Sunday, November 27, 2011

Review, The Conduit by Stacey Rourke

I was asked to review Conduit by Ms.Rourke's publicist earlier this month. I reluctantly agreed know that I already had my time stretch thin.(Hence this review going up a day late). This review is my personal opinion and I wasn't compensated in any way, shape or form. Well I can tell you that I am so glad I agreed to review The Conduit. This is a great debut novel by an author I suspect will have a wonder career. 

The Conduit appeals to young adults and adults alike. Rourke has done a wonderful job creating her characters, the Garret siblings and the adventure they take us on. Celeste, Kendall, and Gabe, will take the reader on a exciting, humorous and romantic fantasy adventure that will keep the pages turning until the end. As the siblings gain their powers they learn they are the chosen ones and need to save the world.
Okay now that's all I'm telling you because I'm always scared to give too much away. So if you or someone you know enjoys a good read and are ready for an perfectly crafted tale, you'll love The Conduit by Stacey Rourke.  Check out her website and don't forget to take a peek at the interview I did with her earlier this week. 

Magical Land of Books: Immortal Embrace is a must read!

Magical Land of Books: Immortal Embrace is a must read!: Immortal Embrace by Charlotte Blackwell My rating: 5 of 5 stars Immortal Embrace is a delightful read! Charlotte Blackwell spins a terrif...

Monday, November 21, 2011

Author Interview with Stacey Rourke

CB:Thank you for joining us today, I'm so excited to have you here, and know my
readers will enjoy it as well. 

About You:

CB:Can you tell us a little about yourself?
SR:Well, I’m a mom, wife, and self-proclaimed shoe addict.  I graduated from college with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a marketing focus.  Yet despite my excessive student loan debts I decided to pursue my true passion of writing.  And I couldn’t be happier with that decision.

CB:What quality do you most value in yourself? 
SR:My sense of humor.  My parents instilled it in me never to take myself too seriously and to find the humor in any situation.  Life is just generally more fun if you take time to laugh.

CB:In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about? 
SR:My children.  They’re my life.  My everything.  Everything I do, I do for them.
CB:I understand that, us mother's do everything with our children in mind.

CB:What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? 
SR:In my private life; raising two healthy and happy kids. In my professional life; seeing The Conduit finally make it to publication.
CB:You should be proud, they are all major accomplishment's.

CB:Why do you write? 
SR:Because it’s my passion.  It’s what I was meant to do.  If I go too long without writing I go through withdrawals like an addict. It just makes me who I am.
CB:I thinbk you describes exactly how most writers feel. It's not what we do, it's who we are.

CB:What is your greatest strength as a writer? 
SR:Again I say my humor.  There aren’t many situations where being a chronic smarta*# is considered a positive attribute, thankfully in writing it is!

CB:Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work? 
SR:Christopher Moore.  His twisted and demented humor is unparalleled and all kinds of wicked fun! 

About Writing:

CB:What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine? 
SR:Before I start a new book I outline the story and plot for the entire novel.  From there I storyboard it like a movie or play.  I break it up into individual scenes to help me visualize it.  Then I can begin my first draft going scene by scene.  I have found that keeps me more focused.
CB:I think that is a whole talent on it's own, I can't story board, I just take off in a different direction anyway.
 
CB:Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it? 
SR:I think all writers’ heads occasionally get in the way of their work.  We expect every word, every sentence to be utter perfection.  That pressure stifles the creative process and just isn’t realistic.  Sometimes we just have to let go and WRITE! Let the ideas flow, knowing they may take you somewhere better than you could’ve possibly imagined. Or not. It could be utter crap, but that’s okay!  That’s why we edit! Either way, forcing yourself to push through and click away on those keys will unblock your creative constipation.

CB:What are your current / future projects? 
SR:I am currently working on the continuations of The Gryphon series and a few other literary projects that are still in development.

About your book:

SR:The Conduit tells the story of three siblings that move in with their Grandmother in Tennessee after a rash of break-ins in their hometown spooks their mother. A series of unexplainable events later and Celeste, the middle child, learns that because of an ancient pact her ancestor made in the 17th century she has been chosen to protect the Gryphon, the Protector of the Divine, from evil forces determined to possess him and harness his powers.  With her brother and sister by her side, and all of them sporting spankin’ new mystical powers, they set off to save the world.

CB:Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one? 
SR:The first draft of The Conduit was 110,000 words.  The published version is around 62,000 words.  I learned I can be way overly descriptive at times! There was a spaghetti making scene that read like I was writing a cookbook.  It, and a lot of details that didn’t pertain to the story at all, got cut. For very good reason.

CB:What would you most like readers to tell others about this book? 
SR:That it’s a fun, exciting, can’t miss read!

