Night Owl Reviews Magazine, Issue 21 by Night Owl Reviews

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Q & A with an Author Look into the Lives of Authors

Fabulous Fiction An Inside Look

Urban Fantasy and the Paranormal Hot UF / PN Releases Every Month

Leaf’s Legends A Look Inside Legends

A Piece Of My Mind Insights for Writers

SFF Insider Science Fiction & Fantasy Reviews

Dark Streets Suspense at Its Best

Staying On Top Bestselling Authors Share

Inside the Cookbook Find Some Awesome Cookbooks

Teen Reads Young Adult Reads For All

Love and Romance in Color Diversity in Romance

Novel Technology The Low Down on Tech for Readers

History Bits Travel Back in History

Romance Stories To Make You Fall In Love

Featured Reviews Get Insight into 4 Titles Each Month

Lindsay McKenna

Night Owl ReviewsTM WEtap Media, LLC 2459 SE TV HWY, #153, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 NightOwlReviews@gmail.com Editor-In-Chief: Tammie King Director of Marketing: Tammie King NightOwlReviews@gmail.com © Night Owl Reviews 2011 2

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D.L. King Current Release: Carnal Machines: Steampunk Erotica Publisher: Cleis Press Please tell us your latest news! Carnal Machines: Steampunk Erotica was released April 12, 2011 by Cleis Press and I’m over the moon about it! This book contains some of the most intelligently written erotica I’ve ever had the pleasure to read, not to mention it’s really hot! I’ve completed work on my forthcoming anthology, Daddy’s Little Girl: Butch/Femme Erotica, also for Cleis Press and am patiently awaiting its release and I’m also terribly excited to announce that I’ve recently gotten the green light to edit an anthology of succubus erotica, also for Cleis Press. I’m currently taking submissions. The call is listed in all the usual places, as well as on my blog. Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Probably, if a poll was taken, Stephen King would be the clear winner. I hate to follow the pack and I do have lots of authors I absolutely love, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to go along with the majority here and cast my vote for King, as well. I picked up Carrie as soon as it hit the book carrousel in the drugstore and never looked back. A life-long fan, I’ve read everything the man’s written. I lived through the period of his being considered a hack and unimportant by the critics and saw him published in the New Yorker many times over. Not only can the man tell a great story but, he can do it in the most accessible way. Reading Stephen King is like relaxing in a hammock on a summer afternoon, without mosquitoes. I wish I could write like that. I keep trying. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I’m not sure, but I do know I became interested in writing when I was about eight or nine. My interest may have been spurred by reading The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster or The 13 Clocks by James Thurber. Both books made a huge impression on me. In any case, I remember making sure that the aptitude test I took in third grade would show that I had talent in the area and might want to consider a career in writing. I also wanted to be a brain surgeon at the time and the test also recommended a career in the science or medical fields. (Don’t ask me how I did that. Suffice it to say, manipulating those tests was pretty easy.) I didn’t become a brain surgeon and it’s a good thing writing isn’t my only career, but I do write medical fetish stories from time to time… 3

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Fabulous Fiction and Accessories!

port covers and other neat items. Buying from Gail was a pleasure! When she didn’t have the cover I wanted, listed in the size I needed, I simply messaged her to inquire and she made it for me! In addition, I have many ARC’s that are sent to me and are not a normal size. Gail is currently making me a custom cover to fit the books! QuiltSewCover. Etsy.Com offers these homemade, soft, fabric covers in many designs sizes! I absolutely love my covers! They keep my paperbacks neat and clean and are equipped with a bookmark which is built into the cover itself! Another perk to these covers is that no one knows what I’m reading. This is great for my romance novels! While I am not ashamed, there are times where the cover of the book can be inappropriate for the audience I am around. This book cover comes in handy for the park, my job and other public places where I prefer not to display the cover. I highly recommend them! Browse her shop at QuiltSewCover.Etsy.Com and tell her Fabulous Fiction sent you!

I recently discovered wonderful book accessories that have me so excited; I have to share them along with a few great reads! These bookish items are simply too good to keep to myself! Seriously, if you haven’t tried them yet you’re missing out, big time! So here we go… The Book Cover

If you’re anything like me you’ll love this find! I LOVE my paperbacks! Mass market or trade, I buy them all! While I have an e-reader, it’s just not the same as a book. I love the feel, the smell, the experience and the shopping! However, I also prefer my books stay as near to mint condition as possible. I don’t like torn covers, ripped pages or folds and creases. As a mom and business professional, my books go everywhere with me! I discovered that keeping them in like new condition while in a purse, bag or around the kids is extremely difficult. My worries vanished the moment I happened upon my newest find, the paperback book cover! Purchased from Gail at QuiltSewCover.Etsy.Com, these covers are environmentally friendly, inexpensive and made to your personal style and flair. She even has checkbook covers, pass-

The Magnetic Bookmark

If you have not discovered the magnetic bookmark you are missing out completely! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to use a traditional bookmark again. These handy book

www.NightOwlReviews.com marks save your place within a book by folding on either side of your page and staying put via magnetic force. They make it incredibly easy to find your page quickly and efficiently. While you’re reading you can attach them to the back cover! I can’t tell you how many times I have had a bookmark fall out of my book, get picked up by one of my children or simply be misplaced. This has not happened since I found the magnetic bookmark. The prices range from $3.95-$5.95 making them comparable to laminated bookmarks and less expensive than metal bookmarks. However, these beautiful place holders are far more valuable and efficient! PLAYAWAY: The Audio Book

I have never been a fan of audio books until I found PLAYAWAY! This all-in-one audio book is equipped with HD audio technology and comes preloaded and ready to use with ear buds and a battery. This audio book is perfect for walking; running or taking with you anywhere you go! It holds up to 60 hours of content, has five narration speeds and weighs only two ounces! The headphones are inserted into the jack on the side of the unit. The control buttons are located on the back of the unit and are easy to control. The entire book is housed in one unit that is about the size of an eclipse mint container! It’s even equipped with an automatic bookmarking feature that remembers where you stopped listening! Amazing huh? I love this product. You can learn more about these by visiting http://playaway.com. Novels too Good to Miss!

Little Black Dress by Susan McBride I was elated when I received an ARC of Little Black Dress for review. The novel, which is set to release on August 30th, is about family ties, the relationship between mother and daughter and the secrets that surround them all. When Toni’s mother has a massive stroke, she finds herself back home in the old Victorian house she

grew up in. It’s up to her to put her mother’s cluttered house in order. The task is easier said than done. This house if full of secrets! As Toni uncovers the long-buried truths about her mother and her aunt, Anna, she opens the door to a past full of sorrow and mystery. The two sister’s lives were torn apart when a magical little black dress gives each of them a glimpse of the future. Toni’s discoveries shed light to her own life and mistakes while she learns unexpected things about family, love and magic. She also learns about a little black dress that can mend what has been torn apart. This novel is a wonderful read. I enjoyed reading about these characters and discovering the secrets of the past. The magic was a fun addition to the novel and made this one light and breezy. I recommend it! Only Mine by Susan Mallery

Fool’s Gold is back and you can’t win if you don’t play! Dakota’s town has a man shortage but she has bigger problems to deal with. In charge of overseeing a romance reality competition filming in Fool’s Gold, Dakota hits an unexpected road bump while trying to find eligible bachelors. The new sexy stranger in town just may have something to do with it. This romance has wonderful characters, great romance and chemistry! It’s a fun; sexy, light weight read that promises a happy ending! Fans of Susan Mallery won’t be able to quit talking about the newest Fool’s Gold title! -------------------

Tiffany is an avid reader, reviewer and marketing specialist. You can connect with her via the following outlets. Website- http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.comTwitter - @cozyreadersnook – Facebook http://www. facebook.com/groups/#!/pages/A-Cozy-Readers-Corner/152514161454295

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The lazy days of summer are here, what good books are you going to read? The end of summer may be near but the sizzling hot book releases just keep coming. New publisher on the block, Entangled Publishing launched this month with an eclectic collection of reads including several urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels which are already racking up rave reviews: Night Walker by Lisa Kessler, Out in Blue by Sarah Gilman, Paradise 21 by Aubrie Dionne, Break Out by Nina Croft (which actually debuted as an early release in July), Blood of the Demon by Rosalie Lario, Luck of the Devil by Patrica Eimer, Ward Against Death by Melanie Card, and The Marked Son by Shea Berkley. There are quite of few new additions to popular UF and PNR series this month including: Blood Cursed, by Erica Hayes Book 3 in the ShadowFae Chronicles; The Vampire Next Door, by Ashlyn Chase Book 3 in the Strange Neighbors series; Downpour, by Kat Richardson Book 6 in the Greywalker series; Basilisk, by Rob Thurman Book 2 in the Chimera series; Second Grave on the Left, by Darynda Jones Book 2 in the Charley Davidson series; Body of Sin, by Eve Silver Book 4 of in the Otherkin series; Devil’s Business, by Caitlin Kittredge Book 4 in the Black London series; Crossroads, by Jeanne C. Stein Book 7 of the Anna Strong Chronicles series; Blood Sacrifice, by Maria Lima Book 5 of the Blood Lines series; and the one I am eagerly anticipating most- One Grave at a Time, by Jeaniene Frost Book 6 in the Night Huntress series. A few popular authors in the genre are debuting new series this month including Rachel Vincent with the first book in her Revivalist series, Working Stiff and Gena Showalter with her first book in the Royal House of Shadows series, Lord of the Vampires. Fans of PNR and UF will also be treated to anthologies this month with the new releases: The Urban Fantasy Anthology, edited by Peter S. Beagle and Joe R. Lansdale and contains stories by Patrica Briggs, Kelley Armstrong, Carrie Vaughn, and many others; Home Improvement:

