieve a magical blade from the specter who lives there so the valley will remain a utopia. But once she makes contact with the Wraith, her fear slowly disappears and her curiosity is aroused with more questions of why the Wraith is in the Forest and the true purpose for the harvest. If you love Beauty and Beast type fairy tales, Wraith’s Forest is the book to read. Perfect for Young Adults!
(Goodreads Synopsis)



This is a lovely little retelling of the 'Beauty and the Beast' story that I found engaging and fun. At 60 pages, it is a short read, but the characters and the situation came across well and, even though I knew roughly what to expect, I was still drawn in to the tale.

This book should appeal to the YA audience and also to adults who are looking for a pleasant, quick read in the paranormal genre. Worth checking out.

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Hemingway Point by Nora Carroll - Book Review

Title: Hemingway Point
Author: Nora Carroll

Publication Date: March 2011
Format: E-Book - PDF
Pages: 261
Genre: Literary Fiction
Source: Review Copy from Author





When Jess spends the summer in her late grandmother's rambling Victorian summer cottage, she uncovers heart-rending mysteries and lost love. It has been seventeen years since Jess has last visited the elite lakefront summer club where she had spent the summers of her youth. Now, she returns with her photographer boyfriend who wants to write an article about the distinctive old house. Sifting through old letters and pictures she finds in a hidden trunk, Jess unravels long-hidden family secrets. Including, just maybe, the secret to her own heart. In this vivid, cinematic debut, Nora Carroll tells the story of love lost and found in lyrical and evocative language that touches the heart. Sure to please readers of Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, and Lou Ann Rice. (Goodreads Synopsis)


I was approached by the author to read and review this book and so I wasn't 100% sure what to expect. What I found was a beautifully crafted story with great nuance and charm.

Both character and place drive this story of a young woman coming to terms with her own history and that of her family. I found the characters and the plot utterly believable and I was engaged with the story right from the very start.

The prose is a delight to read and flows with an elegance and subtlety reminiscent of an older style of novel writing.

This was a joy to read and recommended to lovers of literary fiction. I shall certainly be looking out for more works by this author in the future.

Another Blog Award!

Wow, two awards in as many days. I am feeling pretty loved and special this week! Thank you to Outlaw's pRose for this one!

The only downside is that I have to think of another 10 things to say about myself.

The rules of this award are:

1) Write 10 unknown facts about yourself.

2) Pass this award on to 10 other deserving bloggers.

First my 10 facts, which I'm sure you are all dying to hear ... or not....

  • I currently like to sing songs from the LOTR musical in the shower. The acoustics are great for them!
  • While I like time alone to get stuff done, I hate being in the house on my own
  • I am about a quarter through a Diploma in Editing and loving it so far
  • I just finished editing my first full length novel as a freelance editor
  • I saw a tarzan film as a child and feared monkeys were going to steal me away for months afterwards
  • I am a very keen amateur photographer
  • Prague is my favourite place in the world (that I've seen so far anyway)
  • Although I've lived here four years now, I still prefer English words over Aussie ones ie. flip flops not thongs
  • I love the be in the water - swimming, boat trips etc.
  • As I write this, I am eating quiche!

And the award goes on to:

1) In Between Reading and Writing
2) Bewitched Bookworms
3) Book City Chick
4) Your Average Bookworms
5) Good Choice Reading
6) Good Golly Miss Molly
7) Getting Your Read On
8) Book Lovers Inc.
9) Books Devoured
10) Coffee Table Reviews

Monday 13 June 2011

My Very First Blog Award!

I am thrilled to have received my very first blog award today, courtesy of fellow author and blogger, Gabrielle Bisset.


The rules of this award are:
1. You link to the person who sent it to you.
     Thank you Gabrielle Bisset!   
2.  List seven random facts about yourself.

  • I am getting married this year
  • I am nearly always complaining I feel cold, unless I am complaining I am too hot
  • I love to sleep and wish I had more time to laze in bed
  • Malicious ghosts and zombies scare me but I adore vampires
  • I hate pubs and clubs and always prefer a nice restaurant or a night in
  • I am a comfort girl and will choose jeans and trainers over strappy dress and heels whenever possible
  • I hate the idea of growing old (probably why I like the idea of vampires so much!)

3. Pass the award on to 10 other awesome blog buddies.  Please take some time to visit these fantastic bloggers. 


Gabrielle Bisset - Guest Blog

Today I welcome Gabrielle Bisset, who has come to talk about inspiration and tell us a bit about some of her current and future releases.

