Book Review: Heir to Power by Michele Poague

Heir to Power was an interesting read. Stylistically, it reminded me of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson with its strong world building and multiple character viewpoints.

It is a fascinating world, there is no doubting that, with a lot of thought having gone into creating the religious system, the different mythologies, and the societies that are vastly varied in beliefs, language, and even things as simple as the weapons and technology.

Now, anyone who knows me, knows I am a character writer. That also makes me a character reader. That's what I love most about reading. It always has been and I imagine it always will be, and it was probably my favorite part of Heir to Power. The characters voices were strong and I really found myself sympathizing with so many of them in their plight to live up to the expectations of their society and yet long for something different.

The only problem I really had with the book was there were so many characters I occasionally got them confused, and then as Michele continued in that character's head, I fell in love with them all. Every time.

Overall, if you are interested in traditional fantasy with strong world building elements and intriguing characters, Heir to Power is just the book for you. I certainly enjoyed it.

Awesome review today. Totally made me laugh!

http://www.shesgotthewritestuff.blogspot.com/

Book Review: Faithful, Fit, & Fabulous by Connie Sokol

I was really excited to have the chance to review this book, for multiple reasons. I've got some issues that make me want to work on the 'fit' part of the book, and I definitely want to feel fabulous, but it was the faithful part that really intrigued me.

I try very hard to incorporate the spirit of the Lord into everything I do, especially my writing. I'm a  big believer in the Father wanting to help us succeed in those things that are important to us, and when we make Him a partner in our efforts, we can't help but succeed.

It's what I've done with my writing all these years. I know that I cannot write my best without reading His word and praying first, and thus, incorporating that element in the success of our lives really intrigued me in Connie's book.

I was not disappointed.

This book was hard to read straight through--not because it didn't make sense or wasn't interesting, because it was both. No, it was hard because I wanted to stop and savor each chapter the way the book was meant to be used. I wanted to do the exercises and really apply the things I was learning, but that's hard to do when I'm just doing a book review.

So, here's what I'm going to do. I'm posting my two thumbs up review here, right now, in that I love this book and think it can make a big change in my own life, but I'm also going to spend the next eight weeks applying these things into my life.

Starting January 1st, I'll update regularly here on what I learned with each chapter and let you guys experience it through me, and hopefully you'll go out and buy the book and try it yourselves. I truly believe this is a book that should be in every household. It's one of those that can change your life.

I certainly hope it changes mine.

You can purchase it at the following places:
Deseret Book
Amazon
Amazon e-book

Best. Review. Ever!!!

Review of the Author, not the books!

Blog: I Am a Pistachio

Expanded Christmas Specials

I got to thinking there might be a few of you out there who would still prefer a paper copy of my books to the e-books, so I set up some discount codes. It's my Christmas present to all of you, since I make no money off of this kind of discount, but since I can't afford to pay off K-Mart Layaways, like some kind souls are doing, I can at least do this.


So, to get your discounts, you have to purchase from my createspace pages. Here are the addresses and the codes.


The Sapphire Flute: https://www.createspace.com/3633037 and on check out enter code J4JNFLC9 for a $5 discount.


The Armor of Light: https://www.createspace.com/3642582 and on check out enter code RGEM5WRP for a $5 discount.


The Misadventures of a Teenage Wizard: Two Souls Are Better Than One: https://www.createspace.com/3715613 and on check out enter code BTL9AWX8 for a $4 discount.


Use the codes fast, because they only last until December 31st. 


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, my friends!

Change in Christmas Specials

Sooooo, nobody seems to like my Christmas specials, so I'm going to make it much more simple and hopefully appealing. Having recently purchased a kindle for my bookaholic son, I know there are a lot of parents doing the same thing for Christmas--especially with the recent drop in price of the kindle and other e-book readers. So, here's my special:

Through December 31st you can get any of my YA fantasies for 99 cents, and as an added bonus, you can download my book of poetry for FREE! All you have to do is go to Smashwords.com and purchase it from there, as that's the only place getting the changed pricing.

