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By:
Becky Laney,
on 9/13/2016
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The Flame Never Dies. Rachel Vincent. 2016. 343 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence: I crouched, tense, in the derelict remains of a high school gymnasium, one of the last buildings still standing in the town of Ashland, which had been mostly burned to the ground during the demonic uprising more than a century ago.
Premise/plot: The sequel to The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent. If you've read the first book, it's likely you won't be able to resist picking up the second book. (And this is NOT a trilogy. So this is not a middle book--feels nothing like a middle book.) So Nina Kane, our heroine, is now officially an outlaw of sorts, on the run from THE CHURCH and hiding out in the badlands. She's not alone...she's surrounded by friends and almost friends. Much of the book focuses on their exorcist lifestyle--fighting the bad guys--the demons--whenever, wherever, and taking risks when needed, which is often.
My thoughts: I read both books one right after the other. I found them impossible to put down. I don't know that they are "great literature" as they say. But if you're looking for ACTION and DRAMA with some romance this is a good series to pick up. I like that the romance is not in any way whatsoever a love triangle. Now that doesn't mean it's an problem free romance...but it does mean it's not your typical YA dystopian novel.
© 2016 Becky Laney of
Becky's Book Reviews
By:
Becky Laney,
on 9/12/2016
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The Stars Never Rise. Rachel Vincent. 2015. 368 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence: There's never a good time of day to cross town with a bag full of stolen goods, but of all the possibilities, five a.m. was the hour best suited to that particular sin.
Premise/plot: Nina Kane, the heroine, is contemplating pledging herself to the Church--the Unified Church when the novel opens. But a few things get in her way of making that commitment. First, her fifteen year old sister, Mellie, rebels and flees a school required assembly, second, comes the big reveal that Mellie is PREGNANT. Since pregnancy requires a license and the full permission of the church beforehand, that's a BIG one. Third, the WAY their mom reacts to the news that she's going to be a grandma turns Nina's world upside down and then some.
Things you should know:
It's a dystopian novel (YA, of course) with a very urban setting for the most part.
There is NOT a love triangle, but, there is a romantic twist.
You should forget everything--and I do mean EVERYTHING--you know about "the church." This futuristic UNIFIED CHURCH should not in any way be connected to the actual Christian church of this or any age.
The book is all ACTION, ACTION, DRAMA.
What is predictable, in a way, is that the heroine comes into her own and gains an ability--an advantage--for surviving in the crazy world she lives in.
The world-building is great for the most part. There is some info-dumping squeezed into the novel early on. Nina is quizzing kindergartners on some fairly basic material....material that the author definitely wants readers to know.
My thoughts: If you look at the bare facts of the premise, there would be no reason in the world for me to like it--or love it even. It's PARANORMAL. There are demons and exorcists. And even zombies, though they are not called such. The church instead of standing for good, is a downright evil institution. And yet, I could not put this one down. I read it in one day. I read both books in the series over about a thirty hour period.
© 2016 Becky Laney of
Becky's Book Reviews
Thank you for having me on your blog today, Sharon!
My name is Sara Stinson. I have a Young Adult Fantasy I want to share with you called Night Owl. It’s Book One from the Hally Witch Series.
It will be ready to purchase October 17th!
I’m going to give a new twist for today’s blog. I hope you like it!
Sam Hopwoods is a reporter and a good friend of Skyla Hally’s in Night Owl. The book is written from Skyla’s point of view. He’s going to interview her. In this way, you can get to know them and other characters in the remarkable world of Magic Hollow.
INTERVIEW
Sam: Hi, Skyla.
Skyla: Hey, Sam. Well, here we are again.
Sam: Yeah. I can remember the first time I interviewed you in Magic Hollow.
Skyla: Me too. You did a great job! I know you’ll do great today. The Pen Pusher Newspaper will be proud.
Sam: Thanks. I hope so. I wouldn’t want to upset Mr. Pigsters or the Magical Council at Roddenbury Castle.
Skyla:You’ll do fine. Let’s get started.
Sam:Wow, um, where to start?We’ve all been through so much, you, Alec, Pennie, and me. (He says with a serious tone.)
Skyla:Yes, we have. Everything has changed since my seventeenth birthday. My parents murdered, me moving to live with my grandparents.
Sam: I’m sorry about your parents. Maybe that’s where we can start…with the Deathstalkers, the monsters who killed your parents.
