Tuesday, December 2, 2014

"Of Sentimental Value" by Princess Fumi Hancock: SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT, GUEST POST & Film Information!


Of Sentimental Value
By Princess Fumi Hancock


Genre: Mystery / Romantic Suspense


Publisher: Princess in Suburbia

Date of Publication: July 17, 2014

ISBN-10: 0990584801
ISBN-13: 978-0990584803
ASIN: B00LX2GK8K

Number of pages: 328
Word Count: 68, 183


Cover Artist: Phatpuppy Arts Studios






Book Description:

One event Elects Who You Are
One event Molds Your Values and Beliefs;
One event Charts the Course of Your Journey… Good, Bad or Indifferent;
One event Determines Your Destiny… For Life
One event Will Change Your Life… Forever

Bestselling Author, Indiefest and African Oscar Award Winning Filmmaker, Host of an African Oscar nominated TV Talk show, An African Heritage Leadership Award recipient and a globally sought after transformation interventionist, Princess Fumi Hancock delivers an inspirational and intriguing romantic suspense story, yet laced in mystery and comedy. Of Sentimental Value, a titillating and jaw dropping adventure set between the deep rich forest of Africa and the southern flat plains of Nashville, Tennessee.

A Twenty-one year old, Young African Immigrant, SIBERIA TONKA has all the ingredients of a successful writer: Commitment, dedication, and drive to become famous. Until her dream of becoming the next bestselling media sensation in America is threatened by an inexplicable cosmic force! Buried and spiraling in unsurmountable debt and a string of misfortune hovering over her, she is forced to pawn her most valuable possession. But when told her sister’s life in Africa hangs in the balance and that would die if artifact is not returned back to the rightful owners, Siberia in desperation sets out to retrieve the artifact at any means necessary. A Mystery enigma is released and the stakes are high! The harder Siberia tries… the closer she seems yet the farther she was from solving the turmoil.

Alas, in the midst of this chaos evolves an undeniably love triangle between Siberia, a wealthy rugged-looking African, but Nashville-based, art collector (Alan) and a simple American consignment store owner (Jake).

Will Siberia retrieve the artifact in time to save her dying sister, Naiya? Who / what wins her heart? Money or True Love?

Book Available at Amazon

Book Trailer Produced by Cambium Break Pictures






Of Sentimental Value Motion Picture Release 2015

Starring Malik Yoba, New York Undercover and Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? and Tommy Tiny Lister, Deebo on Friday, 5th Element with Bruce Willis.

VIP Screenings and Private Book Launches in Los Angeles, California and Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville

Award Winning Filmmaker Princess Fumi Hancock shares clip of SOLD OUT " Live" Nashville TN Red Carpet Event: http://youtu.be/s0LlaKZyI7Y

Video Reviews

Miss Haiti International, RĂ©gine Pierre Shares Her Review of, Of Sentimental Value: http://youtu.be/21hlsgE81lQ

Los Angeles
Of Sentimental Value VIP Movie Screening and Book Launch Raving Reviews Bring Producer to Tears! http://youtu.be/4VwnYXNAoHI

LA welcomes Red Carpet Screening of Award Winner, Of Sentimental Value

The Video Reviews

Award Winning Filmmaker, Princess Fumi Hancock Shares a “Kairos Moment” with Host, Lola Ogunleye Reviewing Of Sentimental Value http://youtu.be/417hPzsQ4C4

Gift Items Available at:



Excerpt: Murky Haze

Spiraling through the murky haze is a stream of white smoke; Africa’s humid and gloomy weather punctuated the striking of an African “bata” drum; a sign of impending doom in this Never-never land called Oyo, set majestically in the flat plain fields of West Africa.
Wrapped in ruffled white sheets and face painted with pungent white chalk, distinct tribal marks from Oyo; she chuckles and giggles out loud, sometimes overpowering the African “bata” beats rippling the air. This enigma of a mystery woman’s deep tones carries with it an air of danger and magic. Her fiendish chuckles are exaggerated by her threatening mannerisms. She adds to the mystery in the air by thrusting out her spectacularly painted arms, holding a uniquely designed African clay pot filled with bubbling steaming water. The steam spiraling out of the magical pot is hypnotic. She begins to laugh again as the rhythmic African beat gently fades, instantly replaced by an urgent tick-tock sound, intensifying the anxiety. Seeing my clandestine woman’s animated and daunting striking face, Yemoji becomes boisterous as she squints her overpowering eyes; eyeballs fiercely protruding, eliciting intense fear in those who behold the strange sight.

