Reviewed: March 23rd, 2022 Released: February 19th, 2021 Genre: Horror/Satire
One moment we are spending time with friends, family, lovers. Then, before we knew it, the whole world went to hell and we find ourselves hiding indoors, scared for our lives over what is happening outside. It’s the Apocalypse. Not the apocalypse you’d have expected, no.
We dare not go near the window for fear of being seen. We dare not go outside for fear of what will happen to us. Mindless, bumbling, soulless husks with vacant eyes wander the streets. No, not politicians. Zombies!As if that isn’t enough, we find ourselves hiding in the least likely place you’d expect to find yourself during a Zombie Apocalypse. Hush Now. A sex shop in the city centre. We have limited supplies. Instant noodles, tins of beans, packet of rice. But we have all the novelty candy underwear we can eat.
We are not alone. There are others out there. Survivors like us. We have a plan. We were to meet up with friends in their restaurant. And that plan still stands. Somehow we will get out of this place. We will survive this! Read My thoughts…
Reviewed: March 13th, 2022 Released: October 12th, 2019 Genre: Contemporary Romance
This is the story of a harried zoologist, a haunted rock star and the belt that ties them together. “Take my belt.” Stanzie Butler could not miss her flight. The most important trip of her career was on the line, and this rude, loud, unkempt hooligan was not going to ruin it with his dress code violation.
Raven Xerces, the notorious rock star with a tortured past, troubled present and uncertain future, seemed to be doing all he could to sabotage Stanzie’s flight. And like a bad penny, he just kept turning up. When Stanzie’s layover leads her to Raven once again, he tries to make amends, and Stanzie discovers that this obnoxious tabloid star isn’t at all what she expected.
Raven Song is a story for dreamers, believers, rockers and lovers. A girl-next-door meets bad boy rock n roll romance that’s sexy, fun and full of memorable characters, dark family secrets, colorful sidekicks, layered song lyrics, a talking raven, a clowder of cats, an endangered addax, a nest of sea turtles, a trip to the zoo, fine vintage guitars, a bottle of hair dye, some new tattoos, and a whole lot of rock n roll. Read My thoughts…
Reviewed: February 25th, 2022 Released: December 10th, 2018 Genre: Fantasy Narrator: Marcus Rothenberg
“My name is Buckhunter Dornley, and I am dead.”
This isn’t your average fairy tale, and Sir Buckhunter Dornley isn’t your average knight. He’ll tell you that himself. Winning tournaments, fighting cyclopes, and slaying dragons? All in a day’s work for the mightiest knight in the empire, but that knight is about to meet his match in Mercy, the charming and outrageous princess of Merris. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, and Buck falls hard. What he doesn’t know is Mercy lives under an ancient, terrible curse. When he finds out, Buck swears he’ll do anything to break it.
There’s just one little problem. He’s dead. For there to be any chance of happily ever after, the knight determined to rescue the princess may need the princess to rescue him too.
A fairy tale fantasy perfect for those who love traditional fairy tales with a twist. Read my thoughts …
Today I am chatting with Women’s fiction author, Angela Cairns, about her latest novel Touch, which is an inspiring story of self-discovery, wounded heroes, and second-chance love
Helen: Welcome Angela! To start us off, tell us about your latest book.
Angela: My current book is titled Touch – it’s the first in the uplifting Ellie Rose women’s fiction series. If you like inspiring stories of self-discovery, wounded heroes, and second-chance love, you’ll adore this story, with romantic leanings and a hint of medical memoir. Books two and three are queued up and ready to be released called Dilemma and Bloom, and there is a prequel novella already released, called Paradise, which charts Ellie’s early life and love for Brett in Australia.
Physiotherapist, Ellie Rose who is devastated by the tragic loss of her soulmate. Unable to endure the stifling sympathy of friends and family she leaves for the quiet countyside of Essex where she knows no one. After suffering too long in an awful job, she decides to establish her own holistic health clinic. She finds solace in healing others and in her wonderful dogs, but wonders if she’ll ever reclaim her own happiness.
Ellie can’t release the pain lingering in her soul. Until a new neighbour with his own grief opens the door to loving again. Can she find the courage to let go of the past and live life with passion again?
Helen: This does sound like an amazing journey as well as a bit of a heart-wrencher. What was the inspiration behind the cover design?