Skyla: Okay. They are what brought me to where I am. The Deathstalkers have been after me since before I was born. They’ve tortured and killed many of my father’s people and my mother’s. There are seven of them. They’re the seven deadly sins, and they’re after my powers. Seems they need them to survive.
Sam: Where did these Deathstalkers come from?
Skyla: Over 600 years ago, these creatures were created from the Black Plague. Seven vampires, from a respected coven known as the Vardons, fed from the sick inflicted with the disease, generating this evil bunch. A vampire named Helfrador is their leader.
Sam: Helfrador. I remember him. (Sam narrows his eyes. It’s more of a goofy look.) I stared Helfrador straight in the eyes when he was coming out of the tunnel that unforgettable night.I’m not afraid of him.
Skyla: (Laughing) Yeah, right. I think you need to get on with the interview and not give too much of the story away…or embarrass yourself.
Sam: (Slumping in his seat again and massaging his chest, Sam looks over his notes, his face turning red.) So, after your parents were killed, you moved from North Carolina to Madison, New Hampshire. Tell the readers what you found to be hidden in Madison. (He leans in closer to Skyla.) You know, the first time you went through a portal.
Skyla: (Smiles) Grandma Lil’ and Aunt Fanny were the first to take me through a portal. A portal connects two places. This portal will take you to Magic Hollow.It’s where witches and wizards can be themselves, where candy shops come alive, and where wizards and witcheslike you and me can go to school. Of course, you and I know, I’m homeschooled for now.
Sam: Skyla, you are The Hally Witch of Magic Hollow. The magical world has waited many years for you to be born. Can you tell the readers about this prophecy?
Skyla: When the Deathstalkers drank blood from the sick, it gave them unbelievable strength. They now know this strength will not last forever. That’s why they want mine. Taking my powers will not only give them the strength to survive, but will stop me from stopping them. If they succeed, they will not only have power over the mortals, but the magical world too.I have much to do and much to learn before I can go face to face with the Deathstalkers. Grandma Lil’, Saada Byrd (A witch and helper who lives behind the main house along with her husband Obi and their son Little Peg), and Aunt Fanny Cornels (Grandma’s sister and owner of Fanny’s Fun Flavors) are teaching me daily. I have lessons to read and potions to learn. Sometimes I think my brain’s going to implode. Oh, and I also have help from Rigspul.
Sam: Who’s Rigspul?
Skyla: I guess I haven’t told you about him. He’s a box, although, he doesn’t like to be called a box. He’s more like a beautiful antique trunk. (She giggles.) And he’s ticklish.
Sam: Um, okay.
Skyla: He is. He’s very nice when he wants to be and deadly when he needs to be.
Sam: I think I’ll stay away from him.
Skyla: Probably a good idea.
Sam: Let’s talk a little about this ghost you’ve been seeing.
Skyla: The ghost is a big part of the story. Let’s save her for the readers. (She pauses.) I will say the ghost is known as Witch Hagnar. Believe it or not, there’s a love story behind her. By the end of the book, the readers will love her.
Sam: Sounds romantic, and strange, since we are talking about a ghost who was a witch.(Sam scans his notes again.) I have one more thing I’d like for you to talk to our readers about.
Skyla: Okay. What’s that?
Sam: (He smiles) Alec Stone.
Skyla: (Now her face turns crimson.) Alec comes into my life after I move to Madison. He’s very good-looking. Girls go crazy over him. (She pauses and smiles.) He has been wonderful to me. He lives with Chief Jo. Other than that, you’ll have to read to see if there’s anything else between the handsome guy and me. (Skyla winks.)
Sam: I understand. Don’t want to tell too much.
Skyla: What about you, Sam? Don’t you have a special someone?
Sam: Haha. Not telling. The readers will have to read to find out about me, too. (He playfully points at me.) Two can play that game.
Skyla: I’m glad we met in the story, Sam. You, Alec, Pennie, my grandparents, Obi, Saada…oh, I could go on and on. Everyone has been so kind to me, you know? I just hope I can hold up to my end of the bargain with this prophecy.
Sam: You will, Skyla. All your friends and family, we’ll be there by your side the entire way. Together, we’ll stop the Deathstalkers.
Here are two excerpts from Night Owl
Chapter 5 – Physical Changes
He gently took my hand and guided me across the room. Mina walked over and stood with me. I heard her footsteps and smelled her scent.
