Shaman, Friend, Enemy (Olivia Lawson # 2) by M. Terry Green - Book Review

Title: Shaman, Friend, Enemy (Olivia Lawson # 2)

Author: M. Terry Green

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 2011

Pages: 291

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Source: Review Copy from Author

Shaman, Healer, Heretic (Olivia Lawson # 1) by M. Terry Green - Book Review

Title: Shaman, Healer, Heretic (Olivia Lawson # 1)

Author: M. Terry Green

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: 2011

Pages: 296

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Source: Review Copy from Author

Follow Friday # 41

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

I am back! I missed the last couple of Follow Fridays as I wasn't online at the right time to do them, but this week I am here once more. Hello everyone!


I used to read two books at a time - usually one fiction and one non-fiction - but these days, I tend to read one at a time. The exception is if my e-reader runs out of charge mid-book and I start a paperback until I can charge it. But mostly it's one at a time these days. I get through them pretty quick though, so it doesn't really matter.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer - Book Review

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Little Brown & Co.

Publication Date: 2010 (2008)

Pages: 589

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: YA / Fantasy

Source: Gift

Photography and Affiliates: Blog Updates

If any of you have visited my 'about me' page, you'll know that, as well as writing and reading, I am also keen on photography and have some of my photos and sketches uploaded on DeviantArt. This week, I made the decision to set up about 40 of my photos on there for print sales. So now you can buy your own prints and canvasses of my work. I'm not expecting big bucks to come from this, but if I sell the odd few, that will be good. Click on the link or the photo to check out my DA page.

On another note, I have also just set up as an affiliate with Amazon and Book Depository, so you will now see a couple of widgets/banners on my sidebar and I will include buy links in my reviews when appropriate. So, if you're thinking of buying from either store, please go there via my links. It won't cost you anything, but it will give me a little monetary boost. Again, I am not expecting huge returns from these affiliations, but any money I do make will go towards the blog (i.e. giveaways etc) and promotional materials for my books.

Really Blue Books - Promo Post

Today we have a special promo from new Australian e-publisher Really Blue Books. Read on to find out more about them!

Nicki has kindly let RBB hijack her blog to spread the good news: Australian independent e-publishing is finally here. That's right, digital publishing has a new player, a new outlook and interesting prospects for authors and readers.

Merchandising: An Author's Attempt

I've written posts before about the difficulties I've had deciding how best to promote my books. One facet of that is merchandising.

When Day-Walker first came out, I made my own bookmarks. While not 'professional' they turned out okay... and yet, I felt I needed something more....

Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson - Book Review

Title: Notes from a Small Island

Author: Bill Bryson

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: 1997 (1995)

Pages: 324

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: Non-Fiction / Travel

Source: Gift

Rock of Aeons by Lawrence Kapture - Book Review

Title: Rock of Aeons

Author: Lawrence Kapture

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: December 2011

Pages: 164

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Source: Review Copy from Author

Winner - The Earthquake Machine Giveaway

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

Ileana A.

Congratulations. I have passed on the winner's details to the author, who will be in touch with the winner shortly!

Hit Lit: Cracking the Code of the Twentieth Century's Biggest Bestsellers by James W. Hall - Book Review

Title: Hit Lit: Cracking the Code of the Twentieth Century's Biggest Bestsellers

Author: James W. Hall

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: 10 April 2012

Pages: 232

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: Non-Fiction

Source: ARC from NetGalley

The Prophet (Graveyard Queen # 3) by Amanda Stevens - Book Review

Title: The Prophet (Graveyard Queen # 3)

Author: Amanda Stevens

Publisher: MIRA

Publication Date: 24th April 2012

Pages: 400

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Paranormal

Source: ARC from NetGalley

Dune (Dune Chronicles # 1) by Frank Herbert - Book Review

Title: Dune (Dune Chronicles # 1)

Author: Frank Herbert

Publisher: Hodder

Publication Date: 2005 (1965)

Pages: 562

Format: Paperback

Genre: Sci-Fi / Fantasy

Source: Birthday Gift

New Cover Reveal - The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

Mary Pauline Lowry's latest release, The Earthquake Machine, has a brand new cover. Isn't it pretty?!

Mary was kind enough to appear on my blog just a couple of days ago and you can click HERE to read her guest post on screenwriting and enter to win a print copy of The Earthquake Machine.

Travel Photography by Richard I'Anson - Book Review

Title: Travel Photography

Author: Richard I'Anson

Publisher: Lonely Planet

Publication Date: 2009

Pages: 360

Format: Paperback

Genre: Non-Fiction

Source: Bought Copy

Grant Piercy - Guest Blog: Why Dystopian Fiction?

Today, I welcome author Grant Piercy to the blog. Grant is here to talk to us a little about Dystopian Fiction. Over to you Grant....