Undead Edition, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner which features stories from Charlaine and Toni plus Patricia Briggs, James Grady, Heather Graham, Melissa Marr, Seanan McGuire, E.E. Knight, S.J. Rozan, Stacia Kane, Suzanne McLeod, Simon R. Green, Victor Gischler and Rochelle Krich; The Wild Side: Urban Fantasy with an Erotic Edge, edited by Mark L. Van Name and features stories from Tanya Huff, Caitlin Kittredge, Toni L.P. Kelner, and Diana Rowland just to name a few of the fabulous contributing authors; and Kitty’s Greatest Hits, by Carrie Vaughn which features shorts and novellas Kitty fans have been eagerly waiting for. This month Sookie fans will also get The Sookie Stackhouse Companion, by Charlaine Harris which is an in depth look at Sookie’s family, friends, and lovers get recipes, learn about Bon Temps, and delve into Sookie’s family tree. I don’t know about you but I’m off to update my wishlist. Happy reading. SQAI with Lisa Kessler Author of Night Walker

RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into LK: Night Walker - Paranormal Romance

RR: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words? LK: Haunted, Beautiful, Determined

RR: Can you describe your hero in 3 words? LK: Sexy, Strong, Intelligent

RR: What is one unique trait about your heroine? LK: Her spirit has lived more than one lifetime

RR: What is one unique trait about your hero?

LK: He has a sexy way of never directly answering ques

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tions. His answer is often another question.

RR: What is the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book? LK: His accent and his dark eyes.

RR: What’s the heat level of your book? LK: Hot & Spicy

RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book? LK: Vampire Shape shifters, reincarnation

RR: Name one unique element about your book? LK: My vampire mythology originates from the Mayans and Native Americans. RR: Can you sum up the book in 2 sentences or less?

LK: He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her...

RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book? LK: August 2011, Amazon, B&N, iStore, etc.

SQAI with Katie Salidas

RR: Let’s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into KS: Karma & Melodies is my latest work. It’s a Paranormal Romance novella about a vampire and a rock star getting a second chance at love. RR: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words? KS: Protective, instinctual, and caring.

RR: Can you describe your hero in 3 words? KS: Talanted, determined, and romantic.

RR: What is one unique trait about your heroine? KS: She’s been through ten years of torture, yet still keeps hope alive. RR: What is one unique trait about your hero?

KS: He can see past the monster staring him in the face.

RR: What is the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book?

KS: Marcus voice is powerful, alluring, and captivating. Mixed with Kendra’s poetry it creates beautiful and enchanting songs. RR: What’s the heat level of your book?

KS: Karma & Melodies sits somewhere between sweet and romantic, & hot and spicy. There is definitely chemistry between the couple but little time to act on it. What you get is a lot of build-up and need that makes you crave more. RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book?

KS: Vampires are my paranormal of choice. I just love exploring all of the options out there with those sexy creatures of the night.

RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences? KS: A car crash reunites lost lovers Kendra and Marcus, but instinct and the smell of blood throw Kendra into a ravenous frenzy. She realizes, almost too late that the man she’s feeding on is the one she once loved. RR: List three adjectives that describe your book as a whole. KS: Powerful, dangerous, and absorbing

RR: Can you name one unique element about your book? KS: Usually in Romance, it’s the man who is the vampire and the woman who is the human. I wanted to shake things up and, in this story, I give you a vampire heroine who has to save her human love. RR: Can you sum up the book in 2 sentences or less?

KS: A second chance at love does not come very often. It’s worth fighting for.

RR: Please finish this sentence: The best thing about being an author is KS: The ability to entertain others with my quirky imagination.

RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book? KS: Karma & Melodies is available at all the major ebook retailers: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Sony, Kobo & Smashwords. SQAI with Sarah Gilman

Debut Author of Out in Blue RR: Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start out by getting the name of your newest release and what genre/category it falls into:

Paranormal

SG: Out in Blue is a paranormal romance

RR: Can you describe your heroine in 3 words? SG: Dedicated, empowered, and stubborn.

RR: Can you describe your hero in 3 words? SG: Devoted, affectionate, and capable.

RR:What is the sexiest trait of the main man in your newest book? SG: His uncompromising dedication to his heroine. RR: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the heat level of your book? SG: Sweet and romantic.

RR: What kind of paranormals or paranormal elements are in your book? SG: Archangels, demons, ghosts, and psychic abilities.

RR: Without giving away details, Can you describe one interesting scene in your book in less than two sentences? SG: In my favorite scene, the hero and heroine are sitting on the top of a broadcast tower. RR: Name one unique element about your book?

SG: Fallen archangels are hunted by human poachers for their plumage. RR: List three adjectives that describe your book as a whole: SG: Dark, affectionate, and angelic.

RR: And last but not least, when and where can we expect to find your book? SG: August 2 is the scheduled release date through Entangled Publishing, books will be available at all major online retailers (Amazon, Barnes and Noble) as well as in physical book stores

Urban Fantasy

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berserk The news headlines scream, Man Goes Berserk, and we can’t pass up reading about someone who has gone off the deep end. What is berserk? The dictionary description: violently or destructively frenzied; wild; crazed; deranged. I confess to a moment or two along those lines in my life and this makes me wonder how the word came to be. Like a lot of our words or names for things, berserk came from ancient terms. In this case, the Norse term for a warrior who fought frenzied battles, possibly with the aid of a few mind-altering mushrooms to pump one up before the fun began. Hence, we get Berserkers, those terrifying special soldiers on the frontline of Odin’s army. Dressed in a wolf pelt and carrying a spear, they fought with trance-like fury, striking fear in the hearts of the enemy in an effort to send them skedaddling for safety…if they survived. There is the issue of dress that comes under dispute, depending on the site you land at when doing research. Some contend the wolf pelt and spear were the battle gear of choice, others suggest the Old Norwegian berserkr, meaning a “bear shirt” suggests a robe made of a bear pelt. Then you have the contention in earlier studies that ‘ber’— often interrupted as ‘berr’, meaning ‘bare’ meant they fought naked. Now that would be a fierce sight…a bunch of naked men hyped up on hallucinogenic mushrooms running at you while screaming at the top of their lungs. Though this idea has been largely abandoned, it still makes a great mental image. Translation on the word meaning aside, the earliest reference in literature is a skaldic poem by Thorbiorn Hornklofi that translates: “I’ll ask of the berserks, you tasters of blood, those intrepid heroes, how are they treated, those who wade out into battle? Wolf-skinned they are called. In battle they bear bloody shields. Red with blood are their spears when they come to fight. They form a closed group. The prince in his wisdom puts trust in such men Who hack through enemy shields.” Snorri Sturlson an Icelandic poet who lived in the modern age of 1179-1241 wrote: “His (Odin’s) men rushed forwards without armour, were

as mad as dogs or wolves, bit their shields, and were strong as bears or wild oxen, and killed people at a blow, but neither fire nor iron told upon them. This was called Berserkergang.” The things I love about these poems are the descriptive choice of words. Can’t you just envision some mad guy ‘biting bloody shields’ and warriors not being brought down by ‘fire nor iron’ as they slashed and stabbed their way through enemy lines? No wonder Berserkers earned the reputation of being warbands of ravenous men who looted, plundered and killed. Maybe that’s why King Harald Fairhair used them as shock troops to take down those who didn’t see things his way. Other Scandinavian Kings elevated them to ‘royal bodyguard’ status, which probably allowed them to sleep better knowing who had their back. But all good things come to an end. In 1015, Jarl Eirikr Hakonarson of Norway outlawed the unruly war-bands and by the 12th century they had disappeared. In today’s modern world, in addition to the occasional headline where someone goes off the deep end, ‘berserker’ applies to anyone who fights with reckless disregard to their own life. This context came into use during the Vietnam War thanks to Michael Herr’s Dispatches, Oliver Stone’s Platoon and Adrian Lyne’s Jacob’s Ladder. For the soldiers fighting in the modern army, ‘going berserk’ is prompted by adrenaline-induced opioids in the body and brain that leads them to fight with fearless rage and indifference in a manner similar to the description of ‘berserkers’ from early days. As a final note, ancient warriors who could not afford armor or who sneered at the use of cumbersome equipment, such as the Britanni, were described as fighting naked. That bit of information allows me to end on a positive note…woohoo, men running around naked! --------------------------------------------------------------------

What is berserk?

