Tag Archives: ebook

Book Review – Driving Me Nuts by PJ Jones

Driving Me Nuts!Driving Me Nuts! by P.J. Jones

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having read a short story by PJ Jones (Ralphie the “Special” Werewolf, I think it was) in an anthology collection, I already knew the Jones has some serious comedic chops. So I expected this novel to be funny based on that and of course the cover. And it was… that’s quirky-funny, not silly-funny. There is a big difference.

What I wasn’t expecting was for Driving Me Nuts to have some substantial meat to it as well. Funny yes, but only funny– no. In fact, the absurd/ crazy moments balance out the more serious notes perfectly, making for a complex, satisfying novel.

And what better way to deal with life in all it’s craptastic glory, than to inject a little humor into it? In the end, I knew those damn nut-jobs, felt like they were friends or neighbors. Who am I kidding– they were my kin :-)

Excellent fast-paced, quirky plot, tight writing and 3-D :jump out at you” characters. I will not hesitate to read more books my PJ Jones. In fact, I’m off to search for whatever else she’s written.

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As an aside, Amazon Select seems to have lost it’s luster (more on that once I get all my thoughts together) so I’ve decided to go ahead and burn through the last few freebie days I have left with the newly released Kill Me.

Download Kill Me for FREE only on May 14th or 15th, 2012 here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007UPOLR6

Get to Know Claire, from KILL ME (character interview- Blog Tour Day 11)

I thought I’d have a little fun today by interviewing the main character from the new release, Kill Me. So put your paws together and lets extend a warm welcome to our guest Claire!

Come on in Claire, grab a seat and settle in. Would you like something to drink? A glass of Merlot perhaps?

Hi! Thanks for having me… mind if I sit over here? No offense, but it’s been a few days since I last fed, and you’re smelling extremely scrumptious today.

Uh, sure. Make yourself comfortable on the stool waaaaay over there in the corner. So nothing to drink? Wait… never mind

It’s okay. I’m getting used to my diet and I have it under control now, mostly. It’s been quite an adjustment though. By the way, I love what you’ve done with the place. It’s just so… you!

Aww, thanks! I’ve put a lot of thought into the decor. I call it Controlled Chaos Chic. Though to be fair, my husband gets the credit for the Deer heads. And any crumbs/trash/toys would be courtesy of the kids. But I’m sure you understand about all of that.

Do I ever. My daughter’s nine now and it’s a good thing I don’t need to sleep, because my house is in a constant state of disaster. From weird science experiments to makeup and shoes (oh, lord the shoes!) her mess is spread from one end of the house to the other.

You just moved too. I bet that’s kept you busy.

Yes, we did. Within a few days of getting back from my trip to Florida, I found the perfect house for me and Quinn. It’s out by itself, so I don’t have to worry about any nosy neighbors. We’ve got a a sunset view of the creek that will make your eyes water.

That’s great! I’m glad you were able to find something that would work for you guys. And so fast!

Oh, I got lucky. The owners needed cash and I came into some money recently, so I offered a bonus if they could move out within a week. It was a win-win for both of us.

That was lucky. What did you do, win the lottery or something?

Or something… I probably shouldn’t tell you this since they frown on humans knowing our business, but during my trip, I received a nice chunk of change. You could call it an inheritance, but I’ve come to think of it as my Vampire Disability Fund. Because, you know, being a vampire is a huge disadvantage, at least in the begginning. We can’t go out in the sun (most can’t anyway) which makes things like grocery shopping, school plays, and errands super-hard to accomplish. Keeping a job is almost impossible until you get the hang of everything. I won’t even mention how difficult it is to be around friends and family when all you want to do is sink your teeth into them.

Wow, I’d never thought about it like that. I thought being a Vampire was all glamour and romance and crazy supernatural abilities. Seems like the reality of living as a Vampire is something that popular culture glosses over. 

Exactly. As my maker, Bette once told me, “Do not believe everything you read or see on television about us. Books and movies often make stuff up for the purpose of entertainment.”

Twilight-Smilight. I’d like to see that little waif of an actress try to work a blood-drive at her child’s school on a sunny Saturday in April. Or figure out how to pretend to eat in front of a child that doesn’t miss a thing.

We live in the land of sun and sand. I’m outside 4-5 times a day, so I’ve had to get creative with things. I have my daughter to think about and I wanted to live as normal as possible. Certainly makes life harder, but I wouldn’t change a thing about our lives now.

It sounds like you’re happy! I’m glad it’s all working out for you. I image that blood drive was something to see too! 

Yes, that was a very interesting day. I came home hungrier than I’ve ever been in my life, only to find out that power had gone out while I was gone and my bags of “dinner” were ruined. Good thing I knew where some takeout was!

Too funny! Now, you’ve mentioned your trip several times, and I’m wondering if that’s where your story begins?

Yes, it was. I went to Florida a harried working-mother and came back as something completely different. I blame the violin. 

Care to elaborate? Come now, don’t be shy. It’s just us girls here.

