The Tale of Atterberry - New release!

Title: The Tale of Atterberry (The Faire Pendant - Book1)
Author: Leah Price
You can find this book here: Amazon (Kindle Edition), Amazon (Paperback), Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

Author's description:

Glenna’s life is anything but ordinary. The daughter of Renaissance festival vendors, Glenna’s days are filled with magic and medieval reenactments as she travels the faire circuit with her family.

Then one day, Glenna’s life changes forever. With the help of a pendant, she discovers Otherworld. An enchanted realm, Otherworld is the land in which all of the myths and magic woven by the Renaissance players comes to life!

Suddenly, Glenna is thrust into a quest filled with danger and deception when Atterberry, a great and powerful magician in Otherworld, needs help recovering a stolen item.

Can Glenna find the item in time? Can she summon the courage to become the medieval hero the residents of Otherworld expect her to be? And perhaps most importantly, can she juggle both her life in the real world and her life in Otherworld without damaging either?

Exclusive:

A lifelong lover of fantasy, Leah Price has spent years dreaming of other worlds and distant places. After traveling and studying abroad, she decided to write the story she always wanted to read. "The Faire Pendant" is a series of books dedicated to the child who lives in a world of imagination and wonder, who dreams of magic, and who longs for adventure. 

Leah price has just released the first book in the series, "The Tale of Atterberry", and with this occasion, she agreed to answer a few questions:

1. What inspired you to write "The Tale of Atterberry"?

I've always loved the fantasy genre and when the idea came to me to write about a girl who lives at Renaissance festivals, things started snowballing from there. Suddenly, I saw her having the ability to travel to a place where the people are the characters they play. Otherworld became a place I could see clearly in my mind. I knew the trails and buildings of the land, the people and creatures, such as Atterberry. I think many pieces of Otherworld are bits of my childhood re-imagined.

2. Who should read this book and why will they enjoy it?

I wrote it for children. I wanted to give them a land of imagination and adventure. A dreamy place to visit. But I have to say, when I imagine my book being read, it's a story parents and children read together. I want "The Tale of Atterberry" to be something they share and enjoy.

3. What made you want to become a writer?

I've always been a storyteller and it was a natural progression to writing. While recovering after a horseback riding accident, I began writing and haven't looked back. The "Tale of Atterberry" is actually the first of many in a series.

Thank you, Leah Price! I can't wait to discover your fantasy world!

The Prediction by Darren Sugrue

Title: The Prediction
Author: Darren Sugrue
You can find this book here: Amazon (Kindle Edition), Smashwords and Darren Sugrue's site (free e-copy).

Author's description:

Nobody knows the day they’ll die… until now. 

Mathematical genius Daniel Geller has developed a formula to predict a person’s date of death only to have it rejected by the faculty at Trinity College. Totally devastated, he turns his back on the world he once loved. 

Twelve years on, Daniel’s old professor, John Redmond, and his wife are coming to terms with the death of their ten-year-old son. Could Daniel's formula have predicted his death? Revisiting the thesis, the professor makes an astonishing discovery: out of the five fellow students whom Daniel used the formula on, one of them died on the exact date predicted by Daniel. 

One more is due to die in six days: Daniel’s ex-lover, Grace. 

The professor draws Daniel back into the world of mathematics where he is suddenly faced with the dilemma of allowing someone he once loved to die, to be one step closer to proving his thesis and enjoying a prestige he once dreamed of… 

Set in the vibrant cities of Dublin and Amsterdam, The Prediction is a powerful story about coping with shattered dreams, the loss of a loved one, and an illustration of just how unpredictable the human heart can be.

Intro:
Don't start reading this novel, if you don't have time to finish it! It gets you hooked from the first paragraphs, and it asks to be read in one sitting.

My official review:

Title & Genre
The title, "The Prediction", pretty much sums up the starting point of the novel: the formula to predict people's date of death. After reading the blurb and taking a look at the cover, I feared that the book would be filled with mathematical equations or something of the sort, but it is nothing like that. It is a thriller – crime – mystery novel with elements of a detective story. Filled with suspense, peppered with a bit of romance and softened by tragedy, it is one of the best crime novels I have ever read.

