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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Author Spotlight, D. John Watson

The Chronicles of Irindia
Book One: The Gathering
By: D. John Watson



Blurb of The Chronicles of Irindia: Book One (YA Fantasy):


There is another world, parallel to ours, that is in desperate need of a hero. Dark forces are trying to take control of a powerful tool, a gateway that will change the face of that world, and ours. Lord Draga will stop at nothing to bring his Master into the world. The only thing standing between him and his goal is the strong will of the young Empress Alassa. Lord Draga cannot take the gateway by force, it must be relinquished voluntarily. Draga has destroyed whole villages in his pursuit of the gateway. How long will Alassa hold out if the last surviving member of her family is in danger? But there is a prophecy, a prophecy that says a savior will come and defeat the evil taking over Irindia. David Sanchez is like any other normal 13 year old boy. He likes sports, video games, and hanging out with his friends. His father has taken a new job that has moved them 1500 miles from everything David knows and loves. His sister has stayed behind to attend college and his friends are gone, David thinks his life will never be the same again. He doesn't know how right he is. He is unaware of the way his life will change when he makes a silent wish, a selfish wish, because he is angry. In a world where magic is real and monsters roam, one 13 year old boy has been thrust into a world he does not know to defeat a wizard more powerful than any other. Can he find the pieces of the Stone of Irindia and save their world, as well as his own?

Excerpt from the Prologue:


BELOW him stood the object of his quest, the source of the voice that had guided him since his departure from home. The depression was several hundred yards in diameter, and looked like it had once been home to a small settlement or large temple complex. He could see the outlines of several foundations, the remnants of tumbled walls and up heaved stones. Much of the ruins were overgrown with thick vines and scrub as well as stunted trees. It might have been a grand place hundreds of years before but there was little left of it now. Time and the elements had stolen its grandeur, and it was slowly returning to the forest from which it had been carved. On the far side was a dark hump that seemed to melt into the base of the rise. The voice whispered dark promises into his mind, promises of power and magic that would make him greater than his brother, greater than even the father who was trying to hold back his education. Here, he knew was magic that had been denied them both by their father, a powerful sorcerer himself. But there was power that could be learned under other teachers and this teacher was promising him the most secret, arcane arts he could ever want to know. Not even his father would have attempted to enter this world. He would, and he would do so willingly.

I am here the voice told him, and even from this distance Sama could feel its overwhelming power. In all of his nineteen years he had never felt anything as strong as this. This power was so filled with promise. Not even his father, who was exceptionally powerful, could compare to what waited for him below.

What are you?

I am power and magic, came the response, like thunder in his mind. I am everything that you want and hunger for. I am you future, ready for you to claim.

I can’t, Sama said, as he found strength to resist. It was an evil power.

Then you will fall into your brother’s shadow, and be second to him in your father’s eyes. You will be inferior in every way if you turn away from this gift, the voice said in a seductive tone. I can make you more powerful than your father could ever imagine. In me, you will find the means to exact you revenge on all those who betrayed you, imposed their limits on you.

It was true; he was in his brother’s shadow. His younger brother had always been the favorite, the one their father doted on in every way because he found it easier to master the magic that was part of their heritage. He was inferior, and his father had never let him forget that. Sama felt the words brush his mind and revive his desire to be more than others would dare to be. 

Forever eclipsed by a power that cannot reach its full potential, as you cannot reach your own, sighed the compelling voice in his mind.

Deep down he knew it was true, but was this the way? Could he handle the power that was being promised? Or would he succumb to it and be destroyed. His father had warned them both that there was power that should never be embraced. Ancient magic that was both arcane and evil. It was best left to the past and never brought out into the light. Theirs was magic of the light. Very powerful, and in the right hands more powerful than any dark magic. But there were some who delved into the secret arts, plumbing the depths of dark magic for the ultimate source of power. Many ultimately went insane. Others were destroyed by white magic. Embracing dark magic was a road to destruction.

They were ill equipped to handle true magic the voice assured him. Weaklings a zbabělec, the voice finished
disdainfully, using the ancient dark language.

For the past three days the voice had been there. Coaxing, seductive, at times demanding, but always there with answers to fit the questions. As he stood at the top of the knoll and looked down at the ruins below he knew that everything he wanted was only a few yards away. It was there waiting to be claimed and if he didn’t take it, another would. He would return to his brother’s shadow. Sama knew that he had to have it at all cost. For the last three days he had wandered the wilderness in search of the source of his benefactor. 

Come and accept what I have to offer. Again the voice uses an enticing tone. A tone that was soft as a kiss. With it came images too horrible to describe. For three days he’d wandered without rest or food. His dark blue traveling cloak had been left behind the first night, hopelessly entangled in brush. His clothes were torn and his limbs were scratched and bruised from the trek through dense undergrowth and across very rugged terrain. He was ragged looking, with leaves in his normally flawless long dark hair. There was a fresh wound across his cheek. Only the cut of his tattered cloths gave any clue to his status.

Now, standing at the end of the journey, he could see the remains of a structure built into the hillside a few hundred yards away. It was a distinct shape in the foliage. Even though the entrance was covered, he knew it was there all the same. Who are you? He asked.

