28 June, 2016

Jamba The Joint Family by Sriram Balasubramanian - [Book Review]

Book Details:
Title:  Jamba, The Joint Family
Author: Sriram Balasubramanian
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Read out Loud publishing LLP
No of pages:208
Source: A free review copy from the author through book r3vi3w tours


About the Book:


In an age when families are becoming more nuclear, Karthik's family was an aberration: It was a large joint family with its own complications, contradictions and commonalities. Two love stories and a wedding get intertwined within the family at the same time. One of them could make or break the joint family, will the family survive? Will the love story succeed? Will the younger generation respond to the needs of the family? How will the older generation respond to the changing perceptions of the younger generation? Will the family eco-system survive?

In an India swamped by globalization, this racy and humorous story tries to dissect the generational changes in Indian society and how the Indian society is responding to the changes.

My Review: 

Jamba is about a joint family in Chennai and the story covers the drama that unfolds during and the preparation of a marriage ceremony. The  author walks us through the incidents and introduces us to different characters and their attitudes with a pinch of humor.  This is an easy and quick read.  If you already knew something about Tamil Brahmin community, their traditions, the food and Chennai city, you can relate to the story well and you will enjoy for sure. I did enjoy, as it brought back memories of my hostel days in Chennai and the marriages I attended in Tamil Nadu. 

I like the cover photo, but I didn't find the title very apt. The narration is easy to follow as if you are talking to a friend. The  plot is somewhat predictable but interesting. I felt bored at one point of time when there is no story going ahead and only marriage preparations are depicted. It was dragging a bit in the middle. The climax is great. 

Loved these lines from the book and these sums up the actual message given by the author at the end.

Families are meant to be the core of our culture. They are the unifying point. They have strict rules and stereotypes but they will NEVER leave you alone


A joint family is an inclusive set-up, never exclusive, and that’s why our culture has survived for centuries.

My Rating:


4.5/5

PS: I have received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review and this is my unbiased opinion on the book.


Book Links:

Ebook

About the Author:

Sriram Balasubramanian is a Writer who has contributed extensively to international publications such as NYT, WSJ, Foreign Policy, Forbes India, and The Hindu among others. He has interacted with a variety of global business leaders and policy makers in his experience as a journalist and writer. His main area of focus has been on human development, education and socio-economic issues with a global context.
Besides this, he has a Master’sDegree from University of Southern California and is pursuing another degree at Columbia University in NYC. He is also authoring another book on the World Chess championship which was held recently.
He is very passionate about India, its cultural ethos & socio-economic evolution. He can be reached at @Sriram316or http://www.facebook.com/jambathenovel20orhttp://www.srirambala.in


Until next time,

This Review is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by b00k r3vi3w Tours

27 June, 2016

The Burning City - Teaser






Urban Fantasy
Date Published: July 5, 2016


Book #3 of the Siren Song series:

When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?

Tattoo artist June Coffin has another, more hidden talent: she’s a Siren who can influence people with the sound of her voice. But in the wake of a murder and shake-up at the Institute of Supernatural Research, her own powers are starting to kill her. The only chance she has of saving herself—as well as her kidnapped brother and best friend—is to become a vampire. But joining the ranks of the vengeful vamp, Occam Reed, is the last thing June wants to do.

Occam isn’t the only danger June needs to worry about. Power hungry telepath Robbie Beecher will stop at nothing to gain control over Chicago. He’ll destroy anyone who gets in his way—and June’s lover, Sam, is high on the hit list since his bid for Mayor. With the city and June’s heart being pulled in different directions, it’s only a matter of time before the powder keg explodes…and time isn’t something June has much of left. With a city on fire, can she rise from its ashes?