Theme & Plot
It is difficult to pinpoint one theme in the novel, because the plot (or plots) is constructed on so many levels, each with the same degree of importance. There are three main storylines that intersect: First, the story of Daniel Geller's life and career plays around the theme of hope and the loss of it. He has abandoned his doctoral thesis and his dreams of becoming a world-known mathematician, and he has come to terms with having a simple life and a menial job, only so that his hope is rekindled after twelve years. Second, John and Claire Redmond's tale is built around the destruction of family life, after the loss of a child. It is the darkest part of the novel, emotionally engaging and, sometimes, distressing. Third, Grace Visser lives her own tragedy due to her abusive husband. Her decision to leave him seems to create more problems than solutions. This third storyline focuses on character destruction and rebuilding.
Accidents play a defining role in the story. They offer major plot twists and an amazing ending.
Until the curtain falls, all the plots are resolved, one way or another, and the end of the book is both puzzling and rewarding.

Point of view
The multitude of points of view is another novelty that Darren Sugrue has to offer to the world of writing. We are used to seeing two or three points of view in a story, but here we encounter eight different ones! Each of the main characters and some of the secondary ones are given the chance to tell part of the story as seen from their side. The point of view usually changes from one chapter to another, as the story jumps among plots and characters.

Characters
After noticing the multiple plots and points of view, the number of the main characters is not surprising anymore: Daniel Geller, the mathematician; John Redmond, the professor; Claire, John's wife; and Grace Visser, Daniel's long lost love. Surprising is the part given to Zoe, Daniel's wife; she appears seldom in the novel, but plays a decisive role in the story. There is also a number of notable secondary characters: Otto, Grace's abusive husband; Rik, Grace's friend; Janssen, the detective; and my favorite, Edward, an episodic character who plays the role of the sage, the wise elder.
The author seems to love all his characters, paying the same attention to both primary and secondary ones, showing empathy towards all of them. They seem to come to life from the pages of the book, they change and develop through the story, and I am sure that any reader can find at least one character to relate to.  What surprised me was that among all these characters, there is only one villain. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean that all the others are linearly good. They are complex, deeply flawed, with their strengths and weaknesses, yet sympathetically portrayed, which is what makes them so "real".

Setting
The setting is secondary to the plot. The action moves between Amsterdam and Dublin. There is little description of the surroundings, but it is not missed. The parts that deal with the setting are full of humorous observations, such as the modes of transportation used by the police in Amsterdam or the bicycle lanes in Dublin: "Daniel suspected that Dublin Corporation had employed magicians to plan and construct the bicycle lanes. One would be cycling on them when all of a sudden, poof! They’d vanish."

Style
Darren Sugrue writes in short, clear, sometimes fragmented sentences that have the fluency of modern poetry. It feels like the author just gives in to his train of thought. A great example is Chapter 58, a hospital scene. The details and the onomatopoeic vocabulary make you feel like you are there, in that hospital hallway. It is my favorite scene in the novel.
Attention to detail is noticeable throughout the book, in the way the author describes how a loose bike chain is reattached, how a woman applies varnish to her nails, or how the drops of rain bounce off the street.
The Prologue is a flashforward, giving you an insight on how the story will end, and getting you hooked within minutes.
Humor is subtle and scattered throughout, balancing the gloomy atmosphere that floods other scenes in the book.
Dialogue prevails and plays a major role in depicting the characters and the course of action. Inner thought is also present to characterize and give depth to the "actors".

Recommendation
You will not hear this from me very often: this is a must-read! Readers of all genres, unite! You have a crime, a thriller, a good detective story, romance and mystery all in one. It is funny; it is sad; it is good!

My Twist:

Favorite character: Edward, the old man whom Claire meets in the supermarket, and who helps her realize that she can get through her loss. It might be the most unbelievable character in the book – I mean, who goes for a smoothie with a total stranger they have just met while shopping? – but I like his role, his empathy, and the fact that his words are made important without making him an important (read "main") character.
Favorite quote: "There was no need to lock it [the door of the crane] after him. If a thief was willing to risk his life climbing all the way up to steal a Rubik’s cube, Daniel didn’t want to disappoint him." – one of the many quotes that I loved. I could probably quote the entire 58th Chapter to make my point, but the copyright prohibits it.
Favorite name: Claire – meaning "bright" or "clear", this name is attributed to a person who is going through the darkest moments in her life.

Least favorite character: Otto, Grace's abusive husband, the drunkard, the villain – no one could like him.
Least favorite quote: "'File for a divorce. Move in with me,' he blurted out." – guys really don't get it, do they? Like it's that simple!
Least favorite name: Darth Vader – I've never liked this one.

Aspirin of the book: 

"We all labour against our own cure, for death is the cure of all diseases." - Sir Thomas Browne

Guardian of the Underworld - New release!