Angela: The cover to Touch has been through several transformations and I love working with my American cover designer Shannon Kuzmich. We finally settled on a watercolour style of a reflective girl walking on a beach. It suits the mood of the book and is one of the scenes from the story. I love the colours and the mood. I’ve had some beautiful bookmarks made by artist Carolyn Carlin, who has used the floral design from the girl’s dress and picked out the main colours in the bookmark ribbons.
Helen: It’s a lovely cover and the idea behind the bookmarks sounds amazing! How did you come up with the title?
Angela: The back story to the title is linked to the main character’s profession as a physio and her beliefs that touch therapies are important in healing and well-being. As a physio myself, this reflects my own beliefs. But it also alludes to the loss of her soulmate and his touch and learning to trust again.
Helen: What a lovely story behind the title. It’s so nice when then is real meaning behind the title. Why did you write this book?
Angela: I’ve always written stories and done a lot of non-fiction professional writing. My first published stories were a series of audio relaxation visualisations called Play, Pause, Unwind with original soundtracks from composer Simon Ramet. Then came my anthology of short stories Seasonal Produce. I began writing Touch because the idea for the story had been nagging in my brain for a while and I also wanted to explore some of my beliefs about wellbeing and recovering from loss in a fiction form. I also write hundred word stories as part of a writing team, for a local radio station, which are then produced and narrated by actors as part of a show.
I’d love to help people journey with hope through the ups and downs of life.
Helen: That must be amazing to have your work narrated on the radio. Do you typically write Women’s fiction? What are you currnetly working on?
Angela: I write Women’s fiction which is mostly set in a contemporary world. The Ellie Rose series will span through from 1986 to current times. Initially a three-part series, I’ve fallen in love with my characters and their world, so it is destined to become a saga. My latest project is my first historical novel set in 1910. It was inspired by my grandmother’s photo archives and in part her stories about growing up that I listened to as a child. It’s a fascinating time for women as the suffragist and suffragette movements are gaining strength and I wanted to link her experiences as a dressmaker’s apprentice and her love of music into the story. It’s set in Portsmouth UK where she lived for over a hundred years.
Helen: How wonderful that you have such a close connection and can use personal memories in your book. It sounds a really interesting premise. What inspired you to start writing?
Angela: I was inspired to write by my love of reading. As a child I inhabited amazing worlds and met wonderful people inside the covers of books. I had a head full of stories I wanted to write down and I think it is a wonderful privilege to be able to walk alongside readers and see your books take life in their enjoyment. As a child, The Wind in the Willows, Winnie the Pooh and any horse book I could find, Black beauty, Flambards (the site of which, I coincidentally live near now and actually exists.) you name it I read it. As an adult, I love reading Joanne Harris, Anita Shreve, Susan Howatch, Marion Keyes and indie author Julia Blake. I also love crime fiction and forensic crime, P.D James, Kathy Reichs, Ian Rankin and indie writers, Stella Oni and Caroline Noe.
My writer’s group with The Writers Company and their imaginative and creative courses continue to be my anchor and my compass.
Helen: Gosh, I can really relate, I used to love the Flambards! If your Main Character could speak, why would she tell us to read your book?
Angela: Why would my main character Ellie Rose say you should read my book? Well because life can be tough and sometimes you just need to put everything down at the door, get comfortable and let someone else soothe away the aches and pains.
Helen: Let’s chat a little about your writing process. Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?
Angela: All my ideas are hand-written in notebooks, although the text itself is typed. I’ve tried all kinds of writing software but at the end of the day I fare best with word files for each chapter, a main text document and a gorgeous notebook and pen. All my friends buy me amazing notebooks which I open with reverence – there is nothing better than a virgin page and a fountain pen!
Helen: Do you listen to music when you write, if so, what do you listen to and why?
Angela: Sometimes I listen to music, but mainly I write in quiet in a spare bedroom that used to be my son’s room. It is light and airy, with a view of my neighbours gardens and the sky. If I need music, it’s when I take a break to have a wild dance around the kitchen. Dancing music of choice; Santana, Samba Pa Ti; Black Box Ride on Time; Chumbawumba, Tubthumpin’. I also love belly dancing, so anything by Shakira or some of the traditional Raq Sharqui music.
I do a lot of my thinking out on walks with the dogs, I have Gordon Setters, or on long drives. A lot of my characters names are constructed from interesting place names I see when I’m driving.
Helen: I think every writer is a great reader! What is your favourite book and what do you love about it?
