Sunday, 13 November 2011

SAVE A TURKEY, GOBBLE A BOOK BLOG HOP TOUR (NOV 14-21)


COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, DREAM, EAT, LOVE, HOP ON THE TOUR


 
 
SAVE A TURKEY, GOBBLE A BOOK BLOG HOP TOUR (NOV 14-21)






HERE ARE THE RULES

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, November 14, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

    THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, November 21, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
    Winners will be drawn and posted November 22nd! ***

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS & BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

  
5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR & BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

 

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!***Authors & Book Pages have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules*** 

 

Follow my blog, follow me on twitter @ CeCeMR, and leave a comment with your email address so I can contact the winner.  You’ll be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift certificate. 
(Five winners will be chosen.)

Good luck! 

Cecilia M. Robert 













HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING.


Click  HERE  to return to the Blog Hop Linky List.
              

Saturday, 12 November 2011

Flashes of Revenge By Darren Sant

Flashes of Revenge
Author: Darren Sant
Book Title: Flashes of Revenge (6 short stories)
Source: from Author


Revenge is one of the most powerful motivating forces we can experience. A wild justice that seeks no counsel or consults no jury. People have written films about it such as Quentin Tarantino's epic two-film extravaganza Kill Bill. There have been classic novels such as Carrie by Stephen King.

Flashes of Revenge is Darren Sant's take on the idea of revenge. It's not all blood and guts. He takes a humorous sideways glance at the idea in one or two stories. Revenge can come in many forms. It can be as brutal as a stiletto to the kidneys or as cruel as a rabbit in a pot.

Are you ready to look below the surface at the dark heart of revenge? Flashes of Revenge is a collection of six short sharp tales that will leave you looking over your shoulder and wonder who might be after you.

A man walks the streets on a rainy night with just one sinister goal in mind.

A cynical hard drinking rock journalist has a surprise in store back stage at a gig.

An arranged rendezvous in a smoky dive on the wrong side of town.

A man awakes to find he is bound to a chair and with no idea why.

Two bitter rivals in a show down in a New Orleans alleyway.

Two old guys meet in a pub but is all as innocent as it seems to onlookers?


My Review:
Revenge is bittersweet.Darren Sant's Flashes of Revenge is a collection of 6 short story, where revenge is served fast,mercilessly and without warning.



In just a few words the author manages to tell a complete story, capture its mood with descriptive writing that is wonderfully done,the character traits and thoughts and the motivating factor for revenge. It was a fast, entertaining read and I enjoyed the stories, particularly 'The Ungrateful Dead'.


If you are a fan of intense stories that don't shy away from the human nature and give you a visual of the character's surroundings and thoughts, short stories that give you a full story in just a few words, I would recommend Darren Sant's Flashes of Revenge. Totally looking forward to reading other written works from the author. 

5/5 stars

Thursday, 10 November 2011

Beg for Mercy Review

Title:     Beg for Mercy
Author: Shannon Dermott
Soure:  Goodreads Read to Review

Everyone dreams of that first kiss. Of that magic moment when your lips finally meet those of that special person you’ve waited your whole life for. A little awkward, a little scary, a little hot and every bit amazing. We speculate that the whole world will shake and time will just stop. No one, however, ever imagines that kiss to bring Death himself knocking.

Sixteen year old Mercy Moore's life just got more complicated. The kiss that originally could have meant she would finally have a boyfriend now was the kiss that could have very nearly ended his life. A small detail her mother conveniently never told her will take her life for an abrupt u-turn. Dating, no love, was now completely and utterly impossible. And the boy well, that boy would never be the same.

But life, however cruel, goes on. Far too soon for her taste, Mercy finds herself at a senior party with the elite students of her school and her best friend. And of all things, playing a stupid game that could very well mean the death of someone in that small room. If it were not for her best friend, the hottest guys in school, and a small need to fit in, she may have been able to escape the disaster that was to come. Her worst nightmare, her personal curse, her very life, only gets dangerously worse.




