Archive for the ‘giveaways’ Category

World Exclusive Interview With Author Charles A. Cornell Plus Giveaway

Posted: August 16, 2012 in Book Promos, crime thriller, fiction, giveaways, Interview, Mytery/Thriller, reviews
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Information about the giveaway for Tiger Paw is included after the interview. Thanks so much.

As you all know by now. I absolutely loved Tiger Paw by Charles A. Cornell.

Tiger Paw

I asked him to take some time out from his busy schedule for an interview and he graciously agreed. So grab your favorite Tiger Paw Beer Shake and some popcorn or pretzels and enjoy the show!

How about you tell us something about yourself as that is the way these things usually start.

I’m what they call a ‘TransAtlantic’ – born in England, raised in Canada, now living in the Detroit area. I have a degree in Metallurgy from the University of Sheffield in the UK and an MBA from a college in Michigan. I’ve been happily married to the same person for over 35 years (the formula will be bottled and on sale at my website soon). Our one and only son is a talented rock guitarist which means he is one notch above poverty until he gets discovered.

Your book trailer for Tiger Paw is top-notch. I want to see the movie! Where did you come up with the artwork for the Goddess and could you tell us about your process in creating the trailer?

In Tiger Paw, I created a fictional Hindu Demon-Goddess, called Dvaipa which is Hindi for ‘from a tiger’. In the book, I called the antagonists – a cult of devil worshippers – the Temple of Dvaipa. I chose to create both of these as a work of fiction out of deep respect for the followers of Hinduism. They will know that Dvaipa is a work of fiction. Tiger Paw is full of references to Hindu scripture and legends. It also contrasts Hinduism with Christianity in my humble attempt to explore the similarities which bind us as a human race, rather than the issues that divide us.

The ancient art in the Tiger Paw video is actually of Narasimha or Narasingh, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. See Wikipedia for more… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narasimha  Half-man/half-lion, with a lion-like face and claws, Narasingh is a force for good. In the artwork, he is shown destroying a demon. It was my inspiration for Dvaipa – my fictional Demon-Goddess, half-woman/half-tiger. I just reversed the ideas to make Dvaipa the incarnation of evil.

I paid for licensed photos for my book cover, website, blog and video from iStockPhoto. I also use free license photos available from Wikimedia Commons. Link… http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page  I follow their licensing guidelines closely.

One of the cool mini-videos I paid for is the bullet that flies through glass. It has no sound attached to it, so I also licensed a breaking glass sound effect and then had to splice the sound into the video to match it with the exact moment that the bullet crashed through the glass. I use Magix Movie Editor Pro 17. It has some great transition effects that can make still images look like they’re moving. Examples in the video are the fog (it’s a still photo that scrolls and fades), the New York City skyline (a panorama scroll) and the final shot of the tiger coming out of my book cover which is a combination of an ‘earthquake’ special effect with a ‘zoom-out’. After much experimenting, I got pretty dangerous with effects. Just wait until you see my trailer for the sequel, Lucifer’s Key!

There are some excellent sound tracks available from Shock Wave Sound. (Link… http://www.shockwave-sound.com/  ) The music is called ‘Cool City’. With Magix Movie Editor it was easy to splice the sound track so that I could match the drama of specific musical sections with each set of images. Check out the point where the video reveals ‘A Mystic Symbol’ to see that.

When the idea for Tiger Paw first began, which came first, The Temple of Dvaipa and her followers or your protagonist, Scott Forrester? I am curious as to which you used to build the story around. Or was it written around current shenanigans going on with Wall Street?

What an incredible question! I looked back in my archives and pulled up my first chapter outline of Tiger Paw from 2003. Tiger Paw was not my first novel. The year before that, I had finished an espionage novel about a Navy SEAL recruited into the CIA to stop a nuclear terrorist attack. It was OK, but in hindsight it needed some work. It remains unpublished. One of the biggest problems I had was that I’m neither an ex-Navy SEAL nor an ex-CIA agent, so my author’s bio didn’t resonate with agents. Instead of re-writing this spy novel to make it better, I decided to start over and write a murder mystery set in Wall Street, a topic which is definitely in my resume as a businessman and investor.

I’d really forgotten how Tiger Paw originally started until you asked me (that happens when you get older!). There was no Temple of Dvaipa. That idea came later. So the answer is… Scott Forrester came first. Also, well over half of the characters’ names changed from my initial selections for a variety of reasons, some practical and some because I didn’t like the way they sounded!

Tiger Paw is built around the following ‘what if’ question… ‘What if Wall Street defrauded the wrong investors? People who could really fight back?’ I did a lot of research on psychopaths and sociopaths. I wanted my serial killer to be driven by the same sense of revenge that everyone else who has lost money in the stock market feels. I also read the book, ‘Snakes in Suits’, written by a psychologist. It’s about how sociopathic personalities can be very successful in business. You may have a sociopathic manager or executive working in your company and not realize it. They may not act out their value system in a murderous way but evil can take many other forms. So Tiger Paw evolved into sociopaths being murdered by other sociopaths. And us ‘little guys’ get to watch!

