The Twilight Saga: Eclipse -Movie Review

*** POTENTIAL SPOILERS ***
Be warned, if you have not read the books or seen the movie, this review may contain spoilers.

In the past I have reviewed Twilight & New Moon. Click the names to see those past reviews.

Again I braved the masses of squealing fangirls (and boys) at a midnight showing, to enjoy a little over two hours of sparkly vampire goodness. Actually I must say the squealing teenagers kept their antics to a minimum this time around. There was a noticeable difference in the amount and level of squealing. And, not once was I asked, who's team was I on?

So, on to the movie. We open with the flashback to a dark and stormy night( lol) where Riley is created. It was a quick scene that didn't really show much more than him being knocked to the ground. You don't even get to see him bitten.

Seriously, it's a vampire move. Show at least one person get bitten!! The wolves are the only ones biting things here. Hope that doesn't ruin it for you.

From there we are taken right back to where New Moon left off. Edward is practically begging Bella to marry him and she is adverse to the idea of marriage.  She in turn, is begging to be turned.

Now, I'm not going to re tell the story here. If you have read the books you know how it goes.

I will say this, even though it has been a long time since I read the books, this movie, I think, was the closest representation of them. It stuck fairly close to the story I remembered.

The love triangle between Edward (Robert Pattinson), Bella (Kristen Stewart), and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) was handled very well and made for some comical as well as some steamy scenes. Girls, Jacob runs around half-naked again through most of the movie, even when there was no need for him to be half-naked. Lots of eye candy there. The first kiss between Bella and Jacob, ending in her breaking her hand on his face, was a well done scene that had the audience practically falling out of their seats as they laughed. The "passing off" scene between Edward and Jacob was pretty entertaining. She goes from one hot kiss from Edward, to a half-naked Jacob who wraps her in his warm arms. The look on Edwards face was hilarious. I really enjoyed the love triangle scenes.

There were some great one-liners in there too. Jacob telling Edward he was "hotter" than him, while keeping Bella from freezing to death, got a roar of laughter from the audience!

They touched a bit on the fact that Bella is dying to sleep with Edward and while that scene left the crowd with their own set of blue balls, the scene where Charlie and Bella attempt to discuss the "birds and bee's" gave us yet another scene to laugh at.


There were, of course some issues that bothered me.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but the characters just didn't look "right" to me. Some of the characters just didn't look like themselves even though I am sure they were all the same actors from the previous movies.  The eyes were overdone again. The obvious brilliant red or gold contact lenses were annoying to look at. The skin tone was way off too. I get it, their supposed to be vampires and very pale, but these guys had almost an alien-grey tone to them that made them look very freaky. The terrible wigs were back again and, if I am not mistaken, Kristen Stewart was wearing one this time around. Her hair looked very odd to me. It was much darker and almost frizzy compared to how it looked in other movies. 

Another thing that bothered me was the odd sound effects. When a vampire was killed they sounded like breaking glass. Now I understand that they are supposed to have skin as hard as marble, as stated in the books, but that sound effect really irked me. During the battle scenes it was everywhere. Also when they had limbs removed their insides were silvery as if like ice. I am not sure why they chose to represent them like that but it really took me out of the scene as I was trying to figure it out.

The battle scenes were kind of cool, but they were too quick to really appreciate. I'm not a big action buff so I'll leave comments to the audience on that one. Suffice to say I liked the wolves and they did a fair amount of vampire shredding. In-fact, I think they were the only ones who got to bite anyone. Again I say it ... This is a vampire flick. Let me see someone get bitten by a vampire. Sheesh!

Over-all I really enjoyed this movie and felt it was the best, so far, of the book-to-movie adaptations.

Author Spotlight with Arlene Crenshaw



K.S.  Hello Arlene and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself. 

A.C. First of all I thank God for giving me a chance to interview with you.  I am a lady who decided to one day write a novel dedicating to my mother’s life, and with that trying to tell women as well as men that love doesn’t have to hurt.  I have no writing experience the only thing is people enjoyed reading my work so I went with that.  I’m also a 48 yrs old lady with one son and two adorable grandchildren who I adore.

K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

A.C. Once I had written my first novel, I decided to challenge myself in other areas of writing, short stories with suspense, drama and even wrote comedy. The more I wrote the more people seemed to enjoy my stories and the one statement everyone would make who read my stories was “ Girl I started reading that story and couldn’t put it down.”  This became an adrenaline rush for me so, I continued writing and writing taking friends on and family on a journey, and now I have two more novel coming out this year one about secret’s that people hide in their secret closets and the other is and assortment of short stories all comedy.

