The Island



The Island
March 6, 2016

So I've followed S Usher Evans on Twitter for a while . She seemed pretty cool but I'd never read one of her books before. She tweeted about a Kickstarter she was running to back her upcoming book and I was like “Hey I totally support you. I'm going to back this.” So I did and I ended up with a copy of The Island.

I sat down a couple of weeks later and figured if I backed it I ought to read it. AND to my absolute delight it was a fantastic story. Theo is this kick a** pilot girl who has such a strong personality I loved her instantly! The Princeling (who has a name but we don't use it) is a seriously complex character.

Note: I kind of adore him too but I'll never admit it.

Second Note: A special shout out to Princelings brother who I seriously hope gets a bigger part in book two and turns out to be the guy I've made him in my imagination.
It did take me a couple of chapters to really get into the story but once I did I was ALL about it. The world building really picked up nicely. I wondered How were they going to survive ? Who would kill who first? Bunnies and wolves!
I don't want to throw spoilers out there but there were quite a few times I was saying
“ What the What?”
If you're thinking of reading The Island please do. Then let me know if you're team Theo … Or Team Princeling … So we can both know where this friendship stands.





























Biography


S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a "real job" as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.




Evans is the author of the Razia series and Empath, both published by Sun's Golden Ray Publishing.

Q & A – With Jodi Meadows - Author of The Orphan Queen & The Mirror King



Q & A – With Jodi Meadows - Author of The Orphan Queen & The Mirror King
April 8, 2016
Hey Guys,


So in case you haven't heard...or live under a rock (which would be pretty cool & I'd like to visit if that's okay) the sequel to our beloved Orphan Queen is just days away from being released to the public! That's right... The moment we've all been waiting for! The Mirror King is about to hit shelves EVERYWHERE! Excuse me while I flail !!!
Jodi is easily one of the sweetest people EVER and I was lucky enough to be allowed to pick her brain and Bring you this exclusive Q&A! ( Insert round of applause). Without further ado I give you The Mirror King!


(Well okay.... I give you a photo of the cover, but it's a REALLY good cover People!)



Q&A – With Jodi Meadows


*What is the most challenging aspect of writing for you? Characterization, feelings, setting etc..

Insidious plots. You might be surprised to learn this, since I'm getting a reputation for causing readers such pain, but figuring out what the super tricky bad guys are up to is pretty difficult for me.


*Feeling peckish? What is your go to writing snack for those really tough scenes?

I wish I could say cookies, because I love cookies so much. But I also love when my pants fit correctly. So generally it's just water. Or coffee, if I'm on a deadline. Or it's winter. Or I just want coffee. How many cups is too many cups?

*No spoilers, but the end of Mirror King was intense! Did you always have the end of MK and the Wil's story planned out or was it something that came to you as you wrote?

I knew overall where the series had to end, but I did not have it planned out from the beginning! I wish I had. I think writing The Mirror King would have been a lot easier if I'd taken the time upfront!


*What has been the most rewarding part of being a YA author?*

People reading my books and responding to them in strong, passionate ways. It floors me that anyone can love these books as much as I do -- it really does! And seeing people have such intense reactions to the series brings me such joy. Not (only) for the pain and suffering the end of OQ caused readers (though admittedly, that was delightful), but because I loved writing these books. It's nice to see people love reading them.

*We all know how much I Love James, which one of the characters in Mirror King is the most dear to you and why?

Probably Wilhelmina. She's the main character, so she has to be very special to me in order to reach main-character status. I just adore her toughness, her willingness to do what's necessary, and her complete loyalty -- once it's been won.

*Now that Wil's series has come to an end, is there anything you can tell us about your future books? What can we readers look forward to?

My next project doesn't have a title yet, just a code name (Cell Story), but it does have dragons. And romance. And lots of different islands said to be the gods who fell from the heavens.






