Posts Tagged ‘fiction’

Book Release Announcement – “Mark of the Successor” by KateMarie Collins

Posted: May 13, 2013 in book reviews
Tags: , , , ,
4

EXCITING NEWS – HOT OFF THE PRESSES!http://www.dreamstime.com/-image21993578 

This is one of the best parts of being an author…the buzz just before the release of your latest book, marking the end of all the hard work of writing, editing and publishing it and then being filled with anticipation to see how readers will like the book while you celebrate the dates just before and just after that book becomes fully published and available for sale.  With sincerest congratulations to KateMarie for her 2nd book release, it is my pleasure and honor to share the following information with you, dear reader, so you too can join in the celebration!

Available first on the Solstice publishing website on 5/15/13 – you can book mark this page and then search for the book on the 15th or check back for an updated link once the site updates on that day: http://store.solsticepublishing.com/

Make sure you also check out her first book here: http://store.solsticepublishing.com/daughter-of-hauk/

I had the pleasure of reading the first one and reviewing it, check out my review here: Daughter of Hauk Book Review, and KateMarie was kind enough to give us an interview too and you can learn more about this wonderful author:  KateMarie Collins Author Interview on Talk Radio with NO Radio

I also used my investigation skills and found out how you can get her autograph!  How cool, I know I like having an author’s autograph in my collection…here ya go:   www.authorgraph.com and search for KateMarie Collins. Then, you can request an autograph and it’ll go straight to your Kindle!

How can you connect with this author?

Twitter:  @DaughterHauk

FB:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/KateMarie-Collins/217255151699492

Blog:  http://www.katemariecollins.wordpress.com

Here’s a quick blurb about the new book, Mark of the Successor and its followed by the actual Prologue from the book.  I hope you enjoy and will visit the other sites listed, stop by and say hello to this author, I know she’d love to hear from you!

Dominated and controlled by an abusive mother, Lily does what she can to enjoy fleeting moments of normality. When a break from school only provides the opportunity for more abuse at home, the sudden appearance of a stranger turns her world even bleaker.  Disappearing without a trace, he has left a lingering fear in Lily. His parting words to her mother, “Have her ready to travel tomorrow,” is something her mind refuses to accept.

Running away is the only answer. But before Lily can execute her plan, a shimmering portal appears in her room. Along with two strangers who promise to help keep her safe. With time running out, she accepts their offer for escape and accompanies them into a brand new world. A world in which she is the kidnapped daughter of a Queen, and the heir to the throne of Tiadar.

Can she find her own strength to overcome both an abusive past and avoid those who would use her as a means to power?

Prologue

“But why do I have ta go, Mama?” Tears streamed down Lily’s cheeks.

Mama bent down, enfolding her in a tight embrace. “It not my choice, Lily. Them folk down the road, the ones that keep tryin’ to talk us into going to church with them, they did call important folk. Them think they knows more than I do.”

“No one knows more than you do, Mama!” Lily pulled back a little, wiping at the tears with the back of her hand.

“You just remember that, Lily, when them teachers tell you something different!” Mama straightened up. “Now, you go down to the end of the driveway. There goin’ to be someone come pick you up. You be brave, now. I be here when you come back.”

Lily knew better than to try and kick up rocks or dirt on the walk to the main road. Mama didn’t like that. She got mad at the delivery man one day, even got the shotgun down when he drove too fast. Told him to go slow and stop making the dust kick up or she’d shoot him.

The end of the drive loomed ahead. A small wooden shed with a bench, open on one side, shone bright in the morning sun. It was newly built, the yellow pine still had the fresh cut look to it. The folk down the road must’ve built it.

Lily waited next to it, not knowing what it was for.

A low rumble reached her ears, slowly growing in volume. Lily quickly checked her raven black hair, making sure it was arranged in the way Mama liked. Mama didn’t like the back of her neck showing for some reason. If anyone else saw it, Lily would go to hell, Mama told her.

A strange thing came rolling down the road. It was huge! Lily’s green eyes bulged in terror as it lumbered toward her. It was yellow, with bright glowing eyes below a dark forehead. Or was that a mouth? Black smoke bellowed from behind, reeking like sulfur and coal. She swallowed hard as the great beast pulled up, screeching to a halt in front of her.

A door opened at the side. Lily glanced up, and saw a long row of windows revealing other young folk trapped inside. A set of black stairs led up. A man sat at the top of them. He was looking at her, expectantly. One huge hand rested on a large black wheel. The other held the handle of some shiny device. Mama said the reason men had such big hands was so they could hit girls harder when they didn’t obey their Mamas.

“C’mon, sweetheart. I haven’t got all morning. Got more kids to pick up.” The man’s deep voice made her shiver.

Lily took a deep breath and slowly mounted the steps. The creature was full of seats. Lots of other kids stared at her like she was a freak. She stopped, panic rising in her.

“Find a seat, sweetheart. I can’t move until you do.” The voice made her jump.

Remembering what Mama had said about making men happy or they beat you, she slid into the closest empty seat. The black material felt hot.

The creature lurched as it moved forward, making her slam into the back of the seat.

katemariecollins

Book Review – “Hear Him Cry” by Rachel Beam 5 Stars and a “Cleverly Disturbing” Shout Out!

