Category Archives: authors
Quickie Book Review – The Eclective: The Apocalypse Collection
The Eclective: The Apocalypse Collection by Emma Jameson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a fabulous sampler of some of the most creative, talented indie authors on the market right now. Each story was inventive and wholly captivating. And I loved the way multiple genres were represented in the collection– having a little bit of something for everybody.
On a side note, the way each author approached the theme with such different techniques really jump-started my own creativity, so I’d highly recommend reading short stories in this format in order to get your own creative juices flowing 
Get your copy of The Eclective: The Apocalypse Collection today
A Day Late… Ebook Deals in Honor of National Coming Out Day (October 11th)
My sister always says I’ll be late to my own funeral. She’s probably right. I can picture it now, the hearse will have a flat, or the driver will be sleeping off a bender under the shade of an old oak tree
So I *technically* missed National Coming Out Day, but the good news is that the book promo organized by a fellow author to bring awareness to the event is running for several more days, so there’s still time to get some fantastic bargains of at least 50% off (and even some free books!) via Smashwords.
For those of you not familiar with Smashwords, the online book retailer has numerous formats available for customers who have everything from a Kindle to a Nook, and many others.
PROMO LINK: http://www.matthewgrantonline.com/comingoutdaypromo.html
Alex Owens Has A New Website
There are always thing that need doing when it comes to publishing and promoting, and one such item on our To Do list has been (for a while) was to get Alex her own author site.
Well, procrastination be damned! We’ve finally done it.
So hop on over to Alex’s new site, sign up for her email updates and take a glimpse into her sometimes-warped mind.
The Official site of Author Alex Owens
Related articles
- Kill Me featured on Indie Author Anonymous (quirkygurl.com)
- Kill Me, by Alex Owens is now available on iTunes! (quirkygurl.com)
Quickie Book Review – The Water’s Kiss by Harper Alibeck
Like everything else in life, I’ve been resigned to Quickies as of late. Sigh… Oh well, at least I got a good novella out of it! (So I suppose I should review the new book now right? Okay, here’s my take on The Water’s Kiss by Harper Alibeck.
I’ve read other works by this author before and loved them… and this novella didn’t disappoint as well. I love how the author combines historical detail (in a natural, unobtrusive ways) with feisty heroines and swoon-worthy heroes. As usual, the writing is tight and evocative, bringing the scenes (and dare I say, the waterfall?) to life for the reader.
I’m thinking this is going to be the start of a series of similar themed works, perhaps even bridging from one minor character in one book, to the star in the next. What an interesting idea, and one that I’m sure this author will be able to craft quite nicely!
Enjoy!
Related articles
- Quickie Review – To Love a Witch by Debora Geary (quirkygurl.com)
- Quickie Book Review – Lip Service by M.J. Rose (quirkygurl.com)
Kill Me, by Alex Owens is now available on iTunes!
Finally! The first book in the new Blood Chordseries, Kill Me, is available on iTunes via the iBook store. I’d post a link directly to it, but I can’t figure out how to snag the link 
If anyone knows how to snag a direct book link from iBooks, I’d sure love to know!
Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! The Hubs, Kiddo’s and I are off to an extended weekend of relaxation in the mountains of VA! I’m going to sit by a waterfall and zone out… even if it kills me
Source: alexmody.com via Karen on Pinterest
Beauty’s Punishment by A.N Roquelaure (Anne Rice) – Book Review
Beauty’s Punishment by A.N. Roquelaure
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s probably best to start of the review of this, the second book in the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy, with a section from my review of the first book:
“In order to read the Sleeping Beauty series, you mush set aside ALL of your preconceived notions about sex, sexuality, consensual sex– all if it should have no bearing on this story. This is not “your” story, it is the fictitious account of Sleeping Beauty and the Prince who awakened her (at least in the beginning, after which it becomes a story of multiple “slaves” and their many different views on BDSM.)
That above point is the key to not only reading the first book to completion, but the whole series, so I’ll say it again: SET ASIDE ALL OF YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS REGARDING SEX.”
