***** Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton was fantastic! A definite page turner from the moment you open the book.



Teagan Wylltson had plans for her future. Working with Apes and teaching them sign language was all part of it. She was going to work with animals, get a scholarship and become a Veterinarian. She was going to get her life in order before she ever thought about boys.



Her mother was an artist and author, her father a librarian. A home filled with love, a father always reading them stories and a mother painting and writing about places she thought were only from imagination. She never expected that the world her mother wrote about was an actual place, or that the stories her dad told were true legends.



When Finn Mac Cumhaill came into her life, things changed from the moment he walked through their door. Having never taken interest in boys before, Teagan couldn't deny the chemistry she felt with Finn. Her best friend Abby tried warning her that there was something odd about Finn and she should be very careful. But as Teagan learns of Irish Travelers and and creatures of the night, Teagan never expected to face the battle of her life, one she would fight with Finn.



When her mother dies after being touched by a shadow man, Teagan must learn of her true origin when the same shadows kidnap her dad. Entering the world her mother wrote about, Teagan, Finn, and her little brother Aiden face creatures they never believed existed as they set out to rescue her dad, and each other.



As she comes to realize that she was born of the same blood as the "Shadow Men", Teagan struggles to accept who she is and who she wants to be. Battling with shadow men, goblins and fallen angels, Teagan comes face to face with the greatest evil of all.



Can she save her dad and the others, without giving in to the dark side?



This is one title where I just want to tell you everything, yet don't want to give too much away. I found this book to be one that you just can't put down until you get to the end. I love Celtic Mythology and Hamilton did a great job bringing it to life with Tyger Tyger.



So without giving too much away, I give Tyger Tyger ***** (5) Stars, BK Walker, http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com





View all my reviews

**** Review of Spirit by Andrew Feder

Spirit by Andrew Feder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Spirit by Andrew Feder is a great twist on spirituality. Delving into the world of astral projection, this book will definitely leave you wondering..."What If".

Randall Lender went from rock bottom to being one of the world's greatest motivational speakers. Teaching what he has learned about life, love, and spirituality, Randall is beloved by most of the world, with one minor exception...The Guilders.

The Guilders, leaders of religion who think it has to be their way or no way, don't like what Randall teaches, and want to see him disposed of. When Randall cancels his schedule for the day, he takes a much needed meditation and out of body experience. Only today, Randall finds himself thrusted into someone else's body.

Not understanding what happened, Randall comes to the realization that he is in big trouble when he comes to his senses in a murderer's body. Now facing execution, his lawyer Sandy, a public defender, must learn to trust that he is actually Randall Lender in another body, and help him to learn what happened and how to get back to his own body.

In a great spiritual warfare, Spirit brings to light the meaning of metaphysics, and the chances one takes during astral projection. "What if" it happened to you?

Feder did a fantastic job with this title, giving insight to astral projection and constantly leaving you wondering, "What If?" We all know that there is a constant battle between good and evil, a difference in religions, leadership, government, but what if this is exactly what happens?

I give Spirit **** (4) Stars, BK Walker, http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com

View all my reviews >>

http://www.andrewfeder.com/Spirit.html 

Winner for Hope Ocean

The winner for Hope Ocean is Lorrie Struiff.  Congratulations Lorrie!  Please watch for an email for further details :).

Thank you to all for visiting Lily's interview and leaving a comment for her.

