Free Book Reviews

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Author Interview: Rashaad Bell author of The Vampire Manifesto: Forgotten Future Anthology

About your book: The Vampire Manifesto: Forgotten Future Anthology

I remember the Forgotten Future.
Where destiny is epilogue and bygone is prologue.
I have witnessed the Weapons of the Gods fall into the hands of the Humanity Brood.
When the Gods themselves fall victim to their own mechanisms.
I have journeyed to the crossroads, places that cannot be found until their entrance coincides with your next impending footfall, where the space between spaces demands its audience in full.
I have lived through the Death of the Gods and witnessed their return, committing their teachings to memory. Would you presume to bare witness?
Have you heard the tale of the Vampire?
Yes, of course you have, but what have you learned of their secret?
If I could provide you with just a slither of comprehension, would you gleam a portion of this knowledge for yourself? Or would you just cry in the dark, praying for the Sun?
Yes, Brothers and Sisters, I remember the Forgotten Future very well indeed.
Come and sit with me child, for I have a story to tell.

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What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?

Rashaad Bell
I would have to say, the way my mind thinks. The way that I am able to mix the genre with different facets of other genre and it all seems to make sense. Also, the underlying connecting themes of the short stories all connect. You get this feeling that no matter which story you are reading, they all operate in the same world.

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Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?

Rashaad Bell
Originally, this book was going to be a companion to my full length novel, The Vampire Manifesto, which I was typing on my Ipad. Well the Ipad spazzed out one day, and I was forced to return to factory settings and lost the full length novel I was writing on there. So since the book, Forgotten Future was already completed, I decided to drop it first, with a re-due of The Vampire Manifesto due out this October.

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Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?

Rashaad Bell
Yes, I spent a lot of time in the library, doing research on the different Gods people worship, how they came to the Earth, along with the type of technology they possessed during that time frame.

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What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?

Rashaad Bell
That everything I write is connected, they all have a place in the wider scheme of things. Anything I write will have ramifications on future stories, because they all operate within the same world.

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Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?

Rashaad Bell
Hmm...that's a good one. How do aliens, Gods, Vampires, Werewolves, Angels, Synthetic Machina, how can they all exist at the same time, yet still make sense?

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How can readers help you promote this book?

Rashaad Bell
Buy a copy, tell you're friends its really awesome. Yet on the flip-side, if it isn't awesome, I have provided multiple ways to contact me, tell me why you think it isn't as good as it could be. All I want to do is become a better writer, so if I'm doing something that doesn't click, let me know, so I wont make that same mistake again.

About You: Rashaad Bell

I am currently hyper extending myself into the space between moments to do battle with carnivorous sound and cannibalistic electrons.

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Why do you write?

Rashaad Bell
Because, I am the sole creator, it's my world, my story and I tell it the way I think it should be told. Plus I'm kinda good at it, I think, lol.

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What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Rashaad Bell
That I can walk down the street, just to buy something mundane, like Twizzlers, see something normal, like somebody I don't know, yet they posses their own personal style, and I can come up with a whole story about that person.

I can see a cloud formation and come up with a plot line, its crazy...

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What quality do you most value in yourself?

Rashaad Bell
That I don't try to impress anymore, what you see is what you get. Trying to live up to every ones else's expectations of what you should be will put you in the grave quicker then a bullet.

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In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?

Rashaad Bell
Haha, I'm a nerd at heart, so I'm hardcore into comics and video games. Game of Thrones TV show and Vampire Diaries!

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What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

Rashaad Bell
Completing Marine Corps boot camp! Not a lot of people can make that claim. Next would be the publishing of my first book: Forgotten Future.

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Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?

Rashaad Bell
Geoff Johns. I love that dude! He writes the Green Lantern comics and just completed his run on Brightest Day. I'm sitting there reading and he just pulls this plot device out the blue that has not been mentioned in the entire series and I'm like: "What? Swamp Thing is the savior of the world? WTF?" Yet, by the time you finish the book you're like: "Swamp Thing, huh? Makes perfect sense!"