But there had to be more to the motive than that. That’s when I came to the realization that sociopaths have value systems which seem ‘right’ to them. But what kind of thought process is this? I studied the concepts of karma and reincarnation, and from that I developed the killer’s warped sense of justice. It’s a form of religious fanaticism that is another current headline maker. The introduction of Hinduism, and the demonic cult behind the killings, hopefully creates a motive that will give readers a new world of mysticism, danger and diversity to escape into.

The final manuscript for Tiger Paw was completed in 2005 which was three years before the 2008 financial crisis and Occupy Wall Street. The ‘shenanigans’ of the moneyed elite have been going on for some time! An agent in New York liked Tiger Paw but passed on representing it. It lay dormant for three years. When the financial crisis hit and Occupy Wall Street was in the news, I knew I had a story that matched the mood of the 99%. So I updated the first chapter to add OWS and self-published it.

How hard was it to keep the killer’s identity hidden while writing Tiger Paw? I don’t recall one clue all the way to the moment of discovery! I know it couldn’t have been easy.

I really love these questions! You’re right, there are few direct clues. I actually had one that I removed because it was too obvious and would spoil the surprise at the end. There’s a way in the novel to figure out what that clue was… but I’m going to keep that secret until after the sequel, Lucifer’s Key is published.

There are actually more red herrings in Tiger Paw than clues. That is deliberate. It’s the ‘mystery’ in mystery thriller!

As you know, Laura, the reveal at the end is preceded by evidence of the exact opposite conclusion. But if I said any more, it would be a spoiler. It’s also the biggest problem I have in promoting the book. Because I can’t really say too much about the plot without diminishing the impact of the ending!

The sequel, Lucifer’s Key will have a surprise ending too.

Tiger Paw touches on some sensitive issues that are going on right now. Will the other two novels in this series have a specific theme?

Absolutely! Tiger Paw has many layers. The surface is entertainment… thrills and chills. Then there is information… about Hinduism, the danger of cults, the mechanisms of sociopathic killers, various interesting geographic locations, the history of Wall Street. Then there is the deepest layer… one that involves the psychology of evil and how it translates into our everyday world. As the Hindu protagonists in Tiger Paw state, “asuras (demons) walk all around us.” Corruption on Wall Street is the current lightning rod for this idea. But there are many other examples.

So many demons, so little time! Here are two world exclusives for Laura Thomas:

The sequel, Lucifer’s Key will involve the concept of the monetary value of human life. What do you think your life is worth? Read Lucifer’s Key to find out.

The third book, Black Venom has the potential to be the most controversial thriller ever written. I’m going to explore a political taboo, something that is whispered about in the corridors of power but never spoken about in public. As an author, this could be very dangerous. But I’m going to try. In literature, questions are often asked, ‘why do wars start?’ and ‘how can they be prevented?’ But ask yourself this, ‘once started, why are some stopped and others aren’t?’ And history has a nasty habit of repeating itself. The plot of Black Venom has already been written in the history books, it just needs to be brought into today’s world.

Tiger Paw is the first of a three novel arc. Scott Forrester’s journey starts with tracking down a demonic assassin. In Lucifer’s Key, it progresses with a prophecy from an Obeah sorceress that is a destiny he cannot escape. In Black Venom, will it be the end of the Temple of Dvaipa? Or will it be the end of the world as we know it?

World Exclusive!
Let’s talk about that missing prologue for Tiger Paw. Why did you not include it in the novel?

Another world exclusive? How greedy!

I’m going to blog about this soon, so I’m going to give you the short answer. The prologue was the original first chapter but since it didn’t include the main protagonist, it violated the genre ‘formulas’ that are prescribed. As a reader, I’m also not a fan of prologues. There’s a purpose for some, typically those that need to provide the historical context of an event that has happened maybe centuries ago. Most other prologues get in the way of starting the story. I actually recommend reading the Prologue to Tiger Paw after reading the novel because when you know who the killer is, and what their motive was, it has an extra chilling meaning.

I know you are anxious to tell us about your other passion – Saving the Tiger! Please share with us.

I don’t know what they teach about extinction in schools these days, but when I was little we were taught about the Dodo Bird. Now this was one butt ugly looking creature that had the unfortunate condition of a bird that couldn’t fly. Man introduced various predators into its environment and the ungainly avian became a toddling buffet. Too bad, eh? It’s gone now. Nothing we can do about it.

But when I was confronted with the following facts… that a hundred years ago there were 100,000 tigers in the wild and now there are fewer than 3,200… and that there are almost as many in captivity (2,500) as there are in the wild… well, it sealed the deal for me. This creature was beautiful! It’s a cultural icon everywhere around the world (it’s on cereal boxes for goodness sake!) And it’s at the very top of its food chain. So why is it going extinct? Look in the mirror to find out. If we can’t save the tiger, nothing’s safe.

For more, please visit the World Wildlife Fund’s campaign to Save the Tiger at http://www.savetigersnow.org/

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I like bulldogs but unfortunately they don’t fit into our lifestyle at the moment. So I have a low maintenance fat cat instead.

I have one fun question for you. Which Tiger Paw Beer Shake is your favorite?

The Siberian (double chocolate stout & vanilla ice cream). My two favorite flavors, chocolate and vanilla, plus beer. What’s not to like about that!

Thank you Charles. I enjoyed this interview so much I hate for it to end. I do want to share with all of you a favorite poem of mine. Please enjoy!