I raised my hands slowly, removing both pieces from my eyes. I opened them, but all was blurry. A cloudy outline of a mirror hung in front of me. I closed my eyes again.
“Let them rest a few seconds,” Dr. Krumble said caringly.
Not responding, but doing as he said, I waited.
A minute ticked away and Dr. Krumble spoke. “This time your vison should improve. Don’t force it, Skyla. Be calm and take your time. Take a deep breath and slowly let it out. That’ll get the blood circulating.”
I did as he said. I took a deep breath and as I exhaled calmness washed over me, allowing my body to unwind from my head down to my toes. I remained composed even after hearing Mina gasp.
As my vision became clearer, I understood why she was so astonished. Like my hearing, my vision had greatly been enhanced, but startling were the physical changes of my eyes. They were the color of a Snowy Owl like my father’s eyes mixed with the green eyes like mother’s, causing my features, to me, to look almost animalistic.
Chapter Eighteen – Secrets in the Family
I started out calm. I had never raised my voice to Grandpa. Forgetting the words Little Peg had warned me about, the panic grew quickly, and finally, anger surfaced as I responded.
“You do? How do you know, Grandpa? How could you possibly know what I’m feeling? I don’t know what I’m feeling? I’m happy here, truly, I am. Don’t ever think I’m not, but my emotions and thoughts are becoming unmanageable and flipping on me. Even now...I don’t mean to be so...angry. But I feel trapped. I felt this way in that room. It wasn’t that we were closed in a room like a claustrophobic feeling,” I said, trying to explain my anger. “It was something deeper. My senses were so strong, all of them. My emotions heightened, and my vision was stronger than ever. I saw and felt what Hagnar felt,” I said with horror and fear showing in my eyes. “I could see through her eyes!”
“It’s normal, Skyla, to relive moments in your visions,” Grandpa said reassuringly.
“Normal? Is it normal to reverse the role and be the murderer in my vision and to enjoy being the one who’s pursuing the person? Is it normal to want to kill the person, smelling their blood and wanting it?” I cried, my body now severely shaking.
I enjoy creating my characters and bringing them to life. I am also writing a series called The Finger Bones Series. Finger Bones is a ghost who helps three energetic kids chase and send ghosts to their next destination. At one of the schools nearby, I had a younger student ask me if I had asked Finger Bones to have Christmas with us. The child was concerned Finger Bones would celebrate Christmas alone. How cute is that?
I am now retired as a Speech-Language Pathologist, but I continue substituting. I’m married and have two grown children, two cats, and one spoiled Yorkie named Addie.
You can also find Sara Stinson at these locations...
You can buy Sara Stinson's books on Amazon, Createspace, and Barnes & Noble
By:
Becky Laney,
on 9/1/2015
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Archivist Wasp. Nicole Kornher-Stace. 2015. Big Mouth House. 268 pages. [Source: Library]
Two words describe Archivist Wasp, in my opinion, confusing and compelling. It's not often a book is equal parts confusing and compelling. Even though I found myself with more questions than answers and lingering confusion, I couldn't stop reading Archivist Wasp. Two more words to describe the book? How about post-apocalyptic and ghosts?
Our heroine is an archivist calling herself "Wasp." I'll be honest, Wasp doesn't have the best of lives, even, when she's not fighting for her life, fighting to stay the Archivist. (She's challenged every year by three Upstarts. That's how she got the job as well, by killing the previous Archivist.) Archivists have a marginally better life than Upstarts. But essentially, no one in this post-apocalyptic world has a happy, easy life. The villagers, well, they have their problems too. But at least they aren't tortured/tormented by the Catchkeep's Priest and brainwashed into a life of hate and violence.
So what does an Archivist do? She hunts ghosts, recording what she learns from each ghost, disposes of ghosts after studying, except, for when a villager wants to buy a ghost for whatever reason. It's a bleak, lonely life. And Wasp does spend a good bit of the book recovering from various injuries.
So the book is about what happens when Wasp meets an out-of-the-ordinary ghost, one that is actually able to communicate with her, one that has a tragic tale to tell and a huge request for her. This nameless ghost (he can't remember his identity, I believe) wants her help in finding another ghost, Catherine Foster. He wants them both to travel to the underworld and search the spirit-world. She agrees, and, in the process learns that life below isn't any more bleak than life above. In fact, in some ways it might even be slightly better. But the search won't be easy. And it will have its own dangers.
The book is about what she learns through this search, it will change her certainly....
