The Castle Trilogy by Maree Ward-Russell

The Transient (The Castle Trilogy) - book 1

She never believed. Not in ghosts, not in friendship, and especially not in love.
When Melodie Gibson moves half way around the world to upstate New York, her entire world turns upside down. Living in a quirky castle turned bed and breakfast, she finds herself confronted with someone watching her every move. That someone is Joseph, who captivates Melodie's heart, fulfilling her dreams and drawing her into his world—a world that is beautiful, magical… and treacherous. It will take all the courage Melodie has to face those who will stop at nothing to rip them apart.
From the pages of a Victorian Gothic novel transplanted into modern times, The Transient is the first in The Castle Trilogy, a powerful fantasy romance series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love is Supernatural By Leslie Hansford

The love story spans time and maturity. I have read ghost stories...I have read about demons...I have read romance.....THEN I READ THIS. Reminded me of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" in an updated and interesting twist. Merits a re-read.

 

The Soul Keeper (The Castle Trilogy) book 2

Would their love go on as promised—forever and a day?

The Governance has had the final say. Joseph has been banished. With a broken heart Melodie must go back to her mortal world at Heartworth Castle without the arms of her ghost around her, without the warmth of his smile.

But some hope still remains. The surprising gift that her housekeeper Kate has shown her may just be the key. Can Melodie and her friends find the silver book and bring Joseph back? And who is this Irish stranger who clumsily lends a hand?

This installment in The Castle Series, The Soul Keeper will keep you glued to every page.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic Continues..., K.M. Whittaker

The second Book in the Castle series, - The Soul Keeper by Maree continues from where we left off.

Melodie is heartbroken at the loss of Joseph to the other side, but here in this instalment we meet new and quirky characters that entwine with the characters that Maree has already put forth in her first instalment.

We are taken on a journey of discovery for Melodie - and a journey of all sorts for other characters.

Love, suspense, dramas and a worlds that one could only imagine.

With the adventure that Maree takes us on in this instalment we laugh along the way, get teary eyed for the characters and watch as the friendships and bonds grow stronger then in book one. We are taken on a rollercoaster ride - of ups and downs in this book and it keeps your fingers gripped at every page turn.

This author paints such vivid details into her stories. A world filled with magic, characters that grow within every page, and a story to tell, to anyone of all ages. The writing is crisp, the storyline well written and the characters that Maree has created are certainly memorable and most likeable.

I enjoyed all the characters that Maree has put forth within this story, I have to say I giggled at many antics within this story, it had a lighter feel at many times, but also many darker ones that you won't see coming.

Alex was a hoot - and I have to say I admired Melodies persistence with him. (( snickers ))

The relationship and story that forms between Melodie and Joseph is strong, innocent, yet heart-warming and loving. You can't help but feel for Melodie with her struggles to get the silver book back and her lost love as well.

We see Her character grow with each instalment - from being a Wallflower to someone having many special friends and finding a love that one can only dream of. ( sigh )

A few twists and turns are also present - they will certainly have you wandering where she is taking us.

Reading Maree's stories are like being within the pages, her passion for the world she has created shines through her writing - her wonderfully scripted characters are brought to life within each page and her story tells a story that is unique and memorable. A must read series for all the young at heart and for all those who enjoy being taken to another world among words.

The book is a ya paranormal - (young adult) but I recommend this book to anyone of any age who fears to dream a little magic...

 

 

 About the Author

Maree Ward-Russell was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1965. She currently resides in Auckland, in a home with a sea view across Auckland Harbour. She has two crazy cats, four fussy budgies and an army of teenagers to feed. By day she has been known to pick daffodils in the rain and by night she can be found stalking graveyards for creepy photos. When not writing and looking after family she dreams of Dragons and Demons in the dark. She has been a Registered Nurse for twenty-six years and has an Advanced Diploma in Novel Writing from the New Zealand Business Institute.

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Cover by Paradox book cover design and formatting - HERE

Interview with Nick Hunter, by Ella Medler, Author of Blood is Power.

Interview with Nick Hunter, by Ella Medler

Hello and welcome. Thank you for giving me the chance to introduce Nick Hunter, the main character of the Hunter Trilogy.

Let me give you a bit of background first. Nick Hunter had a tough start in life, but he overcame his difficulties and joined the Army. One day, a mission he was supervising went wrong and he lost all his comrades in an ambush. Their bodies shielded his own. Since that day, post-traumatic stress and survivor’s guilt have haunted him relentlessly. In time, and mostly to escape psychologists’ clutches, he sorted out his shell of a life. Still uncertain and not entirely in control, he accepted a quick job — which turned out to be one of many — and slipped into the murky world of contract killing.



