Wednesday 26 January 2011

A Chance To Be Published In An Anthology...

If you want to be published in an anthology then keep reading. Here Lou Aronica, author of Blue, is giving ten lucky writers the opportunity to be published in an anthology.

If you are interested..keep reading and here Lou will explain the details.


New York Times bestselling co-author, novelist, and former Publisher of Avon Books and Berkley Books, Lou Aronica has created a unique and exciting offer to anyone that is going to follow his upcoming book tour with Pump Up Your Book. His extensive experience in the publishing and editing fields has given him insight into an industry that continues to grow and change daily. Once again, that insight has led him to offer a contest that is truly special in so many ways. Lou will be accepting story pitches from followers of his blog tour. These story pitches must be for short stories pertaining to the fantasy world of his novel, “Blue.” This contest will allow 10 lucky people the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to have their story published in an upcoming companion anthology to “Blue.” Lou will hand pick the winners, edit their stories, include them in the anthology and give them a pro-rated share of the royalties. How can you pass up an opportunity like this?

Now for the details:

The pitch should include a synopsis of the proposed story and a sample of the submitting author’s fiction writing. Specify the expected length of the story.

The pitch needs to be submitted by April 16, 2011

Please email your submission to Lou at laronica@fictionstudio.com

All winners will be notified by email by May 27, 2011.

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Author of Blue: Lou Aronica: Guest Post and Giveaway

Today I have a guest post by Lou Aronica, the author of Blue and further down I have a giveaway for you all.


Nohere's Lou talking about what he wanted to be when he was growing up.

When I Grow Up I Want to Be Like You

In one way or another, I’d been planning to be a writer from the time I was a teenager. When I graduated college, though, I needed a job that paid a salary rather than one that had some vague potential for remuneration somewhere down the line. I interviewed with a number of publishing houses and hooked on with Bantam Books as a schlepper (I think the actual job title was “administrative assistant,” but I was decidedly a schlepper). A few years later, though, I got my first meaningful position at Bantam when they charged me with reinventing their science fiction and fantasy program. This became Bantam’s Spectra imprint, which celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary last year. (There’s really no way to say that without making me seem old, is there? Would you believe it if I said I started at Bantam when I was nine?)

Bantam had had a fairly limited presence in science fiction up to this point, but it did have some gems. Ursula LeGuin’s Earthsea novels, for instance, and selected titles from Philip K. Dick, Samuel R. Delany, and Frederik Pohl. What shone brightest on the list for me, though, was the work of Ray Bradbury. Bradbury was the first writer I’d ever idolized. In many ways, he was the writer that made me want to be a writer. The simple fact that I was shepherding the list that carried many of his most important paperbacks filled me with more pride than I had any right to feel.

About six months after I took on this assignment, I made a business trip to Southern California. Ray Bradbury lived in Southern California. I decided to roll the dice and call his office to see if he might have a little time to meet with his “publisher.” In reality, I knew that the only publishing I was doing for him was sending him notes when his books went back to press, but I figured it was worth trying to connect with him. This paid off when his office said that he’d meet me for a drink at my hotel.

The day of the meeting, I sat nervously in the hotel bar waiting for this literary icon to arrive. One of the first lessons my colleagues had taught me was that writers are often far less appealing in person than they are on the page, and I’d already had some experience with this. What if the man who’d written so magically about enchanted summers and a fanciful Mars turned out to be an ogre? What if he sneered at my being so young and presuming to be worthy of his time.

By the time he entered, I’d steeled myself for the worst. What happened instead was one of the most precious experiences of my publishing life. Ray handed me a signed hardcover copy of The Martian Chronicles and then took my hand in both of his and said, “Thank you so much for what you’re doing for me.” I’m not the swooning type, but I came very close then. What I was doing for him? That could never compare to what he’d done for me in that moment. Thus began a relationship that lasted for more than fifteen years, one that allowed me to become Ray’s hardcover publisher and to even send him on his first national book tour. Ray Bradbury isn’t the man I idolized on the page; he’s so much more regal than that.

