The Book Resort©

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

WOW: Affairs of Steak (A White House Chef Mystery) - Julie Hyzy

2011-11-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

This title will be released on January 3, 2012.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

Halloween Fright Bites with Author Casey Daniels

2011-11-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Author Casey Daniels, who writes under the pseudonym of Kylie Logan, has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of A Hard Day’s Fright or Button Holed and your favorite treat, let’s dish with Casey.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Snickers. Always.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

Went to a party last night. My husband was David Seville (since he didn't want to wear a costume, this was perfect). Three of us were Simon, Theodore and Alvin. I got voted to be Simon since I am "the nerd."

Trick or treat?

Treat

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Can't remember a bad one. Still have my cat costume. It's framed and hangs in the dining room this time of year. Still have the Indian princess, too, though I haven't done anything with that one yet.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

A paranormal investigation in a historic cemetery a couple years ago. Great fun. Very interesting. Got some incredible pics!

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

Nothing scary. Refuse to watch anything scary.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchock, but not Psycho. See above.

Favorite scary movie?

None. None. Oh, no!!!

Do you still watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Absolutely!

Click here for my review of Button Holed.

Visit Casey’s website for more info.

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Author Casey Daniels on Blogcritics.

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Halloween Fright Bites with Young Adult Author Jen Nadol

2011-11-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Author Jen Nadol writes a spooky Young Adult paranormal series and has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of The Mark or The Vision and your favorite sweet treats, let’s dish with Jen.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Kit Kat or Twix. Or both.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

I WAS going to be a vampire (I know, not clever at all. But easy.) But we got snowed out of the party we were supposed to dress up for Saturday night so I’m just going to wear the fangs all day Monday.

Trick or treat?

Treat, of course!

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

An upside down man. I think it was my mom’s idea. I had my legs in shirt sleeves and my arms in pant legs, shoes on my hands and a head made out of a paper bag attached to the shirt collar (hanging upside-down). It was very clever, but I had to keep my arms up in the air the whole time for it to look right. Which was fun for about two minutes.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

Trick or treating in the rain with my kids the year before last. We were all drenched, but they had a blast.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

I’m a wimp – I never watch gross or scary movies!

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock – I WAY prefer psychological creepiness to innards.

Favorite scary movie?

The Ring is the scariest I’ve ever seen. I’d never, ever watch it again. Does that make it a favorite?

Do you still watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Sadly, I couldn’t tell you the last time I saw it.

Click here to read my review of The Mark.

Jen's website.

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Young Adult Author Jen Nadol on Blogcritics.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Ellen Byerrum

2011-11-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Cozy author Ellen Byerrum writes the wacky Crime of Fashion mystery series and has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of Shot Through Velvet and your favorite sweet grub, let’s chat with Ellen.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Milkyway, Butterfinger, and just about anything chocolate.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

I will be sitting on the sofa waiting for trick or treaters and watching the Disney version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Trick or treat?

Treat.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

No idea.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

The year I got a Drum Majorette costume handed down. Red, white, and blue satin, it was awesome. Also one year in Catholic school we dressed as our patron saints. Mine is a queen. So again, pretty awesome.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

If it's the worst, I would never watch it. But one I love: Arsenic and Old Lace, the Cary Grant version, which is set on Halloween.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Definitely the psychologically scary films, though not necessarily Hitchcock.

Favorite scary movie?

Hmmm? Don't really know. But I like Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride and Disney's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (because The Headless Horseman still sends shivers through me and I like the score.)

Do you still watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Nope. Sorry.

Click here to read my review of Killer Hair.

Visit Ellen's website.

Article first posted as Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Ellen Byerrum

on Blogcritics.

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Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Leann Sweeney

2011-11-26T00:00:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Cozy author Leann Sweeney, has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of The Cat, the Lady and the Liar or Pushing Up Bluebonnets and your favorite treats, let’s chat with Leann.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Carob malt balls.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

Myself.

Trick or treat?

Treat.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Hobo.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

When I dressed as a Swami and no one recognized me.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

I do not like anything even remotely horror related. Makes me too nervous.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock!

Favorite scary movie?

No favorites!

Do you still watch It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Yes.

Visit Leann's website for all the latest news.

Article first appeared as Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Leann Sweeney

on Blogcritics.

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Let the fun begin!

2011-11-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

glitter-graphics.com

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

Halloween Fright Bites with Author Cleo Coyle

2011-11-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

The gifted husband and wife writing team of Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini pen The Coffeehouse Mysteries and The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries. Alfonsi and Cerasini, aka Cleo Coyle, have taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of Murder by Mocha or The Ghost and the Femme Fatale (looks like they have been inspired by my femme fatale ways with this one 'wink') and your favorite delectables, let’s chat with this incredible duo.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Chocolate - Yes, including my homemade Chocolate Halloween Bark. Download my recipe PDF here.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

A culinary mystery writer. (Alas, no Greenwich Village Halloween parade for me this year. I'm under deadline.)

Trick or treat?

I'm a mystery writer. Tricks are my trade. :)

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Chubby ballerina. Yes, I know. Ballerinas are supposed to be slender, beautiful nymphs who walk on air. But my parents would not be persuaded by a six-year-old, and they squeezed me into the stupid tutu nonetheless.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

At the age of twelve, my two best girlfriends and I broke into a closed football stadium to gather up hundreds of Kleenex flowers left behind after the high school's homecoming game. I used my flowers to create a Halloween costume that won me third place in the town parade. But you know what? Sneaking into that dark, spooky stadium was far more thrilling than winning the prize. (Can you tell I write amateur sleuth mysteries? Sneaking around and bending the rules are right up my dark alley.)

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

Fright Night

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Usually Hitchcock, but Dawn of the Dead is still a bloody pleasure!

Favorite scary movie?

Impossible to choose one. Here are a few faves: The Omen, The Sixth Sense, Alien, Dawn of the Dead (original and remake), and (for sheer entertainment value) Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead.

Do you still watch It’sThe Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Does Snoopy love a good dogfight?
Does Charlie Brown collect rocks?

Visit Cleo’s website for all things delicious!

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Author Cleo Coyle on Blogcritics.

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Wishing you all...

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Laura DiSilverio

2011-11-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Author Laura DiSilverio, who writes the delightful Mall Cop mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, Swift Justice, and next month’s Swift Edge for Minotaur, and under the pseudonyms Lila Dare and Ella Barrick for Penguin Group (USA), has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us. So before you grab a copy of Die Buying or Swift Justice and your favorite treats, let’s chomp and chat with Laura.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Peanut M&Ms

What will you be for Halloween this year?

The person at home handing out the candy. My husband goes trick-or-treating with the girls. It’s usually bitterly cold (although it doesn’t look like it will be this year) so I’m happy to stay home and admire the little princesses and pirates and zombies who come by.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Huck Finn. I thought it was so clever, but everyone thought I was a boy (I was 8 or 9) and didn’t see anything clever in it at all.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

Pumpkin carving with my dad and now with my girls.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

I don’t watch them anymore. I don’t like to scare myself... boring, I know.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock, definitely!

Do you still watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Nope (although the Grinch is still a Christmas tradition).

Visit Laura’s website for the latest info.

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Laura DiSilverio on Blogcritics.

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Halloween Fright Bites with Author Liz Lipperman

2011-11-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Author Liz Lipperman, who writes Berkley Prime Crime’s hilarious Clueless Cook Mystery series, has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of Liver Let Die or Mortal Deception and your favorite treat, let’s steal some munchies and chat with Liz.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Almond Joy.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

A tired author!!! October was insane for me.

Trick or treat?

Too old to trick, so I’ll settle for treating.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Dressed up like a hippy guy with slanty-eyed sunglasses and a goatee.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

Threw corn on some old curmudgeon's porch and when we ran away, he threw a bucket of cold water on us.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

Scream (One!).

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock.

Favorite scary movie?

The old version of A Stranger in the House. My favorite line, "Have you checked the children lately?" It still gives me the creeps.

Do you still watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Absolutely. Now I watch it with my grandchildren and I still love it.

Click here to read my review of Liver Let Die.

Stalking Liz is easy — oops, I mean keeping up to date with what she's doing:
Website/Blog

Mortal Deception Coming Soon!

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Author Liz Lipperman on Blogcritics.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

Wishing you & yours a...

2011-11-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Halloween Fright Bites with Romantic Suspense Author Dawn Brown

2011-11-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Romantic Suspense author Dawn Brown writes gripping suspense and has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of Blood and Bone or Living Lies and your favorite sweet treats, let’s dish with Dawn.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

Same thing as last year. A mom.

Trick or treat?

Treat. Always the treat.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

A clown. It wasn't scary enough.

Most memorable Halloween?

The first year I was too old to go trick-or-treating. My best friend and I stayed up late watching horror movies and eating my little brother's candy.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

The Changeling

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock

Halloween tradition?

Going to a pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins. We do it every year.

Do you still watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Of course. It's not Halloween without it.

Visit Dawn's website for the latest news.

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Romantic Suspense Author Dawn Brown

on Blogcritics.

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Interview with Legendary Romance Author Ann Major

2011-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

Since 1980, prolific romance writer Ann Major has penned nearly 50 romance novels under her Major pseudonym and under her real name, Margaret Major Cleaves. The Texas native is a founding member of the legendary Romance Writers of America (RWA).

The iconic Ann Major was gracious enough to take a few moments to be interviewed and by doing so made one of my dreams come true.

What was the most memorable research trip you've made?

I went to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Because I was meeting a stylish friend, my husband and I stayed in a five star hotel there that was heaven
on earth. It was like being inside a Maxwell Parrish painting. While in Rome before driving down to Ravello, I met this lovely young couple at an outdoor restaurant near the Roman Steps. When the bill came, the Italian guy vanished for a very long time while his Australian date, a burned out attorney in search of her soul and other adventures remained to pay the bill. She told me the story of their romance which inspired in large part The Amalfi Bride. When I went to Rhodes, Greece, I was so inspired I came home and wrote A Cowboy and a Gentleman very quickly.

Please share with us the most interesting stories law enforcement
professionals have told you:

I remember this detective told me he has nightmares about using his gun. When he gets ready to shoot, the bullets just drop out of the front of the gun.

Are there any stories that have made you cry, laugh, stunned you or
rendered you speechless when you heard it, that you had to incorporate them in your fiction?

Yes — but being 65, I can’t' remember them off the top of my head.

What is the most memorable moment you've woven a story around?

