Tuesday 30 December 2014

Faith (Amish Romance) (The Amish Buggy Horse Series Bk 1) - By Ruth Hartzler

Hello Readers, 

I'm honored to present the wonderful Ruth Hartzler who has a great series of books out right now. I think what this author has come up with is amazing. I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the book itself along with the blurb. Maybe you will try this Amish Romance. 

Yes I believe that this should be its own genre of romance. 

Now onto Faith (Amish Romance) (The Amish Buggy Horse Series Bk 1) - By Ruth Hartzler

Blurb: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faith-Amish-Romance-Buggy-Series-ebook/dp/B00NTRYYT4/ref=cm_rdp_productFaith 
Book 1 of The Amish Buggy Horse Series (Amish Romance Fiction) 
by #1 Best-selling author Ruth Hartzler 
An Amish buggy horse by the name of "Blessing" is passed from one person to another, changing their lives in the process. 
For years, Nettie looked after her aged mother Elma, a demanding woman who did not want any involvement with the community. 
Now that her mother has died, Nettie is alone. She is regarded with suspicion by the local townspeople, and has had no visitors from her community for some years. 
Nettie's buggy horse has gone lame and has had to be retired, but Nettie cannot afford a new horse. Just as Nettie is despairing about not having any means of transport, a lost horse appears in her driveway, bringing with him far-reaching consequences. 
Daniel Glick is drawn to the lonely figure of Nettie, but Nettie wants to be left alone. 
However, when Jebediah Sprinkler tries to force Nettie to hand over her house, Daniel springs to the rescue. 
As Nettie's struggles mount, she has to decide whether to take the law into her own hands. 
And what will Daniel do when he discovers the secret that Nettie is hiding from him? 
Coming in this happy, feel-good, Amish romance series: 
2. Hope 
3. Charity 
4. Patience 
5. Kindness 

About the Author. 

Ruth Hartzler is also the author of the #1 Best-selling Amish Romance series, The Amish Millers Get Married. 

Ruth Hartzler's father was from generations of what people refer to as "Closed Open" or "Gospel Hall" Brethren. Ruth's mother, a Southern Baptist, had years of struggle adapting to the cultural differences, and always cut her hair, which was a continual concern to Ruth's father's family. Ruth was raised strictly Brethren and from birth attended three meetings every Sunday at the Gospel Hall, the Wednesday night meeting, and the yearly "Conference," until she left the Brethren at the age of twenty one. Ruth still has close friends in the Brethren, as well as the Amish, both groups descending from Anabaptists. Ruth's family had electricity, but not television, radio, or magazines, and they had plain cars. Make up, bright or fashionable clothes, and hair cutting were not permitted for women. Women had to wear hats in meetings (what others would call church meetings) but not elsewhere. The word "church" was never used and there were no bishops or ministers. All baptized men were able to speak (preach, or give out a hymn) spontaneously at meetings. Musical instruments were forbidden, with the exception of the traditional pump organ which was allowed only if played in the home for hymn music. Even so, singing of hymns in accompaniment was forbidden. 
Ruth Hartzler is a widow with one adult child and two grandchildren. She lives alone with her Yorkshire Terrier and two cats. She is a retired middle school teacher and enjoys quilting, reading, and writing. 

I never heard or knew much about the Amish when I started to read this book. I'm a plain old Baptist myself. I use to do some work in my church.

My Thoughts on the book: 

I was nervous reading a different kind of Christian book and soon realised it was a very different romance indeed. Until today I never knew the Amish used German words. I found the author didn't over use them. She had the perfect balance between romance, English and German rolled up into one neat package. I was so taken by the good quality of writing and the details that made this story sing that it has encouraged me to check out the rest of her series.

I also hope to read the other best selling series she has.

I only found two mistakes in the whole book and highly recommend this to more people.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you will come back again to see what other book I've reviewed. I'm also looking forward to posting about my other upcoming projects. 

Kristal McKerrington 

Sunday 28 December 2014

Welcome to Last Chance (A Place to Call Home Book #1): A Novel By Cathleen Armstrong Review

Dear Readers,

Today I'm posting the review I did for Welcome to Last Chance (A Place to Call Home Book #1): A Novel By Cathleen Armstrong. I have to say that this was a good book to start my ease into Inspirational Romance books. 