E: What happened, Nick, what was the catalyst to you changing your way of life?
NH: It was wrong. I was playing God and leading the life of a somewhat disturbed loner. Don’t get me wrong — I had friends. I just… I don’t know… I guess I just grew tired of killing, eventually.

E: Did your decision become final when you met Maxine Hamilton?
NH: Maxi is everything to me. I certainly wasn’t prepared to put her life in danger, but I knew things had to change before that evening… the evening I saw her walking down the beach, sweet and lost, strong on the outside yet crumbling on the inside. I love Maxi.

E: I’m grateful for allowing me to write your story, and Blood is Heavier is just the beginning, isn’t it? It’s about meeting Maxine and turning your life around. You settled down in a little town in England, had a little boy, Cameron…
NH: My son is the best thing that ever happened to me.

E: And then shadows from the past clouded up your sky.
NH: Oh, very poetic. I was too trusting, I believed we’d be safe in England. I mean, crime is really low, outside London, and I never thought for one second that there could be someone dumb enough to try and blackmail a contract killer… sorry, ex-contract killer… someone stupid enough to try and use my son as a lever to get me to go back to my old way of life. I should have changed our identities, lost our tracks somewhere really remote. I was careless and exposed my family…

E: You blame yourself? It’s not your fault, you know.
NH: It is. But I can fix that. The people threatening my family will not have the chance to do it for long.

E: Somehow, I didn’t expect you to say anything different. So, can you tell people about the real threats? What exactly happened in Blood is Heavier?
NH: Read the book and find out. (He chuckles) All I’ll say is that in the second book, Blood is Power, everyone will get what they deserve.

E: Oooh, I like that. Wait a minute, so if the events that began in Blood is Heavier get resolved in Blood is Power, what’s left for book three? You did say it’s a Trilogy, the Hunter Series, right?
NH: Yes. The third book jumps forward in time by a few years, and I’ll just let you into the secret now, if you like, without giving away any of the plot: you’ll have to ask Cameron a lot more questions. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

E; Your son? Hmm, intriguing. I can’t wait to write that story, too. Ok, so I can see you’re a little reluctant to reveal the action. Tell me something about you, then.
NH: What do you want to know?

E: What’s your favourite pastime?
NH: Easy. Sailing.

E: Favourite place on Earth?
NH: The ocean.

E: I guess I should have seen that one coming. What do you treasure most on Earth?
NH: My family. Do you even need to ask these things?

E: Oh, oh. I know. What is your greatest asset?
NH: (He sighs as he considers his answer) My resilience, I think. I just don’t give up. Not in my nature.

E: Do you think about death? I mean, does it bother you, as a concept? And if yes, how often?
NH: It doesn’t bother me. Why should it? We’re born, we live, we die. It’s what we do with our lives that bothers me, as you put it. It seems not all of us have managed to find the best use of our time on Earth. Well, I’m not wasting my time teaching others. And yes, I do think about it, but not in a macabre way. I’m quite relaxed about it. Philosophical, you’d probably say.

E: Is there a recipe for perfect murder? Could you do it?
NH: Honey, you couldn’t afford me!

E: Ha ha ha. What makes you laugh?
NH: Good jokes, a puppy chasing its tail, a seagull misjudging its landing, a kitten tripping up a mountain of a man, a kid who’s just discovered that crabs have claws… many things.

E: Do you laugh at your own jokes?
NH: Of course. And so should you, if you know what’s good for you.

E: Thanks for the warning. Promise to behave. What makes you cry?
NH: Oh, heavens! Lengthy interviews!

E: Oops. I thought you were ok with being interviewed.
NH: I was. Before they stripped off my weapons in the doorway.

E: Should I continue?
NH: I’ll answer three more questions. Now, for goodness’ sake, ask me something intelligent.

E: Ok. (My turn to think for a minute) Is there anything you’re ashamed of?
NH: Yes. I wish I was a stronger man. Sometimes, just being able to survive is not a good enough sign of being a strong, decent person.

E: So, does that mean you’d change anything in your life, if you had the chance?
NH: I already have. By the way, don’t bother trying to follow me. You’ll never find me. Unless I want you to find me.

E: Wasn’t planning to. I value my life far too much. One question left… What’s the most important life lesson you want to pass on to your kids?
NH: To make their own rules. Respect life, be human and humane, but never ever let someone else dictate what you should do or like or say. Being free is so much more than an entry in a dictionary.

