What I have been up too...

So I know it has been a while since I last posted a review, but that doesn't mean I haven't forgotten about the blog.  I have been reading A Dance of Dragons by George R.R. Martin.  I gotten into the series a while back but the books are very lengthy and it takes me a while to get through them.  I enjoyed them all and while I won't go into lavish detail since I have review a few other books in the series I will say that there are definite twists and surprises that happen throughout.

So I will begin with my next book in the queque and will have the review up shortly after I am done.

Winners!!!

Sorry it has been a crazy weekend but here are the winners for the Second Chance Grill giveaway of a paperback copy and ebook.

The Paperback copy goes to~~~~~Karen Jeske!!!!

The Ebook goes to~~~~~~~Sue Tinge!!!

Thanks for entering and enjoy the books!!!

Zeus Inc by Robin Burks

from bn.com

From Burks' request:

50 years ago, Zeus, Inc., and its CEO, the mysterious Joseph Brentwood, saved the world from a major energy crisis by discovering a new unlimited energy resource. Now, in 2069, Mr. Brentwood has gone missing and private eye Alex Grosjean has been hired to find him by his daughter (and Alex's best friend), Aleisha.


Black-outs begin to occur all over the world and somehow Alex believes it's tied to Mr. Brentwood's disappearance. Her search leads her through her own murky past and into the fantastical depths of Hell itself, where she discovers that Mr. Brentwood is not who or what he seems to be.

With the help of an otherworldly man named Pip, Alex must save both Mr. Brentwood and the world. But will she be able to face her own guilty past in order to do it? 


Robin Burks had contacted me to review her book Zeus, Inc.  I had agreed since I have been enjoying mysteries more and more.  Plus seeing the title my mind went to thinking about Greek mythology.  When I was getting ready to read the book, I did re-read the synopsis and felt that didn't really deal with the Greek mythology.  But still I was intrigued.


This is a pretty interesting read, it is short but a lot happens in it.  It takes place in the future, and yet there are some things from day making an appearance.  I didn't feel lost in the futuristic feel of the book, and honestly was quite happy to see that the Greek Gods are involved.  The pace was quick, and it kept me interested.

Alex is a character that I can relate to.  She has a sarcastic side and quick temper, but also is down to earth. I love how when certain things happens to her favor she makes mental notes on things to do when she is done with the case.  She also has a certain amount of moxy(no other word really fits) for her to go into Hades and Mt. Olympus as a mere mortal.  She definitely is not a weak character and able to stand her own among the Greek Gods and Goddesses.

The only thing I can say is that towards the end the language did get to be a bit noticeable.  Now I will say that if I was in a similar position I think my mouth wouldn't be clean and would probably be dropping certain words left and right.  I know I would not be thinking as clearly as Alex was able to even if she wasn't ready to handle what was going on so I was able to let that part go for myself.

Overall I really enjoyed the book, and while it left on a cliff hanger(uggggh the drive me batty...in a good way though)...I do look forward to see what else Burks comes out with!

Q&A with Christine Nolfi

So as you know I love Christine Nolfi's works and asked her to do another guest post.  She decided on a Q&A so here it is!!!  Also be sure to check out the end of the post because there is something very exciting happening there too!!!!

Can you tell us a little about writing your first book?

I wrote my first novel at age nineteen. The tome sits dusty and unloved in my file cabinet. I’ve been writing fiction ever since.

What is your most recent title published?

Second Chance Grill, the prequel to award-winning Treasure Me, was released in October 2102. The synopsis:

Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the precocious preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.

Welcome back to Liberty, where the women surrounding the town’s only restaurant are as charming as they are eccentric.

Is there a message in your work you want readers to grasp?

I’ve been called the queen of the redemption story. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, a do-over, an opportunity to build a better life despite setbacks and obstacles.

How do you work your storyline? Do you use an outline, or just write?

I begin with the idea for a character and the type of obstacles he or she might face. The plot springs from these deep waters.