A Writer’s Inspiration

I have to admit that when I have the pleasure to guest on other people’s blogs, I struggle with what to talk about. Nicki discussed bad boys and True Blood on my blog last week, so those really great topics went out the window. (Color me jealous) I was mulling over the idea of what to write over the weekend and then it came to me.  Actually what came to me was the idea for my next story, but it was that idea that gave me the idea to talk about where I get my inspiration. 

I read about an author who wrote romance and erotica who was always asked if her stories were drawn from real life.  She would laugh and explain that just as the author who writes about bank robberies doesn’t necessarily know firsthand about robbing banks, she doesn’t necessarily write from real life experience.  Does anyone ever ask Stephen King that question?  I don’t want to know about his real life experiences, if that’s the case.

Inspiration comes from many places.  My novella, Vampire Dreams, came from a dream.  I woke up one morning and the entire first scene from the story had played out in my mind while I was sleeping.  This is why I keep something to write with and paper next to my bed.  You never know what good stuff will come out in your sleep!

I also found inspiration for my first novel, Stolen Destiny, in a dream.  One night last summer I woke up and all these ideas about this race of people I’d never heard of before were swimming around in my brain.  From these ideas came the basis for the Destined Ones series that begins on June 29 with the release of Stolen Destiny

And as for the inspiration from my weekend?  An incredibly attractive blacksmith was at a festival I was volunteering at and he made quite an impression on me.  From that I began to formulate ideas for my newest story, a romance (erotic, perhaps) set in Spain involving a blacksmith as my hero who has a history far off in the deserts of the Middle East that even he doesn’t know much about.  And all that came from a short conversation with a very handsome man and a short time watching him practice his art. 

Don’t you just love inspiration? 

Here’s the scene from Vampire Dreams that I first dreamed that night:

      The dark streets of the city lay sprawled out in front of her, filled with both possible danger and salvation. As she ran, her feet pounding against the stones beneath them, her breathing came in pants that stole the moisture from her mouth. Her eyes frantically scanned for someplace to hide as she pushed her legs to run faster.
She could hear his feet as each one solidly hit the ground behind her. His stride much longer than hers, he was coming closer with each step.
If he caught her...
The pounding of her heart hammered in her ears as the blood pushed faster and faster through her body. Up ahead, she saw a door ajar in a rundown building. If it was empty, she might be able to find a place to hide and hopefully escape from the pain of what awaited her if he captured her.
She slipped through the doorway, but her cape caught on the doorknob, costing her precious moments. As she worked to free herself, she heard his footsteps slow down to a walk, a sign he was as sure as she that he’d won.
Finally, in desperation, she tore the fabric from the knob, and free to run once more, she turned and ran headlong into the chest of a man who stood silently watching her.
“Please save me! He’s coming for me!”
Without a word, the stranger took her by the arm and led her to a table near the far wall. With his hands on her shoulders, he hesitated a moment and then spun her around.
His voice deep, he commanded, “Place your hands on the table and bend over.”
Unsure if she’d chosen a fate as horrific as the one she’d fled from, she did as she’d been told and waited in terror for what was to come.
The noise of her stalker entering the building caused her to turn her head, but the voice behind her sternly warned, “Face forward.”
She felt hands lift her cloak and dress, allowing the cool night air to hit the bare skin of her thighs. The feeling at once thrilled and shocked her, and she instinctively stood up to cover herself.
The man behind her forcibly pushed her back toward the table and leaned over her to whisper low in her ear, “Trust me,” as he pushed his body firmly against her backside.
“Hey you! Where’s the girl who came in here?”
With his hands on her hips, the man who gave her no choice but to trust him pushed his hips toward hers and thrust toward her still clothed body to simulate sex, complete with throaty groans.
“Hey! I asked you about the girl who came in here!”
Never looking back, Arden squeezed her eyes closed, shutting out the moonlight that streamed in through the window above, and waited for the attack she feared. Instead, she heard the man whose body continued to meet hers bark, “Go away! This whore’s mine!”
Indignant at the use of the word whore to describe her, she started to push herself up but his hand held her by the neck and forced her to remain still on the table. A sound like a hiss came from her protector and the other man hurriedly ran out of the building.



Vampire Dreams can be found at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, and Smashwords. Readers can contact Gabrielle at gabriellebisset@gmail.com and visit her blog at http://gbisset.blogspot.com/

Thanks again, Nicki, for letting me guest on your blog!