*That's all for now! I can't wait to hear what you all think of the Mirror King. I hope you all will love it as much as I did. I also hope your heart is full of forgiveness, because after reading, you're going to need it.*


!!!PREPARE FOR THE FEELS!!!


P.S I thought this was going to post on 4/2 ..... So all that stuff I said about it hitting shelves soon is no longer a thing... It's OUT !!! Run, Skip, Fly, Teleport, Hoverboard whatver you've got to do to get to your nearest & dearest bookstore and go snag yourself a copy! Your soul will thank you, even if your heart doesn't.

Liars and Losers Like Us




Liars and Losers Like Us



January 2, 2016
Liars and Losers like us by Ami Allen-Vath
Release date March 15 2016




I can't remember if I ever read a book where the MC infuriated me SO much! That's what makes this book so fantastic. Bree drives me nuts and her teenage mind makes the choices that frankly LOTS of teens might make. More than once I found myself screaming at the book " NO BREE Just pick up the phone!"
The romance is perfect Sean Mills is super swoony and some of the girls poor Bree has to put up with are down right wretched.
This book is about more than prom, romance, or snobby girls who need to be slapped.

This story deals with real life mental health issues and it deals with them in a gritty/real way. Bree suffers from anxiety in a big bad way, something I can relate to 100% and the author depicts it astoundingly. The book even touches on teen *spoiler* and *spoiler* and those left behind to deal with the aftermath . I'm not a huge reader of contemporary YA, but Liars and Losers like us was SO much more than your typical teen love, brooding, drama fest.

You Guys are going to LOVE this book!


The Almost Girl

The Almost Girl
March 20, 2016
OMG THAT COVER... AM I RIGHT??? Because LOVE IT!


I received a copy of The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard from the publisher. I knew from the moment I read the blurb that I was going to enjoy it. I was totally in the mood for a YA Sci-Fi!
When I read the first page, I was put off by one thing and almost stopped reading, but I said to myself “Don’t be absurd give the book more than one page!” so I pushed past this and I’m so glad I did. The beginning of this story is so intensely full of twists and turns I was sucked in and couldn’t wait to see where the author would take the story.
I loved Riven and with her it was one surprise after the next. Shea was easily a favorite character as well. The major issue I had with the story was Riven and Cades development … their friendship grew quickly and there was no moment for me where the two connected. You know that moment where someone does something, acts a particular way, or shows you a side of themselves that makes you change your mind about them. I missed it. However, toward the end of the story this didn’t matter so much. I accepted it for what is was and enjoyed the rest of the book. Plus those Vector suits! LOVE Them!!!
Amalie is a gifted world builder and I felt as though I was part of every scene and emotion. The action scenes were engaging and suspenseful and at times heart stopping.
The Almost Girl is definitely a book I would recommend as it was an enjoyable sci-fi and the author kept you guessing most of the way through, which is one of my favorite story elements. I cannot wait to read The Fallen Prince, Book 2 in the Riven Chronicles

Stalking Jack the Ripper


YOU GUYS!!!!

I received an ARC of Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco At BEA this year( who just happened to be there & willing to autograph it <3 ).

I LOVED the cover (I MEAN LOOK AT IT) and synopsis instantly and was seriously excited to start reading. It was the FIRST BEA book from my pile I decided to read. I was a bit skeptical when I saw that it was from James Patterson's new imprint, not that there is anything wrong with JP. Its just there were only a handful of books by him that I enjoyed but I know he is well loved by other readers.

Well Mr. Patterson you did well! This is an EPIC story and the perfect choice for the first book in an imprint.

I fist started reading Stalking Jack the Ripper and was surprised to find it didn't quite read as much like historical fiction as I expected. It seemed some of the language and terminology was a little too modern. Though in all fairness that may be because I've been surrounded in historical fiction as of late and have grown accustomed to it.

