Category Archives: books

May 1, 2014

COVER REVEAL: For By Grace – Adrian J. Smith

Happy new month, everyone! Today is a special day– I have the privilege of hosting a cover reveal for one of our lovely WIPpeteers!

Title: For by Grace

Author: Adrian J. Smith

Genre: Crime/ Mystery/ FF

Publication Date: June 1, 2014

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

Being a Sheriff’s Deputy is not all about saving lives and arresting criminals, and each day Grace wonders if she’ll make it home.

While kids at the schools Deputy Grace Halling visits see her as the knight in blue-cotton armor, people involved in the cases she is dispatched to have a different opinion. She has every confidence in her ability to do her job and arrest criminals. She easily takes down a knife-wielding woman and a drunken combatant teenager without hesitation. Everyone—victim, suspect, or witness—has a story to tell or to lie about, and Grace is never perturbed by their tales.

That all changes when she looks down the barrel of a gun. She loses confidence in her ability as a deputy, she loses trust in herself and fellow officers, and she struggles to stay afloat as shift after shift passes. Grace cannot find her rhythm of being a deputy again. And when the Police Chaplain unexpectedly barges into her life, her personal and professional lives are flipped upside down. Grace struggles to find even ground, worrying that the next time she stares a murderer in the face will be the last.

Add to GoodReads

Adrian J. Smith, or “AJ” as she is often called, is a part-time writer with an epic imagination, sharp wit, and kind heart that gets her into a bit of trouble when it comes to taking in all the neighborhood stray cats. Being obsessed with science fiction, Smith often goes off on tangents about the space-time continuum. She is also a part-time lunatic with a secretive past. It’s been rumored that she was once a spy for the government, but anyone who has gotten close enough to know the truth has never lived to tell the tale. When traveling around the world on various classified tasks, Smith requires the following be provided: buffalo jerky, mimosas, and eighty-six pennies. This is all we know about the reclusive woman.

At least 10% of all proceeds goes to Sanctuary For Kids. It’s a fantastic organization that sends money to help children around the world. Charity and children are an extremely important part of Adrian’s life and supporting them in any way possible is magnificent. Please check out their website to see what they are doing and consider donating to them yourself.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/adrianjsmithbooks

Twitter: www.twitter/com/adrianajsmith

Author Website: adrianjsmith.wordpress.com

Author GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/adrianjsmith

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Adrian-J.-Smith/e/B00B94LSPW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1390923004&sr=8-1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 Comment | posted in books

April 18, 2014

P is for Pleasure

By Kate Sparkes

…and reading for it.

It used to be that I could get completely lost in a book with no problems. Heaven help my family if it was a series– they might not have clean laundry for a while. There was very little that bothered me about anyone’s writing, at least not enough to distract me from the story.

That’s changed, and I’m sad about it.

These days, I feel like reading is a chore a lot of the time. There are too many books I need to read: things I’ve told friends I’ll read and critique for them, great books in the genres I write in that I’ve never got to, books in other genres that I think will broaden my horizons. And there are the ones I don’t need to read, but want to: the ones I’ve grabbed for free or cheap on the Kindle, ones I picked up because friends raved about them or because I loved the idea and the cover, books by blog buddies. I just feel guilty for not getting to those.

So a lot of my fiction reading feels like homework. I do end up enjoying many of the books on my “need to read” list, but at the back of my mind there’s always the knowledge that there’s something else I need to get to when this one is done.

The other problem is that when you spend a lot of time learning (and yes, often breaking) the “rules” of writing, you notice when other books have flaws.

To be clear: I think writing rules are made to be broken, if we do it intentionally and in full knowledge of why the “rule” exists. But when everything you read from writers, agents, editors, etc. says AVOID INFODUMPS, it’s hard to not be distracted when a bestseller has them in huge chunks at the beginning of chapters– especially when it illustrates why this is actually a pretty good rule.