Blurb For "Welcome To Last Chance (A Place to Call Home Book #1) 

She's learned you can't count on anyone--but she didn't count on landing in Last Chance.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B85M54A/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img
Click To Buy
The red warning light on her car dashboard may have driven Lainie Davis to seek help in the tiny town of Last Chance, New Mexico, but as she meets the people who make this one-horse town their home, it's her heart that is flashing bright red warning lights. These people are entirely too nice, too accommodating, and too interested in her personal life--especially since she's on the run and hoping to slip away unnoticed.

Yet in spite of herself, Lainie is increasingly drawn into the small-town dramas and to a handsome local guy with a secret of his own. Could Lainie actually make a life in this little town? Or will the past catch up to her even here in the middle of nowhere?


"With equal parts hope, charm, and tender faith, Cathleen Armstrong spins a tale as warm and welcoming as a roadside cafĂ© on a dusty highway. Exit from the fast lane and visit Last Chance. It's a place you won't soon forget."--Lisa Wingate, bestselling and award-winning author of Firefly Island and Blue Moon Bay
"With an eclectic cast of characters and well-developed plot, Welcome to Last Chance pulls the reader in from the first blink of the warning light on the dashboard of Lainie's car."--Beth K. Vogt, author of Catch a Falling Star and Wish You Were Here
"An outstanding debut novel! Welcome to Last Chance gives us a warm but never sentimental view of small-town life, sprinkled with characters full of quirks and faults--all seen through the eyes of a tough but fragile heroine. Cathleen Armstrong has crafted a story to cherish."--Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of With Every Letter

"A wonderful debut novel . . . . Readers will enjoy the simplicity of Welcome to Last Chance and the complexity of Lainie's character."--New York Journal of Books

My Thoughts on the novel:

Those are the only two words that did this book justice. The story was perfect from start to finish. We really see the leading female go from the rough tough city girl to finding God and loving in a small town. When she is scared that her past is going to destroy everything that she has build. We see the small town Last Chance come around her. Not just her but we see how much a small town can love its members with the likes of when Fayette's son Matthew is hurt in a car crash. We see the whole small town try to keep Matthew on the straight and narrow. Each plot point was well thought out. I was going to give it 4 stars with the way that sometimes the language was hard to follow. I found myself having to re-read a couple pieces. I went with 5 stars as the way the characters sang they deserved that extra star. The flow was rough sometimes but worth sticking it out for. Looking forward to book 2.


Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you'll come back to see what I'm reviewing next,

Kristal McKerrington 

Thursday 25 December 2014

Winter's End-Clarissa Cartharn Review

Dear Readers,

Its the holiday period and I still had time to sneak this review out for all of you. Now I'm sure the author who wrote this story is very talented. Her name is Clarissa Cartharn. I must admit that I'm looking forward to sampling all of what she has on offer and to continue to read her work.

Winter End got 3 Stars

Blurb: 
http://www.amazon.com/Winters-End-Clarissa-Cartharn-ebook/dp/B00D1HSUE2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419520824&sr=8-1&keywords=Winters+End
Out Now

When young widow, Emma Winston leaves her life in London with her two children for the quieter Breakish in the Isle of Skye, all she wants is a simple life. And for a while, she thinks she has it. 

That is until she meets the mysterious Mrs Kinnaird who suddenly feels that Emma might make the ideal bride for her wealthy playboy grandson, Chris Cameron- a man who holds his own dark secrets. 

Further still, when Emma's brother-in-law, Richard Winston follows her to Skye to tell her he loves her, Mrs Kinnaird manipulates all her power to keep Richard away from Emma. 

Will Emma finally let go of her past and learn to follow her heart?

My Thoughts: 

 The love story involving Chris, which could have been longer. I love the elements that Ethel the grandmother to Christ Cameron offered. Richard played a great, well rounded role in this book and came out as a great under dog.

This book fell down with missing and over used words. I found myself wanting to edit and I'm not the best editor in the world.. I hate giving a book less than 4 stars but the lack of edits made it impossible for me to give it higher than three stars. It's a story I strongly recommend you read. I think the author has a lot to offer us and we have yet to see the full talent she has yet.


I hope that you will check out The Winters End because its a great story that it just needs another edit.