Award winning author, Lizzie T. Leaf enjoys writing Paranormal/ Fantasy with a twist of humor. Emerging Magic, the second book in the Magical Love series is set to release late August or early September by Passion in Print Press. www.lizzietleaf.com

Night Owl Reviews

What Authors Inspire You? You know one of those questions I have gotten at workshops is “What authors inspire you?” It is a very smart question. I had to think. My answer is a lot of authors have inspired me to be a writer. My first inspiration was due to my aunt Leah. She was a teacher many years ago. She and her class wrote a letter to author E.B. White, the author of Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web. Mr. White replied back to her and her class in a five page letter. She mounted that letter in a frame in her home. Every time I visited at my Uncle Larry & Aunt Leah’s home, I would read the letter over and over and over again. That letter was my holy grail into writing. My second real inspiration is author Ray Bradbury. I found out by reading the Martian Chronicles and Something Wicked This Way Comes that writing is not that hard. Long before I met him, there was a bond between Ray and his multi layered work. The third author who stimulated me and my writing career was author Ayn Rand after I read Atlas Shrugged. It was a mind opening volume that any writer should read. It opened me to magic of the words. So In my great wisdom and a great number of emails from many of you writing me and requesting me to do this, I decided doing another author’s roundtable on this question. Do remember, these answers are the author’s own words and not mine...nor have I taken them out of context. These are what they sent me in their email replies. **************************

When I asked this question to noted audio dramatist Yuri Rasovsky, who adapted for spoken word recording, produced and directed ‘The Mark of Zorro’ for Blackstone Audio books. His reply was George Herriman, Milt Gross. He never gave me a reason, nor was I going to ask. Which writers inspire me? Where may I begin? Heh heh... :) Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group have always inspired me. I would love to be part of a writer’s group that was like the Bloomsbury group. I’m in a few writers’ networking groups and one comes close to being my modern-

day Bloomsbury. It’s a close-knit bunch that is the most supportive group I’ve ever been in. Prolific writers inspire me, including Stephen King, Douglas Preston, and Lincoln Child. I’m very prolific myself and I never give up. I’m also inspired by unique and witty writers like Dorothy Parker, Joe Lansdale, and Oscar Wilde. I want to be known for having a unique, fresh voice and for having a fun persona. And then there are several writers I know online (and one offline) who will go unnamed. They’ve answered my questions about the craft and business of writing as well as a few of them becoming friends. These are the people who not only inspire me, they keep me in front of my computer every day creating new characters and unusual worlds.--Elizabeth Black I’ve always wanted to be a writer I just never realized it until I was a freshman in high school. I had an English teacher, Mrs. Tyler, who for some unknown reason expected more from me than any other teacher. At first I thought she was “picking’ on me, and truth be told, it really bothered me. I remember turning in homework assignments that I was quite proud of and she’d return them with B’s or C’s. Now not patting myself on the back or anything, but I knew those papers were better than the average grade. One day after receiving the typical ‘B’ grade, I stayed after class to confront this woman. I had had enough. I wanted an explanation. No, I wanted an ‘A’. I deserved an ‘A’. After I gave my spiel of why the assignment merited an ‘A’, she looked at me, took off her bifocals and pint blank said “You can do better. Prove to me you can.” I still remember those words to this day- 29 years later. I stormed out of her classroom cursing her up and down. I went home, rewrote the paper and handed it in the next day. A few days passed and she handed the assignment back to me. An ‘A’ was written on the top in red pen with a note on the last page that said, “See, told you” I credit Mrs. Tyler for my love, determination and perseverance to succeed in the publishing world whether as a freelance online writer, a newspaper reporter or author.– author and USA Today columnist Dawne Prochilo I have many varied tastes in writers who inspire me from Shayla Black in the erotic genre to Randy White and Tim Dorsey in the campy murder mystery setting and Dean Koontz who I have loved for years. These writers set a tone and a stage that is masterful in both the writing style and the

www.NightOwlReviews.com creative way in which they tell a story. They remind us that imaginations are wonderful.–Cassandra Dayne (Male Order and Truth, Dare or Dangerous Intent from Rebel Ink Press) Walter Farley was the first writer to induce a love of literature within me. His Black Stallion books encouraged me to read. Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Beatrix Potter, and Beverly Clearly were among my favorites. Next, I have to say that Stephen King opened an interest in horror for me and in recent years. Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series, related that writing can be fictitious yet simple. Each has molded me into the writer I am today.–Candy O’Donnell, author of “Controlling the Urge”, “Ungodly” and Meditation for Busy Mothers (http://www.candyodonnell.net) It’s impossible to name writers that have inspired me through the years without overlooking some worthy individuals. However, I will try. Max Lucado, Stephen and Alex Kendrick, Michael Catt, Dave Pelzer, Mike Huckabee, Diane K. Chamberlain, Beverly Lewis, Christi Johnston, Dr. Seuss, and Jason Brannon have all impacted my life with their powerful writing. I love well-crafted stories of varied content-funny, wholesome, inspirational and unpredictable. When writers can make me laugh or cry and can touch the core of my heart with their gut-wrenching words, that’s when I will love their writing enough to be a fan for life. ----Pat Brannon, Author of the Quirky Kids Zoo I can’t say for sure if any particular author’s inspired me to actually put my fingers to the keyboard. Though, my style of writing—a little left of center—a lot of humor—and totally zany was inspired by Nina Bangs. When I read her title Night Games, I was inspired to let my crazy “what if’s” go wild—Dakota Cassidy The writers who have inspired me are all the mysteries writers I’ve read since I was old enough to read. Mystery/ suspense is a passion I can’t get enough of reading. I have to admit they are an obsession. I’ve been writing since a teenager but didn’t start writing seriously until I had my children grown up. The powers that be say to write what you know, so it just made sense that I write mystery/suspense. I could not write anything else, could I? Well, maybe a little romance added in. After all, I am a woman. ---Faye M. Tollison (Member of: South Carolina Writer’s Workshop Sisters In Crime. Author of: To Tell the Truth, http://www. fayemtollison.com) My biggest inspiration is Stephen King. His works have haunted my dreams since I was eight and read Cujo, and he’s shown me how perfectly acceptable it is to have an incredibly dark imagination and a killer sense of humor to go along with it. Lindsay Klug (author of The Life And Times of Delila and What I’ve Learned. http://lindsaysbooks.webs.com) As a child and later teenager and adult, the authors that led me on my path to writing were Ray Bradbury (the man is a great storyteller), Madeleine L’Engle (I still love Wrinkle in Time), Victoria Holt (my first romance author I read was her and her gothic romance novel, Mistress of Mellyn, was the first romance book), and Shirley Jackson (she can still scare me with her tales). Since then, there have been others, but these four were the ones who set my fire. - Sapphire Phelan (Pamela K Kinney)(http://www.SapphirePhelan. com) Authors that inspire me range from the creepy to the

refined. To name a few: Stephen King, Anne Rice, the Bronte sisters, Katie Macalister, Amanda Ashley, Mary Shelley, and Kathleen Woodwiss. I absolutely love to read new books by any of these authors (if they’re still among the living). I can draw inspiration from Stephen King for a romance project that I’m working on or any author of any genre for something totally different. It’s amazing how a person’s words can affect you for the better part of a lifetime.– Rhiannon Mills (http://www.rhiannonmills.webs.com) Of all the many authors and writers I have read over the course of my life thus far, those who have inspired me write not fiction, my chosen medium, but fact. The late Frank McCourt tapped into his “miserable Irish childhood” with such blunt honesty and harsh reality that his work resonated – yet he also sketched the truth with compassion. The other writer whose work inspires me is Elie Wiesel, particularly “Night”. He also opened an emotional vein to share with the world. The common bond is their ability to write real and engage the reader. — Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy (author of Love Tattoo & Love Scars) At the young age of 5th Grade, I was sent home from school, as were several others, to memorize a poem that held true meaning within my life from any poet that I could resonate with within my life. I knew instantly who it would be Robert Frost. He inspired me at a young age, at a time where I understood very little in my life. My parents were divorced, and I wanted life back to normal. What is normal? I asked myself that question. Normal was my parents getting back together; in a child’s eyes that is what I felt was normal. It never happened, even after all the stars that I wished on so I felt stars were not worth wishing on, unless you wished on a multitude at a time. So I did just that; I wished on many stars. I got the dollhouse one magical day from my Mother, and many other things I had wished for, however my parents remained divorced. I chose my poem instantly, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” Today, as an adult, I do not believe in this particular poem, for I feel that gold can and does stay in our lives, as we have gold in our lives all around us in the people that we choose to have in our lives. My gold today is my daughter and people like you who strive and continue to be artists of the world, inspiring me to do greater things within the art industry, and to aid ill children with partial proceeds of all my published works of art. I tip my hat to the writers and artists of past and present today. Gold can stay, if you allow yourself to be inwardly golden, you will hence attract the golden and silver souls of the world, hence unite with one another to further magnify what is real and just in the world today. –Poet, editor and author Meg Collins Many writers have inspired me for different reasons. The books I read as an adult were Donald Goines books. He inspired me because of his rawness, and he writes with a clarity that makes it easy for all readers to understand his writing. He addresses social issues. Also he addresses the issues in his books from all angles. He showed me it’s important to be objective when telling a story. My other inspiration is Iceberg Slim. He wrote books in the seventies that were mainly about urban America. He inspired me because he uses literature. His books showed me the importance of analogies and similies. I combined the rawness of Donald Goines and the literature of Iceberg Slim and that’s how my

