I go nuts this time of year reading every Holiday story I can get my hands on, and well, also find the time to read. With that in mind, I would like to host those with Holiday releases over the next few weeks. So authors, if you would like to be interviewed or post a review of a holiday story you've read and loved to promote your own holiday story, please contact me at authorsbyauthors@gmail.com Remember, at ABA, if you post a review of a story your cover with link goes up on the sidebar - free advertising for the month of December - as well as your information as reviewer at the bottom of the review! Have another promo idea for your holiday story, let me know. I'm open to anything festive this month.
And, when I say "holiday", I mean any holiday in the month of December. We celebrate a few of them in my house :) I would love to see Hannukah and Yule stories, etc. as well as Christmas tales!
Kiki
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My Review of "edging past reality" by David A Fingerman
Review:
If you like bizarre twists, never quite knowing what is coming next, horrific surprises…then the anthology, edging past reality by David A Fingerman will be a collection of short stories you will enjoy. I personally have a thing for such dark tales.
I was initially caught by the division of the collection, with the stories divided into sections by age: “Too Young To Know Any Better,” Old Enough To Know Better,” Is This A Mid-Life Crisis?” and “Senior Moments.” I just love that wit of it which I found continued throughout the collection in many dark, spellbinding, surprising forms.
Of course, as with all anthologies, there are stories a reader likes better than others. With this collection, (I must be young at heart, LOL, as they were in the younger sections), “Mosquito Tim” and “Peeping Tom” stood out to me. Both stories had a savage idea of redemption about them which made me smile in a quite devious way :)
Product Description:
Get ready to expect the unexpected when you read this collection of chilling short storiesThe short stories of Edging Past Reality will take you to the precipice of reason and then push you over the edge.
If you think you can always believe your eyes, and you're sure that what you believe is true, it's time to check your certainties at the door ... and start Edging Past Reality. In this collection of short stories, as you're warned in the introduction, ''the most common and familiar elements of life ... explode into a circus of horror.'' Imagine an inviting, lush meadow that turns shockingly deadly. A mirror that holds more than mere reflections. A trial where your life hangs by a call-in vote.
David Fingerman, a master of the unforeseen and unpredictable, will take you on a number of seemingly ordinary journeys and then smoothly veer off course, surprising you with twists and turns that propel you toward destinations that are not only unexpected, but often terrifying.
If you think you can always believe your eyes, and you're sure that what you believe is true, it's time to check your certainties at the door ... and start Edging Past Reality. In this collection of short stories, as you're warned in the introduction, ''the most common and familiar elements of life ... explode into a circus of horror.'' Imagine an inviting, lush meadow that turns shockingly deadly. A mirror that holds more than mere reflections. A trial where your life hangs by a call-in vote.
David Fingerman, a master of the unforeseen and unpredictable, will take you on a number of seemingly ordinary journeys and then smoothly veer off course, surprising you with twists and turns that propel you toward destinations that are not only unexpected, but often terrifying.
About the Author:
David Fingerman has worked in the Hennepin County Court System for over twenty years. He now writes full time and lives with his wife in Minneapolis
Friday, November 12, 2010
INTERVIEW WITH LISA BURKE: FRIDAY FAVORITES
Favorite Genre(s): I love literary fiction… and I also love the Beat authors.
List of at least 5 Favorite Books in that Genre:
On The Road, Jack Kerouac
The Diaries of Franz Kafka, Franz Kafka
Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov
Nausea, Jean Paul Sarte
Little Woman, Louisa May Alcott
Favorite Author in that Genre, and Favorite Book by that Author: I love Vladimir Nabokov, though I haven’t read enough of his prolific writings. For a man whose native tongue is Russian, he puts most of us to shame with his impressive capacity of the English vocabulary. He often concocts plots that revolve around very unique (and fascinating) romantic relationships – the most famous of which is, of course, Lolita. I’d say that’s my favorite of his books.
