September 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: Letter to the reader on SPARKS by Laura Bickle:
Dear Reader:
-
Some of the strongest feedback I received on EMBERS involved Anya’s elemental
familiar, Sparky. Sparky’s a fire elemental who takes the shape of a speckled
five-foot salamander. Depending on his mood, he can be spunky, cranky, or
petulant. But he’s always got Anya’s best interests at heart, even when he’s
hogging the bed or eating her cell phone.
-
In SPARKS, I decided to let Sparky off the leash, so to speak. Sparky’s gonna
be a papa of a few dozen little newts that are soon to hatch in Anya’s bathtub.
And that involved some preparations…including Anya reluctantly making a trip to
the baby superstore for provisions. I won’t spoil the story, but the havoc Sparky
wreaks requires the intervention of the fire department.
-
I hope readers enjoy watching Sparky run wild in the aisles. We all need to cut
loose, sometimes. But when Sparky does it, Anya had better make sure that her
insurance premiums are paid up.
-Laura Bickle
Author of EMBERS and SPARKS, coming 2010 from Pocket-Juno Books
www.salamanderstales.com | www.alaynawilliams.com
Sparks
Anya Kalinczyk #2
Pocket Juno Books
Mass Market Paperback, $7.99
ISBN 978-1439167687
—
Anya Kalinczyk is the rarest type of psychic medium, a Lantern, who holds
down a day job as an arson investigator with the Detroit Fire Department –
while working 24/7 to exterminate malicious spirits haunting a city plagued by
unemployment and despair. Along with her inseparable salamander familiar,
Sparky, Anya has seen and survived all manner of fiery hell. But her newest case
sparks suspicions of a bizarre phenomenon that no one but her eccentric team of
ghost hunters might believe: spontaneous human combustion.
-
After fire consumes the home of elderly Jasper Bernard, Anya is stunned to
discover his remains – or more precisely, a lack of them; even the fiercest
fires leave some trace of their victims – and she is sure this was no naturally
occurring blaze. Soon, she’s unearthed a connection to a celebrity psychic who
preys on Detroit’s poor, promising miracles for money. But Hope Solomon wants
more – she’s collecting spirits. In a frantic race against time, Anya will face
down an evil adversary who threatens her fragile relationship with her lover, her
beloved Sparky’s freshly hatched newts, and the wandering souls of the entire
city.
–
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We are back in the Backseat!
Backseat Nightmares has gotten the redesign and attention it deserves. We are looking at the darker side of fiction and I am having a great time with our new blog! As with all things this is a work in progress so please if you catch anything feel free to contact me. For now though the door is open for comments and suggestions on the new design.
What do you like, what can we do better? I am really excited to get moving and make this blog everything it can be.
One lucky US commenter will win a package of paranormal titles so do not hesitate to step forward.
Talk to everyone soon,
Terry Kate
Backseat Nightmares will be back – August 15th 2010 – Bigger Better and Darker then ever. SO til then find Backseat Info on our main blog http://ritbs.blogspot.com
It is Tuesday so lets check out some new releases and their trailers.
Trailer 1 for Sharon Ashwood – Scorched
Ex-detective Macmillan always had a taste for bad girls, but his last lover really took the cake—and his humanity. Now half-demon, Mac’s lost his friends, his family and his job.
But Constance, a strangely innocent vampire trapped in the supernatural Castle prison, needs his help. Her son has been kidnapped, so suddenly Mac has a case to work—one that embroils him with a mad sorcerer, an even madder city council, and a winged love god. The trail leads deep into the supernatural prison, and Mac soon learns that cracking the case will cost him his last scrap of his humanity.
Fiery, vulnerable Constance will do anything for those she loves, including Mac. He’ll be damned if he turns his back on her… and a demon forever if he doesn’t.
Find out more from Penguin Group Publishing
Sharon Ashwood – Unchained
Ashe Carver, monster-killer, has the scars to prove it. But faced with a custody battle, she’s hung up her stakes and taken a job at the public library, determined to show the courts and her ten-year-old daughter that she’s as good a mother as she is a hunter.