Title: Guardian of the Underworld
Author: Rachel Tetley
You can find this book here: Amazon (Kindle Edition) and Amazon UK (Kindle Edition).

Author's Description:

Two worlds

Neither can exist without the other

And one guardian to ensure their survival

But a family with a score to settle

Forces one boy, into a dangerous adventure

Jake Summers is an ordinary boy with an ordinary family- so he thinks. He has just spent another summer holidays building dens in the woods with his best friend Paul. But when someone special unexpectedly dies, Jake is determined to find out the truth, unaware that it will change his life forever. 

He discovers a key to Grandpa’s forbidden room, and is plunged into a long-forgotten magical world, together with class mate Arianna Brown and a strange creature called Noggin. Stormy seas, underground carts pulled by Golden Eagles and a dragon all stand in his way. He must race against time to fulfill an ancient magical prophecy and save the world.

Exclusive:

Starting from the cover, to the beautiful illustrations (done by the author herself!), continuing with the story - which I can't wait to explore - "Guardian of the Underworld" feels soaked with magic. 
Yes, I know it is a children's adventure story, and I shouldn't get so excited about it, with me being a grown-up and all, but I am sure my inner child will enjoy it.

Rachel Tetley shared a few words on her book, with the occasion of its release:

It is about an eleven year old boy, Jake Summers, who finds himself on an adventure in a long-forgotten magical world, where together with his classmate Arianna and a strange creature called Noggin, he has to race against time through five deadly challenges to fulfill an ancient magical prophecy and save the world.

 It is along the lines of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" story. I have attempted to weave good strong family values and the importance of forgiveness.  It would appeal most to those who enjoy the likes of Fablehaven, Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

 

 It is the first in an intended series, although I’m not sure, at this point, how many there will be.

Thank you, Rachel! Looking forward to reading your story.

Interview with May Nicole Abbey

Caroline Gregory

Today we will be playing “Twenty Questions” with May Nicole Abbey, the authors of “The Fall Series”, which includes three fantasy-adventure-clean romance novels – “The Dreamer”, “The Scholar”, and “The Pauper” – up to now, with the fourth in the making.

And yes, I did say the “authorS”. No, it was not a typo. No, May Nicole Abbey does not suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder (as far as I know). May Nicole Abbey is two persons. May Nicole Abbey is the pen name chosen by two sisters, Caroline Gregory and Shawnette Nielson. Unusual? Yes. Original? Definitely. Successful? Absolutely!

Shawnette Nielson

1. How does this work, writing as a team?

Caroline:  It’s all over the place. First we pound out the general story with endless and wonderful phone calls (thank goodness for free mobile to mobile), then it just depends. Sometimes Shawnette does the first draft and I edit, or vice versa, or sometimes we write it together over the phone. Every book, every scene, is a new adventure. We don’t know where we will be compelled to go.
Shawnette:  What I love most is that we are each other’s biggest fan, even though we are so different from each other. To trust someone so completely is rare, to be able to hand over our work in progress and know that even if things are cut or changed, that it is done respectfully. I so value my relationship with my sister Caroline.

2. Do you have a plan – as in who will write what – before you start, or you just make it up as you go along?  
We make it up as we go along. We thought we had a writing strategy for the first book, then it changed for the second, still again for the third. We’re working on the fourth now, and we’re doing it yet a different way. Whoever has an idea says, “Let me give it a try.” Then the other sister edits the heck out of it. We’re very different creatively, so we both have lots to say when we get a first draft. And second. And third….

3. What gave you the idea to write as a team, instead of trying to publish separately?

It just happened. Shawnette had a wonderful idea for a story, and I got excited about it and helped her plan it. We live hundreds of miles apart, so on vacations or over the phone, it would come up and we’d get excited about it again and write a little more. It became ‘our’ story. When it was finished (ten years after we started it!) we thought we’d try to get it published. We never planned a series, but our publisher gave us a great idea for book two. Then the rest just fell into place.

4. Do you plan on publishing separately, or will you continue authoring as a team?

Caroline: We have big plans together. We have our series planned out to book 9, then we have more ideas all the way to book 27! Who has time to publish separately?
Shawnette: I think that I have recognized that my writing is incomplete without Caroline and so throughout the years, as I continually strive to improve my own talents, I also know intimately my own weaknesses. I think my writing will forever be better for Caroline’s added talents. Why work alone when it is so much more enjoyable to do it together?