***** Review of Heart of a Warrior by Margaret West

Heart of a Warrior by Margaret West


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Heart of a Warrior by Margaret West was "OMG" phenomenal! Becoming enthralled from the first sentence I couldn't put this book down until I finished it!Belinda Carter escapes to Arizona looking for some comfort from her father as she is going through a nasty divorce. Upon her arrival, she finds a distaste for several people who claim to be helping her father and that her dad is actually in the hospital recovering from a heart attack.Though her dad has told her much about the Navajo that live on a Res nearby her fathers home, Belinda seems to keep putting her foot in her mouth when she meets Yuma, the Navajo Chief.She is worried about her father and wanting at the same time for the Navajo Clan to like her for her, not because she is her Harry's daughter. She finally gets to see her dad after a fight about visiting hours, where she was going to sleep, and apologizing for making the Chief angry.While trying to keep the peace with Yuma, Belinda is also worried about her fathers store, which she is sure that is on its downfall and that the current caretakers are running it, and her fathers good name into the desert ground. She doesn't trust Jez Landsdowne any farther than she can throw him and he continually proves his actions to be dishonest.When Aponi, (Yuma's niece) and Belinda go for a night swim, Jez once again proves his ill intentions and Yuma must come to the rescue. This is when their relationship begins to flourish, even though they are continually butting heads.West did a fantastic job with The Heart of a Warrior. The plot was perfect, with added humor I found myself laughing at times, angry at others while rooting for Belinda to come out on the winning side. I really liked Yuma's stubborness and Belinda's feistiness, West did a great job mixing the chemistry between these two.The only thing I was left with was wanting more at the end of this title.West did a superb job capturing the essence of Native Americans and it will definitely capture your heart! I give it ***** (5) Stars, BK Walker, http://bkwalkerbooks.weebly.com/

View all my reviews >>

Search Amazon.com for The Heart of a Warrior by Margaret West

A lot of Hope & a bit of Faith with Lily Oak and Book Giveaway

Today we welcome Lily Oak,  owner of Hedge-Witchery Books and author.  This magnificent young lady has the biggest heart I've ever seen.  Not once,  but twice she has put together books to raise money for a cause.  Her fist book,  Hope Moon was put together in just 3 days for the Haiti Appeal,  and Hope Ocean was put together in just 7 days to help with the Mexican Gulf disaster.  Please give Lily a warm welcome as we chat with her about her writing,  and be sure to check out the giveaway,  as one lucky winner will win a copy of her book,  Hope Ocean.  Thank you so much for being with us today Lily.

Please tell us a little about yourself.....
I write articles on paganism and witchcraft for e-zines and magazines. I write creatively and am currently working on my first full length fiction project. I run Hedge-Witchery.com which is the site I use to house all the pagan and witchcraft related writing I do as well as provide moon phase and seasonal information. I also do Oracle Card & Stone readings. I also run  Hedge Witchery Books which is my new publishing and writer promotion venture, and edit Incantation e-zine.

What do you see as your influences on your writing?
Wow lot's of  things! I think if I'm really honest with myself I always things I offer up the best of myself in my written work, and that's the bit I want to leave behind.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Time and focus. I'm always doing a million things at once and love living in chaos so working on the novel is very challenging.

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?
I would like to do more novels and novellas though at the minute it seems my poetry work is getting more noticed.

How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set
formula?
I start  with the characters, put them in a situation and the plot is built from how the characters I envision would respond. Apparently this is slightly backwards as a lot of writers tell me they start with plot and write characters to suit.

What drew you to write about paranormal fiction?
It's the kind of thing I like to read myself. Also it's a genre that really allows your imagination to run wild.

How do you keep your writing different from the vast variety of
 stories (in your genre) out there today?
I don't think it really takes a huge effort, like I said previously there really isn't anywhere a story can't go within this genre. There's such a massive scope that covers paranormal fiction.

How did your title come into play?
Well the books I'm promoting at the minute, I didn't actually write ha ha ha! ok I wrote contribution for them but they are both short anthology's that were put together on ridiculous deadlines for charity.

Can you tell us a little bit about the main characters and/or the plot in your book?
Hope Ocean is a mystical, magical, slightly occult anthology, themed around the ocean.This small collection, by a wide variety of writers, was put together in just 7 days. Their aim was to raise money and awareness to aid wildlife charities dealing with the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Hope Moon is a collection of short stories, poetry and articles inspired by the moon and its influence over us. This pagan-esque anthology was put together in just 3 days in order to help raise money for the Haiti earthquake appeal, and for every copy in sold a donation is made.

 
What were your feelings when you first novel was accepted for publication?
Technically it hasn't yet... but as I run a publishing company I'm not sweating it too much! ha ha ha

Who is your favorite author?
I hate this question but if I had to pick just one I'd have to go with Jean M Auel


If you could leave readers with one legacy, what would you want it to
be?
To notice the magic in the everyday, I think if my writing has any agenda other than just entertaining people, thats it, to make them notice the little details that hold the magic in life.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out in this genre?
Don't be influenced by trends!


