I wait anxiously in the corner of the room. My heart is hammering in my ears, keeping pace with the doctors and nurses bustling in and out of the room. They are prodding his still body and looking at equipment that is foreign to me. I know better than them. It is too late. There is nothing they can do to help him. I wish I could tell them, if for no other reason than to calm their struggles, but there is no use. My attempts to communicate with them are futile. Continue reading
Sykosa by Justin Ordoñez, excerpt and giveaway
Please enjoy this excerpt from Sykosa, a YA novel (for 18+ readers), by Justin Ordoñez. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including $550 in Amazon gift cards, a Kindle Fire, and 5 autographed copies of the book.
First period. American history.
Who knows which is worse. At this hour, it’s too early to care. Luckily, it’s never too early to bitch and moan. And she would do so, save her teacher is already on it. He’s up at the board—in shock that not a pupil noticed how his cuff smudged all his bullet points. Like wrist trajectory were her problem. That’s a math problem. And math problems aren’t her problem for another two hours. Yawn. He’s still going on—something about full attention being on… Continue reading
Filed under About Writing
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
“I’ve been locked up for 264 days. I have nothing but a small notebook and a broken pen and the numbers in my head to keep me company. 1 window. 4 walls. 144 square feet of space. 26 letters in an alphabet I haven’t spoken in 264 days of isolation. 6,336 hours since I’ve touched another human being.” ~Opening of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi~
Imagine being incapable of touch? Something each of us takes for granted on a daily basis, is unimaginable to Juliette, the heroine in Tahereh Mafi’s debut novel Shatter Me. For 264 days, Juliette has not touched or spoken to another living soul. Confined to a cell in an insane asylum she only knows that the outside world is crumbling under the control of the reestablishment. Starvation, disease, and pollution have changed the world.
I truly enjoyed this book. The story captured me from the very beginning! I was intrigued by the borderline insanity of Juliette and her internal turmoil. Her character was well rounded and strong. The chemistry between Juliette and Adam was genuine and believable. But there were so many likable characters, that there was never a dull moment! Continue reading
Filed under Book Reviews & Author Interviews
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor ~ Book Review
“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well.”
When I read the opening of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, I got chills. I was so excited! For months I’d waited to read this book and the way the story moved from the opening line through the first chapter was impressive.
Taylor is gifted in the way of description and prose, which in all honesty is what kept me reading the book. I found myself anticipating what new words she would use and kept thinking to myself, is it a good thing that you’re more into the prose than the story? Continue reading
Filed under Book Reviews & Author Interviews
A Snippet
As I played, images of her flashed in my mind, I closed my eyes and allowed my intro to linger. I could feel the corners of my mouth rising, forming a smile. My lips parted and I allowed the words to flow freely. Everything I’d wanted to say to her suddenly becoming the lyrics of my song. With my eyes closed I could see her clearly, lying on the white cotton blanket that lay on the ground, the sun beaming on her flushed skin.
I could feel the movement of my fingers on the string of my guitar stroking harder and harder as the anxiety inside me increased, when suddenly my fingers stopped. Slowly, I opened my eyes and there she was, standing in the middle of the room with tears trailing down her cheeks. I stood abruptly, how long had I longed to see her. I started to move toward her but she turned and ran out of the restaurant, without hesitating I ran after her screaming at her to stop, but when I made my way outside, she was gone.
Copyright August 2011 by Daisy F. Paltrow aka Sofia Day ~ All rights reserve
Filed under Misc Writing
The Dark Gifts: Birthright by Willow Cross ~ Review, Interview, and Giveaway
“This was crazy. Just forty-eight hours ago, the man Elizabeth was now willing to sacrifice herself for, had been the very same man who’d killed her.” ~Chapter 1~
The opening lines of Birthright by Willow Cross, instantly captured my attention and made it impossible for me to turn away. The story begins with imminent danger as Liz, a newly formed vampire, is brought before the vampire council to await her fate, a fate she never knew she was destined for. Continue reading
Filed under Book Reviews & Author Interviews
Paranormal Turkey Tour
Ah yes, Thanksgiving. Nothing says the holidays like sitting around a fully decked out dining room table with mouthwatering temptations waiting to be gobbled up. Everyone waits anxiously for the big reveal… the turkey!
Lovingly prepared since early that morning, the turkey is brought out in a covered, silver serving platter. Aunt Edith smacks little Tommy’s hand as he attempts to steal a candied yam dripping with marshmallow. The collective breath is held as the silver cover is removed… revealing… a zombie turkey! Continue reading
Filed under About Writing
Author Bashing
I have bitten my tongue on author bashing for about as long as I can. I need to know, or at least attempt to understand, why people (especially other authors) feel the need to bash an author because they disliked their books. I understand that we will not all like everything that is published. It’s impossible and unrealistic to assume that because one person loves a particular book, the rest of the world will too. I also understand that if a reader doesn’t like a book he or she is entitled to say so. Continue reading
Filed under Gripe Sessions
Book I am Most Grateful for!
I have read countless books! I’d probably be here all night naming them all. But there is one book that I am most grateful for and it might surprise some of you. I’ve always enjoyed reading but I was also a closet writer. I told no one about my writing and disguised it as journaling. After countless journals, I was still left unsatisfied and never could quite figure out why. Then one day my cousin came to me insisting I read Twilight. I refused, wanted absolutely nothing to do with the book, let alone the series. After all we’re grown-ups, Twilight was for children!
Filed under About Writing
Story Update
I wanted to give a quick update on my book. I’ve made some good progress lately! After weeks of research and re-plotting I’ve finally narrowed everything down. I’ve officially completed the re-writing phase and can now move forward with the story. Continue reading
Filed under About Writing