I’d give examples, but they’d all make me sound like a hypocritical know-it-all nobody, and that’s not how I mean it at all. I make exactly the same mistakes, which is probably why my brain wants me to be alert to them. I am in no position to criticize, which is why I don’t write negative reviews. I respect everyone’s work, and I certainly don’t judge anyone for things I don’t like– personal taste is personal, yo. I like a good rule-breaker, and I never want to be legalistic about anything in writing.** I don’t want to be the snot-nosed know-it-all who criticizes the pros, because I hate that dude.

But I’m being honest about something that I understand is my issue and really has nothing to do with other writers. When these things pop into my head like they would when I’m editing my own work, it’s distracting. It keeps me from becoming immersed in the story.

I HATE THIS. It’s is one of few things I actually dislike about being a writer.

I want to go back to just reading for pleasure, without analyzing why someone’s writing blows me away or leaves me flat. Sure, that’s incredibly valuable for my own work, but for me it sucks the fun out of everything. I wish I could shut that part of my brain off and forget about technique sometimes.

Have any of you struggled with this? Can you fix me? Does reading feel like homework, or do you find yourself unable to turn off your inner editor, even when reading a best-seller?*** Or are you able to lose yourself in any book at any time?

Just tell me this is a phase, ok?

For more A-Z Challenge, mosey this-a-way, pardner.

–

*Not that this was the only reason I didn’t love it, but it was one distraction.

**Well… nothing style-related. I will judge the heck out of straight-up unreadable writing if it’s published. I can’t help that.

***SERIOUSLY, inner editor. Get your head out of your butt and shut up.

9 Comments | tags: books, editing, inner editor, reading, writing | posted in A-Z blogging challenge, books

April 12, 2014

K is for Kindle

By Kate Sparkes

…and Kobo, because I’ve used both. For the record, I like my Kindle better (this is comparing the Kindle PaperWhite to a fairly basic, nomal-sized Kobo). I like the back-light, I like the screen set-up, and I definitely prefer the store, which has a greater selection and cheaper books.

New toy!

No, I’m not a fan of Kindle exclusive content and all of that, but whatever floats your boat. You just go on with your bad selves, author-publisher types.

What I’m going to do here is link to a few books I’ve bought and/or read recently, and invite you all to do the same. Kindle, Kobo, Smashwords, author sites, etc. Link to what you’ve bought, what you’ve recently enjoyed, or your own e-books you’ve got on sale in the comments. Gimme a blurb, gimme a price, gimme your thoughts, gimme a link.

DO MY WORK FOR ME, MINIONS.

The Butterfly Storm (Kate Frost, contemporay romance) <– currently reading

Under the Empyrean Sky (Chuck Wendig, Dystopian YA/Cornpunk) <– read, LOVED

Emergence (KL Schwengel, Fantasy) <– beta read, loved, still need to read finished product

Siren’s Secret (Debbie Hurst, Romance avec mermaids) <– just started

Unteachable (Leah Raeder, NA Contemporary Romance) <– have not read

Blackbirds (Chuck Wendig, contemporary cussing) <– have not read

The Crimson League (Victoria Grefer, Fantasy) <– have not read

…and there’s the problem. I could list thirty more books, all “have not read.” See, I get these e-mails with free and cheap e-books, and I grab them if they look good.

And then I never find time to read them. I’m looking through my Kindle library and I don’t remember buying half of the books I see there. Don’t remember what they’re about, or why I bought them, so I’m in no rush to open them, read them, or review them*. Not that my paperback shelf is better, thanks to 40% off sales at Walmart and the secondhand book store, but the Kindle definitely provides more temptation and more opportunity to forget what I bought.

How do you all deal with that? Do you set reading goals? Refuse to buy more books until you get the TBR pile down a bit? Or are you happy to let your library grow unchecked, not worrying whether you’ll ever get to reading a book you got for free or paid very little for, just happy in the knowledge that there’s a library there to browse when you want it?

All of this kind of makes me understand how many books there really are out there (as in, 600,000+ published last year alone).

Oh, and don’t even get me started on the DNF (Did Not Finish) ones…

So go ahead. Tell me what you’ve picked up recently, what’s good, what you’re selling, and how you deal with your reading list. Then head over to the A-Z Challenge list and see what someone else is up to!

—

*Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve read a single book I’ve got for free. Hmm.

