Historical fiction is still one of my favorite genres, and Princess Kandake is a real treat. Stephanie Jefferson has created a strong teen female lead and set her within ancient Nubia. Kandake knows exactly what she wants, and she’s determined to go after it. Then life throws her a curve. How can she meet her obligations and […]
Magian High, by Lia London, 2012
I have about a dozen posts from my self-hosted site (now closed down) that I’d like to save on this one. I’ll be adding them on Fridays. If you were subscribed to that site, you can just ignore them. All three high schools in Kincaid Riley’s town are being desegregated, which means the Mages will […]
Gangsterland, by Ansha Kotyk, 2013
What if you got sucked into a story? I mean sucked out of your chair and into the pages? Jonathan’s life stinks. He has to move in with his dad, from sunny Phoenix to snow covered New England. His dad is never around. The school bully has it in for him. And he’s already managed […]
So, You Want to Book a Blog Tour
Tween the Weekends is a hosted by Emblazon. Check out all the other tween posts, then join us the fourth Wednesday of each month. You’ve written a book and you’re ready to get it before the eyes of millions of ebook readers. You just know it’s going to be an instant best-seller. You’re on fire. You’re […]
Spaces, by Lois D. Brown
I believe it was late 2011 or early 2012 when I received a request to review a new indie novel called Cycles. I hesitated at the word “indie.” Even though I wanted to support independent authors–I am one–as a book blogger I received an awful lot of unprofessional junk being passed off as indie novels. But this blurb really […]
The Light (Tales of a Revolution Series), by Lars D. Hedbor, 2013
Lars D. Hedbor, author of The Prize, which details Revolutionary War activities on and around Lake Champlain (see my review), has just come out with a second novel in his Tales from a Revolution series. The Light features Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. While that particular event may be well known to every American, the details surrounding it are less […]
When Inspiration Strikes…
I’ve thought of an ending for my book. “And he lived happily ever after… to the end of his days.” –Bilbo Baggins (Lord of the Rings, Tolkien) I could probably find a LOTR quote for most situations, lol, but today this one really applies. Like Bilbo, I’ve just thought up an ending for my series! […]
Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull, 2006-2010
I missed this series when it first came out, but I’ve heard it mentioned so many times that I had to read it for myself. Wow! What an awesome middle grade fantasy series! I was hooked in the first chapter. I checked all five books out from the library this summer then had to battle […]
Tomato and Pea: A Bad Idea, by Erik Weibel, 2013
I believe it was back in early 2011 when I first met Erik Weibel. I had been blogging for a few months but had struggled to give my blog a cohesive direction. That was back when I thought publishers would knock down my door if I posted a few samples of my writing online. I […]
Writing in Series
The Taylor Davis series is my second series. I finished the Divided Decade Trilogy last summer. (If you missed it, book one–The Candle Star–is free. See my sidebar for links.) When I was writing book two, I swore I’d never write another series again. That’s because it’s so hard to maintain a high level of creativity into a second […]