Favorite Book of All Time: It may actually be Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. That woman can turn one paragraph about a small girl knitting into a thoroughly riveting passage. I generally get a bit bored with the pre-19th century habit of over-description, but she’s got the adjectives, similes, and solid, developed characters to keep me rapt, every page.
Favorite Book Read Last Month: I am *way* behind in my reading, but the last book I’ve (almost) finished reading is the “The Mystery of Lewis Carroll” by Jenny Woolf.
Favorite Book You Wrote: My favorite book is the first one I wrote, called “The Invisible Visitor”. I consider it my “baby”. I doubt I’ll write another like it, because I never thought it would see a printed page. Because I was so uninhibited, I took a lot of literary risks, including: using a mass of curse words, discussing touchy religious topics and incorporating spooky paranormal plot lines. These topics are fun to write, but a little uncomfortable when your friend’s mother wants to read your latest.
Give Us One More Favorite Thing Beyond Books: Good food, sleeping and lazy contented days with good company – these are the things that make me happy.
“Thunder Destroys Me” by Lisa Burke Blurb: Why are there so many people in bed with Charles and Lucy? Don’t worry, they’re only figments of Charles’ imagination. “Thunder Destroys Me” is a dark, unconventional novel about the agony of jealousy. Join Charles, the ugly, ill-mannered accountant, in his struggle to change his image in order to get the girl of his dreams. Watch him fight the evil Mind Militia, who attack him with messages of doom and hateful judgments. This illuminating story, complete with intriguing characters and scandalous surprises, will make you reassess what you think about thoughts.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
My Review of "Dream Bigger: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease" by Julie Wise
Dream Bigger: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease by Julie Wise
I must admit, I have been sitting here looking at a blank screen at a loss for words on this review. I feel as if whatever words I use will not do this book justice. It was FANTASTIC, PRACTICAL… I think a lot of that came from the way the book was made up.
The book was written in three sections: Dream, Dream Big and Dream Bigger. Then within each section, a reader is offered Exercises, Dreamwork, Action Plan, and Dreammakers (real life stories). Each of these gets the reader actively involved with invaluable steps which would help, I believe, anyone, at any place in their life to Dream Bigger. Whether an individual is sick, feeling hopeless in any situation, or even successful but wanting more, this book would be profitable for them to read.
The author is very open in her writing, always giving personal examples in each section, which pulls you in, makes you identify. But then, as I began the exercises and evaluations things in my own life just starting becoming clearer, and the practical advice helped me to better my life, to believe I could do what I had dreamed up. Again, I keep wanting to use the word “practical,” but that is just what this inspiring, self-help book is! Check it out!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
My Review of "Lichess" by Kev Henley
Lessons of pleasure from pain, a mastery of instincts and skills… lessons such as these and more with a paranormal touch, a heightened experience at the whim of the author’s pen – dare I say the beauty of an imagination which holds to no lines or boundaries that wields words like spells until a readers mind is not only captivated but surrenders to what the story has to offer the mind, the body and the spirit in a tale of dark erotica…my musings upon reading this story…but…
Kev Henley’s "Lichess" offers such an invitation. So, be brave, read on, experience the dark magic which comes from this creator. Reading it, you will being to question many things. I did.
“Life is potent, if you know the truth of it. Still interested?” Mr. Henley’s own words beg the question, “Who learns and who leaves?”
But it is not nearly that simple. This story takes on what it means to have choices, a blessing or a curse? It pushes the reader with unique views of truths, right and wrong, religion and magic, but most of all the possibilities redemption in various forms. Strange twists in the storyline await, deep psychological complexities arise, befuddle you and keep you reading. The dark occult influences are superb, the character building is darkly magical, the complexities of the lessons keep compounding, challenging your own beliefs…
This story is blazing hot erotica, dark paranormal and psychological fiction—the mix at its best. Are you ready for Lichess? Go ahead, I dare you. You won’t be sorry.
Lichess Blurb:
Just when she's feeling lost to the ravages of time, she discovers the one thing she never expects, the one thing that rearranges her existence and saves her: love. Yet, even pure love cannot outlast her.