Angela: Virtually impossible to choose a favourite book, but if I was going to be marooned on an island with only two books I’d take Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. It’s an inspirational piece of spiritual poetry prose that looks at the very nub of life itself. I’ve bought it at least seven or eight times, because every time I lend it, it never comes back. Then it would have to be Joanne Harris’s Chocolat – I love the world, because it reminds me so vividly of when I lived in France, the characters are colourful and fascinating and there is just that hint of magical realism that she does so well. I could escape into that world and be endlessly happy.
Helen: Great choices! What books have you recently read that you would recommend?
Angela: Recent books I would recommend are from the indie publishing world, because I’ve been delving into that recently to support my colleagues. Ezekial Factor by Caroline Noe. Cracking dystopian crime novel with a snarky detective, a feisty terrier and an AI colleague who ends up teaching the main character a lot about being human. Anything by Julia Blake, but I love The Book of Eve that had a modern-day Great Gatsby vibe to it. I also loved the retro /paranormal/romance series by Mckenna Dean which starts with Bishop takes Knight and I’ve binge read all of Helen Starbucks mystery/crime novels- she writes the best male leads and feisty heroines.
Helen: Ooh nice, I’ll have to check them out! What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Angela: The most useful piece of writing advice I received came from DBC Pierre who wrote Vernon God Little – “Write in a reckless fever, re-write in a cardigan.” And that’s me, I’m neither a plotter nor a fly by the seat of my pants writer (pantser). I start with a story arc and a basic idea of where I’m going. Then I research the time period, thoroughly, I try to find real characters/events to influence my fictitious ones and make them authentic and relatable.
I quite like the notion that I’m a gardener, i.e. I start with a seed, water and tend it, then see what grows!
Helen: A lovely idea! It’s been such fun getting to know you, Angela, as we reach the end of our time together could you tell us something anecdotal about yourself.
Angela: Something anecdotal – hmmm, just a saying that I’ve found helps to keep me sane … “Don’t push the river – it flows by itself.” A healthy amount of planning and goal setting is great, but so is a healthy amount of good humoured acceptance and flexibility. I’m an acupuncturist as well as a physio and I practice T’ai Chi and Yoga, so I’m all about striving for balance.
Helen: Thank you so much for chatting with me today. I wish you all the best with your next book. Just to close, what advice would you give new writers?
Angela: Every first draft needs rewriting to tighten up the pace of the story and deepen the character portraits. When I have done the best I can, I have a lovely team of beta readers who generously read the fledgling story and pick up any flaws they see. Then it’s off to a professional editor, for more tidying up and polishing. You must love the process, if you’re going to produce good work.
About the Author:
Angela Cairns
Still a working clinician – Physiotherapist/Acupuncturist I began writing with a collection of relaxation stories set to original sound-tracks called Play Pause Unwind https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=play+Pause+Unwind. I felt we were long overdue a physiotherapist heroine to join the ranks of fictional doctors, nurses and psychologists and so I wrote Ellie Rose – clever, compassionate and determined, a heroine to take to your heart…
I live in Essex, in the UK with my husband. I have two grown-up sons and a clan of Gordon Setter dogs.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my books which are available in eBook, paperback or hardcover: Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Book Two: Sentinals Rising. Book Three: Sentinals Justice. Book 3.5: Sentinals Recovery. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next book releases.
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Reviewed: February 18th, 2022 Released: December 18th, 2019 Genre: Contemporary Romance
‘Twas ten days before Christmas, and all through the house, Raven Xerces wreaked havoc, his in-laws both groused.
See what happens when rock legend Raven Xerces spends the holidays with his in-laws in this fun holiday short story. A fun companion to Raven Song and BirdSong, A Very Raven Christmas imagines a future Raven Xerces as he plays husband, father and son-in-law. This fish-out-of-water story is a laugh out loud delight, full of family drama, sweet romance and plenty of havoc you’ve come to expect from lovable, angsty, awkward, antihero Raven Xerces. Read My thoughts…
Reviewed: January 3rd, 2022 Released: December 21st, 2020 Genre: Contemporary MM Fantasy
A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.
But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.
An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place―and realizing that family is yours. Read My thoughts…
Today we meet contemporary romance author husband and wife team, R & C Christiansen, who write tough love, emotionally powerful novels, not always with a happy ending.
Helen: I am so excited to chat with you about your Tainted Love series. You have been sharing such great snippets of your books on instagram recently that I can’t wait to dive in. I haven’t read them yet, I’ve been holding off, knowing these are going to be an emotional rollercoaster, which I’m not sure I am quite ready for but well worth the read. Tell us about your series.