Are experiences in your work based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I think readers of every genre have certain expectations. As an author, you must meet those expectations for any hope of success. In the case of contemporary fiction, readers demand a writing style rich in emotion, with striking visuals and deep symbolism. They don’t want a surface read. If they aren’t quickly immersed in the story and the conflict, they’ll move on to another novel.

Do those stories arise from personal experience? 

Sometimes. More often, I begin with a simple What if? question then build a plot.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Knowing when to stop working and break for the day. I get utterly caught up in the character’s lives. During the first 100 pages it’s easy to conduct a normal 9-to-5 routine. By page 250, all bets are off. I wake in the middle of the night with half of a scene spilling from my subconscious and hurry to my computer. Midway through dinner I leap up to scramble for pen and paper because I’ve suddenly solved a story problem. It becomes rather silly. Luckily my family is very understanding.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Digital publishing offers a marvelous opportunity for talented authors—especially authors who don’t easily fit into a traditional genre—to reach the reading public. A division of Penguin considered bringing Treasure Me and the upcoming Liberty books out in hardcover. Earlier, Random House was interested in Second Chance Grill.

In both instances, the editors were flummoxed. Were the books romance, mystery or women’s fiction? The prose is close to literary, with cozy mystery elements and snappy dialogue thrown into the mix. Given the financial investment a publishing house makes releasing a debut novelist, it’s understandable why both editors were hesitant to offer a contract. They weren’t sure, exactly, how to promote my novels.

Finally I drew up the courage to publish independently. Given the heartwarming reviews I’ve received for my first three releases, the decision was wise.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Find a specific time of day to write, even if only for a few minutes. Join a critique group to improve your skills. Don’t diminish your wellbeing by pulling all-nighters pounding out fiction. This isn’t a college exam. Producing your best work comes with time, reading often and well, and having the courage to put emotion on paper.

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I’m wrapping up edits on a romantic comedy slated for release in April. I’m having so much fun with the editing process I hate the thought of saying goodbye to these characters and sending them off to publication!

Praise for Second Chance Grill

“Nolfi writes with an uncanny sense of Americana and a richness of heart that is incredibly endearing and totally refreshing.” –BookFetish

www.christinenolfi.com

@christinenolfi on Twitter                                    

GoodReads Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/7e2xgjq

FaceBook Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/c3sf4yv

Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/9due77l

Second Chance Grill:

Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/8z2lbb6

Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/bq9hweg

GoodReads: http://tinyurl.com/9sjgdow

On Amazon Canada: http://tinyurl.com/b55gar9

Ok I know that I am excited to see another book come out and can't wait to read it!!!   But the exciting news is *drumroll*  Christine is allowing me to giveaway an EBOOK and PAPERBACK copy of Second Chance Grill!!!!!  So how do you enter?  Fill out the rafflecopter form and the winner will be randomly drawn.  There is one catch, the paperback copy is for US residents only, however the ebook is international!!  The giveaway will run from March 13th to March 22.  Winners will be contacted and announced on March 23rd!  GOOD LUCK!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second Chance Grill by Christine Nolfi

From Nolfi's request:

Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the precocious preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.

Nolfi asked me to read and review Second Chance Grill, and I immediately jumped at the chance.  The reason is that I have loved her previous books Treasure Me and Tree of Everlasting Knowledge.  Plus Second Chance Grill is the prequel to Treasure Me, so I wanted to return to Liberty and experience the characters and charm of the town.

Let me just say that if you haven't experienced any of Nolfi's writing you are missing out!  She is very talented in drawing the reader in and holding the attention until the very end!  Also you connect with the characters to the point that you experience the joys and sorrows that they experience.

Second Chance Grill is another great read!  All the elements that I love about Nolfi's writing is here.  The story drew me in quickly and I just wanted to keep reading.  In fact at the end of the story my e-reader died, and I had to let it charge just enough that I could finish it.  I was that involved that I was not happy that I couldn't finish it right then.  Especially as emotionally charged as the ending was, even though technically I knew what happened, I needed to experienced it!