K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

A.C. I always use to write quotes and post them up on my mirrors, refrigerator, on doors while raising my son in my home.  I would do this to keep me and my son motivated. Example “If your mind can conceive it you can achieve it.” This was on of my favorite and “If you can look up you can get up.” Then I started writing them one year on my job every morning and people began to start looking forward to my quotes of the day.  That’s when I decided that I’m going to be a writer because people listen to me. I’ve always been told I had a special gift to reach people to make then think as well as to make them happy and laugh.

K.S.  What genre do you write?

A.C. I write a variety of styles such as drama, suspense and comedy.

K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

A.C. Strangers from all walks of life who always listen to my stories I would tell my stories to complete strangers, not just for their opinion but mostly to make them smile or encourage them to have a better day, or just know that life will get better no matter what kind or adversity they face. 

K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

A.C. My family thinks it’s great and that it’s a awesome thing to be able to do but, there are also those in the family no matter what you do, they’ll try to steal you’re glory if they could.

K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

A.C. The more I wrote about my mother’s life and my own the more I felt I was healing after carrying this guilt most of my life. What happen in “Twelve Roses for Uretta” which is all true I realized it wasn’t my fault at all and it was time for me to live after crying for 47 years behind closed doors, while putting on a false face to people that my life was happy? I got tired of blaming myself for things I couldn’t control.

K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

A.C. After losing my mother 1st of all, then years later after being let go on my job years later.


K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?

A.C.
Synopsis:

This is a true story told through the eyes of a child growing up with her mother, her name
is Erica.  Erica’s mother suffered horrendous abuse by her husbands; Erica was the third child of Uretta. Erica also tells of her own suffering and guilt of not being able to reach out and help her mother, because at the time she was to young as well as her sisters and brothers, were unable to do anything they were all too young. 
 Growing up with all her sadness and pain at age fourteen, Erica finds herself in a situation that also added to the trauma of her life that caused her to be tormented from carrying so much guilt that it led to anxiety and depression throughout her whole life.
Erica never was able to let her mother Uretta, no of the pain she endured and the suffering she carried from her mother’s life, now in her own life, she had a secret that was to unbearable for her to tell her mother about what happened to her at age
fourteen.
Erica loved her mother so much; she was never able to tell her the secret before her mother’s untimely passing away. This story is very emotional and heartbreaking and I guarantee it will grab your attention to want to read more.

K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

A.C. My novel can be found at http://lulu.com/content/paperbackbook/twelve-roses-for-uretta/8309184 , www.amazon.com , www.barnesandnobles.com under ISBN 978-0-557-30920-7

K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit? 

A.C.
www.facebook.com and mscrenshawsbooks.yolasite.com

K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

A.C. In order to get the story out and on paper you have to become what you’re writing about.



This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

Author Spotlight with Lorrie Struiff

K.S.  Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.

L.S. Hi Katie, thanks for inviting me.

I live in the borough of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, very near Pittsburgh. I’m a non-working mom and have two daughters who have left the nest. So, now is the time to fully engage in my passion for writing.

In my younger years, I taught at, and managed, a ballroom dance studio. It sounds glamorous, I know, what with Dancing with the Stars on TV, but very much unlike what you see. No choreography at all was involved. It was all freestyle and down to earth teaching. I did manage to reach gold medal status before I retired to take over the caregiving duties of an ill family member.

While caregiving, I began writing and I started a writer’s workshop at our local bookstore and managed it for seven years before I handed over the baton. Now I’m just a computer addicted writer and I love it.
 

K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

L.S.  Panic is my middle name. Basically I am a short story writer and Gypsy Crystal is my first foray into a longer piece, but it will not be my last. When I hit that “writer’s block blank wall” or my muse decides to take a long vacation, I panic. Sheer, unadulterated panic sets in to the point where I try everything but stand on my head to grab a good storyline. Hmm. Maybe I should try standing on my head. I may go weeks in panic mode until something clicks in the gray matter to excite me. A good set of characters, a good plot, something that will get the juices flowing again. I can’t seem to work a story without the excitement of the “I can’t wait to tell this one” is there.

Many authors can work through the writer’s block. I think my panic state plugs up all my thinking.

K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

L.S.  In high school English class, we had to write a story for an assignment. Our teacher gave us a subject. Mine was “a magazine.” What sort of a short story could I write about a magazine?

I think I better confess right now to you and the readers that my brain works a little on the weird side. Even my writing group said I read and critique from a different planet.

Anyway, I wrote a story from the magazine’s point of view. How the people treated me in dentist offices, workplaces, in the home. I thought a sure failing mark was headed my way.

My teacher thought it very original, lauded the work to the class and gave me an A. He said I should become a writer with my wild imagination.