Night Owl Reviews style of writing was born--I.B. FREEMAN, Blog Talk radio host of The I.B. Freeman show and author of MR. H.I.V. I’ll never forget when I read and fell in love with Wuthering Heights as a young teenager. In fact, Heathcliff is still the essential Byronic Hero for me, and that novel impacts my writing. The author who inspired me to consider writing my own novels in the genre is Barbara Mertz (Michaels). I even wrote her a fan letter and still have the lovely postcard she sent in response. Her novels contain wit, spooky atmosphere, intelligent historical plots, and an eye for social issues. If I were ever compared to her as a writer, I would be honored. --Lisa Greer (http://www.Lisagreer.com) Two traits of other writers have inspired me: 1) passion for the subject matter as demonstrated by the intensity of the characters and the credible tension of the events (Suzanne Brockmann knows her Navy SEALS) and 2) confident, knowledgeable professionalism as demonstrated by credentials and ability to explain rationale for their creativity (Lew Hunter, retired UCLA Film Dept chair and former NBC Program Director). I am put off by lazy ignorance and condescending arrogance. --- Sally J. Walker (President, Nebraska Writers Guild, http://www.nebraskawriters.org & Editorial Director, The Fiction Works, http://ww.fictionworks. com) I grew up reading everything from Stephen King to Dickens. In my early adulthood, I discovered Anne Rice. Between the three of them, I think you’d find a trend. I’m a lover of the macabre, whether it’s a terrifying pet cemetery, the moldering scene of Miss Havisham’s wedding feast or a family of witches who are haunted by a lost soul…these books have shaped my writing. I always try to find that grittier side of human existence that would push my characters to take the extreme path while honing my prose in a classic way.----Em Petrova (RUNESTONE-Book Three of the Immortal Series from Red Sage ) My inspiration of drive to write does not come from a specific writer. It comes from the encouragement, support and love of my sister, Marcia who passed on year ago today. She would be so proud of all that I have accomplished and would be the first person to tune into my radio shows, read my reviews to check for typos, and to give me positive feedback. As far as which writers have touched my heart and I feel deserve recognition there are so many that are on the best seller list but personally there are some self-published authors who I feel deserve recognition far above those writers. Jan Britland, Marsha Casper Cook, Patricia Brannon, Daniel Brian Ferry and Cheryl Avery Brown have written books that not only teach a positive lesson to children but are original, creative and definitely equal to that of those on the Times best seller list.--Fran Lewis, author and noted book reviewer **************************

I want to thank all the authors who submitted their opinions for this article. If you are not busy, hop over to You Tube and watch the Interview of me with Candy O’Donnell (look under Bennet Pomerantz). So until next time, reach for the stars!

Suspense

SPORTS

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Element Zero by James Knapp is the third and what appears to be the final book in the Revivors series. A complicated and fascinating science fiction series that questions what you are willing to do to gain a better life or other benefits by allowing the military to reanimate your corpse to serve. After the previous installments in this series, the technological reanimated corpses are frontline soldiers engaged in a war. Agent Nico had uncovered a conspiracy that allowed the scientist who developed the technology for the revivors to control them beyond the grave. The scientist has now infected thousands of humans with the technology that will force them to obey his every command. It will be a new living army that might represent humanity’s future. Nico discovers new threats to the city that the scientist has released. The key to this series is how everyone is forced to make hard decisions. Everyone has an agenda and now they have to deal with the consequence of their actions and decide on whether that goal was worth the price. It has a good story with plenty of suspense and lots of action. I give it four out of five stars. The Revivors series is a memorable series that showcases a new twist on “zombies” and highlights the good and bad of humanity. Hard Spell by Justin Gustainis is the first book in a new series that mixes urban fantasy with a hard-boiled noir detective tone set in a world where America (and Scranton’s) got an uneasy “live and let unlive” relationship with the supernatural. The city of Scranton actually attracts more supernatural elements than most cities so Detective Sergeant Stan Markowski on the Scranton PD’s Supernatural Crimes Investigation Unit has his hands full. Not only does he carry a badge, but also a crucifix, wooden stakes, a big vial of holy water and a gun loaded with silver bullets. The writing would fit any police procedural show (just add in the supernatural!) and the story kept me interested.

Only warning I would give for new readers is there is a lot of profanity and of course violence. For me, I found it in an odd way, a very fun read even though it definitely has some horror elements. And I found Karl just as interesting as Stan and think the two make a good combination to take on the forces of “evil”. Hard Spell is a good book to relax with when you desire to have a bit more realism to the setting while having cops act like cops while dealing with lawbreakers from the supernatural set with a male protagonist. I give this one four out of five stars and look forward to book two in this series! Water to Burn by Katharine Kerr is the second in the Nola O’Grady series. It is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance mix. It has Nola (who possesses oracular and clairvoyant psychic skills) now heading the super-secret Agency’s San Francisco office after the events in the first book, License to Ensorcell. On top of trying to set up “shop”, she now has to deal with Chaos spies and the assignment of Interpol Agent Ari Nathan who is to keep an eye out on her as well as help her when needed (and just so happens to Nola’s boyfriend). Not only do the two need to learn how to live together, but also work together. And the author never lets you forget that Ari’s focus is still on serving Israel’s best interest. Now the two must also find out how a Master of Chaos is using water to kill, which puts a target on Nola’s back for being his next victim. This is the type of story that works best for those who like having a strong female lead who also has a “quirky” family with its own secrets. Plus has a love interest who might have to choose between her and his job one day. The story starts pretty quickly as Nola hunts for the Chaos Master and a subplot regarding her supernatural talented family and finishes quickly. It is an easy read with a mix of mystery, politics, and paranormal romance. I would give it three stars and recommend for those who love having a bit more romance and family issues in their urban fantasy series.

Night Owl Reviews

ASHLYN CHASE

Take an apartment building, load it with supernaturals, then throw in a dollup of suspense….

I don’t know about you, but I like my paranormals to have a bit more substance to them than just “vamp meets girl” or “were meets witch”. As a confirmed Nancy Drew addict and a big fan of James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, Rita Mae Brown and the like, I like a good thread of suspense running through my paranormals (Or any book, really – romance included). If you agree with me, I’m sure you’ll like an author I discovered recently – Ashlyn Chase! She’s an author of paranormal LITE that is not to be missed! Ashlyn was not always an author; she started out a registered nurse, a career she enjoyed for 20 years before discovering her “muse”. She holds a degree in behavioral sciences, worked as a psychiatric RN for several years and spent a few more years working for the American Red Cross where she still volunteers as an instructor. She credits her sense of humor to her former careers since comedy helped preserve whatever was left of her sanity. She is a multi-published, award-winning author who describes herself as an Almond Joy bar. A little nutty, a little flaky, but basically sweet, wanting only to give her readers a scrumptious, satisfying, reading experience – and this series definitely fills that bill! During her

20 nursing years she wrote professional articles. Ashlyn is the author of the “Strange Neighbors” series put out by Source books. If you haven’t tried this one yet, you are really missing out! Paranormal romance with a thread of suspense running through each one, and every book so far has been a treat! My favorite so far has been the second, THE WEREWOLF UPSTAIRS. In a nutshell: Public defender Roz Wells moves into a Boston apartment building filled with odd inhabitants, including shapeshifters, a couple of witches who make a noisy living with their phone sex business, a vampire, a ghost, and other paranormal beings. Roz’s new neighbor, the tall and exquisitely built Konrad Wolfensen, who sports flowing golden locks, is friendly and kind, sympathizing with her over her disappointment in her career choice. He claims to work in security, but they meet up again when he is assigned to her caseload for allegedly lifting a fully loaded commercial freezer, something beyond human capabilities. When Roz and Konrad start a steamy relationship, they decide to try out a series of possible careers, from bartending to jumping out of planes, but something always goes hilariously and catastrophically wrong. Then, when they try to help a neighbor witch and a ghost who is haunting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Konrad’s freedom and secrets are put in jeopardy. Konrad becomes a suspect in a long-ago museum robbery, giving him a

www.NightOwlReviews.com need for his new squeeze’s lawyerly abilities, and they do (with the help of a ghost) uncover the mystery and prove Konrad’s innocence. I’m eagerly anticipating Ashlyn’s third book in the series, THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR. Here’s a brief teaser: Sylvestro Flores was turned the night his daughter was born. A sociopathic vampire named Vorigan Malvant gave Sly a choice between his humanity and the lives of his wife and unborn baby. His wife died at the hospital, but his baby survived and was adopted by a loving family. When she moved into his apartment building at the age of twenty-five, he was over the moon. Now it’s his daughter’s building since she married the landlord. During the day, Sly crashes in a secret hideaway in the basement…literally. When he saves a woman from a mugging, however, Sly accidentally bites into silver. Now poisoned and in pain, he turns to the one person who can help him: the witch Morgaine, who lives in the apartment building. Romantic complications ensue, not to mention Sly’s new business venture: making illegal moonshine. But when the opportunity arises to turn him back mortal so he can be with the woman he loves, Sly doesn’t hesitate to grab it, even though it means a run in with his maker, an evil vamp who’s been stalking him, waiting for an opportunity to kidnap Sly and turn him into his bisexual lover. And then Morgaine turns up missing! I won’t spoil the ending for you – you’ll just have to get the book! THE VAMPIRE NEXT DOOR hit bookstores on August 1! Hmmm…sounds like I might have a new favorite :) Chase’s latest has gobs of romance and plenty of suspense enough to satisfy the most picky reader; I won’t give away what happens next but trust me, this is one book – and series – you should not miss! Ashlyn is represented by the Nancy Yost Agency, and lives in beautiful New Hampshire with her husband. You can get all the latest news on Ashlyn and her books on her web site, www.ashlynchase. com You can catch a Q&A with Ashlyn and Rocco on Rocco’s blog, www. catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com as well! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------By Toni LoTempio – admin by day, writer by night, Toni is the author of several paperback and e-books of romantic and paranormal suspense – check out her website at www.tonilotempio.webs.com and her cat’s blog! www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com Check out her YA fantasy, MY SUPERHERO SISTER and her paranormal romances, NO REST FOR THE WICCA and RAVEN’S KISS. She is also featured in the paranormal romance anthology, KISS ME KILL ME, available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Marcia Colette

Tracy Sharp

Night Owl Reviews

Lindsay McKenna

What are you currently working on?