Thank you all for stopping by and I hope to have more reviews for you,

Kristal McKerrington

Friday 19 December 2014

Vampire Trouble- Sara Humphrey's 5 Stars

Dear Readers,

I'm grateful to be back here to give a great author a wonderful review. Her name is Sara Humphrey's and I had the pleasure of reviewing "The Vampire Trouble."

A fledgling vampire ignites a war...
Maya remembers the last moments of her life as a human with haunting clarity, and every man she meets pays the price...until Shane. Finding herself in the middle of a bloody fight between vampires and werewolves, Maya has no choice but to let the devastatingly sexy vampire guard get close to her.
And that's not all that heats up...
http://www.amazon.com/Vampire-Trouble-Dead-City-Humphreys/dp/1402274092/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1Shane Quesada, a four-century-old vampire sentry, is known for his cold, unemotional precision, but once Maya begins to invade his dreams, his world is changed forever. His job to protect her is swiftly replaced by the all-consuming need to claim her as his own.
The Dead in the City Series:Tall, Dark, and Vampire (Book 1, Dead in the City)
Vampire Trouble (Book 2, Dead in the City)
Vampires Never Cry Wolf (Book 3, Dead in the City, forthcoming March 2015)
Review: 
Maya has no memories of her past before being turned into a vampire. She was killed in a sexual assault before beaten to death. 
Now Shane and Maya are sent into a spiraling adventure that leads them on a journey that teaches them about gypsies, vampires, werewolves and shifters. What the other world could live like. When they become the second bloodmates in the vampire community they discover who strained their race really is. 
Tension continues to rise as Maya is hunted by werewolves and it turns out that her family has been hunted for generations. There is far more to her story than she knows. 
My Thoughts: 
Very few authors can knock out continuous books out of the park like Sara Humphreys does with her "Vampire series". She did well in her second book and has got the readers and myself all excited for book number 3. She earned the 5 stars for her book and I wish I could give her more. Sara has taken in my belief the "Vampire mythology" to a whole other level. 
I will definitely be adding the rest of her series to my "to be read list". I'm going to be checking out the "Amores Legends" series also. I hope to make Sara Humphreys a fixed author in my reading list and I hope you do too. 

Check back next time for more book reviews from myself. 

Kristal 

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Asmodeus: Demon of Lust- Sara Humphreys Review

Hello Readers and Followers, 

I have had the pleasure to review Asmodues: The Demon of Lust for Sara Humphreys and I hope that she will consider me for one of her reviews for the second book in this series. To offer a feature posting like this to such a talented author too my breath away and to me she should be up there with the likes of Christine Feeham and Sherrilyn Keyon so make sure that you check out this book. Its a must for any readers list!
Out now on Amazon

Blurb:
When Kai Kelly inherits her estranged grandfather’s estate in Bliss, Idaho, life becomes anything but blissful. The discovery of a beautiful but unusual ring in the attic, leads to much more than she bargained for. Kai may not realize what she has in her possession, but the boys in Hell sure got the message.

Lucifer and the six other princes of Hell, existed for several millennium believing that the Ring of Solomon–an object with the power to control demons– had been destroyed. However, the moment Kai slips the ring on her finger, the tremor of it’s power ripples through the underworld.

Knowing the ring’s existence could mean the destruction of all demons, Lucifer sends his six princes to earth in search of the ring and it’s bearer. There’s one catch, a demon can’t take the ring from it’s owner, it has to be given willingly…or they have to be dead.

Asmodeus, the Demon of Lust, is happy to have another opportunity to visit the mortal world and dally with a human female…or twelve. However, when he arrives on earth, he realizes Lucifer made all the demons mortal in an effort to keep them motivated, focused on their mission and immune from the powers of the ring. 

When Asmodeus meets Kai along a deserted section of highway in Magic Valley, it’s more than the ring she wears that catches his eye. He plans to woo the ring out from under her but before long, the lines between lust and love blur. 

When the other members of the brotherhood realize Asmodeus has found the ring, they descend on Bliss, determined to get the ring from Kai at any cost. 

When Asmodeus is faced with choosing between the brotherhood and his one true love, he realizes the battle for Hell is nothing compared to the battle for her heart.