Oh, so many. I think the one that got me in trouble though was this one: My mother-in-law and father-in-law were having an argument in the car while in the middle of west Texas, which is very desolate. Furious, he stopped the car and got out to get a break from her. She pulled out a spare set of keys from her purse, slid over into the driver's side, restarted the car and drove off without him — leaving him in the middle of nowhere. He had to hitchhike back to civilization. So I had this happen to my heroine. She argued with her headstrong mom and got out of car. My hero, a biker, picked the heroine up I believe.

How would you say you have evolved as a writer over time?

I wish I had evolved. I love evolved writers. Maybe I found my niche early because my third book was a Desire which was published in the early '80s and I am still writing Desires.

The market itself evolves and the readership grows younger while the writer grows older, so you have to constantly update yourself. You can't ever sit on your laurels and think you know it all.

When you're not writing, what are your favorite ways to relax and have
some fun?

I like to meditate, read, play the piano, study stuff, travel, kayak, walk, hike, sail, cook, get massages, garden, hang out with girlfriends, hang out with grandchildren, shop — or just hang out with my husband.

Of all the books you have written, do you have a favorite? If so, which
one and why?

Hot Ladies Murder Club... Well, it's local and it's about something that happened to me.

Do you have plans to write other genres in the future?

Maybe

Has your life changed since you've become a published author? If so,
how?

I am not chained to an 8 to 5 job as I was when I taught. While at school, bells were always ringing, and lots of those bells meant I had to be somewhere specific doing something specific. Now every day is different. This morning I bounded out of bed at four a.m. because I was dreaming about my characters and excited about writing.

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment at a booksigning?

Probably, but I don't hang onto bad moments. I have to write them down and file
them somewhere I can hopefully find them to relive them.

I have found that some authors listen to music while they write. Do you
listen to music or is it something that is distracting to you?

No. In the olden days when you went to a dentist or waited for your car to be
repaired there was no music or television. I am blissfully happy with silence.

Do you ever fear writer’s block or that you’ll let your audience down?

Oh, yes. I get writer's block all the time. I write into these walls. Like procrastination, it is part of my process. I always fear that I will let my audience down. Every time a book idea grabs me, I wonder--can I pull this off? Can I do justice to these lovers' story? Can I?

Do you belong to any writers groups and what do you feel you have
gained from the social sites?

I am in RWA and SARA... and I thought I joined the Austin chapter of RWA. I think I owe them money. Then I never followed through. I will check on that. Social sites. I am really not into social sites like I should be. That said, I have an OFFICIAL ANN MAJOR FACEBOOK PAGE. I have a personal Facebook account where I keep up with lots of personal friends and I have another Facebook account where my friends are mainly authors. I tend to visit my personal account the most... but only briefly.

Are there any characters in your books that represent you?

I am sure there are, but I lack the insight to know this.

How much of the characters and story lines come from people you know
and your own experiences versus your imagination?

Lots of them.

How do you keep your characters fresh and the plot exciting?

I don't know. This is always the challenge. When I finish a book, I start reading and thinking. An idea has to light a spark inside me — maybe that is the key. I need to feel excited as I develop the story.

Can you tell us one thing about yourself that most of your fans don’t
already know?

I would imagine there are many things. I am shy. I think I went into writing so I could hole up and spend great quantities of time ALONE. I have lots of friends but I am not an extrovert. One of my best friends, however, is. Saturday she wanted me to go to a really great luncheon with ten of our friends. I usually eat lunch with these friends on Friday and was planning to see them on Friday.
But my friend wanted me to do this special luncheon Saturday. I felt so guilty to tell her, I scheduled writing time all day Saturday. She simply didn't get this. It's like I slapped her in the face. And yet I really WANTED to spend the whole day ALONE. I wrote ten pages. I told my daughter I felt guilty to always be rejecting my friends. She said, "Mom, you are making time for them — on Friday."

What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as
the iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Nook etc add to the environment?

For me — I have hundreds of books in my Kindle account available on my iPhone. So if I'm standing in line at the pharmacy I can read. I don't have to carry paperbacks around anymore. I have a garage full of paperbacks. I imagine that fewer rainforests will be chopped down to publish romance novels. Rare species may survive longer.

What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors
in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no
impact at all that you can see?

I don't know. We all fear a negative impact of course because we get less for our stories that are sold that way. I think that remains to be seen.

What do you love most about the romance genre?

It is full of smart, hard-working, innovative, inspiring women, whom I admire immensely.

Ann, please share with us how Romance Writers of America (RWA) began?

I imagine that in the late '70s and early '80s all over the U.S. women were
reading romance novels and lusting to write them. I went to the Southwest Conference in Houston and met Rita Estrada and her mom and Parris Afton Bonds. Sondra Stanford, who published two novels with Harlequin, was from Corpus too. We were all trying to write romance novels, but the other authors and editors at that conference shunned us and told us we weren't real writers. Every year the numbers or romance writers swelled, while the other writers' condescending treatment of us got worse. I remember Sondra, Rita, Paris and me, along with several other friends spending time in our hotel rooms dreaming about starting our own organization. Rita Estrada was a charismatic leader. Forty writers met one day to form RWA. I was voted onto the first board along with Sondra Stanford, Parris Afton Bonds, and Rita Estrada... and Rita's mom, Rita Gallagher. At our first conference in Houston we had over one thousand writers and writing professionals show up. I think if we hadn't started RWA whenwe did, someone else would have. It was always a dynamic organization.

Visit Ann's website for the latest info.

Article first published as Interview with Legendary Romance Author Ann Major on Blogcritics.

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Interview: Cat Hellisen, Debut Young Adult Author

2011-11-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Born in 1977 in Mowbray, Cat spent her early childhood in Cape Town before her family relocated to Johannesburg. Since then she’s bounced back and forth between the two cities, with occasional stays in Knysna and Nottingham.

Cat's short story This Reflection Of Me appeared in Sean Wallace’s Jabberwocky 3 collection and is available online as a teaser for the anthology.

Cat’s YA fantasy novel, When the Sea is Rising Red, comes out from FSG in 2012.

Cat was kind enough to be share her life as a writer, woman and tea addict.

Being a new author, who or what has been the biggest influence on your writing?

Everything I read or see influences my writing. That and TV Tropes. Actually, let's be honest, it's mainly TV Tropes.

Who has been your biggest support?

I have a great circle of writer friends who keep me sane. Without the Musers, and my partner and my amazing agent, Suzie Townsend, I'm sure I would have given up ages ago.

Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements?

Definitely character-driven. That's why I'm working harder on plot these days. Or, you know, at least thinking about working harder.

What do you feel are the essential elements of a great story?

A character we can relate to in some way, tension, clean prose.

What is it about this genre that captures your imagination?

That I can play the what-if game to the extreme.

What are the challenges you face writing young adult and dealing with the sensuality?

Eh... I haven't faced any problems as yet. But I tend not to write flat-out erotica.

What media influenced your writing? What were your favorite things to read (or watch) as a kid?

Everything influences me, but the ones that stuck for this book were Tanith Lee's early books. Her work, along with the books of Diana Wynne Jones really shaped my world. There's also a dog-shaped shout-out to Enid Blyton.

Who has been your favorite character to write about and why?

Dash was great fun to write because he starts off as this mysterious figure, and just when you think you've got him all figured out, you get these hints of deeper complexities. I love that he's so hypocritical.

Do you plan to or would you like to write novels in other genres besides YA? If so, what?

I have an adult novel I'm working on at the moment, yes.

Why do you write for young adults? What do you think is different about writing for teens than for other audiences?

This is something I've not yet totally worked out for myself. I just write stuff, and then people say, this is YA, or, this is more adult. Mostly I just roll with it.

What are some must haves when you sit down to write?

A computer. Tea.

If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

Ah it would have to be Tanith Lee's Books of Paradys. They're so delightfully, creepily decadent. Also, gender-bending.

Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

Too many to mention.

What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle, Kobo and Nook to the environment?

Hmm, no idea. My partner loves the Kindle, I'm still more into pages.

What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?

I honestly have no idea.

What sort of things influence you into naming settings and characters from your books as they are named?

The world around me.

Did you write as a teenager?

Yes. Badly.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

Life. The Universe. Everything.

What’s your greatest comfort food?

Cheese, glorious cheese.

Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?

I don't really watch cartoons.... I don't know why not.

What were you like as a young reader? And when did you know that you wanted to write?

Voracious. Probably in my early twenties.

Could you describe your road to publication for us?

Long. I wrote a good many books before the one which got me my first agent. When that didn't sell we parted ways and I queried Suzie Townsend with When the Sea is Rising Red. My friend had just been shifted to Suzie after her agent had left Fine Print, and I loved everything I heard about her. So when Suzie offered I was pretty much ecstatic. She sold When the Sera is Rising Red to FSG and I ended up working with a fantastic editor who really pushed me into making the book better and better. Whenever I hear people saying editors don't edit anymore I feel like waving the first and final copies of the book in their faces and going REALLY? REALLY? Obviously I don't, because then people would know I'm crazy.

Visit Cat's website for more info.

Article first appeared on Blogcritics.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

WOW:Fire Engine Dead (A Museum Mystery) - Sheila Connolly

2011-11-16T00:00:00.004-05:00

This title will be released on March 6, 2012.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

Halloween Fright Bites with Debut Author Janet Bolin

2011-11-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Author Janet Bolin, who writes the charismatic Threadville mystery series has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of Dire Threads and your favorite treat, let’s chat with Janet.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Candy corn, Snickers, Mars Bars.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

A curmudgeon. Oh, wait — it's not a costume!

Trick or treat?

Treat. I love seeing the kids in their costumes. And snacking on whatever's left.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

A Soviet satellite. My head was inside an aluminum foil ball, and I wore a sheet with hammers and sickles colored on it.

Most memorable Halloween memory

Nobody guessed who was inside that baked potato costume in second grade until I took the "butter" off my head! I won!

Worst Halloween film you still watch... and love?

I'd rather read a book. This year, it's The Diva Haunts The House by Krista Davis.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock, but even that's a little too scary.

Favorite scary movie?

Scary movies are tooooooooo scary. I can't watch them. But I can read and write murder mysteries. Don't ask me to explain it.

Do you still watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

I'm afraid I've never seen it. Does that make me a bad person? Okay, forget it. Pretend I didn't ask.

Yep, curmudgeon.

Visit Janet's website for some super fun stuff!

Threaded for Trouble coming in June, 2012, from Berkley Prime Crime.

