COVER REVEAL - SACHAEL DESIRES

I'm soooooo excited to share this with you today.

Yes - this is the cover for Sachael Desires, the second book in the 'Mine' series, and I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

Ashley (REUTS Publications) has done a wonderful job of capturing the dreamy and mythical feel of the second book. So, without further ado, please give a loud round of applause for Ashley and the cover.

Overview

During her ordeal with the Sect, Estelle Bailey dreamt of escaping back into the arms of the sea—and Azariah. But freedom came at a price, and though she’s back with the Sachael who’s stolen her heart, she’s also land-bound until the next full moon. And with the threat of Orontes looming ever larger behind them, Azariah, Estelle, and Michael—her once-captor turned rescuer and friend—are on the run.

Following Michael’s lead, they seek sanctuary amidst the natural beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Islands until Estelle can complete her next submergence ritual and Azariah can whisk her away to the safety of Saicean.
​ ​
Secrets, betrayals, and old enemies await them, though, and as events spiral out of control, Azariah makes a decision that puts all their lives at risk, forcing Estelle to face a journey she never wanted to take. With time running out and tempers running high, her only hope to save the man she loves lies in a reconciliation between two kingdoms who despise each other.

Book Two in the Mine Series, Sachael Desires further expands on the intricate underwater world of the Sachaels, and the hostility and isolation of not belonging.​

 

Sachael Desires is due to be released on the 24th November. Pans for a facebook party on the evening of release are in the pipeline, so keep checking back for details.

BLOG TOUR - LINK by Summer Wier

Today is the day that Summer drops into my blog to answer some questions about LINK, her debut novel.


What inspired you to write Link?

My initial idea was somewhat different than the final version of LINK. I could visualize the main character, Kira, connected to someone, somewhere, somehow...but everything else was pretty vague. As I started writing her story I kept searching for something that would really set her story apart apart and still connect some of the plotlines together. I didn't know what I was looking for or how the story would change once I found it. Luckily, I can show you exactly what inspired the theory and science behind Link! I happened on the following NASA video, and imagined it into something truly fantastic!

Here's the clip: https://youtu.be/2j04JEjKMjg


What were the challenges in bringing it to life?

I've always been interested in the mysteries of space, but in developing my concept, I wanted the mystery to be based on real science. So although the theories I created are fictional (of course) I wanted to create something that touched on events that *might* actually happen. The incredible part is, scientists, such as Stephen Hawking, now believe in theories and possibilities that are remarkable similar to the world I created. (Stephen Hawking: Black Holes may lead to other universes. )


Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

I wrote LINK by just following ideas wherever they would take me. I even wrote some scenes out of order, because a particular scene would become so clear in my mind, it didn't make sense to ignore it. As I move forward with sequels, however, I've outlined a lot more to make sure that I'm continuing key points from Link while also weaving in elements that will appear in and carry on through the next two books.


Which actress/actor would you like to see playing Kira/Zane/Evan or any other characters from Link? Any pictures?

I have some ideas of who would portray my characters, but I'm also a fan of totally unknown actresses/actors bringing characters to life.

For Kira, the closest picture I could find is of an unnamed, unsourced image I stumbled across on Pinterest.

 

Isn't she perfect?! Strong, yet she holds a certain look of goodness and light.

Zane's image was a little fuzzier in my mind, but I do know he's just a good-looking, old-fashioned, football-playing country boy. So for him I envisioned someone like Tatum Channing, or even a slightly beefed-up Colton Hayes or a mix of the two.

Tatum Channing:

Colton Hayes:

For Evan, I listened to a lot of the All-American Rejects as inspiration for his character and even envisioned him looking a little like Tyson Ritter (AAR's lead singer).

For images of other characters and a peek into LINK's world, check out The Shadow of Light board on Pinterest!


Now, you know I’m a bit of a Zane fan, so tell me something about him that’s not common knowledge. Any secrets we can discover?