The Tiger – a poem by William Blake

Tiger, Tiger burning bright,

In the forests of the night;

What immortal hand or eye.

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand, dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, & what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat.

What dread hand? & what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain,

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? what dread grasp.

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears

And watered heaven with their tears:

Did he smile His work to see?

Did he who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, Tiger burning bright,

In the forests of the night:

What immortal hand or eye,

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

For more about the Charles:

http://www.CharlesACornell.com

http://www.facebook.com/CharlesACornell

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768487.Charles_A_Cornell

Three ways to win Tiger Paw!!!

To enter a giveaway to win your own copy of Tiger Paw: http://wp.me/p27ipo-k0 

For another chance to win a copy of Tiger Paw: http://wp.me/p27ipo-lq

And for another chance to win, go to Sherry’s blog: http://wp.me/p2uiv4-28

If you are an Amazon Prime customer, Tiger Paw is currently free for Kindle until August 31. Just click on the image at top of the post.

To purchase your own copy, click on this cover image.

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Another Chance To Win!

Posted: August 16, 2012 in Creatures, crime thriller, fiction, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller
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Another chance to win your own copy of Tiger Paw by Charles A. Cornell.

Enjoy these pictures and then head over to this link: http://wp.me/p27ipo-k0 and answer this question from Charles.

Tigers can swim. The Jaguar is the only  other big cat that likes to do this. But, there is something that tigers don’t do that other big cats can do. What is it? The first correct answer gets a copy of Tiger Paw!

So put on your thinking caps and give it a go! Good luck!

 

And a really fun video

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8edVU2eo3AY]

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International Giveaway/Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

Posted: August 11, 2012 in Adult Fiction, Creatures, crime thriller, fiction, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, reviews
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It’s time. Time for my review of Tiger Paw by Charles A. Cornell!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway afterwards.

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I have been talking about this book for days. Posted about it twice. Now, finally I am ready to tell you all about it.

One million people, a flash mob, have shown up for Occupy Wall Street, effectively shutting down everything from Central Park all the way to Wall Street. One million very angry people.

Wall Street’s biggest and “most high” brokers hide in their towers of glass and steel, fearing bodily harm or death if they venture out.

The “Roar” of “We are the 99%, Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Ignore” reverberated through Wall Street. It was going to take National Guard troops to disperse this mob, born of frustration and desperation.

FBI Special Agent Scott Forrester is sitting in the Big Sky Bar at Denver Airport watching the National Guard enter New York City on TV. After a four-hour delay due to heavy snowfall, his flight to Washington D.C. should be available soon.

Scott’s partner Trish calls him from NYC, the mob is so loud he can’t quite make out everything she’s saying. Something about a vintage 1955 Mercedes Gullwing Coupe, a million dollar car, found sitting on top of a garbage barge in the harbor. His orders are clear. Forget Washington.  Catch the FBI jet to East Hampton and a police cruiser will take him where he needs to go.

Scott’s ride drops him off at Carleton Mansion, home of the billionaire Matthew Carleton.  His first thought upon seeing it is “The person who had this built made one helluva bargain.”

It looks like Matthews bill has come due. He was killed slowly, with his own “sin.” Left at the crime scene is a message written in a language no one recognized, and beside it, a bloody paw print.

Another signature murder. Scott has been chasing this elusive killer for over six months, from California to Florida, then Wyoming, and now New York.

His biggest questions are, what is the message and why kill these people?

As more of the “Elite of Wall Street” meet their grisly ends, this story takes a bizarre turn into the world of cults.

A meeting with Professor Chandra at the Freer Gallery gives Scott and Trish insight into the mind of the killer, and just maybe an answer to why the victims were targeted.  The display of Manifestations of the Divine: Gods and Goddesses of Ancient India is the reason they are at the gallery. Dr. Chandra shows them the painting of The Revenge of Dvaipa, a Demon-Goddess of Ancient India. The painting was lost when the Indian government ordered the sect be disbanded in the early 19th century. It was found a few years ago and, not wanting the cult to start up again, they exiled the painting on a non-stop tour of the world’s galleries. Dvaipa is known as “revenge incarnate” and her followers could be called Satanists. A very disturbing painting, Dvaipa is half-human and half-tiger, wielding her scythe, the Tiger’s Paw.  The professor tells Scott the answers lie in the painting.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj1cu6qZdH8]

What does this have to do with Wall Street’s finest?

Follow Scott as he digs into the investigation, uncovering blind lead after blind lead, to India and back again. He feels he is beginning to understand the killer, with help from some unusual sources.

This story is so scary. People, including me, are so fed up with the “psychophants”(my spelling) lining their pockets while we supply that money with our blood-sweat. The Stinking Rich get Stinking Richer!

Tiger Paw was a very tumultuous read for me. It touches on everything that’s wrong in government and Wall Street. Millionaires, billionaires and Fortune 500 CEOs, they are all about the money. Money means control and power.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see something like this story in today’s headlines. In fact, I’m surprised we haven’t seen it already.

This book made me all emotional. Am I supposed to feel bad for the victims? Sorry, not happening. I think they got their comeuppance and I hope they forget to pay the Ferryman!

I am not even going to try to give this book a STAR rating. It goes so far beyond that.