My Review:
 
This is one of those books if you start reading, make sure you have enough time to read it in one sitting. If it's possible. I didn't know how good this was, so I had a hard time putting it aside to do other stuff. I loved reading it.

Mercy is a half demon. She discovers how deadly her kiss is for the first time when she kisses her human best friend, Paul. And since then she keeps her distance to avoid hurting or kill anyone. One night at a party, with just a single kiss from one one of the boys from her school, the interest in her skyrockets. Suddenly she's attracting boys like moths to a flame. The description is so well done, I could just see their faces in my mind.

Mercy's character was well drawn out, and it was super-fun seeing the world through her eyes and the conflicts she was facing (on top of her being a teen). The other characters were also very well drawn out.The book is written in a style that is uniquely the author's. I liked the idea the author used of using Mercy's SAT words at the begining to every chapter, which made the book even more enjoyable for me

It does need some editing, but that did not stop me from enjoying this novel. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading good YA paranormal novel.

Rating: 5 stars

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Character, character!

Sometimes when I look back and think on my life as a pre-adolescent. Life was good, nothing to stress about. (well, other my homework. And that used to give me headaches on so many levels.)
I was stubborn, rebellious, loved the members of my family (when they weren't getting in my way) and had average grades in school, conflicted, loved challenges even if they included fighting. My interests were more in gymnastics and whenever I found an interesting book to keep my plotting mind occupied, I was happy. Otherwise, I'd head out and play with the boys and girls in the estate where we lived back then which is not something you get to see these days.
Coming from a family of five children, I definitely had to wedge myself in there to find a place just for myself.
I wasn't the kind to take insults either.  One time, a boy in primary school insulted a girl I knew. The girl shrunk back, but I jumped on my feet and confronted him. My mouth was always faster than my mind which always landed my in trouble. The boy didn't back down either, and called for a challenge. A fight, sort of a duel of which I readily agreed with so much enthusiasm. How dare he insult the girl species! The 'duel' was set to be the next day on Friday in a small field close to where I lived.
Later, I wondered what was wrong with me. Trouble didn't follow me, I always seem to follow trouble.
Come Friday, I was a trembling bag of adolescent rebelliousness, but I put on a brave face, accepting hugs from my girl friends, and ignoring the snickers from the boys.
By four pm, the small field was full of spectators, no single cloud in the sky. At least if it rained, the fight would have been scheduled for another day. Or never. 

Apparently my younger brother, being so proud of me, had advertised to all his friends, and there's nothing as mouth-watering as a fight, especially when one of the fighters is a girl. Someone slapped a whip in my clammy hands, and I almost dropped it. Taunting from the boys permeated the air, making me sweat even more.  I made a resolve and glared hard at the crowd of onlookers. And my duel partner arrived with an entourage. (I didn't have any, just my brother.The girls who were supposed to be my cheerleaders glided away and merged with the  crowd, and became inconspicuous)
So, all in all, we fought, and emerged almost a winner, if it wasn't for the whip that tripped me.
That evening, I received an earfull from my mom, which involved a long, long lecture and her throwing hands up in exasperation. Then tended to my numerous wounds. I laid low for a week or so, before bouncing back to my old self.Being otherwise was just not exciting for me.


This is a character I would like to create for a story sometime.


What's your dream character, or a character you'd like to create for a story?

Sunday, 6 November 2011

Almost kiss, an excerpt from Emlyn Chand's Farsighted

 Today I'd like to share an excerpt from Emlyn Chand's hot new paranormal novel, Farsighted (it just released on 10/24). Before diving in, check out this teaser for the book:




Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider.


Okay, now that you're caught up, on to the excerpt! I hope you'll enjoy it.

Almost Kiss

an excerpt from Farsighted, chapter 7



Simmi and I arrive at this rally point together from Mrs. Warszynski’s to wait for Shapri. Several minutes go by. I want to suggest we leave without her but don’t think that’ll score me any points with Simmi.


“You didn’t want Shapri to come tonight, did you?” Simmi asks.


“Well, I—no, I mean, it’s fine. I’m glad she could come,” I sputter.