Zane is such a sweetheart isn't he? He's also a pretty private guy and wouldn't want me blabbing all about him in public. But between you and me, in spite of his devotion to his friends and sometimes very serious demeanor, he really loves a good prank. Not the kind that would hurt anyone, because he's not a mean person, but just good old fashion shenanigans. 


‘Link’ is the first book in the ‘Shadow of Light’ series. Can you give us any hints about what happens in the next book?

It's so hard to touch on this without giving away the twists and turns that make LINK unique. But as I briefly mentioned in another interview, the first book is very internal for the MC, solving problems close to home and her heart. As we progress to the second book, she looks beyond herself to help those closest to her, and by book three she has to focus on saving the universe (which maybe be groan-worthy to some, but it is what it is). So for another hint, I'll tell you, in sequels Kira tests theories presented in LINK and uses them to travel to new places.


WOW!!!!! Check out those links to see the world that Summer has created and look at this - the amazing trailer for LINK:

To win one of Summer's favourite YA books enter the tour long Giveaway

Click on the giveaway link to enter:   a Rafflecopter giveaway

NEW RELEASE - LINK by Summer Wier

Yes - I know it's late, and I can only apologise, but I was away in Ravenscar and had no Wifi.

I'm back now and I want to shout this from every roof-top I can.

NEW RELEASE: LINK by SUMMER WIER!!!!!!

Summer's debut novel is gripping, exciting, mysterious and OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Read below for further information and giveaways and make sure you pop back next week when I'll be featuring an exclusive interview with Summer herself!

About LINK:

For seventeen-year-old Kira, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than being surrounded by friends and huddled beside a campfire deep in the woods. And with a birthday in the peak of summer, that includes late night swims under the stars.

Or at least, it used to.

Kira’s relaxing contemplation of the universe is interrupted when a piece of it falls, colliding with her and starting a chain of events that could unexpectedly lead to the one thing in her life that's missing—her father.

Tossed into a pieced-together world of carnivals and gypsies, an old-fashioned farmhouse, and the alluring presence of a boy from another planet, Kira discovers she’s been transported to the center of a black hole, and there’s more to the story than science can explain. She’s now linked by starlight to the world inside the darkness. And her star is dying.

If she doesn’t return home before the star’s light disappears and her link breaks, she’ll be trapped forever. But she’s not the only one ensnared, and with time running out, she’ll have to find a way to save a part of her past and a part of her future, or risk losing everything she loves.

Dreamy, fluid, and beautiful, Link pairs the mystery of science fiction with the minor-key melody of a dark fantasy, creating a tale that is as human as it is out of this world. 

Available now from Amazon, and other retailers.

 

 

About Summer Wier:

Summer Wier is an MBA toting accountant, undercover writer, and all around jack-of-all-trades.  Link is her debut novel and the first in The Shadow of Light series. She has three short stories appearing in Fairly Twisted Tales For A Horribly Ever After and co-authors the Splinter web serial. When she’s not digging through spreadsheets or playing mom, you can find her reading/writing, cooking, or dreaming of the mountains in Montana.

Check out more of YA author Summer Wier on her blog, twitter, facebook, and goodreads. 

 

SUMMER HOLIDAYS ARE OVER!!!

Where has the end of July gone and the whole month of August? I tell you where . . . it dissolved into the parental nightmare of school holidays.

Now, I love my boys to bits--they're maturing into lovely young men and I love spending time with them, but . . . this year the summer holidays were a nightmare for my writing.

The first week of the holidays I worked my standard week at the day job, then on the Thursday and Friday I was running around buying last minutes items and clothes for all of us for our holiday on Spain, and packing!