R & C Christiansen: My latest release, Hush, is part of a five book collection called the Tainted Love Series. The first three books were originally a trilogy that is now rolled into one book with three parts titled Tainted Love: The Complete Trilogy. It’s dark romance, friends to lovers, and the storyline gets deeper and darker with each book eventually ending with a HEA.
Then there is Whisper: A Tainted Love Story which is a tragic non-HEA love story that’s set around two side characters from the original series. It depicts a couple who struggle to come to terms with their past as they push forward in a world they don’t seem to belong in.
Last, I wrote Hush: The Final Tainted Story, about the younger brother of the MC in Whisper. He is a mute man who can’t read or write, and his story ends tragically also as we learn that he is in love with his brother’s wife and has no way to express nor act on it. Again, it is non-HEA and is bound to cause a variety of emotions as Cliff’s struggles are heart-breaking. I do have a trigger warning across the entire series because the subject matter demands it, but in truth, I wrote each book delicately knowing there is a thin line between dark romance and outright darkness.
Helen: This series is about tough love in tough situations. What made you write it?
R & C Christiansen: In the beginning, I had wanted to create a realistic dark romance that centered around real everyday issues people face. I wanted to show that love isn’t always perfect. It can be messy, painful, unpredictable even, but it’s something worth fighting for if two people are meant to be together. The trilogy itself represents all that and more. It’s the story of a couple (Whiskey & Vixen) who battle each other’s demons together and for each other, yet they both come from opposite sides of the spectrum. In the end, it was my fans that asked me to write the other side of the story when it came to the side characters who had no way out of the ‘darkness’ and that is how both Whisper and Hush came about.
Helen: You have such powerful characters in your series, who was your favourite character to write?
R & C Christiansen: That’s a hard question to answer because each character is so unique and strong in their own right. I’d have to go with Ken from Whisper, only because he’s more villain than hero, yet his love for his wife and brother is unparalleled when it comes to the other characters.
Helen: Tell us about your writing process. Do you listen to music or do you prefer silence when you are writing?
R & C Christiansen: Hell yes! I find music is a huge part of writing, it can inspire the feelings I need to harness in order to create the emotion I’m aiming for. Each of my books have playlists in Spotify, and both Whisper and Hush have a playlist included in the book. My current inspirations have been In This Moment, Creed, Palaye Royale, and Linkin Park. My favorite of the bands has to be In This Moment because my God, Maria Brink’s voice is out of this world. If I could compare her to one of my characters, she’d be Vixen from The Tainted Love Trilogy. She’s absolutely incredible.
Helen: I must admit I have certain albums I listen to when writing. And then of course, afterwards I always think of the charcters when I hear the songs. Do you find it easier to plan what you write, or are you a pantser, and let the book go where it will?
R & C Christiansen: I’m a pantser all the way. My novels are mainly written in first person, present tense, so I have the ability to jump inside my character’s minds and act out their scenes on paper. I let them take the lead and tell me where the story is going. My husband and co-writer says the characters are my alternate personalities and sometimes I think he’s right.
Helen: I must adnmit I am the same. I don’t write first person, but I do get into my characters heads to see what they see. I love the immersive aspect. Most writers are great readers; who is your favourite author?
R & C Christiansen: If we are talking traditionally published, I’d have to go with Tara Sue Me. Her Submissive series was phenomenal and I own every one of her books in paperback. If we are talking about my favorite Indie author, I’d have to go with two. One being Janet Olson who is a YA romance author and her series, New Beginnings is incredible. The second I would mention is Monique Edenwood, her Black Oak dark romance series has it all and I’ve read all of her books to date and am in awe.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, just to close us out can you share some of your favourite books?
R & C Christiansen: Oof! That’s a long list. But to keep it short, I’d have to go with Jayne Lockwood’s Closer Than Blood series and Nicci Harris’s Our Thing/Cosa Nostra/ Her Way series. Both series are dark romance, the first being slightly taboo and the other leaning into the mafia world.
About the Author:
R&C Christiansen is a proud Canadian husband and wife team, although Mrs. Christiansen does the majority of the authoring and Mr. C does the mentoring & proofreading. Together they write dark/erotic romance novels and enjoy reading the same genres when they have time. When the Mrs., is not busy authoring, mothering, or wife-ing, she likes to indulge in a glass of wine, kick back, and think dirty thoughts hoping to inspire the next story within.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn commission from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy fantasybooks then you will love my books which are available in eBook, paperback or hardcover: Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Book Two: Sentinals Rising. Book Three: Sentinals Justice. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next book releases.