Easier said than done. There are lovelorn vampires haunting the library, a slime demon in the shopping mall, and her new-mom sister needs a hand with her ghostbusting biz. Then, after centuries guarding a supernatural prison, Captain Reynard strides into her world like a hero from the library’s Must Reads. Smokingly gorgeous, passionate and courageous to a fault, he has only weeks to live unless Ashe finds the thief who took his soul.
Ashe picks up her weapons to save the day—but not every problem can be solved with a stake. With so much tragedy in her past, Ashe fears the disaster she sees ahead—and prays she doesn’t fail everyone. Again.
Memories are the hardest monsters to kill.
Visit Sharon’s Site to learn more. – http://www.sharonashwood.com
Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison
Death
Some people will do anything to avoid it. Even trade their immortal souls for endless existence.
Wraiths
Secretly, inexorably, they are infiltrating our world, sucking the essence out of unsuspecting victims with their hideous parody of a kiss.
Segue
Adam Thorne founded the Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow.
Twilight
This is the place between life and what comes after – a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.
Visit Erin’s Site to learn more – http://www.erinkellison.com
I saw it! I went first thing this Sunday morning to the $6 early showing. I meant to go Saturday, but I found myself too excited which might sound goofy, but I wanted to go in calm with low expectations. A technique that allowed me to enjoy the previous movies and get hooked on the series. So here is my tail of Twilight.
Twilight – Pleasantly shocked and now big fan, I have watched in tons of times.
New Moon – my favorite, talk about teen angst!
Eclipse -Here is my review…I guess if I had to grade it it would be a C
The director was weak and ruined the film, which had a great deal of potential. Why do I blame the director? Well the other two movies were better, and other then Victoria this film had the same actors. So ten things that went wrong with the Twilight Eclipse film.
Why is Bella Making out with a dog/wolf?
- 1 – Replaced Victoria – the original actress was way better. She had a more natural look and I believe exuded the attitude that the new actress could not match.
- 2 – The flash back scenes to Jasper and Rosalie’s past were poorly handled. They were half assed in the stylization. They had none of the crisp look of the film, nor the necessary clear distinction to make them stand out and work with in the body of the narrative.
- 3 – The Soundtrack – after two amazing and angsty soundtracks to the first two films this one sucked. It had an optimistic beat that just did not work for me, and there was not a single song that attracted my attention enough to care about who the artist was and where I could find the music to listen too again. - Side note there is a giveaway for the Soundtrack here – http://pcreaders.blogspot.com/2010/06/win-eclipse-soundtrack.html
- 4 – The director made a conversion of a book instead of making a film. This is the first in the series that I would consider non-film. Which might seem like a goofy thing to say, but here is why. The film was all exposition and talking. Blah blah blah, let me tell you my history, blah blah blah, lets talk and talk and talk with nothing to look at. Works in a book – not in a film.
- 5 – The scenes went on way too long. And I mean that. Talk, Talk, Talk. There needed to be more of Belle’s voice over – and less of the unnecessary dialogue. The discussions between Bella and Edward, Edward and Jacob, Jacob and Bella, even Bella and her father, could all have been shortened and punchier. It would have been stronger for it.
- 6 – Pacing, this goes along with points 3-5. The dialogue scenes were not tight enough. The soundtrack did not set the right tone for the film. The flow was choppy, and there was not enough visual interest to the film. I got bored staring at Edward and Jacob. That is a crime of filmmaking!
- 7 – The acting in the other two films played better – which like I said – since the actors have not changed why would that be other then the director?
- 8 – I could care less about the kid leading the vampire army – he did NOT need that much screen time and the movie was the weaker for it.
- 9 – There could have been way way way more fun action. New Moon – one of my favorite scenes is the chase of Victoria by the wolves. The chase scene in this film blows. Same effect over and over again. Weak.
- 10 – Not enough time with Seth, who I find to be one of the more interesting characters, plus I would have liked to spend more time with the wolves.