Well, it called to me from down the aisle and brought me to Bette and her collection of antique instruments. Then she put the stupid thing in my hands and told me to play it!

Before that, I was normal— I cooked, cleaned and brought home every bit of the bacon. I thought I had life figured out, but I had everything so completely wrong that it’s almost comical. Now the husband is a non-issue, my freakish talents are not of the domestic variety, and being a good mother just became a whole lot tougher. 

Holy-Llamas. That was rather on the cryptic side, don’tcha think? Is that all you’re going to give us?

Yep. If you want to know more, you’ll just have to read the book. Anyway, I’ve got to run. I’m due to pick up Quinn from school in a few minutes so she can get to her softball game on time. Yeah, I know. Softball game, vampire Mom– an odd combination, right?

It sure is! Well, it was great having you on the site Claire. Maybe you can come back some time to keep us posted on how abnormally-normal your life is? In the meantime, we can get the scoop from the novel you star in, KILL ME, correct?

Yep! It has a little bit of everything: mystery, magic, suspense, some smoking-hot romance, a sprinkling of rockin’ music and the occasional stripper pole. Oh, and a haunted violin. I can’t forget that, it started everything off.

No need to sell me on it. That sounds like my kind of book :-) Thanks again for stopping by. Give Quinn my best! Ciao’

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If you’d like to read more about Claire and her life-changing business trip, check out the newly released novel  Kill Me, Book One of the Blood Chord series, by Alex Owens. And do an Indie Author a solid and tweet, FB or share this interview or the book link with your friends and enemies. They’ll appreciate the gesture. 

KILL ME (Book One of the Blood Chord series)

Three days ago, she was a wife, a mother, and very much alive… then the music called for her.

Kill Me, the debut novel from author Alex Owens, is a quirky paranormal fantasy complete with music, magic, fangs and freaks. It is also the first in a planned series, with the second book due out by the Fall of 2012. Be forewarned, this is not your daughter’s paranormal.


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Also, being the slacker that I am, I neglected to post to let everyone know that Kill Me was featured over on the fabulous Heidi Hall’s website yesterday, so please so hop on over there and take a gander :-)

If you’d like to participate in the Release Blog Tour for Kill Me, more information can be seen here on the Blood Chord series web site.

eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards

eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards.

eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards

Bellmawr, NJ: The eFestival of Words Virtual Book Fair announces the nominees for the first Best of the Independent eBook Awards. The complete list of nominees can be found at www.efestivalofwords.com.

The eFestival of Words, scheduled for August 17-19, 2012, is the first virtual book fair designed specifically to highlight the best of the independent digital publishing community. The awards program is one of many events being ran in conjunction with the fair. Read more of this press release over on the Blood Chord Series site:  eFestival of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards.

Book Review – Witchful Thinking by H.P. Mallory

Witchful Thinking (Jolie Wilkins, #3)Witchful Thinking by H.P. Mallory

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having not read the first two books in this series, I expected to be a little behind while reading it. But there is enough back-story in this book that I got most everything that happened prior to this novel. I could see that as a lot of filler for someone who had already read the previous books though, but I guess that’s the price you pay for trying to keep everybody happy.

Overall, I really liked the main character Jolie, and I seem to be just as confused about her possible love interests as she is. (I wanted to whack Rand upside his handsome face a few times and Sinjin surprised me quite a few times too ~swoon!) The plotting kept me going and I finished this book in about three hours on this lazy Sunday afternoon.

That being said, a few things bugged me. Jolie doesn’t want to be the Queen, yet she seems to be falling right into the “I’m the Queen, so you have to do it” mantra. Also, a few things seem to be accepted a little too easily, or forgotten fairly quickly. Take the Prophetess (or priestess, I forget already) Mercedes… Surely I can’t be the only one who smells something rotten in Denmark here. She find out something, or somehow knows a helpful tidbit, and no one questions it. Even when it seems hinky.

I’ll read more by Mallory of course, back to the beginning to see if that makes me feel better about this book. Overall I really liked it, but I wanted to love it– you know?

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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. 

Bookshelf Confessions

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! 

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.

3. Do you read the same kinds of books you write? If there are any differences between the two, what are they?

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!

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Now, a little bit about Thoroughly Modern Monsters!


Blurb:

A love-sick vampire working at a department store.

A confident siren kept from his home by the owner of a traveling carnival.

A famous crime-fighting werewolf reunited with his hostile brother.

The age of the monster under the bed is over! New law integrates all beings considered monsters by the United States government into human society, throwing them into the workforce. As these beings overcome workplace woes, unexpected romance and any personal demons that may have come along for the ride, they discover for better or worse what it means to be a thoroughly modern monster.

Thoroughly Modern Monsters is a collection of seven short stories complete at 21,800 words.

Thoroughly Modern Monsters for Kindle (Amazon)

Independent Paranormal

Jennifer Rainey’s Website: http://www.jenniferrainey.com 

The Birth of a Novel (Kill Me Release)

After months of labor pains, anxiety and even a certain amount of dread, the first novel in the new Blood Chord series, Kill Me has been released!