EXCERPT


Like a bored, despondent child, she dragged around the house, on the verge of throwing a tantrum because there was nothing to do. She walked out on the front porch. Night had fallen, the stars out. She trudged down the long set of stairs from the porch to the driveway. Dipity plunked down the steps after her.
“Don’t run away,” June told the cat as they reached the bottom. “I’m not digging through the bushes to find you. You’ll be sleeping outside tonight.”
June sat down on the bottom step. Dipity walked around the yard, sniffing things. Lightning bugs flickered in the darkness, little yellow pulses of light. The driveway was packed with cars.
She picked at her fingernails, trying to shake the looming sense of awkwardness hanging over her, the loneliness of being an outsider, of being that left-out kid she once was. She’d vowed she would never be that girl again, yet here she was.
A nearby sound startled her. She jerked her head up.
What she’d heard was strange and alarming—the sound of leaves rustling and a weird, heavy thump.
Dipity shot back over to the stairs and stopped next to June, tail in the air, staring across the yard.
June got to her feet. She squinted into the shadows under the line of trees across the yard. The trees weren’t too far away, maybe fifty feet, but it was so dark now she couldn’t make out anything.
“Hello?” she called. Maybe one of the guards was patrolling the grounds.
Silence.
She was tired of being spooked, of hearing bizarre sounds and not knowing their source. She crossed the yard toward the trees, the grass prickling her bare feet. Dipity sprinted back up the stairs to the porch.
“Hello?” she called again. “Is someone there?”
As she drew closer to the trees, the shadows lessened in density, and she could make out something—a shape—lying on the ground. She slowed, holding her breath. She didn’t want to be attacked by a nervous possum or sprayed by a skunk.
However, the shape was much too big to be an animal. In fact, it looked like a person.
She stopped, about ten feet away, standing beneath the overhanging branches. She tried to convince herself she wasn’t seeing clearly.
“Hello?” She considered using her power. “Hey, can you hear me?”
The shape didn’t move. It couldn’t be a person. What the hell would a person be doing lying underneath the trees in Sam’s yard?
Unless he wasn’t alive.
Then came the unmistakable soft swish of someone walking through the grass behind her. Before she could turn around, someone whispered close to her ear.
“For you, darling. Come home soon.”
She spun around, a scream catching in her throat.
No one was there.
“Occam!”





About the Author



Megan Morgan is an award winning urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and erotica author from Cleveland, Ohio. RWA member, bartender by day, and purveyor of things that go bump in the night, she’s trying to turn writing into her day job so she can be on the other side of the bar for a change. Hailing from the often-wintry shores of Lake Erie, she lives with an attention-seeking cat and her adult son, both of which shed too much.


Contact Links



Pre-Order Links




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Until next time,

23 June, 2016

Top 5 Tourist places in San Antonio, Texas

Hello.. June is the great outdoors month!

No wonder! it's my birthday month too.. I love travelling and outdoors :-)


It's been 2 months I am staying in San Antonio and I did some research on the best tourist places that suit my taste and are kid-friendly.


Here is a quick list...


Pin it for later!



1. The River walk


When I search for popular places in San Antonio, this suggestion comes up first. There are shops, eateries along the river walk. It's a good area to explore and have fun time with friends. I visited this place on a weekend and it doesn't sound to be a good option. It is very crowded and there is barely any space to walk. 


2. The Alamo and Mission San Jose

The Alamo is the most visited historic spot which is at the heart of San Antonio. This is a memorial of heroes died in 1836 battle. 300- year old Spanish fortress is the main attraction. Mission San Jose has old Spanish built churches and a museum. The buildings are very good to explore and enjoy photography.


3. The Tower of the Americas

This 750 feet tall structure gives a fantastic view of the Alamo city (If you are wondering, what is Alamo city, San Antonio is also known as the Alamo city). It has an observation deck, revolving eatery, and 4D adventure ride. Ticket price is $12 for adults and $9 for children. Please check the official website for more information.

4. Natural Bridge Caverns

These natural caves under 60 foot limestone bridge are one of the most popular natural tourist destination to explore. There are 2 tours - discovery and hidden passages tour to explore. Please check this site for more information on timings and ticket prices. 












5. San Antonio Botanical garden and Japanese tea garden
I have mixed both of them as they are not very far. Japanese tea garden is also known as Sunken garden, which is an open air venue for theater and events in Brackenridge park. It is like a small garden with a pond, water fall and fishes. San Antonio botanical garden has different types of gardens and it is a wonderful place to visit with kids.It is a serene spot with pond and trails. These both gardens are free attractions open till 5 PM. We can also cover San Antonio zoo and Brackenridge park on the same day though it will be tiring.


There are many other places too like Seaworld, Six flags, San antonio museum, Mc nay museum, Children's museum etc., 

Also, check latest local deals in groupon:

https://www.groupon.com/local/san-antonio/things-to-do

Let me know in comments about your experience of visiting these places, I am all ears :-)


Until next time,







 PS: All images from google labeled with non-commercial reuse.