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Debut Author Janet Bolin on Blogcritics.

Halloween Fright Bites with Author Tim Myers

2011-11-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Prolific Tim Myers writes several cozy mysteries under a spectrum of monikers and has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of A Killer Column or At Wick’s End and your favorite savory treats, let’s chat with Tim – or whoever he is today.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Mini Heaths, Mini Snickers, Candy Corn Pumpkins.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

I'll be going as a weary writer, covered in blank pages from head to foot and holding a giant but empty pen.

Trick or treat?

Always Treat.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Not the costume itself, but we had a freak snowstorm once, and we all had to trick or treat with our coats on over our costumes. Booooo.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

The year I was Batman. I also had a Batman birthday party, and got a cape as a present, which I wore constantly. My mom made me a cake in the shape of Batman, which was unique back then, and I got a utility belt too.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

I haven't watched it for years, but I used to love Halloween, and I always laughed when the tombstone in the bed with the name Michael Myers appeared, which happens to be my brother's name!

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock! I'm all about the suspense, the intrigue, the what if?

Favorite scary movie?

Again, Halloween has to be it.

Do you still watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Whenever I can! I am a huge fan of the Great Pumpkin and the Christmas Special. Snoopy rocks!

Visit Tim's website for more about the many faces of Tim.

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Author Tim Myers on Blogcritics.

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Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Krista Davis

2011-11-13T00:00:00.005-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Author Krista Davis, who writes the fun Domestic Diva mysteries has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of The Diva Haunts the House and your favorite treats, let’s munch and chat with Krista.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Candy corn, Almond Joys, Reese's Cups, Kitkats...

What will you be for Halloween this year?

I'm usually a cat. Love those ears and whiskers! And I know how to
speak cat.

Trick or treat?

Treat!

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Coats! I hated wearing coats over my costumes!

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

Hocus Pocus is one of the best, and I watch it every year. Worst
Halloween movie, hmm, well, it's more silly than bad, but I like the
1985 Fright Night with Roddy McDowell.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Hitchcock!

Favorite scary movie?

I don't know that I have a favorite. I do like some of the old ones
like Dial M for Murder and Wait Until Dark. Ohhh — and Rebecca!

Do you still watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

No. Maybe I should!

Click here to read my review for The Diva Haunts the House.

Visit Krista’s website for things Diva!

Article first published as Halloween Fright Bites with Mystery Author Krista Davis on Blogcritics.

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Halloween Fright Bites with Debut Author Braxton Cosby

2011-11-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Debut author Braxton Cosby has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of Star-Crossed Saga: Protostar and your favorite treat, let’s chill with Braxton.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Mr Goodbar.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

I passed on celebrating his year and we just took the girls to our church fall festival, Trunk or Treat. It was a blast and we decorated our car in pumpkins. We celebrated the fact that God looks at us like pumpkins; He picks us out of a cluttered and busy patch, cleans us off, cuts off our heads and takes out all the “gooey stuff” (our impure thoughts) and places a candle (light), carves a smile on our faces, and puts us in a place for the whole world to see.

Trick or treat?

I’m a treat kind of guy.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

I was once dressed up like the devil (Lord have mercy).

Most memorable Halloween memory?

Bobbing for apples as a kid.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

Basket Case.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

I like the psychological thrillers, so I’ll go with Hitchcock.

Favorite scary movie?

Gotta be the original Halloween.

Do you still watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

Always, my girls love Charlie Brown.

Click here for Braxton’s interview
Click here for the Star-Crossed Saga: Protostar review

Visit Braxton around the web:

www.braxtonacosbygodson.com
http://braxtonacosby.wordpress.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/braxtonacosby

Article first published @ Blogcritics.

My Heartfelt Thank You to All Who Risk Their Lives!

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Halloween Fright Bites with Author Saranna DeWylde

2011-11-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

The hilarious Saranna DeWylde, who writes sensual naughtiness (blushing) and riotous goodies has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of The Real Housewives of Olympus or Hex and the Single Witch (love the cover) and your favorite yummies let’s chat with Saranna.

Favorite Halloween candy?

It's a tie between Hershey's Miniatures and candy corn.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

Hmm. Jack Torrance from The Shining? No, wait, that's me every day. A gypsy. I've got this great head scarf decorated with coins and it really ties the whole thing together.

Trick or treat?

Both.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

Luckily, all of my costumes were cool. My mother always let me choose what I wanted to be and never stuffed me into anything sucky. I think the first eight years of my life, I was a witch every Halloween. I broke the mold with Wonder Woman and I remember wearing that costume at random times the rest of the year until it fell apart.

Favorite Halloween movie?

All of them. Horror flicks are a passion. But my favorite is The Howling. Rick Baker is a makeup god. This was also the first horror movie that ever scared me. Smiley face stickers still kind of freak me out if I see them in odd, unexpected places.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

Night of the Creeps. Man, it's bad. "Good news, girls. Your prom dates are here. The bad news is, they're dead." OH. And Motel Hell. Farmer Vincent's sausage... and the cardboard cows. So. Very. Bad. But good memories.

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Both, to a certain extent. I like a balance. I want to be engaged. I want... omg, plot. For me, horror is like reading sex. If it's just Tab A (Knife) into Slot B (Organ), it's boring. I want character development and plot. Thin though it may be. The gore by itself doesn't move me, because the reality of it is nothing like the distance you have when it's on a screen. As a corrections officer, I've seen more than my share.

Favorite Halloween memory?

Trick or Treating with my cat, Spooky, riding in my plastic pumpkin. She just completed my costume so perfectly, and she seemed to know it. She was content to be hauled around in that orange pumpkin the whole night.

Most memorable Halloween party?

I have to say my wedding reception. My husband and I got married on October 13, 1999, but we did it at the courthouse. It was kind of a last minute thing. I just had this feeling we needed to get it done rather than wait to get married at a haunted castle in Scotland like we'd planned. We decided to wait to have the reception until Halloween to give all our loved ones a chance to plan to attend.

Do you still watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

No. I didn't much like it when I was a kid. I'd watch it with my mom because she really liked Charlie Brown. But I watched The Exorcist for the first time at my 8th birthday party. So, I was already a little more hardcore about my horror flicks at a young age.

Visit Saranna's website for some all things Wylde!

Article first published on Blogcritics.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

WOW: Little Shop of Homicide: A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery - Denise Swanson

2011-11-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Little Shop of Homicide: A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery (Devereaux Dime Store Mystery)

Dev Sinclair is the happy new owner of the old-fashioned shop in her small Missouri town. But if she doesn't focus on finding the killer of her ex's fiancée, this five-and-dime owner may find herself serving twenty-five to life...

This title will be released on March 6, 2012.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

The Last Word: A Books By the Bay Mystery Trailer

2011-11-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

Halloween Fright Bites with Author Rhys Bowen

2011-11-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year — the boo!, the costumes, the candy, the bump in the night, the candy, the parties, the candy. Did I mention the candy?

Rhys Bowen writes historical mysteries and has taken the time to share a few Halloween moments with us, so before you grab a copy of Naughty in Nice or Bless the Bride and your favorite chocolate goodies and some caramel scones, let’s dish with Rhys.

Favorite Halloween candy?

Love candy corn.

What will you be for Halloween this year?

The person who holds the flashlight for eight-year-olds.

Trick or treat?

Treat would be nice--diamonds, spa vacation...I'm not fussy.

Worst Halloween costume as a kid?

We didn't have Halloween when I was growing up in England. Too bad.

Most memorable Halloween memory?

Going to a party with husband as the devil and a fallen angel. Getting lost. Asking for directions and watching kids freak out when they saw the horns growing out of my husband's head.

Worst Halloween film you still watch… and love?

It would have to be the great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I hate scary movies!

Hitchcock or blood and gore?

Definitely Hitchcock. I like suspense and clever movies.

Favorite scary movie?

Any Hitchcock. Foul play. I'm a wimp, I'm sorry.

Do you still watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown?

See above. Love any Charlie Brown movie!

Click here to read my review for Naughty in Nice.

Visit Rhys website for the latest scoop.

Article first published on Blogcritics.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

WOW: Old Haunts (A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery)

2011-10-26T00:00:00.003-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

This title will be released on February 7, 2012.
Pre-order now!

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

WOW: File M for Murder (Cat in the Stacks Mystery)

2011-10-19T00:00:00.004-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

This title will be released on January 31, 2012.
Pre-order now!

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

Censorship

2011-10-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Cozy Covers: The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller - Cleo Coyle

2011-10-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Finally! The name Cleo Coyle is on the cover... instead of Alice Kimberly! Whooo Hooo!

This title will be released on January 3, 2012.
Pre-order now!

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

WOW: One Book in the Grave - Kate Carlisle

2011-10-12T21:00:00.000-04:00

Book Review: Button Holed by Kylie Logan

2011-10-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Berkley Prime Crime is one of my favorite imprints when it comes to mysteries of the cozy variety. I’m as addicted to the line and the authors as Media Personality Wendy Williams is to wigs. Don’t mess with her wigs and don’t mess with my cozy mysteries from Prime Crime, and we’re all good. Berkley has done it yet again with another smashing September entry courtesy of Kylie Logan’s new series, Button Holed.

Talented scribe Casey Daniels (aka Miranda Bliss) has decided to tackle yet another new series and take on yet another new name, Kylie Logan, joining the ranks of those creative minds who reinvent themselves with a new name and a new series. So, why exactly do they do that? To fool readers who didn’t like them when they were writing under their original name – perhaps. To differentiate from one series or several – possibly. To confuse the IRS – hope not, feel bad when they become entangled in the bureaucratic web. Perhaps the publisher just said, “Great doll, love it! Love it! Let’s do this, but not under your name.” Whatever the reason (or reasons may be) it is fun (sometimes) to discover your “new” favorite author is an old fave just with a new package – I said sometimes.

Daniels has a surefire hit on her hands with this one (yep, so do you Berkley) and I devoured this in a blink of an eye and was irritated because there wasn’t a follow-up at the ready. Logan, hurry up with book two, please.

Josie Giancola has soared to make the list of my new favorite amateur sleuths - this Chicago dame has panache!

“Here’s the thing about walking into your button shop at five in the morning and running smack into a hulk of a guy wearing a black ski mask: it tends to catch a girl a little off guard. Off guard, I sucked in a breath that was half surprise, half gasp of terror; and just inside the door of the Button Box, I froze.”