If you’re so inclined, you can check out the series web site here, or just hop on over to Kill Me’s Amazon page. As of right now, the novel is only available in digital format (exclusive to Amazon, hitting other vendors this summer) and the paperback version should be out in a few weeks.

In other exciting news, the book release blog tour is slated to start in a few days, so I’ll be posting updates on that from now until the ‘Cinco de Mayo’ ending of the tour. You can see the scheduled tour stops on the press page of the Blood Chord series site.

Now, I’m off to work on my guest posts for the tour…

Book Review – Play Dead by Anne Frasier

Play DeadPlay Dead by Anne Frasier

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Despite the fact that I have numerous other books in my to-be-read pile I couldn’t help moving Play Dead to the front based on the cover alone. It’s fantastically creepy and morose. Which I was apparently in the mood for when I started reading this earlier today.

Ironically, after I finished the book I realized that I’ve recently read another book by Frasier (HUSH) and while I enjoyed that one, I adored this novel.

Set in the sweltering south amid voodoo lore and “root doctoring” (a phrase I hadn’t heard in a while) the main character Elise is divorced,a detective, living in a perpetually partially renovated house and has a daughter who’d rather be anywhere else. And then there is the detached partner who’s keeping secrets to preserve his own sanity. When bodies start coming to life after being declared dead, Elise and her partner are swept into a dark world of spells, secrets and betrayals.

I found this novel an excellent read. With it’s evocative setting, woven in folklore and complex character issues, I couldn’t get it read fast enough. At the end (well done, by the way) I found myself hoping that there is at least a sequel planned, if not a whole series.

Play Dead is a quirky, fast-paced mystery with undercurrents of family drama and southern lore. I’ve become an Anne Frasier fan with this one for sure!

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Book Review – Disintegration by Scott Nicholson

DisintegrationDisintegration by Scott Nicholson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I’ve read in a while that has me at a loss when it comes time to review. I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. I’m just torn. So I guess I’ll just elaborate and let the readers make up their own minds.

First, Nicholson is a stellar writer. In this novel, he’s given us rare glimpses into the F-ed up minds of the characters. (Sorry to be so blunt, but that’s completely accurate, in my opinion.) Nicholson’s like an evil genius that way– to show me how completely screwed up a person can become while still functioning in society. The plot is twisty and murky at times, and I totally didn’t see the numerous plot twists at the end. The opening chapters were some of the hardest I’ve ever read– in terms of tragic subject matter, but they were also the most visceral and vivid I’ve read in a while too.

Now, I had a few minor issues too. I feel like there wasn’t a single character to root for through the suspenseful plot. I liked the wife (forget her name, sometimes my own too) well enough, but almost from the beginning I was conflicted by her. Something seemed off about her. So I didn’t make a connection with any of them, really. As good as this book was, it would have been stellar if I’d grown to care for someone, only to see the error of my ways at the end.

My other nit-pick is the names of the twin main characters, Joseph and Jacob. I get it. Twins have twinsy names, but dang-it, I had to go back and read once or twice because I kept confusing the two and then what was happening at the time didn’t make as much sense. I hate getting sucked out of the story like that. But, it only happened infrequently and I’ve already confessed my lack of name-remembering, so the fault there might be my own.

Overall, I will certainly read more by Nicholson, as his mind seems to be as warped as my own and I can’t wait to see what else he’s created in that diabolical noggin of his!

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Book Review – Dead Is the New Black by Christine DeMaio-Rice

Dead Is the New BlackDead Is the New Black by Christine DeMaio-Rice

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although this novel is billed as a cozy mystery, it is far more than that. Dead Is the New Black is a complex novel, woven with delicate finesse by the author. At it’s core is a heroine that underestimates herself on many different levels. She’s smart, talented, and takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of everything. Which gets her into trouble. But I don’t need to elaborate– that’s what book blurbs are for.

I will say that I really enjoyed this book. It’s been polished to perfection by the author and that really shows. The careful crafting and layering of details made me feel like a part of the novel, and not just a reader. That characters were well developed and the setting (in a design house one week before a big fashion show)is fabulous. It was one of the cleanest books I’ve read in a while too– no profanity, adult situations or graphic violence. (Of course, that makes me realize how much of the books that I read actually has all that stuff. Oy!)

I’m definitely going to keep an eye open for more novels from this author!

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Book Review – Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane

Sacrificial Magic (Downside Ghosts, #4)Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I usually hate to start mid-series, but I received a review copy of Sacrificial Magical through Net Galley, and since my TBR pile is substantial I just didn’t have the time to go back and read the first three books in this series first.

Given that a lot of the back story was unknown to me, I was still bowled over by this novel. I never (in a million years) thought that I’d not only finish, but thoroughly enjoy, reading a dark novel centered around a pill-popping, damaged heroine. A woman who banishes ghosts for The Church in a post-apocolyptic landscape, hangs out with thugs and has a less-than rosy outlook on life.

But color me wrong. This book, I loved. Probably enough to go back and read the first books in the series, even though I’ll be going backwards in time!

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