Do I understand everything that happened in Archivist Wasp? Not really. The quest was really confusing in places, and, she is thrown in and out of other people's memories. She sees the past on her quest, in bits and pieces, and probably not sequential flashbacks either. She has to piece it all together. And she does a much better job than I did with that!© 2015 Becky Laney of
Becky's Book Reviews
The Messengers. Edward Hogan. 2015. Candlewick Press. 224 pages. [Source: Review copy]
We're drawn to each other, us messengers. We must be. I remember the first time I saw him, down by the beach huts. There was something about him. The look of him. How could I not go over?Did I enjoy The Messengers? Well, I finished it, didn't I? I'll gladly admit that The Messengers isn't my typical genre. In fact, I typically avoid paranormal thrillers. So I didn't actually enjoy it.
Frances is the heroine of The Messengers. If her age is given, I couldn't find it. I found myself curious as to if she was an older teen or a younger one in several places. Family troubles have led to her living with an aunt, uncle, and cousin (Max).
In the first chapter, she meets Peter who lives or at least works in a beach hut. She's drawn to this much, much older man who paints postcards. There is something peculiar about him that she can relate to. It turns out that they both suffer from blackouts and wake up eager to draw--paint, sketch, whatever--in the minutes afterwards. He tells her something that at first seems too strange or bizarre to be true: he's a messenger, and so is she. They have been cursed--or blessed--with a visionary gift of sorts. The drawings they make--they are actual death scenes, a scene of a future that can't be changed. It is their responsibility to find the victim and show him/her the sketch. The victim will remain clueless as to what they're actually seeing. Frances is disturbed, and understandably so. He also tells her that there are rules and consequences....
The Messengers reminded me, in a way, of Person of Interest which is probably the one reason I kept reading.
The Messengers would have been just as interesting to me, perhaps even more so, if Frances had been an unreliable narrator and if things had turned out to be all in her head.
© 2015 Becky Laney of
Becky's Book Reviews
I want to thank and welcome good friend and fantastic YA author, Liz DeJesus for sharing her personal experiences on writing a book series and showcasing her paranormal/fairytale series The Frost Series with us on my blog today. So let’s get this interview rolling…
Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write The Frost Series, Liz?
I got the initial idea for First Frost while watching a commercial for a local children’s museum. I thought about how cool it would be to have themed museums (since children are often into different things), like a train museum, pirate museum, or a fairy tale museum. And once I came upon that idea I knew I had stumbled upon something special. I grabbed my notebook as quickly as possible and jotted down the first things that popped into my head. Nine months later I had a novel.
Nine months? Sounds like you were having a baby. LOL! How many books are you planning to write in this young adult paranormal/fairytale series?
As many as I possibly can. I have an endless fountain of inspiration, there are so many fairy tales that I can have fun with and add to the storyline. But I don’t want to force anything with this series. If it has to come to an end, I want it to happen organically.
What sets The Frost Series apart from other series in the same genre?
The Frost Series is not a fairy tale retelling in the traditional sense. I’ve taken characters that live in the real world and thrown them into a series of magical events. The liberties I’ve taken with some fairy tales it’s mostly to add a solid foundation to the plot line. And some of the main characters are descendants of some of the most popular fairy tales. Bianca Frost is the great-great-great granddaughter of Snow White. Terrance is the grandson of the Big Bad Wolf. Prince Ferdinand is the great-grandson of Cinderella. The only one that’s just a normal girl is Bianca’s best friend, Ming.
We also get to interact with some of the items in the fairy tale museum and discover what each item is truly capable of.
Wow, your characters sound well developed and believable! How long did it take for you to
start and finish each book from The Frost Series?
The initial draft for First Frost took me about 9 months to write. And then another 3 months to edit and polish the book before I started submitting it to publishers and agents. Then while I dealt with rejection I wrote Glass Frost which took me about a year and a half to write and in that time Musa Publishing accepted First Frost and published it.
And I just finished writing the third book in the series, Shattered Frost, it took me about 2 years to write mostly because it’s such a complicated novel. It’s split between two points of view (Bianca and Terrance) and it was harder for me to get inside of Terrance’s head and write his scenes. With Bianca it’s so easy to slip in and out of her head because she’s so much like me. But I think people will enjoy this new adventure and see how these characters have grown and matured since we last saw them.
What are some of your favorite book series, Liz?
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore, The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher and anything written by Jessica Clare.
Hmm, I’ve got to check those authors out. Do you have any advice for other writers striving to write a series?