E: Wow. I wish I knew that one when I was young. It would have saved me a lot of headaches. Well, thank you for being here, thank you for being patient and most of all, thank you for being so open and truthful.
NH: My pleasure. I hope to speak to you again, someday. Goodbye. (to the heavy by the door) Hey, big fellah, can I have my gun back now?

~

(If you’re interested in picking up Blood is Heavier (bk 1), find it FREE on Smashwords here http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/158896. It will stay free until Blood is Power’s  release day, 19 July.)

About the Author

I live in Cornwall with my husband and our two teenage daughters.
Together, we care for a large assortment of pets, some small enough to fit in a fish tank, and some capable of causing you significant injury on impact.
I was born in Transylvania but got chucked out due to my inability to grow fangs and reluctance to sleep in coffins.

My first book, MARTIN LITTLE, RESURRECTED is a lighthearted fantasy novel full of action and unique takes on life. It's total escapism.
Heartened by positive reviews on my first book, I published BLOOD IS HEAVIER, an action thriller, which is an explosive and emotional struggle to save a father's most treasured possession.

ETERNAL ISLAND and ETERNAL IMMORTALITY, books one and two of a paranormal romance series, are now live. I have co-written them with a brilliant American author, Kristie S. Haigwood.

My next release is book two in the Hunter Series, BLOOD IS POWER, which should be out before the end of June 2013.
In the pipeline are sequels for all of the above and a spin-off from Blood is Heavier - Tequila's story.

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Cover by Paradox book cover design and formatting - HERE

Deadly Storm - New book by Kenneth Hoss - includes author interview.

 
 
Storm Warning:
 

Detective Kelli Storm and her partner, Eric Ryder, are called to the scene of an apparent suicide only to discover that the victim was a Russian hit man and Kelli was to be his next target.

The trail from the body leads the two Detectives to the underbelly of Brighton Beach, and the Russian Brotherhood that rule there. During the course of their investigation, Kelli discovers a link between them and a powerful Colombian Cartel, the same Cartel she thought had been shut down with the death of its leader.

When the FBI and DEA take an interest in the case, they forge a plan to break up the international drug ring. As they delve deeper, the Cartel and Brotherhood become bolder and they both want Kelli dead. To make matters worse, after an ill-conceived tryst, it’s all she can do to keep her professional and personal lives separate.

Show more

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Interview with the Author of the Kelli Storm Novel's.

Hi Kenneth, Where were you born? I was born in Fort Worth, Texas.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say? Storm Rising – A Kelli Storm Novel.  Exciting.

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say? Kelli would give me hell at first, and then turn around and thank me for saving her life.

Do you have plans for a new book? It is already in the works. Is this book part of a series? This is the first book in a planned series of three.

What or who inspired you to write? In the beginning, I would have to say Isaac Asimov. His books pulled me in and took me to new worlds. And how long have you been writing? I started writing short stories in Jr. High, but I didn’t start in earnest until High School. I wrote mostly SciFi and Fantasy short stories.

Do you gift books to readers for book reviews? I can’t say. I haven’t had any reviews on my book yet.

Patti says: Would you like to offer some free on this blog for reviews?

How did you come up with the title and cover design? The title was easy. It’s came from the last name of my main character. The cover was the genius of George Arnold, the husband of a very good friend of mine, Carolyn Arnold. Carolyn is also an Indie author and has just released her novel, Ties that Bind.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life? My main character, Kelli, is based on several women I have known over my life. However, there was one woman in my life that I would say comes closest to Kelli. She was smart, beautiful, independent, and she broke my heart.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why? I read widely, so there is really no one genre that influences my writing per se.

Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? John Grisham

Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? Call me old fashioned, but I still like to hold a book in my hands. Yes, I know, it sounds ironic coming from an author whose first book is an e-book.

Are you a self published (Indie) Author? Yes

Have you ever read a book more than once? I believe I have read several books more than once. I once read “I Sing the Body Electric” five times during one summer break.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version? No, the book is ALWAYS better.

What book are you currently reading and in what format (electronic/paperback/hardcover)? What in Hell is up with Heaven? E-Book format.

What book do you know that you will never read? The Devil wears Prada

Patti says: Is that cause you loved the movie so much?

Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why? AJ Powers and Christopher Petersen. They each have a unique style and voice.

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why? No

Who designed the cover of your book? George Arnold (He is in the acknowledgement section.)

Do you have a book trailer? No.

Do you have any advice for other writers? Stay true to your characters, and never give up.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing? Don’t edit the first draft until it’s complete. Then edit the hell out of it.

Do you write under a pen name? No.

