Monday 26 August 2013

Spotlight for Steve Downes

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Cosmogonic Marbles by Steve Downes
In the endless Cosmoses that exist in the Multi-verse (with equally endless possibilities) the adventures of two brothers, on an Earth where all myths are real and on our own dull magicless Earth, don’t amount to a hill of beans (except in the Cosmoses where they do amount to hills of beans …but that’s another novel).
In this story Philip Philips, a failed businessman, and his twin brother James, are unwilling participants in a battle of Good versus Evil when a mysterious gateway is opened by a minor God from a Dark-Age twin Earth.  
It should have been James Philips who was found by the Dark Stranger and transported by an inter-dimensional being in the guise of a Womble to the Dark-Age Earth filled with every magical creature imaginable.  But, as Fate would have it, it’s Philip, the useless one, who ends up leading a group of misfits across Medieval England to mount rescues, battle Hobgoblins and generally save the World(s).
James Philips meanwhile is stuck on dull, magicless, Earth in his old college, Botolf-almost-Oxford, which he discovers is staffed solely by men dedicated to the protection of our Earth from the paranormal.  His old mentor, now living in a video recording, introduces him to an array of strange allies, as London, England and the World face an ‘alien’ invasion of swords and sorcery.   
Others are caught up in the events of the inter-cosmic connection between two Earths; Vortigern the King has been bred for conquest and now his eyes are on our world.  He brings with his armies many wizards, who themselves have gained an eye for the throne.  
Sam, a young boy from West London has been sent through the gateway to the dark world of magic where he meets Snodrod and the children of an enslaved village, their only wish to get back to their homes; but they face enormous challenges … not least, Dragon-shaped ones.  
The story, as told here in the first Chronicle of Botolf, takes place simultaneously in both Earths, where the connection between worlds has a strange echoing effect on every character.  

Will the world be saved?  Can the Wrong man do the job?  Is this a rhetorical question?   
All will be answered in this comedy/fantasy/mock-u-history tale.
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Steve Downes is an Irish contemporary poet, playwright and novelist, currently living and working in Ireland.  Born in Drogheda, Country Louth in 1973

Early Work:

1995: Plays and Poetry, Steve’s first play produced was ‘Until Morning’ in 1995 by the Calipo Theatre Company and was written and performed for the charity AIDS Alliance, scenes from the play were also performed by the Nation Youth Theatre later that year.  
From 1991 to 1997 Steve’s poetry was being featured in Poetry Magazines in both Ireland and the UK, included Britain’s best known publication for poem Envoi.  Steve was also gaining a reputation for experimental poetry performance and in 1993 travelled across Ireland with a group of young poets performing in a range of venues.
1996: Steve’s second play ‘Voices’ was performed at the Droichead Arts Centre as part of a showcase of new Irish Talent.
His first major publication was ‘The Pagan Field’, a collection of poems inspired by the Irish historic landscape; the book’s striking artwork was created by the late Artist Teddy Doyle.   
1997: Steve third play, ‘For God and Country’, won a Kenny-Naughton award, the play was a harrowing single scene of the interrogation of a freedom fighter by a policeman who represented a Totalitarian Religion-based government.  

In 1998 Steve attended NUI Maynooth University and read Classical History, History and Anthropology.  In 2001 he received a B.A. Degree in Classics and Anthropology and in 2003 he received a Masters in Cultural Anthropology.

Mid-term Work:

In 2000, Steve wrote a collection of poems entitled ‘Ghosts’ which was featured in the book Celtic Echoes and launched in the City Arts Centre, Dublin, the book was sold in Ireland, the UK and the US and individual poems by Steve were used by Academic institutions in the US and Thailand as part of their English Literature Courses.

In 2005 Steve was shortlisted for playwright awards in Ireland and the US for his play ‘The Creator’, a surreal black comedy which sees God as a failing scientist creating and re-creating the world and its inhabitants.
Also in 2005 Steve and the English poet, novelist and filmmaker Roger Hudson launched ‘Side Angles’, two twin collections of poems published back-to-back.  This experimental book sold over 2,500 copies and was highly acclaimed by critics.
2005-10 Steve’s poems were featured in two anthologies, both published in Ireland, many of his poems began to appear on on-line poetry forums around this time.

Modern Work:

In 2010 Steve worked with Photographer Duirmuid Jones and Web-designer Jamie Stanton to produce his forth collection of poems, the on-line collection ‘Urbania’ http://www.stevedownesurbania.com/index.html, which has received thousands of views and much critical acclaim.
Where you can find Steve:
          

Spotlight for Author S.M. Boyce - Lichgates



Blurb:
Kara Magari is about to discover a beautiful world full of terrifying things: Ourea.

Kara, a college student still reeling from her mother's recent death, has no idea the hidden world of Ourea even exists until a freak storm traps her in a sunken library. With nothing to do, she opens an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire and unwittingly becomes its master, which means Kara now wields the cursed book's untamed power. Discovered by Ourea's royalty, she becomes an unwilling pawn in a generations-old conflict - a war intensified by her arrival. In this world of chilling creatures and betrayal, Kara shouldn't trust anyone... but she's being hunted and can't survive on her own. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn't know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing.