12 Comments | tags: amazon, e-books, ebooks, kindle, reading, TBR | posted in A-Z blogging challenge, books

March 26, 2014

WIPpet Wednesday- Feline Photobomb Edition

By Kate Sparkes

I just wanted to take a picture of my new, autographed paperback copy of Evensong for you guys, because I was SUPER excited when it came in the mail this morning. Harriet said, “Nope. PHOTO ME AND LOVE ME AND PET ME.”

And then she purred, and I can’t argue with that. So here you go. Book and cat. Add a cup of tea and you’ve got a perfect afternoon.

I apologize for the hugeness of the image. Apparently WordPress is no longer letting us edit photos down by percentage. Huh.

Note to self.

Aaaaaaanyway…

Let’s get this final ROW80 Update out of the way first, because I’m ending this round on a bit of a cliffhanger.

My editor started working on my book this morning. I have no idea what’s going to happen with that. Could be a wonderful experience, or it could leave me deciding that my leisure hours would be better spent playing Minecraft because writing is just wasting my time and my money. I’m expecting something in the middle, with lots of work to be done at the end but me still feeling like this is a thing I can do.

We’ll see. Right now I feel like I can handle pretty much anything.

In other news, I read Rayne Hall’s Writing Fight Scenes this week, and it was quite informative. I picked it up because I knew mine were lacking something, and I discovered lots of ways to punch things up. Lots of tips, lots of links to videos* demonstrating fighting styles and weapons, and it’s a quick read at a good price. Recommended.

Also still reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I’m FINALLY at the actual story, and am finally enjoying it. I have no problem with the author’s writing style– it’s gorgeous, and I think he’ll be one of few Fantasy authors who won’t make me want to throw the book across the room because I want to skip all of the descriptions (see: A Song of Ice and Fire and ALL THE FOODS). I mean, there are tons of descriptions, but at least they’re interesting. It just took forever to get past the framing. I know, I’m a terrible reader. Maybe “get to the action” has just been drilled into my head so often as a writer that I’m no longer willing to slog through chapters of Not Much Happening to get to the good stuff.

I hate feeling like I don’t have time to just enjoy a long, drawn-out story anymore, but that’s kind of where I am. My attention span is HEY LOOK, A MARMOSET.** That, and my TBR list is so huge that I find myself putting books down and moving on to something else if I’m not hooked right away.

New resolution to work on next round: try to get over that. Slow down, smell the ~~marmosets~~ roses, try to give books a chance.

WIPpet Wednesday

26 (short) sentences from Resurrection for the 26th. We’re heading for the climax here (and the reason I needed that book on fight scenes). Shivva (the vampire) is on the run, trying to solve a mystery of sorts, and trying not to hurt any innocent humans while she does so.

A bell tinkles as I enter the restaurant, a greasy little diner with plastic menus and probably a filthy kitchen. The decor hasn’t been updated since the sixties. That, or it’s a convincing retro set-up. I don’t even care.

“Bad night to be out walking,” says the short guy leaning against the counter. He doesn’t seem to care that his boots are leaving a puddle on the chipped linoleum.

“Yeah.” I count out my buck seventy-five and accept the white paper cup of steaming heaven. The coffee’s shit, of course, but it’s hot, and it helps.

“I’ve got an umbrella in my car, if you want it,” the guy says.

I shoot him an irritated glance. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

“Not made of sugar, are you?”

“Excuse me?”

He shrugs. “You… you’re not worried about melting in the rain. So you must not be made of sugar.” I roll my eyes, and I feel him watching me as I turn to leave. “You sure look sweet, though.”

I flip him the bird without looking back.

Three blocks later, I’m in an industrial area, enjoying the quiet. A long, high-pitched whistle sounds behind me. I don’t stop, and I don’t turn back, even at the sound of several sets of footsteps splashing over the asphalt. Humans. Bring it on.

Oy. I’ve heard worse pick-up lines, but not by much.

So there you go. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to beta read and/or rip my work to shreds. I’ll try to have that out next week.