I am who you need me to be came the soft response. I am your destiny.

My destiny?

Yes the voice sighed. Become what you have always been meant to be. 





Thursday, October 24, 2013

HUGE ANNOUNCMENT


Hello Fellow Bloggers!


I want to make it official. Not, that it isn't, but for some reason blogging helps make it just a little more official. Lol.






Y: (Looking around) Where's my Official Announcer Person? (Smile with relief) Ahhh! There he is. Mr. Official Announcer Person, can you please take it from here?


Announcer: Of course.

Y: Thank you.

Announcer: My pleasure.(Scratches his throat then puts on his best announcer voice)...



Ladies and Gentlemen, Y. Correa is proud to announce the creation and launch of The All Authors Magazine!
THIS is not just your average reading, book or literary magazine. THIS is ALL THAT and more! Make new friends, reach new reader, meet your next favorite Author or Book, and when you get bored of all that, read some great short stories, and a few interesting articles. And when THAT'S not enough, play some games!
The All Authors Magazine; Advocating All Authors, Reaching All Readers!

Please join Y and the All Authors Family at the launch party on Facebook. ALL ARE INVITED! COME ONE, COME ALL! GRAB A DRINK AND PLAY SOME MUSIC. BUT MOST OF ALL, HAVE FUN!



Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Author Spotlight: Vickie Johnstone

Let's welcome Author Vickie Johnstone!




I Dream of Zombies



A zombie novel set in London over six weeks in 2013, with a strong female lead character. 

It starts with a dream and then the nightmare takes over. 

It all begins on a summer’s day with the media reporting with some hilarity that people are dreaming of the dead coming to life, but those who have dreamt them are convinced they are a warning of things to come. Marla takes it all with a pinch of salt until she experiences the nightmares herself. Cue paranoia and disbelief until reality shows its new face. 

All over London there are incidences of people becoming sick and aggressive. As the attacks mount, the media is forced to take the matter seriously, but what is causing it? Is it a virus, and is it natural or man-made, and is the government responsible? 

Marla, her sister, Ellen, and friend Tommy find themselves fighting for their survival as their sense of reality is smashed. Will the army and police maintain control or will the country find itself in lockdown, isolated from the outside world? 

“Good character development, good descriptions...and friggin' scary” – Stewart Bint.


Excerpt:


The dream... 

"A sickening sense of dread ravages him as fear drifts over the surface of his skin like fingers, icy cold and unrelenting. He turns again and sprints towards the exit, his pace becoming increasingly slower as if something is pushing him back. Yet still he finds himself in the exact same position, his feet rooted to the spot, his arms sweeping, useless. His hair blows in the breath that the creature now turns on him, sickening in its putrid scent of death and putrefaction. There is not a word he can think of to describe this thing in front of him. Fear creeps, regardless. Twisting, crawling, the maggots swarm across its bloodied face as it opens its mouth wider. Something rips. The yawn seems to swallow him whole into this darkness of despair as a jagged, ripping pain overwhelms him; the sharp teeth chafing, gnawing at his neck, seeking to pierce the jugular vein within. From far off in the distance comes the ripple of laughter."

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Review of Lunula by Alyssa Auch

Blurb:

The witch knows he will hunt her.

If history repeats itself, as it always does, Wynn will have no choice but to cross paths with her feared counterpart, the warlock. If given the chance, he would kill Wynn, absorbing her aura and obtaining ultimate power. In a desperate attempt to outrun destiny, Wynn moves from place to place, hoping to stray from the map laid out by the Fates. But by chance, on an urgent errand for Queen Alexandria herself, Wynn finds she has fallen into the hands of the one man she so hopelessly fled from. Now his captive, Wynn must guard her secret and that of her kingdom, or risk bringing forth a dark age not seen in hundreds of years.

Warning: Slight spoilers.



Recently, Ms. No Labels Unleashed and I did a joint review on "Lunula" by Alyssa Auch. Following is the final verdict...

Review by Y. Correa (AKA Mini Truth):

Wynn, a young witch (the Witch of the Light) in hiding—constantly running, trying to hide who she really is and what she can really do. Why? Because, if she does not, then the dreaded Warlock of the Dark will find her and kill her in order to obtain her power, thus making him the most powerful being in existence.
Wynn has made it her life's mission to flee her possible captor, because legend says that she cannot and will not survive the encounter. So, she opts to dedicate her time to becoming a spy. What other job would best suit a medieval young woman that is constantly on the run? Nothing.

But, is that really the case?

Wynn barely makes it out alive from her most current mission, and due to her “skills” is called back to see the Queen in order to receive recognition for her great work and yet another mission. The Queen commissions Wynn on yet another assignment. Take a box to the Elven King in order to ensure peace between the two lands.
The mission begins, and for the most part all is going well, until the unexpected happens. Wynn is caught and captured (for no apparent reason—as her captors don't know who she really is) and it is then that the series of event that unfolds begins to turn the story into an entirely different direction.
A man comes into her life. Gethin. He is handsome, charming—though demanding at times—caring, honest and sincere, the perfect chivalrous gentleman. What was there not to like? What female, no matter how much of a prisoner would not be wooed by the likes of him?
Though a prisoner, a streak of circumstances unfold that make Wynn chose between helping people or letting them die. Yet being who she is, she cannot help but help. It's in her nature. In all of this she is risking her life, by divulging who she really is, if someone should find out her true identity.
A group of incredible people come into Wynn's life and she has no choice but to grow fond of each and everyone of them, especially the all charming—and dangerous—Gethin.