I called the 'bad guy' from the beginning however I never could have guessed all those plot twists! The main character Audry Rose is adorable. She is spirited and unruly and yet still so demure. Thomas is really a pain in the butt, yet it suits him well. I was a huge fan of Audry's uncle and cousin. I want a story about Liza next. haha. There is a particular scene that takes place at the circus that really endeared me to another character but I can't say any more. NO SPOILERS. The Mystery. The Intrigue. The Horror. The Elegance. The blood! All tied together in a fancy lace package and if the story doesn't keep you up all night the included photos will!

Stalking Jack the Ripper is a MUST read & I think it officially holds the title for my second favorite book this year!



Brew - Because What Could Be Better!

Salem’s Revenge strikes without warning or mercy, ravaging the powerless human race under the forces of united gangs of witches, wizards, and warlocks. During the slaughter, Rhett Carter's foster parents and sister are killed, and his best friend and girlfriend are abducted by a gang of witches calling themselves the Necromancers, who deal in the dark magic of raising the dead. Rhett’s sword- wielding neighbor with a mysterious past saves Rhett from becoming another casualty of the massacre and teaches him the skills he needs to survive in this new world.
Rhett is broken, his normal high school life of book blogging and football playing shoved in a witch-apocalyptic blender. The only thing he has left is his burning desire for revenge. Armed with his new witch hunting skills and a loyal, magic powered dog named Hex, he sets out into the unknown with one mission: hunt and destroy those who took away everyone he ever loved.
But Rhett isn’t just a witch hunter; he has secrets of his own that he has yet to discover, secrets that his enemies will stop at nothing to keep him from.
And discovering the truth about himself is the human race’s only hope.
David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. David grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. They now live together in their dream location, Hawaii. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and started writing full time in June 2012. Now he travels the world writing with his wife, Adele. David's a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.

It's Finally Here!!! Zeus Is Dead .... The release we've all been waiting for!


BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Zeus is Dead: A Monstrously Inconvenient Adventure
Author: Michael G. Munz
Genre: Contemporary Mythological Fantasy
Release date: July 21st
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing
Length: 446 pages (paperback), 2014

The gods are back. Did you myth them?

You probably saw the press conference. Nine months ago, Zeus's murder catapulted the
Greek gods back into our world. Now they revel in their new temples, casinos, and media
empires—well, all except Apollo. A compulsive overachiever with a bursting portfolio of
godly duties, the amount of email alone that he receives from rapacious mortals turns each
of his days into a living hell.
Yet there may be hope, if only he can return Zeus to life! With the aid of Thalia, the muse of
comedy and science fiction, Apollo will risk his very godhood to help sarcastic TV producer
Tracy Wallace and a gamer-geek named Leif—two mortals who hold the key to Zeus's
resurrection. (Well, probably. Prophecies are tricky buggers.)
Soon an overflowing inbox will be the least of Apollo’s troubles. Whoever murdered Zeus will certainly kill again to prevent his return, and avoiding them would be far easier if Apollo could possibly figure out who they are.Even worse, the muse is starting to get cranky.Discover a world where reality TV heroes slay actual monsters and the gods have their own Twitter feeds: Zeus Is Dead:


Review:

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of "Zeus is Dead" in exchange for an honest review, so here it is.

I LOVE Greek mythology! It is something I have found interesting since I was a child, so I was already excited going into this book. I mean... "Zeus is Dead", but wait he's immortal so what the heck?
Does it get anymore hilarious? Take a group of insignificant mortals and toss them into... Well.... Mortal danger with some immortal foes, throw in a couple of bad attitudes and pissed off Demi-Gods and you've got yourself a party!

I was worried that this was going to be a story about Greek Gods on a reality T.V series, which I can tell you I would have had zero interest in. I really dislike reality television. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that wasn't the case at all.

When I first met the Gods I instantly fell in love. Every one had a different attitude, and they were all so true to the original Myths that it felt as tough I didn't have to get to know them... I already did.