For more WIPpet Wednesday fun, swing by our host KL Schwengel’s blog to say hi, click on the link, and be transported to a world of… um… well, I don’t know. I have to go check that out myself.

—

*Useless on my PaperWhite, but good to have available for another time.

**That’s… actually kind of weird.

19 Comments | tags: editing, resurrection, snippet, Urban Fantasy, vampire, vampires, writing sample | posted in book reviews, books, publishing, Resurrection, ROW80, WIPpet Wednesday

March 20, 2014

Character Interview: Emergence

By Kate Sparkes

KL (Kathi) Schwengel, author of the Darkness and Light series, recently presented me with a most unusual proposition. An offer I couldn’t refuse, really. I mean, how many beta readers not only get to have characters from the book visit them, but get to be interviewed by them? I’m a little nervous about having Bolin over; I may have made some comments in my beta reading notes that weren’t exactly flattering. But hey, that should be fine, right? He has no idea. At least Donovan’s not coming, which is good. He’s quite a nasty bad guy. Oh, and Kathi promised to bring Berk, who’s a new character in Emergence who I kind of… well, he’s adorable. And I’ve admired Ciara since First of Her Kind, so–

*knock at the door*

Eek! Oh, and for anyone not familiar with the conventions, asterisks like those up there denote actions, everything else is speech.

*Kathi enters the room beside Ciara, followed by Bolin with Berk trailing behind. Kate welcomes them warmly, taking Berk by the arm and guiding him to a seat beside her on the settee. Kathi and Ciara claim chairs on the opposite side of the low coffee table. Bolin stands beside Ciara, one hand resting lightly on her shoulder, the other on his sword, finger tapping the pommel. His eyes narrow on Kate, and Berk shifts uncomfortably.*

Kathi: Hi Kate, I’m so glad you agreed to let us stop by. Thanks again for taking the time to Beta read Emergence. I really apprec–

Bolin: I read your comments.

*Kathi sighs. Kate opens her mouth to reply–*

Bolin: It seems you’ve lumped me into the same general category as Donovan. I’d be insulted if it weren’t so ludicrous. Is there something in particular I did to earn your ire?

Kate: *glares at Kathi* It’s not you. It’s me. I mean, it is you, but I… Some of your attitudes seem to… *eyes Bolin’s sword and shifts closer to Berk* You’re growing on me. Really.

Ciara: You have to understand, Bolin is under a lot of pressure. *glances Kathi’s way* It’s really not his fault.

Berk: *grins, flashing those adorable dimples, and leans closer to Kate* I read your comments, too.

Bolin: Did anyone ask for your input, soldier?

Kathi: Ease up, General. We’re all here to ask Kate about her experience Beta reading Emergence. This isn’t an episode of the Dating Game. *ignores Bolin’s scowl* So, Ciara, let’s start with you. What would you like to ask Kate?

Ciara: What would you say was the hardest thing about…*waves hand in the air* What’s it called? Bayduh reading?

Kate: *tears gaze away from Berk’s dimples* I think the hardest thing for me is always finding a balance between enjoying an amazing story and acting as a critic. In this case, there were times when I was able to find constructive things to say, but I held back a bit, knowing that a lot of the things I wasn’t comfortable with were just because my world tends to be a bit less dark than yours. I fall in love with these characters and then see them– you– go through horrible things, I get caught up in the story and still have to be critical of what’s working or not for me as a reader…

Actually, that’s a lie. The hardest thing is sending notes off and then living in fear of Kathi’s flying monkeys paying me a visit in the middle of the night. All that other stuff was second-hardest.

Anybody want another drink? It’s getting uncomfortable in here. I mean, warm.

Kathi: We don’t want to put you to any trouble, Kate. Berk, do you have a question you’d like to ask?

Berk: I’d love to. Was there anything that surprised you when you read our tale? Something–or someone–who caught you off-guard?

Kate: Well, since you mention someone, I’d say that yes, I was caught off-guard several times. Without spoiling anything for readers, I wasn’t expecting Bolin to have any competition for Ciara’s affections.

