All posts by tricia kristufek

Review: On Dark Shores 2: The Other Nereia

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On Dark Shores 2: The Other Nereia
On Dark Shores 2: The Other Nereia by J.A. Clement
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“We of Scarlock, we stick together. That is how we survive.”

Nereia is faced with a difficult choice – accept the Other Nereia and stay to protect Mary, or drift away from the beating Copeland gave her. The Other Nereia talks of making the dark waters sweet again, instead of the bitter waters they have become, and Nereia is tasked with completing this. Confused but determined, Nereia must accept that she still has some part yet to play…

Copeland has a plan for Blakey, and Blakey doesn’t think he likes where it’s leading. Down below in the caves, Blakey learns of Copeland’s secrets, including that of the Archangel. But what can he do to stop it?

Picking up where the first book left off, book two is also richly written and full of vividness. The characters continue to grow and evolve, changing from meek-seeming and battered to firmer of will and full of purpose. There is a bit of history added into this book, explaining a bit about Nereia’s past and giving insights into how her and Mary came to be under Copeland’s thumb.

As if Copeland and his decent into madness wasn’t enough, soldiers have come to town, threatening to find Vansel, Mickel and others of their company before their plans can be completed. And, while not seen much in this book either, the Mother is still playing a crucial role in the events of Scarlock. Some new players come on the scene as well, adding to the realness of the town setting and to the drama surrounding it.

What a twisted tale is being woven here. Dark, mysterious, suspenseful, and engaging, On Dark Shores: Other Nereia continues to follow Nereia and the others as change comes to Scarlock – and change isn’t always good.

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Review: On Dark Shores: The Lady

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On Dark Shores: The Lady
On Dark Shores: The Lady by J.A. Clement
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Copeland had already taken eleven years of her life, and there was no getting that back; but Nereia was damned if she’d let him have her sister.”

Change is stirring in Scarlock…

For the last eleven years, Nereia has been Copeland’s thief, stealing trinkets for him instead of going to work in the whorehouse, to protect her younger sister, Mary, from his clutches. But Copeland’s reach in Scarlock is far and his ambitions are vast. Bent on getting Nereia to take on a new thieving scheme, Copeland leans on the chink in Nereia’s armor – Mary. Now they must run or go along with his plan. And no one has ever escaped before…

Blakey’s career as a boxer is over. He finds himself fighting a new type of opponent – whores and shopkeepers and anyone else who owes Copeland. But something changes the night he goes after Nereia and Mary. And he’s not the only one interested in the girls’ escape.

Beautifully written, with flowing prose and vivid descriptions, On Dark Shores: The Lady sets up the dynamic of the town of Scarlock and its inhabitants. While the Mother of Shantari doesn’t really appear in this book, the reader is left with the expectation of finding out her role in later books in the series. The complexity of the characters is slowly revealed, as shown best by Blakey.

While there is no real closure, the plot and character lines are masterfully woven, setting up what is sure to be an excellent series. Dark and mysterious, with a touch of fantasy added to the mix, On Dark Shores leaves the reader wanting more, and not simply because it is short.

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Guest Post: Adrienne deWolfe

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Today I have with me Adrienne deWolfe, author of “How to Write Wildly Popular Romances” to talk a bit about intuition. There’s some good tips in here, so follow through til the end. She also has a raffle going on in May, so don’t forget to check that out also!

 Writing Novels That Sell

Real Magic:  Intuition Helps Author Write Books

By Adrienne deWolfe

Writing fiction has always felt like magic to me — especially when I’m in the creative flow, and ideas are pouring through my brain faster than I can type. I’ve heard other writers describe this flood of imagination  as the whispering of their “Writing Muse.”

But what exactly is a Writing Muse? Continue reading Guest Post: Adrienne deWolfe →

Guest Post: Carroll Bryant

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Today I have YA author/poet/songwriter Carroll Bryant here for a little Q&A session. Before you dig into this interview, make sure you check out his new release, “Of The Light.”
TK: Why did you choose to write YA?

CB: I didn’t really choose it as much as it chose me. That and the fact that when I was younger, I had the best time of my life. It wasn’t until I hit 30 when life appeared to start slowing down a little. I realized that life is more exciting when you’re young so I gravitated to YA for that purpose. I think it’s because when you’re young, and on the cusp of adulthood or early stages of it, you’re allowed to do things that you won’t be allowed to do when you’re older. You’re allowed to make your mistakes. That and the fact that basically, the whole world is at your feet. I mean, there’s so many people you can choose to be at that age. Youth is a lot of fun. At least, it was for me. Not that aging is all that bad. But younger, life moves pretty fast. And I miss that. So I guess I relive those days through my characters.