Get More at Rashaad Bell's Blog

Friday, July 29, 2011

Last Call For Birthright By RJ Palmer (Free)

For the month of July author RJ Palmer has been participating in the Smashwords month long promotion. Well the final days are now here and the price will go back to $0.99 (still a deal) after the 31st of July. This post is the final reminder. So please share with everyone you know and even those you do not know. We all need a good story to read so why pass on a free one.

Get it here for free with coupon code SSWSF
Birthright on Smashwords

Other Places to Purchase
Birthright Amazon DE
Birthright Amazon US
Birthright Amazon UK
Birthright Nook
Birthright Diesel
Birthright Google Books
Birthright iTunes
Birthright Kobo
Birthright XINXII

RJ Palmer's Blog

The Spoken Confession

Synopsis:

Remember, remember the fifth of November
the gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why the gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.

Every year, on the fifth of November, Britain celebrates the execution of Guy Fawkes, one of Britain’s earlier terrorists. When one looks around the bonfire on that night, one may realise that, in this day and age, no one quite seems to remember what it is that caused this national celebration. Maybe some people just don’t know any more. Maybe some people have forgotten. I always think it’s worth thinking about what it was that Guy wanted. What it was he stood for.
Did no one ever wonder why, as he was being slowly executed, Guy Fawkes didn’t struggle? Why he didn’t just admit he was in the wrong and face imprisonment instead of death?
Lost in the library at the University of York, held there by the British government since 1604, Guy Fawkes’ final words go some way to explaining his actions and the reasons he was so defiant until the moment of his death. This document is transcribed from those final words, now forever imprinted on these pages. This is the spoken confession.

Review:

This very short story is well written and well researched for its topic. You feel as if you are there listening to Guy speak his final words. I recommend this as a first read of Michael's work. You can probably read this it just a short time, have some entertainment and get to know a new author in the process. That is a win/win all around. So go ahead and grab this one....it is free!

Where to Find:
Smashwords
Author's Blog

The Single Twin

Synopsis:

Fed up with earth’s teeming hoards, greed and corruption, plus the threat of a war to end all wars, Cresswell decided to spend his days in a spacetug mining asteroids for the smelting stations which encircled Earth. An act of compassion and extreme bravery was to change his life dramatically, and ‘nature’, was to implement yet another change in her rich panoply of life forms in the universe.

Review:

So by now you have seen that I have reviewed quite a few of David's works. This one is by far one of the best and should not be passed up. The story will intrigue die hard science fiction fans and entertain lesser sci fi fans. For a good read at a good price go ahead and grab this one.

Where to Find:
Smashwords

THE SEED GARDEN

Synopsis:

Jed was the sole crew on an ore ship plying its trade across the galaxy. The ship’s detectors failed to notice a shower of meteorites which crippled the controls and communications, leaving Jed the only chance of survival by using the emergency escape pod. Fortunately there was a planet within range of the pod’s drive unit, but it was apparently devoid of all life forms, and very alien..

Review:

I am usually eyeball deep into David's books but this one had me constantly looking for the last page. It was an all around good read just felt like there could have been more to it is all.

Where To Find:
Smashwords

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Angst

Review by J. M. Tresaugue author of Shadows Beyond the Flames and Other Stories

Synopsis:

When Angst turned 40, he knew it was over. Angst had longed to be a knight of Unsel, to make his mark in history, to be remembered for heroic deeds and wondrous acts. He grew up knowing he was destined for something great, but now it is too late. Not only is 40 far too old to become a knight, Angst is one of the few able to wield "the magics". For 2,000 years magic has been outlawed, repressed, even outright destroyed throughout the world of Ehrde. By law, Angst is reduced to using his great power only to file papers. His marriage is on the rocks, his friends are bored with him, and he hates his job. The one person that makes him happy is the young Princess Victoria who seems to adore him. Unfortunately, that makes his boss, the Queen, hate him. Without warning, Unsel is besieged with dangerous monsters - birds with metallic beaks, monkey creatures that can dive through solid ground, mindless horse-eating giants. The world that shunned magic now turns to Angst for help, and he is happy to listen once his back stops hurting. On the edge of a mid-life crisis, Angst drags his reluctant friends along with him on an adventure into the heart of magic. He’s not sure where they're going, what they'll find, or even if they'll survive. But he knows this is his one chance to be a hero because the only way to fight magic is with magic.