Charles A. Cornell is a magnificent storyteller, and his debut novel is brilliant. I can imagine the challenge he faces when writing the next two books. It will be hard to top this.


Are you ready for the giveaway? Let’s get started!

Charles has offered up 3 e-book copies of Tiger Paw for this giveaway. As usual, entry is easy. Just leave your email address along with a comment to Charles about what you like most about tigers.

While it is not required, it would be so nice if you followed my blog and visited Charles at the links provided below.

Last day to enter is August 31, 2012. Don’t wait!

And if you would be so kind, please hit that tweet button. Thank you so much:)

Do you know the wonderful thing about Tigger? He’s the only one!

BONUS

Charles threw out a challenge to me and my sister. We both started reading Tiger Paw at the same time. I said it was no contest as she spends all day reading while I bust butt  at work! So you know she was finished way before me.

A second Contest:

For another chance to win, hop over to Sherry’s blog http://wp.me/p2uiv4-28 .

Read her review of Tiger Paw and enter for a chance to win. She also has 3 e-books to give away!

I am curious to read her review too.  But I won’t be able to do so until I hit that Publish button. We are side by side. Ready, Set, Go!

Now a third chance to win! Just answer this question by Charles: What is one thing tigers CAN’T do that other big cats can do? Leave your comment in the box below for another chance to win. If you need clues go here: http://wp.me/p27ipo-lM

This just in!

We have three winners for the mini giveaway. The answer was climbing trees! The three lucky winners are

Janna

DH Nevins

Jill

To see what happens when tigers climb trees, check out this video:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk6JvkdQAa0]

There are still three e-books up for grabs!

  Visit Charles at his blog to learn more about his efforts to save the tiger.

http://www.CharlesACornell.com

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768487.Charles_A_Cornell

http://www.facebook.com/CharlesACornell

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Coming Soon/Under and After!

Posted: August 7, 2012 in Book Promos, Creatures, fiction, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
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I have two more books up for review and once you hear what they are about, you’ll know this is my kind of story, and yours!

Undermountain ( The Undermountain Saga #1) by Eric Kent Edstrom

 

Description:

Danny Michaelson, sixteen, joins a group of teens in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a ten-day hiking excursion. All he wants is a little time away from his troubled home. But when the hikers encounter a creature of legend – an eight foot tall beast they tag as “bigfoot,” the adventure turns into a race for their lives… And for the future of earth.

Afterlife ( The UndermountainSaga #2)

This follow-up to Undermountain finds Danny, Breyona, and the others continuing their fight against the tangogoa and a radical faction of the bigfoot Council of the Strict.

Don’t they sound great. I had better get reading and fast! Rumor has it there is a third book in this series. Don’t ya just love a series?!

Even better news! Want a chance to win Undermountain (Book #1)? Just hop over to Sherry’s blog: http://wp.me/p2uiv4-1Q – !

Read her reviews and enter at a chance of one of the 10 e-books she is giving away. Easy entry just like mine are!

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I Have Winners!

Posted: August 6, 2012 in Contests, fiction, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy
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It’s time to announce the winners of the Wormwood by D.H. Nevins giveaway!

 

There are 6 winners today!

First Place Winner will receive a paperback copy.

1st Place : Sherry http://fundinmental.wordpress.com

Winners of 5 E-Book copies

1) Roxanne http://www.sdgcrafts.com/

2) Jennifer http://http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy.blogspot.com

3) M Latimer Ridley http://mlatimerridley.wordpress.com

4) Annalise http://annalisegrey.wordpress.com

5) Kathy

I have sent an email to each of the winners and provided contact information to the author. She will contact you about receiving your gift.

It was a pleasure hosting this giveaway of Wormwood by D.H. Nevins.  Thanks so much to all who entered.

To read my review and my interview with Danielle go here: http://wp.me/p27ipo-f5

Danielle, thanks so much for allowing me to host this giveaway and the pleasure of reading and reviewing Wormwood. Can’t wait for the next book!

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Tiger This/Tiger That

Posted: August 5, 2012 in Contests, fiction, giveaways, Interview, Mytery/Thriller, reviews
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Help Save The Tigers!

 
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Charles A. Cornell.  His debut novel, Tiger Paw, is now available in paperback and e-book.
 
In celebration of his release he is having a launch party over on his blog. You can win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and a free Kindle e-book of Tiger Paw.
 
His blog is all about the tiger, from Tiger Paw Beer to Ice Cream Floats. Charles, along with some friends have concocted some recipes.
The Siberian(Papa)
The Bengal(Mama)
and the baby twins
The Sumatran
The Malayan
He’ll roll out the 1st recipe before Save The Tiger Day on July 29: The Siberian Tiger Float.
 
The giveaway is dedicated to saving the tigers. To enter the contest go here: http://charlesacornell.com/website-launch-giveaway
 
To meet Charles and experience his witty posts go here: http://www.CharlesA.Cornell.com
 
I am reading Tiger Paw right this moment, well obviously not right this moment as I am talking to ya’ll, but you know what I mean!
Let me tell ya, it starts out like gang busters in the first few paragraphs. I’ll be posting my review soon and hosting an interview and giveaway also.
Want to know more about Charles and his debut novel Tiger Paw?
 