Button Holed kicks off like a big screen mystery and hooks you from the first line and doesn’t lose momentum once. Button expert Josie Giancola is working out of her Chicago brownstone when the hilarity and mystery takes flight. As one of the country’s leading connoisseurs on buttons, and not one to be button holed (couldn’t resist), Josie’s knowledge runs the gamut from antique to jeweled and every type in between. Josie’s famed reputation grabs the attention of a Hollywood ingénue who shows up at the Button Box to shop for one-of-a-kind buttons for her designed-to-order wedding gown. Not long after the Button Box is turned upside down and the starlet is murdered. Enter cute homicide detective Nevin Riley who is setting his sights on Josie for clues to the prima donna’s offing since she was whacked with an antique buttonhook.

Logan has penned a priceless series debut rife with an array of amusing, eccentric and witty characters. The banter is fluid, the narrative smooth and the mystery coiled tightly – perhaps, buttoned securely is more fitting.

Button Holed is absorbing, clever, crisp and finally not another contrived mystery with crafts tossed in as a diversion.

Brava Logan for creating a protagonist who is authentic, bright, enthralling, fun, innovative, and strong – it has been a long time coming for an amateur sleuth to pull off so many empowering attributes and you did it in style! Stand back and watch the copycats swoop down on Logan’s imaginative series, but always remember she is the groundbreaking pioneer in this genre.

Button Holed is out now.

Visit Kylie Logan's website for the latest news.

First published on Blogcritics.

eBook Review: Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen

2011-10-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

What on earth was Rhys Bowen thinking? The French Riviera, Coco Chanel, madcap hijinks, and the bewitching Georgie? This installment needs to come equipped with two warning labels, "Sourpusses, you've been warned.you will find yourself laughing-out-loud, so there is no need to inject fiber into your diet for at least 90 days. 'cause you will be sportin' a three month grin and will break out in fits of laughter," and "Please be advised that reading this mystery will result in side-splitting laughter, so drinking and eating may not be in your best interest".

Rhys Bowen's latest edition in her tantalizing Royal Spyness series, Naughty in Nice, unequivocally cements her alongside Carola Dunn as the reigning Queen of historical mysteries. Naughty in Nice was such a delectable tale, I want to stop writing this review and go back to reread the entire series because it is that bewitching.

The beguiling Lady Georgiana Rannoch's brother, Binky, and his oppressively exasperating wife, Fig are about to depart on holiday to the French Riviera, and Georgie is about to be ousted from her London home to the brumal, dismal family castle in Scotland when Her Majesty the Queen quickly steps in. The Queen offers to fit the bill to France with the hope that Georgie, an experienced, albeit amateur sleuth, can recoup her heirloom snuffbox. Her Majesty suspects her priceless snuffbox has been lifted by notorious social climber Sir Toby Groper .

Bowen cleverly knits a fashionable historical nugget in Naughty in Nice by having Georgie cross paths with uber chic Coco Chanel. Mademoiselle Chanel wants Georgie to model for her. *Swoon* Yes, our spirited Georgie is strutting the runway for the timeless designer and the creative Bowen delights, entertains and sprinkles in just enough shenanigans to sparkle with sheer brilliance.

Naughty in Nice is laced with wicked scoundrels, a sexy French charmer and a titillating mystery caper that shines a spotlight on just how much of an effulgent storyteller Bowen truly is!

Naughty in Nice is the most mesmerizing and riotous offering in Bowen's adventurous series. Naughty in Nice flows as fearlessly, vibrantly and unpredictably as Niagara Falls.

Naughty in Nice is the most alluring installment in Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series. Rich with titillating characters, a magnetizing plot and an atmosphere that jumps off the page to reveal Bowen's try place as royalty to the historical mystery genre! Brava and thank you!

P.S. I hope the prolific Bowen and Dunn join forces to bring us a story arc featuring the charming Georgie and irresistible Daisy. *wink*hint*nudge*

As for the covers, they are some of my absolute favorites... I just want to walk into one and become charmed by British society and the antics Georgie endures. I just want to keep my head!

Visit Rhys' website for all things Georgie.

View the original article on blogcritics.org

The Georgia Literary Festival 10/15/11

2011-10-08T00:00:00.004-04:00

The Georgia Literary Festival is a "moveable feast" celebrating the state's finest writers at the locations they call home.

Click here for more info.

(404) 370-8450 x 2225

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.

Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

2009-2011 © The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

An Interview with Young Adult Scribe Suzanne Young

2011-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

The amazing Suzanne Young is the author of A Need So Beautiful (Balzer&Bray/HarperCollins), the upcoming novels, A Want So Wicked (Summer 2012) and The Program (SimonPulse, Spring 2013).

Suzanne currently lives in Portland, Oregon where she uses the rainy weather as an excuse to stay inside and write obsessively. After earning her degree in creative writing, Suzanne spent several years teaching middle school language arts in Arizona. Now she can be found at home chasing after her two children and writing novels for teens.

Suzanne decided to take a few minutes out of her busy day to dish -- after all, she is a brilliant scientist (not really) and tells everyone she doesn't like ice cream. Hmmm... Something not right about that... was she locked in a freezer while searching for the Great Pumpkin? Makes you wonder, huh?

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

I'm working on the sequel to A Need so Beautiful. It's called A Want so Wicked and it's due out Summer of 2012.

Spiderman or Superman:

Ultimate Spiderman.

Wonder Woman or Batgirl:

Wonder Woman.

Chunky or Smooth:

Oh, chunky.

Favorite flavor ice cream:

I don't like ice cream.

Favorite ice cream topping:

But I love caramel topping on anything!

Favorite vacation place:

Disney!

Next vacation destination:

A camping trip in California.

E-reader or old school:

Old school. This way I can take the book in the bath.

Guilty Pleasure:

TV shows like Survivor and America's Next Top Model.

Good luck charm

A clear stone with an angel statue inside. I carry it with me whenever I fly.

When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a..

Writer.

Last thing bought at the mall:

A Build-a-Bear Workshop wolf wearing a dress.

Item on your grocery list:

Coffee. More coffee!

French fries or Onion Rings:

French fries

Pizza: New York or Chicago?

New York all the way

Bookmark or dog ear?

Dog ear.

Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:

Desert!

Item you can't live without:

iPhone.

What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?

My Sweet Audrina by VC Andrews.

Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?

I write at my kitchen table.

Describe your ideal place to write:

In the woods, cut off from society.

What are you reading @ the moment?

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Where do you usually read?

In the bathtub

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

Yes.

Visit Suzanne's website for the latest news.

View the original article on blogcritics.org

Countdown to Halloween

2011-10-06T00:00:00.001-04:00

Book Review: The Star-Crossed Saga: ProtoStar by Braxton Cosby

2011-10-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Star-Crossed Saga: ProtoStar is a magnificent start to an inventive series by a talented debut author. Braxton Cosby (yes, Bill's nephew aka Dr. Huxtable) vibrantly makes his mark in the science fiction, young adult and fantasy genres. In fact, Cosby has created a whole new genre with The Star-Crossed Saga: ProtoStar - Sci-Fance. Sci-fance is a finely tuned, smoothly delivered and richly blended meld of science fiction and romance, that simply makes sense.

Cosby has penned a story for the intelligent reader. The Star-Crossed Saga: ProtoStar is not the novel for literary posers looking to skim along and claim to be erudite readers.

The Star-Crossed Saga: ProtoStar begins by asking the question, love or duty? As human beings, we are all given free will. We are all faced with choices. We are all responsible for the consequences of our actions. Cosby poses these questions to the protagonist, Bounty Hunter Prince William Derry, and to his readers.

On the threshold of Civil War, the Torrian Alliance presses forward with its obligation of eliminating the universe of Star-children as a means to contain an intergalactic evil. King Gregorio Derry takes direction from his Council and sends his only son from Fabricius to Earth on an assignment to restore honor to his family. Bounty Hunter Prince William Derry has travels thousands of light-years, on a mission to fulfill an age old prophecy.

Sydney Elaine learns first hand, what the old adage, "Be careful what you wish for" means when she meets William Derry. Fate steps in, leaving Prince Derry to curtail his scheduled assignation of Sydney. It is during this delay that a bond is formed, leaving both awakened for the first time. Everything William believes is challenged.

Meanwhile, a diabolical act of treason is underway back home on Fabricius. It is this contemptible act of collusion and monarchical unraveling, that threatens to extinguish the lives of those William holds dear and destroy his dad's noble birthright.

Will William be able to complete his task or will he sacrifice everything to follow his heart?

Cosby's sharp, strong prose is appealing, engaging and well-written. His characters glimmer like the sun.

The Star-Crossed Saga: ProtoStar is a cinematic literary epic adventure.

View the original article on blogcritics.org

Countdown to Halloween

2011-10-05T18:39:00.000-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

WOW: Fracture - Megan Miranda

2011-10-05T00:00:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Countdown to Halloween

2011-10-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

Book Review: Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Ever since Scholastic released Suzanne Collins’ mega bestselling Hunger Games trilogy, the publishing industry has been on the hunt for the next epic dystopian novel and the shelves – brick and mortar and virtual – are overflowing with dystopian this and dystopian that. Here we go… again! Visions of vampires are taunting me and to be honest, I’d like to grab a stake and plunge it straight through the core of the sparkly vamp that started this trend of copy cat, ho-hum, lack of originality that seems to burn like a wildfire that needs to be contained and extinguished — immediately. Excuse me folks for not getting “compelled” and losing common sense and most of all, thank goodness, I haven’t lost my literary intellect Jersey Shore style.
Let me give you the goods on my reading tastes. First and foremost, I am a book snob — who am I kidding, I am a snob period — and when it comes to the “dystopian” trend I am a hard sell… an extremely tough caramel cookie to break in this genre. Anyone read Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 – okay, how about watched the movie? Dystopian has been around for many, many years, but now that the Young Adult market has profited successfully with this subgenre with teens and adults alike, publishers latched on like a hawk to its prey.

Unfortunately, they just won’t let go, no matter how over saturated and zestless it is becoming. The publishing folks are waiting with bated breath for the next dystopian novel to become the next Hunger Games – well, I hope they don’t atrophy as they wait because Collins’ series was the real deal and cannot be duplicated. With that said, I hope authors stop trying to write the next Hunger Games and publishers cease and desist the search for another Collins-esque uber seller. It has been written and we’ve reached “the end.” Let me say it, I don’t even think Collins is capable of recreating the sensational phenomenon she did and it just may very well be her classic bestselling knockout. Now, with that said, Scholastic has done it again with Jo Treggiari’s apocalyptic Ashes, Ashes and this is what I have been hungering for.