5. How did you come up with the pen name you are using – May Nicole Abbey?

I liked the name May, Shawnette liked Nicole, and Abbey came about because we wanted to be first alphabetically. (This was before the internet played such a big part. In book stores, we wanted to be right up front!) We came up with the name years ago. When we decided to try to get published, we thought, “What pen name did we come up with?” We looked and just had to laugh. Shawnette’s daughter’s name is Abbey Nicole! It was meant to be!

6. What inspired you to write this series?

The phrase, “I had a dream once that I flew,” began it all. It popped into Shawnette’s mind about fifteen years ago and she rushed to find a pen to write it down. The rest was inspired by that one line. It plays a big part in the first three books, repeated throughout. In the third book it is one of the last lines. We plan on having it play some part in the whole series. Giving it its due.

7. Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?

Caroline: Shawnette has three kids and I have four. Our strange writing habits are that we are able to write at all! We promised ourselves our children wouldn’t have to pay the price for our dream, so we write when we can carve out time. Mostly at night after the kids are asleep. But I have had my computer in the kitchen as I cook, on the floor while the baby plays, and in the car while I’m waiting outside during the kids’ activities. You name it, I’ve probably written there.
Shawnette: I guess you could say that adaptability is key when you try to write with the responsibilities of motherhood on your shoulders. The challenge of it all makes it extra fun, though.

8. Does any of you identify herself with your protagonist, and if so, in what way?

We LOVE our protagonists, no matter how flawed they are. Each one I can identify with, or I envy. Heather, in the third book, is so spunky and fearless. How I love living through her eyes because I’m naturally timid. Rachel is intelligent and innocent, always making mistakes, but it doesn’t occur to her to care. Serena is simply beautiful. A beautiful nature. I wish I could love people as readily as she does. We love all our characters. We couldn’t write them like we do unless we loved them dearly.

9. Your series is about time travel. If you were able to travel in time, where would you go?

Caroline: We romanticize the areas we visit in our books. In reality we know these places had many challenges. Right now we’re writing about the American wild west. If I could visit a romanticized version, it would be that. The cowboys, the adventure, the grit and determination must have carved out hearty, wise character. I think that, in every book I write, it becomes my new favorite place, just like the characters become my new favorite people.
Shawnette: Could I have a free pass? I want to visit it all, live in a place for a time, learn of its beauties, and then move on. I would never stop.

10. If you were superheroes, what would your names be? What costumes would you wear?

Caroline: We are big superhero fans at my house. I love the powers of the little girl in The Incredibles. She could disappear and create protective force fields. Totally up my alley. Loved the outfit, too.  :)
Shawnette: As I think of all the superheroes, the ones that I admire the most are those that have a natural toughness built of grit and determination; Captain America, Wolverine. They were true heroes, not only because of their inherent talents, but because of their strength of character. My superhero power would be something that put me in the thick of it all, right in the fray; but would also require strength and determination on my part. Invincibility. My costume? Hmmm, I like Black Widow’s look. :)

11. If you could walk a day in somebody else’s shoes, who would it be?

Caroline: Jane Austen. She intrigues me. I love the way she saw people. To be able to write characters like she did, she must have really been able to read those around her. I would love to be able to write characters the way she did. I wonder what she’d think of me. The idea both fascinates and terrifies me.
Shawnette:  George Washington. What an example of a real life super hero. He was INCREDIBLE, and honorable, and good. Brave. Noble. Unstoppable. To know what he knew, feel what he felt; I would have so much to learn from him.

12. If you had to characterize yourselves with just one word, what word would you choose? 

Caroline: Right now it would be mother. That is ninety percent of my time. And I love it. But there is a writer there, too. I am a mother who writes. Or something like that.
Shawnette: Adventurer. Right now my adventure is motherhood, who knows what will be next.

13. Do you have pets?

Caroline: Do we have pets?? Two dogs, a poodle named Bennett and a pug named Darcy (sound familiar? Think Pride and Prejudice), four turtles named Spike, Crusher, Claws and Turbo, and a toad named Foot. (Did I tell you I have four boys?) I am also a part time zoo keeper, apparently.
Shawnette: I am in the process of downsizing our animals. At one point we had chickens, salamanders, fish, dog and cat. Now we have a yellow lab named Rusty who is my running companion and around good friend, and Echo our Russian Blue cat. She owns the house and everything in it, including Rusty’s bed, poor fella.

14. How do you relax?

Caroline: I watch TV. It lasts about five seconds… but it’s glorious.
Shawnette: I should sleep. When I’m making good decisions, I sleep. Most of the time it is not the case, and my relaxing time happens late at night when everyone has fallen asleep and I watch an old fashion movie.