Kathi: Crap! Kate, don’t– * Ciara blushes. Bolin’s knuckles whiten around his sword grip.*

Kate: Especially such charming competition. *Berk tries his best not to look at anything, especially Bolin.* Usually in a situation like that, it’s fairly obvious that one guy is THE ONE TRUE LOVE and the other is a distraction. Not so, here. I actually had no idea how this was going to end. Ciara’s a lucky lady.

But not just that. I also wasn’t expecting to see the villain roster fill out so much, which was a very pleasant surprise. Instead of just continuing with one Big Bad Guy (and one terrifying hag), we got a whole lot of bad coming from a few different directions. Not much fun for all of you, I imagine, but it made for compelling reading.

Kathi: Well, Kate, I think we’ve taken up quite a bit of your time. *glances Bolin’s way* Um, before we go, are there any questions you have for me, or any of the others?

Bolin: I don’t get to ask her a question?

Kathi: I believe you already did. It’s Kate’s turn.

Kate: I’m actually curious about Bolin’s question… unless “ask her a question” is a euphemism for “stab her repeatedly,” in which case we’ll just move along.

Bolin: I would never raise my hand to a lady. Nor would I stab you repeatedly. One clean thrust is all that’s needed.

Ciara: Bolin!

Kate: Um. Yeah. Oh, so many questions! I don’t want to spoil anything for future readers, though. I guess my question for Berk would be “do you want to hang out here for a while,” but I’m expecting my own characters back soon, and that could get weird.

Male voice from another room: It’s only weird if you let it be weird!

Kate: Oops…

Berk: I’m not sure what ‘hanging out’ is, but I wouldn’t mind–

Kathi: Probably not a good idea, Berk. We don’t want to start any inter-novel squabbles or anything.

Kate: *sigh* Well, this has been fun, and I’ve enjoyed meeting all of you. You know, I think I’m actually going to let my questions rest for now, wait and see what happens as the story continues. Also, I think any question I ask is only going to piss Bolin off more, so… actually, one question for Bolin. Can we call a truce here? I know we’ve had our differences, but I do respect you as a character, even if you occasionally rub me the wrong way. *winces* Can I say that and not have you hurt me?

Bolin: *tips head politely* It has been a pleasure, lady. I look forward to our next visit. *offers Ciara a hand*

Ciara: Fare well, Kate. I hope we meet again. And good luck with your adventures. I’ve heard they’re very exciting.

*Bolin holds door for Ciara and Kathi, glances Berk’s way.*

Berk: I am, technically, off duty. Are you sure I couldn’t stay for–

*Bolin raises a brow, Berk frowns and leaves the room.*

Kathi: Thanks for putting up with us, Kate. And huge thanks for being such an awesome Beta reader. Now, shouldn’t you be writing or editing or something?

Kate: Yeah, yeah.

Male voice from another room: Make it “or something!”

Kate: *yells* You have no idea what you’re in for when I get back to writing, mister! *to Kathi* Merfolk, am I right? Wow, thanks for bringing your people by. I must be the luckiest beta reader ever!

Kathi: *pauses at door, glances toward the other room, bites her lip.* Um…tell you what, why don’t you all go on without me. I think I’ll stay and visit with Kate for a while. See you back in the dungeon! *waves and quickly closes door* Now, who’s all in the other room?

—

Annnnnnd… scene.

If you enjoyed this and would like to get to know these characters better, check out First of Her Kind and Emergence, available in ALL THE PLACES! Click here for links.

Thanks to Kathi for bringing her characters by, and for leaving the monkeys at home. It was fun! Weird, but fun. 😉

33 Comments | tags: author, beta reader, beta reading, characters, fantasy, interview | posted in author interviews, books

March 17, 2014

Release Day for Emergence…Sort Of

By Kate Sparkes

Release Day! Pretty much… Congratulations, Kathi!

1 Comment | posted in books

March 10, 2014

Cover Reveal: Emergence by K.L. Schwengel

By Kate Sparkes

That’s right: the K.L. Schwengel who hosts WIPpet Wednesdays has another book coming out, and soon. I should be working right now, but why would I do that when I have the opportunity to share this with you, instead?

Hellooooo, Bolin!