Here I am Teach, though many years later. 

K.S.  What genre do you write?

L.S.  Lol. You are going to love this. I write, historical fiction, horror, paranormal, humor, romance, thrillers and to be honest, anything that catches my mood at the moment. I like stretching my wings. Why confine oneself to a certain genre? Gypsy Crystal is a combination of paranormal/thriller/romance. I had a lot of fun researching and writing the story.

K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

L.S.  Oh my, I have so many favorite authors. As in my writing in many genres, I also read many genres. If I have to choose only one out of DeMille, Baldacci, Jayne Anne Krentz, etc, I guess I’ll go with Nora Roberts. I admire her discipline. I have read she works at writing like a job and puts in many hours a day. If she does all her own research, my hat is off to her. After reading one of her books, I feel I would know the characters if they walked into my house. I could plant a garden after reading one of her trilogies, or say a spell and dance under the moon, or cook a feast for a crowd of people. She is so detailed. Her love scenes fit the characters. Northern Lights had it all, the setting, the distinct characters, the mystery, and the romance. She is a great author.

K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

L.S.  My family thinks mom has a little hobby. “If it keeps her occupied, hey, we’re safe.” Lol.
I’m kidding, of course. They are happy that mom has a passion, an interest that makes me happy. And, I love them for that.

K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

L.S.  During my research on the Roma people, I was surprised at how much lore was involved. Also, did you know that the word “gypsy” is a slur? To call the Roma “gypsies” is denigrating. They are a proud people with rich customs and beliefs. The research was a great learning experience that held me rapt for days.

K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

L.S.  A friend invited me to lunch at a quaint restaurant. They had a fortune teller and of course we indulged. Well, the woman stuck in my mind and eventually, I based my character Anna, Rita’s mother, on her. Then I played the “what if” game in my head. Hmm, how about I give her a detective daughter with a few inherited gifts? Oh, we need a love interest for the daughter. A yummy FBI agent would fit right in. And, oh yes, a special serial killer the whole family can get involved with. And off I went into the wild blue yonder of my imagination.

K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?

L.S.

Detective Rita Moldova peeked around the corner to make sure the hallway was empty. Making a quick right turn, she slipped into the autopsy lab to have a few minutes alone with the body. She tucked her white shirt tighter into her jeans and zipped her windbreaker to stay warm in the chilly room. The harsh odor of formaldehyde hit her nostrils and stung her throat.

Her heart twisted at the sight of the young, auburn-haired woman lying on the stainless steel table. A white sheet covered her to the navel; bruises blemished the once pretty face. Contusions marred the pallid skin from elbow to shoulder. The gash on the front of her neck gaped, exposing open veins and torn tissue.
 

Rita flipped her thick, dark braid back over her shoulder, snapped on one latex glove, leaned over the corpse, and peeled back an eyelid. In her bare hand, she clasped a star-shaped crystal hanging from the gold chain around her neck, an endowment from her maternal Roma bloodline. The crystal heated in her palm, warm energy pulsing up her arm to her shoulder. The face captured in the victim’s eye coalesced and stared back. Rita drew in a sharp breath. Bobby Driscoll! She had known him since high school, and now he worked as a uniform in her precinct. What the hell was going on?

K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

L.S.  Gypsy Crystal is for sale on Amazon, both in print and e-book formats.

http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Crystal-Lorrie-Unites-Struiff/dp/1770650415/ref=tmm_pap_title_0


K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

L.S.  Visit my website and read the reviews, plus follow my Gypsy Crystal page of Facebook.
http://struiff.wordpress.com/

K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

L.S.  I think one of best pieces of advice ever given to me, I’ll pass on.
“Have fun with your writing. When it becomes a chore and you have to push yourself with every word, stop. Only stay with a story line that ignites your passion. It will show in your novel.”


This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

Author Spotlight with Susan Provost

K.S.  I am very excited to have my own mother here today to talk about her book! *HUGS*. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell my readers a little about yourself. 

S.P. Hi Katie, thank you for the invitation to be interviewed on your blog.
I am an active spiritual director, religious education teacher for both children and adults, and author of Where is God in Your Life? Three Retreats in Christian Spirituality. My vocation in the practice of spiritual direction supports lay men and women, as well as clergy and those in ministry formation, in discernment of God’s gifting and God’s calling. I have a master’s degree in Spiritual Formation from Regis University, in Denver Colorado.  I am on the board of directors of Small Christian Communities Connect (SCCC), as well as being the chairperson for SCC in my  local parish. I write a daily blog about the message of Jesus on my site http://letyourlifesing.blogspot.com and I have a website http://sueprovost.com where I try to bring an awareness of God walking with us on this earthly journey. My desire is to share my understanding of God’s love with others, so they can experience what I have found in my own relationship with God. I feel that communication with God through prayer is the essential element needed to be able to see God’s movement in our lives.  

