Hi Tanya. Welcome to the blog. First up, what kind of books do you write? Mystery, thrillers, paranormal, fantasy, and horror are the main genres in which I write. I’ve just recently written my first drama entitled ‘10 Minutes before Sleeping’, but it can also fit comfortably in the romance and thriller categories. Tell us a bit about yourself. I have been writing since I was a child and published my first book back in 1993 titled ‘A Killing Rage’, published by Carlton Press in New York. I’ve worked as a banker for several years, a proof-reader/editor, and ventured into a number of small businesses before returning to my first love of writing. I am also a ghost-writer and have been privileged to pen the stories of several influential clients who had amazing stories to tell. When I take these jobs on, I am often inspired by the life the client is so gracious to share with the world and I learn something new about life in general by reading and writing about the … [Read more...]
Review: The Shapeshifter’s Secret by Heather Ostler
Title: The Shapeshifter's Secret Author: Heather Ostler Publisher: Cedar Fort Imprint: Sweetwater Pub Date: June 12, 2012 Category: Young adult paranormal fantasy This is another story about a teen with an absent parent and powers she knew nothing of until something strange starts happening. In this case, start turning into a werecat. However, after we get over the oh-no-not-again groan, it’s quite a good addition to the young adult fantasy genre, one that crosses over from our world into a different reality. Julia discovers that not only is she a werecat, but in this other world, she’s a kind of royalty and her mother … I can’t let on, except to say that her heritage on her mother’s side throws another difficulty into Julia’s life. Once she’s through the portal, the reasons for her father’s paranoia become clear. We spend time in a school reminiscent of Hogwarts and Julia falls in love. There’s a bit of tension with a teacher and another boy, but apart from that the middle of the … [Read more...]
Review: The Lustre by Kate Policani
Title: The Lustre Author: Kate Policani Category: Contemporary fantasy suitable for adults & young adults The Lustre is charming and delightfully different in both concept and execution. The fantasy arena is choked with tales of vampires, werewolves, fairies, demons, dragons and so on, but never before have I heard of an Akatoromai, and that’s because it’s a construct of the wonderful imagination of Kate Policani, Awesome Indie author of The Disenchanted Pet. Akataromai originate on Earth, they look like humans and conceal themselves by blending within the Human population, but they live for centuries and feed upon negative Human emotions. Angelina Quorra is unique among her people in that she absorbs pain as well as emotion and gives anyone who feeds her overwhelming pleasure. This talent is called The Lustre and it brings her both fame and trouble. From the author’s synopsis Born to young and rebellious parents who selfishly flout their society’s standards, little Angelina … [Read more...]
Review – Blood Calling by Joshua Grover-David Patterson
Title: Blood Calling Author: Joshua Grover-David Patterson Publisher: Joshua Grover Kindle Edition Category: Young adult/adult I really enjoyed this new offering by Joshua Patterson. As with his previous book ‘Mercy’ (my review here), the character voice is strong and the writing smooth, drawing us into the story in an easy but ever building pace. Lucy doesn’t know what to think when she finds the Vampire Slayer’s kit in the back of her dead grandfather’s closet, with a note that said, “THEY’RE REAL. FIGHT THEM,” but a drink driving accident, followed by community service in a shelter for the homeless draws her into a world where she discovers that what her grandfather said is true. In ‘Blood Calling’, Joshua Patterson gives us a new take on vampires, not an easy task in the overcrowded vampire book market. His vampires are angels of mercy who offer to take away the pain of those near death or with a terminal illness. They leave their left overs with a smile on their face, … [Read more...]