My second and third weeks were spent in Spain where I thoroughly relaxed, reading several brilliant books, and hand wrote very rough parts of INIQUITY whilst turning a nice brown colour on my sun lounger. ( I came back with scribbled, sun-cream smudged words to the total of 20k)

The rest of the holiday--the remaining 4 weeks were to be spent at the day job Monday to Wednesday and then around for the boys on Thursdays and Fridays. Alas, this didn't happen. My eldest purchased a pennyboard (small skateboard) on the first Tuesday we were back from our hols and as I sat down at my laptop for the first time in 3 weeks, a day of writing ahead of me, the screams as he came running inside and the subsequent visual of his right arm hanging just like Harry Potters did when he lost all his bones after his quidditch fall, had me calling for an ambulance. Yes, he'd fallen off said pennyboard and put his arm out to stop his fall--hence both bones in his lower arm broken. (Lucky no other injuries at all)

My writing stopped, and with it went my muse . . . gone, out the window for the next 2 weeks. Needless to say the trip to the hospital and x-rays confirmed what was blindingly obvious - his arm was broken. We were in hospital for the rest of the Thursday, but they released him at tea time with a temporary cast held on with bandages, and a future appointment on the following Monday for Fracture clinic where he would get a cast.

When Monday came the consultant took one look at Thursdays x-rays and said there was no way he was putting a cast on his arm, he needed an operation. After trying to calm my son down whilst quietly crying inside and struggling to hold it together myself, the staff at the hospital made arrangements for him to be admitted to the children's ward seeing as he was only 14. (Such lovely staff on that ward) Hubs joined us at lunch time and helped give me a break from our son's manic panicking about them 'cutting him open'. At 3 o'clock I went with him to the room they take you to before the op and watched him slowly black out as they put him to sleep. How I held it together until I got back to the ward I'll never know, but as soon as I saw hubs my tears started. I knew he'd be okay, but never having had either of my two need an operation before (We've been very lucky) the whole episode had drained me and made me an emotional wreck.

He was two hours in surgery and very drowsy when he was brought back to the ward. I have decided though that he will be a happy drunk when he gets older, as he was thanking everyone who helped him in his induced 'sleep' state. As the night drew in, hubs and me tiptoed around him as he slept--soft snoring noises that reminded me of when he was a baby and just how precious he was to us. I could have stayed the night, the staff were willing to put a camp-bed by his side for me, but I was so tired I longed to attempt a half decent sleep in my own bed. We left him at 10.30 with the promise we'd be back first thing in the morning.

So the following morning I dropped hubs at the hospital and then drove to work to sort out the wages for the staff and any other urgent business as I didn't think there was any way I'd be back the next day and potentially the following week. When I arrived at the hospital at lunch time, he was sitting up and talking, although looked very tired, and had already been discharged. After thanking all the nurses who'd cared for him during his short stay we went home. Hubs charged off to work and I was left with a very sleepy boy. He did sleep most of the afternoon but when evening came so did his pain. The tablets the hospital gave us weren't even taking the edge off the pain he was feeling. Every time he breathed his arm hurt, every time he moved, he shouted out. Getting him to bed was a nightmare, but eventually he settled. I expected a restless night of getting up numerous times to see to him, but was pleasantly surprised when I woke at 6:30 and went to see him. He was sitting up playing on his ipad.

We had a quiet day, but he was still struggling with the pain of his arm so I rang the doctor and asked if there was anything stronger he could have. Two hours later I had 'magic' pills for him. These worked a trick. That evening the pain built again, but after one of these pills he was remarkably chilled out and slept right through the night again. The morning brought about a very different child. The best way to describe it was that he was 'tripping'. Oh yes, these pills had him imaging I was a talking fish, a jelly fish, a robot with 6 eyes, and let's not forget the high pitched giggle that he suddenly developed. The good news, his pain had gone and he was happy!

Three days of happy pills and I started to decrease the dose. Throughout this time I was sung every Christmas carol he could think of, as well as returning to my 'fish' state. By the end of the weekend he was back on normal strength pain killers and a much more natural grumpy teenager complaining of boredom!

On the Tuesday we were back at the hospital to see how everything had gone. He had his arm put into a proper cast and more x-rays taken. (as shown in the picture)

The metal plate will remain in his arm to support the bone and the long bendy metal rod will be taken out in about 6 months.

On the Thursday of this same week I had to take 'broken arm son' to my mums and my other son to his aunties as hubs and I were flying to Italy on the Friday to a friends wedding.