Charles A. Cornell was born in England, raised in Canada and now divides his time between Michigan and Florida. After 35 years of global business experience on three continents, Charles A. Cornell brings a diverse and unique perspective to his fiction. His novels are mystery thrillers carved from today’s headlines,  blended with action and intrigue, and cloaked in psychological suspense.
 
To purchase your own copy of Tiger Paw, just click on the image below.
 

In Tiger Paw, FBI profiler Scott Forrester hunts an assassin belonging to a demonic East Indian cult that is wreaking havoc on Wall Street, murdering corrupt CEO’s at the center of a billionaire’s stock scam. Firmly in the assassin’s crosshairs, Scott Forrester is forced underground to stop the killing spree. But will he survive the deal he must make with the Devil to thwart the cult’s plans?
 
Sounds great, eh?  Go ahead and enter the contest, or if you can’t wait, just click the image to get your copy now.
 
UPDATE: Tiger Paw Nominated for FWA Best Thriller
 
Tiger Paw has been nominated for a Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Thriller by the Florida Writers Association in a competition that includes both traditionally published and self published novels. As a category Finalist, it is also eligible to win the competitions’ overall Best Published Book of the Year Award.
 
Congratulations Charles and Good Luck!!
 
 
 
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A Human Element ~ International Giveaway and Review

Posted: August 4, 2012 in Creatures, fiction, giveaways, horror, Mytery/Thriller, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
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In July I did a post asking for help with choosing the next books I should review. To view it you can go here: http://wp.me/p27ipo-cL .  A Human Element was one of the books chosen for me to review next. The author kindly provided me with a copy of her book and I am so happy to tell you about it.

 A Human Element

by Donna Galanti

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Doesn’t this cover just grab you?

In my review of the first book on the list, I mentioned that I had received two books in the mail on the same day and thought I was reading the one about aliens. Nope, I was wrong. It turns out A Human Element was the book with aliens.

Before I start my review, I wanted to tell you that Donna has kindly offered 3 e-book copies for a giveaway. The details to enter will be after my review.

My Review of A Human Element by Donna Galanti

Ben is hiding from his parents on the shore of Coopersville Lake when it happens.

A meteorite crashes. What was once the sight of a dozen or so cabins, one of them containing his parents, is now only a huge crater of steam and fire. In one bright green flash, Ben’s life is forever changed and for another, it has just begun.

No one could know the long-reaching consequences of that fateful night. Or of the horrors to come.

9 months later.

A young girl struggles to bring her child into the world. She came to the doctor in secret. Not even the Armstrong’s, the kindly couple who took her in, know where she is. The doctor doesn’t know why the mysterious man waiting outside wants the baby, he just wants to get paid.

In a rush, the baby enters the world. Sadly, the young mother does not survive the delivery. But wait, another baby is fighting to be born, a twin, a beautiful baby girl.

An exchange is made. The mysterious man leaves with the thing, the baby boy, but the doctor doesn’t mention the girl. He will give her to the Armstrong’s to raise.

Many years later, the baby girl, Laura, is all grown up and back home to find out why the people closest to her are being slaughtered. The answer lies here. Laura has always had the headaches and nightmares and she knows things are coming together now –  the monster chasing her in her nightmares, the mysterious man in black, who has always been on the periphery of her life,  and whatever happened on the night of the meteorite. It is all connected.

Laura and Ben are thrown together as death races towards them. Both need answers about the night of the meteorite if they are to survive what is coming.

I want to keep telling you more. I’ve only scratched the surface of this story.

Two babies were born that night, Laura and the boy child called X-10. One looks human in every way and the other looks like a monster.

The many secondary characters made this story real for me.

Everybody should have a friend like Jim, a grumpy curmudgeon with a gentle soul and a fierce love and loyalty to Laura.

The Armstrong’s, Laura’s adoptive parents, who though they knew she was different, had special talents, loved her as their own.

The mysterious man in black, who has always been around, lurking in the shadows.

The cruel and sadistic Dr. Bjord, who thrills in tormenting X-10, his failed experiment.

And X-10, the monstrosity who’s only thought is getting out, finding Laura, and tearing her to pieces.

From the first page to the bitter-sweet end, I was totally immersed in this book. A story of wonder, love, humanity and absolute evil.

Donna Galanti’s debut novel has, at its core, an energy, an essence, that gives it life.

Superb writing and a thrilling all-out race to the end, A Human Element is an excellent read.

5 STARS

A bonus from Donna Galanti!

A Hidden Element (Book II)

When one family’s son is taken, they learn its by the same unearthly evil that brutalized them fifteen years ago. In a race to find her son’s kidnapper, they discover his horrifying mission that binds them all together. But the killer’s desire to own them – or destroy them – leads to a survival showdown that puts their son’s future, and their lives, at stake. They must sacrifice all again to defeat a new terrifying enemy – an enemy that wants to rule the world, with their son as his heir.

Tentative release date spring 2013.

Sounds like more thrilling reading from Donna Galanti.

The Giveaway

I have 3 e-book copies Of A human Element to give away to 3 lucky winners. To enter is easy. Just leave a comment with your email address and please click on that tweet button. That’s it.

While it isn’t required, it would be much appreciated if you would follow my blog. Also show some appreciation to Donna for this awesome giveaway. Her links are provided below.

This giveaway ends on August 18th.