The characters are great!  Having Mary and Anthony narrate the story is great, since both have things in the past that needed to be revealed.  Blossom, while had to deal with a lot for a teenager, has the typical teenager mood swings.  Plus all the other native characters you grew to love from Treasure Me make their appearances as well.

So if you can't tell you really ought to pick up this book and the others by Christine Nolfi!!

The Hour of Predators

From bn.com

From Barnes and Noble:
Two gruesome murders have shocked and divided the community of Bella Coola, a small, isolated village on the coast of British Columbia. The evidence points to a Nuxalk boy, and the tension between whites and tribe members heats up. RCMP Inspector Marcus Chao must sort through misleading clues, cultural conflicts, tangled relationships, sexual scandals, and rumors of sorcery to find the the truth.

I was asked to read and review the book by Lane Stark.  Since I have been enjoying mysteries, and honestly the sorcery peaked my interest I decided to try to read it.

I got to say this book held my attention pretty well!  I kept wanting to read on even though at times I had to put the book down.  The story line has so many twist and turns that it was hard to figure out what actually happened.  At points I just about believed the sorcery to be apart of it.  I was even surprised how Stark was able to tie everything together and making it seem plausible.

While I did enjoy the different perspectives from all the different characters, I will have to say that at points it was a bit confusing which one was talking when.  It was made known pretty quick, usually just a few sentences in, but still was enough to feel unsettled.  However this really didn't bother me enough to quit reading or feel like the book was bad...the book is a good read despite it.

The characters are great, they all add to the story line.  Not one seemed to be out of place.  Chao is very much like a Sherlock Holmes and the way he works reminds me of the TV show Elementary(which I love!). He may not be as quirky as Sherlock Holmes, but putting the crime scenes together is pretty amazing in my opinion!

Gemma, Claire, Daniel, and Mary Grace all are great characters!  Even if a few of them don't quite make my favorites list they definitely are quality characters!

Over all I really did enjoy the book and recommend it!

Awakened Promo

So to help Celebrate Awakened coming out on Thursday here is an excerpt courtesy of Inger Iversen!

Writing Awakened was a bit harder that the first book Few Are Angels, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Here is an excerpt from the second novel and a link to read the first few chapters of Few Are Angels, the first book in the series.

There are no spoilers in this excerpt. Enjoy!

-Inger

http://www.ingeriversen.com/books/few-are-angels

I wasn’t sure how long the run would be. I hadn’t gone outside any further than the enclosed patio, but I was sure that the island was large enough that we would have to stop and catch our breaths sooner or later. Ana was behind us and would hopefully serve as the first line of defense against any Chorý that had followed us into the woods. I glanced back at her in time to see the two Chorý enter the woods, headed straight for us. I wasn’t worried about myself, because if we got caught, I would at least be safe for a while, but Ana would be punished and Alex most likely killed. Ana caught the look of dread in my eyes and screamed for Alex and I to continue forward. Alex glanced back and cursed.

“Ella,” he gasped between breaths as pulled me forward faster. “It’s a long way back to the dock where we ported, but it’s a straight shot from here.” Alex’s feet seemed to move faster as he spoke, and though he easily dodged trees and shrubbery, I struggled to keep upright.

“Okay,” I huffed. My calves were on fire, and I was sure that I wouldn’t be able to run much longer. The faith that I’d earlier had in myself started to dwindle when I tripped over a large root. “There are two men back there—”

Ana was between the two Chorý, her fist deeply embedded in the face of one, and her knee made a swift but hard connection with the other’s shin. As the second fell and rolled to the side, the first Chorý quickly recovered from the bone-smashing fist to the face and backhanded Ana. Alex and I soon passed a row of trees that blocked the Chorý and Ana from sight.

