Tuesday 30 July 2013

Meet Dan Canwell


SPOTLIGHT ON DAN CANWELL

  I would like you to meet Dan Canwell a talented new author who gives us a glimpse of his life and a exclusive sneak preview of his upcoming book - *CCCP*



DAN CANWELL


Born in Portsmouth in Hampshire in the 1960’s Dan Canwell has long had an interest in 20th Century history.

With a great deal of research and fiction interwoven with historical accuracy, ‘CCCP’ is a debut novel that seeks to explain the creation and fall of the largest land empire the earth has ever known.











At various times I have been a lawyer, estate agent, waiter, hotel receptionist, egg seller and more. None of which has any relevance to the fiction I have created. I currently live and work in the north east of England surrounded by friends and just grateful that the sun comes up each morning.

How do I summarise CCCP ?
 



It sounds cold to say that it is a fictional account of the fall of the Soviet Union but in essence that is what it is but it is a modern thriller involving the KGB, the CIA, Faberge jewellery, an awful lot of history and some very intense characters. It will make you think of history differently !



Spotlight interview questions

What is your all-time favourite book and why?
My all time favourite book is The Silver Sword by Ian Serrallier, and the ‘why’ is very simple – it was the book that made me want to read. I had read books before but this brought characters to life, so that they were not fantasy but seemed real and three dimensional. The book is also set in an historical maelstrom that has fascinated me ever since. When older and no wiser, with children of my own I read it to them and was enthralled to see that they were just as captivated as I had been all those years before. Although the time period may be fading from living memory, the story of hope against adversity is one that is enduring and can be relevant to people of all ages.

Is there an author you could be compared to or popular fictional characters your book's characters could relate to and why?
People who have read the book have compared it to both Tom Clancy and Dan Brown. I hasten to add that they have said the plot is like a Dan Brown novel with political intrigue and depth, but they have not said the writing matches his……..which is a compliment [I think.] I have to say that I was aiming for a ground somewhere around there although something closer to Ludlum would have been more the target. But I’ll take Clancy and be grateful and stunned with that comparison.

What was it that inspired you to write CCCP?
I had been writing for years and frankly it was mostly rubbish with a few nuggets of creativity. The problem was that I listened to the advice to write what you know about and what I knew was the law. The curse was that I knew too much and so what I wrote became turgid and dull – fine for an anorak but torture for a reader. Over coffee one day with a friend, Lisa Sinfield, I suggested that we write a book together and we quickly mapped out a plot that seemed quite fun. I then added a bit and my ego took over, so I nicked the project with her permission, and set out to research and write the book. Lisa has approved the end result which is pleasing to me. She has some brilliant ideas of her own and hopefully will one day commit them to paper.

What types of things/people/music inspires you and makes you want to keep writing?
I am greatly inspired and amused by friends who seem to think that I can do this writing thing. As for the rest of it, I love the historical research and the lateral thinking that goes into creating the plots – of taking documented facts and making them fit my warped and mildly polluted concept of how the world operates. In my world nothing is ever quite what it appears to be. I can while away hours just ensuring that I have the right type of engine in an aircraft that might only be in the book for a couple of lines, but to me it is important to have the respect for the reader to get the facts like that right. Oh heck, I’m a real geek aren’t I ?

Describe your typical writing day or week.
As I work full time, and it is a job that places a lot of calls on my time, I don’t have a typical writing week. I grab whatever time I can and do what is available – it might be a re-write if I have no internet for research, it might be just jotting in a notebook if I have no laptop, or it might be a full on session lasting hours where I sit in my armchair and create death destruction and mayhem, all in the name of entertainment of course.

Is there a food or drink do you have to have when you're writing?
I am fuelled by toast and tea when writing. Especially the toast. Usually white bread with butter and if I am being really indulgent, marmalade. The tea must be scalding hot, almost orange in strength and needs two sugars just to counteract the tannic acid. And then more toast with a side order of toast and a dessert of toast. Please. I do like toast.