The inspiration for Treggiari’s YA debut, Ashes, Ashes, comes from the rhyme kids recited in singsong (mostly on the playground), “Ring around the roses / A pocketful of posies / Ashes, ashes / We all fall down.” As a kid, I thought “posies” meant some type of flowers, but later learned it meant the sores plague victims got during the Plague and the “falling down” was about those infected dropping to their death. As an adult, my lip is curling a’ la Elvis and my stomach is churning because it is rather disgusting and so inappropriate to be chanted as a kid nursery rhyme style – I wonder if the Grim Reaper didn’t pen that one himself! Good gravy!

Treggiari’s breathtaking Ashes, Ashes is set in apocalyptic New York City. NYC is demolished after a succession of floods from melting polar ice caps and a series of earthquakes devouring and toppling neighborhoods. Enter sixteen-year-old Lucy Holloway, one of the few survivors of a plague that erupted, annihilating 99% of civilization, including her family.

Lucy has been going it alone for quite some time until she is chased down by a pack of wild dogs and is rescued by Aiden. Lucy realizes she can’t endure it on her own anymore and joins his camp of survivors. Treggiari amps up the creep factor with the introduction of the Sweepers. Sweepers travel throughout the city randomly snatching survivors, but they have set their sights on Lucy. Treggiari does such a brilliant job describing the evil Sweepers, you feel chills run up and down your spine. Treggiari’s characters are compelling, fascinating and an eclectic mix of personalities you are drawn in from each direction as you fight for survival.

Ashes, Ashes is a riveting novel and you may even get a few singe marks from turning the pages. Treggiari’s YA debut is a haunting tale, but the closing would of greatly benefited with a bit more detail as Ashes, Ashes reached its climax. A dollop of intense animation, stirring moments of fright and a bit more acceleration would of heightened it to the theatrical levels she set out with in the beginning and would of definitely won a five star dystopian seal. Therefore, Ashes, Ashes is more futuristic than dystopian due to the fact that the ending needed a bit more snap, crackle and pop. Overall, this is a top-notch, survival story rich with action and suspense, that is not to be missed.

Article first published on Blogcritics.

Countdown to Halloween

2011-10-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

Interview: Young Adult Author Jo Treggiari

2011-10-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

Born in London, England, Jo Treggiari started writing stories for her little sister when she was about eight. Jo would rework fairytales so that the princesses had a little more grit. Then she would write them out on white paper, roll them up and tie with a red ribbon. In high school she penned personalized naughty limericks upon request.

Jo used to work in the music industry and eventually owned her own indie record label. The first CD the label ever put out was by a gangsta rap group. The label also did alt rock and punk.

Jo's first book, a middle-grade fantasy The Curious Misadventures of Feltus Ovalton came out in 2006. Jo's current release, a post-apocalyptic adventure Ashes, Ashes published by Scholastic Press is in stores now. Jo recently finished a punk rock YA, Fierce, and is working on an urban fantasy, Briny Deep.

What are the greatest challenges to you as an author?

Fighting the procrastination monster. I fear that at heart I am lazy and would rather not have to work at writing. Unfortunately genius doesn't spring from my head.

Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements?

Both. The characters are very important to me. I write down in-depth descriptions of my characters before I start writing a book so that I have their motivations clear and in mind, but obviously if they just sit around and don't do much, the story is going to get boring. It's a fine balance. Ashes, Ashes is quite action-driven, but at the beginning we are alone with Lucy and in her head. I just finished a manuscript which is absolutely character-driven, the action is almost incidental.

What do you feel are the essential elements of a great story?

Just like in life (but with slightly less talking and less boring parts), a story should encompass the great highs and lows - gain and loss, love and hate, happiness and grief - and your main character should be challenged and grow in some way by the end of it all.

Could you tell us about your current projects? What can readers expect to see in the coming months?

I have two completed manuscripts on submission and I'm about 1/3 of the way through a first draft of another. They're all adventure YAs, though one is a historical coming of age, another is an urban fantasy, and the one I'm working on at the moment is a neo-gothic horror.

Could you share a bit about how you write - do you outline your books (or at least know where you're going with them), where do you write, how many drafts do you usually do, etc.?

The best advice anyone ever gave me was to sit my butt in the chair every day, so that's what I do. I outline, sometimes exhaustively, sometimes less so -- it depends on the story. I have an office with a great view out my window and a door I can close in my kids' faces. This is a recent development. Until recently I wrote in the bedroom on a very small coffee table. I write directly into the computer but my notes are all hand-written. I keep folders with notes, pictures and character descriptions, and I have a bulletin board next to my desk where I pin up a few inspiring photos.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts about being a published author?

My favorite part is being able to write, and I love meeting readers and other writers. My least favorite is the business side of the publishing world. Although my agent handles most of that, it's still easy to get bogged down in sales numbers and rankings. I try to just concentrate on writing the best books I can.

If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

I always wanted to be a naturalist like Farley Mowat or David Attenbororough or Jane Goodall and study animals in the wild. I'd also like to be a wood furniture-maker.

What are some must haves when you sit down to write?
In the morning -- coffee. Other than that I just need my computer and my view. Oh, and I can't write if there are a bunch of dirty dishes in the sink. A certain amount of peace is nice, but I often have to write while my four-year-old is home from daycare,and I've gotten pretty adept at squeezing in work around her interruptions.

What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers to the literary environment?

I don't own one (yet), but I feel that anything that makes it easier and fun for people to read, is a good thing.

What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end?

This is something that has only affected me with Ashes, Ashes (which has only been out for three months), so I don't know yet. I do know that pirating hurts authors a lot.

Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?

I'd say both negative and positive.

What sort of things influence you into naming settings and characters from your books as they are named?

Once you start writing all the time, everything influences you. I lived in and around NYC for a long time, so it seemed like the perfect setting for Ashes, Ashes. Both my new books are set on the West Coast -- where I also lived -- and my current work in progress is set somewhere completely mythical, though it is humid there, so it's probably somewhere on the East Coast. Character names just come to me; sometimes they're directly linked to a real person, and sometimes they are made up.

Have you always been into reading and writing?

Yes. I started reading at a young age and afterwards there was nothing I loved doing as much. I have my nose buried in a book in many of my childhood photos.

What has been your favorite part of the writing and publishing process so far?

Talking with people about books and writing and reading. I especially love to write and talk with young adults, and I've led a lot of writing workshops for kids. Having fans is really cool and weirdly surprising as well but I LIKE it!

Did you write as a teenager?

Mostly very bad poetry. Also limericks in high school which were personalized for classmates. I kept a journal and filled it with ego-centric moanings and wild dreams.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

Other writers and books I have loved and new books I discover. And my kids and family. And the beautiful place I live.

Do you see any of yourself in any of your characters?

Sure. Usually their weaknesses& are something I can directly relate to, and their finer qualities are what I aspire to. I think of all my main characters as heroes, and it's hard to be heroic in real life.

What does your writing space look like?

It's a small room opening onto a sun-room with lots of windows overlooking the front harbor. I live on the coast and the ocean is right there. One wall is floor to ceiling bookshelves and houses just my Kid's lit collection. I have stacks of books that don't fit anymore. I am a book-buying addict, though I go to the library weekly as well. My computer rests on a big, heavy farm table my dad made, so I have lots of room for my notes and stuff, and then on the other side is a wall covered in bulletin boards. One is my work in progress board. And the other has notices for upcoming events or interview requests.

List a few books that you think nobody should miss?

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill, Unwind by Neal Shusterman, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

What was the last song you got stuck in your head?

"Paparazzi" (unfortunately).

Click here to read my review for Ashes, Ashes.

For all the latest on Jo and her adventures, please visit her website.

View the original article on blogcritics.org

Halloween Goddess

2011-10-02T19:00:00.000-04:00

Book Review: A Good Day to Pie by Carol Culver

2011-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Carol Culver's delicious Midnight Ink debut, A Good Day to Pie, proves her sojourn into the mystery genre is not a temporary one. With the cozy world littered with enough sweet treat mysteries to make periodontists the new billionaires, it was refreshing to see Culver hold her own next to the queens, princesses, duchesses and ladies-in-waiting decaying this sub-genre.

Hanna Denton has returned home to Crystal Cove, California, to run The Upper Crust, the pie shop her Grannie has owned for over thirty years. For once, the reader doesn't find Grannie keeled over in the apple sauce. Nor does Hanna stumble over her body after being bludgeoned with a rolling pin. All the usual exhausted plot lines are not present when Hanna takes over the business. Culver scores big points for this. Grannie Louise is living the life of an aged Kardashian in an upscale retirement community, and Hanna is perspiring while keeping up the pace her grandmother did when she was running The Upper Crust. When Grannie's bridge nemesis kicks off while indulging in a slice of pie, it looks as if Grannie's pies are not just yummy - they're lethal.

The handsome Police Chief, Sam Genovese, just happens to be Hanna's old high school crush, and Hanna has to do her best to convince him that Grannie couldn't possibly have offed her biggest competition. Seems the old biddy had quite a few enemies, and Hanna is determined to clear her grandmother's name before Sam sets her precious Grannie up at the steel inn and Hanna's delivering pies with files in it.

Culver introduces readers to an engaging character with enough spunk, humor and heart to make readers take notice. Culver's strong protagonist has staying power. You'll root for her instead of rolling your eyes at her inane antics - Hanna is pure class. Hanna obviously directed Culver to pen her story, and the words just flowed. Culver shaped Hanna with a softness that endears you to the character, and you can't help but want another serving. immediately.

Click here to visit Carol's website.

Article first published as Book Review: A Good Day to Pie by Carol Culver on Blogcritics.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-01T00:00:00.002-04:00

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Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

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WOW: Dead Bolt - Juliet Blackwell

2011-09-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Book Description

Series: Haunted Home Repair Mystery | Publication Date: December 6, 2011

Turner Construction's latest restoration project is a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco. This time general contractor Mel Turner has to work around the owners who insist on sticking around- along with some ghosts that insist in their own way that the work stops...

The ghosts aren't the only ones standing in the way of the renovations. A crotchety neighbor, Emile Blunt, secretly wants this house, and could be behind some of the disturbances. But when Emile is found dead, it's Mel who appears guilty. Now she must restore the building-and her reputation-before it's too late.