Is there a website that readers may find you at?
www.hedge-witchery.com
www.hedge-witcherybooks.com

Facebook,  Twitter,  or Myspace?
All on the 'Keeping in touch' page on www.hedge-witchery.com


Thank you so much for stopping in Lily.  It has been a grand pleasure.  So now let's get to the giveaway.
For anyone that leaves a comment for Lily,  with your email address you will be entered to win a copy of Hope Ocean.  Please be sure to leave your email address so I have a way to contact you :).  Winner will be drawn July 5.

Extra Entries:

• Become a follower of my blog by clicking follow on Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (+3 entries)
• Become a follower on Twitter (+2)
• Become a fan on Facebook (+2)
• Repost this giveaway - and let me know where you have posted it (+1)

Don't forget for everyone that purchases Hope Moon or Hope Ocean,  the proceeds go to help support a charity.  Both are available in paperback and as electronic download. Thanks for stopping in and good luck!

VBT Pit Stop with Lorrie Struiff

Hi Brandi,


It’s such a pleasure to appear on your blog. Thank you for hosting me.



You asked if I had to do a lot of studying on gypsies for my novella.

Let me answer the question this way. Other than the study of gypsies, much more research was required other than that of the Romani people. But let me address the Roma first.

There are a lot of wonderful sites and books pertaining to the origins, the beliefs and the lore of the Roma clans. Once I began the research, I found so many interesting facts, so many stories about the culture; I think I became lost for about three days, at least. I was enrapt, held spellbound by all the fascinating material.

Items about how many Roma still live in the U.S.A. today—over a million. How their talents and beliefs are romanticized in movies, TV, and novels. They are stereotyped with gazing into a crystal ball or reading tarot cards and palms. The Roma men are always playing a romantic melody on a violin. Then we jump to the evil curse side or the potions they mix for different ailments. Love potions, bad luck potions, etc.

I found their origins are tied to nature itself. They protect the land, not harm it, and hold nature foremost in their way of life. And it is in their ethnic nature to decipher signs and omens from their surroundings. Oh what spine chilling stories can be garnered from their folklore, like werewolves, vampires, shapeshifters.

For instance, Romanian gypsy villages believe that cemeteries are occupied by werewolves, the natural enemy of the vampire. The werewolves enter the cemeteries for the sole purpose of viciously destroying vampires wherever they find them. It’s believed that because of this, the world of the living people are kept safe from complete takeover of the world by the “world of the dead.”

Who wouldn’t be fascinated with the Roma?

Of course I took liberties with the crystal amulet my main character, Rita, wears in the novella. Er, to be honest, I took many liberties which I’m swearing to, is creative license.

The other research I did involved delving into some police procedure. Rita is a homicide detective in her town of Keyport, PA. She is hunting a serial killer targeting prostitutes.

Then, Rita’s love interest is FBI agent, Matt Boulet. Now this manly hunk comes to us from New Orleans, known for its voodoo. So, I dug into a bit of voodoo to make his background beliefs in the paranormal legit and easier for him to trust Rita and her family’s psychic powers.

So, all in all, the research was quite extensive as it is with any author who needs credibility for a story line. I didn’t use all the information I found while being held entranced, but just enough to clue the readers, bring them into the story for the wild ride, and to make the readers feel like, “Hey, this could happen!”



Everyone has secrets.

Homicide Detective Rita Moldova has a secret, a crystal amulet from her Roma bloodline that shows her the last image a victim had seen before they died. Now, a ritual killer is terrorizing her town and the crystal’s magic has suddenly stopped.

FBI agent, Matt Boulet, is sent to lead the task force and gives the group strange orders. Worse, Rita senses he is holding back a deep dark secret about the killer.

When she confronts her seer mother’s advice, she learns another secret about their clan that she finds impossible to swallow.

Rita swims through a whirlpool of confusion as the investigation continues. Can Rita deny the lore of the ancients? Can she deny her growing feelings for Matt Boulet?



Excerpt



Before Rita had time to get her fingers on the gun, the man had shot out of the door, yanked her forward, and somehow shoved her headfirst onto the front seat. She skidded over the vinyl bench seat, her nose and cheek hitting hard, blocking her breath for a moment. Rita yelled; the door slammed shut. She scrambled to sit upright, gagging when she inhaled the dank, moldy scent of the interior. A metal object, hanging from the roof above the mirror, clunked heavy against her head. She swallowed the acrid taste in her throat.