Review:

Kai starts out thinking she is a normal woman cleaning out her estranged grandfathers house until Asmodeus rolls into the town of Bliss on hi Harely Davidson. Bliss will never be the same again and nether with Kia. Asmodeus must retrieve a ring that has welded itself to Kai's finger, this said ring is suppose to be able to enslave his kind Only there is an unexpected twist as they go on an mission to free Kia from the rings grasp.

With Witches, Fae and The Brotherhood of Hell getting involved nothing goes to plan. Through blasts of fire and light Kia gets her man before starting off a prophecy unlike anything else which has plagued these communities.

My Thoughts:

“The book kept me entertained after a slow start, but was delighted that I kept reading. I found that
the more I entered the story the more I became engrossed in the whole world Sara Humphries managed to create. I was addicted to the leading characters. I give this book 5 + stars and wished that I could give more, but sadly Amazon only allows 5. I highly recommend it to all Paranormal/soft Erotica readers. I want to give high praise to Sara Humphries for the right level of use of erotica in her novel. Well done!”

Thank you for stopping by and hope that you will come back for more of my blogs/reviews and thoughts. 

Yours always

Kristal 

Monday 3 November 2014

Review of Bodyguard Reunion- Margaret Daley- Guardian Inc Series- Love Inspired

Hello Readers,

So today I'm going to post the wonderful Margaret Daley's 5 Star review about her book Bodyguard Reunion. Enjoy and see you back next time for more reviews from me. Not that I do them often.

Teaming up with an old flame is not what bodyguard Chloe Howard would call a smart move. Nine years ago Chloe and T. J. Davenport worked on a case together, fell in love, then went their separate ways. Now she's reunited with the fearless bodyguard to protect a controversial couple on a book tour through Texas. And the reunion reminds Chloe of dreams best forgotten. She knows she has to keep her emotions in check so their clients' protection remains their top priority. Protection that is the only thing keeping them from falling prey to a stalker's deadly schemes.

Bodyguard Reunion was a little slow in getting started when it does Chloe and T.J find their backs against the wall. They must protect a famous Christian author couple who want to spread their message about families taking back America. 

Aaron the couple's son, test Chloe and T.J's abbility to protect his parents. There is a moment where (I the reader) think and believe that Aaron is behind the immedate threat to his parents. It unfolds that Aaron set the ball in motion for his parents horrible book/speaking tour. He hoped that the pranks would bring his parents home and make them spend time with him. His cousin Vickie takes over Aaron's plan and turns it into a death plan. 

A spooked teenager tries to stop the attacks but can't. After a shooting at the ranch brings the truth out of him. Nether Chloe or T.J will find their job isn't done when Vickie tries again to kill off Mary, Aaron and her husband. 

This job managed to bridge the nine year gap and allows Chloe to see that she wants more than just her job. T.J is also taken back to The Lord and find himself wanting more than just his bodyguarding job this brings the lovers back together. 

From the beginning of the book I could see a strong and wonderful writing style. She has a strong story and great chemistry with her two main characters. After the first two chapters I believed that he just not only kept the 5 stars she managed to convince me that it should be 10 stars, but Amazon only allows 5 stars. 

Congratulations Margaret Daley for your wonderful work and I'm looking forward to your other work. 

Sunday 2 November 2014

Margaret Daley is with us.

Dear Readers,

Please welcome the most awesome author I have had the amazing chance to meet and talk too. 

1. What genre do you read the most?

My favorite genre to read is suspense (thrillers, mysteries).

2. What genre do you inspire to write at a later point in your career?

I’m writing what I love to read romantic suspense. Since I’ve been writing thirty-five years, I’ve written in the categories I wanted. The only thing I might try and haven’t is a book like James Rollins—suspense mixed with adventure.

3. What has been the hardest point in your career so far?

After twenty books I went through an eight-year dry spell where I couldn’t sell a book. I tried quitting but writing is so much a part of me I couldn’t. Since then I’ve gone on to sell seventy-five books.

4. What has been the most interesting moment in your career so far?

Self publishing has been very interesting and I’ve enjoyed learning about it.

5. What drives you to write your books and what sparked off your passion for writing?

I’ve always been a storyteller from when I was growing up and an avid reader. One day I decided to put one of those stories down on paper. Although I wouldn’t show anyone that book, it was what got me started on the path of writing books.