Review:

David J. Pedersen’s debut novel, “Angst”, is a wonderful journey through a magical world filled with wonders. The pages of Pedersen’s book are filled with wonderful characters to love and hate as they bring joy or frustration to the reader. Pedersen has not only created a vast world bulging with all the elements fans of fantasy crave, but also brings a unique and enjoyable touch to the genre of speculative fiction. Pedersen seems to have taken a page from Kurt Vonnegut’s rule book in working hard to make the reading easy. The 767 page novel passes quickly, even when plagued with the. Though geared for an older audience, “Angst” is well suited for fantasy readers of all ages.

Where to Find:
Amazon
Author's Blog

Days Of Iron

Review written by RJ Palmer author of Birthright

Synopsis:

In the future, genetic engineering has created three species of humans. Homo sapiens – the Sapes – are the masters. The Sirians are savage and insular. And the Helots are slaves, denied even the right to breed. Humanity in all its forms has spread out into the galaxy, ruled by the all-powerful Syndicate of Galactic Corporations. But the Syndicate refuses to share technology beyond the ruling Elite. For Maddy Hawthorn, a Sape colonist, the peaceful life she had planned at Barnard’s Star is torn apart when she becomes involved in a terrorist plot to destroy the stranglehold of the Elite over the other races. Pursued by the military and the Syndicate’s agents, Maddy and her companions mount a desperate attack on the centre of control in the galaxy, an obscure planet on the fringes of known space. Maddy must fight a ruthless regime to survive, but her own past demons might be the most dangerous threat of all.

Review:

First and foremost let me say that the futuristic science fiction/mystery/thriller aspect of this novel had my vote from the very beginning because I am at heart a science fiction nut and I wasn’t disappointed. I loved the blend of modern realism, with the social injustices with which we live on a daily basis but no one wants to talk about, and futuristic overtones because it’s set in a time when one would think that those same social injustices and difficulties are things which we would’ve surpassed.

I also love the way that the author weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense while interlacing real world facts in regards to the daily struggle of life with things like space travel and colonization, water rationing and air recycling and the like. This is not a novel in which all problems are solved with just the push of a button or the adaptation of current technology to suit the given situation, the characters are forced into a creative approach to problem solving and I like that. The characters are more relatable and tend to be three dimensional and they came alive for me instead of being just a name on a piece of paper as they were by turn apathetic, angry, happy and scared and thoroughly believable.

I will admit that the ending was not at all what I expected, it wasn’t all falling stars and fool’s gold and not everything worked out perfectly and according to plan for all the characters involved which is yet another example of an aspect that snagged my interest. I’m not the type of person that enjoys an exclusively happy ending in all written works. I’ve always enjoyed a bit of a twist because it frankly keeps me guessing and keeps me wrapped up in a story.

All in all, I loved Days of Iron and wish to heartily congratulate Russell Proctor on a job incredibly well done and an intensely enjoyable tale and I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who loves to curl up on the couch with a good book and get lost in a story as this is the kind of novel that fits the bill.

Where to Find:
Amazon
Amazon Kindle

Author Interview: Erin Jamison author of Better Than 8 Fantasy

About your book: Better Than 8 Fantasy

Amara Simmons has always fantasized about having two lovers but believes it is just that: a fantasy. She likes her men “gifted”, if you know what I mean. At the suggestion of a friend she registers for an online dating website for well-endowed men called betterthan8.com. She believes nothing will come of her site membership but after months of flirting online via email and instant messaging, she’s shocked to discover that she’s fallen for a gorgeous Latin man that has the potential to be her everything – except he never calls and she has no idea why. Nursing a broken heart she is totally unprepared to meet her would-be Latin lover in person much less at the negotiation table of a multi million-dollar real estate deal. In Puerto Rico, passion ignites. Promises are finally fulfilled and the lines of reality blur when her fantasy finally blooms to life. Can Amara have it all: the deal, the man, and the fantasy?