The wedding was beautiful, and so was the weather. Temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius all weekend We stayed at Hotel San Rocco which was near Soiano, overlooking Lake Garda. Hubs and I will return one day :)

So, when we returned we were in our final week of the summer holidays. And this is when I managed to get my mojo back and dig into the notes I made whilst sitting around the pool in Spain. Calm was at last returning, even though the dreaded school shopping was on my list of things to attack. It only took one afternoon, but let me tell you that if you've never been through the experience of having to buy school uniforms and all the other bits and bobs that go with it, start saving now! If you have boys, when they get to 14 and 12 their shoes cost serious money. Size 8.5 and 7.5 respectively bring in prices that are over what I pay for my shoes. (This doesn't seem right.)

So they were back at school on Tuesday and today I claimed back my writing days. Today, though, I'm catching up on all my paperwork and my accounts. Tomorrow I intend to sit down and write.

Iniquity is standing at 76K words with the final 8 chapters mapped out. (as well as the second book--Veracity) SD2 is waiting to go, edits with my first CP are nearly complete on SD3 and SD4 has 5 chapters written. I also have the seed of another novel growing in my head, but that will stay firmly locked away until SD4, Iniquity, and Veracity have been written.

So, excuse me for a little while if I sit and rock on my chair, giggling as the words begin to form on my screen. I've missed my laptop, I've missed being ME!

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE OVER - WELCOME BACK MELODY WINTER!

RELEASE DAY - DIVERGING CADENCE by Katie Hamstead

Today sees the release of the second book in the 'Cadence' series. I've had such a busy month that I've still not had time to read the first book, Deceptive Cadence, but his means I can read both books back to back and not have to wait months between them.

I'll also be on the blog tour on the 17th September, so pop back then to find out more.

Please wish Katie all the best on her release day with another beautiful story.

About Diverging Cadence:

When Cadence Anderson woke to find her husband and infant daughter had been killed, she thought her life was over. Instead, she was offered a second chance and sent back in time to do it all again.

She’s made the most of this opportunity, repairing her relationship with the best friend she lost the first time, avoiding the romantic mistakes she made originally, and even bringing her family closer together. But she’s also done something she wasn’t planning on—she’s fallen in love with someone other than her future husband.

 

Stepping onto a plane and flying across country to attend university is the hardest decision she’s had to make. But unless she follows through with it, her future with Austin might never happen. And what becomes of her beautiful baby if she stays with James, the man she was never supposed to love?

 

The only thing she knows for certain is that she has to see Austin again, and she’s intent on reliving that part of her previous life exactly like she did the first time. Even if that means she has to lie to James to do it. Because, deep down, she can’t quite bring herself to let him go.

 

Now, past and future are about to collide, and Cadence has to make her final choice—follow the uncertain path of a life with James, or the one she came back to save . . . with Austin.

In this emotional conclusion to the story that began in Deceptive Cadence, relationships will be tested, identities revealed, and the past will overshadow the future, putting the finishing touches on an unforgettable tale of courage, sacrifice, and, above all, love.

Get Diverging Cadence from Amazon or other retailers today!

 

About Katie Hamstead:

Born and raised in Australia, Katie’s early years of day dreaming in the “bush”, and having her father tell her wild bedtime stories, inspired her passion for writing.

After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student where she met a young man who several years later she married. Now she lives in Arizona with her husband, daughter and their dogs.

She has a diploma in travel and tourism which helps inspire her writing. Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports and be a good wife and mother. She now works as an Acquisitions Editor to help support her family. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.

Find Katie Hamstead on twitter, facebook, and her website.

BLOG TOUR - DECEPTIVE CADENCE by Katie Hamstead

Today, I have the privilege of interviewing Katie about her latest release and all things writerly. So without further ado, I hand you over:


What inspired you to write your first book?

I wrote my first “book” when I was twelve. It was a silly horse book, about boys I wanted to hold hands with but couldn’t actually talk to. Basically I’d tell stories and daydream, so my mum told me to write down my ideas. That’s all I needed. Over time, I’ve practiced and developed from there.