What has worked for me is to treat each book like a stand-alone novel. Only difference is that I’m using the same characters over and over again. But again, I’m new at writing a series so I’m just having as much fun as possible and listening to what my readers and other bloggers have to say. I do take some of their comments into consideration but I make sure it all goes with what I have in mind for the series.
I agree. As long as your readers give you constructive advice, then listen to them. So, what’s next for Liz DeJesus the author?
A lot of things! I’m getting ready to hit the road again, going to a whole bunch of conventions, book festivals, fairy festivals and libraries. I put together a few workshops and I am thrilled that people are enjoying them and that they are learning as well as putting some of my tips to good use. I also finished writing the third draft of Shattered Frost, I sent it to my editor and I’m waiting to hear back from her. Once that’s done I’ll send it to Musa Publishing and see if they will accept it for publication.
I’m also working on a collection of short stories titled Mugshots (it was inspired by some amazing artwork by MarilenAdroverhttps://www.facebook.com/adroverart) still have a few things to work on story-wise (if they are going to be individual short stories or if it will all tie in together somehow), but I’m having fun with this particular book.
I also have a few ideas bouncing around my head for book #4 of The Frost Series but nothing concrete yet.
I’m also working on a middle grade book titled Pros and Cons of Being a Teenage Fairy. It’s about a girl that grows fairy wings on her 13th birthday and how she navigates her life now that she’s a fairy.
So there is a lot to look forward to as far as writing is concerned.
Sounds like you’ll be one busy gal! Okay, here’s one for me, since I’m writing a time travel series—IF you could time travel into Earth’s past, WHO would you love to meet, and WHY?
It’s definitely a tie between Vincent Van Gogh and Antoni Gaudi. I love art and architecture (probably because I wish I could draw, only thing I can draw are stick figures) and I would love to meet artists that I admire just to see what it is that inspired them to create. I believe that as a writer there is a lot you can learn from other creative people.
SPECIAL NOTE: I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate Liz on being a finalist in the Book Bzz competition! If you’d like to vote for Liz during the month of February, here’s the link: http://bookbzz.com/first-frost-by-liz-dejesus/
Blurb for First Frost:
Fairytales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.
For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”
Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.
She’s about to find out how wrong she is.
Blurb for Glass Frost:
When joined together, Cinderella's slippers grant the wearer her heart's desire. But whose wish will be granted?
When Cinderella’s glass slipper is stolen, Queen Felicia sends her faithful steward Terrance to the real world to retrieve his love and witch-in-training, Bianca Frost. The power of the glass slipper in the wrong hands could ruin peace in Everafter. Bianca must gather every bit of magic she has learned in the past few weeks to find the slipper and protect her new love. Together, Bianca, Ming, Prince Ferdinand, and Terrance venture deep into the heart of Everafter to seek clues as to who has stolen the slipper and why. Along the way, they uncover what happened to the Seven Dwarves after Snow White married the prince, but also learn the awful risk of tampering with black magic and the high price that must be paid for magical aid, even when used for good.
Bianca and Terrance’s relationship is put to the test. Through the pain of suffering and loss, Bianca must determine if following her gallant boyfriend into his faraway world is in fact her heart's desire.
Liz DeJesus was born on the tiny island of Puerto Rico. She is a novelist and a poet. She has been writing for as long as she was capable of holding a pen. She is the author of the novel Nina (Blu Phi'er Publishing, October 2007), The Jackets (Arte Publico Press, March 2011) First Frost (Musa Publishing, June 2012), Glass Frost (Musa Publishing, July 2013), Morgan (Indie Gypsy, July 2014) and The Laurel (Musa Publishing, November 2014). Her work has also appeared in Night Gypsy: Journey Into Darkness (Indie Gypsy, October 2012) and Someone Wicked (Smart Rhino Publications, Winter 2013).
Liz is currently working on a new novel and a comic book series titled Zombie Ever After (Emerald Star Comics, Fall 2014).
First Frost Buy Links:
Glass Frost Buy Links:
Learn more about Liz Dejesus on her WEBSITE and BLOG. Stay connected on FACEBOOK, and TWITTER.
By: C. C. Gevry,
on 10/7/2013
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“Sometimes, I feel as if loving you is the single greatest and scariest thing I’ve ever done.” ~Tony (Ending ELE)
The government took her people and now they are looking for her too. Running seems to be all that Willow and her friends do these days. Not only must Willow stay out of the reach of the soldiers who took her friends, but now she finds herself hunted by a more sinister threat. An evil group of men that are looking to finish what Hastings’ had started.
