Monday, 6 February 2012

Musing Mondays #2

Hosted by Should Be Reading

This week’s musing asks…

Did you do any reading in lieu of watching the football game, yesterday, or were you foregoing reading to watch the game? If you read a book (or books) what did you choose?

My Answer:

I am not into football games..well, I accept that I have never tried to understand or appreciate it.  So, that left me with the only option - reading!

I read "Promising Light" (The Protectors #1) by Emily Ann Ward yesterday and completed 30% of it.  The book is engaging and about shape changers.  The soft romance is a killer.  I got this book for review purposes from the author.

So, what is your story about the weekend? :)

Saturday, 4 February 2012

Interview with Kim Dahlen, the author of "The Prophet"


Author K.J. Dahlen has written many mystery/thriller books.  Recently, I read a thriller called "The Prophet", as part of the Ever After PR book tour.  The book was so amazing, and un-putdownable.  Her story-telling abilities made the book, a success.

See the review of The Prophet here.

Today, we have Kim Dahlen with us and she has kindly provided us an interview.  Here it is, for the readers:

Interview with KJ Dahlen

Is there an inspiration behind why you chose writing? Please share with us..
I love to read and most of what I read was romance until one day I decided all the romance stories I was reading were all the same. I wanted to try and do something a little different. I knew it would be a challenge but I thought I could do it. Well, I found I sucked at romance but found I could do a decent job at suspense. The more I write the better my writing becomes.

How did you come up with this title?  Did you have any other titles in your mind for the book?
This book was always going to be the first of three books or a Trilogy- The New Brotherhood Trilogy. The first part tells the story of The Prophet, the second part tells the story of The Covenant and the third part deals with the Brotherhood being Reborn.

Where do you write your novel? Is it a messy desk or a great garden or a coffeeshop? 
I sit in my living room with a laptop. I tried using my office but I felt shut off from my family. Up until last year I did daycare in my home and while the kids played around me I would write. I have the TV for sound and a small table I can pull up close to me while I type away.

What are your current literary works?  Any sneak peaks?
Right now I am currently waiting for edits on the next book to come out, Fall from Grace. This one is a little different as it deals with a threat on the White House. This comes out in March from one of four publishers I have, BCP

Fall from Grace clip:
When a threat against America comes to the surface, retired Homeland Security agent Lincoln Hawks is brought back to help put down the threat. He finds the group he's after is the same group that murdered his wife and daughter five years ago. Can Lincoln stop The Ghost Crew before they destroy America?


Then I have another one coming out in April from Rogue Phoenix Press titled, The House on Berkley Street


When Jillian is asked to find the truth in a forty year old tragedy that wiped out almost her entire family, someone in the town of White Oak, Texas doesn’t want the truth told. Can they stop her before she finds out what they have kept hidden for forty years?

I’ve had two more books accepted but I don’t yet know when they will be released.

Cards of Sin will be published by Solstice
When Reporter Cheyenne Gentry gets an Instant Message she tries to ignore it, but the sender wants her to know he murdered someone tonight. Cheyenne thinks it’s a hoax but finds out it’s not. She finds out for herself. Then the killer tells her he wants her to write his story.  Cheyenne wants nothing to do with the story or the killer but the killer won’t let her refuse his request. Will he let her live long enough to find him or will she become another chapter to his story?

And

Blood Memories will be published by Rogue Phoenix Press
When an accident turns out to be murder Savannah must solve a double murder that happened over twenty years ago to find the truth. She was the only witness to her parent’s murder and now their killer is after her. She puts her trust into a man her aunt has known and all these years but evidence soon points to him being involved with the man she thinks killed her parents. Will she prove him innocent or fall prey to his intent? Her life and over two million dollars in diamonds is at stake.

What was the hardest part about writing 'The Prophet'?
I don’t know how to type so I tend to type slowly. I wish I could type faster. The Prophet came together in my mind almost like a movie, playing out scene by scene and when I thought I was done with it I found myself moving on to the second half of the book.

If you had the opportunity to collaborate with another author, who would be your pick?
That’s a hard question, there are so many good authors out there. I don’t know if I could pick just one.

Did you do researches while writing this series?
I did some research but not a lot. All my books are fiction  and I’m told I have a vivid imagination. Mostly I research places so I know the areas I write about.

If you are given a second chance at your book, will you change anything in it?
Not really, I like the way it turned out.

One funny little secret about you, for your readers? :)
I try to put a little of myself in all my books but my readers don’t know about it.

Quick Answers

Favorite place?
My home, I’ve tried to make my home my haven.