When I finally embarked on my writing career after twenty years in publishing, I wrote relationship novels and collaborated on a number of nonfiction books. However, I always told myself that some day I would try to write a novel in the spirit of Ray Bradbury’s stories. Finally, I started work on the book I’ve just published, Blue. It took me six years to get it where I wanted it, but I can only hope that it has a glimmer of the wonder and openheartedness that Bradbury’s work always has. In many ways, this novel is a tribute to him. I’m not sure I ever would have become a writer if he hadn’t taught me the magic of words.

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Now for the giveaway. I have one book to give away of Blue, written by Lou Aronica. All you have to do to win is to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment below with your e-mail address.



Do not begin this novel unless you are prepared to be moved, willing to open your heart, and available to the possibility that life can bring you magic.
Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Not long before, Chris' world sparkled - he was doing significant work, he had a good home, and his young daughter brought him more joy than he ever could have imagined. Now, divorce and estrangement have left him confused and all too often alone.
Becky is Chris' fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges in her early years to become a vibrant, vital young woman. Her parents' divorce has left its mark, though, most significantly in her relationship with her father. Once, they told remarkable stories together. Now, they barely speak. Emotional detachment from Chris is not Becky's biggest concern, though.
Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little - a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own. Miea knows nothing of Becky and Chris. She only knows that her beautiful kingdom - a place of remarkably varied flora, dignified and distinctive fauna, and an ecology that works in symphonic majesty - is in terrible, maybe fatal trouble.
At the most challenging junctures of their lives, Becky and Miea discover each other and Miea shares this discovery with Chris. For Becky, it is nearly inconceivable that a place she created has come into existence. For Miea, it is nearly inconceivable that a child created her land. For Chris, it is beyond inconceivable that he is again sharing something important in his daughter's life. For all of them, it as though a world of opportunity has opened up before them.
But time is not on their side. In fact, time might be running out.
Together, they need to uncover a secret. The secret to why these worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them.
Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed. Do not, however, begin it unless you are prepared to be moved.
(taken from Amazon.com)
Here's the rules;

1. You must be a follower of my blog
2. Just leave a comment below saying you want to be entered along with your e-mail address
3. Winner will be drawn on 14th February at 7pm UK time

Review: Being Human UK, Series 3, Episode 1 - Lia

Synopsis

Lia: If Mitchell is to rescue Annie from purgatory, then first he must face up to his haunting past. Meanwhile, George is arrested moments before the full moon.


What I Thought

The BBC’s build up does the Being Human series three premier episode absolute justice and much more. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole way through. One moment I’m laughing my head off at something George does or says and then the next I am in near tears wanting Mitchell to get to Annie.

The episode begins with the introduction of Honolulu Heights, the gang’s new home, in Barry Island, Wales. Mitchell is still very much set out to do whatever he has to do to get Annie but George is erring slightly on the side of caution as he doesn’t want to lose another best friend. Nina is a bit sulky to begin with as she just wants some alone time with George.

We get to meet McNair, played by Robson Green and his son Tom, played by Michel Socha, in the first episode and we are introduced to the new bad guys on the block. It seems no matter where the gang go, there’s always evil. These bad guys enjoy watching humans getting mauled and ripped to pieces by werewolves. There’s a brief encounter between George, Tom and two chickens which ends with George being arrested just moments before the full moon. I thought the charge that George had been arrested for was hilarious.

Meanwhile, Mitchell is in purgatory trying to get Annie back, where he meets Lia, played by Lacey Turner, who flirts and taunts him about who she is, how to get to Annie etc. She leads him through a series of doors but what is behind them? Well I can’t tell you that, it would ruin the surprise but I can tell you that it isn’t pleasant and Mitchell is in for a rough ride.

My favourite parts of the show are with George. The character can make you want to laugh out loud one minute and then have you in tears the next. Russell Tovey is a testament to great acting. There was one moment between him and Nina just after the full moon was epic. They came to realise two things but I’m not going to tell you what those are. I’m evil I know, but honestly I am just preserving the show’s awesomeness for you! The crossword moment between George and Mitchell was just brilliant. George just can’t resist Mitchell at times.

