Tuesday, March 31, 2015

TOUR: LEGEND OF THE LIGHT KEEPER by Kelly Hall






REVIEW: THE LEGEND OF THE LIGHT KEEPER by Kelly Hall

A really enticing and exciting options with a plethora of romantic options for an almost sixteen-year-old girl who has been uprooted, along with her mother, due to a hurricane. Lily (nicknamed Jo-Jo) has always been a single-parent child, raised near the beach. Now she and her mother have moved to the backwoods to live with Mom's fiance and his hot son. They just happen to choose Ghost Light Road, a notorious locale with its own former railroad, former community, and ever-present spooky ghost. To any reader who enjoys paranormal and well-written (minus the angst and sparkles) U YA romance, come ahead on a tour of the very haunted Ghost Light Road.

Author: Kelly Hall

Title: The Legend of the Light Keeper

Series: The Light Keeper Series

Publication Date: March 25, 2015

Publisher: Booktrope

 

After a hurricane destroys her home, Lily Jordan is ready for life to get back to normal. That would be easy if her mother’s recent engagement hadn’t landed her in a house along Southeast Texas’ most haunted ghost road.

 

The secluded scenic road is steeped in rich history and legends, but when Lily is given an old diary on her birthday, will she find that those legends hold more for her future than she’s bargained for?

 

With the help of new friends, Hunter and Owen, and forbidden love, Talon, will she uncover dark secrets from the past and find the key to her own gifts? Is it fate or circumstance that brought her to her new home?

 

Normal gives way to the paranormal in book one of the Light Keeper series where mystery and suspense will keep you guessing until the very last page.

 

 

Author Bio:

Kelly Hall was born and raised in Southeast Texas, and lives in a small town just a stone’s throw from the ghost road where her Light Keeper series is based. When she’s not busy writing, or spending time with her husband and two sons, this self-proclaimed creative junkie dabbles in many different forms of art, including cake decorating and mixed media.

 

 

Author Links:

Pinterest | Website | Facebook Twitter

 



Kelly Hall

The Legend of the Light Keeper Blog tour

 

Creating Strong Females That Readers Will Admire

 

When I set out to write my book, I knew that my main character, Lily Jordan, needed to be strong. I wanted her to be a little independent, at least as independent as a 16 year old girl can be, but I also needed to leave her room to grow.

I’d read many harsh comments about weak female leads in YA books that I knew if I was going to write my own, I needed to give her a backbone and not make her just another damsel in distress.

I could have went the route where Lily is a tough girl, strong-minded, stubborn, and completely content without needing any help from any of the other characters, but quite honestly, how boring is that? As a writer, if I don’t make Lily a little vulnerable where she needs some assistance, there would be no room for her to grow and no need for the other characters. I chose to make Lily a strong girl, but that’s just it, she’s a girl. She’s young, impressionable, in a new place, meeting new people, and then there’s this whole ghost thing too. It would be a little silly if Lily started out kicking butts and taking names without the need for anyone. She’d come across as cold, shallow, and probably a little egotistical if she didn’t need anyone else for anything.

I wanted people to admire, respect, and desire her enough to actually follow her through the adventure or heck, maybe even want to be her.  I wanted her relatable. If you allow your female protagonist to be over-bearing and treat her male counterparts as weak minded and useless, then what is there to endear the reader to your characters? Writing and creating characters is a balancing act. We are all flawed. I’ve always liked to consider us perfectly imperfect people. Give your character some strength but remember without the weaknesses there is nothing to strengthen. Does she need to be a bubble-head that cares only about her boyfriend’s good looks and muscles? No, but make something about her endearing and common enough that she seems real and give her room to grow and progress along with the plot. You’ll create a character that people will admire.