What were the challenges in bringing it to life?

That “book” never came to life, but it did lead me down a path to bring later books to life. I think taking the time to learn and grow. Like a lot of writers out there, I believed in my ideas, but to begin with, had no idea how to present them. Pride can get in the way, but overcoming it and learning from all the rejections is key to progressing forward.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

I have an idea, and I run with it. I love to let the characters guide me.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

I don’t know. Now I have more “mommy time” demands, it takes me much longer. I used to be able to pump out first drafts in a month or so, but now it’s up and down. I don’t think I’ve actually finished anything in months.

Who designed the cover, and why did you chose them?

The Cadence covers were designed by Ashley Ruggirello. The girl is so Cadence, and it has a nice contemporary feel without being too arty or overly romance with half naked men. The cover just feel right.

Did you always want to be a writer? Why?

It’s something that’s come on and off. I did a spell as a travel agent, then started a BA to be a Physical Education teacher. It wasn’t until I was at home with a baby did I take writing seriously. The naptimes gave me time to get my head “in the zone.”

What jobs did you have/do you have before you began to write?

As I said I worked as a travel agent for a time. I’ve also worked in an electronics store, and as an office clerk. Now I’m a mother full time.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Narnia Chronicles. C.S. Lewis was a master. His ideas were so creative and well formed, and subtly filled with meaning.

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead characters from Deceptive Cadence?

I have no idea! Raid the Aussie actors. If we could work in Chris Hemsworth and Geoffrey Rush somehow, that would be all kinds of awesome. I think Eric Bana would make a pretty cool choice for Cadence’s dad, David.




A big thank you to Katie for taking the time from her crazy schedule to talk to me. And if you want to be in with a chance of winning some super prizes then enter the giveaway below which runs until 31st July.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Deceptive Cadence:

Cadence Anderson has the perfect definition of happily ever after . . .

 

Until she doesn't. A freak earthquake shatters her life as surely as her home, taking away everything she holds dear. She wakes in a hospital to find that her beloved husband and infant daughter have been killed, crushed by the earthquake's wrath. Disoriented, injured, and alone, Cadence refuses to accept the loss. So when a man claiming to be her guardian angel appears and offers her a chance to go back in time to save her family, she doesn't need to give it a second thought. She accepts.

 

Thrust back eleven years, she now faces the ordeal of high school all over again. But this time, she's armed with all the knowledge of her adult life and the determined to do everything better, from preventing the loss of her best friend to avoiding her original, drama-inducing boyfriends. She's focused solely on Austin, her future husband, and is content to bide her time until she meets him again.

 

But then James Gordon crosses her path. Cadence wants to remain single, but James has his sights set. He is determined to win her over, and he's very hard to resist. As Cadence starts to develop unwanted feelings for him, she realizes he threatens to disrupt everything, changing the future and distracting her from her original goal. Now, Cadence must choose: deny the unpredictable and exciting path James offers her, or stay true to the life she had and is trying desperately to resurrect. Second chances are more complicated than they seem.

 

Deceptive Cadence combines the soaring emotion of a heartfelt romance with the innovative storytelling of magical realism, crafting a uniquely moving, intricate tale about love and loss that asks: what would you do if given the chance to right all your wrongs?

 

Get Deceptive Cadence from Amazon.

RELEASE DAY - Deceptive Cadence by Katie Hamstead

Today sees the release of a new book, DECEPTIVE CADENCE,  from fellow REUTS author, Katie Hamstead.

I'll be featuring an exclusive interview with Katie as part of her blog tour on 9th July, so make sure you come back and see what she has to say. But for now . . . look at this amazing trailer!

 

Such an exciting day for Katie. Please help her celebrate by wishing her all the best with her new title, and go out and buy it!!!

About Deceptive Cadence:

Cadence Anderson has the perfect definition of happily ever after . . .