15. What are your top three favorite books?

Caroline: Pride and Prejudice, Secret Garden, and Where the Heart Is.
Shawnette: Pride and Prejudice (who doesn’t love this book), I have to name a Georgette Heyer… maybe The Talisman Ring, Arabella, or The Masqueraders, and number three would be… Divine Center by Steven Covey.

16. What is your favorite movie or TV show?

Caroline: Soooo many to choose from. Probably Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow. Funny but with depth. Perfect balance.
Shawnette: I have found such charm in the old black and white movies. Adam and Evelyn is so charming. I loved it.

17. Do you read your reviews? Do you learn from your readers?

Caroline: I used to read the reviews religiously. But I realized it brought either ecstasy or agony. Neither very healthy emotions. Shawnette keeps me up to date with generalities, but for the most part, I try to avoid them. We get wonderful ideas from our readers. So often they see things that we didn’t see. It makes us look at the book in a new light.
Shawnette: I have to be careful, for the same reason mentioned by Caroline, but I can’t help myself. I try to learn from everything… as hard as it is sometimes. And reading reviews has brought me in contact with some incredible women (case in point, Anka :)

18. What advice would you give your younger selves?

Caroline: Don’t lose hope.
Shawnette: Write, write, write.

19. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Write, write, write. And read, read, read. The only way to get better is to practice. It isn’t entertainment anymore. It’s work. Not that you have to stop loving it. But I think you have to look at it a different way. Going from being a reader to a writer, you go from being an enjoyer of an art to a creator of it. You have to figure out how it works.

20. How can people discover more about you and about your work?

May Nicole Abbey's website
May Nicole Abbey's blog
May Nicole Abbey on Facebook
May Nicole Abbey on Twitter
May Nicole Abbey on LinkedIn
May Nicole Abbey on Pinterest
May Nicole Abbey's Amazon author page
May Nicole Abbey on Goodreads

Thank you, Anka. It has been such a pleasure!

Thank you, Caroline and Shawnette, for letting me pick your brains. This was a wonderful opportunity to find out interesting things about one (I should probably say "two") of my favorite authors, and I hope the readers feel the same.

The Golden-Chime Mermaid - Spotlight

Title: The Golden-Chime Mermaid and the Silver-Scaled Merman (The Merfolk of Gold Chime City)
Author: J. R. Hardin
You can find this book here: BQB Publishing, Amazon (Paperback), Amazon (Kindle Edition) and Barnes & Noble.

AUTHOR'S DESCRIPTION:

Tinkle, a Golden-Chime Mermaid and the protector of the underwater city of Gold Chime, is losing her power. So the city will stay safe, she must pass on her abilities to the young Golden-Chime Mermaid, Twinkle. But Twinkle has been captured by the evil warlock, Grim.

The city needs a hero to rescue the young mermaid, but for twenty years no hero has appeared. As time is running out, a young silver-scaled merman named Dart arrives to undertake the task. Dart must find the mermaid and free her from the large sea serpent that is guarding her. In order to free her, he must complete several quests. With every task Dart undertakes he faces more and more unexpected dangers, and he only has ten days to complete the quest before the old Golden-Chime Mermaid loses all her power.

EXCLUSIVE:

J.R. Hardin, author of numerous children's books, has released a new adventure story, "The Golden-Chime Mermaid and the Silver-Scaled Merman", which is to be the first in a series of Merfolk tales. With this occasion, he has agreed to answer a few questions:

1. What inspired you to write Golden Chime Mermaid?

I just thought a book about mermen and mermaids would be interesting. I like writing action adventure books, so I made it a quest chain story with lots of danger.

2. Who should read this book and why will they enjoy it? 

My books are chapter books for readers between the ages of eight and twelve. If they like action adventure stories then they would like my books.

3. What made you want to become a writer?

After I retired from working, I prayed for something I would enjoy doing in my retirement years. I received some mail from The Institute of Children's Literature about taking courses on writing for children. I finished a couple of the courses and started writing stories for middle grade readers.

Thank you, J.R. Hardin.
You can find more information on the author, his dog, and his books here: J.R. Hardin on BQB.

Cruentus Coniuro - New Release!

Title: Cruentus Coniuro
Author: J. Gairaud
Illustrator: Rocio Bertolina
You can find this book here: Amazon (Kindle Edition).

AUTHOR'S DESCRIPTION:

The lives of the Duke's daughters go by as pleasantly and normally as the lives of any two young girls who can each sprout a wing from their backs can: they enjoy dances, festivals and the attentions of young men, and then discuss all about them perched on the top of the old cemetery's church. However, everything changes with the arrival of a man, entangled in a battle between primal forces he can barely comprehend, and a dark woman with blood-red eyes.