Why Dystopian Fiction?
By Grant Piercy

While dreaming of the perfect land or nation-state has been a staple of fiction since Plato’s invention of Atlantis, or at least since Thomas More’s Utopia, it’s opposite, the dystopia, is a thoroughly modern literary creation. A staple of science fiction since it’s inception in the 19th century, the dystopia has seen it’s popularity surge as a genre unto itself in recent years, no doubt thanks to the popularity of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy. But why has this sci fi trope all of the sudden become caught up in the modern zeitgeist?

Winners - Aladdin's Samovar Giveaway

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

Lauren

Danielle B.

Cassandra G.

Congratulations. I have passed on the winners' details to the author, who will be in touch with the winners shortly!

Mary Pauline Lowry - Guest Blog and Giveaway

Today I welcome author Mary Pauline Lowry to the blog. Mary has written an interesting guest post for us about her work as a screenwriter, and she is also offering a print copy of her latest release to one lucky reader. To find out more, keep reading! Over to Mary....

I’m what you would call an accidental screenwriter. I always wanted to write novels and short stories and I never gave much of a thought to film. But when my yet-to-be-released novel The Gods of Fire—based on my experiences as a forest firefighter—was optioned for film, the producer asked me to write the screenplay.

Magician (Riftwar Saga # 1-2) by Raymond E. Feist - Book Review

Title: Magician (Riftwar Saga #1-2)

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Publication Date: 2009 (1983)

Pages: 681

Format: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy

Source: Birthday Gift

Kino by Juergen Fauth - Book Review

Title: Kino

Author: Juergen Fauth

Publisher: Atticus Books

Publication Date: 15th April 2012

Pages: 258

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Literary Fiction

Source: ARC from NetGalley

Free Reads Week Promo - InkSpell Publishing

 This week, from March 12th to March 16th, InkSpell Publishing is organizing a free reads week. That means that you can read free short stories by some of the InkSpell Publishing authors.



Read on below for more information on this great offer!

Lauren Sweet - Interview and Giveaway

Today I welcome author Lauren Sweet to the blog. Read on to the end of the interview to enter a giveaway for 3 e-book copies of Aladdin's Samovar.

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and your writing.

I’m a freelance writer and editor, working mostly with fiction writers, though I do some business writing and editing, and work with a few nonfiction and academic writers as well. I have a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska Anchorage. I used to be an administrative assistant but writing and editing is more fun, and can be done at home in my pajamas, which is a benefit not to be taken lightly. What else about me…I love Cheez-Doodles, but I can’t have any right now because I’m on a low-carb diet. I just discovered Pandora online radio and now I’m addicted. I’m a huge ATP tennis fan. And for your local followers, my brother-in-law is from Sydney, so that kinda makes me an Aussie-by-marriage.

A Partial History of Lost Causes by Jennifer Dubois - Book Review

Title: A Partial History of Lost Causes

Author: Jennifer Dubois

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date: 20th March 2012

Pages: 339

Format: E-Book EPUB

Genre: Literary Fiction

Source: ARC from NetGalley

Winners - Crimson Groves Giveaway

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

Carol M.

Yto

Brigit R.

Congratulations. I have passed on the winners' details to the author, who will be in touch with the winners shortly!

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin # 1) by R. L. LaFevers - Book Review & Excerpt

Title: Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin # 1)

Author: R. L. LaFevers

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publication Date: 3rd April 2012

Pages:564

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Source: ARC from NetGalley

Release Day Party & Giveaway - Always You by Shilpa Mudiganti

 

Welcome to the Release Day Party for Always You written by Shilpa Mudiganti. 

Read on for more information and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the page to win one of five e-book copies of the book!

Auraria: A Novel by Tim Westover - Book Review

Title: Auraria: A Novel

Author: Tim Westover

Publisher: Q & W Publisher

Publication Date: 10th July 2012

Pages: 286

Format: E-Book - EPUB

Genre: Historical/Fantasy

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell - Book Review

Title: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

Author: David Mitchell

Publisher: Sceptre

Publication Date: 2011 (2010)

Pages: 546

Format: Paperback

Genre: Literary/Historical Fiction

Source: Birthday Gift

The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen # 2) by Amanda Stevens - Book Review

Title: The Kingdom (Graveyard Queen # 2)

Author: Amanda Stevens

Publisher: MIRA

Publication Date: 27 March 2012

Pages: 376

Format: E-Book - PDF

Genre: Paranormal

Source: ARC from NetGalley

Follow Friday # 40

Q: What book would you love to see made into a movie or television show and do you have actors/actresses in mind to play the main characters?

The Saint Germain books by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. Vampires, history, action and romance - what would make a greater film!?

It's hard to cast, but I'm thinking someone like Ralph Fiennes or maybe even James Frain or Aidan Turner as Saint Germain.