Good luck everyone!

For more about the author:

Her blog: http://blog.donnagalanti.com/wp/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnaGalantiAuthor?-ref+hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonnaGalanti

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5767306Donna_Galanti

A Human Element:

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/dg-the-Kindle

B&N: http://tinyurl.com/dg-he-Nook

Donna Galanti writes suspense and middle grade fiction. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Horror Writers Association, The Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, and Pennwriters. If she couldn’t write she would bike, hike, and kayak every day. She’s lived from England to Hawaii, including owning a campground in New Hampshire and as a photographer in the U.S. Navy. She operated a resume writing service for years until she closed up shop to write novels. Donna dreamed of being a writer at seven years old when she fell in love with Narnia and Roald Dahl. She lived in England at the time, attending school in a magical castle where her imagination ran wild in an itchy uniform. (bowling hat and tie included). She now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, son,  and two crazy cats in an old farmhouse. It has lots of writing nooks, fireplaces, and stink bugs, but she’s still wishing for a castle again.

Thank you Donna for a thrilling and touching story and for allowing me to offer this giveaway. Keep wishing:)

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A Latter-Day Zombie International Giveaway/Review/Interview With Kevin Krohn!

Posted: August 3, 2012 in fiction, giveaways, horror, Interview, reviews, Zombies
Tags: , , ,
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Recently, the author contacted me about doing a review of his book latter-day of the dead. The funny thing is, I had won this book a while ago in a  giveaway from Kriss at http://cabingoddess.com, and when I took a little hiatus to my sister’s house, I grabbed this book for a quick read by the pool. The request for the review and my taking this book with me before I had heard from the author is just so weird.

When I visited Kriss’s blog to enter her very first giveaway, the cover art caught my eye.

Then when I found out what the story line was, I knew I had to review it on my blog. A polygamist compound and zombies. Who would a thunk it? Well, Kevin Krohn did. What an ingenious plot.

Thanks Kriss. It was one of the first giveaways I won.

This book is not real long, took me a couple of hours to read it. But, there is so much in it. You have a secluded polygamist community dealing with a zombie outbreak. Now, where do you think the zombies came from? I can’t tell you how it started, but I will tell you that the victims and the zombies are all from the community. That’s right. Polygamist zombies.

Can you picture the community. These Latter-Day Saints chose to live away from civilization and its influence, raising large families and following their faith. Kevin Krohn writes this story, I want to say, in their language. You feel like one of them, and almost become a part of the community.

 [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jgTZAmrcn4]

Told to you from the perspective of Brother Elias, their community doctor, you begin to understand the provincial lifestyle these people lead.  This is the last place you would ever want something like this to happen.

The bravery and fortitude these characters display is inspiring. This story takes a very dark turn, not even the children are spared. The author is able to write these scenes skillfully, which must have been difficult. Horror and children are a delicate balance. Just remember that these children are not children any longer. They are zombies and age doesn’t enter into it anymore. It makes me wonder about the cover. The blank face on the girl, could it be “not putting a face on it?”  

A well researched and thoughtfully written book, latter-day of the dead will satisfy all fans of thrillers and zombies. Rich in culture and rife with zombies, I have to say it hits the top of my list for originality.  You will not find another story like it.

5 STARS

The story does not end here, as you’ll discover. I also happened to spy the words book one tucked onto the cover. I will definitely be on the look out for the second book.

And now I have Kevin Krohn here for an interview. Get comfortable and enjoy.

Thanks for joining us and doing this interview Kevin. Let’s get started.

L.  When I visited your author pages on Amazon and Goodreads, they were somewhat sparse. Would you like to reveal a little bit about yourself with us?

K.  Haha, yes. I have kept my information pretty vague, and I am not sure why. I am a Sagittarius, a “Breaking Bad” junkie, and I don’t trust anyone with a Y in their first name when it should clearly be an I.

L.  The most obvious question I have is, wherever did you get your idea for Latter-Day of the Dead?

K.  I am really intrigued by cults and people completely removing themselves from the rest of civilization. I started writing from that perspective and the viral outbreak was a way to bring a fun aspect to the subject, although I am unsure if a viral outbreak could be considered comedic relief.

L. Your writing expresses the culture and language of latter-day saints as if you lived it. The research must have been extensive. Could you explain the process?

K.. I moved to Utah four years ago, and being a new resident, I wanted to be able to understand the culture and history. The state takes great pride in its history, so there is an abundance of information to get a full understanding of what all is happening out here. The fundamental polygamists are a little harder to research, but that helped allow me to create some uniqueness to the group in the book.

L.  I see where you have written two other books in a series, Severed Ties(Volume I and II). I’m curious as to why you went in a very different direction with Latter-Day of the Dead?

K.  That is something I hope I can continue to do. I will want the book after the Latter-Day series to go in a completely different direction as well. It may not be the best game plan to establish a readership, but I want to be able to explore many different genres through my writing. I typically let the characters dictate where the story goes.

L.  I couldn’t help but notice it says Book One on the cover. When can we expect Book 2 and is there anything you can tell us about it?

K.  I don’t think I can announce the release date for Book 2 quite yet, but it will be coming out this fall.  Obviously for those who have read Book I they will know there is a lot going on in Book 2 right from the jump. Brother Elias and the rest of the compound are going to have a tough time staying safe, and the future of the group has already been dramatically altered even if they are able to survive.

