Apr 14 2017

AudioBook Review – Feedback Loop

I got so far behind in my reviews, I’m posting them in no real order, but I’ll catch them up. There just is so so many! haha but I’ve had a blast this last few weeks listening and working when I got home. So here we go catching up –

And of course ya must know I love Jeff Hays and his narrations by now. So it was a pleasure to pick this audiobook up 🙂

Review as follows

————–

“Great story!”

Thoughts –

A very well-known theme in this story makes it very familiar and yet so very different. Quantum wakes every morning, to the same routine, day in, day out, and has he thinks for the last few years. Little does he really know the full extent of what’s actually been happening within the game he nicknames ‘the loop’.

When a message and a mysterious person, Frances, disturbs the loop and his day to day repetition. Everything that Quantum has come to know turns on him and he’s fighting for his life both inside and outside the game.

What I really enjoyed from this audiobook was the great attention to character detail, the depths to which Harmon has gone to make us really think about the situation that Quantum is in. After all, how would we react stuck not only in a game but repeating the same day? The psychological ramifications are evident throughout the story, but they’re realistic and true to Quantum’s character and to that of someone who is playing a game.

What I think could have been improved, there were some great action scenes and sequences, but I think the reasons behind some weren’t as clear as they could have been. The assassins on the outside, part of the ‘reapers’ were underdeveloped. I know money is the bane of all evil, but it didn’t quite add up for me. I wanted more of their need to stop him in the game and out of it, maybe that comes out better as the series develops. I guess I can only hope.

I am an avid follower of Jeff Hays, so I can’t lie that I already know his voices and his traits. As an actor, he’s growing not only in the genres he’s taking on but in the way he produces his work. They’re more and more entertaining, and it’s great to see someone branch out to take on, something as substantial in the writing world, a genre in its own making, litRPG.

I look forward to many more books from both these guys, this one is well worth a listen too. Thanks

Apr 8 2017

The Secret King – Lethao – Free for the B2BCycon :)

There it is I’ve put out a promo for the event and our first book is Free to download and keep! not just Kindle Unlimited. 🙂 so grab a copy now!

myBook.to/TSK-Lethao

Lethao Cover Art AMAZON.jpg

The Brain’s to books event is huge, with loads of events on all weekend, and to which I might add, I’m also taking part in the SciFan Magazine’s LitRPG launch, party and more in the facebook group –

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitRPGsociety/

I’ll be talking mostly about our Litrpg novel Know Thy Enemy, written by myself and Matt Ferraz. Introducing you to our two main characters, and the world/game they occupy.

There will be loads of fun, Jeff Hays is also making an appearance 🙂 2.00pm EST live, (fingers crossed he might read from our story)

Five chapters features in the SciFan mags’ LitRPG edition – myBook.to/SciFan-LitRPG-1

And tomorrow, it continues!

Check out TSK’s second book also in coverwars!

http://b2bcycon.com/fantasyscience-fiction-cover-wars-2/

Go vote for this amazing cover…. (shameless I know) haha

first-contact-final-best-2

Mar 17 2017

Daughters of Destiny Release Day – Author – Raven Oak

Introducing Raven Oak –

Bestselling science fiction & fantasy author Raven Oak is better known for her novels Amaskan’s Blood (EPIC Awards 2016 Finalist, Ozma Awards 2016 Finalist), Class-M Exile, and the collection Joy to the Worlds: Mysterious Speculative Fiction for the Holidays (Foreword Book of the Year 2016 Finalist). She spent most of her K-12 education doodling stories and 500 page monstrosities that are forever locked away in a filing cabinet. When she’s not writing, she’s getting her game on with tabletop games, indulging in cartography, or staring at the ocean. She lives in Kirkland, WA with her husband, and their three kitties who enjoy lounging across the keyboard when writing deadlines approach. Raven is currently at work on Amaskan’s War and The Eldest Traitor.