6. What program has you addicted to watching it?

There are several—Arrow, Blacklist, and Games of Thrones. I do also like to watch suspense/crime shows.

7. What do you think is in store for your career in the next five years?

I have no idea. I hope writing a lot of stories.

8. Is there a book that you have re-read a hundred times?

No, because I’m a slow reader and there are so many books I want to read. My to read stack is high.

9. What is the film that you’re dying to see?

The third book in the Hunger Games.

10. How much of your day is spent on writing?

All day with occasional breaks

11. Will you do a long series in the future?

That depends on what you call a long series. I’ve got six books in Guardians, Inc. Series about female bodyguards. If I did, it might be from my romantic suspense self published series called Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations.

12. What do you want to do as your must have?
To visit Ireland and Australia.

Now let me introduce you to the wonderful book she has coming out this Christmas and its already on my buy list: 

Blurb for The Yuletide Rescue (Love Inspired Suspense, December 2014):
MISTLETOE AND MURDER 

When Dr. Bree Mathison's plane plummets into the Alaskan wilderness at Christmastime, she is torn between grief and panic. With the pilot—her dear friend—dead and wolves circling, she struggles to survive. Search and Rescue leader David Stone fights his way through the elements to save her. David suspects the plane crash might not have been an accident, spurring Bree's sense that she's being watched. But why is someone after her? Suddenly Bree finds herself caught in the middle of a whirlwind of secrets during the holiday season. With everyone she cares about most in peril, Bree and her promised protector must battle the Alaskan tundra and vengeful criminals to make it to the New Year. 

Alaskan Search and Rescue: Risking their lives to save the day


Thank Margaret for stopping by and I hope that you enjoyed being here. We hope that you the readers of the blog have had some fun, check by for the review I have done of Margaret's book Reunion of Bodyguards. 

Kristal 

Monday 20 October 2014

Kristal Reviews 6th Book of The Vampire Diaries

Hello Readers,

Here was my review on the 6th book of Vampire Diaries. Enjoy....

From the beginning I felt a strange awkwardness between Damen, Elena and Matt's characters. I often found myself hoping that the author wanted me (the reader) to feel this emotion. Sometimes the scenes dragged on and I wished for them to answer questions and to end. Not having Bonnie and Meredith as involved with interactions with Elena was also very off putting.

After experiencing the divide between Bonnie, Meredith and Elena's chapters really felt me feeling strange. The book I knew was meant to be running in synic with the other storyline she was developing sometimes felt strange, however I often found the scene jumps to be disjointed. From my experiences that's not a writing trick that is easily pulled off I do take my hat off for L. J Smith for trying.

The disappearance of Matt left me feeling awkwardly aware of his departure from the group for a long time. I wondered if she forgot about Matt for sometime. I even hoped he'd not been killed off or worse.. Yet he was to share half the story with Elena and her troop after the halfway point in the book.

Elena heads up her mission to free the love of her life Stefan while Matt wages war on the aftermath of the Kitsume in their home town. Cleaning up the messes left by the girls. Despite the half chapters, longer length of chapters and slight disjointedness I often found the sixth book in the Vampire Diaries an enjoyable read even the ending was a little fragile.

I love how the author liked in Japanese myths to the story as it makes for a nice change for me. I like how the shapeshifters were foxes also very refreshing.

Its straight easy 4 out of 5 for the disjointedness and divided chapters. Maybe something for the author to practice or avoid in the future.

Come back later for more reviews by me. 

Thursday 16 October 2014

Dan O Brien Back With Mobsters, Monsters and other things....

Dear Readers, 

Please welcome Dan who is here to tell us about his new comic book Mobsters, Monster and Nazis. He's a great writer and has a love for the independent readers like you and me. So please enjoy what he has to say below. 


Well, the time has come to announce Dan O’Brien’s latest project: Mobsters, Monsters & Nazis: a collaboration between Dan O’Brien and Steve Ferchaud, who illustrated Conspirators of the Lost Sock Army and the Loose Change Collection Agency

What I am revealing today is the sketches for some of the interior illustrations (which will be black and white) of the first issue. 