Reading “Deadly Silence” by Lindsay McKenna really made me want to visit the Tetons National park. Her descriptions were amazing. I couldn’t imagine being that close to a bear in the wild. Forest Ranger Casey Cantrell handled it quite well. A lot better than I would, I imagine. That woman has nerves of steel, though she doesn’t realize it in the beginning. I think eight year old Megan was as good for Casey as she was for the little girl. And seeing them both happy helped pull Lieutenant Matt Sinclaire from his two year guilt. This story really pulls at the heart strings and can get your blood pressure up when you see how callous Senator Carson Peyton is about getting revenge. McKenna did a great job of making him so easy to hate. It’s a good feeling to see him getting what he deserved in the end. Readers are sure to enjoy visiting the wildlife park and watching as Megan comes alive from her two year rut, in which she has been mute. And they’ll be cheering on the romance between Matt and Casey, who both deserve a happy ending after all they’ve been through. This is Book 3 of the series, ‘Wyoming’. I haven’t read the other two but it didn’t affect this story. It is a standalone. But I promise, I’ll be heading over to Lindsay’s website to pick up the first two! Here’s what Lindsay and I discussed this month. How did you feel when you became a best seller? Has it changed anything?

I actually did not know I had been on the USA Today best seller list for two years after it happened. My editors never told me about it. So, while it was wonderful, it was dreadfully late. HEART OF THE JAGUAR, Silhouette single title release, was on that list for 2 weeks. And I never heard a peep about it. That’s why it pays for the author to check out her own standings. And no, it doesn’t change anything. Every book I write, I put 100% into it. I do my best. Some stories, plots, characters are more well received than others. My hope is that the reader always get something of importance out of my book after they’ve read it.

I’ve just put to bed, THE LAST COWBOY, HQN, December 2011. I just turned in my proposal for my latest series with HQN, the Jackson Hole, Wyoming series. It will be book #4. And, I’m presently editing my rough draft on an untitled HQN that is due October 1, 2011 on my editor’s desk. That will be book #5 in the series. I’m also working with my business partner to create a series of iTune/Apple apps (applications) for the iPhone, Ipad and iPod on how to write a book. I already have four apps completed with him (but they have nothing to do with writing). The writing apps are going to be fun because I can put my 30 years of experience of writing into a new form and format for people who want to write. Right now, I’m working on How to Write a Book: Creating Memorable Characters, app #1. I hope to have all five parts to this finished by next April when he comes and we work to put them together. We’re looking at a mid-June, 2012 to release the first app. And then, the other four apps will follow about 2-3 months apart. It’s my intention to help those who truly want to write, to get common sense tools, practical suggestions and my experience to set them on the path to publishing. I love helping people be creative and these apps are a terrific resource for me to connect with people who love to write but need some guidance and support. How do you come up with ideas for your stories?

Just pick up a newspaper, watch CNN or any other news station and there’s tons of ideas. Really, though, a writer has to be an astute observer of the human condition. They have to have “wolf” ears and eavesdrop a lot on conversations. And

eyes like a hawk. The way a person walks, their body language, for example. The shape of their face, eyes, mouth, nose and brows. For me, it’s endless fascination with humankind. I’m never bored watching and listening to people. Every life is a story. Plus, and I feel most importantly, a writer’s own upbringing and life experiences becomes the template from which all stories will spin off. With my military (US Navy) background, I created the sub-genre of military romances in 1983 with Captive of Fate, Silhouette Special Edition. Writers need to write what they know. That way, the manuscript is alive and throbbing with life when it reaches their editor’s desk. Do you outline or fly by the seat of your pants? I can do either/or, but handing in a detailed twenty page proposal to my editor prevents massive rewrites or revisions later. They can spot a weakness and get back to you before you’ve started writing it. Do you add personal characteristics to your characters, whether from yourself or people you know? Are they physical, emotional, beliefs, or other?

A writer can never write outside of themselves in my opinion. And yes, parts of me always shine through the story and characters. And I might take a specific trait (like a twitch of an eyebrow I spotted on a stranger) and add it to the novel. Characters are piecemeal for me, like a jigsaw puzzle that needs to be cobbled together. I use a lot of my knowledge of astrology to create a character. I create a birthdate for them, erect their astrology chart and that tells me a lot about them,their focus, their wounds, their strengths and what is important to them. And it can be spiritual, mental, emotional and physical that I weave into the character. I have a form that I created a long time ago when I taught in adult education at Kent State University and Akron University in Ohio. I use it to this day. I’ll be putting out an iTune/Apple app (application) on it next year. It will be part of my How To Write a Book series and it will be entitled, How To Create a Memorable Character. How long does it take to write one novel?

I do a chapter a day until it’s completed. I call it being in the “writing harness.” For example, an HQN would be 22 chapters long, so I’m writing a chapter a day for 22 days. How many revisions do you go through before you submit a novel? I write the rough draft and then edit it once.

What’s your writing process like? Do you have a specific

routine, or certain necessary items before you write? Scents, clothes, music, etc. When I’m in the “writing harness” I write daily unless there’s some “act of God” that takes me out of it. Life does happen and sometimes, I will miss a day or two, but I don’t get dramatic or emotional about it. My routine when I write is 8am to noon. I can write a chapter (rough draft) in that time. This is one of my key creative times. The other is 8pm to 11pm, but I don’t like to use it unless I have too. Sometimes I will put on some dramatic movie soundtrack music when writing an exciting, suspenseful or dramatic scene. Usually, I have “elevator” music playing softly in the background (KAHM radio, Prescott, Arizona, 102.1). How did you get into writing? Was being a published author something you always wanted?

I knew at age 9 that I was either going to be an artist or a writer in this lifetime. At age 13, I had the writing ‘bug’ lightning bolt through me and I wrote every day. I’ve never looked back. I’m grateful to do something I love and that it is received around the world by my readers. Is writing a career, or do you have another job? Maybe a full time career? I have a full time writing career since 1980. And I’m very grateful to my publishers, editors and readers who continue to purchase my books/ebooks. Without them, I wouldn’t have one. Do you have a mentor?

No, I had none, really. I came up the old fashion way--I wrote every day to refine and hone my writing craft. I had no RWA (they weren’t even born)_ and wrote from age 13 to 35 before I broke into publishing. I did have one class in fiction writing when I was 24 years old and the woman who taught it was wonderful and I learned a lot from her. If you’re asking about teachers, then Mr. William Gross, my 12th grade English teacher singled me out as having definite writing talent. He called a parent-teacher confab with my parents to urge them to send me to college to get a degree in English. I really didn’t want to go and we really didn’t have the money. His enthusiasm and belief in me, however, fueled me all those years. Teachers have AMAZING and profound influence on us. I thank him to this day for all he did to believe in me and my talent. And my 9th grade English teacher, Mrs. Linninger, helped me over the hurdles of grammar. Teachers rock in my book ;-). Do you like to hear from your fans on social networking sites?

Night Owl Reviews My readers are intelligent men and women who have insightful comments to share with me. And I do love to hear from them. The best place to catch me is on Twitter where I give a daily writer’s report on what’s going on in my writing life at http://twitter.com/lindsaymckenna Or on my Facebook page where I’m listed under my “real” name, Eileen Nauman. http://www.facebook.com/ eileen.nauman I also have an eclectic blog that covers all my interests and what I feel are important to me: http://www.blog. medicinegarden.com/. And if people are interested in astrology/medical astrology, that blog is: http://www.medicalastrology. medicinegarden.com. And if readers want to find out the latest in my writing area: http://www. lindsaymckenna.com. Do you have any advice for fellow authors?

If the author is published,they already know the rules to the road. For aspiring writers, I would say: Always be a professional. And writing is a business. When you get rejected, it’s not personal. It just means one person felt your book idea,

for a million possible reasons, wasn’t ‘right’ for that house. You don’t want to get hooked into rejections. I had ONE THOUSAND REJECTIONS before I broke into book print. Try the next house and resubmit. Never gossip about another author, editor, agent. And if something is said to you in confidence, you don’t “tattle” it to anyone else. Things have a way of getting back to that person if you do. And publishing is a very small community where such things magnify large. This goes back to being a professional, of course. I keep a lot of stories, secrets and experiences to myself simply because it would be unprofessional as a business person to divulge them. And perhaps it boils down to this: The Art of Discrimination must be practiced diligently by every writer--all the time. Your career hangs on it. Your standing in the publishing community is your only entrance to it. Editors want a professional, business-like attitude from the writer. It makes things easier for both parties. Editors aren’t your friends. And they won’t ever be. They are in the business of buying books and you’re in the business of selling them. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a respectful, cordial relationship with an editor, of course. But the writer, especially, needs to hold in front of her that writing is a business only.