EXCLUSIVE:

"Cruentus Coniuro", a YA fantasy/ romance/ supernatural novel, is being officially released today, June 15th. Jaqueline Gairaud, the author, has agreed to share some exclusive insight on her characters:

Despite all the gossip, rumors and boy troubles, Aleissa lived happily in her small mountain town. Always thankful to have been given the chance to live the live of a little duchess and of having her sister to talk and share in secrets. But things can't stay like that forever, the arrival of a mysterious man, who has been fighting his own battles for too long, will change the order within her and all around her.    

Thank you, Jaqueline! Looking forward to reading your book.

The Pauper by May Nicole Abbey (Tour Stop)

Title: The Pauper (Book Three) (The Fall Series)

Author: May Nicole Abbey

This book can be found here: Amazon (Kindle Edition), Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.

AUTHOR’S DESCRIPTION:

A mysterious stranger
A desperate mission
A grueling journey through time and space

Life had always been an exciting adventure to Heather Higgins. Even after the death of her father, the loss of a fortune, and a disappointing proposal, she yet sees the future as bright and full of possibilities. At the miraculous appearance of a mysterious man with piercing green eyes and a powerful intellect, Heather knows she has met her destiny. Whether he likes it or not.

In pursuit of a dangerous mission, Ammon Maharahi doesn’t have time for spoiled, doe eyed beauties. But no matter how hard he tries, he cannot dismiss her. Amidst his frantic travels through time and space in the effort to fix a dark future, his illness wears him down. He must find and stop a fellow time traveler before it is too late and all is lost. Tired, ill and disheartened, he wonders if he is fighting a losing battle when Heather Higgins is thrust into his path, infusing energy and life into his weary heart.

But time is running out. The answer lies with a gifted university professor from the future, as bizarre as she is brilliant. As Ammon and Heather race through time to unlock the puzzle, they know Ammon’s life and the future of all humankind slip closer to catastrophe with every tick of the clock. 

MY OFFICIAL REVIEW:

Title & Genre

I have to admit that, at first, the title “The Pauper” did not tell me anything. It really does not let you into the content of the novel. But, as I kept reading, I realized the irony and the humor behind it, the same characteristics of style that define the writing throughout. This is a historical fiction/ adventure novel, with elements of clean romance.

Theme

The theme is an unusual one: time travel. It is not disclosed from the beginning, the author letting us guess and discover along with one of the main characters, Heather. I was surprised by the notion of travelling through time without a time machine of sorts. Besides the fact that I find it very original, it is presented and explained in a way that makes it sound logical and believable. But I would not advise you to try it.

Plot

The main plot is based on the second main character’s, Ammon, determination to change the future, to reestablish order and to save people’s lives. Though his motivation seems selfless, Heather helps us discover that it might not actually be so, that his actions might be related to his wanting to change the outcome of his illness. In order to help himself and others, Ammon is on a quest; he is in the search of a woman, Rachel Madera, which becomes a sort of a Holy Grail in the book. Even if the character appears episodically, she is always present in the other characters’ minds and runs the action from behind the curtains.

The sub-plots are numerous, they develop and resolve, leading to other sub-plots. These are mainly based on the undesired love that grows between the two main characters, while they both fight it, the adventures they take part in, during their travels through time and space, the characters’ inner struggle, and, most originally, exquisitely hidden in the side notes of the journal-like novel.

Point of view

The book is written from the point of view of one main character, Heather Higgins. She is forced – or so it seems – to write her memoirs. At the beginning of each chapter, of each page of her journal, she adds the comments of and on her jailer. These comments become a story on their own and transform the novel into a story within a story.

Characters

The author seems to love all her characters, creating a bond with all of them, making the reader fall in love with them too. All the characters, no matter how little space or attention get in the novel, are very well delineated, portrayed through their actions, words or direct characterization. The main characters are Heather and Ammon, a couple that fights not for, but against their love. They undertake the task of changing the future, and they end up changing themselves and each other. It is difficult to choose a favorite here. I loved them all, I grew attached to them. I could see the crazy Rachel Madera preach about nanotechnology in 18^th century England before my eyes, I was taken care of and amused by the Vissers, I looked deep and analyzed myself together with Heather.

Setting

Because the theme is time travel, it makes sense that the action takes place in different moments in time and space – 18^th century England and Africa, ancient Egypt and the nowadays – but also on different levels of existence, in parallel universes, if you will.