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Reviewed: November 24th, 2021 Released: September 5th, 2018 Genre: Historical Fiction
A legend buried for 2000 years. A woman compelled to uncover the truth.
210 BCE, CHINA. The most powerful emperor China has ever known is on the brink of death. In desperation, he sends his most gifted alchemist and sorcerer on a quest for the mythical elixir of life.
His fleet never returned….
NOW, world-renowned archaeologist Georgia Lee is compelled to hunt for a mysterious man who may hold the secret to the greatest discovery in human history.
Her search takes her on a thrilling journey from an ancient tomb in China, through traditional Japan, to the blistering Australian outback, and the dizzying heights of verdant mountains in tropical Taiwan. But what begins as an investigation into an archaeological riddle turns into something very sinister. Georgia starts to suspect that perhaps she is the one being hunted instead….
Meticulously researched, this is a tale interwoven with rich historical facts to recreate all the drama, intrigue and mystery of East Asian culture. Read My thoughts…
Today we meet contemporary romance author Amey Ziegler, the author of The Swiss Mishap and the companion novel Swiss Mistletoe and Macaroons which releases in December.
Helen: Welcome Amey. It is such a pleasure to chat with you. Tell us about what you ahve been working on. You have a few books coming out, don’t you?
Amey: I have a bunch of WIP and books coming out soon! My first book coming out comes out this December. Swiss Mistletoe and Macarons is a companion novel to my award-winning rom-com The Swiss Mishap. Then I have Wylder Bride coming Feb 28th. This is a Cyrano de Bergerac meets Mail-order bride meets the Wild West. It’s part of a Wylder West series with multiple author series across many genres.
Helen: You have been very busy! Tell us about the cover of your new book.
Amey:Swiss Mistletoe and Macarons has Jean-Marc on the cover in his chef uninformed. He’s a pastry chef who is used to having his own way. I’ve enclosed an easy recipe for macarons that anyone can make.
Wylder Bride has a barn burning and a train on the cover because it’s an action adventure western romance. Maisie comes west but her train is robbed. She must meet the man writing the letter to the man she loves but she doesn’t know she’s fallen in love with the wrong guy.
Helen: Writing different genres must be such fun, and I am sure there is plenty of romance in there. What made you start writing?
Amey: I started out as a reader. I spent many hours of my childhood curled up with a book. I loved reading Nancy Drew. I wanted to create other stories. When I was in my early 30s I decided to peruse writing seriously.
Helen: Reading is so important to inspire new writers, the more you read, the more your imagination goes wild. Where do you find the ideas for your books?
Amey: Ideas are all around us. I find mine my through personal experience. I’m working on a trio of billionaire romances. I just finished book 2. It was inspired by my undergrad degree in Communication. The two main characters are working on a relationship study at the University of Arizona.
Helen: They do say write what you know about. What is the most useful peice of writing advice you’ve received?
Amey: I read a book early in my study that said hard work is more important than talent. That was encouraging because when I first started out I wasn’t sure if I was talented. You know the saying in order to master a skill you must do it for 10k hours. That’s so true for writing. I wrote every day for two-four hours for eight years before I found a publisher for my first book.
Helen: Do you find you plan out your writing, or do you let it take you where it will? Are you a Planner or Pantser?
Amey: I consider myself a plantser which is a mix of the two. I do figure out a few key items about my character. I have major turning points plotted but in between I discovery write. It’s my process and it’s working for me 😀 every writer does it differently ans that’s okay.nd non-fiction ever since.
Helen: As a writer, do you have time to enjoy other hobbies/activities to get your creative juices going?
Amey: Being a mom is a full time job so it’s hard to find time for hobbies. However because I treat writing as a career I do try to find ways to do things with my kids. One thing I do is see charity quilts with my kids. They help me pick out colors and help me iron.
Helen: Most writers also read. What is your favourite book?
Amey: I love the Princess Bride. It’s got humor, action, intrigue and love.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, Amey. Just one last question, what advice would you give to new writers just starting out.
Amey: Write. A lot of people want to talk about their cool ideas. Write them. Also study the craft. Get better.
About the Author:
Amey Zeigler loves writing clean and steamy-clean romance with adventure and comedy.
She enjoys working out, yoga, being a mom of three kids, sewing and making movies.
The Swiss Mishap won the 2019 Swoony for Best New Adult Romance and third place in 2020 OCCRWA Book Buyer’s Best Contest.
Amey lives near Austin, TX. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ameyzeigler and sign up for her newsletter at http://www.ameyzeigler.com
Helen Garraway 