K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

S.P. This is not the usual novel.  It is a book that can give great hope. There are people who read it and want to run out and tell others about it, not because of my spectacular writing ability, but because it contains a message that inspires one to share it.  The amusing thing is that someone like me, who in the past didn’t believe that real love existed, was able to be so totally taken up and transformed by a love that knows no limits.  As I look back on my life, I realize that no human could have brought about this amazing transformation in me. There is no power on earth that could have brought me to this understand of love except the power of God. 


K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first book?

S.P. I never actually decided to be a writer that just kind of happened as an outcome of my own spiritual journey.  This was originally just a thesis that I wrote to satisfy the requirements of my Masters Degree in Spiritual Formation.  It was after I had completed the thesis that my husband thought that it would be great if I turned that document into a book.  


K.S.  What genre do you write?

S.P. My genre is basically Christian Spirituality.  I define Christian spirituality as that which drives and facilitates our relationship with Jesus.


K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

S.P. The inspiration that has caused me to write is the love of Jesus and the desire to help others to experience that love. 

I would have to say that the book that has really changed my life is called “Portrait of Jesus” by Joseph Grizone.  In this book, Grizone presented a picture of Jesus that is not really understood by the general population of Christians.  By getting to know this Jesus, I developed a love for him that I have not felt previously. In all honesty, I learned about the true nature of love. Who could not love someone so powerful who gave of himself so completely to those who were powerless?  I was blown away by the depth of his love and thus inspired to help others to see the love Jesus has for each one of them.  The depth of this great love has caused me to devote my life to this ministry.  It is a ministry of love.
I make it a habit to give this book to those who are searching for an understanding of Jesus.  This is not a complicated book to understand. 


K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

S.P. My family has been very supportive of my writing and I truly appreciate that. 


K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

S.P. I have been amazed at the reception of my book by friends.  People who I thought would not be interested in what I had written were actually very interested.  They have purchased my book to give as gifts, or to use as a meditative tool during the season of Lent or Advent.  They have shared their own feelings about spirituality and God and their misconceptions regarding the message of Jesus.  So far, I have not heard anything negative.  I believe that there are a great many people looking for a closer connection to Jesus but are not quite sure how to go about fostering that connection.


K.S.  What inspired you to write your book?

S.P. I suppose what inspired me was the fact that many people have a misconception of God.  They believe God to be someone to be afraid of.    This book is an effort to help people to unlearn some of the scary things we have been taught about God and to be introduced to the God of love. 
Our God is a God of relationships.  However, you cannot develop a relationship with someone you fear.  There must be an understanding that God loves us first.  It is God who reaches out to us in relationship.  But because of the many misconceptions that people have about God, we do not learn how to reach back.
Also, most people don’t study Jesus or his message.  They accept what the church tell them about him, but the understanding is not written on their hearts, only on their minds.  Telling people about Jesus does not help people to develop a relationship with him.  There is a process of learning about him, to discover who he was, what he said, how he treated people. I think that you have to know all of that and then to learn to pray. Most people do not know how to pray to God.   Praying is conversation with God.  There are many different prayer styles that go well beyond the simple prayers learned as a child. Just as you have to talk to someone to learn about them, you also need to talk to God. Jesus wants to share a relationship with us.  You can share your feelings with Jesus as you would with your friend or loved one. 


K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your book? (Do you have a novel synopsis or jacket copy? If you would like you can also include a snippet of your first chapter. Please no more than 500 words for space issues.)

S.P. The spiritual quest is not just one of many things we attempt to accomplish in our lives. It is our life.

This reality, presented by spiritual director and clinician Susan M. Provost, in Where is God in Your Life? Three Retreats in Christian Spirituality (published by Trafford Publishing) outlines this spiritual quest as the goal Christians have committed to that encompasses their entire being. But once the decision to commit to Christ has been made, people may not know how to begin developing that relationship with Christ. Provost knows that quite often, people need to be given the tools necessary to develop a relationship with God and to understand how that relationship is celebrated in the community. Provost’s three two-day workshops are a program that will show readers and participants how to recognize God in their lives and to feel His love. The workshops help people to continue their spiritual journey to a greater connection with God and to see the importance of the Christian faith as a spiritual roadmap on the path to God. Provost’s program and book show how Christians eventually discover that success, productivity, and the constant drive to acquire things do not fill or satisfy the soul within us. “We burn out from what has become a road to spiritual death," Provost says. "We look for someone to convince us that we are of value for who we really are, not what we and our culture chooses to label us. We look for someone who we do not have to prove that we are worth something. We look to connect with the Creator, the Savior, and the Spirit of the God who loves us. Our soul yearns to make that connection and to feel whole, to feel significant, and to feel loved.” Where is God in Your Life will show you how. 