New Release: Of The Light

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Check out the newest release by author Carroll Bryant, “Of The Light.” Isn’t the cover so pretty?!

Blurb:

Haunted by dreams of a childhood friend, long thought to be dead, Zenakis Vinzant starts to lose control of what used to be a pretty good life. Caught between two relationships, he struggles desperately to find the meaning of everything around him. But these dreams, they won’t let him be. What are they trying to tell him? Where will they lead? And why does the F.B.I. want to talk to him? When the universe comes calling, it is best to just roll with the punches. Ultimately, his new discoveries will change forever how he thinks about Earth, humans …. And them! Finally, the truth is revealed in a most dramatic manner, and with it, an invitation he can’t refuse, but first, he must beat the clock to save the day.

If you had the chance to leave everything and everyone you know behind – could you? Would you? Will Zenakis? Find out the answer in this epic romantic sci-fi adventure that beckons, life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life?

Find out more on Goodreads or buy from Amazon.

New Release: Serenya’s Song

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Today’s new release is Serenya’s Song by Mysti Parker! If you haven’t heard of this wonderful lady, she writes an award-winning blog called Unwritten, and even let me come play post on it this month!

In addition to this announcement, Mysti also hooked me up with an excerpt! Here she is to introduce us to her newest work!

Continue reading New Release: Serenya’s Song →

New Release: Pawn of Mine

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Today I have Tabitha Vale’s new book Pawn of Mine. Check out the cover – the detail on it is awesome. You can get it at Amazon, and you can find out more about Tabitha at her blog.

Blurb:

The world never ended in fire and ice. The people were consumed by it and now control the elements. The Fires have harnessed the power down to an art while the Waters cower in fear of their abilities, remaining weak and hopeless. Seventeen-year-old Sage Sinclair hopes to dispel the weakness of her Water people because she knows that if she doesn’t do anything, no one will. When she discovers something special about herself, she seeks Humble Narcissist Ruler Agni in the great fire city, Saint Firefly. Once she gains his seal of approval, she’s admitted into Erra Academy where she secretly sparks a revolution among her ennui peers—a revolution to fight back against the Fires. She has every hope in her movement, just as long as her feelings for a handsome and frivolous Saffron Larkspur don’t get in the way—that, and Agni’s sudden fascination with her. Continue reading New Release: Pawn of Mine →

Guest Post: John Zunski

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Today I have with me John Zunski, author of Cemetery Street, and he’s got a missing person alert for us. Maybe you can help him out?

Missing Person Alert!

Can you help? I’m looking for someone and I’m offering a reward! It’s a person whose name I don’t know – I don’t even have their physical description; if their likeness was on a milk carton, I wouldn’t know ‘em. I know it’s not much to go on, but, you may know this person, or someone similar. They have to be out there – somewhere. I’m looking for someone who hasn’t loved and lost. If you find such a person, would you do me a favor? Would you ask them if they could relate to my novel Cemetery Street.

If you have loved and lost, Cemetery Street is dedicated to you for persevering through bittersweet memories and endless speculation of what could have been. If you’re up for an adventure, you could laugh, cry, and blush with protagonist James Morrison as he learns that the bonds established early in our lives echo into our futures, shaping who we are and how we relate to the world. If I may be so bold: Continue reading Guest Post: John Zunski →

Guest Post: “Uncle Bill”

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There it is Kiddies, the Kristufek House! Yeah, yeah, I know what the doctor said but surely, it’ll be fine if we just stop by and take a peek. You know, for old time’s sake. Oh my, Kiddies, it just like we left it, except for the house coat and slippers that is. The police are still holding those for evidence. And look, the window is still unlocked. Restraining order? I’m sure Ms. Kristufek didn’t mean it when she filed that against us. Come now, Kiddies, this was just meant to be.

Just let me get comfortable now and… Oh my, I see someone has been doing a little writing. Hmmm, The Finder. He he he, let’s hope no one finds us here or your Dear Old Uncle Bill will be fitted for one of those special jackets again.

Okay now, let’s get down to business. I have a little treat for all you Kiddies tonight, a little tale of death and despair. What other kind is there? It’s a little something from your Dear Old Uncle Bill’s Remnants of the Past series. Now sit back, Kiddies, while I read.

Continue reading Guest Post: “Uncle Bill” →