The setting is essential to the plot development and influences the course of events, making secondary characters, like nomad tribes in Africa, pirates and Egyptian kings, possible and plausible.

Style

As I have said before, the book is written in a form of a journal or memoirs, with notes on the side, a story within a story.

The writing is full of humor, seldom the kind that makes you burst out laughing, but a more subtle form of it, which keeps you smiling for pages in a row. Irony and sarcasm also play a big role. Apart from the main characters incessantly teasing each other from beginning to end, irony is used as a characterization method or as a source of humor. The title is also ironic, but you will have to discover why by reading the book.

Dialogue is present throughout, as is inner thought, leading us directly to the characters’ core.

The language used is illustrative for each time period that takes its turn in the storyline. We read old English, modern US English and – what I guess are – Egyptian words.

These characteristics, together with the fast pacing, make the book an easy, fast, very interesting and, if I may say, delicious read. 

No criticism. At all. Nothing. I loved everything.
(Nothing to read here.)

Recommendation
I almost never say this, but you have to read this book! It is too good for you to miss out on. I recommend it to teenagers, young and not-so-young adults, readers of all genres, as the novel touches and quenches desire for adventure, romance, fantasy and history.

MY TWIST:

Favorite characters: the Vissers, the Dutch couple that took Heather and Ammon in. I share Ammon’s point of view on them, as I find them extremely entertaining, with their continuous fighting and endless sarcasm. Noticeable is the way the author uses vocabulary to emphasize their accent.

Favorite quotes: “She’s not trying to kill him. She’s just not a very good cook.” – I wonder if my husband says the same thing about me.

                          “Bugs. They were eating bugs. And still they smiled.” – Don’t get me wrong. I don’t like bugs. I hate bugs. I have an all-bug phobia. And I would certainly never eat them. The first two sentences of this quote give me the heebie-jeebies and make my skin crawl. But the third makes me burst out laughing. Each time I read it.

Favorite name: Rachel mad-as-a-hatter Madera – The humor that builds around the character, the exoticism of the name, or maybe just the fact that it reminds me of Madeira wines make this name a favorite.

Least favorite character:  Ammon – he is lovable and detestable in the same time. Sometimes I want to kiss him, sometimes I want to kill him. Or am I identifying myself too much with Heather here?

Least favorite quote: (Heather:) “Why did you kiss me?”(Ammon:) “Forgive me.” – men… they just don’t get it, do they?

Least favorite name: Cuddy – does this guy have cooties?

ASPIRIN OF THE BOOK:

News headline: “Woman kills herself by jumping off 24-story building after breakup”

Severe depression, caused by breaking up with her boyfriend, led a young woman to suicide yesterday…

Wrooong! She had just read “The Pauper” and attempted to travel through time.

Evolution of Angels by Nathan Wall

Title: Evolution of Angels
Author: Nathan Wall
You can find this book here: Amazon (Kindle Edition), Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Smashwords.

Author's description:

"'Your enemies will outnumber you. Your armor will define you.'
A second war in heaven is sparked by the actions of Azrael: the Arch-Angel of death. 

After his banishment, Angels all over existence flee to earth, masquerading as gods. Hints of their genetic code - and the unlocked powers therein - live on through the millennia, hidden in the bloodlines of their descendants.

Best friends, army Rangers Jarrod and Austin, are invited by a secret agency to participate in a program that would make them the ultimate weapons. The "Double-Helix," which unlocks hidden abilities in the Angels' human-born descendants, is not without its consequences. Participants will no longer be themselves, that is until a familiar face returns in human form."

Intro:

The first eBook of the series "Evolution of Angels" has its official release today, June 5th, and I have had the honor of receiving an ARC for an honest review. Here it goes:

My official review:

Title & Genre

The title “Evolution of Angels” is quite deceptive, as this book is not really about angels. Not in the form or from the point of view you would expect, anyway. It is an action-adventure/ urban fantasy/ science fiction novel that deals with superheroes who fight to save the world.

Theme & Plot

The eternal good versus evil theme is not hidden, but presented in a direct way, and we know from the beginning who is good and who is not. We have the angels and the superheroes derived from the angels’ essence on one side, and the creatures of the underworld – some of which you will recognize from Greek mythology and some newly-created by the author – on the other.The plot develops on different levels: present and past, human and supernatural. While the main plot seems to take over the novel, with the endless fights between supernatural beings, the secondary plots give a shape to the story, especially to its human side. Each character comes with his baggage, his inner fights and problems. While the author does not insist on these, it still gives us some insight into the characters’ lives.