As the tick-tock sound gets louder, Yemoji abruptly clutches her magical pot to her bosom. Her arms stretch out with purpose, displaying her remarkably long claw-like nails. She beckons me closer. Yemoji welcomes hushes me into undeniably captivating presence, placing one finger to her sultry lips.

“Sshh! Sshh!”

Suddenly, the tick-tock sound intensifies yet again as Yemoji’s thunderous and wickedly cold laughter reverberates into the atmosphere.
“Did you hear me? I said.... Sshh! Sshh! Siberia! Si-be-ria!”


Wisdom Nugget from Siberia Tonka:

A person who sows love reaps a harvest of good friends and family. It doesn’t really matter where we come from; we all have something of sentimental value. And this crazy chain of events has led me to my destiny….it has led me to fight for the people I love” ~Siberia



About the Author
Princess Fumi
Stephanie Hancock Ph.D.:

Bestselling Author, NAFCA African Oscar People’s Choice Winner, Indiefest Films Merit Award Filmmaker, TV Host, Transformation Interventionist and Philanthropist are just a few accolades to describe this dynamic woman.

Born in the heart of Nigeria, Lagos State; Princess Fumi Hancock was raised to appreciate her royal roots from the South Western region of Nigeria, Emure Kingdom, where her family, the Adumori Nigeria Royal Household have ruled since the 1800s’.

After acquiring her first degree in English from one of the most prestigious colleges in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University; she stormed the United States of America with a pen, a script and the dream to change the world. Little did she know that it would take her over thirty years to finally fulfill her dream of becoming a prolific writer and most importantly, one who would have the ability to translate her literary works into movies.

As an author, she has written several inspirational books for women, Beyond Idol Worship: A Diary of an African Warrior Princess; Starting Right Now to name a few! After writing these inspirational books and her return back to African after over 25 years absentia; she reaches out to help her community through her US based nonprofit organization, Adassa Adumori Foundation, Inc. (www.adassafoundation.org); she also decided to venture into the world of young adult fantasy. To her surprise, her very first young adult fantasy, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest became an amazon bestseller! There has been no stopping her since then.

Her new novel, Of Sentimental Value, a mystery and suspense drama is yet another landmark for her. The book was made into a feature film which is scheduled for release soon (www.ofsentimentalvaluemovie.com ). In the advent of its release, it has garnered multiple award interest. It was nominated in the NAFCA African Oscar Peoples’ Choice category for Favorite Trailer and Original Score while the Princess took home the winning trophy as Favorite Screenwriter. Since then, the movie itself has been nominated in the following categories: Best Diaspora Drama and Best Make-up. One of our supporting actors, Malik Yoba was also nominated as Actor in Foreign Film category.

Princess Fumi is one who truly believes that dreams do come true if we keep plugging away at it and never give up! Her very first crack at writing, she will never forget her professor at a college in New York telling her, “you need to quit! You are a horrible writer!” “I was devastated,” she said. But did not allow that to keep her down. With time, even the professor finally announced to the post graduate class that she was the best student he’d ever had. That screenplay, “The Royal Bird” ended up winning Best Screenplay of the year in 1988 in a New York festival. It was later auctioned to one of the largest television stations in Africa, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). The rest of her time today is spent presenting her new empowerment program, Your Vision Torch, an Innovator’s Prescription to Igniting Your Dreams and Harnessing Your Vision to leaders, business owners and women across Africa and the United States of America. More details on how to bring her to your event: www.worldoffumihancock.com





















Tour giveaway

10 Electronic autographed posters of the movie

10 E-Book copies via Amazon


a Rafflecopter giveaway




A special Guest spot from the author:


Cocoon to Butterfly™ Series: From RN Boardroom to Hollywood – How an African Princess in Diaspora Turned Her Writing Passion into Reality & Wealth (Part 1) & Steps to Make It Happen For You Too!


This blog post is dedicated to the dreamers’ out there. Those who have a passion for one thing, yet they find themselves in a frustrated path, doing what they would love to quit and hating what they would love to do without. Have you ever found yourself desperately seeking something? There is a passion inside of you that just won’t let go of your heart. Yet, you have to do other things to put food on the table. What is worse is the age factor which keeps gnawing at you, reminding you that you do not have much time. So if you are going to pursue your dream, this is the time. Suddenly, you set out to pursue that dream and FEAR, the mother of all DISTRACTION stops you on your track. Well, you don’t want to miss this post. My name is Princess Fumi Stephanie Hancock and today, I am more than a bestselling author, an African Oscar winning Screenwriter a speaker, transformation catalyst… My friends call me the “Dreamweaver.”