I am also lowering the price of my "write someone you love into my books," but just for the month of December. These normally go for $25 apiece, but for December I am going to lower it to $15 and I'll even e-mail you a PDF certificate with my signature you can print out and give to them for Christmas.

So, to summarize, writing a person in as a character, you purchase from the sidebar of my blog. Yeah, look to your right. See the paypal button? The second one down? That's the one. Get it from there. :)

To get books for 99 cents, go here:

For "The Sapphire Flute" go HERE

For "The Armor of Light" go HERE

For "The Misadventures Of A Teenage Wizard: Two Souls Are Better Than One" go HERE

And for your FREE copy of "And The Mountain Burns" go HERE

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, my dear friends. I hope the season brings you peace and joy and lots of books!

Book Review: Bound by C.K. Bryant

Okay, I'm going to admit first thing that I've read this book before in its early stages. C.K. Bryant and I have been great friends for several years and I adore the woman to no end.

That being said, I will also admit that I loved this book back then and I love it even more now. Not because she is my friend, but because it's a great story and she's a dang fine writer! Every once in a while--well, more than that--I would find a phrase that was so beautiful and visual that I will admit to being a tad jealous that I hadn't written it myself! Yeah, she's that good.

C.K. is not afraid to hurt her characters, which I love. My heart broke so often throughout this story, and then other times thrilled for the characters success. The love story aspect was well done, though I will also admit that, though I think Octavion is a hottie, if he treated me the way he treats the main character, I'd smack him with a frying pan. Now, having said that, I will add that he is not entirely human and is fighting his animal nature. I get it. I totally get it, but still. He could be a little nicer. But warped as I am, I even like THAT aspect of the story.

But mostly what I love is seeing our beautiful main character turn from a mousy girl who's afraid of her own shadow, to a strong woman who stands up for right, doesn't feel sorry for herself when things go horrendously wrong, and hangs on to those she loves, even if she doesn't entirely understand them.

This was one of those books I read, and even knowing most of the story ahead of time because of my previous reading, I didn't want to put it down. I read until my vision blurred and I couldn't see anymore. I stayed up late. I read during dinner, while waiting for my kids, and read instead of watching TV or taking a much needed break. The book WAS my break!

Needless to say, I love Bound and would heartily recommend it to any and all. It was a clean, fun read, with lots of twists and turns, which, much like my last review, is at its heart, a love story. Very well done, C.K.!!!

Book Review: Exiled by RaShelle Workman

The very first thing I have to say about this book is how much I absolutely adore the cover! It is one I noticed and was interested in long before I asked to be included in the Dark CARMA Blog tour. I wanted to read it! With a cover like that, how could it not be good?

I wasn't disappointed, though it was a book that surprised me.

Let me explain: In the opening scenes we come upon Princess Venus. Now, with a name like that, I expected the story to be mythological in nature, and thus was confused by all the high tech involved. Beds that conform themselves to one's body and such. At first I thought, "Okay, she's meshed high tech with mythology," but then Venus finds herself on earth, where even the air she breathes is toxic to her. Her family has disappeared, her precious irrihunter (which it took me a while to figure out what the heck that was. lol) has been murdered, and she's been accused of sacrilege and treason by the Gods.

It was interesting, and I enjoyed it, but I was still thinking high tech mythology--and then space ships got involved.

Huh???

I suddenly had to adjust my thinking. This book was science fiction with some mythological undertones, yes, but it was Sci-Fi! Once I figured that out (I should have watched the book trailer before hand. Dead giveaway there! DOH!), the reading went much easier and was fascinating. But truly, at its heart, this is a romance, and a well written and enjoyable one at that. For me, that says something. I'm not a huge romance fan, but this story sucked me in so much that I found myself looking for a spare moment ANYWHERE to read. I ended up staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish last night because I just couldn't stop, even when the words were blurry because I was so tired. I couldn't put it down! And now I am to be tortured, waiting for book two.