While I enjoyed the first book, things really got interesting once I acclimated to the unique sexuality views prevalent in the series and the plot hooked into me with deeper purchase. At the end of book one, I immediately started reading this book, despite the fact that it was well past my bed time. For most of the first book, Beauty is safely (or not, depending on your point of view) ensconced in the Royal Palace where the BDSM themes have a royal bent. Until, that is, Beauty does something so inexplicable (and on purpose) to relegate herself to the nearby royal village to continue her servitude.
Thus starts this book, with Beauty cast into the wilds of the village, not knowing if the punishments that follow will be something that she can tolerate at all. More character viewpoints are introduced, and some of the originals (like the Prince) are never heard from again. I found the new players in the game enhanced the book and rounded out the full slave experience, and on the whole I think I liked this book the best out of all three.
I do feel that I should mention that underneath all the sexual sadism, like the layers of an onion, are the internal struggles among the cast, and their deep longing to understand and fully realize their true selves without the confines of societal norms and expectations. In that sense, these books are wholly literary, even if it’s hidden between the supple folds of what some may find to be perversion.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N Roquelaure (Anne Rice) – Book Review
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a huge Anne Rice Fan, I’ve had the Sleeping Beauty series on my Wish list for years. I waited so long to read it simply because I love Rice, and I think I was scared that if I didn’t like them it would taint anything else I tried to read of hers in the future. That said, I ultimately liked this book (and the rest of the series) but I could see how someone who didn’t “get” the book might be turned off any new Rice books forever.
Now, I’ve read some reviews and know that this series isn’t for everyone. Heck, if I’d have read it a few years earlier it probably wouldn’t have been for me either.
In order to read the Sleeping Beauty series, you mush set aside ALL of your preconceived notions about sex, sexuality, consensual sex– all if it should have no bearing on this story. This is not “your” story, it is the fictitious account of Sleeping Beauty and the Prince who awakened her (at least in the beginning, after which it becomes a story of multiple “slaves” and their many different views on BDSM.)
That above point is the key to not only reading the first book to completion, but the whole series, so I’ll say it again: SET ASIDE ALL OF YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS REGARDING SEX.
This is a different world, and as so, it comes with a very different set of expectations and beliefs regarding sexuality and pleasure. The word “rape” is only used a few times in the books to signify when a man (or men) force themselves onto another man (usually in the form of punishment for misdeeds). But even then, it’s used as an action-identifier, not a legal term and it doesn’t hold the same connotations as the modern usage.
Homosexuality doesn’t appear to exist in the context of the books as it does in our modern world either. In these books, PEOPLE have sex with each other. While some may have preferences towards type or appearance, the characters in this book are equal opportunity. It’s all just personalities and body parts, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh.
So, if you can set aside every opinion you have about sex and tuck away your “I am woman, hear me roar” mantras for a minute, then you may find these books enlightening and psychologically deep. Like several of the characters in the book are told (something similar at least)… if you can relinquish everything (control, preconceived notions, expectations, fears, repulsion, pride) then you will be free and open to the experience.
Strip away the adult bits, and Roquelaure (Rice)has penned a historical/ literary/ fantasy that is richly woven like a tapestry and full-bodied like a fine wine. Add back the naughty bits and see if you don’t come away thinking about these books for days, if not weeks.
(** I received this book free via Netgalley for review purposes. No monies were exchanged. )
Guest Post on Good Choice Reading (Day 9 -Kill Me Blog Tour)
Good morning and hold on to your shorts, because today I’m over on Good Choice Reading with a fabulously fun guest post from the main character Claire (from my new novel Kill Me) and she’s there to let everyone know Why Being a Vampire Mom Rocks.
Check it out and leave a comment, tweet or something. Pretty please, with Eric Northman on top?
Excerpt on Bookshelf Confessions & Interview on Wringing Out Words (Day 6 -Kill Me Blog Tour)
Alrighty! It’s day six of the blog tour and I’ve got something special lined up today over on Bookshelf Confessions– an excerpt featuring Claire and the dastardly Clive, from my new novel Kill Me.
So hop to it and check out the post, why dontcha!