Can you tell us when you think your book will be available and in what format?
CCCP is a labour of love, but more important than that, it is also the learning project where I am making the mistakes that I hope not to repeat in the future. For that reason all I can say is that I am aiming to get it published in 2013 and it will be available in paperback and as an ebook – I am yet to decide on which platform[s]

Can you give us your favourite quote from of your book and explain it?
Oh that’s a difficult one………………but let’s try this bit [it is slightly edited so as not to spoil the plot]

‘You can’t! The yacht is mine!’ Friis was half crying half pleading for his boat which struck Tchort as rather bizarre given the circumstances.
   ‘As you choose Friis, it is immaterial to me. Give me the box.’ Tchort slid a round into the barrel of the handgun.
   ‘You’ve got orders not to shoot me!’
   ‘I might forget. Last chance Friis. Give me the box’ said Tchort calmly. Friis scrabbled around on the bunk and threw a gold box at Tchort who caught it without breaking eye contact with his opponent. Tchort slipped it into his pocket.
   ‘Now the other one, let’s not take a risk that we meet again before we have to huh?’ Friis sat dumb and mute, almost paralysed. ‘The box. Now Friis’ commanded Tchort.
   ‘It’s ……………it’s in the locker behind you.’ Friis pointed to a locker in the space behind Tchort’s head formed by the deck head. Delicately the Russian took a step back and looked towards the locker which was when Friis sprang forward and was felled by one punch to the face delivered with an almost casual violence by Tchort who had never for one moment let his guard drop. Friis slipped and fell into the cocktail of blood and vomit looking up into the disdainful expression on Tchort’s face. Calmly the Russian reached into the locker and to his surprise his hand closed on the second gold box which after a quick examination he also put in his pocket.
   ‘Thank you Friis’ said Tchort. ‘As I said, I have orders not to shoot you.’ He unscrewed the silencer from the gun and fired into the cabin floor three times. The bullets shattered the deck and went through the bottom of the boat, the glass fibre hull easily penetrated. Water began to gurgle and flood into the hull and the rocking motion of the boat on the waves diminished as the Pernilla sat ever lower in the water.
   ‘Goodbye Friis’ said Tchort ‘please remember that I did not shoot you but if there is a hell then I hope you rot in it’ and he turned and made his way up the steep ladder to the cockpit, locking the cabin hatch behind him. Friis had not moved but now began to scream and shout as Tchort untied the tender and calmly stepped into the smaller boat, started the motor and set course back towards the marina at Norsminde. Within ten minutes the yacht had sunk leaving only small whirlpools on the surface which like Friis’s life gradually faded away to nothing.



Website at           http://www.dancanwell.com



Tuesday 23 July 2013

The Characters of Dragon World, Book One



As the Dragon World series grows so too do the list of characters. As a quick reference I have put together a list of characters from the series. It’s a bit of a two edge sword though as I recognise that it could be a spoiler if you have not yet read all the books and you start learning of characters you have yet to meet. To get around that I have split the list into the three books of the series. Book one, The Bonding Crystal, will therefore have the most extensive list. Books two and three will consist of the extra characters you will met in those books. I have uploaded the character lists for book one. Book two’s list of characters will be on line soon and book three’s list will be available as soon as book three is published. Any questions, any suggestions, missed anyone out? Just get in touch I would love to hear from you.


CHRACTERS OF DRAGON WORLD.

Book one

The Bonding Crystal
Maureen Murrish
  
Abigail Gibson - Robby’s friend and self-appointed protector.

Alan Parker - A member of the gang who bully Robby at school. Also known as Porker.

Amanda Davies - Abigail’s aunt who lives in one of the three tower blocks in the town with her nine children and husband, David.

Andrew McRoss - Robby’s father.

Angelica - The maiden rescued by the dragon, Lenaker, and who became the first Talcorne of Moilana.

Bernice Biggins and Dolapo - A fellow bondling in the council clan and her dragon.

Bess - Robby’s horse at the farm.

Chester - Robby’s fletchat.

David Davies - Abigail’s uncle.

Dimble - The dragon Robby, Abigail and Frenzel meet while traveling to Moilana on first arriving in Jaswinder.

Gredfel - A goblin leader.