CB:How can readers help you promote this book? 
SR:Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, shout your love of this book from the rooftops and help spread the word that The Conduit is a MUST READ!
CB:I have confidence that they will.

CB:Where can readers find you and more about your book(s)? Where can they purchase your book(s)? 
SR:Find out more about my books at www.staceyrourke.com, follow me on Twitter @Rourkewrites, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Rourke/112390402191876.  The Conduit is available for purchase for Amazon Kindle, Nook, Kobo, or at Smashwords.com

CB:Thanks again for joining us today Stacey. I can tell everyone that i have been totally wrapped up in your story and they should watch for my review on the 26th. And don't forget to leave some words of encouragement for this wonderful new author.

SR:Thanks so much for having me on your blog! It’s been a pleasure!


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Lindsay Anne Kendal: MEET CHARLOTTE BLACKWELL

Lindsay Anne Kendal: MEET CHARLOTTE BLACKWELL: Hi Charlotte, thanks for stopping by today. Let's get started... Can you tell us a little bit more about your novel? The Embrace...

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Up Coming Review/Interview

Image 3
For you P.R. is a new promotional company that is offering a varity of services to authors. "Every budget, Every need, Every Genre." hey have a great team with various areas of expertise, you won't be disappointed.

For You P.R. has provided me with an exciting new young adult book to review. Here is some info on what's gonna be going on here next week.I am receiving no compensation for this review or interview, and will only provide my personal opinions.





BIO

me.jpgThis is the debut novel for author Stacey Rourke.  She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant, drooly dogs.  She holds a Bachelors in Business Administration and is currently hard at work on the continuations of The Gryphon series, as well as other literary projects.  Visit her at www.staceyrourke.com, or on Twitter @Rourkewrites
I will be interview Stacey On November 22, 2011 and we will be privileged enough to have her back on November 24, 2011 for a guest post.




ConduitCover7b.jpg
SYNOPSIS
All 18-year-old Celeste Garrett wants is to head off to college and make those fun, yet ill-advised, choices college kids are known for.

And maybe to spend some time with the hot cameraman she just met.

Instead, because of a pact her Celtic ancestors made in the 17th century with a mythical creature, she has to save the world.



While normal kids are slamming energy drinks and cramming for exams, Celeste will get her adrenaline rush fighting a fire breathing dragon.

 She wants to meet friends in the quad to exchange lecture notes, but first she must exchange blows with a shapeshifting demon on the rooftop.  Life isn’t always fair for a superhero, but at least she doesn’t have to do it alone.  With her brother and sister as sidekicks, they alternate between saving lives and getting on each others’ nerves.  Together the trio encounters unspeakable odds, mystical forces and comes face-to-face with an image that will haunt them forever—their grandmother in a leopard print bikini.



Okay, little side note here.  If a psychopathic killer asks if you want to see a trick, say no.  That’s the smart thing to do.  I, on the other hand, responded, “Bring it.”

-excerpt from THE CONDUIT

On November 26, 2011 look for my review of CONDUIT by Stacey Rourke.
The Conduit is on Amazon and on goodreads

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Friday, November 4, 2011

November's Spotlight on Upcoming Releases!




Read About Each Upcoming Release



Right Here!!

During the month of November!!

 



Mystic Embrace (teaser)
Book three of the Embrace Series
By Charlotte Blackwell

Ebony Triggs and her sister have accepted their birthright to be the magnificent ones, protectors of the innocent. They have been working on improving their magickal powers with the help of close friends the Pierce family. Ebony and Eliza have been working hard, with one common goal in mind, destroying the demon that killed their parents sixteen years ago. Will they ever find him and succeed at destroying him or will fighting evil become a daily occurrence for the sisters?

Entering her senior year of high school, Ebony already has more than most teens on her plate, but when things continue to change in her life she must rely on her immortal friends, the Pierce’s to help get her through. Ebony and her boyfriend Matt like most teens are looking at the future and what will happen after life in high school. But when plans change will they be faced with even bigger issues?

Ebony soon realizes that the Pierce’s and her close friends will need her as much as she needs them. She thought learning of her mystical powers was the greatest test of her life, but it was only just the beginning. 




The Embrace Series



WEREParanormal
Warrior's Heart Novels


To be released during November!!





Released during November!




Released in November!



Released in November!



To Be Released in January!





To Be Released January!






To Be Released in February!





To Be Released in May!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Becky's Barmy Book Blog: Book Review - Mystic Embrace

Becky's Barmy Book Blog: Book Review - Mystic Embrace: Title: Mystic Embrace Author: Charlotte Blackwell Series: Embrace (book 3) Publisher: World Castle Publishing Release Date: 1st N...

New Blog

Those who have the ability to be grateful are the ones who have the ability to achieve greatness. -Steve Maraboli Come join my new blog on...