Favorite pastime?
I love to read anything that strikes my interest

Favorite character from your book?
Rheta, she has a strength not many can see but it’s there all the same.

Favorite genre?
Suspense, I love the sitting on the edge of your seat kind of books

Favorite writing spot?
My living room

Favorite movie?
National Treasure

Favorite dish?
Chicken Catchatori

Favorite color?
Blue

Favorite quote?
“Has he asked you to convert yet?”  That’s the single phrase I wrote this story around.

Your best trait?
My imagination- it has no bounds

Your worst trait?
I get so many books going at one time I can’t decide which one to do first!

Shelf Candy Saturday #1

Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday, a Saturday meme, hosted by Five Alarm Book Reviews.


This is where I feature a favorite cover and its artist, which does not have to come from a new release or something that I received in my mailbox.  Any cover that I discover and love will fit the bill.  

My pick this week is Demon Crossings by Eleri Stone.

Book Summary:


Private investigator Grace tracks a kidnapped child to middle-of-nowhere Iowa. Encountering a strange creature she knows can't be a local animal, she doesn't need her psychic abilities to figure out the sleepy town is not what it seems. When she meets the intriguing Aiden, she's plunged into a world of Norse gods and fire demons where the Wild Hunt still rides the night. 


Aiden needs Grace's help to cross the portal between worlds and rescue his daughter. Grace is unlike any woman he's ever met. He's drawn to her courage, distressed by her vulnerability, and doubtful of her motives. But he knows that her visions are the key to defeating the enemy and bringing everyone home alive. 


Grace wants a future with Aiden, even if it means she'll never have a normal life. When a test run to the portal takes a terrifying turn, they must learn to finally trust each other or Aiden's daughter, and their chance at love, will be lost forever...

My thoughts about the cover:

Well, I received this book from Carina Press for review purposes.  When I went to Goodreads to add it to my to-read shelf, I was attracted by its cover and I want to share it with you.  As you can see, it has a beautiful and intriguing cover.  Even the font is different.  I wish I could read this book sooner and tell you what it all means.  :)

Any beautiful covers that you saw recently?  Share with me in the comment..

Friday, 3 February 2012

Review: The Goddess Test (Goddess Test #1)

Original Title: The Goddess Test
Series: Goddess Test #1
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin
Published Date: April 19th, 2011
Genre: Young-adult

Summary:
It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Review:

Very few people have an amazing story-telling capabilities - Aimee Carter is one of them.  The Goddess Test was one of the books in my wish-list for a long time and finally, I am glad I read it.

Kate Winters is a teenager, who lives with her mother.  As her mother is fighting cancer, Kate quits her school to look after her.  Henry (or Hades, the Lord of the Underworld) brings back Kate's best friend, Ava, from death (literally!), making a deal with Kate.  Kate must become Henry's queen and become a goddess, for which she has to pass seven unknown/unseen tests.  Although Kate didn't believe Henry at first, she accepts for the deal, when Ava really dies.  She also has other problems, that has to face, apart from the tests..the main thing being none of the other girls, who are selected to take these tests, were alive.

Below is a special book trailer for you..I hope you enjoy!


The story-telling was amazing!  The characters are entertaining.  The plot was interesting and kept me happy and glued throughout the book.  The romance between Henry and Kate was endearing..both of them were afraid to trust and try again.  But when they did, I really felt happy for them. 

There are some places where the original Greek Mythology has been seriously disturbed.  But if you ignore those mythology stuff and come to think of it as a romance book, I am sure you will love this book.  If you care much about mythology than the plot, then this book will be a bad idea for you.

Push aside your mythological logic and enjoy the book!  I did!

Series:

1.  The Goddess Test
1.5.  The Goddess Hunt - Expected publication: March 1st 2012
2.  Goddess Interrupted - Expected publication - March 27th 2012



Some quotes from the book:

“I care," he said in a trembling voice. "I care so much that I do not know how to tell you without it seeming inconsequential compared to how I feel. Even if I am distant at times and seem as if I do not want to be with you, it is only because this scares me, too.”

“Keep trying until you have no more chances left.”

“Do you think he's cute?"
I rolled my eyes. "He's a god, Mom. Of course he's cute.”

“Did you know,” he said, his breath warm on my cheek, “that that is the first time anyone has ever told me they loved me?” Startled, I did the only thing I could think of—I kissed him again. “You’d better get used to hearing it more often, because I plan on saying it to you an awful lot.”

“No matter what happens, I will always be there for you, even if you do not remember who I am.”


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