15 June, 2016

The Renegade Queen by Eva Flynn - [Book Review]

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Book Details:


Title: The Renegade Queen
Author: Eva Flynn
Genre: Historical fiction
Source: A free review copy from the author through instafreebie.
Publisher: Omega press
No of pages: 328



Blurb:


Two Renegades So Controversial They Were Erased From History Discarded by society, she led a social revolution. Disgusted by war, he sought a new world.
She was the first women to run for President, campaigning before women could vote.
He was the Hero of Vicksburg, disillusioned with the government after witnessing the devastating carnage of the Civil War.
Their social revolution attracted the unwanted who were left out of the new wealth: the freed slaves, the new immigrants, and women.
Who were they?
This is the true story of Victoria Woodhull and the love of her life, James Blood.
Adored by the poor, hated by the powerful, forced into hiding during their lifetimes and erased from history after death, the legend of their love lives on.
It’s 1869 and Victoria has a choice to make. She can stay in an abusive marriage and continue to work as a psychic, or she can take the offer of support from handsome Civil War general James Blood and set about to turn society upside down. Victoria chooses revolution.

Purchase Link:


My Review:


This is my first book on American history. The story is about Mrs.Victoria Woodhull who is raised in a poor family as 6th child and had an abusive childhood. She has a gift of being able to talk to spirits which her father uses to his advantage to earn money. She is tortured and kept in delirium with opium to earn money as per her father's wish. 
Surprisingly, Victoria has optimism and ambition in her life to fight for women equality and right to vote even though she herself is chained. She is a strongly opinionated individual and a rebel. She is kind of a woman who can go to any extremes and bear pain to fight for the rights of women. Those were the days when women were treated as slaves, and woman's only objective of life supposed to be to please her man and take care of home. 

The story, the narration and characters inspired me throughout the novel and it is interesting to know about women in 80's in USA. Victoria's positive spirit, boldness and her stubborn nature to do some good for future generations of women is exemplary. I couldn't accept the climax though. Since it is based on real incidents, I cannot complain about that. I appreciate the author for her research work and wish her the best for next part of the series. I am looking forward to read the next part actually.

I would recommend this to history and politics lovers. 

My Rating:


4/5

Some lines that I loved from the book:


If my unborn is a girl, I will teach her to be strong, I will ensure she marries the right man, and I will see to it that she can work in any position she desires. If my unborn is a boy, I will teach him how to be a kind man, a compassionate man, and to see women as equal, worthy, creations of God

Do you know what Chicago means?” Canning asks. I shake my head. “It’s an old Indian word for foul smell"

I plead for the intellectual emancipation and the redemption of womanhood from sexual slavery—social evils can only be eliminated by making your daughters the peers of your sons advocating “radical” positions including liberal divorce laws, the criminalization of marital rape, woman’s political and economic equality, and the eight-hour workday
Ps: Received the book from the author in exchange of an honest review.

Until next time,

07 June, 2016

Dark Moon by C W Holcomb - Book Promo







Sci-fi Thriller, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic
Date Published: April 2016

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Dark Moon is a Sci-fi suspense thriller about a time in the near future when creatures from ancient legends emerge from hiding to help the surviving humans fight sinister alien invaders who have begun a ground invasion of New York City and cut down all in their path with lethal energy weapons. The story centers heavily on Raziel, the last remaining Werewolf as he is forced to begin turning the human soldiers that fall in battle in order to save their lives and rekindles his kind after centuries of near extinction.

The storyline follows his ancient mind back, to bittersweet memories of his distant youth more than a thousand years before, where he had met his counterpart and soulmate Lupea, a Pure Born Werewolf like himself that he had lost to the savagery of the Wars of the Moon. As he turns an elite squad of soldiers, one by one into newborn Werewolves, his memories of her are rekindled and he is forced to feel the loss of her all over again.




About the Author






C.W. Holcomb's writing style and major influences include a wide variety of well known novelists that came before him including, J.R.R Tolkien, Mary Stewart, Raymond E. Feist, C.S. Lewis, Robert Jordan, Elizabeth Hayden and Frank Herbert. The biggest influences on his style were Terry Brooks and Terry Goodkind. He has drawn inspiration for his novels from other areas as well including, animated shows and video games.