Haldar and Onis - A junior minister who Skelso tried to whip and then expel from Jaswinder while Haldar was a bondling. Onis is his dragon.

Helen McRoss - Robby’s mother.

Jack Gillespie and Kendra - fellow bondling in the council clan and his dragon.

Katrina and Trinder - fellow bondling in the council clan and her dragon.

Lenaker - The dragon that saved Angelica from slavers before Moilana was established.

Lex - a young unbonded dragon from the forecaster clan who Abigail and Dimble become friends with.

Lillis Ricaby and Tasnin - Fellow bondling in the council clan and her dragon.

Lord Cravell and Aldrin - Second minister of Moilana and his dragon.

Lord Featherstone and Bowe - Third minister of Moilana and his dragon.

Lord Skelso and Falstow - A junior minister and his dragon.

Lord Whickstaff and Traijus - First Minister of Moilana and his dragon.

Maltore and Cenar - The guard and his dragon on guard at the gate when Frenzel Robby Abigail and Dimble first arrive at Moilana.

Master Dickens and Blake - The games master and his dragon.

Master Hardy and Rafe - An explorer and his dragon who teach the bondlings compass reading.

Master Tollo and Eco - Master Tollo the survival/explorer master and his dragon.

Master Widcup and Khun - History/protocol teacher and his dragon.

Michael O’Shay and Quadri - Fellow bondling in the council clan and his dragon.

Mrs Billings - the brownie pack-leader.

Nelly Windlass - The leader of the gang which bully Robby at school. Also known as Big Nell.

Nicholas and Ansel - fellow bondlings in the council clan and his dragon.

Olgolgath - the longest lived dragon ever recorded.

Peter Whitfield - Member of the gang who bullied Robby at school. Also known as Witless.

Ristler - A snuffler goblin.

Rosie - Abigail's pony at the farm.

Sapna and Shelly - The first minister’s messenger and her dragon.  

Sibyl - Abigail's fletchat.

Tepti and Thrawn - A half elf and her dragon. Guardians of the sacred mountain.

Yolanda and Gilly - the keeper of the Valtran accommodation for the council clan and her dragon.



Friday 19 July 2013

Introducing Toni Lombardo - The newest member of the YA Author Club

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The YA Author Club is expanding is author presence and bringing on new talent every single week. This week, we are introducing the newest member of our team, Toni Lombardo. She is not an indie author, and she does not plan to become one. She's working hard at establishing herself within the traditionally published world. We wish her the best of luck in her efforts and thought it might be kind of cool to offer our fans/friends/followers a new voice within the club. 
Instead of posting information about indie publishing, Toni will take a few minutes every few weeks to fill us in on her trials and tribulations as she journeys toward the Big Six.

Also... leave us a comment and let know which Big Six pic you like best #1 (first one) or #2 (second one). The one getting the most votes/comments will be the one we use to introduce Toni's posts from this point forward.

Social Media Sites for Toni:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/write_to_live
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamLifewriter

Without further ado, we are pleased to introduce Toni Lombardo:

Hello there blog readers! Toni here, I am going to talk about myself now.  Hope you don’t mind.
Okay, so first off I am a twenty something (21)  and striving to be a writer!  I am currently(ish)  a student at a community college (although at the moment I am taking a break from school)  and my plan is to major in meteorology.  Of course I’ll have to transfer to a four year.  In some moments I want to major in English, because I am in love with words (a good thing for a writer, right?) .  I would like to teach an elective class in a preppy school to do with the appreciation of old timey writers (Stoker, Melville, Shelley, etc.) and introduce the kids to modern day writers who I think are fantastic such as John Green (The Fault in Our Stars) , Jay Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why) , *clears throat* T.R. Graves (not kissing up, she is actually really great, like go read her books now!) .
I have been writing since I can remember.  I wrote short stories or was forced to by teachers, but I always enjoyed it and nine times out of ten exceeded the length required or well wanted (sometimes they weren’t happy) .  My dad also made up stories for me when I was little, I hope to one day publish and anthology of them (I do attribute that to my love of the plot) .  I actually sat down to write a book when by hand when I was fourteen? Maybe? But I gave up on that book (I will one day reapproach that book, but for now the characters and I are not mixing…it’s not my fault blame them)  to write what I wanted to publish as my first.  I started that book when I was fifteen and finished it when I was sixteen and went onto the next.  I am on the third in the series and am currently rewriting the first book.  I was young when I wrote it and afraid of words like sex, so I would dance around the word.  Plus other things I wrote in it are just cringe worthy and embarrassing.  Trust and believe if a writer says their work is cringe worthy it is…we are our biggest critic yes, but if we can make ourselves cringe it is pretty correct to believe that the reader would wonder what the heck the writer was thinking.
I spend my days working at a clothing store.  I love it.  I work with kids ranging from size 6-20.  I love working with the girls who aren’t societies standard of ‘beauty’.  It’s great because you can see the kid coming in so self-conscious (because they are a size 16 not 12 like their friends)  and leave smiling because you told them they are beautiful and helped them pick out clothes and raved over how amazing the kid looked and sometimes the kid even hugs you.  I know this sounds like I am saying ‘oh look at me.  I’m so great.  Blah, blah, blah.’  That is not my intention.  Today’s society is so messed up, these kids are so self-conscious at such a young age, and they are getting bullied.  Their parents telling them they are beautiful is one thing, when a someone else makes a big deal about it the kid feels good.  I think it’s a thing everyone should do.  Encourage people, because one day you will need it.   Okay enough about my job.
I also spend my days plotting up stories and plot twists.  I like listening to music and sometimes it even inspires or curbs scenes. I like going to the gym and reading, it is where I get most of my reading in.  In one day at work…working on stock in the back room, five new book ideas came flooding in.
I have one dog, a Beta named Platelet in one tank with a snail, eight goldfish all named after characters in my books and a Plecko and a snail in another tank that is huge.  I have the plecko and snails to help keep the tanks clean.
I’d like to write more often and I need to.  It is the best and worst thing in the world, if you are a writer you will understand that sentence; if you are not a writer ask one that you know.
I use Twitter and Instagram and Facebook to interact with writers and friends and share stuff about my books and from time to time excerpts! 
I hope to change the publishing world by introducing them to new styles of writing!  And once you get to know me you know I don’t just dabble in things, I jump in whole heartedly with both feet, and most of the time without a safety net.   I am beginning to blog under the supervision and guidance of Graves (I just love her) .  Please come back bi-weekly to join me on my journey of publishing and writing on my blog series called Toni’s Big Six Journey. 
It can be found here: http://yaauthorclub.blogspot.com
Listening to: Wishing Well by Ben Moody: All for This
Quote: “Just know, when you truly want success, you’ll never give up on it. No matter how bad the situation may get.” - Unknown

Spotlight Interview Questions:

1) What is your all-time favorite book and why?
“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green (TFIOS) .  It is just perfect.  I cried on every page and went hysterical at Chapter 21.  I re-read the book within two months and re-experienced all that beautiful pain (readers of this book will get it #nerdfighter) .  Also, I bonded with my IBBF (internet best friend forever)  over this book.  We’ve known each other for a little over two months as of 7.12.2013, but it is one of the greatest friendships I have had.  So, beyond being a great book it brought me a great friend.

2) Is there an author you could be compared to or popular fictional characters your book's characters could relate to and why?
Oh gosh, this is a biggie.  I don’t really know.  I have my own style, but some of my darker pieces, like “The Tale-Tale Heart” which is a re-doing of “The Tell-Tale Heart” by E.A. Poe for a final English paper, have been associated to Poe.  I’m actually about to start a second mirroring piece of his, that T.R. Graves is up-to-date about.
As far as characters…People are going to think TFIOS for some of my characters, because I talk about the book ALL the time and it is a book about kids with cancer.  But my book is about a kid or two with cancer but there is more of a story to it than that, just like Green’s.