A great story, with some interesting twists. Most, I unfortunately saw coming. I enjoyed this story, but if I had any critique, it would have been that I found it to be a little predictable. Also, at some points it felt, a little bit lacking. As if something was missing. This, of course is my own personal opinion.

I enjoyed it nonetheless!

I fell in love with the character of Gethin.
If I had a genie in a bottle, and had just 1 wish, I would wish for Gethin to be a real life man. I'd take him home to Mamma any day! He's just that charming!
I loved Wynn, and found her to be real too. She had true human emotions, and suffered of always feeling cold—something I can relate to all too well. Lol

I think that the culmination was a very compelling and ran true, as I find that there was certainly no other way to complete the story. I applaud the author for her execution therein.

All in all, “Lunula” was an enjoyable read and kept one interested the entire way through.



Review by Ms. No Labels Unleashed:

First of all, I would like to say that I love the cover (see above). The intermingling of warlock and witch along with the difference between the two lands they represent. Mr. John Phillip Cameron captured the essence of the work beautifully.

With first glance, one would think this is the battle of good vs. evil. Why would this work stand out any more than others who have continuously visited this theme? For some, the struggle is tired and redundant, but I think the battle between good and evil is reflective of life: a mirror between good and bad times.

However, Lunula goes deeper than this battle.

Wynn the witch spends the first part of this work trying to prevent her foretold destiny, which is to be killed by the menacing warlock. Her search for information gets interrupted when Queen Alexandria sends her on this assignment, which appears to be a detour to her destination. Unfortunately, during the journey, she gets captured by the gentleman who turns out to be the very person she was trying to avoid, Gethin the warlock. Gethin the warlock is King of the Dristolians, who are enemies of the Irador where Alexandria is Queen.

It was conditioned in her and other Iradorians that Dristolians are evil brutes. During her imprisonment, she is witness to events that question what she’s been told about the Dristolians. One said event occurred when the Dristolian army attempted to get medicine for King Gethin’s younger brother, Gavin. Once the healer discovered that the “enemy” is in the territory, the army not only gets attacked but two members of the Dristolian army get killed. Through that event as well as how she was treated during her imprisonment, Wynn began to shift her way of thinking not only about the Dristolians but her perception of Queen Alexandria, who was not that innocent in her selection of Wynn as the vessel for the dangerous mission.

For more on Ms. No Labels Unleashed Review of "Lunula", visit: The Review Board


Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Author Spotlight, Amber Forbes

Author Spotlight
Amber Forbes
"When Stars Die"



Commentary from Amber Forbes:


I can't really say where the idea for When Stars Die came from, as I started it eight years ago--who knows what was going through my fifteen-year-old mind then. All I know is that I really wanted to write about witches, explain why some people are witches and others aren't, and write a really, really dark story that could arguably border on horror. Oh, and I also wanted to write about convents too. But I started this story at fifteen and decided to shelve it in favor of working on its sequel. However, the sequel wasn't going the way I wanted it to, so I knew I needed to bring When Stars Die out again to make the sequel work. I brought it back out at twenty-one, finished it at twenty-two, and found a contract for it before I turned twenty-three. 




YA Paranormal Romance
Releasing October 2013
by
AEC Stellar Publishing
Blurb:

When Amelia discovers witch blood in her family, she joins a convent to cleanse the taint from her blood. But when she learns that redemption isn’t possible, she unites with the dangerously attractive priest, Oliver Cromwell, to fight for a place in Paradise.







Excerpt:


The sound is a dagger scraping crosshatches on a frosted windowpane, its echoes loud in this insensible room I’ve been locked in for the past few days. I want to remedy my fears over the sound, but I’m more terrified of the impending trials that will determine my readiness to be professed in the Order of Cathedral Reims. The trials are the reason I have been locked in here.

Colette sits beside me, lost in knitting a scarf she has been working on for a week—the amount of time we’ve been trapped in here with minimal food, water, and sanity. Her ability to shut out the world with a click of the needles is something I have always envied. For her, the world is nonexistent.

But not for me.

The sound strips my nerves raw, so I tighten my shawl and rise from the creaking mattress. My boot-clad feet meet the floor, and in spite of my stockings, cold still shoots through the soles, hibernating in my bones. Pulling in a deep breath of biting air, I tiptoe over to the door and press my eye to the keyhole that overlooks a bright hallway. The air freezes in my chest. I knew I heard those blasted shadows, the eerie, almost impossible sounds they make whenever their black cloaks trail along the cobbled floors of Cathedral Reims. Sometimes I wonder if they’re witches, people born of the Seven Deadly Sins and considered worse than murderers in the eyes of the law. Then I remember my little brother is nothing like them. They are mere shadows. Mere shadows.