Book Trailer: The Iron Knight - Julie Kagawa

2011-09-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"Oy, ice-boy! You sure you know where you're going?"

I ignored Robin Goodfellow as we wove through the gray murk of the wyldwood, pushing farther into the soggy swamp known as the Bone Marsh. Mud sucked at my footsteps, and water dripped from twisted green trees so covered in moss they appeared sheathed in slime. Mist coiled around the exposed roots or pooled in sunken areas, hiding what lay beneath, and every so often there was a splash in the still waters farther out, reminding us that we were not alone. As its name suggested, bones were scattered throughout the marsh, jutting out of the mud, half-hidden in tangles of weeds or shimmering beneath the surface of the water, bleached and white. This was a dangerous part of the wyldwood, more so than most—not because of the catoblepas and the jabberwocks and other monsters that called the dark swamp their home, but because of the resident who lived somewhere deep within the marsh.

The one we were going to see.

Something flew past my head from behind, barely missing me, and spattered against a trunk a few feet away. Stopping beneath the tree, I turned and glared at my companion, silently daring him to do that again.

"Oh, hey, it lives!" Robin Goodfellow threw up his muddy hands in mock celebration. "I was afraid it had become a zombie or something." He crossed his arms and smirked at me, mud streaking his red hair and speckling his pointed face. "Did you hear me, ice-boy? I've been yelling at you for some time now."

"Yes," I said, repressing a sigh. "I heard you. I think the jabberwocks on the other side of the swamp heard you."

"Oh, good! Maybe if we fight a couple you'll start paying attention to me!" Puck matched my glare before gesturing around at the swamp. "This is crazy," he exclaimed. "How do we even know he's here? The Bone Marsh isn't exactly on my list of favorite vacation getaways, prince. You sure your contact knew what he was talking about? If this turns out to be another false lead I might turn that phouka into a pair of gloves."

"I thought you wanted an adventure," I said, just to annoy him. Puck snorted.

"Oh sure, don't get me wrong. I'm all for tromping to all five corners of the Nevernever, getting chased by angry Summer Queens, sneaking into an ogre's basement, fighting giant spiders, playing hide-and-seek with a cranky dragon—good times." He shook his head, and his eyes gleamed, reliving fond memories. "But this is like the sixth place we've come to look for that wretched cat, and if he isn't here I'm almost afraid of where we're going next."

"You don't have to be here," I told him. "Leave if you want. I'm not stopping you."

"Nice try, prince." Puck crossed his arms and smiled. "But you're not getting rid of me that easily."

"Then let's keep moving." It was getting dark, and his constant chattering was getting on my nerves. Joking aside, I did not want to attract the attention of a hungry jabberwock and have to fight it in the middle of the swamp.

"Oh, fine," Puck sighed, tromping along behind me. "But if he's not here, I refuse to go to the Spider Queen's palace with you, ice-boy. That's where I draw the line."

My name, my full, True Name, is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn, and I am the last son of the Unseelie Court.

There were three of us at one time, all princes of Winter, myself and my brothers, Sage and Rowan. I never knew my sire, never cared to know him, nor did my siblings ever speak of him. I wasn't even positive we shared the same sire, but it didn't matter. In the Unseelie Court, Mab was the sole ruler, the one and only queen. Handsome fey and even wayward mortals she might take to her bed, but Mab shared her throne with no one.

We were never close, my brothers and I. As princes of Winter, we grew up in a world of violence and dark politics. Our queen encouraged this, favoring the son who earned her good graces while punishing the others. We used each other, played vicious games against one another, but we were all loyal to our court and our queen. Or so I'd thought.

There is a reason the Winter Court freezes out their emotions, why feelings are considered a weakness and a folly among the Unseelie fey. Emotion corrupts the senses, makes them weak, makes them disloyal to kith and court. Jealousy was a dark, dangerous passion that ate at my brother Rowan until he did the unthinkable and turned on his court, betraying us to our enemies. Sage, my eldest sibling, fell to Rowan's treachery, and he was only the first. In a bid for power, Rowan sided with our greatest enemies, the Iron fey, helping their king nearly destroy the Nevernever. I killed

Rowan in the end, avenging Sage and the rest of my kin, but retribution cannot bring either of them back. It's only me now. I am the last, the only remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court.

And I'm already dead to her.

Rowan was not the only one to succumb to emotion and passion. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl. A girl named Meghan Chase, the half-human daughter of our ancient rival, the Summer King. Fate brought us together, and despite everything I did to shield my emotions, despite the laws of our people and the war with the Iron fey and the threat of eternal banishment from my home, I still found myself falling for her. Our paths were woven together, our fates intertwined, and before the last battle I swore I would follow her to the end of the world, to protect her from all threats, including my own kin, and to die for her if called to do so. I became her knight, and would have gladly served this girl, this mortal who had captured my heart, until the last breath left my body.

But Fate is a cruel mistress, and in the end, our paths were forced apart, as I'd feared they would be. Meghan became the Iron Queen, as was her destiny, and took the throne in the kingdom of the Iron fey. A place I could not follow, not as I am—a faery creature whose essence weakens and burns at the touch of iron. Meghan herself exiled me from the lands of the Iron fey, knowing that staying would kill me, knowing I would try anyway. But before I left, I swore an oath that I would find a way to return, that someday we would be together, and nothing would separate us again. Mab tried to convince me to return to the Winter Court—I was her only prince now, and it was my duty to come home—but I bluntly stated that I was no longer part of the Unseelie Court, that my service to her and Winter was at an end.

There is nothing more terrible than a spurned faery queen, particularly if you defy her a second time. I escaped the Winter Court with my life intact, but just barely, and I won't be returning anytime soon. Regardless, I feel little regret at turning my back on my queen, my kith and my home. That part of my life is done. My loyalty—and my heart—belongs to another queen now.

I promised I'd find a way for us to be together. I intend to keep that promise. Even if it means trekking through a sprawling, deadly marsh in search of a rumor. Even if it means putting up with my fiercest and most annoying rival, Robin Goodfellow, who—despite all his attempts to hide it—is in love with my queen as well. I don't know why I haven't killed him yet. Maybe because Puck is Meghan's closest friend, and she would mourn him terribly if he were gone (though I can't understand why). Or, maybe, deep down, I'm tired of being alone.

In any case, it matters little. With every ruin we search, every dragon we slay, or every rumor we unearth, I'm one step closer to my goal. Even if it takes a hundred years, I will be with her in the end. Another piece of the puzzle lurks somewhere in this dreary swampland. The only difficulty lies in finding it.

Thankfully, despite Puck's constant griping and complaining, the jabberwocks decided not to see what the racket was about and come stalking through the marsh to find us. That was just as well, because it took nearly the whole night to find what we were looking for.

At the edge of a scummy pond stood a house, faded and gray like everything else. A picket fence made of bleached white bones surrounded it, naked skulls topping the posts, and a few scraggly chickens milled about in what passed as a yard. The hut was old and wooden, creaking faintly though there was no wind. The most unusual thing, however, wasn't the house itself, but what held it up. It stood on a pair of massive bird legs, gnarled and yellow, blunt talons digging into the mud. The legs were crouched low, as if sleeping, but every so often they shifted restlessly, causing the whole house to shudder and groan.

"We're heeeeere," Puck sang softly. "And can I say that the old gal hasn't gotten any less creepy than when I saw her last."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Just shut up and let me do the talking this time. It was bad enough when you insulted the centaur chief."

"All I suggested was that we could've used a ride out of the meadow. I didn't mean from him"

Sighing, I opened the bone gate and crossed the weed-choked yard, scattering chickens in front of me. Before we reached the steps, however, the door creaked open and an old woman emerged from the darkened interior. Tangled white hair framed a lined, wrinkled face, and sharp black eyes peered out at us, bright and gleaming. In one gnarled hand she held a basket, in the other a butcher knife, stained with the blood of many victims.

I stopped at the foot of the stairs, wary and alert. Old as she appeared, the witch of this house was powerful and unpredictable. If Puck said something stupid or accidentally insulted her, it would be vastly annoying if we had to fight our way out.

"Well," the witch said, curling bloodless lips to smile at us. Crooked yellow teeth flashed in the light like jagged bits of bone. "What do we have here? Two handsome faer...

The Iron Knight (Harlequin Teen)

This title will be released on October 25, 2011.
Check out Julie's website.

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

Book Trailer: All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Fringe

2011-09-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

The first volume is out was created by DC Entertainment, written with series star Josh Jackson and featuring cover art by Drew Johnson, will delve into events that take place between seasons three and four on the show and will also explore a series of “what if” alternative scenarios.

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.

Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

RT Book Reviews

2011-09-25T00:00:00.003-04:00

*Drum roll*

I am so excited to share this AMAZING news.

I am so honored to announce that I am part of the INCREDIBLE RT BOOK REVIEWS team! Yes, me. My heart is filled with gratitude. I devoured this industry staple when I was a pre-teen and am just as hooked as ever.

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.

Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Happy Fall

2011-09-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

WOW: To Catch a Leaf - Kate Collins

2011-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Flower shop owner Abby Knight is aglow with happiness now that she's officially engaged to her longtime beau, Marco Salvare. Nothing can possibly dampen her joy-until wealthy dowager Virginia Newport is killed, and Abby's assistant Grace Bingham is the prime suspect. The plot thickens when they stumble upon mysterious stolen art and a missing cat, all part of an elaborate heist. Before Abby can throw her bouquet, she'll have to save her friend and throw a killer and a thief in jail...

To Catch a Leaf in stores 11/1. Pre-order here.

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Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Book Trailer: Dreamland - Alyson Noëlhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

2011-09-20T00:00:00.003-04:00

About Dreamland:

Riley's finding that the afterlife can be a lonely place when all you do is focus on work. So she goes to the place where dreams happen, hoping to find a way to contact her sister, Ever. She meets the director, who tells her about the two ways to send dreams. As a Dream Jumper, a person can jump into a dreamer's dream, share a message, and participate. As a Dreamweaver, an entire dream can be created in a studio and sent to the dreamer. But Dreamweaving was outlawed decades ago, and the studio was boarded up. Thinking it's her only way to reach out to her sister, Riley goes in search of the old studio. There she finds a ghost boy, who's been creating and sending nightmares to people for years. In order to stop him and reach out to Ever, Riley is going to have to confront and overcome her own fears.