Highlights Billy Burke of course – he is the highlight in all three, cracks me up every time. The boys are hot, the story – if not mishandled is very interesting and intricate. Sad but true I am drawing a blank after that.
- What did other viewers think of the film? Anyone love it?
Who has seen it?
Okay I just saw #3 in the Twilight Series – Eclipse and well, I was underwhelmed – as my review below says. But this entry is not about me. It is about you readers and viewers. What do YOU think? Which was your favorite and what do you have to say about the future of the series?
And who has seen it the MOST?
Oh and in your comment tell us – how many times did you see each in theaters. I am really curious on the answer to that one. Oh and lets see – we should have a prize for the participants – a special goody bag to one lucky commenter – and one for the commenter who has seen the movies the most in the theater.
I am so excited about the Eclipse Twilight Movie Premiere I want to giveaway books!
Go Team Edward!
So here is my offering – Books one and two of the Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey
Book One - Hearts at Stake
Book Two – Blood Feud
And Book marks!
Open to US Residents Now till July 6th 2010.
Comment and be entered to win!
Visit the Pajama Chat Readers Online Book Club for a chance to win the Eclipse Soundtrack. - http://pcreaders.blogspot.com/
There are other giveaways there as well!
———
Hearts at Stake
by Alyxandra Harvey
Blood Feud
by Alyxandra Harvey
The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge
It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.
The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.
This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles—told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives—has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake, as well as exciting new revelations about the vampire dynasties to keep readers coming back for more. - Bloomsbury Publishing
Purchase Book One and Two of this Series – HERE
Signed Book Plate Copies Available!
Found some fun ones this week and and a few for the up coming Pajama Chat Readers Online Radio Book Club so give a peek.
Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
We are reading this one for the August Book Club and Author, Author! is offering copies for sale with signed book plates and a book mark.
Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
This second adventure in the Drake Chronicles –told from both Logan’s and Isabeau’s perspectives–has all the same butt-kicking action, heart-pounding romances and snarky humor that readers loved in Hearts at Stake.
PC Readers Book Club – http://pcreaders.blogspot.com/2010/06/double-trouble-book-club-august-14th.html
Blood Feud for sale – HERE
Shadow of the Vampire by Meagan Hatfield
Book Club Choice for August 21st - http://pcreaders.blogspot.com/2010/06/shadow-of-vampire-book-club.html
Get a copy with signed book plate and book mark from Author, Author! – HERE
Shadow of the Vampire by Meagan Hatfield
Even vampires should never sleep with the enemy.
Vampire princess Alexia Feodorovna has been undead for 125 years, so it’s been a while
since any man has made her pulse race. Until Declan Black. One look at his bronzed body
and a fire like no other consumes her. Then she discovers that he’s a dragon lord come to
take revenge on the vamps who killed his parents. And claim a crystal said to imbue its
owner with incredible powers.
Alexia is ordered to torture and kill the dragon lord. Yet with each reckless encounter, she
finds herself consumed by his fiery passion. A passion Declan battles, as well. Will he be
able to resist the fire of lust she kindles within him and keep revenge in his heart? Or will he
risk everything to quench the burning desire and claim the vampire as his own?
-
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Wow that is like the most kicking trailer ever! Plus we have an awesome giveaway going for this title starting tomorrow on the Pajama Chat Readers! AND the lady herself has offered up a ton of Infinity posters that are going to be given out at Eclipse movie premieres in Los Angeles California and Houston Texas along with book marks and other goodies.
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The first Dark-Hunter teen novel
At 14, Nick Gautier is an average kid who runs with the wrong crowd. But on the night he decides to go straight and refuses to mug an innocent tourist, his crew turns on him and just as he thinks his life is over… a new one begins.
Kyrian of Thrace isn’t just a vampire slayer, he’s a Dark-Hunter and he introduces Nick to a world that he never imagined.
With new enemies who make his old ones look like wimps, Nick must either measure up or get sized for a body bag. It’s kill or be killed and this kid who was born on the wrong side finds a strength inside him that he never knew existed.
Now if he can only find someone to help battle the demons that don’t reside inside him.