I'm beginning to understand how my own readers feel when they bug me for the next book. lol

So, congratulations, RaShelle, for writing such a fascinating story that sucked me into its world and wouldn't let go. I'm still thinking about it, all these hours later, and I would definitely recommend it to any and all readers. Its clean, exciting, and I couldn't help but root for the heroes. Very well done!

You can purchase Exiled at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and Smashwords.com.

You can also find out more about the author at her website, http://www.rashelleworkman.com/

Christmas Specials!!!

This year, I decided that my Christmas specials were going to be postage-less, with one exception. I think it's a better deal for you guys, and is a heck of a lot less work for me!

So, here are the deals:

1)Purchase: a paper copy of my newest book, Two Souls Are Better Than One.

Receive: Digital copies of the first two books in The Wolfchild Saga, The Sapphire Flute and The Armor of Light, for FREE!

2)Purchase: Digital copies of The Wolfchild Saga (The Sapphire Flute and The Armor of Light)

Receive: Pre-Ordered digital copy of book 3 in The Wolfchild Saga, The Emerald Wolf for FREE!

3)Purchase: All three digital copies of my fiction, (Two Souls Are Better Than One, The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light)

Receive: Pre-ordered digital copy of book 3 in The Wolfchild Saga, The Emerald Wolf AND a copy of my poetry book, And the Mountain Burns, for FREE!

4) Now, for those of you who prefer paper copies, the same deal applies, with one change. If you purchase Books 1 and 2, you may pre-order Book 3 (paper copy) and get it for free, paying only postage. I will also include autographed bookplates for those books you purchased elsewhere, and will sign and number The Emerald Wolf.

5) If you buy all three paper copies (The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light, Two Souls Are Better Than One) You will get Book 3 (Pre-ordered paper copy), The Emerald Wolf for Free, as well as ALL of the books I have written in e-book format for free. And as mentioned before, I will also include autographed bookplates for those books you purchased elsewhere, and will sign and number The Emerald Wolf. In addition, I will add any and all swag I have on hand--bookmarks, magnets, posters (if I have them), and such.

Now, the catch is, in order for me to know you purchased these books at the links below, I need a copy of your receipt proving purchase. You can e-mail it to me with just the pertinent information showing by using cut and paste, if you so desire.

My e-mail is karen (AT) karenEhoover (DOT) com

And here are the links for your purchases!

E-Books:

Amazon.com: The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light, Two Souls Are Better Than One

Smashwords.com: The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light, Two Souls Are Better Than One

Barnesandnoble.com: The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light, Two Souls Are Better Than One

Paper:

My Createspace Sales Page: The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light, Two Souls Are Better Than One

Amazon.com: The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light, Two Souls Are Better Than One

Barnesandnoble.com: The Sapphire Flute, The Armor of Light

Thanks, everyone! And Merry Christmas!!!

It's Launch Day!

I know I've hinted at my new book coming out around the twelfth, but thanks to several people working hard, it is available TODAY!!! It's called "Two Souls Are Better Than One" and is book one of The Misadventures of a Teenage Wizard. What is most fun about this book for me is all of the places are REAL. The main character, JJ, lives in my old house, and I used to follow a path through creepy trees to get to my grandmother's house. The incident with the milk really happened, but it was my brother scaring the crap out of me. The Grammy is based on my very own grandmother as well. It has been awesome reliving memories of the wonderful state of Oklahoma.

So, if you're looking for a great Christmas present for yourself, a loved one, a kid, this is a fun option. It's available for e-book through Smashwords.com, Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com. Print copies are also available through Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. If you want to order a copy from one of them and still want an autograph, you can let me know and I'll mail you an autographed bookplate sticker you can put right inside.

I've got some Christmas specials coming up within the next couple of days, so be sure to watch for those!

And here is the book trailer once again, for those who missed it!

New book trailer for new book!

I know I've been posting a lot of videos lately, but I can't help myself. They're just so fun!!! So, this is for my new book to be released next week. It's book one of The Misadventures of a Teenage Wizard titled Two Souls Are Better Than One.

Enjoy!