Until she doesn't. A freak earthquake shatters her life as surely as her home, taking away everything she holds dear. She wakes in a hospital to find that her beloved husband and infant daughter have been killed, crushed by the earthquake's wrath. Disoriented, injured, and alone, Cadence refuses to accept the loss. So when a man claiming to be her guardian angel appears and offers her a chance to go back in time to save her family, she doesn't need to give it a second thought. She accepts.

Thrust back eleven years, she now faces the ordeal of high school all over again. But this time, she's armed with all the knowledge of her adult life and the determined to do everything better, from preventing the loss of her best friend to avoiding her original, drama-inducing boyfriends. She's focused solely on Austin, her future husband, and is content to bide her time until she meets him again.

But then James Gordon crosses her path. Cadence wants to remain single, but James has his sights set. He is determined to win her over, and he's very hard to resist. As Cadence starts to develop unwanted feelings for him, she realizes he threatens to disrupt everything, changing the future and distracting her from her original goal. Now, Cadence must choose: deny the unpredictable and exciting path James offers her, or stay true to the life she had and is trying desperately to resurrect. Second chances are more complicated than they seem.

Deceptive Cadence combines the soaring emotion of a heartfelt romance with the innovative storytelling of magical realism, crafting a uniquely moving, intricate tale about love and loss that asks: what would you do if given the chance to right all your wrongs?

 

Get Deceptive Cadence from Amazon.

About Katie Hamstead:

Born and raised in Australia, Katie’s early years of day dreaming in the “bush”, and having her father tell her wild bedtime stories, inspired her passion for writing.

After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student where she met a young man who several years later she married. Now she lives in Arizona with her husband, daughter and their dogs.

 

She has a diploma in travel and tourism which helps inspire her writing. Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports and be a good wife and mother. She now works as an Acquisitions Editor to help support her family. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.

Find Katie Hamstead on twitter, facebook, and her website.

COVER REVEAL - LINK by Summer Wier

Seriously, I am beyond excited to bring you today's post!

Summer is one of my best writing friends, who has shared her writing journey with mine since we met, through Reuts Publications, a few years ago.

Well . . . look at us NOW!!!!!!!

We were both in the query trenches and had both started tweeting and following Reuts. From our constant 'bumping' into each other we decided to swap manuscripts and that's when I first got a look at 'LINK', Summer's amazing story!

(Sorry--far too many exclamation marks, but I need all of them today!)

Without further ado, please feast your eyes on this cover and make sure you add this beauty to your 'to be read' list on Goodreads.

 

 

 

About Link:
For seventeen-year-old Kira, there’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than being surrounded by friends and huddled beside a campfire deep in the woods. And with a birthday in the peak of summer, that includes late night swims under the stars.

Or at least, it used to.

Kira’s relaxing contemplation of the universe is interrupted when a piece of it falls, colliding with her and starting a chain of events that could unexpectedly lead to the one thing in her life that's missing—her father.

Tossed into a pieced-together world of carnivals and gypsies, an old-fashioned farmhouse, and the alluring presence of a boy from another planet, Kira discovers she’s been transported to the center of a black hole, and there’s more to the story than science can explain. She’s now linked by starlight to the world inside the darkness. And her star is dying.

If she doesn’t return home before the star’s light disappears and her link breaks, she’ll be trapped forever. But she’s not the only one ensnared, and with time running out, she’ll have to find a way to save a part of her past and a part of her future, or risk losing everything she loves.

Dreamy, fluid, and beautiful, LINK pairs the mystery of science fiction with the minor-key melody of a dark fantasy, creating a tale that is as human as it is out of this world.

Add Link to goodreads

 

About The Author:

Summer Wier grew up spending Saturdays with a maxed out library card and her nose in a book. But as much as she loved reading, and even writing, both took the back seat when it came to career choices. With her sights set on law school, corporate greatness, and even a hankering to become the first female president, she set off to conquer the world. As life would have it, though, she didn’t attend law school, nor did she become president (although, one day, your vote may be appreciated), finding her strengths, instead, in accounting and business management. After finishing her MBA, she revived her love for reading and began writing with dreams of finishing a book of her own. When Summer isn’t working, reading, or writing, she’s trying to keep up with two energetic girls and her husband, and dreaming of the mountains of Montana.