K.S.  Where can we find your book?

S.P. My book can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and directly from Trafford Publishing. I also have my own inventory of books.  So someone can contact me directly if they are unable to acquire copies from the other sources.



K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

S.P. I do have a website:  http://sueprovost.com
        I have a blog: http://letyourlifesing.blogspot.com


K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

S.P. I guess my final words are that one must put oneself in God’s hands and allow God to be the director of their life.  If being an author is what you are meant to be, that is what you will be.  As a writer, write from your heart.  Write what you know about and what you are passionate about.  Make a difference in what you write and place your life and your talents in the hands of God.

Don't Forget!

Las Vegas Locals!
This is my very first Book Signing for
Immortalis Carpe Noctem


Tomorrow Saturday, June 19th at 1:00 PM.

I'll be at 
Best on the Boulevard
3860 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-734-2900

Come out and chat with me. I hope to see you there.

Let’s talk about marketing for a moment.

I’ve signed up for a couple of blog tours to promote my newest releases. Many authors have come to me after seeing a few of my guest spots and asked me if they really did make a difference.

Yes! Blog touring does help!

From what I can see, over all, tours are a great boost to an authors marketing campaign. It gives you the ability to reach hundreds more people who are specifically looking at book info and reviews. Based on the tours I have worked with, I have seen good results and I would recommend them to any author looking to get the word out about their book.

Some essentials…

Your appearances should be geared towards the market that matches your book’s genre. You want your target audience to get the info about your book. Touring an erotica blog with a murder mystery might not work as well as it would with an erotica novel.

Now, there are three types of appearances that you will generally get on a blog tour. A Review, an Author/book spotlight (usually involving an interview), and a guest posting opportunity.

Book reviews are the most helpful of all types of appearances. An author can talk until they lose their voice about how wonderful their book is. It will do a little good and friends and family will buy of course. But, when a stranger speaks up and tells the world how wonderful your book is, people listen. If your book is reviewed by a blog that has a lot of followers and they say something good, chances are people will run out and find your book.

The next best appearance type is the book/author spotlight. This gives people a summary of your work and a chance to get to know you as the author. If they like your summary or what you say in the interview, people might decide to give your book a chance.

Finally there is the guest post. This is where you get to chat up the crowd about whatever is on your mind with an emphasis on your genre and book somewhere in the back burner. It gives people, like with the author spotlight, a chance to know you.

All three spots are exposure and any exposure is good for an author. A well rounded blog tour will include all three of these appearances. If you are a new author considering this option, do your research and find a tour that will work for you. Many services out there offer tours that can be as short as two weeks or as long as a few months. There is a lot out there to help you spread the word.

YzhaBella's Bookshelf: Guest Blog & Giveaway with Katie Salidas!

If you have a moment, stop by! =)

YzhaBella's Bookshelf: Guest Blog & Giveaway with Katie Salidas!

Author Spotlight with Ami Blackwelder


K.S.  Hello Ami and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself. 

A.B. I was raised in California and than in the third grade moved to Florida. I attended the University of Central Florida where I received my BA in English creative writing and teaching. After college, I did a lot of traveling as a teacher to countries like China, Tibet, Nepal, Korea and Thailand!


K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

A.B. None that I can think of now:)


K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

A.B. I’ve always loved storytelling. As early as Elementary school, I wrote long inventive tales which my teachers would read in front of class. I took it more seriously as I grew older. I wrote primarily poetry and short stories in my twenties, but in my thirties I have written spiritual books as well as novels.


K.S.  What genre do you write?

A.B. I write paranormal and historical romance which focuses on the forbidden love aspects of characters because of culture, religion, time, gender, death, and species differences.


K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

A.B. My biggest inspirations come from writers who are just ordinary people who love to write. Success stories always help:) My favorite author would be from my favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice, which is Jane Austen.


K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

A.B. My family is very supportive and encouraging and often help critique my work.


K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

A.B. I have learned that I fall in love with my characters and their story and am attached to them as my own children. I have learned that characters often have a mind of their own despite what you have outlined them to do.


K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

A.B. I have so many ideas like seeds that want to grow and the ideas or seeds that have the most passion behind them force their way out of me to be heard and grow.


K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?




A.B. Have a look at the trailer!