Cats or dogs? Cats, most definitely. (Independent)

Patti Says: Me too - exactly, Independent. I love that.

Where can your readers follow you?

My blog: kenhoss.blogspot.com

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/kenhoss

Deadly Storm out now! Amazon

 

Thank you Ken. I have enjoyed taking a peek into your writing world. Patti

 
 
 

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The Vampire Diaries & The Originals - What's your take?

New,extended look at the Vampire Diaries trailer, season 5.

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“I Know What You Did Last Summer” (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)

COLLEGE DAYS — After spending the summer enjoying her passionate relationship with Damon (Ian Somerhalder), and making sure that Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) is adjusting after his return from the dead, Elena (Nina Dobrev) is thrilled to move into the dorm at nearby Whitmore College with her new roommate, Caroline (Candice Accola). Still believing that Bonnie (Kat Graham) has been traveling all summer and will soon join them, Elena and Caroline are surprised when a student named Megan (guest star Hayley Kiyoko) shows up and announces that she will be sharing their dorm room. Katherine (Nina Dobrev) makes an unexpected appearance at the Salvatore house and pleads with Damon to help her now that she is human and vulnerable to her enemies. Matt (Zach Roerig) and Rebekah (Claire Holt) return to Mystic Falls after spending a wild summer in Europe, where they met a mysterious beauty named Nadia (guest star Olga Fonda). Elena can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong with Stefan (Paul Wesley), and Silas (Paul Wesley) makes a terrifying appearance at the “End of Summer” party in the town square. Lance Anderson directed the episode written by Caroline Dries (#501).

 Wetpaint

The Originals: 

THE CW REVISED FALL 2013 PREMIERE DATES

“The Originals” Now Premieres Thursday, October 3, 9:00-10:00 p.m., Following the Season Premiere of “The Vampire Diaries”

This is one TV spinoff that I am really looking forward to - although, I DO NOT see Klaus as a father figure ... but then again, he does have something very compelling about his nature that just may win me over in the end :)

Having just recently finished the 3rd book in the Witchwood Estate Series, I am all about witches right now. Hence the reason that I am looking forward to the "Originals". New Orleans appears to be teaming not only with Vampires, but witches, too! Cant wait to see what witchery these new witches drum up to keep Klaus and his family on their toes.

I have to say that my favorite "Original" is Elijah. Are you with me?

I am, however, a diehard Damon fan through and through from the Vampire Diaries. And an Ian and Nina fan, too. Very sad to hear about their recent breakup in real life. Can't help but wonder how that is going to go down in TV land for Damon and Elena in The Vampire Diaries season 5. Is somebody going to want to rip someone's head off for real! Or have their recent movie endeavors allowed them to move of from heartbreak enough to allow them to slip back into their much loved "in love" TV characters?  Time will tell...



Family is power. The Original Vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together, always and forever. Now, centuries have passed and the bonds of family are broken. Time, tragedy and hunger for power have torn the Original Family apart. When Klaus Mikaelson, the original vampire-werewolf hybrid, receives a mysterious tip that a plot is brewing against him in the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, he returns to the city his family helped build. Klaus’ questions lead him to a reunion with his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has total control over the human and supernatural inhabitants of New Orleans.

Determined to help his brother find redemption, Elijah follows Klaus and soon learns that the werewolf Hayley has also come to the French Quarter searching for clues to her family history, and has fallen into the hands of a powerful witch named Sophie. Tensions between the town’s supernatural factions are nearing a breaking point as Marcel commands his devoted followers and rules with absolute power. For Klaus, the thought of answering to his powerful protégé is unthinkable, and he vows to reclaim what was once his – the power, the city and his family. While they wait to see if their sister Rebekah will leave Mystic Falls and join them, Klaus and Elijah form an uneasy alliance with the witches to ensure that New Orleans will be ruled by THE ORIGINALS once again.

 

The series stars Joseph Morgan (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Immortals”) as Klaus, Daniel Gillies (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Saving Hope”) as Elijah, Claire Holt (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Pretty Little Liars”) as Rebekah, Phoebe Tonkin (“The Vampire Diaries,” “The Secret Circle”) as Hayley, Charles Michael Davis (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Switched at Birth”) as Marcel, Daniella Pineda (“The Fitzgerald Family Christmas,” “Homeland”) as Sophie, Leah Pipes (“The Deep End,” “Sorority Row”) as Cami and Danielle Campbell (“Starstruck,” “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection”) as Davina. 

THE ORIGINALS is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with My So-Called Company, Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros.