Alyson Noël continues the bestselling story of Riley Bloom as she learns how dreams are made and tries to make contact with her sister, Ever.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/alysonnoel

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Book Review: Killer Hair - Ellen Byerrum

2011-09-16T00:00:00.002-04:00

Title: Killer Hair
Author: Ellen Byerrum
Series: A Crime of Fashion
Pages: 288
Website |Buy the Book
Pub Date: 2003
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Mystery/Cozy
Source: My Personal Library
Music playing:
Rating:

Washington DC., fashion reporter, Lacey Smithsonian has been asked by Stylettos manager and stylist, Stella Lake, to explore Angie’s suspicious death. Angie was found at her work station with her waist length hair chopped off and her wrists slashed. The cops are quick to call it a suicide and are not interested to delve deeper.

Lacey suspects something sinister is at the root of Angie’s premature demise and dons her investigative cap to get to the bottom of things when events start to smell as foul as a discounted perm. Kudos to Byerrum for not writing Lacey as an airheaded bimbo or an unbelievable risk taker when bodies start to pile up.

Byerrum’s protagonist is a cut above the usual ho-hum sleuths lining mystery shelves and is an absolute delight. The secondary players are a whimsical addition and enhance Byerrum’s debut rather than smother it with inane antics! Hallelujah!

Although, Killer Hair starts a bit slow, it flows along gracefully once it secures its stiletto jeweled footing. Refreshingly, Lacey artfully interrogates and with that little move, Byerrum gains an edge and revitalizes the genre.

Article first published as Book Review: Killer Hair by Ellen Byerrum on Blogcritics.

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Book Review: Thread Reckoning by Amanda Lee

2011-09-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

Title: Thread Reckoning
Author: Amanda Lee
Series: An Embroidery Mystery
Pages: 322
Website |Buy the Book
Pub Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Obsidian
Genre: Mystery/Cozy
Source: Publisher
Music playing: Hey, Soul Sister - Train
Rating:

Over the last few months, I have become quite a bit enamored with Tallulah Falls and its charming inhabitants so vibrantly sketched by the gifted Lee. I have invested my time and have grown to love the quirky cast and their daily escapades, but sadly this installment was a bit crookedly stitched as it veered toward the reveal and climax. Thread Reckoning started with its usual laser point precision, eloquent narrative and smooth prose, but it just seemed a bit jumbled as it was wrapping up – a bit too fast.

Marcy, Angus and Jill are back to warm the hearts of cozy mystery aficionados as St. Valentine’s Day swiftly approaches the town of Tallulah Falls, Oregon. Amour is in the brisk Pacific Northwest air and the pulse of intrigue is pounding fervently. Bridezilla du jour, Cassandra Wainwright, has enlisted Marcy Singer to glamorize her mother’s vintage wedding gown with sparkly baguettes for her Valentine’s Day wedding. Marcy is elated with this newly commissioned contract, until she realizes Cassandra’s picture is located right beside the dictionary definition of the word “Bridezilla”.

Sadly, the bride’s future mother-in-law, Francesca Ortega, is discovered stabbed to death outside of Marcy’s shop, The SevenYear Stitch. Francesca was transporting the jewels for Marcy to sew on the gown, but some baubles have come up missing. Now everyone is a suspect in this deadly jeweled caper, yes, even our delightful protagonist.

Lee’s plot starts unraveling at a heightened pace and thus begins the haphazardness laced within Thread Reckoning.

I wondered if Lee was pressed to meet a deadline or to finish out her contractual obligation. I do believe book 4 is due next year, but am not sure if the passion illustrated in the first two chapters and the beginning of Thread Reckoning has reached its end. It seemed as if Lee had other things going on and it knocked the sleekness out of alignment and instead of reaching its pinnacle, it collapsed. Lee’s invigorating energy was missing and it became apparent with each page turned.

As Thread Reckoning progressed the sequence seemed as if it was fragmentarily crafted. Lee just may be exhausted after churning out the second volume, Stitch Me Deadly, just seven months ago and to be fair to Lee, she also pens another series under her own moniker.

Now as many of you are aware, I am a blatant cover tart, and I must say, the winner of cozy cover of the year goes to Amanda Lee’s Thread Reckoning. The Obsidian art department did an outstanding job and the result is one stunning cover - absolutely gorgeous!

Visit Amanda's website and her blog.

Article first published as Book Review: Thread Reckoning by Amanda Lee on Blogcritics.

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WOW: Liver Let Die - Liz Lipperman

2011-09-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Book Description

Series: A Clueless Cook Mystery | Publication Date: October 4, 2011

Jordan McAllister can't cook her way out of a macaroni & cheese box, but filling in for the culinary reporter at The Ranchero Globe is better than writing personal ads. Her first assignment to review the new steakhouse in town is a disaster that ends with her waiter murdered outside her door-with her name and number in his pocket. Now Jordan is the prime suspect, as well as the main course on the murder menu.

Trailer Tuesday: Straw Dogs 9/16/11

2011-09-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Book Review: Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

2011-09-12T00:00:00.004-04:00

Title: Hold Tight
Author: Harlan Coben
Pages: 416
Website |Buy the Book
Pub Date: 2008
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Source: My Personal Library
Music playing: Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
Rating:

Coben is a skilled craftsman when it comes to creating an expressway of plot twists – you just never know where you are going to get on or off… let alone when the detour will lead you in an entirely different direction. When I picked up Hold Tight I had no intention of reading it in the Barnes and Noble café while waiting for my lunch order of spinach quiche to appear at my table (yes, the staff treats me rather well, and I tip them for the kindness and acknowledge them with their managers and corporate). I was loading my cart up with my stash of books and had intended to add it to my never-ending TBR (To Be Read) mountain. The cover spoke to me and I picked it up to read the synopsis – it piqued my interest, so I made a mental note to add it to my bedside pile.

I picked it up again and told myself I would read a chapter – which is something I absolutely abhor due to my fear of getting something on it, thus ruining it, and while I am dishing the dirt on my issues of marred books, I am equally appalled of buying a copy someone has pawed through. Hmmm… some might use the word “anal,” and I have no aversion to that term. Oh, the thought of some stranger with goodness knows what on their hands mauling through my books sends shivers through me. Germaphobe and anal are adjectives I welcome linked to moi!

I tossed caution to the wind and started Coben’s Hold Tight, and once I did, could not put it down for anything. I was hooked and wanted to know who, what, where, when, why… and how! Oh, my first outing with Coben, and he seduced me with his high octane tale of suspense.

Coben tackles the issue of privacy and how the internet and messaging has changed everything. He delves into how in today’s society anyone can write anything they want about you and your loved ones, and there isn’t much you can do. After all, once it is launched into cyberspace, it is out there.

At the core of Coben’s point of issue is the Baye family and the argument of a child’s right to privacy versus a parents’ moral and legal right to know. Mike and Tia install a spy program to keep tabs on their sixteen-year-old son Adam, after one of Adam’s buddies commits suicide. Not long after a tenebrous IM arrives, Mike tries to shelter Adam and keep him home, but instead Adam takes off. Hold Tight kicks into gear with riveting suspense as the search is on for Adam. One of the stops along Mike’s search for his son leads him to the dilapidated underbelly of the Bronx and a deeper look into the world of pharm parties. From there the suspense in Hold Tight propels the reader forward in a manner akin to a high intensity roller coaster ride that leaves you breathless and dizzy, as you feverishly flip pages.

Coben brilliantly maneuvers a few contradistinctive vignettes, which focus on the theme of parents trying to shield their children from the world and learning to distinguish them in their newly appointed roles of burgeoning young adults.

With every plot and subplot Coben unfolds effortlessly, as he hits the summit without a single loose end in sight. It is absolutely nothing short of literary magnificence

Article first published as Book Review: Hold Tight by Harlan Coben on Blogcritics

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September 11, 2001 - September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

Book Review: The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis

2011-09-09T19:27:00.005-04:00

Title: The Diva Haunts the House
Author: Krista Davis
Series: Domestic Diva Series #5
Pages: 280
Website |Buy the Book
Pub Date: September 6, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Mystery/Cozy
Source: Publisher
Music playing:
Rating:

Diva in the house - check. Halloween - break out the pumpkins. Haunted houses - *goose bumps*. Domestic. huh? What? Hmmm. this is where I pass the whisk onto the talented Krista Davis to whip. whisk. stir. oh, whatever she does domestically with it, it's all hers.

I will now do what divas of the Diane variety do - demand, give orders, lounge, read and get pampered - while sipping a few Immortal Kisses and munching on Breakfast Monster Fingers courtesy of Davis and her yummy recipes. Readers, you can snack and sip and get to the gym or par take in a hula dance 'cause the cooler weather is approaching and you can bundle your butt up while indulging on the treats nestled inside Davis' 280 pages (287 if you're counting the tasty recipes). Don't you love having choices? Now, let's get to the autumnal fun.

The Diva Haunts the House is Davis' fifth outing in the popular Domestic Diva series and is the best of the bunch. Davis has truly outdone herself with this volume. Aside from Santa trying to squeeze down the chimney and eventually resigning to bribing my poochies with treats and using the back door, Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy and once I did, I couldn't put it down. Davis' enchanting series had Halloween arriving a bit early, and I was absorbed, captivated and feeling as warm and toasty as warm pumpkin muffins straight from the oven. I was absolutely hooked!

Davis kicks off this delightful volume with the dynamic domestic diva Sophie Winston getting into the holiday swing of things by preparing for Halloween. Decorating the community haunted house, is penciled into Sophie's already whirlwind agenda; Meanwhile, Sophie's cutthroat opponent, the highly entertaining, Natasha, decides she is going to bring her own brand of merriment to the town's activities. After all, Natasha's not going to sit quietly on the sidelines while Sophie basks in the autumnal glow, so Natasha decides to join the festivities by hosting a spooktacular Halloween party.

When Sophie arrives at her rival's home, she stumbles upon the body of one of Natasha's party guests and a bicuspid attendee bolting from the scene.

The cause of death is not easily determined, but the victim does have two puncture wounds on his neck. Rumors start swirling about Old Town like dry autumn leaves as Sophie's homicide detective boyfriend Wolf investigates. One of the rumblings is whether or not the killer is an actual vampire and if the scuttlebutt has even an ounce of truth to it, the townsfolk are wondering if it's the same one who lived in Sophie's haunted house when it was a boarding house?

When it comes to culinary mysteries, Davis' cast of characters has all the ingredients to keep this series rolling out for many years to come. Davis finely blends mystery and comedy keeping The Diva Haunts the House entertaining and alluring. The Diva series is worth investing your time and you will fall in love with the author, the characters and the lovely Virginia setting.