Make and Do Cook by Roger Priddy

Easy to follow recipes are illustrated with step-bystep instructions to ensure successful and exciting results. 20

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Poor Girl Gourmet: Eat in Style on a Bare Bones Budget by Amy McCoy

Poor Girl Gourmet starts off with background. The author is a food lover, aren’t we all, and she wants to eat as healthy as possible on a budget. I agree whole-heartedly that we all need to choose the best food possible from the closest local food source. It’s always good to know where and who your food comes from. The next section includes great tips about how to cook at home instead of eating out, how to plan your meals from clipping coupons to setting them on the table and she even hints about how we should all attempt to grow some of our own foods. Check, check and check. I so agree. This book gives plain, simple tips on how to prepare, and eat, real food. Everything from how to roast garlic (yum!) to how to create your own vegetable stock is included. Each recipe includes how many it serves, how much total you will spend for the ingredients and a picture. It doesn’t get much better than that in recipe land folks. I can’t wait to try the green tomato chutney. A lot of summer and pasta recipes are included, which makes sense considering the budget aspect. Chef Chirarello, from the cookbook I read last month, swears by Barilla pasta. He says it is not only economical but they put out a quality product. The house made pasta in Poor Girl Gourmet is to die for and that’s homemade and extremely cheap to make. Two awesome options. A short, but insightful, section of this book discusses the berries of summer and canning. If you haven’t started your canning yet- you’re almost out of time. Any local farmer’s market should have tomatoes, veggies and berries galore right now. Freeze or can them and you’ll have fresh from the garden all winter long. There’s nothing better than fresh blueberries in January. Featured Recipe: Watermelon-Lime Granita Serves 4, under $5.00

4 cups of cubed, seedless watermelon (2 ¾-3 pounds) ½ cup sugar The zest and juice of one lime

Remove any visible seeds from the watermelon first. Place 2 cups of watermelon and ¼ cup of water in your blender and whir away. Pour the pureed watermelon into a large bowl (at least 4 cups) and repeat with the remaining 2 cups of watermelon and another ¼ cup of water. Add the sugar, lime zest, and lime juice to the mixture. Stir to dissolve the sugar completely, then cover the bowl and refrigerate it until the watermelon mixture is chilled, at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Once the mixture is good and chilly, process it in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer the now frozen concoction that would make a rancher rather jolly to an airtight container, and freeze for an hour to allow the mixture to fully set. After eating picnic fare, or BBQ, or heck, even after some penny candy, serve the granita forth. ***Poor Girl Gourmet is a fantastic collection of simple fare food that is good to eat and light on the pocket book. I’ll be trying many more of these recipes in the future. (And saving money while I do it!)*** Looking forward: Next month I’ll be reviewing Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove Cookbook. I am a huge fan of this author. I’ve read the entire Cedar Cove Series and I’m excited to see what recipes these characters share! Pamela Reviewer/Freelance Writer www.thefantasticfoodie.wordpress.com

Night Owl Reviews

Hi readers. It’s Tammie King stepping in for Monica this month. I have a really great Young Adult series and author to introduce you to. I’m a huge fan of paranormals and The Thaneaddus Chronicles / Beautiful Sins series partially takes place in my home state of Oregon. The series includes a wide range of paranormal characters from royal vampires and vicious werewolves to new species. The author of this awesome series is Jennifer Hampton and she is self publishing her titles. You will find some grammatical errors in her books, but at just $0.99 each she if giving you a great deal to make up for it. Plus her stories are just too good to pass up. I downloaded book one for FREE via the Amazon Kindle app. I’ve purchased the whole series and I’m currently reading book 3. You can find the Beautiful Sins website at: http://beautiful-sins.com Here is how the series goes:

Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery | Book #1 The skies of the Dark Coast, the Pacific Coastline of U.S. States has been infected with a strange chemical reaction from a military experiment gone awry. Constant cloud cover rules over the lands. Leigha Lowery, a sixteen year-old popular fiction writer in the local free press is pulled from the only home she knows in Detroit, MI when her mother decides on an impulse to marry a doctor she’s been dating over the internet and moves to the small town of Banks, Oregon. As she adjusts to her new life of wealth and power, she begins to realize that the rumors about the Dark Coast aren’t even close to what she’s witnessed. Prince Alexander Sommers, the son of King Royce, and heir to the throne has taken a fascination to her. He pulls her into a world of vampires, werewolves, witches, and many other creatures of the night that have decided to make the Dark Coast their home.

Beautiful Sins: Olivia Lowery | Book #2 My name is Olivia Lowery. I’m a wealthy socialite residing outside of the Dark Coast, on the Upper East Side no less. I’m beautiful, I’m privileged and I can have just about any guy that I want. That is… until the morning of my sixteenth birthday. That’s when I discovered something different about myself. When I got up that morning and looked in my fancy antique vanity mirror; my eyes were different… But what I didn’t realize was the meaning behind it, and how it would change my life forever. I’m not human, this much I know. I have the ability to lift full-sized taxi cabs with the lift of a single finger, I can jump out of eighteen story buildings and land with minor scratches. My senses are intensified. I anticipate danger before it happens and my reflexes are flawless. I keep teleporting to a girl

I’ve never met; and the worst part is, she looks exactly like me. With my vile step-brother as my Seeker, and assistant; together we will save her.

Beautiful Sins: The Sacrifice | Book #3 As Leigha and Olivia try to readjust their lives on The Dark Coast, changes rapidly come into play when everyone is forced to sacrifice someone they hold close to their hearts in order to move forward with the prophecy. Leigha comes to terms with her true identity, while Olivia’s loyalty is constantly tested. While the girls hang out with their friends on a school night, they are attacked by nomad teenagers from The Lost City (Old Los Angeles), where King Chrisitan reigns. Christian’s coven has almost bled his area dry; and now his coven seeks further sustenance outside their lands. Leigha must enter the unknown as the princess she once was and bring the lands back to order. Meanwhile, Olivia struggles with her strong desire for the one Vampire she knows she can never have; Prince Gabriel.

Beautiful Sins: The Divide | Book #4 The encounter with King Christian has turned out to be more than what Leigha had anticipated. Now, as a Princess, Leigha is going to discover more about herself than she imagined. Leigha discovers she holds more of a connection to King Christian than she was told. Olivia also makes some discoveries of her own. She finds out the real reason why her mother died and seeks vengeance. There is a powerful creature lurking in the Lost City, a creature that cannot be destroyed. It’s called the Crael, and it is Dr. Connally’s creation of the perfect warrior. Things take a turn for the worst when Olivia’s battle with the Crael turns to confusion. With Leigha and Olivia’s strong similar features, the Crael does not understand which beauty is the enemy. Fearful of Olivia’s fate, Leigha’s powers awaken in her determination to save her sister. However, that opens the doorway to more complications. Somehow, Dr. Connally has discovered the missing link to the creation of his perfect warrior; Olivia’s blood. Throughout Leigha and Olivia’s struggles, the girls will learn that they will have to divide in order to survive. But will they remain sisters or enemies while they continue this fascinating journey in the discovery of their true destinies? Beautiful Sins: The Secret Door | Book #5 - In the Works

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The Hottest Genre You’ve Never Read Lately, male/male romance (MMR) has grown in popularity and found a wider audience. The majority of its readers are heterosexual married women, the same demographic that makes up a large portion of romance readers in general. To learn more about MMR, I solicited the help of my friend, Sharita Lira. Sharita writes traditional romance as well as MMR, and she’s one of the founding members of It’s Raining Men, a blog whose mission is to offer the gay male community and those that identify with it quality, entertaining gay content. Sharita, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hmm, well that about covers it. I write mostly m/m erotica romance under three pennames: Rawiya, BLMorticia, and Michael Mandrake. I’m a married mom from Chicago with two lovely children. Is the typical MMR writer male or female?

Well, in all honesty, there is no such thing as typical. M/M writers or gay fiction writers come in many forms. You would think a lot of them would be gay men but there are a good number of women who are hetero, even some that claim to be lesbian or even transgendered. The wonderful thing about writing is that it doesn’t really matter who you are in real life, or let’s just say, it shouldn’t. The deal is, can you write a good story to gain and entertain an audience? That’s the key.

What kind of growth have you seen in the MMR genre over the past few years and do you expect it to continue? Well, I’m a newbie, but from those who’ve been doing it longer, they say it’s grown in leaps and bounds. The amount of players has increased by the hundreds and thousands. As gay men are more accepted into our society, I see this trend

continuing. Do I see this soon? Unfortunately, no. There is still too much prejudice and intolerance. Why do you think MMR is so popular among heterosexual women?

Well, women are naturally sensual creatures. I believe because of that, the sensuality between two men appeals to them. Also, we are more visual and in our mind’s eye, viewing two men in an embrace or in love arouses a lot of females. Not all, but some. Also, I think women are more tolerant of gay relationships. For whatever reason, men think they cannot even read a gay book because it would make them gay. In my mind, this is b.s. It’s like saying if you read Stephen King this makes you a serial killer. So silly! What are the similarities between MMR romance and traditional romance?

Lots, more like everything except the characters. Male on male relationships have the same trials as hetero. They have communication issues, questions of fidelity, they wonder if their partner loves them enough, marriage, kids, etc. Like I said, there really isn’t that much difference, just the…“equipment.” Are there any noticeable differences between the two?

Night Owl Reviews The “equipment,” and let’s add the intolerance in there too. People still don’t accept it so this is brought out a lot in gay romance. It’s the sad reality and since fiction mimics life at times, we writers express that in the creative process.

Bernardo de Rodrigo is proud of his son. Alonso is handsome and everyone he meets is instantly drawn to the tall, warm Spaniard. But how could either of them have known that a forbidden love is about to claim Alonso’s heart? Arbol, the charismatic male slave who was saved from the clutches of Raul Ignacio Martín, feels an instant connection with Alonso, the moment he looks into Arbol’s eyes, the moment they touch. Undeniable Magnetism by Bonnie Dee

Are there any publishers that focus on MMR?