L.  The cover art for your book really caught my eye. Is there a reason why her face is blank and did you do the cover yourself?

K.  I chose the photo for the cover. I thought the blank face portrayed a great sense of “unknown” evil. There is also a slight nod to the underlying meaning of the way the many faceless women are treated on these polygamist compounds, but that discussion is probably for a much different interview.

L.  What are you reading now and is there a genre you prefer?

K.  I am just jumping into Kings of Cool by Don Winslow. It is a prequel to Savages. I saw the Savages movie directed by Oliver Stone, but never read the original book. I tend to lean towards crime thrillers, but will read anything that keeps me entertained page-to-page.

L.  Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

K.  I just thank everyone that has taken the time to read Latter-Day of the Dead. My only hope when publishing a book is to have people read it, so knowing that is happening brings great satisfaction. And people like you, Laura, helping spread the word about indie books gives us that opportunity, so thank you.

You are most welcome Kevin. The pleasure is all mine and thank you also.

Now for the giveaway. Kevin has generously offered me 1 signed paperback and 2 e-Books to give away.

Entry is easy, as usual. Just leave a comment with your e-mail address and please click on that tweet button:)

Although not required, it would be so appreciated if you followed my blog and visited Kevin at the links provided at the bottom of this post.

So let’s go!! Good Luck!

Contest ends on August 17th.

Other books by Kevin Krohn:

Click on the cover image to purchase a copy.

Author contacts:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1614681.Kevin_Krohn

https://twitter.com/kevinkrohn

http://www.facebook.com/kevinkrohn

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I was just informed that it is Utah Author Month. http://utahbooks.blogspot.com/

 

Thank you Jessica. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on this important celebration!

http://the bluestockings.com

GIVEAWAY/Review/Interview/ Wormwood/I didn’t have a clue! Contest is Over

Posted: July 20, 2012 in fiction, giveaways, Interview, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
Tags: , ,
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I am so excited. It’s time for another giveaway! Today you have a chance to win one paperback copy of Wormwood or one of five e-book copies that D.H. Nevins has graciously supplied. There will also be my review and an interview with the author. After I am finished telling you about this book, you are going to really want it bad.

Details for entering the giveaway are posted after the review and interview, but make sure you read my review and the interview first. You don’t want to miss anything.

I am trying something new lately. When I start a new novel, I do not read the book blurb on the back flap. Many of the books I review are sent by the authors and they also send the book blurb and links to the reviews. By the time I start reading the book, the blurb is only vaguely in my memory. As for reviews, I do not read a books reviews until AFTER I have written mine.

I did a post on my blog asking for help choosing which two books I should read and review next. I had several other reviews and some giveaways to do first. You can go here http://wp.me/p27ipo-cL to see which books were selected.

I am now ready to review the first book that was selected.

As I stated, I did not read the back flap before I started reading Wormwood. I had also received another book in the mail that day and mistakenly thought this was the book about aliens. Boy,  was I surprised.

The first chapter introduces you to Kali. She is a trail guide at Pinecrest National Park. A quiet hike up to her favorite spot, Lookout Peak, starts out normally enough, but a light breeze quickly becomes a tree snapping gale. The once clear skies have turned a heavy grey-black, the clouds tumbling over each other as they race towards her.

This would not be so bad if the woods had not suddenly gone silent. Not a sound could be heard. The winds had stopped and all was still. Not even a bird song was heard. Into this silence came a rumbling that turned into a roar. The ground began to vibrate under her feet and she could see something was coming. The trees started to shake and then to fall, the ground began to roll. Kali ran.

The earth twists and buckles as she tries to reach the safety of Lookout Peak.  Trees and shrubs reach out as if to grab her. She sees her goal and rushes forward. Stillness. All around her the earth is raging. Great rents appear, lava flows up from below, the skies open up and rain and hail lash down, but from her vantage point all she feels is a mild tremor under her feet. How can this be?

Kali wants to move out from under the overhanging rocks and edges around them to a clear space. The rocks could fall at any moment.  There is a campfire burning. She is not alone up here. A quick look around reveals a figure standing on the cliffs edge, his arms stretched out towards the devastation that is still raging below.

Tiamat.

I tell ya, I was not prepared for this.  I was exhausted from the tension I experienced following Kali’s mad dash to safety. My description is just a wee bit of what she goes through.

I am so excited just thinking about what I want to tell you. This happened and that happened! And what? I have never read a story quite like this. There is so much going on. The story raced to its conclusion, leaving me stunned.

At times I was scared. Other times I was so mad. And at one part, I realized I was crying, and it hurt.

D. H. Nevins has written a fantastic story of the end of the world and the last survivors. Perhaps this description is too simple, but I hesitate to tell much of the story. I want you to read it like I did. Unprepared and wide-eyed.  I want you to get to know each character and discover just what is really causing all the destruction.

I hope when you read Wormwood, you’ll tell me how it made you feel. Did you experience it like I did?

A huge Thank You to the author for an extremely well written story in which to immerse myself.

Beyond 5 STARS

And now lets welcome D. H. Nevins

Hello Danielle. Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions.