His debut novel, Dark Moon Book one of the Brotherhood of the Moon, is inspired by ancient Celtic legends about Werebeasts that stalked the forests of the Scottish Highlands on the full moon. His newly released novel, Chaos:Worlds Beyond Book one of the Reflections of Infinity Saga is deeply inspired by Ancient Greek Mythology and Lore. His works contain endearing characters that always have something special and unique that helps them survive in the brutal and unrelenting Worlds that he creates.

Contact Links



Purchase Link


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Until next time,

03 June, 2016

Children from dark houses by Carlyle Clark - Book Blitz







Mystery/Thriller
Date Published: June 1, 2016

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Cynical private investigator Atticus Wynn and his idealistic partner Rosemary Sanchez will stop at nothing to save a damaged boy, even when it means taking on a pair of professional killers and a gang of outlaw bikers in this action-packed and gallows-humored mystery thriller prequel to The Black Song Inside.
When Atticus and Rosemary are hired for the seemingly routine job of finding Imran Khan, a runaway from San Diego’s posh Barrington Academy for troubled teens, the detectives quickly discover this case will be anything but routine.  
Imran wasn’t running away from the rigid rules of Barrington, he was running into the arms of an enigmatic beauty who goes to great lengths to stay in the shadows. As soon as Atticus and Rosemary learn of this mystery woman, they’re targeted by a brutal outlaw biker gang.
When the detectives finally meet their employers in person, Imran's parents, the pieces fall into place.  They discover a family seething with rage, an abused boy seeking love, and a secret so powerful, it blows the lid off the case.  A dark world of dirty money, deadly spies, and double-crosses is brought to light, forcing Atticus and Rosemary to question whether Imran is an innocent victim or a violent avenger.


The detectives will need all of Atticus's street smarts and Rosemary's combat experience to survive as they race down a road of blood and broken people toward a showdown where the very boy they've sworn to save is the person most likely to get them killed. 



EXCERPT

Rosemary Sanchez’s phone rang, or to be more accurate, warbled into song. Specifically, Muddy Waters famous blues tune “Mannish Boy,” which she had not programmed into it. It started at the part that refers to the singer’s destiny to become “the greatest man alive.” She snorted. That Atticus.
Clad in jeans and a gray T-shirt that read ARMY across the front, she’d been in the midst of her daily bed-making duel with her nemesis, her tortoiseshell cat Mawroo, who with feline telepathy, always anticipated the moment she began to make her bed. As the sheet came billowing down, Mawroo leapt onto the mattress. The cat-hump raced around beneath the sheet like a gopher in a cartoon, all the while uttering her namesake cry, “Maaaaawrooooo!” Rosemary could only answer such an affront to bed-making etiquette by scrabbling her fingers about so that the hump raced hither and thither after them, sometimes rolling over to create four paw tent poles, claws poking through the sheet.
Rosemary answered the phone while, in protest at the interruption, Mawroo “mawrooed”!
“Let me guess,” Rosemary said. “You made one too many smartass remarks, and now we’re barred from Barrington.”
“Scoff, scoff,” Atticus said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.
“I wanted to scoff at your lack of faith, but I’ve only read about people scoffing and never actually seen it. Thus, I don’t know how one would actually go about scoffing in real life. So I improvised.”
“I don’t know whether it’s more disturbing to think you’ve been pondering that for a while or that you just thought it up.”
“Either someone’s playing a violin with a meat tenderizer,” he said, “or you are foolishly trying to make your bed with Mawroo in the room.”
“I don’t have a choice,” Rosemary said. “She sulks all day if I shut her out.”
“How can one tell if a cat is sulking or just being a cat?”
“When one loves another being and is in a close relationship, one pays attention and thus becomes quite attuned to the being’s sensibilities.”
“Are we still talking about a cat here?” Atticus asked.
“Meow,” Rosemary answered.
“Um, er, normally, I’d be game for the metaphorical banter, but I happen to have a gentleman tailing me. I’m hoping you can come out here and tail my tailer.”
Rosemary’s tone switched from banter to business. “Already someone following you? Feel dangerous?”
“Can’t tell,” he said, “but it’s hard to see what I could have done so quickly to make someone want to hurt me.”
“You’ve never been on the other side of your smart mouth.”
“Anyway,” he said, “once you’ve got him, I’ll lose him.”
“And I’ll follow him back to his criminal lair.”
“Criminal lair?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “Any criminal associated with Barrington Academy wouldn’t have anything as uncouth as a hideout. He would merit a lair.”
“Brains as well as beauty,” he said. “Brains enough that once this ne’er do well is ensconced in his lair, you wouldn’t dream of doing something as stupid as trying to get a real good looksee before you’ve called your charming partner in for back up, right?”
“You do recall I’ve done a tour of duty in a war zone?”
“And I know you’re going back soon,” Atticus said, his voice tight, “which I don’t like to even think about. My point is that neither of us should take any unnecessary risks.”
“But that’s my specialty.”
“Computers are your specialty. That’s why we joined forces. Risk-taking is your addiction.”
“Fine, if you’re going to be such a big butt about it, I’ll play it all careful and boring.”
Atticus sighed. “All I ask is that you be as concerned about your safety as I am.”
Rosemary ended the call as Mawroo scooted from beneath the sheet, paused, and then suddenly realized it was absolutely imperative she get out of the room as quickly as possible. She galloped through the door and made it all of three feet into the hall before lying down, licking her paws, and rubbing her little baseball head with her wet feet.
Grinning at the kitty’s antics, Rosemary threw her hair into a braid, wriggled into her jeans, and headed out the door to her silver Ford Fiesta ST. Fifteen minutes later, Rosemary texted Atticus that she was in position behind the tail.