It will be released as six issues (eBooks) starting on Halloween. It is influenced by film noir, pulp comics, and an abiding love of Lovecraft. It is now available for pre-order and Dan will be promoting it heavily starting in the month of October. 

He would love to hear what you think of it so far! Visit him at: http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter, @AuthorDanOBrien




Thank you Dan for coming along and I'm sure my readers will check it out.

I hope you all enjoyed Dan's blog and I look forward to talking to you all again soon,

Kristal 

Thursday 28 August 2014

Welcome Publisher and Author at St. Martins Press Brendan Deneen

Hello Readers, 

I want to welcome a friend of mine at the wonderful St. Martin Press publishing house Brendan Deneen. A man to whom I first met when I submitted a book to and have since gotten to know. He's got a great eye for detail and great taste. So here is the interview that I conducted with him for all of you. 


What made you want to write the book?

I wrote my first novel at 18. Ever since I could pick up a pencil, I’ve been making up stories.  THE NINTH CIRCLE is the fourth novel I’ve written but the first to be published.  I started working on it in 1995, so it was a long time coming.

Why did you choose the genre that you did?

I based this book on Dante’s INFERNO and knew I wanted to tell the story of a kid running away to the circus, so I think the genre just kind of created itself.  It’s hard to pinpoint.  I guess it’s a mix of horror, coming-of-age and magical realism.

If you were to name a favourite scene what would it be?

I love the scene where Mr. Atlantis is underwater and the three lion tamers are trying to get a reaction out of him, but nothing they do works.  It drives them fricking crazy!

What part of the book that you found the hardest to write?

Everything after the first 50 pages.  I wrote and rewrote the first 50 pages for YEARS.

When and how did you get the idea for the book.

After I graduated from college, I was toying with what to write next.  I knew I wanted to tell a circus story, mostly because I think we (humans) treat animals so poorly.  I was also interested in INFERNO.  My girlfriend at the time (now my wife) suggested combining the two ideas.

What do you look forward to the most with this book being on sale?

I just love the fact that strangers are reading the book…and that some of them are loving it.  That’s such an amazing feeling.

Where do you see your story going?

I do have a sequel starting to percolate.  After all, the Divine Comedy is a trilogy……..

Thank you Brendan for being on and I'm sure that I'm going to check out your book for sure and hope that the rest of those who reads this blog will also find it an interesting one to add to their booksheleves. 

Come back again soon for another interview or even a review from myself or even Joe. 

Kristal 

Monday 28 July 2014

Welcome Dan Wright To The Blog



Dear Readers, 

We have a great guest for you today. His name is Dan Wright. So please welcome him and see what a great book he has for us today. 

Thanks to Kristal for having me on her blog today. For this guest post, I decided to tell you guys a little something about the event known as The Black Hurricane. Which, within the context of my Draconica series, was an important event that shaped Draconica to how it was today. It may also hold the answers to what Final Ragnarok is. Hope you guys enjoy learning this part of Draconican history!


The Black Hurricane

c.5000 Old Era



Over five thousand years ago, the dragons created the world of Draconica. The most powerful of them all was Jeova. From across the Universe, he and his other dragons brought life to the planet. And the mortals loved him. Jeova, in turn, loved his followers and showed them kindness and compassion like they were his own children. Even though they fought and killed each other, the world of Draconica was mostly at peace.

That was until the dragon Abadon, wife to Jeova, went on a rampage across the planet, destroying all mortals in her path, burning everything in her wake. Jeova and the dragons used all their powers to stop Abadon. But Jeova could not bring himself to destroy his wife. So, summoning up all his power, he created a prison for Abadon to live in for all eternity, chained in darkness. Jeova himself also created another dimension so that he could oversee Abadon from his eternal sleep. For it was only this way that he could keep Abadon a prisoner.

From here on, two more worlds were created. The Afterworld, where the souls of the pure and kind would live on in paradise – and the Necroworld, where those who had evil in their hearts would be tortured by Abadon and made to pay for their sins.

Why Abadon attacked in the first place is a subject of much discussion and debate on Draconica. The followers of Jeova say that Abadon was jealous of her husbands’ love of the mortals and that she lashed out at them for revenge. Others say that she became tired of the mortals blaspheming against the dragons and killing each other and she sought to teach them a lesson. Others have a much more darker opinion of why she did what she did. One thing is for sure, for over 5000 years, Abadon has been lying in the darkness. The pure, undiluted rage she feels now has never abated. Her only solace torturing those that came to her lair.