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Monday, March 30, 2015

REVIEW: LONG HILL HOME by Kathryn Pincus



REVIEW:  LONG HILL HOME by Kathryn Pincus

Deep and compelling, simultaneously heartwrenching and heartwelling, LONG HILL HOME is an incredible novel, all the more so as a debut work. The story of a psychopath allowed loose in the world, a man who chooses to follow his own desires while considering other humans chattel, and the strong, empowered woman he decides is his foe. So he chooses to punish her in the most primitive, brutal manner. 

Although there is plenty of action--before, during, and after the assault on Kelly--the efforts of the author in characterization are what made the book so important to me. It's not easy to examine all sorts of disparate characters:  a woman brutalized, her loving husband, the narcissistic psychopath, a young man emotionally oppressed and abandoned by a severely depressed mother, a family of Hispanics despised by society. But author Kathryn Pincus doesn't just juggle these: she fully delineates. I give a full 12 stars to LONG HILL HOME.

Rated 18+ for adult content and issues.


About the Author:

Kathryn Pincus was raised in the New York metropolitan area, received her undergraduate degree (B.A., Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Delaware, and her law degree (J.D.) from the Georgetown University Law Center. Pincus honed her writing skills in her law practice, presenting complex factual and legal matters in clear, compelling, and persuasive writings. Since her “early retirement” from the practice of law, she has filled her days taking care of a busy household and family, supporting numerous charitable and community causes, and writing fiction. More information about Kathryn's debut thriller, Long Hill Home, can be found here: http://kathrynpincus.com/long-hill-home

Long Hill Home [Koehler Books, February 15 2015] is currently available via Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and in select brick-and-mortar bookstores throughout the U.S.

Learn more about Kathryn and Long Hill Home at www.kathrynpincus.com and connect on Facebook and Goodreads.


TOUR: SHADOWS HAVE GONE by Lissa Bryan











Snapshot

for Blog Tour:

Shadows Have Gone by Lissa Bryan

March 19th to April 2nd 2015

 

Snapshot

 

Shadows Have Gone

Book 3 of End of All Things Series

by Lissa Bryan

 

Release Date: March 26 , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre: FICTION / Dystopian/ Romance / General 

ISBN e-book:    978-1-61213-375-1

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

 

~~SUMMARY~~

Carly Daniels knows what it is to suffer loss. She knows what it is to sacrifice. In the two years since a pandemic virusknown only as the Infectiondecimated humanity, shes made choices she never could have imagined. Shes condoned violence in the name of peace and done the unthinkable in the name of mercy. But with Justin at her side, shes also learned theres nothing she cant face and nothing she wouldnt do to protect those she loves.

But now another threat has arrived in the form of a uniformed man driving an army truck, claiming to represent the remnant of the United States military. Someone has set their sights on their community . . . and on Justin. The struggle to defend their little homeland is far from over, and the visitors may have brought more danger with them than just their weapons.

The shadows are closing in. Carly has to find out whether she has the strength to stand on her own when all of her support has fallen away. What remains when the shadows have gone?

 

~~EXCERPT~~

Theres other news,” Justin said. We made contact with a man driving an army truck.

The army?

Someone with the army?

Theres an army?

Whose army? Petes voice rang above the excited babble.

Thats the right question,” Justin said. Whose army? He might have been wearing a uniform and claiming affiliation, but I have my doubts.

He claimed to be from the US Army?

Claimed,” Justin said, stressing the word hard. And his claim had a few inconsistencies. I was in the Army, and I know. Whatever this guy is a part of, its not the army as we knew it.

What did he want?

Said he was out scouting and saw the smoke. He agreed to leave a message outside of Clayton if his people want to get in contact with us again. And I would imagine they will.

Last thing we need is another fight,” Grady said. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. You think they know where we are?

General area. We wouldnt be that hard to find if someone was really searching for us. If theyre really army, then yes, they know exactly where we are as we speak. But as I said, I have my doubts.

Think it will come to a fight?” Pete asked.

Justin scratched his chin. I really cant say. What I can say is that we always need to be prepared for it, prepared to defend what is ours.

What if they really are the army? Would we be America again?