About the Author





Carlyle Clark was raised in Poway, a city just north of San Diego, but is now a proud Chicagolander working in the field of Corporate Security and writing crime and fantasy fiction. He has flailed ineffectually at performing the writer's requisite myriad of random jobs: pizza deliverer, curb address painter, sweatshop laborer, day laborer, night laborer, security guard, campus police, Gallup pollster, medical courier, vehicle procurer, and signature-for-petitions-getter.

He is a married man with two cats and a dog. He is also a martial arts enthusiast and a CrossFit endurer who enjoys fishing, sports, movies, TV series with continuing storylines, and of course, reading. Most inconsequentially, he holds the unrecognized distinction of being one of the few people in the world who have been paid to watch concrete dry in the dark. Tragically, that is a true statement.

Contact Links
Twitter:@Carlyle_Clark

Purchase Links

Giveaway

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Until next time,

Big by Emme Rollins - Release Week Blitz

Erotic Romance, New Adult, Military, Romantic Suspense

Date Published: June 3, 2016

Publisher: Fido Publishing





He’s big. He’s bad. And he only wants one thing. 
Revenge.
Ric Ryker spent years being called “Big Dick.” 
Ridiculed for his weight, shunned by all the pretty girls, snubbed by all the cool guys. 
But after a secret journey of transformation, he’s back—ready to take over leadership from his father at Ryker Arms—with an impressive new physique and a plan to prove them all wrong.
Especially her.
The one woman who hurt him the most. 
Annalesa—smart, sassy, stunning.
And his stepsister. 
The girl he could never have. 
The girl who wouldn’t look twice at him anyway—especially in front of her stuck-up friends. 
Now he’s going to make her want him. 
Show her just what she was missing. 
And hurt her, just like she hurt him. 
He’s got the weapon and he’s taken aim—but he didn’t count on his own heart getting caught in the crossfire.