Also, Wringing Out Words has an interview up today as well. From the everlasting boxers vs. breifs question to my favorite scene in the novel, we covered a lot of ground!
Kill Me Featured on Guerrilla Wordfare (Day 5 -Kill Me Blog Tour)
It’s finally Friday everyone! Since I’ve been fighting a toothache the last few days, so I for one am very glad to see the weekend come.
For today’s Kill Me tour stop, the book is featured over on the fantastical website Guerrilla Wordfare. It’s the brainchild of author Lizzy Ford, author of numerous novels including Katie’s Hellion. I adore this cover, don’t you?
Check out the feature of Kill Me on Guerrilla Wordfare if you get a chance, and while you’re there check out Lizzy’s books as well!
Related articles
- Author Interview on Independent Paranormal (Day 4 -Kill Me Blog Tour) (quirkygurl.com)
- Paperback Proof of Kill Me (Day 3 – Kill Me Blog Tour) (quirkygurl.com)
Author Interview on Independent Paranormal (Day 4 -Kill Me Blog Tour)
Whoo-hoo! It’s day four of the blog tour. (Hey, that rhymed!)
Today I’m over on Independent Paranormal with an Author Interview. I love this site, and Jennifer is the coolest raised-by-wolves girl I know. Plus, she asks some pretty quirky questions, and you know how much I love that!
So what are you still here for… Go on now. Get on over to Independent Paranormal!
Author Spotlight – Jennifer Rainey and Thoroughly Modern Monsters
Today I wanted to do a little something different, so I asked the fabulous Jennifer Rainey to stop by and tell us a little bit about herself and to give us a peek at her new book Thoroughly Modern Monsters. Enjoy!
1. Tell us a bit about the inspiration for Thoroughly Modern Monsters.
I wrote a short about a girl who befriends the gorgon living under her bed about a year ago, and the concept of monsters being integrated into human society really interested me. So I started writing more short stories that fit in with that theme, and I ended up exploring the lives of ghosts, werewolves, sirens, vampires… even a minotaur! And when I linked those stories together, they became Thoroughly Modern Monsters.
2. Would you be friends/associate with the characters in your books? Why or why not?
I would certainly want to at least associate with Quinnish, the half-siren character in “Carnival,” the longest story in the collection. He’s outwardly very charming and confident, but beneath that he’s a little unstable. I’d love to pick his brain. Also, he works at a carnival. Maybe he could get me free food.
To move over to These Hellish Happenings,my first book, I’d definitely be friends with the protagonist, Jack. We’re both horrible music snobs. I think we’d get along nicely.
I read exactly what I write, for the most part. I enjoy quirky paranormal/contemporary fantasy books, and that’s what I tend to write myself. However, I also have a degree in English lit, so after years of studying them, I’m quite fond of the Old Dead Guys, too. Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Huxley… I love old dead guys. In an uncreepy way, of course.
4. What do you think is alluring about your book? Why should someone pick it up?
Thoroughly Modern Monsters features a cast of very colorful and interesting characters. It can go from being hilarious to absolutely heartbreaking, and it’s also a fairly quick read. There’s twisted romance, not-so-heartwarming family reunions and a woolly, three-eyed monster named Brian. What more could you ask for?
5. If you can tell us, what is it you’re working on now?
I’m currently balancing two projects. One is the sequel to These Hellish Happenings, When Hell Freezes Over. It’s sort of in Editing Hell right now, but it should be out in the next year. The second installment follows the main characters as they travel through Hell, Earth and even along the River Styx to find their missing Lord, Satan. Hilarity ensues!
I’m also preparing a book called Green-Eyed, which will be out late this summer. It follows two paranormal investigators who get a little more than they bargained for on their latest case. It’s a little darker than my usual stuff (though still humorous, I think), but I really love it. It’s been so much fun to write.
6. And finally, everyone is so gaga over the idea of vampires vs werewolves. What two supernatural beings do you want to see do battle?
Dumbledore versus Slimer from Ghostbusters. I don’t know why. That was just what came to mind. It’d be a sellout match!
Now, a little bit about Thoroughly Modern Monsters!