LINK is her debut young adult sci-fi novel, the first in THE SHADOW OF LIGHT trilogy.

Find more of Author Summer Wier on her website, twitter, facebook, or goodreads.

 

 

COVER REVEAL - UNDEATH AND TAXES by Drew Hayes

I can't hide how excited I am for this book to be released. I read and loved the first book concerning Fred, the vampire accountant, and this follow-up sounds just as good.  If you've not already added it to your 'to be read' pile, then do so NOW!!!!!

Blurb

 

After discovering just how filled with magic, intrigue, and adventure the parahuman world of being an Undead American can be, Fredrick Frankford Fletcher did exactly what was expected--he became a certified parahuman accountant. Myths and legends, as it turns out, are not so great at taking appropriate deductions and keeping their receipts, and Fred is more than happy to return to a life others view as woefully dull, expanding his accounting business to cater to various monsters and their respective financial needs.

Said monsters are, unfortunately, still spectacular at pulling Fred into trouble, though. And despite merely wanting to stick with simple paperwork, Fred once again finds he is going to have to deal with enchanted weaponry, government agents, possessed houses, and one enigmatic dragon’s interest. In the parahuman world, any business can turn deadly, even one as mundane as accounting.

 

Add Undeath & Taxes on goodreads

Author Bio:

Drew Hayes is an aspiring author from Texas who has written several books and found the gumption to publish a few (so far). He graduated from Texas Tech with a B.A. in English, because evidently he’s not familiar with what the term “employable” means. Drew has been called one of the most profound, prolific, and talented authors of his generation, but a table full of drunks will say almost anything when offered a round of free shots. Drew feels kind of like a D-bag writing about himself in the third person like this. He does appreciate that you’re still reading, though.

Drew would like to sit down and have a beer with you. Or a cocktail. He’s not here to judge your preferences. Drew is terrible at being serious, and has no real idea what a snippet biography is meant to convey anyway. Drew thinks you are awesome just the way you are. That part, he meant. Drew is off to go high-five random people, because who doesn’t love a good high-five? No one, that’s who.

See Drew told about himself in first person on his website and twitter.

Interview and review of GAMBIT by C. L. Denault

MY REVIEW:

Gambit has been on my to be read list for what seems like ages, and last Saturday I found the time to sit down and read it. Everything else stopped. I only lifted my head several hours later when I’d finished.

Cary’s story drew me in completely. I haven’t lost myself this much in a book for ages. I never wanted it to end, and whereas it has a satisfactory ending (for now) I nearly cried when it finished. I want more!

I want more of Willow.

I want more of Asp (Something about him makes me smile but also worry)

I want more of Tem (Bless, please don’t forget him)

And I NEED more of Reece!!!

Reece is the sort of man that you can’t help but develop strong feelings for—ones of hate, admiration, confusion, or even pure unadulterated lust. No guessing which category I fall into. I loved Reece from the moment he stepped through the doorway of the tavern. The way Cary revealed his character, bit by bit, was wonderfully done. And I think there is a lot more of him to come—he’s hiding something and I can’t wait to find out what.

There were a few times when I wanted to shake Willow. Some of her decisions were crazy, but she’s only sixteen, so that’s what I’d expect.

I also developed a fond liking of the Ritters. They sound so vile, but they purr! How can anyone hate a creature that purrs and is completely devoted to its owner? Please, please let me have one.

Seriously though, Cary has developed a full set of well-developed and different characters. They came alive on the page for me. The world building was intricate and at times jaw-dropping. Her descriptions were vivid and beautifully written.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be out. I NEED to find out what’s in store for Willow, and Reece.

Gambit is a must read for fans of Divergent or Hunger Games. I’m even going to stick my neck out and say IT’S BETTER than either of them!


INTERVIEW

I was lucky enough to interview Cary and ask her a few questions about Gambit, Willow and Reece. And in case my review didn't give it away, YES, I am a huge fan of Reece.

What inspired you to write Gambit?