Free Book Reviews
What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?

Erin Jamison
Well, I'm sure women will talk about the fictional website in the book. Hopefully, they will talk about the personality of the girls. I would really like them to love the girls as much as i do.

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Have you acquired any good anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?

Erin Jamison
No anecdotes but here is a quote from the book that I happen to like. Makes me smile.

"You know how you have a good meal and you got gravy left on the plate. The gravy was so good that you don’t want to leave it on the plate but you don’t want to be a pig about it? So you take your bread and use it to sop up the rest of the gravy. That guy is totally soppable!"

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Did researching and writing this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?

Erin Jamison
It was a totally new journey for me. My first book, working with an editor, feeling like a had a viable concept...it was great. Scary, daunting, but a real feeling of pride when I was done.

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What would you most like readers to tell others about this book?

Erin Jamison
I want readers to talk about the site, the characters, the camaraderie amongst the girls.

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Can you suggest one question readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, your writing in general, or this book?

Erin Jamison
What first inspired you to start writing?

The answer would be that I have a call story. I always read, voraciously. I was the nerdy, geeky kid that lugged around a book bag full of books, even if they were textbooks. When I was younger I didn't find my niche. In high school, I submitted a story for an assignment and got back really encouraging feedback. From that point on, I wanted to write but didn't have a clue on how to get started. I just knew I wanted my story to look the same way it did in books. I put the thought away for a number of years, figuring it wasn't my thing. Despite that, I had this overwhelming feeling that I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be doing. I had no idea what it was but then one Thanksgiving weekend, a couple of years ago, I read all four Twilight books in that one weekend. I was hooked, plain and simple. From there on, I read almost anything romance. If I bought 10 novels, I'd have them read in 3 or 4 days. I accumulated books quickly.

I started pre-ordering books and had a schedule of what books and authors would be published each month.. I started telling funny stories of how big a clutz I am and I'd email it to friends and they'd tell me it was funny, or very entertaining. I worked up the courage and just did it. I've got a lot of positive feedback so far.

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How can readers help you promote this book?

Erin Jamison
Tell other women about it. Friends, co-workers, sisters, mothers, etc. Spread the word.

About You: Erin Jamison

I work full time, I'm a mother, I day dream, contemplate, and conceptualize nearly 24/7; even when I dream. =P

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Why do you write?

Erin Jamison
I dreamed of being able to tell a story one day...see my name in print. I wanted to create a series of stories that promote individuality, confidence, fearlessness, fortitude, and passion. I write sensual erotic stories of women who know what they want and aren't afraid to go after it for women who want a bit of a thrill too.

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What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Erin Jamison
Probably my greatest strength is that I'm a fan first. I'm that fan that buys jewelry and shirts. I'm the 40 year old woman that promotes YA books by wearing gear mean for sixteen year olds. What?! I can't help it certain parts of me remain stubbornly immature. Keeps me young at heart!

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What quality do you most value in yourself?

Erin Jamison
I have to say, I can complain like the best of 'em. If I'm not complaining, I ain't happy. In the end, I like having a lot on my plate. I like juggling, pressure, and being pushed so I don't procrastinate.

I like being overloaded so the value that I like most about my self is perseverance.

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In addition to writing, what else are you passionate about?

Erin Jamison
Cartoons. No seriously, I still watch the Justice League, Ben10, Scooby Doo, Jem. Oooh, remember Jem! GI Joe...."cause knowings half the battle". Those were words to live by back in the day and still are.

I'm passionate about cooking and believe it or not school. I still like to take classes and workshops. I've got a wide array of interests.