This time Willow’s friends won’t let her run off to be the sacrificial hero, especially not the man who loves her. Will Willow and her friends find a way to save her people and take down the bad guys once and for all? And in the end, can Willow and Tony find their happily ever after in a post Project ELE world?
From the authors of Project ELE comes ENDING ELE. The fifth book in an all-new apocalyptic series with a paranormal twist: The ELE Series.
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By: C. C. Gevry,
on 10/6/2013
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“I am surrounded by people but I’ve never felt so alone. Every minute, every hour that Tony is being used by Zack, is torture to me. Can they not see that I die a little more each day that we’re apart?” ~Willow Mosby, Surviving ELE
In the aftermath of Project ELE, Willow’s life has become a series of one traumatic moment after another. It spins around her in a cyclone of fury, ripping and ravaging her heart. She can’t help but wonder: will the pain and heartache ever end?
Willow Mosby is not one to sit back and accept defeat. When Zack turns Tony against her, she decides that it’s time to stop Zack once and for all. With the help of her friends and the occupants of Camp Cheley, she begins methodically hunting down the man who has caused her so much torment. What she doesn’t realize is that she may not be the hunter, she might just be the prey.
Willow’s time is running out and the man she loves is coming after her with a vengeance that can’t be satisfied. Will Willow be able to save Tony? Or will she be forced to take down the man she loves?
From the authors of Project ELE comes Surviving ELE. The fourth book in an all-new apocalyptic series with a paranormal twist: The ELE Series.
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By: C. C. Gevry,
on 10/4/2013
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“I honestly wish I could believe that things will end perfectly, with one big bright happy ending. But these last few days have taught me that life isn’t made up of shiny moments. Life is hard; it’s gritty. One day you are filled with joy and the next you are crawling through the muddy trenches with no inkling of when you might be able to climb your way back up again.” ~Willow Mosby, Exposing ELE
Can Willow expose Project ELE for what it really is?
Just when Willow Mosby thought that her life might return to normal, her parents and Tony are ruthlessly abducted, along with many other victims from the shelter. In an effort to save them, Willow has to take a stand against the darkness brought forth by the masterminds of Project ELE.
In the midst of all of the chaos, Willow is faced with some impossible choices. Is Willow strong enough to make these decisions? How can she decide between the man she first loved and the man who has sworn to protect her?
When certain events are set in motion, Willow finds herself caught in the center of an even darker, more diabolical scheme than she could have ever imagined. With her abilities rapidly growing, Willow finds herself more powerful than ever before. What she hadn’t realized is that someone else has noticed her power, and they will stop at nothing to get it.
From the authors of Project ELE and Finding ELE comes Exposing ELE. The third book in an all-new apocalyptic series with a paranormal twist: The ELE Series.
Get it today by clicking on one of these links:
Amazon * Smashwords
Barnes and Noble * iBookStore
By: C. C. Gevry,
on 4/15/2013
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A Privilege:
The Angel Chronicles, Book 3
The beloved Angel/Warrior team face pure evil in their final climactic story!
The first time they were sent down, Irish lives were led. Emily, the angel, ended up embedded in murder and lost in the realm of true love. While Matthew, the warrior, took over a life that left blood on his hands and anger in his soul.
With their second coming, Emily found herself facing an oncoming war that brought her to the shores of America. While Matthew tried desperately to unveil the evil character of a young man who was intent on locking his partner in a ‘gilded’ cage.
Now…Emily and Matthew find that their lives are all their own. Yet, all the memories, hatred, longing and regret have come hand-in-hand with this newfound freedom.
In small town U.S.A., Matthew finds himself loving his new life. From his military school existence to a new, ‘odd’ friend who’s arrived in town, Matthew’s looking forward to graduation and heading off into a brilliant future with Emily by his side.
Emily wants nothing more than to hide. Although doing her best to fit in, she lives a life on the edge, wondering when her past love with reappear to either forgive or seek revenge on the angel who let him down. Battling the shadows that seem to be breaking her soul in two, Emily soon discovers that her small, quiet town has a secret that’s beyond dangerous…
As she and Matthew join forces to help a ‘haunted’ victim, they open the door on a mystery neither of them can believe. A true villain has returned from the past, and not even their heavenly family will be able to save them. This time they’re on their own, as they face a fight that could lead them straight to Hell…and end the angel/warrior team forever.