Reviews of Amaskan’s Blood:

“With a ferocious-yet-fragile heroine, resonant themes, and a sweepingly gorgeous backdrop, Amaskan’s Blood delivers food for thought and frank enjoyment.” –Maia Chance, author of the bestselling Fairy Tale Fatal series

“An exciting epic fantasy filled with intrigue and layers upon layers of well crafted secrets and lies.” 4 out of 5 stars. –Stephanie Hildreth of 100 Pages a Day

“Holy crap, this is good!” –Seattle Geekly

Website: http://www.ravenoak.net

Facebook Author Page: http://facebook.com/authorroak

Twitter: http://twitter.com/raven_oak

Goodreads’ Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/raven_oak

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Oak/e/B00P5PT4AM/

Google+ Page: https://www.google.com/+RavenOak

YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/kaonevar/

Mar 15 2017

Daughters of Destiny Release Day – Author – Devorah Fox

An Interview

The Redoubt is the latest in The Bewildering Adventures of King Bewilliam. What’s background to that series?

It began as my National Novel Writing Month project in 2010. That was the first time that I entered the writing marathon NaNoWriMo challenges writers to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I was successful and found it a great way to get a novel started. The other books in the King Bewilliam story have all started as NaNoWriMo projects. The Redoubt was my fourth NaNoWriMo marathon in 2014 and I plan to participate in NaNoWriMo 2015.

You’ve worked on other projects besides the King Bewilliam series.

I have. I am thrilled to have my short story, “Turning the Tide,” in the company of work by talented, bestselling authors Samantha LaFantasie, Alesha Escobar, Timothy C. Ward, H.M. Jones, and Alice Marks. We all contributed to Master of Time, A Science Fiction/Fantasy Time Travel Anthology. I was delighted to discover that I can write short fiction. When I first set out to write fiction I wrote novels, largely because I was trying to write the book that I most wanted to read. Later as I joined writers groups I became in awe of authors who wrote short stories and managed to achieve so much with so few words. It’s a very different craft from novel writing. I was thrilled to find that I could say what I wanted to say in less 2,000 words.

How do you balance your schedule between writing/editing/marketing?

I wish that I could say that I have achieved balance. I spend entirely too much time on marketing and not nearly enough on writing and editing. It’s a truism that if we spend all our time on marketing and none on writing we’ll have nothing to market, but it’s hard to decline the opportunities that come my way.

What’s your favorite social media network and why?

I would have to say Facebook. I find it’s a good way to stay in touch with friends whom I don’t see in person because of time or distance. OK, let’s be honest: it’s because it’s chockablock with cute cat photos and videos.

Of the marketing techniques you’ve tried, which have been most successful?

If sales are the measure, the most successful marketing I’ve done has been book launch signing events at the Port Aransas Art Center. I very much appreciate the support of the Art Center and the Texas Coastal Bend community.

Where would you like to see your writing career in 5 years?

I have so many works in progress. In five years I would hope to have finished Books Five in The Bewildering Adventures of King Bewilliam epic fantasy series and A Whale of a Tale, a spin-off from my contemporary Coastal Texas thriller “Naked Came the Sharks” that I’m co-authoring as well as a sequel or two to that book. I’ve revived a novel that I started in 1993 and I’d like to finish that. I have several detective-series drawer-stuffers that I’d like to dust off and get between covers. I’m a huge “Warehouse 13” fan and I have three pages of ideas that would make great short stories in the steampunk genre. And, Sir Maxwell, a character from the King Bewilliam series, wants his own book. I think it would make a great Young Adult story.

If this was your last interview ever, what would you really want to say?

Thank you, everyone who has read my work and asked for more. It’s your encouragement that tells me that writing is what I ought to be doing, as opposed to brain surgery or mixed martial arts.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/H5IW8oVJCnQ

The Redoubt: Voted #35 of 50 self-Published books With Reading 2016.Having bested beast, man, and even his own failings, King Bewilliam has regained his throne, reunited with his sons, and restored his embattled kingdom, yet something is lacking. When a crippling famine threatens the Chalklands’ very survival, his vassals propose a risky plan to seek aid from a distant ruler. King Bewilliam strikes off on a perilous journey to the island empire of Sea Gate accompanied by a cadre of loyal knights and nobles who are unaware that the plan will reunite the king with a spurned lover.