I was watching an episode of Alphas on the Syfy channel one day and thinking about what life would be like for people with extraordinary abilities. They always seem to be in hiding, unable or unwilling to reveal their true identities. So I wondered what would happen if they became celebrities instead—a powerful, influential group of people that grew too numerous to control. What if the governments of the world decided to wipe them out, sparking a global war that devastated our planet? I pictured the aftermath of such a war—with the extraordinary humans in charge, oppressing the normal population—and let my imagination take over from there.


What were the challenges in bringing it to life?

At first, there weren’t many. Getting the story out of my head and into written form was incredibly exciting. I wasn’t on social media or part of a writing community at the time, so the only distractions were my family responsibilities and my INFJ Café blog. I finished the first draft in six months, and those were the most thrilling months of my life! The real challenges were learning to revise my own work (which I did many times), seeking feedback on the manuscript, and trying to decide the best route for publishing.

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?

I’ve tried sticking to an outline, and it’s almost impossible. I prefer building the world as I go along and having the freedom to follow inspiration as it strikes.

Which actress/actor would you like to see playing Willow/Reece or any other characters from Gambit?

Chloe Grace Moretz occasionally comes to mind when I think of Willow. Chloe is such a lovely mix of youth and maturity. If she could pull off a hot temper and a Scottish accent, she might be a good fit. And Chris Hemsworth radiates a sensitivity and depth of passion that would be perfect for Joshua. I’m afraid the rest of the cast is still a mystery to me.










As you well know, Cary, I’m a bit of a Reece fan. If I asked him out on a date where should I take him and what should I talk about? (Presuming he agreed)

Oh, he would agree. He doesn’t have much of a social life and would love to have a special lady take him out on the town. Be prepared to talk about yourself, as he’s trained in gathering information and will make sure you’re the main topic of conversation. He has cultured tastes, so you can’t go wrong with an upscale restaurant, theatre, or museum. A walk along the beach at Ravenscar afterward would appeal to his senses and lower his guard enough for you to find out a little more about him. All in all, it could turn out to be quite a romantic evening. Just make sure he leaves the Ritters at home. ;)

Can you give us any hints about what happens in the next book in the series?

If all goes well, readers of the next book will learn more about how the prodigies came into power, bits and pieces of the truth behind Reece’s argument with Joshua, and what the Council has in store for Kane. They’ll also meet Thess in greater capacity and find out just how Morry Roanoke reacts to those who threaten her reputation. And Willow is certain to find her way into more trouble—or, more likely, it will end up finding her.

In Earth’s battle-ridden future, humans have evolved. Those with extraordinary skills rise to power and fame. Those without live in poverty.

Sixteen-year-old Willow Kent believed she was normal. But when a genetically-advanced military officer shows up in her village and questions her identity, long-buried secrets begin to emerge. With remarkable skills and a shocking genetic code the Core and its enemies will do anything to obtain, Willow suddenly finds the freedom she craves slipping through her fingers. Greed, corruption, and genetic tampering threaten every aspect of her existence as she’s thrust, unwilling, into the sophisticated culture of the elite Core city. To ensure peace, she must leave the past behind, marry a man she’s never met, and submit to the authority of a relentless officer with a hidden agenda of his own.

Her life has become a dangerous game. How much will she sacrifice in order to win?

Get Gambit in paperback or for your kindle today!

C.L. Denault is a speculative fiction writer who loves dreaming up tales of adventure and intrigue. A former systems analyst, she gave up her nerdy code-writing skills to care for her family (including a son with special needs), and currently lives among the vast stretches of cornfields in Illinois.

Writing stories and posting on The INFJ Café are her biggest passions, along with drinking coffee and watching sci-fi. When she’s not hanging out with her husband and kids, she can usually be found at a library or tucked away in the shadowy corner of a hip coffeehouse. She’s also been glimpsed sneaking into her garage, late at night, to work on her time machine.

Her debut novel, Gambit, is the first in a Young Adult dystopian series.

Find out more at cldenault.com, twitter or facebook.