Excerpt
Without a word, Matthew reached out, took Emily by the hand and pulled her down beside him. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “I knew my Emily was still in there.”Out of the blue, the room became incredibly hot, as if Gabriel had entered in order to give a lesson to his favorite students. “What?”
“That spark.” He pulled Emily’s face closer before she could push herself away. “You’ve been acting all this time like you’re just here to sit and wait it out until you’re lucky enough to go Home. But you’re still in there, Emily. You still have all that energy and belief in there and you want to do something. That’s the partner I know.”
Shaking her head, Emily listened to her own breathing intensify as she stared at his full lips and wondered why she felt so completely and utterly strange…vulnerable even. “I want to help this girl. This is a job, maybe my only job down here. She saw a ghost and she wants me to help her out, that’s all.”
“And you will.” Matthew captured Emily’s lips, and she could no longer feel the breath in her lungs. Completely different than the one kiss they’d shared up above so long ago, this one was far more demanding, as if Matthew was a young man determined to kiss his human love for the very first time.
Sitting back, Emily practically jumped off the bed.
“I’m sorry,” she heard him whisper behind her. “I guess I was just excited to see you again.”
Not trusting her voice, she remained silent.
“We have jobs, but we also have a life to live. Our own lives this time around. Maybe you should think about adding that into your angelic plans.” Matthew continued softly, “Jason isn’t here, Emily.”
The name being said out loud sent a chill down Emily’s spine. It reminded her of the vow she’d made a long time ago—a vow that an angel couldn’t break.
She cleared her throat. “It doesn’t matter if he’s here. We were sent to do a job, and maybe helping this little girl prove her story is what I need to begin.”
Standing up, Matthew looked as if he was a man who wanted nothing more than to turn back the clock and erase the name he’d spoken aloud. He walked to the open window. “Well, I hope the job goes well. Good luck with it.”
“Matthew,” Emily took a step toward him. “Don’t leave like this.”
He nodded at the book on the bed. “You have your mission, Emily…your job. Ghosts, goblins, lost souls—knock yourself out.” He took a deep breath. “I wonder when you’re going to figure out that the living souls around you would like some of your attention as well.”
Closing her eyes, Emily shed silent tears as she heard his feet hit the ground beneath her window. A friend, a partner, the one who actually listened, was now just an angry young man racing back to The Armory—a place where warriors reigned.
Emily sighed. She’d done it again. No matter how hard she tried to be good, her mouth always got her into trouble. She needed Matthew to understand. She’d made a promise to a young man a long time ago; a promise that was supposed to last for eternity. How was she to know at the time that their eternity would include death by her hand?
Had the second time around broken their vow? Emily had no idea. But whatever happened she could not and would not offer Matthew her heart if payment was still due for her past sins. Above all, Matthew was the last person who deserved to be punished for her mistakes.
Author Amy Lignor
Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.
Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.
She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.
Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.
Books 1 and 2 are now 99 cents on Kindle!
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By:
Becky Laney,
on 10/30/2012
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Hanging By A Thread. Sophie Littlefield. 2012. Random House. 288 pages.
I had low expectations for this one because I don't generally like reading paranormal fiction. The heroine of this one, Clare, has a gift, a legacy. She touches fabric--clothes to be exact--and gets visions of their owners. She's recently moved to her mom's old hometown, and, well, there happens to be an ongoing mystery. Two murders over the past two summers occurring around the fourth of July. She stumbles across the jean jacket of the previous year's victim, and has a strong reaction to it, her strongest vision so far. A vision which prompts her to start investigating the two crimes. (She has a feeling they are connected.) It won't be easy to solve this one, and it may just lead her into danger if the murderer is still around, but, how can she ignore what she knows to be true?
I liked this one so much more than I thought I would. It's a paranormal romance and I still happened to like it. Read Hanging By A Thread
- If you enjoy mysteries OR paranormal fiction
- If you are interested in fashion design
© 2012 Becky Laney of
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By:
Cheryl Rainfield,
on 4/2/2012
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My Toronto HUNTED launch (for the Canadian version by Fitzhenry & Whiteside) was a success! So many people that I care about were there–great writing friends, friend-friends, new friends, old friends, and some people I didn’t know who came to hear about Hunted. Thank you everyone who came! It meant so much to me, having people there to help me celebrate. I don’t celebrate my successes enough–I think I just dive into the next bit of work there is to do–so it was lovely to take the day, surrounded by good people, to celebrate HUNTED being published and out in the world.