Posted: May 13, 2013 in book reviews
Tags: , , ,
1

hear him cry book coverAuthor Rachel Beam has cleverly crafted a mesmerizing tale filled with suspense as two lost souls navigate the years of devastation left from one man’s selfish sexual hungers.  Told from the view point of the two main characters, Tessa and Henry, this writer gives very realistic and believable insight into the long term affects of sexual abuse.  One could question if a predator is born a predator or becomes one?  Can the predator really be as much a victim of circumstance as the abused party undoubtedly was?  Is the abuser really a predator when their obsession is truly singular to the one and only victim of their abuse or is it true love and only dirty because of age differences?  It is said that a good book makes the reader feel.  This book definitely accomplishes that but if you are looking for a warm fuzzy feeling, then this is not the book for you.  If you enjoy a story that is filled with depth and layers of storyline, rich and elegantly written prose that flawlessly creates imagery in your mind and clearly defines the inner workings of the main character’s minds, then be prepared to read this one cover to cover without being able to put it down.

This story could have been told many different ways but would have lacked suspense and mystery if it had been.  As you get to know Henry and Tessa and then root for the chance encounter of two lost souls to fall into place, you feel that they needed to find each other, needed to rely upon the strengths of the other to help them each put heartbreak and misfortune behind them.  As their encounter builds into a friendship and then develops into a sexy romance, you also begin to learn that chance may have actually brought them together once before.  It’s difficult to share with you how profound this book can be for you without spoiling the adventure of the read itself.  You must learn who Henry is and what has happened to his marriage and why he finds himself drinking too much and living only in his head with too much pain, too much wanting and too much isolation.  You have to meet Tessa and learn how she was abandoned far from home by a long time boyfriend and forced to survive on her own with nothing more than a few items of clothing and her beauty.  Henry, historically introverted and easily controlled and manipulated by his spouse and friends because he is lackadaisical about life in general has a secret, something that haunts him, something that feeds and grows his obsession over 15 years time and pushes him further and deeper inside his own mind.  Tessa, raised by an alcoholic mother that dies when she is a teenager, outcast by her father for a reason she never knew, confused and naïve about her sexuality, is haunted by nightmares she can’t understand and has never felt like she belongs anywhere in particular, always lost and searching.

As the story lines merge you won’t be able to really guess what is coming next and yet as each twist unfolds, it makes perfect sense and then more about one or the other is shared and more suspense keeps you turning the pages.  I particularly enjoyed that the writing style was so elegant that I did not want to skim ahead to get answers more quickly but instead was thrilled by the beauty in the way the author crafted each and every line of the story.  As a break out novel, this is an excellent indication of what to expect from this brilliant new author and I can’t wait to read more from her.

~~~~~~~~~~~> Debra L Hartmann, professional editor, published author, book reviewer for the fun of it….  http://www.theprobookeditor.com and come have an AHA moment with us at http://authorshelpingauthors.wordpress.com

“Twisted Love” by CLR Dougherty 4 stars and a “Hold on to the Edge of your Seat” Shout Out!

Posted: May 7, 2013 in book reviews
Tags: , , , ,
3

It was clear on the first page that the title was appropriate for the book.  I wouldn’t have picked this book to read on the basis of the book cover itself…it just doesn’t do the work inside justice!  I will exclude details about the characters and the plot, the synopsis and the other reviews cover that.  I liked this twistedlovebkcvrauthor’s writing style, very direct and to the point and he did not overuse adjectives and adverbs as I so often see these days. I floated through the prose and slipped into a comfortable journey filled with the images he painted as if he’d used a paint brush instead of the proverbial pen and ink. The quick pace was also perfect for me, building up to each twist and turn as it went along and keeping me intrigued and interested so that it was difficult to put the book down. By the ninth page, you think you have a serial killer story but don’t settle into that thought process, this book isn’t that simple!

 
Loved the balance of character, location and time period development in this book. I was imagining the scenes as the characters were introduced and enough shared about the past and present to make them real so that they stepped out from the pages. Then as the story moved on and more information was revealed, more suspense was built and more clues to connections between characters and story lines, the layers and mystery folding in and around the story, I found myself gripping the edge of my kindle for dear life! This book had the elements that I enjoy in a big screen hit movie and as the imagery formed in my mind, I associated characters with actors. As the tension was building for the surprising end, I couldn’t help but feel something for each of the characters.

 
No spoilers here but suffice it to say that you start out reading with several characters and more are introduced very cleverly and timed perfectly to emphasize the twists and turns of the plot and allow the reader to identify with each person before having to learn about new ones. Interesting to note, each story line is told in their perspective POV’s and the author did an exceptional job of adjusting his writing to the intellectual, educational and occupational levels of each character. I can’t say more without risking ruining some aspect of the surprises in this book. If you are a fan of thrillers and suspense, you’ll love this book and if you’re not already a fan, you will be.  This is a must read filled with suspense and mystery and just when you think you have guessed…nope, not yet!

~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ Debra L Hartmann, professional editor, published author, book reviewer for the fun of it….  http://www.theprobookeditor.com and come have an AHA moment with us at http://authorshelpingauthors.wordpress.com

Older Entries
Newer Entries