Mayra Calvani's Open Salon Blog

Book Review: Cheerage Fearage, by Kimberly Dana

Sat, 26 May 2012 13:05:06 -0400

Kimberly Dana’s latest book will bring hours of reading pleasure to teen girls, especially those with a particular interest in cheerleading.

Years ago, a murder was committed in a cheerleading camp: a beautiful teenager with beautiful red flowing hair was drowned in the lake. Rumors say the killer was her best friend.

Now, ten years later, our witty protagonist Tiki Tinklemeyer is put in the same camp by her parents, who want their daughter to become more social and outgoing. But Tiki couldn’t hate the situation more. She feels awkward and out of place, to say the least. She’s not into fashion, makeup and boys, like the other girls in the camp. Worst of all, she’s never done cheerleading in her life! How could her parents have been so cruel? How will she possibly fit in? Thank God, one of her roommates, Rubi, turns out to be rather nice.

Soon, Tiki finds out about the ten-year old murder and the rumors that the dead girl’s ghost still roams the camp. Tiki can handle rumors of ghosts. After all, she’s an intelligent girl with common sense. However, things take a turn for the worse when strange events begin to take place in the camp. Is it one of the girls playing a trick on her — or is it the ghost of the murdered girl?

This was a delightful read! Dana really has a talent for getting inside the head of teen girls. The voice is young and fresh and the pace moves quickly with lots of fun, quirky dialogue. So this is a soft horror story with a humorous twist. The story was intriguing enough to keep me reading throughout, and the ending was good, promising more to come in Book Two. The only thing I found a little annoying was how the author wrote the dialogue by some of the girls in capitals. At times it was too much, and I found it distracting. Because of this detail, I’m going to give this book 4.5 instead of 5. Recommended!

To learn more, please visit the author’s website at: http://kimberlydana.com/

Purchase from Amazon.

My review originally appeared inBlogcritics: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-cheerage-fearage-by-kimberly/#ixzz1vzpeDjC9

Book Review: The Realms of Animar, by Owen Black

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:05:10 -0400

The Realms of Animar is an enjoyable read, one that will appeal to teens who are fans of fantasy and science fiction.

Set in a world where people have two forms, one human and one animal, this is the story of Thane, a teenage boy whose life is suddenly turned upside down when his animal form unexpectedly transforms into something never seen before. Filled with inmmense power, he now holds the key to the future of Animar and to saving his people from struggle and oppression. But Fatalis, the evil force who plans to rule Animar, learns about Thane and creates an army to destroy him and anybody who gets in the way of his plan. In order to fight Fatalis, Thane seeks the help of other beings, the Avians and Aquans. In a twist of fate, the hunters and the hunted must get together to save their world.

Though the beginning was kind of slow, with a lot of information being presented by dialogue, I was intrigued with the story enough to keep reading. The author does a fairly good job in creating his medieval world — which, by the way, doesn't have dragons, elves or sorcery like so many other books in this genre nowadays — and dividing it into five realms: Herbivore, Carnic, Avian, Aquan and Reptilian. I enjoyed the action, battle scenes, and watching Thane grow into a brave, fearless warrior and hero. Though it has some violence, the language and other aspects make this book appropriate for the lower young adult crowd and even for middle graders. Recommended for readers 11 & up.

Website: http://www.therealmsofanimar.com

Purchase from Amazon or B&N.

Meet Crime Fiction Author Conrad Johnson

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:05:10 -0400

John H. Byk (pen name, Conrad Johnson) was born and raised on the gritty streets of Detroit, Michigan. After surviving high school, he joined the Coast Guard and then went back to school to earn his Masters of Art in English. Still aching to see more of the world, he worked as a Merchant Seaman and then taught English in Japan and Thailand before returning to Detroit to teach high school. Having had enough, he retired early and now spends his time writing and interviewing contemporary authors on his podcast blog, 2012writersALIVE, from his home in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. When not chained to the computer, he spends his free time hunting, fishing, hiking, sailing and enjoying nature with his best friend Judy and his adoring canine, Sarah.

To promote his trilogy, the John Oxman Vogages, the author is offering the prequel, Detroit Daze free on Smashwords and Barnes and Noble.

About the book:

Detroit Daze is a novel about guts, glory and gangs set in the Mad Motor City of Detroit, Michigan. Not for the faint of heart. Not for the nostalgic minded reader. Not for suckers but for survivors only.

Interview:

What was your inspiration for Detroit Daze?

I wrote my first novel, Till the Moon Falls, in 2010. When I finished it, a sequel came to mind so I went right to work on that. It’s called, Xe-Nophobia. After finding an old high school friend on Facebook, he suggested that I should write a novel about those wild and crazy days so I did, figuring that a trilogy was better than a duology. The book is a prequel that completes The John Oxman Voyages series.

How long did it take you to complete Detroit Daze?

Once I finished my first novel I couldn’t stop writing. I finished all three books in a year and then a fourth one and now I’m working on my fifth. I’ve also written non fiction, chapbooks along the way. If there’s a day that goes by that I’m not writing, then I’m thinking about writing.

What do you find most challenging about writing crime fiction?

Avoiding sensationalism. Blood and violence for its own sake does not a good story make. There has to be a compelling narrative to justify it all.

What is your favorite scene in the book?