Now where do I begin about Mitchell? I could go on about him for hours, but I won’t bore you with my fan-girly-ness but I will tell you that he is still as broody as hell, his accent is still to die for and he is still just as gorgeous as before. I’m not sure if I have just one favourite moment with Mitchell in episode one as they are all great but the last door he goes through I genuinely feel for him. He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. I get why he feels the way he feels but on the other hand it’s just part of who he is and it’s expected of him. The fact that Mitchell feels anything at all is evidence to his strong will and determination to be human. He tries so hard that I think he really is human three quarters of the time and a vampire for the rest. I think that’s why he is able to feel regret and compassion for his victims.
My favourite part with Annie is when Lia enlightens Annie to some obvious feelings that are that felt by a character in the show towards her. Now I thought this was great because when watching series one and two of Being Human, I did sense some hidden emotions between certain characters. I can’t wait to see where this little illumination leads to. All the other times we see Annie, she is just a blurred and noisy television emission trying to make contact with the real world and stay sane. For a minute I was worried about her as it looked like purgatory had nearly broken her spirit.

Overall, a brilliant start to the series and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for our characters. It looks very promising. And in the words of @Kirkleby123 to sum up this week’s episode in 140 characters:

 “FANTASTIC!! AMAZING!!!! BRILLIANT!!!! PHENOMENAL!! ASTOUNDING!! Did I miss anything...? BREATHTAKING!! Well done!! My God WOW”.

Sunday 16 January 2011

Review: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine

My Rating: G, P, B

Published: 2007
Publisher: Allison and Busby Limited

Author's Website: rachelcaine.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

When Claire Danvers learnt that her college town was run by vampires, she did what any intelligent, self-preserving student would do: she applied for a transfer and stocked up on garlic. The transfer is no longer an option, but the garlic may come in handy.

Now Claire has pledged herself to Amelie, the most powerful vampire in town. The protection her contract secures does little to reassure her friends. All of a sudden, people are turning up dead, a stalker resurfaces from Claire’s past, and an ancient bloodsucker extends a chilling invitation for private lessons in his secluded home.


Midnight Alley is the third book in the The Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine.

Claire Danvers is just your average, super intelligent, teenage girl who came to Morganville to attend college before heading off to MIT, little did she know that when someone arrives in Morganville, there is no way out. Because of all the nasty girls at college, Claire moved out of the dormitories and moved into Glass House and she is now under the protection of Amelie, the most powerful vampire in Morganville, and is trying o hide it from our housemates.

My favourite moments in the book were between Claire and Shane. Their moments together are just so normal, probably the most normal thing about living at Glass House and I think it’s really sweet by being a perfect gentleman towards Claire. I just love Eve’s character too. She doesn’t take any bull-poopy and tells it like it is even if what she says will hurt the other person’s feelings and you definitely can’t pull the wool over her eyes..well not for long anyway.

I can’t say I was head over heels in love with this book but I have enjoyed the other books in the series so far so I will most likely carry on reading the series as I think there is more great writing to come. I can’t really pin point what I didn’t enjoy about this book but I thought it was okay. This may be different for other readers and I wouldn’t discourage anyone that was interested in reading this series.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Review: Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn

My Rating: VG, B, H

Published: 2008
Publisher: Gollancz

Author’s Website: carrievaughn.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Kitty’s radio show is as popular as ever and she has a boyfriend who actually seems to understand her. Can she finally settle down to a normal life? Not if this is just the calm before the storm. When her mother falls ill, Kitty rushes back to Denver – and right back to the abusive pack of werewolves she escaped a year ago.

To make matters worse, war is brewing between the city’s two oldest vampires, threatening the whole supernatural community. Though she wants to stay neutral, Kitty is once again drawn into a world of politics and violence. To protect her family, her lover, and herself, she’ll have to choose sides...and maybe become the very thing she hates: a killer.


Kitty and the Silver Bullet is the fourth instalment in the Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn. If you like action and romance then this is the book for you.

Kitty is just your average DJ that wants to make something of herself and just happens to be a werewolf. The last part makes life rather difficult, especially when she wants to return home to tend to her sick mother. The Denver pack banished her when they killed her best friend T.J a year ago but some things are worth fighting for.