As far as my characters relating to other characters…oh I don’t know, never thought about that.  I’ve read books with characters that reminded me of mine, but never really thought about it that way.  I think Devon would like Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

3) Can you give us your favorite quote from one of your books and explain it?
“If you don’t know, you do not deserve to know!” –Devon
Oh my, how can I explain, Devon?  Okay so in this scene Devon just found out something in his family. Sorry for being vague, don’t want to give away plot points. He is really struggling in his life at the moment and this news was just devastating.  Like a lot of teens Devon struggles with the idea of self-harm and when his brother is talking to him he (Devon)  hints to wanting to hurt himself, and when his brother doesn’t get the hint he says the above quote possibly angrily. 

4) What types of things/people/music inspires you and makes you want to keep writing?
Things that inspire me to write…I don’t know.  Sometimes I just see something, okay I was in a store the other day and saw a beautiful all glass frame, free standing.  I saw it and instantly knew it belonged to a character in one of my W.I.P.s, and when I got home it was already done the character would have it in their house.  So it is just kind of random, if I see something and it attaches to a character, I say it inspired me.

People- My best friend Anne is who I write for along with a few other people.  Anne is my muse and my ‘first reader’.  She keeps me going when I don’t want to write and pushes me to finish projects. So she inspires me as well as Graves, Green, Asher, and others.

Music!!! Ahh, such an inspiration!  Don’t want to say too much here because this topic is going to be a whole blog post for me!

What makes me want to keep writing—my characters.  I get a points where I miss them and I physically feel missing them, I feel pain of sorts.  Sometimes just thinking and plotting and writing notes just does not suffice, so I write to subdue the longing for interacting with them.  And I love writing, so that helps.

5) Describe your typical writing day or week.
They are random.  I write whenever and wherever.  At one point I was writing (more than this at home)  every Friday night at the bar in Red Robin, where one of my friends works.  I would buy an unsweetened peach tea with EXTRA regular syrup and she kept me in well supply.   It was a great writing environment and the support was great!

6) Is there a food or drink do you have to have when you're writing?
I love, love, love peach tea, but I can’t have too much caffeine otherwise I can’t sleep.  So at one point it was that, but now….yeah, it is still that, I just can’t have it all the time.

7) Can you tell us what you're working on right now (& possibly provide an excerpt & cover) ?
Sooooo many things! The book I am working on to get published first is Life’s Not a Fantasy I have a cover idea, but no cover yet!  An excerpt? Sure!  Here is the introduction.  It is written by Devon:

It wasn’t ever supposed to be like this.  Our family was always so torn apart, even before what I’m, about to write.  Dad was out fighting for ‘our safety’ but was never home...he was a ‘lifer’.  Mom chose her favorites and clung tightly to them, and I fell to the bottom of that spectrum.  I was okay with it though.
I was always the ‘untypical typical’ teenager, meaning I was or still am the loner.  I’ve done my fair share of stupid things, but more on that later.
He, Cameron always held us together.  He was our rock.  He could make or break our family and now his name resonates with pain.
How can one name ruin everything?  How can one name bring so much pain?
It’s been days, moments, but his name already feels like a curse. 
Thanks for reading!  Hope this was entertaining.
Keep writing,


Friday 12 July 2013

Social Media and what works.

This week on Indie Carnival we are talking about Social Media and what works.


I had to think about this for a while but I decided what it boils down to is communication. Old fashioned talking. To friends and acquaintances and colleagues amongst others. So I wondered about the type of modern electronic communication I was engaging in at the moment. First I am not a tweeter. I have never been brave enough or felt the urge to jump into those waters but I do use Facebook.
I have a page that I use for social contact and a page - facebook.com/FantasyFictionWriter- that I use for my books and to keep people updated. Though it is hard to determine how many extra sales are generated through them they are successful at informing my fans what I am up to and what is going on in my writing world.