And from Wetpaint -

The CW"s new show The Originals will premiere October 15, and now the network has a new promo so you won't forget the date. (Just how far in advance can we set our DVRs?) The promo is all footage from the backdoor pilot, which aired during Season 4 of The Vampire Diaries. A brand-new Season 1, Episode 1 will air on the CW in the fall, but until then, we have to take what clues we can from footage we've already seen. Hey, watching Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) and Klaus (Joseph Morgan) try to one up each other never gets old! Courtesy of Wetpaint

Picture courtesy of The Vampire Diaries The Originals Poster | ETonline.com

http://cwtv.com/shows/the-originals/

https://www.facebook.com/cworiginals

http://www.twitter.com/originals

The originals on Facebook - HERE



 

Everyone loves Bloopers :)

  

  

Love to hear your thoughts on the Vampire Diaries and the new "Originals" series. Patti



DREAM - A book by Robbi Sommers Bryant - Best Of Genre, 1st Runner up, in the Los Angeles Book Festival.

A book by Robbi Sommers Bryant 

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Veronica Armatti, a hairdresser and infatuation addict, has managed to strike the perfect balance between her daily existence and her overpowering desires. Veronica's husband, Joe, tolerates her addiction as long as he doesn't know the details. Veronica decides to get her latest fix with Andrew, an artist she meets at a grocery store. Andrew inducts Veronica into a mysterious and hypnotic dream world, where the powerful Devan entices her into his tribe of shape shifters, and where dreams and reality mingle in a deadly, intricate dance of survival.

From the Author

As dark as The Beautiful Evil was, Dream opens as a dance in the light. A dark element watches from the trees in Dream offering the reader different  kinds of thrills and excitement. Journey into the lush Dreamworld and splash in the lake and dance in the flowered fields. All is bright and enchanting until bees darken the sky and and the wolves come out to hunt. A fantasy, suspense with a bit of romance, all come together in this book to offer my audience a read that will hook them from the start and won't let up until the surprising end.

About the Author

Bestselling author Robbi Sommers Bryant has written 1 novella, 4 novels, five short story collections, and one book of poetry. Her work has been published in magazines both in the United States and internationally. Her fiction and poetry is in several anthologies and books of poetry. 

 

Robbi's newest book, DREAM, is a novella released October 2012 to rave reviews. It has won Best Of Genre, 1st Runner up, in the Los Angeles Book Festival. Bryant's last novel, THE BEAUTIFUL EVIL won Best Genre Fiction: Bay Area Independent Publishers Association, received a Los Angeles Book Festival Honorary Mention, and is a Finalist in the Kindle Book Review Contest. 

 

Recently, Robbi was included in The Author's Show "50 GREAT WRITERS YOU SHOULD BE READING," soon to be published.

 

Robbi practiced dental hygiene for many years, and worked as a licensed esthetician and massage therapist before retiring to write. She is the President of Redwood Writers, the largest branch of the California Writers' Club.

Praise for Dream

This author has an uncanny ability to pull you in and transport you to another reality with luscious descriptions and an ingenious plot. I didn't want the book to end. If we're lucky, Ms. Bryant will write a sequel. The conclusion was so unexpected and imaginative, that now I want to know what happens next.

My wife began reading this book aloud to me at night. We read for two nights. We finished reading the rest of the book last night--only because I wanted her to "keep going."

Ms. Bryant's descriptions are unmatched. So wild beyond imagination. Her vivid color, scents and fragrances descriptions and the details of her characters' lovemaking made me feel like I was right there in the scene.

This book would be fabulous on the big screen. Keep up your imagination, Robbi. We want more!

 

 

Robbi Sommers Bryant's Dream was an eye opener for me. From its melodic starting to its hooded up suspense makes me craving to read more from Ms Bryant. The way the author mingles up the suspense and the fantasy world makes me halt and think again and again.I am impressed by the writing style which the author adapts. It's a bang on!

 

Absolutely fascinating. I read this book in a single sitting. It draws you into a colorful world where all your senses are heightened. It has an addictive quality and you find yourself wanting to visit this dream world where friends and enemies are not what they seem.

 

 

 

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Movie Reccomendation - 5 stars - Identity Thief (2013) Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy

 

Laughed all the way through this movie - and even shed a tear! Melissa McCarthy was a blast in this.

 

5 out of 5 stars from me

 

Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy lead an all-star cast in this hilarious blockbuster hit about an accounts rep who has one week to clear his name after a con artist steals his identity.

 

Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy

Directed by: Seth Gordon

Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes

From Amazon Instant movies.

Have you seen this movie? What would you rate it out of 5? Patti