The road to a successful writing career or any career for that matter is never easy. Particularly when you have worked so hard in one career path; been successful or somewhat comfortable in that career yet you know time is pushing fast and your true calling is beating down your heart. Growing up, I have always known I would become a writer. If you asked my parents, they would gladly tell you my writing career started at two when I decided to start penning down my thoughts on any document I would lay my hands on! Never mind if what I was penning was somewhat “gibberish.” Fact is, I was making up stories at 2, and then pretending to be writing them down.

After my graduation from college, I was so excited to be done. I quickly persuaded my father, Prince T.A Ogunleye, the prince of Emure Kingdom in the Southwestern region of Nigeria, to allow me come to the US to further my graduate studies in Communication Arts, writing for the Visual Media. After much deliberation, we reached a consensus ~ That I would come here and complete my studies in 18 months then return home to Africa. Well, I concluded the studies in 12 months but did not return home to Nigeria. Life took its course and before I knew it, I was married at a very young age… found myself in a tumultuous relationship… alone, completed depleted and finally divorced; left with a broken heart, an empty bank account, a foreclosed home and a lost mind! After 6 months of being in a state of shock, I came out of my madness, and then decided to become a Social Worker. With the years of struggling to care for my two boys as a single mother, my broken pride of not wanting my family back home to know I had failed, I decided I was no longer satisfied with what Social Work had to offer. So, I went back to college. This time, I became a Nurse. How many know that no matter what you use to fill the void, until you do what you are destined for, you will continue to feel the desperation and frustration. I was no different. I had worked my way up the ladder in the nursing field, and now worked for a prestigious healthcare global giant, I was now in the big leagues and I still wasn’t satisfied.

I had vowed I was not going back to writing after my very first movie was stolen and made into a block buster movie! Even as a princess, the trail of failure was enough to send me packing and just leaving for good. But my sons were my strengths and my Creator my anchor.


The Change of Events~ One Event Can Change Your Life Forever and mine did after 30 years! Few years back, I decided to give writing another chance. I was now making good money, yet completely unsatisfied! I decided to write a genre I was not familiar with ~ The Young Adult Fantasy & Romance: The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydras Nest. It was the best move I ever made. It freed my little self and allowed me to visit places in my childhood I wouldn’t dare to go in real life. It is 2015, and I am happy to say that the Young Adult Novel is still on Amazon’s Bestseller list as #28 in its’ category.

I needed validation from my readers and I got it in October 2012 when the novel hit Amazon’s Bestseller as #4! It was all I needed to know that I wanted more of that. So I took to writing again and penned, Of Sentimental Value, which I am happy to report remains # 1Bestselling Romantic Suspense in its category as of today (12/2/2014).

Dreams do come through if we have the courage to make them happen. Dreams do not have legs of their own. As such, we are architect of our dreams and our life destination.

Today, I am so happy to say that my nursing career has indeed paid off. As a writer and a filmmaker, I get to nurse my characters to life. I have a platform where I am able to allow my characters to tell their own stories, stories which my readers often relate to. It is my hope that as a writer, I am able to provide opportunities or arenas where my readers can dream, relief their life tensions, laugh, cry, and ultimately get a clearer perspective on their own lives. Above all, I want to entertain my readers and hopefully I get to do that for the rest of my life.

My Wisdom Nuggets for the Day:
Your Success Starts With Your Mindset:

(1). If your mindset is not handled, you will never achieve what you set out to achieve as a writer
(2). Never allow fear or anyone to dictate how high you can jump where your dreams are concerned;
(3). The only thing standing in your way is YOU. Move out of the way and allow the Innovative Star Writer™ be unleased.
(4). You can do it. Just believe it, take massive action to make it happen.
(5). Do not go into writing because you think it is glamorous. Start writing because it is what you love and you have something to say.
(6). Above all, regardless of your age, it is never too late. So if you are a reader and dream of one day penning your own novel… GO AHEAD, DO IT NOW. Starting Right Here, Declare that you are a writer and begin to walk in that understanding.
Next part to the series a (12/15/2014)t: https://fumihancock.blogspot.com

Update on the Movement, Of Sentimental Value
FEATURE FILM TO BE RELEASED: 2005~ Get Ready!

Purchase your copy on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Sentimental-Value-Fumi-Hancock-ebook/dp/B00LX2GK8K

Reviews:
A sentimental tale of family and the traditions that make us who we are, Of Sentimental Value will thrill and entertain you with its colorful mix of characters and intriguing story line. Bringing this story to life is an eclectic mix of actors and actresses that are well known to the big to the acting community. Of Sentimental Value is a must see and can be thoroughly enjoyed by the entire family. LACHELLE REED, Author of When Angels Fall….