There were so many things that I loved about this book that I couldn’t possibly mention them all but I will tell you a couple. I loved how Kitty and Ben are now so at ease with one another now that they have established a sort of routine within their own little pack. Kitty starts to question how much of the emotions that Ben and she feel for one another; whether it’s just the pack bond or whether it’s something deeper. I for one am very happy that this issue was brought up as it shows character development between the two, it’s just not a case of them being thrown together because they are pack and that’s that, they really look into themselves and talk with one another to establish exactly what their relationship is based on. Albeit, the conversation is slow in coming around but they get there in the end.

Another thing I loved about this book was the fact that Kitty isn’t going to take anything lying down. Sometimes I think she looks for the easy life, like leaving Denver and cruising around the country, avoiding the pack that banished her. But I am so happy that she came back and was trying to make a go of it.

Overall, I have really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole so far and I can’t wait to read more. I want to know what Kitty does next. I can’t really list the questions I would like answers to as they will give away what has happened in this book. I would recommend this book and the series to anyone that enjoys a good action novel with romance and a touch of smut thrown in.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I have borrowed it from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Monday 10 January 2011

Review: Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur

My Rating: G, B, X

Published: 2007
Publisher: Piatkus

Author’s Website: keriarthur.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Kitty’s radio show is as popular as ever and she has a boyfriend who actually seems to understand her. Can she finally settle down to a normal life? Not if this is just the calm before the storm. When her mother falls ill, Kitty rushes back to Denver – and right back to the abusive pack of werewolves she escaped a year ago.

To make matters worse, war is brewing between the city’s two oldest vampires, threatening the whole supernatural community. Though she wants to stay neutral, Kitty is once again drawn into a world of politics and violence. To protect her family, her lover, and herself, she’ll have to choose sides...and maybe become the very thing she hates: a killer.


Kitty and the Silver Bullet is the fourth instalment in the Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn. If you like action and romance then this is the book for you.

Kitty is just your average DJ that wants to make something of herself and just happens to be a werewolf. The last part makes life rather difficult, especially when she wants to return home to tend to her sick mother. The Denver pack banished her when they killed her best friend T.J a year ago but some things are worth fighting for.

There were so many things that I loved about this book that I couldn’t possibly mention them all but I will tell you a couple. I loved how Kitty and Ben are now so at ease with one another now that they have established a sort of routine within their own little pack. Kitty starts to question how much of the emotions that Ben and she feel for one another; whether it’s just the pack bond or whether it’s something deeper. I for one am very happy that this issue was brought up as it shows character development between the two, it’s just not a case of them being thrown together because they are pack and that’s that, they really look into themselves and talk with one another to establish exactly what their relationship is based on. Albeit, the conversation is slow in coming around but they get there in the end.

Another thing I loved about this book was the fact that Kitty isn’t going to take anything lying down. Sometimes I think she looks for the easy life, like leaving Denver and cruising around the country, avoiding the pack that banished her. But I am so happy that she came back and was trying to make a go of it.

Overall, I have really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole so far and I can’t wait to read more. I want to know what Kitty does next. I can’t really list the questions I would like answers to as they will give away what has happened in this book. I would recommend this book and the series to anyone that enjoys a good action novel with romance and a touch of smut thrown in.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Saturday 8 January 2011

Review: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

My Rating: E, P, B

Published: 2008
Publisher: Razorbill

Author's Website: richellemead.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa – the last Drogomir princess – must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken...

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn’t been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghastly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy’s iron gates. And now that LIssa and Rose’s sworn enemy, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but suddenly there’s a way more that friendship at stake. The immortal undead are on the prowl, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most...but will her choice mean that only one can survive?


Shadow Kiss is the third instalment in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. Words cannot this describe this book. Scenes were just absolutely breath-taking and not always in a good way.

Rose is undertaking the most important tests that are detrimental to her future as a guardian but trouble always seems to follow her and makes her life difficult. She feels cut off from everyone after she starts seeing things and feels she has to be strong for Lissa. But being strong means she has to shut those out that are closest to her. Being unable to tell anyone what is happening makes Rose look unstable and not cut out to be a guardian.

Lissa is still exploring her powers with the help of Adrian and in return he is learning to grow his own powers. Together they may be unable to unlock each other’s powers and take them to a whole new level. Christian is jealous of their relationship and connects with Rose because of it as she isn’t a bit Adrian fan either.