This is why we read fiction. In the King Bewilliam series, Devorah Fox has created a world of adventure, intrigue, fancy—and dragons. The reader is drawn in as King Bewilliam tests his heart, mind, and ability for invention to reclaim himself and his place in that world. These stories are wonderful and imaginative—and fun.—Michael Stephen Daigle, author of the Frank Nagler mystery series.
Your book kept me quiet company during a harrowing time at Hospital with congestive heart failure. I hope that next book can be read in less stressful moments. Thank You! Thank you for a “quiet story” which I could read and enjoy with serenity.—David Abbe

Sharable Links

What Makes it a Fantasy?: http://www.masqueradecrew.com/2013/11/what-makes-it-fantasy-syndicated-from.html

The Sophomore Curse: http://www.indiepubchat.com/sophomore-curse/

Mar 2 2017

SciFi Blog Tour – Alasdair Shaw

Introducing –

Alasdair Shaw grew up in Lancashire, within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales, Pennines, Lake District and Snowdonia. After stints living in Cambridge, North Wales, and the Cotswolds, he has lived in Somerset since 2002.

He has been rock climbing, mountaineering, caving, kayaking and skiing as long as he can remember. Growing up he spent most of his spare time in the hills. Recently he has been doing more sea kayaking and swimming.

Alasdair studied at the University of Cambridge, leaving in 2000 with an MA in Natural Sciences and an MSci in Experimental and Theoretical Physics. He went on to earn a PGCE, specialising in Science and Physics, from the University of Bangor. A secondary teacher for over fifteen years, he has plenty of experience communicating scientific ideas.

Where was your favourite reading spot as a child? Where is it now?

Then and now it is curled up in bed. Warm, cosy, and immersed in whatever world the book describes.

If you won ten million dollars tonight, what would you do?

Buy land with caves that currently have poor or non-existent access. Manage the land as nature reserves, with access consistent with conservation.

Set up a scholarship for true all-round students – high academic performers across arts and science as well as taking part in outdoor activities, music and sport.

Move somewhere nearer the mountains.

Prejudice cover.jpg

When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?

I have a pretty good idea before starting. However, they do take on lives of their own, especially when they start interacting with other characters and the situations they find themselves in. A recent new character, Alexandra Seivers, was originally written as a man, but by I was halfway through The Perception of Prejudice she just had to become a woman. Hopefully I managed to correct all the ‘he’s and ‘him’s.

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?

I write on a computer. As I have the files on Onedrive they are shared automatically between my PC, two laptops and Surface. Wherever I am when I find I have a little while to write I can access them.

Recently I have been taking a notebook with me when I go out walking. Sitting on mountains jotting down bits of a book is somehow very satisfying, even if my pen hand does get ridiculously cold. I take particular amusement form the fact that the notebook was part of a prize I won for ‘major contributions to A level and GCSE Physics publications’ (the several hundred pound cheque was the more exciting part when I opened the envelope).

Dictation seems to be popular nowadays, especially with the advances in speech recognition on computers. I find I cannot write well without having the text in front of me, and the many inaccuracies of homophones and punctuation seriously bug me. Also, I constantly edit as I go along, and rarely have a whole sentence in my head before it goes down. I have considered dictation might be useful when I am driving, however, so might try that out at some point.

Is being a writer a gift or a curse?

Given the two options, I’d say gift. Anything that allows you to communicate and share ideas and passion is a good thing.

The Two Democracies: Revolution science fiction series starts with Independence, and continues with Liberty and The Perception of Prejudice. His second novel, Equality, will hopefully be released in summer 2017, followed by Fraternity the year after.

You can sign up to Alasdair Shaw’s mailing list at http://www.alasdairshaw.co.uk/newsletter and see what else he gets up to on his website at http://www.alasdairshaw.co.uk.

The Two Democracies universe intersects with our own at https://twitter.com/IndieAI and https://www.facebook.com/twodemocracies.

Kanundra's Blog

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