“When we get on the boat, go. No turning back, no waiting for anyone—“

“Wait, whoa!” I choked out. Speaking was soon to be impossible, and my chest was seconds from exploding into a fireball of pain. I couldn't get enough oxygen in my lungs, and my knees were about to lock up on me. All of that aside, nothing hurt worse that realizing that if we got to the boat before Kale did, we would have to leave him on the island.

As I came to a halt, my brain protested. It was still in survival mode, but I wasn’t leaving Kale or Ana on the island.

Alex skidded to halt a few steps ahead of me. “Don’t do this, Ella. It’s what we all agreed to—your safety first,” Alex pled breathlessly. I almost went with him as he held out his hand and inched towards the freedom I’d dreamt about since I’d been held on the island.

“You should have known that I wouldn’t leave him here, Alex!” I could still hear Ana and the two Chorý fighting, though I couldn’t see them, but I couldn't help myself. “You had to know that, Alex, and I can’t believe you weren’t going to tell me sooner.” I turned around to head back, but a painful grip on my arm stopped me dead in my tracks.

Alex was breathing hard, his faced twisted in anger.

“I refuse to let you go back,” Alex said, and my eyes widened. “I will go back, if it means you get on that boat.” He yanked me forward, and I was too shocked to pull away at first. He pulled me over a few roots and tightened his grip as I almost tumbled to the ground. Seeing Alex this angry was shocking, but I couldn't leave Kale—I wouldn’t.

“Alex,” I gasped as I tried to pull away from him. “Maybe I can help. There has to be something I can do!”

“Don’t be stupid!” Alex pulled me so hard that I screamed out in pain.

“No, by all means be stupid and come back with me.”

We both turned to see the large Chorý leaning against the tree. His beady eyes trained on Alex as Alex pulled out his dagger and rooted himself in front of me.

“Now, now, little human,” he drawled. “That is an awfully big knife ya got there. Why don’t you put it down so you don’t poke your eye out?” the Chorý taunted with an evil grin.

“Back. Off,” was Alex’s hard reply. I peeked over his shoulder for Ana; Alex nudged me back, pushing me against a tree. I knew he wanted me to run, but there was no way that I was leaving Alex alone with that Chorý.

“Hmm. Now, son, let me do you a favor.” The Chorý slowly moved away from the tree and stood up straight. His leaning position had hid the fact that he was almost seven feet tall. Alex was not prepared for the Chory’s skills, either. “Instead of taking you back to my master, how about I sink my teeth into the thick vein on the side of your neck and end you painlessly?”

“What in the—” Alex balked. He turned to me for a second, with confusion and nervousness in his eyes. Alex had no clue what he was dealing with, and it was my fault. I should have told him before I was taken.

“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you don’t know a Chorý when you see one, boy. I know the Council has trained you better than that.” The Chorý stifled laughter.

“Dude, are trying to say that you’re a freaking vampire?” Alex asked in amazement. “Ella, you need to run now. This dude is not only immortal; he is insane.” He spat the last word with utter disgust.

I needed to warn him about that can of worms that he was about to open. “Alex—”

The Chorý glanced at me and growled. “Do not run, little girl.”

“Ella, I said—”

The Chorý flashed his very vampire canines.

I was shocked, too. Kale never extended his teeth, and though Ana and Darke both kept their teeth extended, they never bared them at me as a warning or anything else. I’d read in books and seen in movies how a vampire bite could feel good, but there was nothing that was going to convince me that having those long sharp teeth buried in the crook of my neck would ever feel like anything other than excruciating pain.

“What was that you said?”

“What the hell are you?” Alex asked. I moved away from the tree that I had been hugging and placed my arms around Alex’s waist. He placed his free hand on my arm and squeezed.

“Touching, but that proposition is still on the table. When Laurent gets you, he will show you no mercy. Me, on the other hand,” The Chorý pointed to his teeth. “I promise to make it feel good to the very last drop.”