K.S.  Where can we find your novel?

A.B. My novel is at kindle and smashwords currently and soon will be available on nook and ipad and kobobooks. You may go to my website http://amiblackwelder.com for more information and to order prints.


K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

A.B.
http://amiblackwelder.com


K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

A.B. Never give up and write what you love despite what critics say!


This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

Royal Blood - Review & Giveaway



***I just received word from Ms. Topel.***
She is generously offering up TWO copies of her book as a giveaway! 
Just leave a comment with your email address and she will pick a winner at random! 
Good Luck.

I just finished this fast paced read over the weekend and thought I would share it with you.






From the Amazon Product Page.  (Copied from product details)
When you discover that everything you thought you knew was a lie told by the people you trusted the most, how far do you go to find out the truth? When others will stop at nothing to keep you from what was born in your blood, do you fight for it? Christina is about to enter a world she never knew existed, and find out things about herself that she never thought possible. With Alex by her side she goes to Sangre Real to discover the truth about her past, present, and possibly her future. She is about to make the most difficult choice in her already complicated life. Walk away from the world she was born to lead, or answer the call that is ever present in her blood. But at what cost? Who will she lose? Who will betray her? Will Alex stand by her side when he discovers what she truly is? The answers may surprise you.

I just loved this quick read!


Royal Blood is a story that picks you up right from the beginning and won’t let you stop. I read this wonderful novella in one sitting!

Right from the beginning Ms. Topel introduces you to the life and trouble surrounding Christina. Haunted by disturbing nightmares and strange circumstances, she is forced to take a second look at the life she thought she had. Everything from her parents to her boyfriend is called into question as she learns the truth about what and who she is.

In this book, Ms. Topel takes a new stance on vamps introducing her own breed into the mix. In her world vampires can have unique and terrible abilities. She also introduces a half-breed mix of vampire and human. I really enjoyed her explanation of how  things work but for the sake of leaving some mystery to the book I will let you read and find out for your self.

In the end, Christina must make some very hard decisions as the final climactic battle commences. I loved how the character admits that “Nobody ever promised her a happy ending.”

She leaves the story open for more adventures and I for one look forward to seeing what else she has in store for us.

Author Spotlight with L. E. Harvey


K.S.  Hello and welcome. I am very excited to have you here today. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself. 

LEH: Hi!  Thanks so much for having me here!  It’s really exciting to be here! 
A little about me, eh?  Well, I’ve been writing since childhood.  Sadly, most of my work is boring scientific research and historical-non-fiction.  I have been writing fiction since 2006 and I absolutely love it!  It’s been a great new path for me.

Aside from writing, I also model.  I have many 4 cats that I rescued during my veterinary career.  I love to sing and dance, and also tinker around on antique vehicles. 
K.S.  Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?

LEH: There are too many of those!  LOL.  Let’s just say that if I’m behind schedule, you can pretty much bet that my one cat, Teddy Roosevelt, got to my computer wires somehow and I’m waiting for new cables to arrive! 
K.S.  When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?

LEH: Since childhood, I had always wanted to be a writer.  When I was in elementary school, I had an English teacher write an article about her class for an educational magazine.  About me she wrote, “Lauren knew that she was indeed a writer.”  That was a very profound statement for a young child to hear.  I’ve been more than lucky that so many people have had tremendous faith in my writing capabilities.

K.S.  What genre do you write?

LEH: I call it contemporary fiction.  Most of my work is GLBT-themed, but I do also have my suspense novel, Unbreakable Hostage.  So, I think contemporary fiction is a good blanket term for my various works.

K.S.  What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?

LEH: I think breaking stereotypes and creating awareness and tolerance through my writing is my biggest inspiration.  We live in a world of hurt, anger and prejudice.  If my books can help, even just a little, then I can feel as though I’ve done some good work while doing what I love.

K.S.  What does your family think of your writing?

LEH: My family loves it.  I am extremely fortunate to have an extremely supportive family.  They are happy to see me happy and to see me actually have accomplished something with my writing when the literary world is so competitive and difficult for so many.

K.S.  What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?

LEH: That’s a really good question.  For Unbreakable Hostage, it was the fact that I was actually able to put together a suspense novel since it was something so foreign to me.

For Imperfect (due for release in July) and its sequel, Impeccable (which I am currently writing), it’s just how much our books can affect us emotionally.  These are very deep and touching books.  I have found that in writing these two books, I have become amore spiritual person, if you will, and that was completely unintentional.

K.S.  What inspired you to write your novel?

LEH: I have only my publisher to thank for pushing me to write Unbreakable Hostage.  She saw potential in me that I didn’t even see.

