Posted Monday, 9 March, 2015 by jorielov Haunted, Kensington Publishing Corp., Lynn Carthage, The Arnaud Legacy series 10 Comments
Originally, when I first caught sight of the Haunted blog tour being adverted as an upcoming event this Spring 2015, there was a strong draw for me to want to participate on it! After all, I have shared my first review on reading ghost stories (The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton), joined my first Horror October, expressed why I’m a Cosy Horror Girl, shared my top favourite Classic Horror Motion Pictures, and compiled a list of book series which are definitely bent towards the paranormal! As you will see from those previous blog posts I’ve written, there are aspects of the Horror genre I never quite realised I was enthralled with myself, as I always felt I was living outside the genre completely! Sometimes it takes an event like Horror October hosted by the girls @ Oh, the Books! to set your mind straight! Laughs.
Instinctively, I hopped on Twitter to see if Ms Carthage was online (not that instant, but in general!), as I have come to appreciate finding authors I am keen on reading are participating in reader to author connections via Twitter; as it allows the readers (such as I) to ask pertinent questions which might arise out of reading a book synopsis or an excerpt (if one is available). What followed was a happenstance conversation, where a reader enjoyed getting to know an author outside the scope of being able to read the novel! I asked a few direct questions, as I was a bit on the fence as whether or not I could read this novel as it might take me too far outside my comfort zones along the lines of what is seen or unseen in the novel itself.
I’m definitely *the Cosy Horror Girl* at heart, as I have to weigh what I want to read with what I can handle as I have a sensitive heart. Always feeling being honest about this upfront is best, I did share my concerns, and as we talked a bit more about Haunted and our personal likes in books, I decided I truly felt I would love to interview Ms Carthage in lieu of reading the book for her blog tour! The elements of the paranormal within the series is still keenly intriguing to me, and there was a heap about the setting and atmosphere she stitched into it which lit my imagination aflame with curiosity!
The book cover art alone has all the lovely bits I appreciate about what can be considered an epic Gothic suspense, as you have the house barely seen through the misty fog, the young protagonist’s field of vision not focused on what is in front of her but what is unseen to the side, and the colour dimensions give it a purely haunting feel, encouraging your will to want to read this in order to see where the layers enfold and retreat from what is visually representative in the art itself!
Therefore, I am quite happy to bring to you, dear hearts, the conversation I pulled together out of inspiration from our original twitterverse convo intermixed with bits and bobbles I discovered about her book series whilst composing my thoughts on this interview! I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Sixteen-year-old Phoebe Irving has traded life in San Francisco for her stepfather’s ancestral mansion in rural England. It’s supposed to be the new start her family needs. But from the moment she crosses the threshold into the ancient estate, Phoebe senses something ominous. Then again, she’s a little sensitive lately—not surprising when her parents are oblivious to her, her old life is six thousand miles away, and the only guy around is completely gorgeous but giving her mixed messages.
But at least Miles doesn’t laugh at Phoebe’s growing fears. And she can trust him…maybe. The locals whisper about the manor’s infamous original owner, Madame Arnaud, and tell grim stories of missing children and vengeful spirits. Phoebe is determined to protect her loved ones—especially her little sister, Tabby. But even amidst the manor’s dark shadows, the deepest mysteries may involve Phoebe herself…
Public Library | Add to Riffle
Published By: Kensington Publishing Corp. (), 24.Feb.2015
Available Formats: Trade Paperback, E-book | Page Count: 288
Converse on Twitter via: #HauntedBlogTour & #arnaudlegacy
What originally drew you into the world of *Haunted*, where reality and the unseen co-reside together!?
Carthage responds: I actually had a nightmare! The book began as my trying to craft a coherent storyline around a few scary details from the dream.