Ah lots! Dreamspinner Press, JMS Books, Torquere, MLR, and one of my publishers, STARbooks. That’s only a few. A big thank you to Sharita for being so gracious to answer my questions. Her first interracial male/male romance, My Lieutenant, will be available from Rebel Ink Press in September or October of this year under the penname BLMorticia. You can find her online at http://www.thelitriad.com. If you’re new to the MMR genre, the following books will get you started. You can also visit the It’s Raining Men blog (http://rainingmenamen.blogspot.com/) to receive updates on new releases. Straight Through the Heart by Remmy Duchene

Ash Archibald wakes up one morning to find his best friend gone. This sends his heart into a spiral of confusion, pain, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. Keith Hudson is Jamaican and in his family he can be anything he wants - a drug dealer, or a university drop-out - anything but the biggest taboo - gay. When Ash shows up at his door, Keith now has to face the anger of a best friend scorned and the possibility that he could lose his family forever. Sex & Chocolate by Reese Johnson

When Simon walks into Jay’s bar for a drink, he never expects to find himself having an afternoon quickie in the back room. Jay is ready for Mr. Right, and when he meets hot, hunky Simon, he believes he’s found his match. Can two men from different backgrounds find common ground? The Other Side by Shawn Lane Dr. Ray Carmichael is a wealthy African-American doctor and political activist running for office. Nick Sorenson is a white cop who grew up poor and almost lost his life in gangs and crime before turning his life around by joining the police force. When Ray’s brother is beaten by a couple of police officers after a traffic stop, Nick is the Internal Affairs detective put in charge of investigating the incident. Dr. Carmichael’s obvious distrust of the police force rubs Nick the wrong way, and the man becomes a pain in his neck. Too bad, because neither of them can deny their attraction to each other. Winner Takes All by Cheryl Dragon

Jim Williams is tall, black and beautiful and when he meets gorgeous Steve Wheeler, the attraction is instantaneous and hot! Steve Wheeler hasn’t been with a man in more than seven months, but when he meets his new associate, Steve wants to know more about Jim. When Jim’s ex-lover, Alan, comes back into his life with devastating news, will it be more than Jim and Steve’s new love can survive? Casa Rodrigo by Johnny Miles

Kyle wants Jim and Kyle gets what he wants no matter how hard he has to fight. As competitors at a tradeshow, they show off their martial arts skills to demonstrate their products, but they soon discover they share a fetish for taking wrestling and fighting to the next level—late night wrestling matches that end with the winner getting whatever he wants. ---------------------

Delaney Diamond is the best-selling author of African-American and interracial romance. Her second release in the Hot Latin Men series, Fight for Love, is now available. Enjoy free reads on her website at www.delaneydiamond.com.

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Why Won’t My Book Open? .ACSM / Adobe Digital Editions? There are many e-book file formats available to read a favorite author’s series installment or a standalone edition. One popular file format that many publishers use for distribution of their e-books is .ASCM. This is a protected DRM (Digital Rights Management) format via Adobe Digital Editions. Unlike the Epub, PDB and standard PDF formats, an Adobe Digital Edition (ADE) PDF file uses a small intermediary file called a urllink.acsm, to facilitate access and downloading of e-books. Every ADE e-book has an urllink.acsm file associated with it that notifies the Adobe Content Server which files to authorize an account/device the ability to access. This effectively locks your copy to your account and makes it so that no one else can read your copy aka protecting against piracy. Before purchasing or downloading your first Adobe Digital Edition PDF you should make sure that you do the following things: Install Adobe Digital Editions from www.adobe.com on your computer. The site has all the instruction that you will need. (I use this as a portal for all of my ADE e-books that I review via NetGalley. When doing the install make sure to create yourself an account. You will need this in order to authorize your computer & compatible devices to be able to download and access your e-books You are required to activate your software before downloading to identify that you are the rightful owner of the book. In the case of Adobe Digital Editions you can opt not to authorize the software, but if you do this you will not be able to transfer the eBook(s) to other devices you own and in the event of having to reinstall Digital Editions it may not be able to open your existing eBook(s). Courtesy of *http://ebookreadersoftware.wordpress.com While clicking on the download this e-book indicator from a public library website or e-bookstore does launch a download sequence, it is this urllink.acsm file that is downloaded to your desktop, laptop or some other ADE compatible device. Each urllink.acsm file downloaded will be incrementally indexed, if you download more than one i.e urllink.acsm, urllink(1).acsm,

etc. Once you click on the download a dialog box will appear offering you the option to open or save the file. Remember this is just the intermediary file not the e-book itself. If you choose to open the urllink.acsm file immediately, this should launch the Adobe Digital Edition program and begin the authorization and actually e-book download. If you choose to save for later and your computer is asking you where to save the urllink.acsm file then your Adobe Digital Editions may not be installed correctly or not yet authorized. Often you can solve this issue by simply setting your computer to always use Adobe Digital Editions to open this type of file (in Windows XP, for instance, right click on the file and choose Open With, select Adobe Digital Editions and tick the box to tell Windows to remember the setting; for other operating systems read documentation). Courtesy of *http://ebookreadersoftware.wordpress.com Once you have downloaded the .acsm file, launch Adobe Digital Editions and navigate to where you saved your downloaded urllink.acsm file. Drop and drag it to the ADE window. The file should immediate start the download of the e-book. Once the e-book has been downloaded, you can navigate to the Adobe Digital Editions folder, in Windows that’s under the “My Documents” folder. Use a drop and drag to copy your e-book or you may email it to yourself for use with a ADE Compatible device. There are a number of iDevice and Android apps available that will open an ADE e-book from an email. Use the BlueFire Reader app to read .ascm files on an iPad. Well, that pretty much wraps up this edition of Novel Technology “E-books and Technology Made Simple. As always I hope that find this information is helpful and have a pleasant reading experience. I currently own a classic nook wifi-3G, an iPod Touch 4th Gen and an iPad wifi-3G. You would probably ask why so many, the nook is more for indoor reading for me, while the iPod touch is that on the go reading in line at the bank, waiting for a movie to start etc and the iPad is used for long term review reading and annotating. I still purchase my favorite authors in Imprint books, but my library has grown exponentially since I have embraced the eBook technology.

Night Owl Reviews

Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia

Monster Hunter Series #3 Dirty Harry meets Twilight. #3 in the break-out series and a follow-up to Monster Hunter International and Monster Hunter Vendetta. Earl Harbinger may be the leader of Monster Hunter International, but he’s also got a secret. Nearly a century ago, Earl was cursed to be werewolf. When Earl receives word that one of his oldest foes, a legendarily vicious werewolf that worked for the KGB, has mysteriously appeared in the remote woods of Michigan, he decides to take care of some unfinished business. But another force is working to bring about the creation of a whole new species of werewolf. When darkness falls, the final hunt begins, and the only thing standing in their way is a handful of locals, a lot of firepower, and Earl Harbinger’s stubborn refusal to roll over and play dead.

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

My name is Dr. Jennifer White. I am sixty-four years old. I have dementia. My son, Mark, is twenty-nine. My daughter, Fiona, twenty-four. A caregiver, Magdalena, lives with me.Alice LaPlante’s Turn of Mind is a spellbinding novel about the disintegration of a strong woman’s mind and the unhinging of her family. Dr. Jennifer White, recently widowed and a newly retired orthopedic surgeon, is entering the beginning stages of dementia — where the impossibility of recognizing reality can be both a blessing and a curse.As the story opens, Jennifer’s life-long friend and neighbor, Amanda, has been killed, and four fingers surgically removed. Dr. White is the prime suspect in the murder and she herself doesn’t know if she did it or not. Narrated in her voice, fractured and eloquent, a picture emerges of the surprisingly intimate, complex alliance between this pair — two proud, forceful women who were at times each other’s most formidable adversaries. 26

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This month I’m presenting some military and combat titles. In Achilles in Vietnam, Jonathan Shay provides an intriguing premise. Simply put, that Homer’s The Iliad can give a better understanding of what happened in Vietnam. One comparison put forth in the book is the battlefield experience of Petroclus and Agammemnon with the common soldier. Another is the rage felt by both Achilles and many American soldiers in the conflict. Dr. Shay’s premise stems from his treatment of Vietnam-era veterans with severe Post-Traumatic Stress disorder. Other reads that might be of interest:

On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman with Loren W. Christensen

Blurb: On Combat looks at what happens to the human body under the stresses of deadly battle the impact on the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception, memory - then discusses new research findings as to what measures warriors can take to prevent such debilitations so they can stay in the fight, survive, and win. A brief, but insightful look at history shows the evolution of combat, the development of the physical and psychological leverage that enables humans to kill other humans, followed by an objective examination of domestic violence in America. War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation’s Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by Edward Tick

Blurb: “The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 16

percent (one in eight) of returning Iraq veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. Such vets typically can’t hold jobs. They are incapable of intimacy, creative work, and self-realization. Some can’t leave the house because they are afraid they will kill or be killed. The key to healing, says psychotherapist Ed Tick, is in how we understand PTSD. In war’s overwhelming violence, the soul—the true self—flees and can become lost for life. He redefines PTSD as a true identity disorder, with radical implications for therapy. First, Tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. Then he describes in depth PTSD in terms of identity issues. Finally, drawing on world spiritual traditions, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness. War and the Soul will change the way we think about war, for veterans and for all those who love and want to help them. It shows how to make the wounded soul whole again. When this work is achieved, PTSD vanishes and the veteran can truly return home.” Courage After Fire: Coping Strategies for Troops Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and Their Families by Keith Armstrong, Dr. Suzanne Best, and Dr. Paula Domenici, with a foreword by Sen. Bob Dole

Blurb: Provides possible ways for returning veterans to deal with coming home, finding their way back into society and their families. Also provides a guide in how to deal with such repercussions of combat duty as PTSD, anxiety, depression and substance abuse and ways to treat them. The book also has tips on how to rejoin the workforce, reconnect with children and how to improve couple and family relationships.