As for Imperfect and Impeccable, they’re both very personal.  I began writing Imperfect at a dark time in my life and as I have gone through both books, I have found that they have changed my life and my perspective.

K.S.  Can you tell us a little about your novel?



LEH: My first book, Loving Her, is a series of intertwined short stories about a group of friends and lovers who face everything from the daily monotony of life to some of life’s worst tragedies.

Unbreakable Hostage is the story of a Ph. D. student named Lareina Oliveira.  One of her classmates becomes infatuated with her and eventually kidnaps her.  She is held hostage and tortured for over two weeks.  She uses her wit, determination, and knowledge of algebra to help her roommate, family, and the LAPD try to find her.  Her captor is so evil, though, that their biggest obstacle is saving her in time.  Though it sounds like a modern day damsel-in-distress story, there’s a twist in the end of this story where our heroine has to save more people than just herself.

Imperfect and Impeccable are the life story of a woman named Carol Mathers.  Carol was born a sickly child, and like so many of us, faced many obstacles throughout her life.  She had to face tragedies such as the death of her father at a young age, and as her life progresses, it becomes more and more imperfect.  She, and her partner of twelve years, Alexandria, fight prejudice, racism, sexism and more.  As an adult, she learns that a blood transfusion she received as a child in the early 1980s has caused both her and Alexandria to acquire AIDS, making their lives even more imperfect.  Trying to live with a disease such as AIDS and continue to maintain a normal life becomes increasingly difficult.  An unexpected hostage situation causes Carol to lose everything and to see that she can never hide from her past.  The real question is: can she make peace with it instead?

K.S.  Where can we find your novels?

LEH: My books are on Smashwords, Omnilit, Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and a few other websites.  They are available in e-book, Kindle and print formats.  Copies can even be purchased directly through my amazon a-store or my publsiher’s website, www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com

K.S.  Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?

LEH: Oh yeah.  I’m constantly on the computer!  You can find me at
www.leharvey.com
http://www.facebook.com/leharvey77
https://twitter.com/leharvey77
and
http://harveyle.blogspot.com/
just to name a few. 

K.S.  Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?

LEH: Persistence is the key.  I say this constantly.  If you are serious about this work, then you will persist.  You will work diligently until your book shines.  You will won’t let the rejection letters get you down.  We all get them, it’s just the nature of the beast.  So, just hang in there and don’t give up! 


This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

Spotlight Book Review - Cara Mia by Denise Verrico

Some of you may remember, author Denise Verrico visited the blog to tell us all about her new novel, Cara Mia.

Here is the link to that interview. 

Well, I just had to read the book. Loving all things vamp that I do, I was especially pleased to read her take.

Synopsis - Copied From previous post.

Mia Disantini is a vampire whose greatest desire is to walk again in the sun. As a young actress, she encounters her smooth talking master, Ethan Sinclair who appears to be the man of her dreams. Mia is enslaved by him and plunged into the Immortyl culture. As a modern woman, Mia struggles against the conventions of this unenlightened world. Ethan trains her as his “Bird of Prey” and together they hunt and con mortals. She becomes the pawn of their elder, Brovik in his deadly games of deception and intrigue concerning the forbidden science. Cast out by Ethan, Mia enters into a relationship with Brovik’s slave, Kurt. The lovers rebel and deliver the secrets of immortality to Genpath Laboratories. When CEO, Lee Brooks imprisons the pair, Mia calls upon the aid of neuroscientist, Dr. Joe Ansari. But Mia and Kurt are hunted for their crime and time is running out.




I knew I was going to enjoy Cara Mia right from the start. Denise Verrico’s novel has style, intrigue, and some interesting twist that will keep you turning page after page.

The book opens with a distraught Mia, cast out by her master, near death, and left to wander the cold streets of New York looking for sustenance and a place to hide from the sun.

When next we meet Mia, it seems she has truly hit rock bottom. But not all is as it seems. Though she is held, seemingly against her will, in a prison-like cell of a lab, there is more to discover.

Told mainly in flashback, Mia’s history slowly unravels, plunging us into the world of the Immortyl’s. That’s right Immortyl with a y.

These aren’t the creatures we are used to seeing. They are flesh and blood with beating hearts and a strange condition, a genetic alteration of sorts, that makes them stand apart from the standard creature of the night.

With her new take on Vampires she not only shows us what they are, but takes us into a new society. Sadly, women are seen as no more than property and decorations. Mia, however, strives to be more. Through her struggles, Mia proves time and time again that she can hold her own and is so much more than a pretty little thing to be owned.  And, as her tale moves forward, toward the present, you will see just how much more she is.

It was a thrilling read that kept me glued to the pages. I cannot wait to see more from this author.