EXCERPT

“Leesa, I’m still not so sure this is a good idea…” Ric looked down at her, a frown turning the corners of his perfect mouth down just slightly. “I don’t know what to think.”
“Please trust me.” She kissed his chest, rubbing her cheek there, her voice almost a whisper. “I should have tried harder. I should have told you how I felt. I should have been brave then, I know.” 
“Oh Leesa.” His lips brushed the top of her head. 
“But I wasn’t brave then. And I’m sorry, Ric. I’m so sorry. I’ve been sorry every single day we’ve been apart, every minute that you were out of my reach.” 
“Oh Christ.” He sighed. 
“But you have to understand something.” She lifted her face and met his eyes, squaring her shoulders. “There are only so many times I can explain, only so many ways I can apologize. I know what happened… it made you feel awful, and I’m sorry you were hurt. But Ric—I never did any of it on purpose. I never, ever set out to hurt you.” 
“I know.”
She felt weightless as he lifted her onto the ledge of the booth, feeling the warmth of his palms through the thin cotton of her top as he kept his hands around her waist.
“So you forgive me?” She knew the question was in her eyes as she put her arms around his neck. 
“If we do this…” His thumbs stroked her belly, on either side of her navel, a delicious distraction. “I need to trust you. Completely.” 
“Okay.” She nodded, her heart soaring at the possibility. She wouldn’t have admitted it to her closest friend or even confessed it to a priest on her death bed before this moment, but this, with Ric, was what she wanted, what she’d always wanted. 
“We’ll have to keep it secret.” His thumbs brushed beneath her top, stroking her bare skin. He looked over his shoulder, checking they were alone. “At least, for a while.”
“Yeah.” She winced, not relishing the thought of telling their parents.
“Leesa, I really need to trust you.” His grip tightened, his fingers digging into her sides so hard it almost hurt. He was so strong! “I imagine our relationship’s going to be tested. A lot.” 
“I know.” She nodded vigorously, agreeing, the word ‘relationship’ from his mouth secretly thrilling her. “Ric, I promise, I—”
“I mean it. This isn’t a joke. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” His harsh words jarred her senses but he didn’t let her go. His hands were under her shirt now, fully on her skin, his big palms spreading heat through her whole body. “Because, I may ask you to prove it, Leesa.”
“I will,” she breathed, straightening her spine so she could get her lips closer to his. “I swear, I’ll do whatever I have to, to prove my feelings for you, this time.”
“Good.” He gave her a slow, weary smile, and then he kissed her, his mouth soft and open, not demanding anymore. 
“What now?” she breathed as they parted. If he’d wanted to take her right then, right there, she would have done whatever he asked. 
“We take it slow.” He rested his forehead against hers. “And keep us a secret.”
“Us.” She smiled at that. 
“You up for more target practice?” He smiled, too, glancing down at her gun as he took a step back. 
“I’ll probably miss the target entirely.” She grinned, sliding off the ledge and putting her hands to her flushed cheeks. “But it’s probably a good idea for me to cool down a little before we leave.” 
Ric helped her relax into her stance and, with the weight of their conflict gone, she went on to make six bullseyes out of ten shots on the next two targets, and the remaining shots clustered close around the center. 
“Damn, girl.” Ric clapped. “I’m impressed. Remind me not to give you any reason to shoot at me.” 
“You’re the last person I’d want to shoot at.” She smiled and emptied the last cartridges out of the magazine, handing them back to him, along with the gun. “At least, most of the time.” 
“Except when I’m being a dick?” He snorted and she laughed as he led them back to the armory to check in their weapons. 

About the Author:
Emme Rollins is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of New Adult/Mature Young Adult fiction. She’s been writing since she could hold a crayon and still chews her pen caps to a mangled plastic mess. She did not, however, eat paste as a kid. 
She has two degrees, a bachelor’s and a master’s, one of which she’s still paying for, but neither of which she uses out in the “real world,” because when she isn’t writing, she spends her time growing an organic garden to feed her husband and children (and far too many rabbits and deer!) where they live on twenty gorgeous forested acres in rural Michigan.
She loves tending her beehives, keeping up with her daily yoga practice and going for long walks in the woods with her boxer dog, who loves chasing squirrels almost as much as Emme loves writing!
Emme loves hearing from fans, so feel free to use the contact page on her site (emmerollins.com) to connect with her.

Contact Links

Purchase Links
Amazon:

Giveaway
3 Signed Paperback Copies


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Until next time,

02 June, 2016

A deadly deed grows by Kathryn Long - A guest post


Romantic Suspense
Date Published: March 2015


Blurb :

Mira Stanley has come to Cape San Blas, Florida for one reason: to save Claire Peterson, her boss' aunt, from being swindled and losing her home. She realizes it will be a challenge to defeat Bradley Lane, the unscrupulous land developer, even with her accomplished skills as a lawyer. However, another element adds itself to the equation when Mira meets the attractive Sean Thorndale. The chemistry between them leaves Mira confused and frightened.



Sean Thorndale has always been confident and driven with one personal agenda, and it promises to be dangerous. Even if he must deceive others by following Bradley Lane’s orders, he’ll do it to get the justice someone close to him deserves. At least that’s how he feels until he meets Mira Stanley. As their attraction to each other builds, Sean will decide if the dangerous journey to achieve what both he and Mira want is worth the risk.


About the Author:

Kathryn Long’s passion is writing mysteries, creating the intricate details and weaving them together into the clues which the reader will enjoy collecting to solve the crime. However, she’s worn many hats over the years – bookseller, teacher, mom, wife, and author. Many of her works include Native American elements and hints of the paranormal. She loves a scary ghost story!