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And then there is pinterest! I joined just a few weeks ago and already I am totally addicted. There are a lot of indie authors on pinterest and it didn’t take long for my books and the books of my fellow indie authors which I pinned onto my boards, to be shared around. Again it is not really possible to see what extra sales are being generated but it is all about the communication and saying ‘Hey, I’m here, how are you, nice to meet you.’ And that seems to be working just fine.
I know there are many other sites out there including Wattpad, YouTube and goodreads which I may be trying in the future but for now I intend to concentrate on building the channels I have.
What channels of communication do you use? Let me know what works, I would love to hear from you.
1.Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series2.Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.Heather Self4.T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga6.Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 8.K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series10.Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey12.M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping
13.Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler14.Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
15.Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy16.Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
17.Courtney Cole Writes18.Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
19.Ella James20.Maureen Murrish
21.Valerie Sloan

Tuesday 9 July 2013

UNSEEN. the great new book by Melissa Pearl is available now.

Now Available:
Danger surrounds the Seekers. Having already faced overwhelming odds, Kyla and Jethro discover it is only the beginning. Now they must face the power of nature itself. 
Each day is a test of faith. 
Two elements remain undiscovered. The light is yet to be resurrected. Dark forces prepare to descend upon the heroes of prophecy and they have one more power they must over come...their forbidden love for each other. 
Each moment is a test of loyalty and courage. 
In Taramon, Athra faces his own demons as he frets over the safety of his fiancĂ©e while trying to counter a dark evil that is brought to his doorstep. Treachery lurks in the shadows, forcing the future king into an action that could destroy his beloved city. 
Through it all, they must cling to the truths hidden in the unseen. 
"The plotting is sublime and the pacing is perfect. I held my breath as I turned the pages, hoping that Kyla and Jethro would return in time to help save their kingdom. What a fabulous addition to this series! I can't wait for the third book!" Taylor Longford, Author of the Greystone Series. 

Saturday 6 July 2013

Excerpt of THE BONDING CRYSTAL


Sometimes I can get so carried away with all the fabulous indie authors out there that I forget to tell you about my own books. So, I thought it was time to give you a taste of one of my books as well as all those of the other great indie authors in the YA indie carnival. Here is a synopsis and an excerpt from the first book in my Dragon World series. Enjoy!
The Bonding Crystal (Dragon World-Book 1)
Maureen Murrish
Synopsis - It is a shock when 14 year old, Robby, discovers he is to be bonded to a dragon. It is an even bigger shock when he realises that before he and his dragon stand any chance of bonding they have to prevent the evil-one from killing his fellow
bondlings and destroying the inhabitants of the city he is just learning to love. Only his onetime protector, Abigail who, despite all the rules, insists on tagging along and a strange little dragon who has been condemned to live life as an outcast are able to help him.



The Bonding Crystal is available as an ebook on:-

Also available in iBooks and other notable providers of eBooks.


Excerpt from The Bonding Crystal

Time passed slowly. Abigail slid gently sideways and lay curled next to him, sleeping but clutching her stick. Robby didn’t wake her. The night was quiet and there was no chance of him falling asleep, he was much too cold and alert for that. He sat shivering and thinking about the uneasy relationship that existed between the three of them and felt torn. His and Abigail’s relationship had always been on firm ground. A part of him was aware that, where she had led, he had followed. Now however, his instincts told him to follow Frenzel. He was not sure if he liked this much better. He was dimly aware that perhaps the urge to lead might be nobler. What was worse, he felt like a traitor. He knew Abigail must be feeling left out and hurt. And he knew that was part of the reason she challenged Frenzel so much. He could hardly believe the ease with which he had come to trust Frenzel. Being with him had become so important so quickly. But Robby felt bad about Abigail and had no idea how to make it right with her. Then there were Frenzel’s feelings to consider, it was only too obvious how he felt about Abigail. He sighed, he didn’t want to hurt either of them but he was in the middle and could see no way to keep both of them happy. He climbed down to put more wood onto the fire then resumed his chilly vigil.
A glimmer of rosy light was showing on the horizon and Robby was still mulling over his feelings when he heard the first soft snuffling. He listened, leaning out slightly to catch the sound again, unsure if it was simply a changing note of the river. Another soft snuffle, this time he knew it wasn’t the river. But before he could do anything about it, the whole world went mad.
The trip rope clanged its warning and an impossible bellow almost shattered his eardrums. At the same moment the net was wrenched from under him as something heavy crashed into it almost toppling him off the boulder. Robby made a desperate grab for the sleepy Abigail but was unable to save her. Abigail, lying on the edge of the net, was dragged off the boulder and into the path of the invader. Horrified, Robby leaped down after her just as her terrified screams mingled with the unearthly bellowing.