“You’re such a horrible liar,” Simmi teases, pushing me playfully.


“Hey, that’s not fair. I can’t hit you back. You’re a girl.”


“I’m just teasing you.” Simmi blows a raspberry and pulls her body up onto the circular wall surrounding the flagpole area. I hesitate before pulling myself up too. Simmi scootches over so we touch at the hip. She loops her hand through the crook of my arm and places her head on my shoulder. “I never would have gotten away with this in India,” she says. “But I’m glad I can here. I’m a psychic feeler. I need to be in touch with others.” She pauses and strokes my arm with her free hand. “You know, when I touch someone I can make them feel what I want them to, but I can also sense their existing emotions. It’s almost the same as being able to read minds. Everything important has to do with the heart, not logic.” She lightens her tone. “But don’t tell Dr. Brown I said that, he’d take marks off of my next chem exam out of spite.”


I laugh nervously. Is she like Miss Teak in a way? Can she read my feelings for her? If she can, why hasn’t she said anything? I contemplate reaching over and kissing her, so I can know for sure how she feels. But I’ve never kissed anyone before. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to initiate it. Do I take her out for dinner and a movie first? Or make some lengthy speech declaring my intentions? Do I kiss her, just like that? Or do I ask for her permission before making my big move?


I decide to ask if it’s okay. Simmi is a classy girl. She needs respect. I swallow, hoping the motion will open up my airway, because right now, I’m kind of having trouble catching my breath. “Simmi,” I start.


“Yeah, Alex?” She lifts her head and links her hand in mine, nudging her slender fingers in between each of mine.


“Would it be okay if I…”


“There you two are!” Shapri says, running over to us, panting heavily. “I thought we were meeting in the commons.”


“No, we agreed on the flagpole,” Simmi says, hopping down from the wall.


The moment is gone. I don’t know when I’ll get the chance and the nerve again. My opinion of Shapri transforms from cautious indifference into outright hatred. Why did she invite herself along?


Shapri clears her throat. “Did I—Did I interrupt something here? Maybe a little romance?”


“What? No, no,” Simmi says shaking her head adamantly. “Nothing like that, Alex is like a brother to me.”


Ouch. Pain. Stabbed in my heart. I’m like a brother to her? I guess this means romance is off the table…




Blog Tour Notes



THE BOOK:  Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t.  When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Get your copy today by visiting Amazon.com’s Kindle store or the eBook retailer of your choice. The paperback edition will be available on November 24 (for the author’s birthday).


THE CASH PRIZES:  Guess what? You could win a $100 Amazon gift card as part of this special blog tour. That’s right! Just leave a comment below saying something about the post you just read, and you’ll be entered into the raffle. I could win $100 too! Please help by voting for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll. To cast your vote, visit the official Farsighted blog tour page and scroll all the way to the bottom. Thank you for your help with that.


THE GIVEAWAYS:  Win 1 of 10 autographed copies of Farsighted before its paperback release by entering the giveaway on GoodReads. Perhaps you’d like an autographed postcard from the author; you can request one on her site.


THE AUTHOR:  Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!


MORE FUN: There's more fun below. Watch the live action Farsighted book trailer and take the quiz to find out which character is most like you!








Easy Sunday

Today I'm home with the children, doing the final touches of the second installment of 'The Grim Reaper's Novice' then send it over to the publishers. As much as I wanted to participate in NaNoWrimo, I couldn't. I had already oultined my story (A historical romance set in Vienna 1880s) and I was really looking forward to writing it. But I have a lot going on at the moment, so I guess I will just write it after Grim Reaper's Novice.

My current read is 'Beg for Mercy' by Shannon Dermott, and I'm enjoying it so far. Anyone ever read it?

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Dear Jacob Black - Letter to Twilight heart-throb

This is a guest post by Emlyn Chand, author of Farsighted



Dear Jacob Black,


Hi. How are you doing? Me? Not so good. You see, I have a bone to pick with you (tacky pun intended).


Okay, first of all, why on God’s green Earth did you ever fall for Bella? I mean, really. Even the most fanatic of Twi-fans can’t understand what you see in her. You are so much better than Bella Swan-Cullen (insert gagging noises here).