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Get Tangled Up With a New Publisher This month, a new “boutique” publisher launches. Entangled Publishing (http://www.entangledpublishing.com) features a variety of romance genres, including contemporary, paranormal, fantasy and what they’re calling “new adult,” which features protagonists between the ages of 17 and 22. In order to get a taste of their offerings, I’ve sampled a few titles and let me just say: delicious! So let’s take a look at some of the debut titles: Luck of the Devil | Patricia Eimer

Patricia Eimer offers a freshness as an author that’s completely adorable. Her witty writing in Luck of the Devil perfectly mirrors the subject of the youngest daughter of the Devil. Yes, you read that correctly: The Devil, as in the most vilified creature in the universe. For those who think they have it bad, imagine Faith Bettincourt’s experiences with “meet the parents.” All Faith wants to do is live a relatively “normal” life working, hanging out with her roommate, and – well – phasing from one location to another. (There are some benefits.) Instead, she’s plagued with an impromptu family reunion, haunted by the ghost of her boss, and – oh – someone’s either trying to kill her or simply steal her powers. Eimer puts a different spin on the mythology, and explains the Devil/God relationship as a kind of ying-yang. One cannot exist without the other, and the Devil simply got the “short-end” of the bargain. Luck of the Devil makes the reader laugh, and you can easily imagine Eimer giggling as she wrote it. I’ll look forward to reading more from this author.

Blood of the Demon | Rosalie Lario

When a drop-dead hunk walks into Brynn Meyers’ art gallery, she quickly questions her instant attraction; that is, until he knocks her out with one punch to the face and kidnaps her. And so starts Lario’s Blood of the Demon. Doesn’t sound like the ideal beginning for a romance? Well, how about if the “attacker,” Keegan, is trying to protect Brynn, and save Earth from being destroyed? And he can heal her battered face? From their rocky introduction, the chemistry between Brynn and Keegan quickly ignites, and the reader finds out that it’s more than just chemistry … As the key to the potential Apocalypse, Brynn is surprised to learn that the powers she’s taken for granted her entire life actually come from her heritage. While Keegan finds himself drawn to Brynn, he tries to keep his distance. As a demon, from an alternate dimension, Keegan and his three half-brothers must stop the destruction of Earth, and track down the one planning its demise: Their evil, insane father. Lario’s writing engages the reader, and she uniquely develops likeable characteristics to each of the brothers. I’m hoping that we’ll get the full story on the youngest, Dagan, soon. Out in Blue | Sarah Gilman

Debut author Sarah Gilman creates a stunning tale, filled with lush descriptions and an alluring mythology that glimpses into the Sanctuary of archangels and demons. Set in New England, Out in Blue follows Wren, a loner archangel after the slaughter of his family, and Ginger, a human raised by a demon, sworn protectors of the archangels. When Ginger hears that poachers are on the hunt for Wren, she feels obligated to help

Night Owl Reviews him. All Wren wants is to be left alone. Well, really, he longs for acceptance and love, but doesn’t feel that ultimately it’s possible. Gilman brings together these seemingly opposites in a paranormal thriller that contains two parts action and one part romance. But, none of that distracts from the remarkable craft of the story. The reader easily believes the worldbuilding contained within Out in Blue, and we root for the happiness of the flawed Wren. Watch out vampire lovers, there’s a new archangel in town.

The books are available as an ebook or traditional quality paperback. A Gay Romance On My Knees | Tristram LaRoche | Etopia Press

While I haven’t featured any of the widely popular gay romances yet, I wanted to highlight a recent release that truly is a gay romance (rather than a m/m erotic). Some may be surprised to learn that one of the highest readers of m/m romance is straight women, who are in relationships. Unhappily married, Mark remains in a brutal marriage fueled by a deluge of alcohol and anti-depressants. When he finally decides that he no longer wants to remain in the abusive relationship, he

escapes to the gym, where he keeps running into the same man, Attila. Attila calls up a variety of emotions and urges that Mark admits that he’s suppressed for most of his life, and he comes to the realization that he’s gay. Just coming out of a relationship himself, the last thing Attila wants to do is get into another long-term doozie, and he definitely doesn’t want anything to do with a “married” man. In order for both to find happiness, Mark needs to convince Attila that he’s not just in it for “fun,” and that he’s serious, and Attila has to be willing to change his own wild ways. What stands out about Tristram La Roche’s On My Knees is the realistic writing. He features complex and believable relationships that take place everyday. These two main characters contain human flaws. Mark sees himself as unattractive and undesirable – views he’s picked up from his wife. And Attila must admit that he’s to blame with some of the past issues of jealousy that he’s experienced in relationships. All of this combines to make the reader to crave the best ending possible for Mark.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Louisa Bacio’s latest novel, a f/f erotic contemporary Sex University: All-Girls Academy, is now available via Ravenous Romance.

Wayfinder

by C. E. Murphy

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE—IF IT DOESN’T KILL YOU FIRST

Lara Jansen is a truthseeker, gifted—or cursed—with the magical ability to tell honesty from lies. Once she was a tailor in Boston, but now she has crossed from Earth to the Barrowlands, a Faerie world embroiled in a bloody civil war between Seelie and Unseelie. Armed with an enchanted and malevolent staff which seeks to bend her to its dark will, and thrust into a deadly realm where it’s hard to distinguish friend from foe, Lara is sure of one thing: her love for Dafydd ap Caerwyn, the Faerie prince who sought her help in solving a royal murder and dousing the flames of war before they consumed the Barrow-lands. 30

www.NightOwlReviews.com The Secret Lives of the Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin Genre: Mainstream Fiction Reviewed by: Audrey In Nigeria, polygamy is openly practiced. For Bolanle, entering into a polygamous marriage seems like the only chance to become a wife. To her, it is provides an opportunity to have children. What seems like a happy polygamous household, however, is anything but that. Inside the home that Baba Segi has filled with four wives, secrecy and treachery about. The other wives view Bolanle as a threat and will stop at nothing to oust her from the family and protect their terrible secret from being revealed. Their ignorance, though, causes their downfall. The Secret Lives of the Four Wives, the first novel by poet Shoneyin, provides a riveting description of the lives of polygamous wives, including what makes them join such a household and their bonds to each other as well as their mutual husband. The book, however, also provides a dramatic and lively description of Nigerian life. Through the eyes of each of the main characters, the reader acquires a small morsel of the country and culture’s values, beliefs and morals. Shoneyin shines in her book. It is truly a unique gem that should not be missed. The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Alternate History Reviewed by: Lilyraines The Left Hand of God grabbed my attention from the start and didn’t let go. For me one of the most interesting aspects of the book was how the disparate personalities of Thomas, Kleist, and Vague Henri interact with each other and make it work. Another aspect that I found enjoyable was how, after escaping from Sanctuary, the trio - along with the girl they rescued find themselves interacting with the new people they meet and how the parties don’t quite seem to know what to think of each other. A final aspect that I found quite delightful was how Mr. Hoffman took a bit of history here, another bit there, blended the different bits together, mashed them up and made them into the world from which Cale hails from. The Left Hand of God is a dark, deadly, and interesting reading, though it may not be to everyone’s taste. Dangerous Designs by Dale Mayer Genre: Urban Fantasy, YA, Paranormal Reviewed by: Black Rose

I enjoyed this great YA novel by Dale Mayer. The main character, Storey Dalton, is strong and does not let anything get in her way. Storey is the type of main character that I like to see in my stories. Once she gets something into her head she doesn’t let anything stop her from doing what she thinks is right. She likes to help fix the messes that she creates even if it is an accident. The co-main character Eric was very interesting, but I found myself unable to relate to him. I do think that I would have rather seen Eric and Storey together from the beginning but what can I say at least there was a little romance there towards the end. I liked that Storey was able to teach Eric that it is okay to be different and some rules are meant to be broken if you are doing it for the right reasons. Also, I enjoyed that Eric was there the guide Storey when she really needed someone. The story line was different from most of the YA books that I read, which I found to be highly refreshing. I highly recommend Dangerous Designs! Betrayal of Trust by J.A. Jance Genre: Suspense, Thriller Reviewed by: Kittybooboo13 If one analyzes this novel as going beyond a good murder story, one will realize this novel was superb and smooth to the end. The story succeeds at original plot lines, variety in characters, one-liners, and fun moments. One of my favorite Mel moments was her exchange of philosophies with Larry Mowat. Aside from physical one-sided exchanges, my favorite J. P. moments (note I said plural) also included an exchange with Larry Mowat. All of these characters are multidimensional which is why I loved this book. Never a dull moment (not even when sifting through garbage for evidence), and seldom did I have issues with consistency of facts, plots, or character development. While other authors explore the potential threats of violence which police encounter daily, J. A. Jance does the job (in this novel) of showing through her characters’ eyes the politics involved in police jurisdictions, people’s governmental job titles, and even how divorce can either aid police in talking to a minor or prevent the police from establishing a crime. One of the smoothest novels to cover sensitive subjects daintily, yet never skips a beat in being frank about it either. There was so much information in this book it is hard to say anything negative (OK I thought of one, I did not want the story to end). This is why I gave it the best score as my last criterion is always can I set the book down and walk away? In this review: never! Enjoy.

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers. Michael thinks he’s unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

The Helfp

by Kathryn Stockett

Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women: Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone. Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken. Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. 32