D. It’s my pleasure. I’m thrilled to be here, Laura! Thanks so much for having me.

L. From the first idea to the day it was published, how long did it take to write Wormwood?

D. I pretty much shelved Wormwood for a year before publishing it, so that made the whole process take a lot longer. Wormwood is something I wrote for myself, and at the time, I honestly didn’t have the nerve to publish it. But I’m so happy that I finally did! So in total, it took three years: almost two years of planning, research and writing, one year of letting it chill, and the final few months to publish.

L. Is there a favorite place you like to write and are there any must haves for your writing process?

D. Oh yes. We are lucky enough to live in the woods on a lake, and I enjoy taking my laptop down to the dock to write. The only problem is that I seem to do really cruddy writing down there! It’s true! I write best when I’m in this dismal little office we have, and there aren’t any distractions. As for must haves, I always set the mood by listening to music first. I’ve made a gigantic Wormwood playlist just for that purpose, and it always does the trick!

L. Do you have a favorite genre you read?

D. I’m all over the place. I had a historical fiction craze for the longest time, but now I lean towards paranormal, urban fantasy, fantasy, dystopian and some YA.

L. You mentioned a sequel to Wormwood. Is there anything you can tell us about it, maybe when we might expect it?

D. I’d love to tell you about it!  Here are some certainties:

1) The sequel takes place exactly where Wormwood left off.

2) There will be three books in the series. So if you liked Wormwood, especially the end of it, I think the next two will be even better! Kali and Tiamat were just getting started in the first book.

3) Wormwood originally had a prologue that told of Tiamat’s unusual birth. I loved the scene, but pulled it from the book because I wanted to use it as a basis for a prequel instead. So once I’ve done the three books for the Wormwood series, I’ll write the prequel about Tiamat’s very strange childhood. I’m planning to call it Monster.

As for when book 2 will be finished, a lot of that depends on how busy I am with work. I estimate about a year. If I’m lucky it’ll be sooner.

L. How did you select your cover art for Wormwood?

D. My husband was a big help with that. He’s a fan of Gustave Dore, an illustrator from the mid 1800’s, and he suggested we use something from one of Dore’s angel etchings, and while he also illustrated Dante’s Inferno,  we chose this etching by Milton. The mood of his illustrations is quite dark, and I felt that would be perfect for Wormwood. The one I used was taken from an illustration titled Nine Days they Fell,

which appeared in Milton’s Paradise Lost. Unfortunately, I’m finding out that the look of an illustrated cover seems to turn some readers off, so I’m considering an alternate. Perhaps you wouldn’t mind if I asked you and your readers for your opinions?

L. Please, ask away!

D. Awesome. Thanks, Laura! I’m thinking of replacing the cover with an image like this.

It’s something I’ve been playing with, so the image isn’t refined, and the titles been plunked on simply to get an idea of the overall look. But those things aside, what do you think? Which cover do you like more?

L. I, myself like them both, but I think I like the Dore etching better. Maybe it’s because I love the book and don’t want you to change a thing!

L. Would you like to share anything else with us today?

D. I’m presently working on a video trailer for Wormwood. It’s pretty intense! It should be ready in the next few weeks!

L. I can’t wait to see it! I love book trailers and this one should be very interesting.

Now, lets do a few fun shorts!

1. Riding a horse or a motorcycle?  Well, I own a motorcycle(I’ve named it Grendel), so motorcycle it is!

2. Margarita or martini?  Margarita.

3. Snow skiing or water skiing?  Snow skiing(or preferably, snowboarding.)

4. Potato chips or pretzels?  Miss Vicki’s Salt & Vinegar chips hands down.

Thanks so much for sharing with us today Danielle. I can’t wait for the sequel to Wormwood.

You’re most welcome, Laura! And thanks to you too. I really appreciate this opportunity to talk about my book. Hopefully, I’ll have the sequel ready soon!

Now for the Giveaway!  Danielle is offering 5 ebooks and 1 paperback of Wormwood. This is open to U.S. and Internationally so no one is left out!  The giveaway ends at midnight on August 4th.

While it is not required, it would be appreciated if you followed me on twitter and my blog. Also show some love and follow Danielle at the link/links provided below.

If you like this post, don’t forget to hit that tweet button. That always makes me smile!

Please leave your email address along with a comment for Danielle about which cover art you like the most! Easy peasy!

About D. H. Nevins: D. H. Nevins was born in Toronto and currently lives in a relatively remote area of Ontario, surrounded by forests and lakes. By day she is a personable, friendly school teacher. By night, she silently chuckles as she writes about angels destroying the world. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, camping, flying around on her motorcycle or dabbling in live theatre.

She loves to connect with others and can be contacted or followed a number of ways:

Website: http://www.dhnevins.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/dhnevins

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/133020440053518/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5158514D_H_Nevins

To buy Wormwood just click on the image at top of post.

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And the winner is……

Posted: July 19, 2012 in Contests, giveaways
Tags: ,
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We have a winner!

I wrote the names down on paper, cut and folded them to the same size and placed the names in a bowl. My mother drew out the winner with my dog Quigley as witness.

And the winner is: Fundinmental!

Sherry you have won the Just Because giveaway. I will be contacting you about your prize.

I want to thank everyone for entering. Please stay tuned, there are some more great giveaways coming soon!

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