The driver’s door opened and the man slipped inside. One corner of her mind wondered how he could have possibly run around the front of the van so fast.

Rita rubbed her bruised temple and twisted the door handle. It was stuck. She rammed her shoulder into the door. It didn’t budge. The window was up. Her purse with the gun lay on the sidewalk. She worked the lock button and slammed into the door again. The impact sent shock waves down her arm to her fingertips. Shit. The van was rigged. Rita looked at the serial killer, her heart banging against her ribs, her breathing short and shallow. Tapping the mic with frantic fingers, all she could do was pray.

The man grinned.

Gypsy Crystal is available in PRINT and Multiple E-book formats at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Crystal-Lorrie-Unites-Struiff/dp/1770650415/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Visit my website to read the reviews and more info

http://struiff.wordpress.com/

Thank you for stopping in.  It's been a pleasure.

At The Round Table with Kristin Roisin

Today I'd like to welcome Kristin Roisin.  Kristin is the author of NyteBeauti,  a fantastic fantasy novel.  Welcome Kristin.  Please take a seat at the round table,  and let's talk books.

Thank you so much for taking time out to chat with us today. Your favorite drink me friend? Tantalizing Tea, Captivating Coffee, Irish Brew, or Magical Mist? 

 

I would have to say Irish Brew… but I’m biased.

Certainly...Here's a nice frothy Guiness :)....

This ought to be mighty refreshing on such a hot day.  Enjoy.

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself...

This is the one question I have the hardest time with. Any other topic, and I can talk for hours.
Haha! Well.. I’m a stay at home, of two beautiful little boys. I’m married to my best friend, and
The love of my life, who is patient (Most of the time) and loving, who allows me to recluse into
My imagination when I need to, at any hour of the day or night, for as long as I need to, to get
The next chapter on paper.


What inspired you to pen your first novel?

I used to role play online, on a few different forums. It was the stories that we came up with as a group, that inspired me to put pen to paper.    

Role playing?  Now that is very interesting.


Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I think so. Writing became a very powerful outlet for me, in my early teens, when I didn’t
Otherwise have a voice of my own. It wasn’t long before I realized that I not only had a
Knack for it, but I really loved it as well.


Tell us a little about NyteBeauti...
  
NyteBeauti was the culmination of many years of role play, dreams, fantasies, and even one or
Two personal heartbreaks, all combined together to create the story of Desta, and her search for Identity, acceptance, and eventually, true love.

How did you come up with your characters?

Most of the characters were created using a Role play character sheet, to give them their basic
Attributes, weakness, abilities, etc. Some I came up based on that. Others were inspired by a
Picture, or a piece of art I saw online. (Usually Luis Royo or other Fantasy Artists.) Morrigan was actually “born” first. She was to be completely different from who she turned out to be. The strong , feisty Irish woman, was never meant to become a vampire, and yet she’s become the break out character, because of what, and who, she is.

The rest, were characters I ran into, or created for atmosphere purposes. Some I fell in love with
Enough to create their histories and give them a future. Other’s remained ‘eye candy’ with a
Specific purpose of propelling a storyline along.


How did Desta come to be?

Desta, believe it or not, was simply meant to be an expendable, gateway character. She started
Out as nothing more than a dying body, at the bottom of the stairs. She was created for the sole
Purpose and nothing more, than to pass a message to Logan. Haha. But the scene was just so
Heartbreaking, and so emotional, I had to keep her. So, I rewrote her a bit, and reinvented her
History, and thus, Lady Desta was born.
I am so glad you didn't off her,  so to speak.  Even though Morrigan tends to be the one I lean to more as a favorite character,  Desta definitely helps make the story.


How did you develop your plot?

Through the role play of the characters, I was able to tweak and adjust different aspects of each
Character. Once they were complete, it was a pretty easy process. They told their own stories. I
Was simply their voice.


Was there a lot of research involved?

There was, actually. Between time periods, to accurately describe their attire, maps to
Accurately describe villages or regions. Even vampire lore, so that I didn’t cross ‘too many’ lines
In trying to keep some originality with my own breed of vampires. I wanted them to be familiar,
So that my readers could identify and say, “Oh yeah, I knew that.” But at the same time, not
Give them a churned up, mulchified version of something they’ve already read.