I give you a lot of respect for being able to pull together a series based off of a nightmare! I can foresee being able to shape a dream into a novel, but a nightmare!? Goodness! You remind me of M. Night Shyamalan who was able to take nightmares and fuse them into thought-provoking works of motion pictures! Read More
Posted Monday, 9 March, 2015 by jorielov in Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Book Junkie Promotions, British Literature, Castles & Estates, Coming-Of Age, Debut Author, Debut Novel, England, Ghosts & the Supernatural, Good vs. Evil, Gothic Literature, Gothic Mystery, Haunting & Ethereal, Indie Author, Parapsychological Gifts, Parapsychological Suspense, Reader Submitted Author Interview, Sisters & the Bond Between Them, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense, YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal &/or Paranormal Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Posted Sunday, 1 March, 2015 by jorielov Bonneville Books, Cedar Fort Inc, Letters to my Future Husband, Lisa McKendrick 2 Comments
Acquired Book By: I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Cedar Fort whereupon I am thankful to have such a diverse amount of novels and non-fiction titles to choose amongst to host. I received a complimentary copy of “Letters to my Future Husband” direct from the publisher Bonneville Books (imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
On what I had hoped to find inside:
I was wrapped up in a hopefulness in seeing letters being shared with the reader in an epistolary style of a novel, where we would be hugged close to where Sophie’s words towards her future love would be sprinkled throughout the narrative; showing where her life took her before she met him. I was even curious if she wrote short notes to him on different sheets of stationeries or typed them on a typewriter, to stick them inside a binder or a journal. Even if she were to grab bits and pieces of memorabilia from her adventures and experiences, and writing down a bit about which ticket stub resonated which memory. I even thought perhaps she might talk about taking photographs of her everyday world and drawing out a piece of a letter related to why that particular picture stirred her heart.
Unfortunately for me, the ‘letters’ did not quite last long enough inside the novel itself but rather were a hopeful wish of mine to be have been found. I was a bit puzzled by the title to be honest, as it took on a different vein of thought from what I originally felt it might have been about. I’m a letter writer, as I have mentioned previously and therefore, I guess I was hoping to find someone who wrote letters with the same kind of passion as I do myself. In this story, I thought perhaps the ‘letters’ were going to be catalyst to show that words writ on paper inside of a letter that goes unmailed are like the prayers we cast heavenward where God enfolds his grace around our conversations.
Letters to my Future Husband
by Lisa McKendrick
Source: Direct from Publisher
At her father's urging, Sophie started writing letters to her future husband when she was a little girl -- though at first they were more like hate mail than love letters. But as she grew older and the boys at school started looking cuter, her letters became something more.
By the time Sophie's in college and travelling through Italy, she's sure she's found the perfect man to give all her letters to. But life and love don't always end up going as planned.
This endearing LDS romance will remind you that sometimes the man of your dreams isn't the person you thought he'd be -- sometimes he's even better.
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance Fiction Places to find the book:
Borrow from a Public Library
Add to LibraryThing
ISBN: 9781462115532
Also by this author: Brush with Love
Published by Bonneville Books
on 28th February 2015
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 240
Published By: Bonneville Books (@BonnevilleBooks),
an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc (@CedarFortBooks)
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Converse on Twitter via: #LettersToMyFutureHusband
About Lisa McKendrick
Lisa McKendrick lives in Lakeland, Florida where she divides her time between writing, carpools, and occasionally folding laundry. The mother of seven children (all accustomed to wearing unmatched socks), Lisa is author of other books for the LDS market, including On a Whim , and thanks to her husband's support, has earned a master's degree in English from BYU. Lisa enjoys hearing from her readers and can be contacted at Utterance.org (linked below via Website).
Website
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Posted Sunday, 1 March, 2015 by jorielov in 21st Century, Balance of Faith whilst Living, Blog Tour Host, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, Contemporary Romance, Dating & Humour Therein, Indie Author, Life of Thirty-Somethings, Modern Day, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Romance Fiction, Singletons & Commitment
Posted Tuesday, 17 February, 2015 by jorielov Cedar Fort Inc, Stephen J. Valentine, Sweetwater Books, The Lazarus Game 0 Comments
Acquired Book By: I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Cedar Fort whereupon I am thankful to have such a diverse amount of novels and non-fiction titles to choose amongst to host. I received a complimentary copy of “The Lazarus Game” direct from the publisher Sweetwater Books (imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Interested in Reading:
I love to share what excites me within the inertia first moments of a ‘new book’ discovery, which is why I have spoken about my attachment to ‘techno-thrillers’ on my review for Eruption and my desire to sort out Dystopian Lit on my review for An Uncommon Blue. Except to say, The Lazarus Game is a bit like picking up a genre from point of exit from Virtual Blue! The similarities between the two are quite impressive as both are bonefide fictional stories writ inside the world of virtual reality (unsure if the curiosity behind VR is due to being bourne at the latter half of the ’70s but my generation appears to love exploring these worlds & seeking to sort out what you can achieve whilst your within them) and both make a valid point about what is right, wrong, and hidden within the walls of gray. Those little nudges of where the human condition seeks to point a compass point on a lesson of both morality and justice.