The Diva Haunts the House shines as brilliantly as cinnamon glaze on an apple spice bundt cake.

As someone who grew up reading Diane Mott Davidson, all I have to say is, move over Davidson, 'cause Krista Davis has cemented herself securely as a fierce, fresh competitor to your culinary throne.

The Diva Haunts the House is in stores now.

Visit Krista's festively decorated website and over on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen.

Article first published as Book Review: The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis on Blogcritics.

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Wow: The Chocolate Castle Clue - Joanna Carl

2011-09-07T00:00:00.003-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

The Chocolate Castle Clue hits shelves 10/4. Click here to pre-order!

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.

Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Book Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

2011-09-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Coined a “dystopian” by the publishing company to sell mad copies, this is clearly not a dystopian anything and is a tepid attempt for the bestselling McCafferty to venture into the realm of satirical literature – give the gal an A for effort and forgive me as I don’t reach for my poms, aka pom poms, or get all fangirly over this distasteful scrambled mess (thanks to the art department’s cover, I will never look at an egg the same way again).

I can mention McCafferty’s other novels so as not to seem so Joan Rivers -esque on the red carpet, as Rivers gleefully strikes down leading men, femme fatales and wanna-be starlets and studs in what they believe is their best stepping-out and getting-off-the-mountain duds — only to be attacked for wearing something from Caveman Chris’ Outfitters, Dumpster D’s or Ludicrous Laraine’s — but I won’t because this is a review on Bumped.

In between searching for pencils to jam into my eye sockets, walls to bump my head into and freshly painted walls to stare at, I managed to finish McCafferty’s tasteless mess (a definite plus in the category of earning my wings) so take that Jeff Probst — I so can endure Survivor but don’t want to go without my Philosophy skin care products, Diet Vanilla Pepsi, QVC and my fierce gal, Sheila, model extraordinaire. Oh, toss in the fact that I am spoiled and like to be pampered to the Survivor con column… perhaps Probst and I should “do lunch” to discuss Survivor: Pampered and Spoiled or simply, Survivor: Diva, but I digress, so back to dishwater Bumped.

In McCafferty’s apocryphal universe, a virus has virtually rendered everyone over the age of 18 unable to produce children. As a result, teen pregnancies are the norm to maintain humanity (visions of MTV’s obnoxious we’ve-run-out of-ideas reality series glorifying teen pregnancy kept creeping up like Charlie Sheen shouting and serenading me with his classic tune “winning.”) Good gravy!

Bumped sways in alternating chapters from the views of 16-year-old identical twin protagonists, Melody and Harmony, who meet for the first time just as Melody is about to begin fulfilling her profitable contract to “bump” and supply a baby for an affluent couple. Harmony departed from the orthodox dominance she spent serving God and preparing for marriage and motherhood, to persuade Melody to lean on God instead.

While Melody and Harmony each have their own diverse personalities, I found them as bland as tapioca pudding and severely lacking any dimension. I tried to feel some emotion and muster up a sense of interest with Melody’s scenes with her best friend but it was too much of a stretch and I was easily distracted.

Melody is highly developed and Harmony is as flat as a tortilla and I wonder if McCafferty wanted to write Bumped from Melody’s point of view but decided at the last minute to up the ante by tossing Harmony into the mix for shock value.

McCafferty either needs to actually do research or reach for an actual Britannica encyclopedia instead of surfing the net or Wikipedia for tidbits, if she is going to write about a character who is steeped in religious values. Harmony came across as a brainwashed religious fanatic which was McCafferty’s insensitive attempt to grasp for controversy.

Sex-ed is taught in schools to encourage students to have unprotected sex and if you start procreating in middle school, it ups your shot of getting into a top notch university. Young girls wear padding to experience the joy of pregnancy.

Bumped, best described and marketed as science fiction, did manage to bring a guffaw throughout its banal jaunt. McCafferty scored a point by mentioning that the cafeteria stocks folic-acid enriched foods, which is vital when dealing with pregnancy. Mostly, she tried too hard to be accepted by the tween/teen crowd and came up with her own slang to stand out, which was just McCafferty jibber jabber. I love words and have since I was a kid, so this may be why I went all Linda Blair (from Exorcist) every time I stumbled over them and, like flies on manure, they were everywhere. Now, as a New Yorker, my own regional vernacular swoops in like WWE’s John Cena during a wrestling match – or a starving mosquito at a family gathering — but I know when to reel it in or cover it with a dimpled grin as I charm myself out of the ‘ole slang taking center stage.

Bottom line, McCafferty tried too hard to be something she clearly isn’t and that is a futuristic scribe. Would I recommend this to a teen? No. I don’t believe in censoring books, but highly caution one to reconsider since it discusses sex parties and orgies. I am all for safe sex, handing out condoms and am well aware Bumped is fiction, but I have a responsibility to give the facts, nor do I believe reading this will spike teen pregnancy across the globe. I say, if you are up to torturing yourself, read it with the kids in your world and stir up healthy conversations. I am gonna (see, I do use slang) pass on book two.

Bumped had an interesting premise but McCafferty failed on execution.

As for my personal interjection (no pun intended), I gagged so much reading this discombobulating drivel, I thought I was bumped!

Article first published as Book Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty on Blogcritics.

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.

Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Walter Mosley & Mystery Writers of America

2011-09-04T00:00:00.002-04:00

September 8, 2011, THURSDAY, 6:30 PM

Who am I in a Dead Man's Eye?
Walter Mosley talks character.

Like an actor, I take on the persona of a character and say things I wouldn’t say normally, I’m speaking from that character’s point of view. A lot of [authors] say their characters take over. I believe them; it’s just that I don’t feel like that.

We’ll hear more from this award-winning author on a rare THURSDAY night meeting, September 8, 2011, to open our programming season. Contemporary noir novelist par excellence, he’s also has written in nearly every other genre you can name, His unforgettable characters include Easy Rawlins, Ptolemy Gray, and Leonid McGill, from whose perspectives he’ll speak at length.

But it’s gonna be crowded, so RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW.

Remember, this event is for Mystery Writers of America Members (MWA) and guests only.

Please visit MWA for more details!

Book Review: Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley

2011-09-03T07:16:00.001-04:00

Kingsley’s Mind Over Murder is the breakout must read mystery of the fall season. Mind Over Murder is the first in a new series from Berkley’s Prime Crime imprint and a definite contender for best new cozy series of 2011.

The name Allison Kingsley may be new, but it’s just another pseudonym added to the prolific Kate Kingsbury’s résumé — then again, Kate is just another pen name for Doreen Roberts Hight, who also writes under the moniker of Rebecca Kent. Still with me? Whatever name Hight is writing under to deliver entertainment, one thing is certain — she is a remarkable storyteller.

Kingsley has effortlessly melded all the components richly to bring the cozy genre front and center with Mind Over Murder.

Yep, I know what you’re thinking, another paranormal cozy – been there and done that – but Kingsley layers like the Cake Boss with enticing paranormal twists that is not just “high-spirited,” but exhilarating and fun. Blended with feel good inside yumminess…like a caramel apple on a crisp afternoon.

Mind Over Murder is a stay in your pajamas all day kind of read. Readers, let me give you the scoop. For the longest time all Clara Quinn wanted was to escape and break free from her inherited gift of seeing into the future and reading people's minds, a trait her family calls the Quinn Sense. Clara wasn’t able to steer clear for long, and before she knows it, she is home helping her cousin, Stephanie Quinn Dowd, run the Raven’s Nest bookstore in the picturesque hamlet of Finn’s Harbor, Maine.

Finn Harbor’s town crier, Ana Jordan, is incensed by Raven’s Nest’s supernatural collection and is convinced it is corrupting Finn Harbor’s adolescents. In the meantime, Molly, an employee at Raven’s Nest, is extremely vocal about her animosity toward Ana’s shenanigans. So when Ana turns up dead, by a sculpture of Edgar Allan Poe that Molly sculpted, she is first on the suspect list. One thing Clara and Stephanie know for certain is Molly and Raven’s Nest are in one major predicament. Clara has no choice but to rely on her Quinn Sense to grasp the nonsensical.

While paranormal mysteries seem to be popping up a bit too much of late and are bordering on saturation, Kingsley dollops in just enough supernatural sparkle to bubble playfully and keep the reader entertained.

Kingsley’s inhabitants are a sensational cast of players with exhilarating and quirky personalities that vibrantly jump off the page engaging the reader immediately.

Kingsley’s location adds a rich sense of ambiance and is reminiscent of my all-time favorite bookstore mystery series, Death on Demand by Carolyn Hart.

Now, Hart’s beloved series is set in Broward’s Rock, South Carolina and Kingsley’s is set in the north, so readers get to see there are slight similarities, but that’s where it ends. Each writer knows how to weave a tale and pull you in.

What makes Kingsley stand out, is how deftly she adds authentic elements without going over the top, asking one to suspend common sense at the expense of frustrating and losing the reader’s attention.

Mind Over Murder proves Kingsley is not just “telling” a story for the reader to follow, but is building a cozy theatrical ensemble demonstrating just what animated narration is…by living and breathing it!

As for the cover, well as a cover tart, this is making me swoon like a tween @ a Bieber concert… or for my ma’s generation, a fainting at an Elvis concert…

For more on Doreen and all her nom de plumes click here.

Article first published as Book Review: Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley on Blogcritics.

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.

Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Blogcritics Contest: Murder by Mocha (Coffee House Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

2011-09-02T19:27:00.002-04:00

Murder by Mocha, is filled to the brim with the usual aromatic flavor. The 10^th Coffee House Mystery is a delicious read to devour as summer 2011 sweetly drifts off into the abyss. Once again we are hanging out with the charming, good humored and fascinating gang at the Village Blend. So, what’s going on this time? Clare’s coffee beans are being used to create a new java love potion – a Mocha Magic Coffee that’s infused with an herbal aphrodisiac. Sexy, huh? The phenomenal Cleo Coyle was kind enough to offer a signed copy, and I wanted to share this fantastic treat with my Blogcritics readers!

WOW: Chocolate Covered Murder- Leslie Meier

2011-08-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.
Chocolate Covered Murder in stores 12/27/11. Click here to pre-order!

All reviews, chats/interviews & posts are © The Book Resort.

Please do not use or reprint them without written permission.

© 2009-2011 The Book Resort ~ All rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Trailer Tuesday: Hades - Alexandra Adornetto

2011-08-30T21:33:00.002-04:00