NEW TO GREAT MINDS THINK ALOUD INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING
CRYSTAL DREAMS
BY
KATHERINE SCHNEIDER
To be released on May 12th on Amazon.com & Createspace
Tag Archives: Reading
Guest Post: Anne Tibbets
Today I have with me Anne Tibbets talking about an issue close to her heart. You see, Anne just published a new book, Shut Up, about childhood abuse, bullying, and depression. If you haven’t checked out her book yet, there will be more details after her post. Even if contemporary fiction isn’t your “thing,” this is a great, quick read about a topic that doesn’t see enough of the light of day, especially lately. But more of that to follow.
Now, here’s Anne!
If She Were Here
By Anne Tibbets
A few years back, after I had just started shopping Shut Up to publishers and literary agencies, I attended an SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) conference, and listened to a bunch of speeches, took a few seminars, and even took one writing class. It was a great conference, and I highly recommend it, if you’re a children’s author or illustrator – but that’s not the point I’m trying to make.
Review: Shut Up
Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This isn’t about her! It’s about me! I’m doing this because I want to! I’m doing this. Me!
Twelve year old Mary can’t do anything right, even when she’s not doing anything at all. Mary’s sister, Gwen, finds any excuse at all to yell at Mary, belittling her and making her feel worthless. What’s worse, Gwen’s gotten pregnant and decided to marry The Creep, causing her family a massive amount of stress – which leads to more yelling at Mary. After enduring for as long as she could, Mary finally plans to escape – which may be the true undoing of the entire family.
Written in mostly Mary’s perspective, Shut Up gives its readers a first-hand look at bullying and abuse. Mary gets teased at school, picked on at home by her sister, practically felt up by The Creep, screamed at and beat by her mother, and yet endures all of these things while her father and brother seemingly sit by and watch. The true strength of Mary’s character is remarkable.
A captivating page-turner, Shut Up brings to light all those little family intricacies that can plague even the most well-intentioned or perfect-seeming households. Readers ride the waves of emotions along with Mary – cheering for her when she does stand up for herself, saddened by her failed attempts to fit in or be nice to Gwen, angry with her at her entire family for the abuse she takes for unknown reasons, enjoying those quiet moments without Gwen – empathizing with Mary’s choice of escape, even if it’s not the best course of action. But Mary endures and overcomes, showing that even in the darkest storms, there is light ahead.
Excerpt: Deadly Addiction
Today, as part of the Making Connections Book Tour, I have an excerpt from Kristine Cayne’s new book, “Deadly Addiction.” Enjoy!
Synopsis of Deadly Addiction
A proud people. A nation divided.
Rémi Whitedeer, police officer turned substance-abuse counselor, dreams of restoring order to his tribe. Violence and crime are rampant throughout the unpoliced Iroquois reserve, and a civil war is brewing between the Guardians, a militant traditionalist group, and other tribal factions. As the mixed-race cousin of the Guardians’ leader, Rémi is caught in a no-man’s land—several groups lay claim to him, but all want him to deny his white blood.
Spring Fling Indie Book Blowout
Announcing Spring Fling Indie Book Blowout!
May 10th – 12th!
Mother’s Day Bonus Day May 13!
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Welcome to Spring Fling Indie Book Blowout – A book lovers Dream!
Go to our website to see all the great books and sign up to win a FREE Kindle!
Spring Fling Free Par-Tay
Announcing Spring Fling Free Par-Tay!
May 7th – 9th!
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May 7th – 9th
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Welcome to Spring Fling Free Par-Tay, A party for readers!
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New Novels for Seniors Venture
Just a quick note today to let everyone know about this great new venture from IBC. This sounds like a great idea to get books into the hands of seniors! Here’s a little more info and some links. Please share with all your book-loving seniors!
The IBC has started a new venture – Novels for Seniors. I’m including a graphic and some links so that you can blog about it if you want.
The principle behind this site is that any senior who signs up on the site will be given one free kindle book each month (from Amazon). This is a book that they can keep, not a loaner. This website has a Facebook page and a Goodreads group that you can check out also!
Website: http://novelseniors.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/novelseniors
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/novelseniors
Review: 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.
Review: 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.
Guest Post: Adrienne deWolfe
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!
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
Tricia Kristufek 