What’s it all about, you ask? Well, to answer that, it might be best to go back to the first book in the series, First of Her Kind:

Everyone, it seems, wants to dictate what Ciara does with her life: Serve the Goddess, destroy the Goddess, do as you promised your aunt. All Ciara wants is to keep the two magics she possesses from ripping her apart.

And that won’t be easy.

Not only are they in complete opposition to each other, blood ties pull her in divergent directions as well. And then there’s Bolin, the man sworn to protect her. There’s no denying the growing attraction between them, but is it Ciara he wants? Or her power?

None of which will matter if Ciara can’t overcome her fear and learn to use her gifts.No one knows the depths of the ancient power she possesses, or what will happen if it manages to escape her control.

Will she lose herself entirely? Or be forever trapped between darkness & light?

(description yoinked from Goodreads, where the book has a 4.6 star rating average.)

So on to the description for Emergence, which I had the pleasure of beta reading a few months ago, and which is in my humble opinion even better than the first book, because OMG THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

*ahem*

These books are darker than what I usually read (or write), but I’m really enjoying the story.

I guess… kind of minor spoiler alert for the first book, what with characters reappearing and all?

Emergence ~ Book Two of the Darkness & Light Series

The battle for Ciara’s power has drawn the full attention of the Emperor and the Imperial Mages, forcing Bolin to put duty above safety and take her to Nisair. It won’t be an easy trip, even with an Imperial escort and a Galysian elder accompanying them. Especially since Donovan has found himself some new allies, one of who wields a dark magic that has literally gotten under Bolin’s skin.

For Ciara, coming to terms with the increasingly tangible manifestation of her power could destroy her. Even if they make it to Nisair–something that grows more unlikely by the day–there is no surety of safety for Ciara, or any of them. Not with Donovan willing to gamble everything to achieve his goals, or Bolin’s uncharacteristically reckless behavior, the result of which is the attention of something that has everyone worried.

Loyalties will be tested, lives will be lost, and no one will emerge unchanged as they find things are not always so clear on the line dividing Darkness and Light.

*whistles*

So there you go. If you think that’s great, head on over to the author’s blog, where she has generously shared chapter one with all of us.

Seriously, go. I’ll wait.

So there you go. Here’s a little information on the author, and I’ll keep you all updated when I have an official release date (tentative date of 3/17), etc… There might be another surprise in store, but I’m just going to have to be all kinds of mysterious about that for now.

About the Author

K. L. Schwengel lives in southeast Wisconsin on a small farm with her husband, a handful of Australian Shepherds, Her Royal Highness Princess Fiona the Cat, and assorted livestock. Growing up as the youngest of nine children, and the daughter of a librarian, Kathi spent many hours between stacks of books, and secluded away in dusty archives, drawn to tales of medieval heroes and conquering knights. With so many characters and ideas spinning in her head, she had to get them onto paper or risk what little sanity she possessed. She has been penning wild tales of magic and mayhem as long as she can remember, but opted to follow her artistic muse first. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and spending many years working as a freelance artist, grocery clerk, art teacher, graphic designer, stable hand, advertising account coordinator, dog trainer, and process technician (among other things) she answered the call of her writing muse. When not writing, Kathi trains and trials working Australian Shepherds, still paints, dabbles in photography, graphic design, and anything else creative her assorted muses send her way.

Kathi’s work is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and other on-line retailers in both paperback and e-book versions. Signed copies are available via her blog.

2 Comments | posted in books

February 10, 2014

EVENSONG: Release & Giveaway

By Kate Sparkes

Today’s the day! Congratulations, Krista. Everyone else, go get it! Only 99 cents for a limited time.

SO GOOD.

5 Comments | posted in books

February 4, 2014

Book Review: Evensong (Meratis Trilogy #1), by Krista Walsh

By Kate Sparkes

Half of me thinks I should have written this review as soon as I finished reading the book, when the details were clear and the excitement fresh.

The other half remembers that if I’d done that, I’d have been a babbling idiot whose train of thought jumped tracks every few lines, and it wouldn’t have made any sense.