I absolutely loved the story and its’ compelling trailer. I loved how it began and ended. The mystery woman certainly evokes a great deal of curiosity and then there is the Silleri stone... I really want to know more about that. It has the fantasy mystery about it. I showed it to my son and he loved it as well. The background music in the trailer is just awesome and adds to the mysterious effect. Congratulations.
CLARRISA CARTHARN, Author of Red Collar, Winter's End, Scents of Roses 



Industry Review:
“Of Sentimental Value” does a super job demonstrating the worth of every individual who lives on this planet. The film is unique in that it opens with actors in the movie sharing painful moments of their past, including abuse and health issues, and how they moved forward to find their “worth” as people of value. One actress tells of her manic depression and suicidal thoughts, but how she pushed through after hearing the voice of God speaking to her spirit, telling her she had a purpose and a reason to live. The themes of perseverance and faith are to be commended. We are awarding our Dove Family-Approved Seal for ages twelve plus to “Of Sentimental Value.” This film has many inspiring moments!”

Prescreening of Movie & Book Launch Event~ Reviews:

The Wonderful Reviews for Of Sentimental Value are In! 
 Los Angeles Audience Reviews Of Sentimental Value Movie:http://youtu.be/417hPzsQ4C4
Nashville TN Audience Reviews of, Of Sentimental Value Movie:http://youtu.be/4VwnYXNAoHI
The Reigning 2014 Miss Haiti International, Ms. Regine Pierre Reviews the Movie:
http://youtu.be/21hlsgE81lQ


Purchase, Tags & Post Your Reviews:
Click here to sample or buy (US): Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Sentimental-Value-Fumi-Hancock-ebook/dp/B00LX2GK8K
Click here to sample of buy: (UK):
Amazon.com

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

"Realm Walker" Series by Kathleen Collins: SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT & REVIEW


Realm Walker
Realm Walker Series

Book One
Kathleen Collins

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Carina Press

Date of Publication: October 28, 2013

ISBN: 9781426896545
ASIN: B00E1V5S3S

Word Count: 76,000

Book Description:

An estranged mate, a mangled body and a powerful demon who calls her by name…

As a Realm Walker for the Agency, Juliana Norris tracks deadly paranormal quarry using her unique ability to see magical signatures. She excels at her job, but her friends worry about her mysterious habit of dying in the line of duty without staying dead. That's only the first of her secrets.
Most people don't know Juliana became the mate of master vampire Thomas Kendrick before he abandoned her seven years ago. Most people don't know the horrors she endured at the hands of the vampire he left in command. Most people don't know her true parentage, or why a demon on a world-threatening rampage has taken a personal interest in her…
Even as Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas, who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can't reconcile her past and learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.
Available at Amazon BN Harlequin Print



Death’s Daughter
Realm Walker Series
Book 2
Kathleen Collins
Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal romance
Publisher: Carina press
ISBN: 9781426898112
ASIN: B00GKBIR80
Word Count: 68,000

Book Description:
Juliana Norris, Realm Walker with the Agency, is an Altered. A fact that she runs up against every time she’s forced to work with human police officers, and their species-ist commissioner, on cases they can’t solve themselves. Which happens more than they would like to admit.
Her gift—the quality that makes her the best Realm Walker in the business, without boast—is the ability to read magical signatures. Whether the gift came from her father, the dark fae god of death, or the mage mother she can’t remember, is anyone’s guess. And when Altered children start going missing with only wild magical signatures as clues, her heritage is the last thing on her mind.
She can’t afford such distractions, and she definitely can’t afford to worry about the fact that her mate, master vampire Thomas Kendrick, hasn’t spoken to her since she saved him from a demon—maybe it’s because she had to stab him to do so. Because whoever is kidnapping these children must be very powerful to wield wild magic. Very powerful, and very dangerous indeed.
Available at Amazon BN Harlequin Print


The Making of Michael Bishop
A Realm Walker Short Story
Kathleen Collins

Genre: urban fantasy, dark fantasy

Date of Publication: August 30, 2014

ASIN: B00N5YWPCE

Number of pages: 20


Book Description: 

Keep your distance. Don't look him in the eye. Feed him and leave.

Michael D'Augustino is a priest in the time of the Inquisition. Marked as weak for his refusal to torture those charged with sorcery, heresy, devil worship or worse, he's given another task. Feed the prisoner in the cell in the darkest corner of the dungeon. With the edict comes a set of instructions.

Ever obedient, Michael does exactly as he is told. Until the night his charge doesn't eat and Michael has to enter the cell to find out why. Instead of the beast he believes to be imprisoned there, he finds a man. A broken, tormented man who asks for help.