No, don’t get down on yourself, you are!


Look at you; you’re a hulking stack of gorgeousness both on paper and on-screen. You’re also really sweet and funny and strong and... swoon... Did I tell you that my husband is Indian—mind you, he’s not the same kind of Indian as you, but yeah, I appreciate that look (wink, wink, Jakey boy).


Back to my point... I don’t think I ever would have finished the entire Saga if it hadn’t been for you. You are just the kind of guy I would love to be friends with. You made Twilight so, so interesting. And that scene at the end of Eclipse when you told Edward that Bella loves you too? I almost died. I mean, that was one of the best scenes in modern fiction. Seriously, Jacob, it was, and that was because of you!


It’s cool how you were always there for Bella, no matter what the consequences—not that she deserved your unwavering loyalty. It is also cool how you not only ride motorcycles, but you also fix them. You’re a man’s man and a ladies’ man, Jacob Black.


But do you wanna know what’s not cool? It’s so not cool how you fell in love with baby Renesme.


So. Not. Cool!


I understand that there was some kind of cosmic imprinting thing going on, but yuck! I mean, she’s a baby, and she’s not even interesting anyway. I personally think your saga would have ended much better if there had never ever been a Renesme. She shouldn’t’ve existed not only from the freak of nature standpoint (cus let’s face it, you’re a freak of nature too, and I like you a whole lot), but from a literary standpoint. I don’t feel like she contributed to the plot at all. It was kind of a mess.


But what do you know about that? Did I just rock your world by revealing that your whole existence takes place within the pages of a book? I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to reveal this secret. Darn it! I have to be more careful.


But now that you do know and hopefully you’ve recovered from the shock a bit, I have to say this: the imprinting business with Renesme, that’s not really the universe playing games with you. It’s Stephenie Meyer. Oh, in case you didn’t know, Stephenie Meyer is the name of your God. She created you.


Anyway, I believe she had you imprint on Renesme for two reasons:


1. She didn’t want you to be alone after Bella rejected you but also decided to keep you hanging around on a tight leash (another bad pun, sorry) – but this bit shows that your God does love you – yay!


2. She was sick of people saying that 100ish-year-old Edward diggin’ on 18-year-old Bella was disgusting. She wanted them to be like Romeo and Juliet, so innocent, so fated. So what does she do? She takes the heat off of them by giving you an even more disgusting love affair. Gee, thanks, Steph.


I personally think you should be with Leah Clearwater. Maybe if the two of you both gouge out your eyes all Oedipus Rex-style, that horrific imprint will go away, and you can just be together.


I also think there’s a chance you could find happiness with Shapri Teak—she lives inside of my book, Farsighted. I’d be more than happy to introduce you...


So...


In summary, while Ms. Meyer clearly loved you, she loved Edward more.


Just like Bella. Ha, burn!





I come from a place of kindness. Eternally yours,












PS Edward sucks! Team Jacob!


PPS Do you know a guy named Sirius Black? If so, are you related to him? You have more in common than just your last name---aaaaawoooo!





Blog Tour Notes



THE BOOK:  Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t.  When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Get your copy today by visiting Amazon.com’s Kindle store or the eBook retailer of your choice. The paperback edition will be available on November 24 (for the author’s birthday).


THE CASH PRIZES:  Guess what? You could win a $100 Amazon gift card as part of this special blog tour. That’s right! Just leave a comment below saying something about the post you just read, and you’ll be entered into the raffle. I could win $100 too! Please help by voting for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll. To cast your vote, visit the official Farsighted blog tour page and scroll all the way to the bottom. Thank you for your help with that.


THE GIVEAWAYS:  Win 1 of 10 autographed copies of Farsighted before its paperback release by entering the giveaway on GoodReads. Perhaps you’d like an autographed postcard from the author; you can request one on her site.


THE AUTHOR:  Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!


MORE FUN: There's more fun below. Watch the live action Farsighted book trailer and take the quiz to find out which character is most like you!