The Lazarus Game
"You've got to go in after him."
"Go in?"
"Inside the game. Carter, you have to play the game to save him."
It was created to change the world. With the power to resurrect the minds of history's brightest stars, the Lazarus Game promises to pool mankind's generations of geniuses and merge them in a modern utopia.
But teenage genius Carter Chance has discovered the deadly secret behind this popular virtual reality, and now he's the only one who can stop his generation from destroying themselves for a computer-generated fantasy.
This action-packed sci-fi thriller delves deeper into your perceptions of reality, life, and the value of a soul.
Places to find the book:
Borrow from a Public Library
Add to LibraryThing
on 10th February, 2015
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Published By: Sweetwater Books (@SweetwaterBooks),
an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc (@CedarFortBooks)
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Converse on Twitter via: #TheLazarusGame
My Review of The Lazarus Game:
Valentine gives his quirky character of Carter Chance a bolt of cheeky humour fused with teenage self-indulgent confidence that gives you a happy pace to begin the story upon! He’s upfront (Carter) on his situations and honest about how he feels about his life, but it’s the manner in which he deposits this information to the reader that is cheekily crafty! He pulls back the layers of his mathematicai brain in order to remain relatable to the masses, but in so doing, he makes you wonder about the more technical bits behind the back-story!
Fly in the Ointment : Content Note (of Warning)
This is a bit awkward to admit, but I stopped reading this novel on page 5. Yes, page 5! Because the author made a fatal flaw in what he chose to include in the story itself — you see, I rescue cats. I have adopted animals through rescue organisations my entire life, and every animal lover knows that when you rescue dogs, cats, and other animals who may or may not have had the best start in life can come home with baggage. They have emotional and psychological trauma and stress to overcome, as much as the issues they have with adapting to living indoors and being around humans again to the point of being able to trust without innate fear. Read More
Posted Tuesday, 17 February, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, Children's Literature, Content Note, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Dystopian, Fantasy Fiction, Fly in the Ointment, Gaming, Indie Author, Literature for Boys, Reader Submitted Guest Post (Topic) for Author, Science Fantasy, Science Fiction, Virtual Reality, Young Adult Fiction
Posted Tuesday, 17 February, 2015 by jorielov Collins-Young Publishing LLC, L.G. O' Connor, The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles, Trinity Stones 2 Comments
It isn’t often you find the feedback you’ve given on behalf of a book you beloved but not of the form it was released has a way of serendipitously re-entering your life! Such as Trinity Stones has boomeranged back into my life on the *launch!* of it’s adaptation into Young Adult! Let me share with you a portion of my review on behalf of the adult version I previously read, as this is the foundational reason why I was spellbound by the artistry and breadth of Ms O’ Connor’s vision for the series itself:
Trinity Stones : the Trinity of Faith:
One of the interesting bits of the story for me is how the Trinity Stones are assembled and kept together; three halves of a whole which interconnect to work in tandem for protection, discovery, and enlightenment of destiny. The reason this was of a curiosity to me is because I’m a spiritualist who enjoys studying world religions. I found it incredible how O’ Connor managed to take religious thought and transmorph it into a paranormal romance & urban fantasy setting to where the theory of the Stones themselves hinge directly back into religion. I found it intriguing to watch where she took her mythology and where it dissected with mystic spirituality. The background research she must have conducted would have unearthed a great deal of insight and historical mysteries to last throughout the four-book series!