Should she ever escape from her darkness, Draconica would surely suffer...


Tuesday 15 July 2014

Welcoming Robin To The Blog

Dear Readers,

Robin who's turned out to be a great supporter of my books has joined us to talk about her book. Her work. I'm honoured to have her here today and to be talking to her about the adventures that she has every day. Because as authors that is what we do. We have adventures every single day.

What made you want to write the book?

I lived something extraordinary and simply felt compelled to share what we experienced in war from a perspective not usually heard (a young woman’s emotional perspective).

Why did you choose the genre that you did?

It started out as a straight memoir, but three particular contemporary writers turned the ‘memoir’ into a dirty word. Memoir now needs to be vetted, and since over half the most important people in the book are dead, that wouldn’t be possible. I decided it would be easier to tell the story I wanted to tell by turning it into a novel.

If you were to name a favourite scene what would it be?

My favorite scene…wow, that is a tough one. What can be ‘favorite’ in war? I think my favorite chapter is “Green Eyes”, it is the encapsulation of how I felt about going over there, it was all about the boys, the soldiers. There were other moments I actually did enjoy, being in a USO show, sharing love with two remarkable men, the friendships, but it was war, and that was what I really wanted the story to show, what we lived.

What part of the book that you found the hardest to write?

The Broken Heart”, the chapter as I left Vietnam the last time. I am welling up just thinking about those two days, the hardest in my life. It changed me forever.

When and how did you get the idea for the book.

I have kept journals all my life, and I almost burned the four I kept in Vietnam during my two tours. I found I couldn’t let them go. They sat in boxes, on shelves for years, until one day I had to take them down and put them into a form that would tell my story, our story.

What do you look forward to the most with this book being on sale?

I worked for many years trying to get someone/anyone to see the value of this book in its various forms as it morphed, and while everyone said they loved it and thought I was a great writer, no one knew what to do with it. It was so many genres…and not…that I finally just gave up and posted it to my personal website so people could read it. Too many Vietnam vets were dying every day, some who would have deserved to read it.

Where do you see your story going?

At this point I would love to see a cable company or production company pick up the film or TV rights. I think the piece is very cinematic and would make an amazing limited-run cable series. Frankly, at the moment I am working very hard as an editor and just don’t have the time or the heart to take this up right now. Maybe someday…but since I went through at least a dozen publishers, and two agents and four editors, all of whom wanted me to change it into something I didn’t want it to be, it’s going to take a convergence of angels to bring about the right match. Unless/until then, it’s free for everyone to read and share in what we all lived. I don’t think much of traditional publishing at the moment.



Thank you for coming a long Robin and I hope that you enjoyed sharing your take with those who are reading this blog. 

Kristal 

Sunday 13 July 2014

Joe E Legend Sharing His Thoughts

Dear Readers,

During my down time I got my co-author to sit down to answer some of the questions we have gotten over the past number of months leading up to Marie's World release. Please enjoy what he had to say below:

What made you want to write the book? 

I thought it was an interesting story and I could identify with the character.

Edge, Joe and Christian
Why did you choose the genre that you did? 

My chosen profession of 20+ years drew me to the ideas of it. Being a parent to twins was a huge help as well. 

If you were to name a favourite scene what would it be? 

Too many to name, but anything where Charlie swallows his pride to make good with his daughters. I admire that.

What part of the book that you found the hardest to write?

Anything to do with the dancing. I have no connection with such material outside the book so I couldn't contribute realistically to it on paper.

When and how did you get the idea for the book

About 2 years ago or so and in cahoots with my co-author. 

What do you look forward to the most with this book being on sale? 

Just the idea of having my thoughts and ideas in other peoples heads. Hoping they connect as I do.

Where do you see your story going?

A million directions, but ultimately to a happy destination

I want to thank Joe for dropping by. He often writes a small piece for Charlie's Thoughts over on his blog. You can read it at http://charliehitchen.blogspot.co.uk/ He's delighted you stopped by today to get his thoughts on the world of Marie. 

Stop by next month for more thrilling posts and maybe some guest authors. 

Kristal