For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this human girl, there is something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.

Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.

Buy links:
You can get the ebook of Lichgates for free!



Author Bio:
S.M. Boyce is a fantasy and paranormal fiction novelist who also dabbles in contemporary fiction and comedy. Her B.A. in Creative Writing also qualifies her to serve you french fries. She updates her blog (smboyce.com) a few times each week so that you have something to wake you up in the morning.

Connect:

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Spotlight for Eva Gordon



Apocalyptic Moon by Eva Gordon

Dr. Dora Adler's life has been in disarray since the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, but when she gets bitten by one of the undead, her whole world is turned upside down. Held captive in a secret underground lab, the tall, muscular hunk in the next cell is her only hope for salvation. Unfortunately, he claims to be a werewolf. Yeah, and she's supposedly a witch.

Dirk Gunderson is an alpha Arbor pack werewolf. Captured and collared, he's sold to the zombie lab in hopes his blood serum can create a vaccine. He needs to escape, but not without the hot little brunette witch.

In the midst of enemy werewolves and the hordes of undead, Dirk and Dora's sexual tension ignites a blaze hotter than the desert highway. Along their journey, they battle the inevitable: a werewolf must never take a witch as a mate.


Where you can purchase this book





About the Author


I write fantasy and paranormal novels with a strong romantic element. I love to create stories that combine my passion for mythology, romance and werewolf lore. Under my nom de plume, Sadie Winstone, I write steampunk and Victorian era historical and alternative novels.

And to satisfy my taste for the zombie/werewolf genres, Apocalyptic Moon, by The Wild Rose Press an epic paranormal romance, is officially released: May 10, 2013. Available on all formats on Amazon, The Wild Rose Press and soon, Apple, Nook, Kobo. Buy links on my website 
www.ravenauthor.com

Lycan Gladiator by Corvallis Press coming August 20, 2013. Book 1 in the epic fantasy historical paranormal, Wolf Maiden Chronicles Saga.

More works to follow.

I have a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. I have taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/Physiology. When not in my den writing, I enjoy world travel, steampunk conventions, hiking, raptor rehabilitation and wolf sanctuaries.

I also teach online workshops on wolf lore ancient falconry and animal lore for Romance Writers of America and other writer groups. If you are interested in my workshops, please contact me.






 Website: www.saskiabookservices.yolasite.com
Email: saskiabookservices@gmail.com



Spotlight for Author Melissa Eskue Ousley

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About the Author:

Melissa Eskue Ousley is the author of The Solas Beir Trilogy. "Sign of the Throne," the first book of this young adult fantasy series, will be released on September 14. She is currently working on the second and third novels in the trilogy, "The Rabbit and the Raven" and "The Sower Comes."

Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family and their Kelpie, Gryphon. When she’s not writing, Melissa can be found swimming, hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, or walking along the beach, poking dead things with a stick.

Before she became a writer, she had a number of educational jobs, ranging from a summer spent scraping roadkill off a molten desert highway to years spent conducting research with an amazing team of educators at the University of Arizona.

Where can we find you?
Website: MelissaEskueOusley.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelissaEskueOusley
Twitter: @MEskueOusley
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/MelissaEskue...

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Synopsis:
Abby is an ordinary girl haunted by dreams of an ivory castle, blood-thirsty monsters, and a striking stranger. Working as a babysitter for a family of mythology lovers in wealthy Newcastle Beach, California, she struggles to define herself among the elite class while trying to make sense of her strange visions. Upon meeting David, the doppelgänger of the mysterious young man in her dreams, Abby’s life is changed forever.

Encountering the queen of Cai Terenmare, a magical kingdom in a parallel world, Abby learns of an evil lord hell-bent on usurping the throne, the murder of Cai Terenmare’s king, the Solas Beir, and the kidnapping of the Solas Beir’s infant son.

As the kingdom struggles to endure, the queen shows Abby the full extent of her destiny. She must convince her mysterious crush, David, that he is the lost heir. While braving attacks from the dark lord’s sadistic minions, David must realize his true identity and return to Cai Terenmare to claim his throne before time runs out, lest the evil that was temporarily locked away be unleashed, threatening to destroy both the kingdom and all of humanity.

Where can we purchase this book?

Review and Spotlight for Author DelSheree Gladden of Wicked Hunger

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About this author:
I live in New Mexico with my husband and two children. I love expressing my creativity through writing and painting and I get a lot of my inspiration from my family and from the culture and beauty of New Mexico. I write mainly Young Adult urban fantasy, but my writing interests are ever expanding. I am also currently in the Dental Hygiene Program at San Juan College, so 90% of my waking hours are devoted to thinking about teeth for the time being!