The way in which she represents the soul as an orb of energy as much as how each living soul has the choice to walk its own path during a lifetime spent on earth was truly along the lines of my own beliefs. I enjoyed the gentle guidance of the Angels, who took on different roles within the story: Guardians, gatekeepers, and administrative types of whom strived to maintain order from the ensuing chaos. The flip-side of representing the light of good is being as real and honest about the darkness and evil. I think she struck a balance to where those of us who walk in the light can respect the darkness as its presented in the story but with the encouragement of knowing that however fragile the balance; light pushes back the dark each chance that it can.
– quoted from my book review for Trinity Stones
As you know, I can only read books in print editions (or listen to their audiobook counterparts) therefore, this particular interview means a lot to me because I am attempting to put readers on the alert of a *new!* edition of a novel that I cannot even read unless the audience proves the point that stories for younger readers are not only valid but necessary for our bookish culture.
The elements that differ between the two editions will be evident as this conversation I created between the author and myself; yet I encourage each reader who alights on this interview to take a moment to read my book review for the adult version of Trinity Stones before they exit my blog. The fuller scope of what Ms O’ Connor has created within the series and how she’s given us such a hearty read through the first installment is still worth reading about. I might have disagreed with the content on principle, but I never disagreed with the heart and soul of the novel itself.
I knew from the very first moment I read Trinity Stones I had stumbled across something quite remarkable — it was a kismet moment where a reader nestles inside the grace of what an author’s left behind for us to discover and has given us such a compelling drama of life spilt out on the page to encourage our imagination and challenge our minds to not only accept the world she’s created but to re-examine how we look at the world in which we live.
I love books which instinctively challenge us, especially when they are faith-based and whose origins of mythological and/or transcendental or mysticism backgrounds give us something unique to perceive and to give way to a conversation based on what is known, what is theorised, and what can be imagined. Previously, outside of my readings of Trinity Stones, the novel that conveyed a bit of the essence of how we can be angels for each other was revealed on my review of Proof of Angels.
These kinds of stories enrich our world view and engage us into conversations that step outside our comfort zones whilst grounding us in the beauty that surrounds us in the everyday. Light and love, peace and chaos are whispers of a breath away from us at all times, and it is how we seek out which path to follow that determines more than we realise.
Trinity Stones
Angelorum Twelve Chronicles Synopsis:
The struggle between good and evil is eternal, but modern science offers an opportunity to upset the balance. Set in a refreshingly current environment, Trinity Stones: The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles by L.G. O’Connor, is the thrilling first story in this series about humans and angels brought together to fight a final battle against the Dark Ones.
Trinity Stones Synopsis:
New York investment banker, Cara Collins, has little to smile about on her 27th birthday. Her boss is a misogynistic pig and the love of her life is married to someone else. Top that off with a creepy man in the subway and then a homeless woman on the street grabbing her and asking to be healed, and Cara’s panic disorder rears it’s ugly head. Cara wonders if things could get any worse until a mysterious letter arrives announcing she’s inherited $50 million–which must remain secret or those close to her could die.
As Cara unravels the truth surrounding her inheritance, she makes a startling discovery: angels walk among the living, and they’re getting ready to engage in a battle that will determine the future of the human race. In the midst of these revelations, she meets the mysterious and sophisticated Simon who stirs her sleeping heart and offers her another chance at romance. But when the love of her life and his daughter are kidnapped by dark forces, Cara must choose: accept her place in a 2,000-year-old prophecy foretold in the Trinity Stones as the First of the Twelve who will lead the final battle between good and evil . . . or risk losing everything she holds dear.
Captivating and thrillingly romantic, Trinity Stones captures the eternal struggle of good and evil and the occasional need to bend the rules for the most important force of all: love.