Characters

The source of the characters seems to have its roots both in mythology – we encounter angels, Cyclops, satyrs, the Minotaur, Charon – and in video games - superheroes with their detailed armors and fantastic weaponry.

Author’s attitude towards his characters is detached, you don’t feel that he has a close connection or preference toward any of them.

As to character delineation, most of the characters are sketched, the author paying more attention to their appearance and especially their armors, than to the psychological or moral traits. The motivation behind their actions is well defined, though. The author prefers to “show” rather than “tell”, a laudable characteristic of his style. The numerous flashbacks in the novel show the motivation that drives them.

The characters are not static, but they change, drastically sometimes, from human beings to superheroes with amazing powers, or, in one case, from a tough researcher who disconsiders human life to a caring father and husband, when given a second chance.

               

My favorite character was Oreios, as he is portrayed with a sense of humor and is the only impartial character in the book; a mercenary monster who doesn’t care about anybody but himself and who chooses which fight is worth fighting by weighing the advantages that it would bring him. I also liked the way the angels are presented, not as innocent chubby cherubs, but as powerful (fully grown-up) beings, dressed in impenetrable armors and making use of weapons. They have a conscience, and they carry their memories from thousands of years ago.

Setting

In his story, the author makes us travel all over the world and beyond: from the Middle East to Russia and then to Texas; from the world as we know it to the underworld; from a normal, earthly environment to a secret base; from the outside to the inside of someone’s head. At one time, we even follow him through space, having a beautiful image of the Earth from out there.

Style

Nathan Wall’s diction floats between casual and slang, making you feel “at home” in his book. He is very original in the way he avoids “he said”/ “she said” tags after or before dialogue lines, by replacing them with action phrases, showing that the action takes place at the same time as the speech.

What I want to highlight is the dialogue itself: it is dominating the book, and I consider it a praiseworthy characteristic of Nathan Wall’s style.

Criticism

I would have liked to know more about the characters, about their personality. At the end of the story, I remained detached and could not relate to any of them.

Also, I think the endless fight scenes take place much too often.

I wish the author had put as much time and effort in describing the characters as he did in describing the fights.

Recommendation

This book will be loved by science fiction readers, and especially by those who enjoy playing RPGs (role-playing games).  

My Twist:

Favorite character: Oreios, a “bad dude, named after a cookie”, a mercenary who fights for whichever side seems to hold the winning hand at a particular moment. He has a very interesting and original supernatural power (you’ll have to read the book to find out what that is), he is quite funny and impartial, and he is probably the only character who doesn’t have a hidden agenda of his own. Or does he?

Favorite quote: “’Woo, go America,’ another drunk voice yelled out, prompting a cheer from the crowd, making everyone erupt in applause.” - This sounds just like a real-life speech. All that’s missing is the flying shoes (or is that too old of a joke for you?).

Favorite name: I’ll have to go with Oreios again.

Least favorite character: Elliot, probably the meanest guy of them all, the proverbial snake pretending to be a friend.

Least favorite quote: “pulled the blade out, releasing a gush of blood and guts” – eew!

Least favorite name: Hershiser – this name can be considered, by itself, a tongue-twister.

Aspirin of the book:

The phrase “you are an angel” changed its connotation for me. I’ll think twice before saying that to anybody again, and I certainly hope that the person to whom I’ll be saying it will not actually be an angel or one of his descendants.

The Cat Who Spied On Me - New release!

Title: The Cat Who Spied On Me
Author: Jane Oldaker
Cover art and illustrations by J.B. Mann of Fuzzballs*Fuzzywinks Illustrations
You can find this book here: Amazon (Kindle Edition), Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.

Author's description:

Excess holiday indulgence leads Mahoney into an ultra-secret undertaking placing him in an undreamt of predicament with only an unlikely ally for help. Arlo is required to marshal all available resources for a tactical mission and his spycraft is taxed to the limit. 

My recommendation:

"The Cat Who Spied On Me" is the 3rd book in the series "The Secret Life and Career of Arlo the Barncat", a series inspired by real life characters. You will be amused reading about Arlo, a covert spy tomcat, his friends and his enemies, and how they always get into some kind of trouble.

The other books in the series are "Arlo's Epiphany" and "The Littlest Spycat's First Christmas". Links below.

 

"Arlo's Epiphany" can be found on Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble.
"The Littlest Spycat's First Christmas" is free on Smaswords and Barnes & Noble.