Where can we find you?
Website: http://www.theediblebookshelf.blogspot.com/

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Synopsis:
Vanessa and Zander Roth are good at lying. They have to be when they are hiding a deadly secret. Day after day, they struggle to rein in their uncontrollable hunger for pain and suffering in order to live normal lives. Things only get worse when Ivy Guerra appears with her pink-striped hair and secrets. The vicious hunger Ivy inspires is frightening, not to mention suspicious. Vanessa’s instincts are rarely wrong, so when they tell her that Ivy’s appearance is a sign of bad things to come, she listens. She becomes determined to expose Ivy’s secrets. Vanessa tries to warn her brother, but Zander is too enamored with Ivy to pay attention to her conspiracy theories. One of them is right about Ivy … but if they lose control of their hunger, it won’t matter who is right and who is wrong. One little slip, and they’ll all be dead

Where you can purchase this book:

My Review of Wicked Hungry:
Review of Wicked Hunger
(4th Review for August)

Rating 5 stars

The story is told through the eyes of Van and Zander a brother and sister, suffering from a curse handed down from their parents, we watch as both of them struggle with the understanding of what they really are.

I loved this book Zander was a complex character at first I felt I had him all figured out, he dealt with the curse better than Van well that’s how I felt at the start of the story. I thought his logic to not get attached and stay away from others was good. The so called cursed gave them urges to often kill or inflict pain on others, it didn’t happen to everyone around them, just some people seemed to arouse the hunger for pain or death in them. Even though Van and Zander both had the same curse they were still unique in different ways, Zander wanted death to be fast and Van liked to cause the most suffering. It was odd as both where not the hero’s, I felt I was seeing a Villain from a humane side that allowed me to understand the everyday struggle of not killing people.

With Van she won’t let go she doesn’t isolate herself but keeps her friends close and a love interest which makes the story really good, there is a love triangle for a while between Van, Noah and Ketchup but in my opinion there is no triangle because I can see where her heart is, and I truly hope she follows it. I can’t wait for the next instalment as wicked hungry just set the stage for what’s to come. I can’t wait to understand the curse fully, and see what secrets have been kept from Zander and Van. I hope we see a lot more of Ketchup also as he was a very likeable character.

The plot was not as simple as I thought at first it has layers upon layers, and I can’t wait to peel back every layer to see what lies beneath.

It’s another fantastic book from Author DelSheree Gladden and I am a huge fan. 

Spotlight for author J.J. DiBenedetto



 
 

 
About the Author: 
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J.J. (James) DiBenedetto was born in Yonkers, New York. He attended Case Western Reserve university, where as his classmates can attest, he was a complete nerd. Very little has changed since then.

He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with his beautiful wife and their cat (who has thoroughly trained them both). When he's not writing, James works in the direct marketing field, enjoys the opera, photography and the New York Giants, among other interests.

Where can we find you?

 Website 
 Twitter 
 
 
 
Dream Student
Dreams #1
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Goodreads blurb:  What would you do if you could see other people’s dreams? If you could watch their hidden fantasies and uncover their deepest, darkest secrets…without them ever knowing?

Sara Barnes is about to find out. She thought that all she had to worry about was final exams, Christmas shopping and deciding whether she likes the cute freshman in the next dorm who’s got a crush on her.

But when she starts seeing dreams that aren’t hers, she learns more than she ever wanted to know about her friends, her classmates…and a strange, terrifying man whose dreams could get Sara killed. 
 
 
 

 
Find it at:  AmazonAmazonUKB&N
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dream Doctor
Dreams #2
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Goodreads blurb:  “I didn’t expect to be woken up by someone I don’t know dreaming about killing somebody. I thought I was done with that once and for all…”

But Sara’s not done with it. As if adjusting to life as a newlywed and starting medical school weren’t difficult enough, she’s started seeing the dreams of everyone around her, again. Before everything is said and done, those dreams might destroy Sara’s hopes of becoming a doctor, wreck her marriage and even end her life…
 
 

 
 Find it at:  AmazonAmazonUKB&N
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dream Child
Dreams #3
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Goodreads blurb:  "I would give anything to take this away from her. I would gladly go back to having the nightmares myself – the very worst ones, the ones that had me waking up screaming in a pool of my own vomit – rather than see Lizzie go through this..."

As a resident at Children's Hospital, Sara can handle ninety hour workweeks, fighting to save her young patients from deadly childhood diseases. But she's about to be faced with a challenge that all her training and experience haven't prepared her for: her four-year-old daughter has inherited her ability to see other people's dreams...
  
 
 

 
 Find it at:  AmazonAmazonUKB&N
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dream Family
Dreams #4
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Goodreads blurb:  "Why is this so hard for me? Why am I having so much trouble? Why do I feel so helpless, so hopeless? What the hell is wrong with me?"

After tangling with murders and mobsters, not to mention medical school and three years of residency, Sara thought she could handle anything. And then the police show up without warning at her new office and arrest her for a crime she can't possibly have committed. Sara's confidence, and her grip on reality, is shattered during one terrifying night in jail.

Now, the very dreams that have endangered her life and driven her to the edge of madness may be the only thing that can help Sara find herself again...
 
 
 
Find it at:  AmazonAmazonUKB&N