Why Vampires?  What draws you to write in this genre?

Honestly? Obsession. I love all things vampire, supernatural and preternatural. It started with
Anne Rice, and my initial mental image of Louis. After that, I was hooked. I loved how Louis,
Lestat, Claudia and Armand could bring out so many different emotions all in the course of
A half hour, and how I could releate to each one, in their own little way. Vampires also opened up
The door to allow me to explore different time periods, without being locked into a “Historical
Romance’ genre writer.


How do you keep your writing different from all the other novels in this particular genre?

I stick to what I know. My Characters. It’s starting to become apparent to everyone who’s
Been able to read bits and pieces that this isn’t first and foremost, a Vampire Story. It’s a
Story about people, who just happen to be vampires. Instead of focusing on their vampirism,
I focus on what motivates them, what moves them, what propels them forward, and that
Seems to work for my little ragtag bunch of vampires. 


What was the hardest part about writing this particular novel?
  
Wow. I think the hardest part for me, was remembering to not go off on tangents, or commentary
About the individual characters, and their behaviors. In otherwords, trying to keep in my role as pure storyteller, without my own emotion and thoughts embedded in the story. I am simply here To tell their story, not comment on it.


What dreams have been realized as a result of writing NyteBeauti?

I have an actual and honest to God real book in my hand, that has MY words on the pages. I
Have something that I can pass to my boys, something tangible, that I can say to them, “Look,
I had a dream, and with hard work, and perseverance, I made it come true. So can you.” 
What a wonderful thing to be able to pass on and prove that you can do anything you put your mind to.


If you could possess any Vampire power,  what would it be?

Oh my. My husband and I have had this discussion many times. Haha! I’m currently at a toss up
Between two lesser known disciplines. Melpominee and Temporis. 
For those unsure of the terms Kristin used,  Melpominee is the ability to speak to the soul as well as to the ears,  sort of like throwing your voice,  it can enlighten or damage.
Temporis is about controlling time,  which may come in handy when a Vampire is seducing one or trying to feed without the donor remembering what happened.   A day can last forever,  or fly by.


What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?

My greatest hope, is that they walk away, having as deep a love for these characters, as I do.
I hope that they finish the last chapter, wishing to know more about a particular character that I
Didn’t expand on. My last hope, is that there is a character out there for everyone. That everyone
Finds a single character that they can relate to, and say, “I know just how s/he feels!”
I know I love your characters,  so from my point of view you are well on your way to getting your hope.


What advice can you give to new aspiring writers?

Write what you know, not what is popular. Readers can tell if you’re passionate in what you write
About, or if you’re simply writing to jump on a bandwagon. And never let anyone tell you that
Your dreams are silly, or worthless.


Are you working on any projects right now?

Book Two, Echoes of Rayne is in the works right now. It continues with Desta’s tale, and
Introduces a couple of new characters, that I think my readers will REALLY love.

Where can your readers connect with you?  Facebook,  Myspace,  Twitter, Website, Blog?

http://www.kristin-roisin.webs.com/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000691310178&ref=ts#%21/profile.php?id=100000691310178
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#%21/pages/Official-Kristin-Roisin-Fan-Page/108414482510656?ref=ts
www.myspace.com/kristinroisin
www.twitter.com/kristinroisin
http://www.kristinroisin.blogspot.com/


Any upcoming events you'd like to share?

We’re currently in the process of setting up some local book signings, though no dates have been
Set as of yet. We are also in the midst of planning the Official book release party for this October.
It will be a few months “late” but everything has happened in such a whirlwind, that we’ve had no
Time to plan anything until now.


Any parting comments?

Thank you to all of my friends, family and fans. Without all of them, this roller coaster ride of
A dream would never have gotten out of the gate.

I also want to say thank you for your support, and your advice. Everything you’ve done for me,
To help promote my book, has been just absolutely amazing, and I will never forget it!


Thank you so much for chatting with us today.  It has been such a pleasure chatting with you.  Please be sure to let us know when the next book is out.  You can come back to the round table to tell us about it.  I wish you much success and I will be waiting to hear about Echoes of Rayne.  

Cheers!

If you would like to purchase NyteBeauti,  you can buy it directly from Publish America.  It should soon be available on Amazon as well.