Looks like rationality (such as it is in my mind) won out over enthusiasm this time, if only because I wanted to wait until purchase links were available. You’re all very welcome.

So, Evensong.

Much as I love reading things my friends (real-life or blog) have written, I’m often wary of promising to review things. I’m an honest reviewer, but I don’t like giving less than four stars. This means I get to be all gushy and enthusiastic when I love something (four stars is a “love” from me, BTW. Five just has that extra je ne sais quoi that makes the story eat my brain so that I can’t put it down). It puts me in a difficult spot, though, when a book is good-but-not-quite-there, and I can’t in good conscience give more than three stars. Normally, I just don’t review, but when you promise to do it…

You can see where my reluctance comes from.

But then here comes this Krista Walsh character, and she’s all, “Hey, I’m looking for people to read this ARC and review,” and I’m all, “Hey, that book actually sounds kind of wicked…”

And friends, I was NOT disappointed. All of the stars. *throws them at KWalsh*)

Evensong is the story of Jeff Powell, a fantasy author who gets sucked into his work far more literally than most of us do and becomes trapped there. He meets his characters, who are even more badass, clever, strong and real than he’d ever imagined them, and has to help them out of a mighty sticky situation while trying to figure out whether all of the crap-storm they’re dealing with is actually his fault.

It’s fun, it’s fascinating, it made me laugh and cry. Oh, and it made me absolutely terrified of what I’m planning to do to a few of my own characters in the future. I mean, yes, this is the mark of a great storyteller. Krista Walsh and her characters got into my head and messed me up. I’m scared to write, now, because WHAT IF I’M ACTUALLY HURTING MY PRECIOUS PEOPLE.

I’m not entirely sure I appreciate that, but I can’t fault her for it.

I don’t want to give spoilers. The only other thing I’ll say is that I’m CRAZY HAPPY that Krista Walsh is publishing these books herself, because that means I don’t have to wait FOREVER to get the next one!

Now, you’re all going to have to hold onto your panties just a little longer, because the book’s not officially out until February 10. Here are your purchase links for when the time comes:

AMAZON

AMAZON.CA (Did I mention Krista Walsh is Canadian? *chilly high five!*)

KOBO (That’s right, she’s not neglecting you. GO BUY)

B & N *

Mark your calendars. Read. Enjoy.

–

*Y’know, for your Nook. Your Nook e-book reader. YOUR NOOKIE BOOK READER.

9 Comments | tags: book review, evensong, fantasy, krista walsjh, meratis | posted in book reviews

January 30, 2014

COVER REVEAL- Evensong, by Krista Walsh

By Kate Sparkes

It is my great pleasure to present to all of you… Evensong. I received an ARC of this book from the author last month, and devoured it. It’s exciting, absorbing, and filled with kick-ass characters (and some who kick less ass, but are nonetheless wonderful). I’ll have a proper review for you closer to the release date, which is February 10 (eek!). For now, the official information, and the beautiful cover:

Author Jeff Powell wakes up to find the impossible has happened. He is within his own novel—summoned into the fictional world of Feldall’s Keep by a spell he didn’t write. One the House enchantress hasn’t figured out how to reverse.

When the villain he’s been struggling to write reveals himself, unleashing waves of terror and chaos, Jeff must use more than his imagination to save the characters he created—and the woman he loves.

Trapped within a world of his own creation, he must step outside the bounds of his narrative to help his characters defeat an evil no one anticipated, even if he must sacrifice his greatest gift. In the end, he has to ask: are novels really fiction, or windows into other worlds?

–

About the Author

Known for witty, vivid characters, Krista Walsh never has more fun than getting them into trouble and taking her time getting them out. After publishing a few short stories and novellas in various anthologies, she has now released her own anthology, the serial collection Greylands.

When not writing, or working at her day job, she can be found reading, gaming, or watching a film – anything to get lost in a good story.

She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

For first grab at Evensong sale price, other promotions, news & announcements, you can sign up for her Newsletter

You can also connect via:

At the local Second Cup coffee shop … but only if you come bearing a White Mocha

5 Comments | tags: evensong, fantasy, indie, krista walsh, new release, upcoming | posted in books