Upon first meeting Leif I knew he would make an amazing main character, what I didn't know was he would completely revamp the concept of reluctant hero.Tracy on the other hand I sincerely disliked for quite  a duration of the book. She seemed way too uptight and well, drab...until it all changed.

This book is literally laugh out loud funny, all the way through. There were times where I couldn't decide which Gods side I wanted to be on!

The main Character is Apollo no, it's Leif no, wait it's Tracy  no, it's everyone... At one point or another, which I find positively fantastic.There is a solid plot ( which too often is missing from comical novels). This is the type of book Christopher Moore will wish he thought of first, and you're a fan of Chris you will enjoy reading "Zeus is Dead" immensely. A good, solid subplot is almost more important to me than the main plot. "Zeus is Dead" has several sub plots, each as amusing as the next.  I feel as though I can be really sucked into a book, which is just where I want to be and exactly where I found myself.

My absolute favorite was the way the author recreated the Fates. I think his take on them ( while holding true to tradition) was one of the most original I have ever come across. Though we shouldn't leave out the Muses. Each one spectacular in their own right. They are utterly hilarious and I found myself dying to know which one was in charge of inspiring what exactly. If that is not enough for you guys, we can take a minute to reflect on the following two words "Ninja Christians". Yeah that happened..








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ABOUT THE AUTHOR




An award-winning writer of speculative fiction, Michael G. Munz was born in Pennsylvania but moved to Washington State in 1977 at the age of three. Unable to escape the state’s gravity, he has spent most of his life there and studied writing at the University of Washington.
Michael developed his creative bug in college, writing and filming four exceedingly amateur films before setting his sights on becoming a novelist. Driving this goal is the desire to tell entertaining stories that give to others the same pleasure as other writers have given to him. He enjoys writing tales that combine the modern world with the futuristic or fantastic.
Michael has traveled to three continents and has an interest in Celtic and Classical mythology. He also possesses what most “normal” people would likely deem far too much familiarity with a wide range of geek culture, though Michael prefers the term geek-bard: a jack of all geek-trades, but master of none—except possibly Farscape and Twin Peaks.
Michael dwells in Seattle where he continues his quest to write the most entertaining novel known to humankind and find a really fantastic clam linguine.
Find out more about him at michaelgmunz.com. While there, it wouldn't hurt to get a FREE copy of Mythed Connections, the spiritual prequel to Zeus is Dead.



“Not since the people of Atlantis predicted ‘low humidity’ has there been such an original twist in Greek Mythology. This book is also far more amusing.”
—Brian Rathbone, creator of the bestselling Godsland Fantasy Series

Zeus Is Dead is a book about the return of old gods, but Cthulhu is not in evidence, and it did not drive me to the very edge of madness. Instead it is a hilarious, satirical, page-turning romp through a world beset by plagues of monsters, egotistical gods, and reality television shows. I highly recommend this book to those who value both their sanity and a hearty guffaw. ”
—Seamus Cooper, author of The Mall of Cthulhu

“Delivering us from a sea of endlessly morose and self-important supernatural fiction, Zeus Is Dead understands that Greek mythology is more than a little bit insane and—rather than ignore the unseemly aspects—embraces them with the appropriate level of snark and style. Munz’s tale echoes the bureaucratic insanity of Douglas Adam’s creations, the banter of Grant and Naylor’s Red Dwarf, and the cynicism of Ben Croshaw in order to bring us a clever, hilarious tale of adventure and grudging heroism.

I guess what I’m saying is that unless you really like your supernatural fiction all mopey and dull, you’ll find
something to love here.”

—Jonathan Charles Bruce, author of Project Northwoods




Be sure to check out Michael G Munz Author of Zeus Is Dead: A Monstrously Inconvenient Adventure and The New Aeneid Cycle

Visit the website: michaelgmunz.com
Follow Twitter:@TheWriteMunz
Facebook author page: MichaelGMunz