Wait. When did we stop being America?

America is dead.” This came from David, his voice as blunt as a dropped stone. We all saw it die two years ago. I dont know what we are now, but the Constitution sure aint in effect anymore. Theres no government. Theres no social contract holding us together. Thats what America was, you knowa collective agreement of the people. Now were just—” He sliced a hand through the air.

If the army is still active, that would mean there is a government, which would make this still America,” Grady said. Theyd be the governments representatives, establishing order.

Justin shook his head. Youre thinking way too far ahead. Even if they are US Armyand thats a very big ifthey dont have control of the whole country. There is no centralized government, no law enforcement. Theyre not coming to rescue us.

 

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~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

 

Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete's foot...though only in her head. Real life isn't so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.

She is the author of four other novels, Ghostwriter, The End of All Things, its sequel, The Land of the Shadows, and Under These Restless Skies.

 

 

 

 

~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

Twitter Facebook * Goodreads * Website

 

 

 

Praise for Shadows Have Gone

"I laughed, I cried, I was gently amused, but what could I expect? Times are tough, no one is trustworthy and yet there is a sweet innocence about some characters that hit you right between the eyes; they are always so positive and wanting to see the best in others. Once again, Lissa Bryan has taken the handoff from a previous book and run with it at breakneck speeds with barely a misstep in sight!"  - Dianne

 Goodreads Review

 

~~OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES~~

Ω

 

The End of All Things Book 1

 

 

After a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.

 

She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.

 

Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they arent the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.

 

But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.

 

This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.

 

Ω

 

 

Tales from the End Book 1.5

The Horsemen
L.A.'s mayor has declared quarantine to try to halt the spread of the Infection. Pearl sets off across the city to buy supplies, but already the world is changing. Something strange is in the air. The Horsemen are coming ...Veronica
When Veronica's mother doesn't come home from work and no one answers the phone when she calls for help, a nine-year-old girl is thrown into the chaos of a world coming to an end. Veronica decides it's up to her to find her family. "Veronica" is the story of a little girl's courage in the face of the end of all things."I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud"
They called her Shadowfax-- the mare Carly and Justin found on their travels. But before she was found by Carly, the retired dressage horse was known as Cloud. An unusual tale of the end, told through the eyes of a confused and lonely horse, left in her pasture.Birthday
(A previously-published bonus story.) Carly knows Justin has never celebrated his birthday, and after society crumbled, no one knows what date it is, anyway. But she wants to do something special for him. Celebrating the little things helps them keep hope alive, and as a blizzard rages outside, a small gesture of love warms their home.

 

Tales of courage, tales of survival... Tales from the End.

 

Ω

 

The Land of The Shadow Book 2

After surviving the Infection and a perilous journey through the wasteland that was once the United States, Carly and Justin have found a safe home in the isolated town of Colby.Even so, balancing the duties of survival and a growing family isnt easy. As they emerge as leaders, they face difficult questions about justice in a lawless land, basic human rights, and freedom in a world where strength defines worth. More than ever, they have to rely on one another for strength and support during the darkest of times.

The Crisis is far from over. Their fences wont keep the world out forever, and a new threat is emerginga gang of predators who see the town as easy pickings. When danger looms over Colby, Carly must decide how far shell go to protect those she loves.

Its a journey down the long and broken road through The Land of the Shadow.








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REVIEW: SHADOWS HAVE GONE by Lissa Bryan (THE END OF ALL THINGS #3)

What an exciting, riveting, and thought-provoking story! I'm a lifelong reader of apocalyptic fiction, and I love a really well-written story. SHADOWS HAVE GONE is Book 3 in author Lissa Bryan 's  fantastic series, THE END OF ALL THINGS. It can be read as a standalone, but will entice you to read the first two as well. When it comes to the Apocalypse, there can be several different variants of the cause, but similar results. It's the style of writing and the author's talent which makes all the difference. High praise for Lissa Bryan!

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