There were so many great moments in this book and it’s very hard to go into detail about one particular scene without giving anything away. Let just say there is a huge pivotal scene in this book for Rose and the future of the characters occurs in the last few chapters. It makes me want to read the series even more and see what is in store for our characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and have enjoyed the series so far. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and find out what happens next.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed this from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything that I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Thursday 6 January 2011

Review: Burnt Offerings by Laurell K Hamilton

My Rating: E, P, X

Published: 1998
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

Author’s Website: laurellkhamilton.org
Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

That’s what I’ve always said. That’s what I’ve always believed. But now I’m the one sharing a bed with the Master Vampire of the City. I’m Anita Blake, the woman the vampires call the Executioner. From part of the solution, I’ve become part of the problem.

So it hits to home when an arsonist begins to target vampire-owned businesses all over town – an arsonist who seems to want to destroy more than just property. It’s the monsters who are in danger now. And it’s up to the Executioner to save them from the inferno.


Burnt Offerings is the seventh book in the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K Hamilton. I enjoyed this book so much that I can’t find the right words to describe how I felt when reading it.

From the beginning I loved the interaction between Anita and Jean Claude (he’s my favourite main character if you haven’t guess from previous reviews) and the more intimate scenes between the two. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the coming books in the series as Anita seems to have a lot of uncomfortable conversations regarding her relationship with Jean Claude in this book with her work colleagues and peers.

There are quite a few confrontational moments between Anita and Richard and even some heated moments with the pack. The tension between the Richard and Anita is exciting but at the same time I don’t want anything to happen between these characters because I am very much an Anita and Jean Claude shipper. But I know LK Hamilton isn’t wriitng these books just for me so it will be interesting to see how Anita, Richard and Jean Claude deal with their connections to one another. We see a glimpse of it in Burnt Offerings, but somehow I think this is only the beginning of a very long and bumpy ride.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so far. LK Hamilton is an awesome writer and can’t wait to read more of the series and delve further into her sensational animating/vampire world. My hopes for future books in the series are that we see some more development and learn more about Anita’s progressive animating powers and obviously more scenes with Anita and Jean Claude.


Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

Review: Undead and Unfinished by MaryJanice Davidson

My Rating: VG, L, H

Published: 2010
Publisher: The Berkley Publishing Group

Author's Website: MaryJaniceDavidson.net

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor is fed up with trying to decipher the strange things prophesised in The Book of the Dead. At the end of her tether, she strikes a deal with Satan who promises to help – but only if she and her half-sister Laura pay a visit to Hell.

Hell, it would seem, is more terrifying than Betsy could have ever imagined – a waiting room with bad carpeting, reruns of 70s TV shows and ancient Good Housekeeping magazines. But when Betsy and Laura find themselves catapulted back and forth through time, they realise they could seriously screw everything up for good...


Undead and Unfinished is the ninth instalment in the Queen Betsy series by MaryJanice Davidson. Hillarious, enlightening and confusing are some of the emotions I was feeling whilst reading this book.

Queen Betsy definitely takes us for a ride in this book. We are given more of an insight into the world of Betsy and Sinclair just when everything seems to be bleak between the two of them. I was seriously worried about our lead couple.

As we flit through the times with Betsy and her sister Laura, the spawn of Satan, we learn more about how Betsy came to be and why everything is the way it is. To say the constant time travelling was confusing would be redundant but hey I am going to say it anyway. I got totally confused but in a good way. It had me constantly guessing where Betsy and Laura was going to take me next and what shenangians they would get up to.

I got a bit mad at the ending because it made me feel that this was the end of the series (it might not be but because I can’t find any proof to prove otherwise, I am thinking this is the last in the series). I really hope this is not the last book in the series as it left the series on quite a cliffhanger that has left me with more questions than I had to begin with.

The Queen Betsy series is the best series I have read so far this year. It has brought me many hours of laughter and endless entertainment. To say MaryJanice Davidson is the goddess of comedic writing would be an understatement. Hat off to this lady and she certainly knows how to write amazing fun-filled and amusing stoylines. Hopefully this is not the end.

Disclaimer: I do not own this book, I borrowed it from my local library. I have not been paid to review this book but everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.