Places to find the book:
Add to LibraryThing
Series: Angelorum Twelve Chronicles,
Also in this series: Trinity Stones (Adult Edition)
on February 2015
Converse via: #AngelorumTwelveChronicles & #TrinityStones
Available Formats: E-book Exclusive to Amazon for 90 Days; Print TBD
Page Count: 453 Read More
Posted Tuesday, 17 February, 2015 by jorielov in Angels, ArchAngels, ArchDemons or Demonic Entities, Crowdfunding Project, Death, Sorrow, and Loss, Debut Novel, Equality In Literature, Fallen Angels, Fantasy Fiction, Genre-bender, Good vs. Evil, Grief & Anguish of Guilt, Indie Author, Life Shift, Light vs Dark, Methodology of Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy, Passionate Researcher, Reader Submitted Author Interview, Romance Fiction, Science Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Supernatural Creatures & Beings, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense, The Writers Life, Uncategorized, Urban Fantasy, Wordsmiths & Palettes of Sage, World Religions, Writing Style & Voice, YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal &/or Paranormal Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Posted Friday, 13 February, 2015 by jorielov Cedar Fort Inc, Marilee Jackson, Midnight Runner, Sweetwater Books 6 Comments
Acquired Book By: I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Cedar Fort whereupon I am thankful to have such a diverse amount of novels and non-fiction titles to choose amongst to host. I received a complimentary copy of “Midnight Runner” direct from the publisher Front Table Books (imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Curiosity was Piqued:
My curiosity to read this novel was piqued as I do happen to be drawn into story-lines where the lead characters are caught inside compelling dramas. I like reading about strong female characters who overcome adversity and as I routinely mention, I have a particular fondness for Southern Lit which can be quite an emotional and difficult read (depending on the novel).
What stood out to me before I went into reading Midnight Runner is how two girls of seemingly different backgrounds find their lifepaths intersected with each other’s — to where it would appear on the onset, a choice has to be made about how to move forward or how to stumble backwards. This is most definitely a novel of flight in order to survive and overcome a past that is not wrought out of happy circumstances, yet the title lead characters spoke to me within the small space of the synopsis to implore a closer examination of their story.
I fancy historical fiction moreso than I ever realised, so for this to be set within the Medieval Ages (I marked this as 15th & 16th Centuries as the ‘exact’ date is unknown) held a certain cross-appeal for me. Books are my method of time travelling, and if I can find a way to cart myself back as far as I dare to stretch my imagination, I want to go where an author will lead me! I’m just never quite as certain if where I end up is somewhere where I want to settle for a long period of time! Ha! The journey itself is what envelopes me into a character’s shoes and into the heart of where a novel resides.
Midnight Runner
by Marilee Jackson
Source: Direct from Publisher
"Run." The soft whisper in her ear cut through the pitch-black hiding place. After the nightmare she had just endured, he was the only person she could still trust.
She waited. The silence surrounded her life a heavy blanket.
"Run!" he shouted, and they took off in opposite directions.
Orphaned, mistreated, and misunderstood, Moira has always dreamed of building a new life in the royal city. But when she finally arrives, her ambition gets the better of her. And little orphan Moira becomes a person she never imagined.
Isobail has never been ambitious. She wants nothing more than the simple life she's always enjoyed. But when she's recruited to work in the royal city, she finds her dreams changing.
This medieval tale of secrets, mistaken identities, romance, and long-sought redemption is sure to captivate readers. With a compelling story and characters that will keep you guessing, this book will change how you feel about villains and heroines, loss and love.
Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Young Adult Fiction Places to find the book:
Borrow from a Public Library
Add to LibraryThing
Published by Sweetwater Books
on 10th February, 2015
Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Published By: Sweetwater Books (@SweetwaterBooks),
an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc (@CedarFortBooks)
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Converse on Twitter via: #MidnightRunner Read More
Posted Friday, 13 February, 2015 by jorielov in 15th Century, 16th Century, Blog Tour Host, Book Trailer, Bookish Discussions, Bookish Films, Castles & Estates, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, Coming-Of Age, Content Note, Death, Sorrow, and Loss, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Domestic Violence, Fairy Tale Fiction, Fly in the Ointment, Historical Fiction, Indie Author, Midwife | Midwifery, Orphans & Guardians, Psychological Abuse, Re-Told Tales, Realistic Fiction, Trauma | Abuse & Recovery, Women's Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