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What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

Erin Jamison
I've found that while I might be scared stiff, I'm not afraid to take risks. I moved from Virginia to California and I didn't know a soul out here. I had never been on a plane until I flew to California for an interview. I was afraid of failing to write a good story until I took a chance and just did it.

Sometimes the greatest rewards come with the biggest personal risks.

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Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?

Erin Jamison
Shiloh Walker and Kallysten

Both are authors that I absolutely love. Shiloh writes paranormal romance and erotic romance stories. Her characters leave an indelible impression on you.

Kallysten stories...even the supernatural ones...always make me feel like that is something that could happen or that I could explore with my significant other. I feel vested in the characters that they create.

Someday I dream to write as well as they do.

Read More about Erin Jamison

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

BEYOND the LADY

Synopsis:

Flirty & Feisty Romance…fierce & fizzy

She Is Unworthy

As a university undergraduate, sophisticated and chic Vanessa Osasogie lived on her own terms. She relied on the generosity of her no-strings attached affairs with different rich men to fund her education each semester. It was the usual flight from Lagos to London, nothing amiss, until Fred’s eyes swooped on her. But, Vanessa only had her eyes fixed on her next high profile target.

Will He Stand By Her?

Fred is fired with religious and moral values. In his desperation to find out why there is no alternative funding arrangement for her education, he orders a Private Investigator to unravel the mystery behind this fascinating but hard-nosed student, call girl. Their forced co-existence gives rise to lies, deceit and unbridled seduction. Their journey together exposes their mutual passion.

Then, Vanessa falls pregnant, but not for Fred…

Can Fred convince her to choose an alternative way of life other than selling herself for money? Or is she a lost cause?

An irresistible tale…unending, flirty romance that is bound to make you ask for more…

Review:

Stella has done it again...She has made it where reading romance, at least for me, is not a chore. I would recommend any of her books and I do recommend all of her books to romance readers and non-romance readers. This one takes you for a wild ride and mixes in the romance but not so much as to distract from the storyline. Most of all it is not cookie cutter romance.

Where to Find:
Amazon
Author's Website

STORMY DEFENSE

Synopsis:

Flirty & Feisty Romance… Stormy & Steamy

A Vibrant and Tumultuous Affair.

Her Stubbornness is Legendary!

At thirty–four, gutsy, independent and stubborn TV Presenter, Kimberly Clark was doing her best to stay focused on her job. She didn’t want any male distraction. Love was an alien word. But when she hopped on a train from work, she got more than she bargained for. Up against sexy and forceful Derek, there are sparks of fury and fireworks.

No-nonsense Derek Fights Back!

Charming, go-getting Fitness Instructor, Derek Peterson at twenty-seven, was only interested in expanding his sports business. There was no room for entanglement, however brief. When he runs across Kimberly, his only viable plan is a one night stand. A quick rump in the hay with no talk about a long-term affair! Fiercely determined that the battle of wills is one he was bound to win. Will his unstoppable charm bring the independent Kim to her knees?

A steamy, turbulent and go-getting story that will keep you shifting the pages…

Review:

Seeing how this is another romance novel in a very long line of romance novels, you could understand my resistance to like it. At first I thought that I was going to be right and then the author made this her own and put her unique spin on the romance arena. I ended up liking this one and would recommend this to anyone to read. Yes even those that do not read the genre.

Where to Find:
Amazon
Author's Website

The Recycled Window

Synopsis:

Hannah's new house has recycled windows. One is from the exploration spaceship, the ISS Apex, which mysteriously abandoned the crew on its last mission. The window has seen - and recorded - the whole journey. Can Hannah and friends decode the window's message and rescue the abandoned astronauts in time? Suitable for 9-12 years.

Review:

If you have any kids 9-12 in your house, your neighbors house, the house across the street or the house across the world, they need this book. I was impressed with the imagination of the author and her ability to create a world that children of that age would really get into. This is a must have for any 9-12 year old and all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and anyone else who knows a child should be grabbing this one up now. All that and the ebook is free. Grab it now.

Where to Find:
Smashwords
Amazon

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