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Friday, November 5, 2010
Guest Post: Julie Wise Reviews “Without Reservations” by Alice Steinbach
Without Reservations is the story of a woman’s journey to discover who she is outside of the roles that define her. When her sons left home, Steinbach decided to heed the call of the dream that had been calling to her for years. She took a nine-month leave of absence from her job as a journalist at the Baltimore Europe . Throughout her travels, she wrote postcards and mailed them to her home address. Excerpts from these postcards head each chapter.
I found the book delightful in its honest portrayal of self-discovery. Steinbach writes with a fresh easy-to-read style that made me feel like I was her trusted travel companion. Watching her follow her dream inspired me to follow mine a few years after I read this book.
Book Length: 295 pages
Publisher: Random House
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Reviewed By:
Julie Wise, Author of “Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease”
Author Bio:
I believe life is meant to be enjoyed. I love to work with people, listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences.
My training is in Organizational and Relationship Systems Coaching through the Centre for Right Relationship. I am currently completing a Certificate in Conflict Management and Mediation from Conrad Grebel University College Ontario , and I have also completed a one-year healership mentoring program in Advanced Energy Healing and Awareness. I am a Celtic Reiki Master as well.
In addition to managing my practice as a life consultant and relationship coach, I volunteer as a mediator at Community Justice Initiatives.
When I'm not busy with clients, you might find me dancing flamenco… or wandering a beach somewhere in the world, with the wind in my face and the sun on my back!
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"Dream BIGGER" Synopsis: When life's challenges get you down, and you feel like giving up on your heartfelt desires, it's not time to quit. It's time to dream even bigger! This book is filled with inspiring true stories, simple tools and exercises, and plenty of motivation. Learn how to re-chart your course and bring more joy and ease into your life as you pursue your dreams.
"Dream BIGGER" Blurb:
Most people have a dream. For some, it’s something they’ve wanted since childhood but have
never told a soul. For others, it may be something they tried once, and it didn’t work out so they gave up on it. Perhaps you have a dream that you keep dismissing because it seems risky or impractical. Our dreams make difficult times more bearable. They also bring joy into our lives, and inspire those around us. However, it takes more than a good imagination to make those dreams come true. It’s also about taking action and staying motivated. First, you need a clear idea of what you want. If you’re not sure, spend some time remembering your childhood and what you imagined you’d do with your life. The seeds to your dream are often found there. Once you know what your dream is, get to know it in detail. What does it feel like to be there? Who are you with, how are you dressed, what’s happening around you? Get familiar with it so that it’s easy to connect to that feeling whenever you need motivation. What’s stopping you from having that in your life right now? Make a list of any challenges or obstacles. The list is intended to give you ideas for actions, not to discourage you from moving forward, so don’t get too bogged down by it. Now take a look at the items on your list. What skills and resources do you have to meet those challenges? Who else can you call on for additional assistance? Talk to supportive friends and family members about your dream and see what ideas they have to help you move forward.
Take all of these ideas and resources and put them together into an action plan. This is a list of the steps you can take to make your dream a reality. Every day, check your list and pick one action you can take. Each time you take a step, celebrate, knowing that you’re that much closer to the life of your dreams.
Five Steps to Your Dream
1. Identify your dream
2. Make a list of your challenges
3. Develop a list of skills and resources
to meet those challenges
4. Create an action plan
5. Take one action each day toward
the life of your dreams
Wise's goal is to help 100,000 people dream bigger. To do this, and to celebrate the release of Dream BIGGER: Reclaiming a Life of Joy and Ease, she invites the public to share their life dream in an online challenge. The 60-day "Dream BIGGER Reinvention Challenge" runs from October 1 to November 29, 2010 and offers contestants the chance to post a video about their dream, get votes and become eligible for an amazing grand prize. "By sharing our dreams, we'll inspire each other to ever greater heights," she explains. Go to http://www.dreambiggercontest.com and enter today!
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