To be honest, I hated the entire manuscript when I was done with it. But then I shared it with Rebecca Forster, indie author of the best selling Witness Seriesand she nearly flipped out because she loved it so much. She answers this question best when she posted a review on Amazon that says, “Every word, every plot turn, every scene was so graphically presented that the reader prays the main character will be able to escape his circumstances. You will never forget Heavy, Berwyn and the rich cast of characters portrayed in this novel.”

What do you love most about being an author?

The freedom to dream, explore, create, share and to have an excuse for eating fudge brownies for a sugar buzz while working.

What does an author need to do to be a guest on your radio show, 2012writersALIVE?

First of all, they have to have a book that’s on the market and ready to be purchased with a click. Secondly, I prefer authors that have experience related to the work they are promoting and/or credentials more substantial than just being a blogger. I screen potential guests carefully to keep my show classy and relevant (I hope!). Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, they need a telephone or Skype connection, especially if they live outside of the USA.

What’s on the near horizon?

Warmer weather and lots of fishing trips. Seriously. I can hardly believe how much I’ve written in the past two years and all the interviews that I’ve done. I feel it’s time to slow down a bit, catch my breath and cast a few flies for trout as I still continue working on my next project and soliciting guests for my podcast blog at a much more relaxed pace than before.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

If you’re a writer, write from your own social milieu. If you’re a reader (as all good writers should be), always have at least two books on your nightstand (or on your electronic device) that you’re working your way through. Scan and sift through everything that you come across in print. Also, watch a goofy comedy film every now and then. Besides that, make sure you wear sunscreen on the beach.

Connect with John H. Byk:

Twitter: johnhbyk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/john.h.byk

Link to excerpt: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/79687

Link to purchase page: http://johnbyk.blogspot.com

Link to book trailer: http://youtu.be/pPV9ID3QAHE

Don’t forget to download your free copy of Detroit Daze from Smashwords or Barnes and Noble:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/79687

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/detroit-daze-john-conrad-johnson-byk/1110197586?ean=2940011537363

Book Review: Don’t Cry, Daddy’s Here by Brinda Carey

Mon, 7 May 2012 08:05:03 -0400

Don’t Cry, Daddy’s Here: One Woman’s Journey to Recovery from Incest is a deeply disturbing memoir. At the same time it is an important book, one that offers a strong message of hope and renewal to victims of this terrible crime.

"My decision to write this book came from a deep desire to say, 'You are not alone.' I share some of my memories and some lessons I have learned to aid me in living a happier life," writes Carey.

In her candid, honest voice and simple, straight-forward style, the author tells us what her childhood and teen years were like. It was hell, being abused by a manipulative father and raised by a mother who often beat her with a belt yet at the same time was--or seemed to be--completely oblivious and unaware of what was going on in her household.

While reading the book, I couldn't decide whether I was more angry and disgusted at the father or at the mother. What makes me even more revolted is the fact that some of the relatives knew what was going on but never said or did anything to help. It's so hard to accept that this kind of situation happens all the time. This is a brave, poignant account of a victim finally shouting out to the world the horrors of incest and its often inevitable consequences such as teen pregnancy and prostitution.

All I can say is that I take my hat off to this courageous author for having written this memoir. Don’t Cry, Daddy’s Here includes a lot of practical information and resources for victims. If you’re a victim of incest or you know someone who is, I recommend this book. If you suspect someone of being a victim, this is the right book for you as well. The author includes various checklists for signs, prevention and aftereffects.

To find out more about this book and the author, please visit Brinda Carey's website.

Book Review: Griffin’s Fire, by Darby Karchut

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:04:59 -0400

What happens when a moody teenage angel is forced to attend high-school?

The answer is Griffin's Fire.

Griffin's Fire is the second installment in Darby Karchut's Terrae Angeli young adult fantasy series, published by Twilight Times Books. I didn't read the first book in the series and have to say that I was a bit lost at the beginning of the story. Fortunately, not for long. Karchut provides only the essential bits of backstory and I was soon engulfed in Griffin's world. As far as the first book, Griffin Rising goes, suffice to say that Griffin is a supernatural being known as a Terrae Angeli, a being who has the ability to control Fire, Water, Wind and Earth and who, like a guardian warrior, helps humans who are in danger. Book I is all about his apprenticeship, relationship to his mentor, love for a mortal girl and 'fall' into the world of mortals when he's banished from the Terrae Angeli.

In this book II, Griffin is forced to live like a normal mortal teenager and enroll in Centennial High, a form of hell on earth. Not only must he adjust to his new nature, but he must also deal with nasty math teachers and especially with his mentor Basil's new Terrae Angeli apprentice, who comes to live with them and who does everything in his power to drive Griffin crazy and turn Basil against him. Griffin is pretty miserable, even more so when he's compelled to breakup with his beloved Kate and hide the powers that refuse to die within his own being. Is his Terrae Angeli nature gone for good — or are his powers back? If so, why? What does it mean? And how must he keep this knowledge a secret without betraying Basil and others who trust him?

I had a lot of fun reading this novel. The story moves quickly, the characters are all distinct with their own quirks and personalities and Griffin is truly sympathetic — moody, hot-tempered and impulsive yet with a kind and courageous heart. Karchut does a good job with her teen-friendly prose and her voice is fresh and engaging. After I finished reading the novel I felt an urge to get myself a copy of the first book to see how it all started. So the main characters are definitely ones to root for. Griffin’s Fire will appeal to both boy and girl teens and to angel-fiction fans in general. Recommended.