As soon as I arrived at Bakka Phoenix Bookstore, I saw HUNTED set out on the front table facing the street–they had such a lovely display!–and signs in the window telling people to come join us.
I set out my free short story postcards (which you can still pick up at Bakka Phoenix Bookstore) and bookmarks, and set out he prizes.
Chris and everyone at Bakka Phoenix was wonderful, setting out tablecloths, providing scrumptious cookies, water, pop, and making me and everyone else feel incredibly welcome.
My lovely F&W editor, Christie Harkin, made a delicious cake complete with red Ps for Para (or anti-Para), and there were veggie trays and dips, drinks, and more goodies laid out.
I think everyone had fun sitting down with psychic Michael, who gave uplifting and sensitive readings. Here’s my friend Nancy Prasad getting a reading from Michael.
A lot of people went home with prizes that they got to pick from the table, including a gorgeous gift basket of F&W books which my friend Hilary got, some Bakka Phoenix gift cards, and more.
The daughter of two people who came to my launch helped me pick out the raffle tickets for each draw. She not only had fun and suspense–every ticket that she drew out of the jar, she compared it to her own first to see if it had won!–but she also provided more good feeling and laughter to the event. I was so happy when her mother was one of the winners, so the girl got to pick a prize for herself.
I was excited and nervous to give my talk on HUNTED.
First we had to call people upstairs–away from the food and the psychic! I was so happy to see so many people I care about: Children’s & YA writer Carolyn Beck (from right to left), YA writer Karen Krossing (next), a teen reader, YA writer Erin Thomas, Professor Cheryl Cowdy from York Uni, my editor Christie Harkin, Jean, Leo Snowbell, Sarah Snowbell, me, and Chris from Bakka Phoenix.
4 Comments on Toronto HUNTED Launch was a success!, last added: 4/3/2012
Welcome today goes out to C. K. Volnek, MG/YA Author. Her debut MG book, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island comes out this month. It sounds fascinating and I’m anxious to see how she wove her research of the Roanoke Island mystery with the paranormal. With no more delay, meet C. K. Volnek:
CONTEST: Leave me a comment as there will be prizes! I’m offering a free copy of my e-book or a free t-shirt!
Greetings! Thanks for allowing me to visit your blog today, Rebecca.
My name is C.K. Volnek, Author and Story Teller. My MG book, GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND, is a tween ghost story, with a twist of Native American folklore, and based on a true American mystery…the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. In 1587, 117 colonists disappeared fromRoanoke Islandwithout a trace. Many have speculated on what happened to them, but no one knows for sure.
I do not remember studying the Lost Colony. For years I thought the first Colonists landed onPlymouth. So when I read an article on this mystery of the Lost Colony, my muse perked up.Plymouthwasn’t the first colony. Then what could have happened to all those people fromRoanoke Island? I had to know the when, where, why and how it all happened. I had to research.
As I began my research, I found I had to go back a few years from the Lost Colony to understand the full story. Every situation has a cause and effect theory. What we do today, will determine what happens tomorrow. If Queen Elizabeth had not granted Sir Walter Raleigh a charter for the colonization of the land she called ‘Virginia,’ none of this would have happened.
But it did. In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh dispatched Phillip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe to explore the Eastern coast ofNorth America. It proved fruitful and a second expedition with a number of men was sent out, headed by Sir Richard Grenville. The men built a fort and a number of small houses but having arrived too late to plant a crop abandoned their adventure soon after…but not before committing a most heinous crime. During his exploration, Grenville invited a group of Native Americans on board one of the ships. During the visit, a silver cup came up missing and the Indians were blamed. Grenville then sent his men to destroy the entirevillageofAquascogocin retaliation. Everything…burned to the ground.
Despite the mystery of the Lost Colony, without this crucial, and most hateful, piece of history, my story of Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island would never have been born. I was so appalled at the intolerance and hatred my muse grabbed hold of the details and formulated her story. The injustice and prejudice drove me to research these early events in depth, searching even deeper to find the original manifest of the colonists, digging up pictures and facts of early colonial and Native American life, and details as to why Governor White, after going back to England for supplies, returned to Roanoke Island three years later, only to find a deserted fort and no clues to the whereabouts of
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Thanks Cheryl!
Anytime, Nicole.