Monday 1 July 2013

Whispers of Razari by Cindty C Bennet and Jeffrey Moore. A great new book out 1July.

Whispers of Razari by Cindy C. Bennett and Jeffrey Moore

Blurb:
When sixteen year old Olivia Adams wakes from a horrible car accident that killed her parents, she knows she’s something different. Olivia died, and now the soul inhabiting her body needs to find out who - and what - she is. A glimpse of a world called Razari burning is the only clue to her previous existence—a tragic memory, sparking events that endanger the people helping her.

Jacobi McKenzie has lived in Crescent, Montana for more years than he can remember, even though he's only seventeen. He's been waiting, but for what he isn't sure. Jacobi recognizes Olivia for what she is before she's even aware of it herself and the effect she has on him threatens to expose his true identity--a thing he’s worked hard to conceal.

They come together in an explosion of emotion that neither of them is supposed to feel. As Jacobi fights for Olivia's life, protecting her from those who would use her for their own selfish purposes, together they unravel the mystery surrounding the destruction of their race.

Sales links:

Excerpt:

The smell of blood, iodine, peppermint, and ammonia blending with sweat is my first sense of awareness. These are scents I recognize. A dozen other foreign smells seem to be a mix of different elements. If I could concentrate and study the odors, I’m certain I’d be able to break them down into their base elements, but the noise is too distracting. I’m not as good with sound as I am with smell. I can make out several distinct voices and artificial sounds that are probably machines. If I could open my eyes, I’d be able to connect the noises with the smells. I think my eyes are fastened shut.

Slowly, I begin to explore the body of the host I’m in. I come upon damaged areas that cause intense pain and I quickly retreat from these areas. The body is broken in several places. I sense voices come from those repairing the host body. A name comes to me: Olivia. With effort, I crack open my eyes. Gauzy images of people work on me. A tall man has his hands in Olivia’s body and he speaks softly, as if afraid of startling anyone. I retreat and turn to exploring Olivia’s memories.

Reliving Olivia’s life from her earliest memory is instinctual for me. I think I’ve existed for a long time. Parasite. I find the word while searching through Olivia’s memories—a parasite is what these people would think of me if they knew what I was. But a parasite by definition lives in or on a host and steals everything, giving nothing in return. I’m not really like that. I entered Olivia shortly after her soul departed. Her body’s not the ideal place for me to be, being only sixteen earth years old and badly broken, but I was drawn to her. What made me choose her? I can’t remember. Typically I acquire a host much younger and definitely less broken—at least, that feels like the thing I’d do.

As I’m learning about Olivia, her culture, and the society in which she lives, it sparks the knowledge that I don’t remember where I came from. I know I’m not human, and I know what I need to do to exist in Olivia, but why I’m here eludes me. With that comes the idea that my kind only moves to a different world as a last resort, so I figure something terrible must have happened not only to me—or actually my former host—but the world from which I came.



Bennett is the YA author of several books. She lives in Utah with her husband and two daughters. Both of her sons have married, giving her two more daughters (in-law). She loves gooey cookies, dark chocolate, and cheese popcorn. She hates housework and cooking, and has no plans to become a domestic goddess. She occasionally co-hosts a geek podcast with her son, called Geek Revolution Radio. Her favorite pastime is riding her Harley.

Find more about Cindy at www.cindycbennett.com
Geek Revolution Radio www.geekrevolutionradio.com


Moore was born in Germany. As a military brat, much of his childhood was spent abroad, growing up in Germany on military installations. He subsequently enlisted in the military and served for ten years as an army pilot. While in the military, he lived in Italy and South Korea and deployed to many European countries. He has traveled to Australia, Japan, Singapore and most European countries. His experiences and contact with many different cultures helps form some of the elements in his stories. He currently works for a global IT company and lives in Massachusetts.

Find more about Jeffery and his work at www.jefferyemoore.com