This Author is a part of an ongoing Blog tour, please check this link for the Authors schedule and future stops.


A Message from ASA!


For everyone that leaves a comment with each author on an ASA tour,  they will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Visa Gift Card (I have 2), book light (I have several to give away),  A free of charge virtual book tour,  and one writing package which includes a journal,  pen,  book light,  and book marker. Plus when they leave a comment they are entered to win a copy of the author's book.

Prizes are generally awarded at the end of each authors tour. Please check the link above and stay tuned for any award announcements connected with ASA tours. 

House of Immortal Pleasures!

I've got a new story available on Amazon.com, it's a sexy romantic piece involving my favorite creatures of the night. That's right, Vampires.

Check out this early review at Dark Wyrm Reads


I thought I might share a little snippet here and give you all a little taste to whet your whistle.



Daphne has just been taken, against her will, to the famed House of Immortal Pleasures (a vampire brothel). We join her and her friends as they peruse the house menu...



The doormen left Daphne and her friends sitting in a quiet, cozy little booth in the downstairs bar. Soft music, the clink of glasses, and a mix of chatter from the other patrons filled the room. They sat perusing the house menu. Services here were ordered à la carte, and Daphne used the excuse of needing time to choose her…services to avoid being sent upstairs. All around the dimly-lit bar were vampires, both men and women, working the customers, trying to get them to go up to the rooms and enjoy their erotic pleasures.

Surrounded by her friends and not being groped or mesmerized by Fabio-esque men, Daphne felt a little more like herself. No longer dizzy, she finally found the ability to articulate the thoughts floating around in her head. “I want to go home, now!”

“Not until you have had some fun,” Jamie teased. “Now, you said you wanted to look at the menu. So, what sounds good? Maybe a little tongue lashing?”

“What! No, give me that.” Daphne yanked the menu out of Jamie’s hand.

She gasped and bit her lip as she looked over the list of services to order. There it was, half way down the laminated page. “What the hell, it’s actually called ‘Tongue Lashing’.” She read the description.

Indulge in your most sensual fantasy as your master of pleasure, using only his tongue, will explore your most sensitive places.

Daphne gulped down a breath, trying not to show her interest, wanting to look disgusted and repulsed. She crossed her legs and set the menu down on the table. She hoped her ruse worked. Daphne knew she couldn’t bring herself to be with another man, but her body had a different idea. Just the thought of a warm, velvety tongue lapping at her skin started warmth pulsing between her legs.

“Oh c’mon, Daph. Don’t be such a prude,” Kerri said. She took the menu from the table.

A scantily-clad cocktail waitress wandered by to take their orders. “Tequila,” Jamie exclaimed. “Three shots for each of us.”

“Woot,” Kerri said in agreement as she bounced up and down in her seat. Her tight, curly red hair bounced with her as she danced in the booth. “Let’s get this party started right.”

Daphne sighed and put her head down on the table.

“Oh look, they have a virgin special.” Kerri said excitedly and thumped Daphne on the shoulder. “Fun for first-timers.” She pointed to a spot on the menu. “Don’t be nervous. We will make sure your first time is magical.” She read the description with an added flair to her voice. “Start with a candle-lit bath, to help you set the mood. Then, retreat to one of our fantasy rooms where your creature of the night will-”

“Stop it! Just shut up.” Daphne looked up, shooting Kerri a dangerous, menacing glare.

“Well you haven’t had sex since Ken. I’m sure you qualify for the first-timers special. Your cherry has probably grown back by now.”

Jamie and Kerri high-fived. “Use it or lose it,” they cheered together.

“That’s it. I’m going home. I’ve had enough of this stupid game,” Daphne said, standing up next to the table. “I’ll call a cab if you won’t take me home.”

The cocktail waitress returned with nine shot glasses, a shaker of salt, and a plate of lemon and lime wedges.

“Okay, Daphne, we’ll go…” Jamie said solemnly. Daphne breathed a sigh of relief. Jamie turned to Kerri and winked. A wicked smile crossed her face “Only after you drink your shots.”

Daphne groaned. “Enough of your stupid games.”

“Look, lady.” Jamie’s tone became serious. “It’s a seventy dollar minimum just to walk through the door here. Let’s at least have some drinks, okay?”

Daphne collapsed back into the booth. “Fine. Hand me a fucking shot.”

“That’s the spirit,” Kerri said, sliding a glass to Daphne while picking up one for her self. “To popping Daphne’s cherry.” She held up her glass. “Again!”

Daphne groaned loudly. With friends like these, who needs enemies? She tipped the glass and swallowed the harsh liquid.

About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.