Her writing inspiration began with reading about Nancy Drew and the heroines of romantic suspense authors such as Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. Her first creations were short stories meant to entertain anyone who’d listen or read. Playing the guitar led to song lyrics, which she insists taught her the rhythm and pace of writing prose.



Writing took a serious turn several years ago when she had her first book published. To date readers can find her self-pubbed cozy Lilly M Mysteries, and her traditionally published work: paranormal mystery, Dying to Dream, and latest, a romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Growsat online retailers and in bookstores.

Always striving for better and greater achievements, Kathryn has recently signed with literary agency, Golden Wheat Literary and agent Jessica Schmeidler who is working diligently to sell Long’s latest mystery, Grave Maker Blues.

When writing and the creative muse take a break, this author loves to travel, watch Castle, and of course, read mysteries. Oh, and there’s always an author event or two she will attend in order to – you got it – talk about mystery. Kathryn lives in a small burg located in northeast Ohio with her husband and little pooch, Max.


 Five Things You Should Know About Writing

By
Kathryn Long


Most writers will learn as they go, make mistakes and hope to do better the next time. That’s why getting advice from those who are willing to share tips on the craft is so appreciated. Anything to help avoid those pitfalls. Right? There are lots of books on writing, from mechanics to pitching to marketing to whatever you’re looking for. It’s all there. I have a whole library of them myself. Authors networking with authors through social media or in person provides a wealth of knowledge, too. For instance, I belong to the local chapter of Sisters in Crime and I frequent author expos. Writing is such a solitary endeavor. Rubbing shoulders with other authors is like therapy.

It’s difficult to narrow down the multitude of things I’ve gathered during my career in writing—almost twenty years of accumulated knowledge—and I’m still learning, but here you go!

1) Your first attempt may not be worth publishing. Okay, that sounds harsh, but it’s reality. Your writing should get better with time. Like any skill, practice can make perfect. In this instant-gratification society we live in where most of us want to see quick results, hearing someone tell you to wait, write another book or story, try again because next time it will be better is not what we like to hear. Nonetheless, it’s prudent advice.

2) Find something to write about that you love. Here’s the catch. You may love it, but perhaps no one else will. It happens. If your goal is to get something published, understand that it’s a business. No publisher is willing to put X amount of dollars into a project that nobody wants to read and thus makes zero profit. Unless you’re writing purely for your own pleasure and never plan to sell, find something to write that you love and readers love.

3) Writing one project takes so much time, so much effort, but may gain so little reward. You can write and suffer through it enough to draw blood. It can take you from months to years to write one book. Nobody out there in the writing/publishing world cares. Readers don’t think when they consider buying your book how much time you spent on it, how many hours you sweated and slaved. They want a great read at a real bargain. Bottom line? If you love writing, you’ll keep doing it no matter what the reward.

4) It only gets harder. Did I say the writing gets better? Yes, I did. Here’s the thing. You improve and you expect more of yourself. Make sense? It’s like earning all A’s in school. Now, everyone including yourself expects A’s in the future, and forever! You can’t help it. The naïve writer you once were, the one who didn’t know you should be cautious of how many times you use words like that, then, would or could, or recognize the difference between showing and telling, that person has been replaced by a wiser and craftier writer. That person won’t be satisfied with mediocre. Yeah, it only gets harder, but your writing gets better!

5) Writing can become an obsession. What do you mean? I can walk away from it at any moment. Yeah, think again. If you’re passionate about it, you’ll have a tough time giving it up. I say this from my experience, but I have heard other authors argue the same. You’ll think, sleep, eat writing, create little scenarios in your head, recognize great story ideas everywhere—the six o’clock news, the man talking on the phone next to you at the bus station, the bickering couple at the table across from you at the restaurant, the stories are everywhere and you can’t stop them from invading your imagination. They beg to be written. Yep. It’s an obsession, but you’ll probably love it. At least I do.  

Contact Information

Website: http://www.kathrynlong.webs.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynLong.Books/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/klongauthor

Blog: http://kjlong-teacherwriter.blogspot.com/

 

Purchase Links

Amazon: Kindle Edition

Barnes & Noble: Nook Press

Publisher: Wild Rose Press - Publisher


Until next time,

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