But all is not as it seems and, before the night is through, Michael will be changed forever.

Available at Amazon and BN



About the Author:

Kathleen Collins has been writing since Kindergarten. And while her ability has drastically improved, her stories are still about monsters and the people who play with them.
The rare instances that she actually finds some spare time, she spends it playing with her two boys. Three if you count her husband.
She is currently hard at work on her next book.


@kathy_collins










What did Sister Sinister think?
* * * * *
I give it 5 Stars!
* * * * *

REALM WALKER is exactly the kind of series that I'm a huge sucker for! I was given the opportunity to read these stories as part of the series' blog tour and I'm so grateful for that, because I adore Kim Harrison's "Hollows" series (and the many others in a similar vein) and this reminded me of that; but only in that both worlds rely on an interspecies agency to police the magic folk of their alternate earths.

In REALM WALKER, we have a half dark Fae, half Witch Realm Walker, an agent sent out to relocate, track down, and bring justice to the widely varied magic folk of the world. And lately, she's out trying to solve the ghastly murders and possessions caused by demons. But she needs help and not everyone offering is appreciated.

I absolutely give this series 5 glowy stars as I wait impatiently for more from Kathleen Collins.


EXCERPT from BOOK 1:

The troll picked her up with nothing more than his teeth in her shoulder and shook her like a hellhound with a chew toy. She clenched her jaw in pain and let out a terrible keening groan as muscle and tendon ripped. She fought her base instinct to struggle, to squirm away from the source of the pain. If she did, she’d only injure herself further. Blood poured from the wound, staining the ground a horrible, vibrant crimson.
A growl tore through the clearing seconds before a brown blur flew through the air and landed on the troll’s back. Nathaniel. They all rocked forward with the impact and fresh pain lanced through her shoulder. The troll roared in anger, releasing Juliana’s shoulder by default and she dropped to the ground. She backed away, eyeing the two of them warily. The troll reached over his back, trying to grab Nathaniel who still had his teeth and claws dug deep into the beast. The wolf snarled, growled and shook his head as the troll danced around the clearing trying to get a grip on his attacker.
Juliana’s arm hung limp and worthless by her side. Pain burned through the wound and nausea rose in waves. Her head swam. She swallowed the acid down, sucked in crisp, cool air. She used her right hand to wrap her left arm around her waist in an effort to keep the shoulder from moving any more than necessary.
“Nathaniel,” she yelled as the troll ran backward into the trees.
He slammed his back with Nathaniel still attached into the trunk of a large oak tree once, twice, three times. The blows stunned Nathaniel enough that the troll was finally able to snatch the wolf and hurl him across the clearing. Her friend lay unmoving on the ground.
The troll locked crimson eyes on her and stalked across the clearing. She fought every impulse inside of her that told her to run and waited for him to come. One taloned hand wrapped around her throat and picked her up. Pulling her close, the troll roared in fury once they were almost nose to nose. She wrapped her legs around his waist to take the pressure off her throat. Juliana raised the Taser and jammed it into his ear. Not caring anymore if she fried his brain, she squeezed and held the trigger. His roar changed to one of agony.
He released her throat and raised both hands to his head. He stumbled backward in an effort to get away from her but her legs stayed clamped around his waist. She continued to pour electricity into him until he dropped to his knees. Only then did she put her feet on the ground and back away.
Her opponent stayed on all fours, shaking his head, trying to clear it. The air hung heavy with the scent of burnt fur and troll. As he rose to a kneeling position, she adjusted her grip on the weapon. From the corner of her eye she saw Nathaniel stagger to his feet.
The troll held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “No more, Walker. I will go where you ask. Wherever you ask.”
Relief eased the tightness in her chest. She wasn’t sure she was up for another round of Taze the Troll. She ran her thumb along the side of her ring preparing to use it to call the portal tied to it. Then the troll began to laugh. A low sound at first, it quickly grew to a volume that made her ears ache. Great. She had fried his brain and now she had a crazy troll to deal with.
After putting more distance between them, she put her Taser away and drew her sword. It left the sheath with a ring of steel. She adjusted her hand on the grip. Nathaniel came to stand beside her, leaning his weight into her leg to let her know he was near. “You okay there, Mr. Troll?”
He opened his blazing red eyes and looked at her. “I’ve had your blood, Juliana Norris. It tells me things.” Apparently it told him her name, because she’d never given it.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

"Night of Pan" by Gail Strickland: SPOTLIGHT & GUEST POST!!!


Night of Pan, by Gail Strickland


Genre: young-adult, historical-fantasy

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Date of Release : November 7, 2014

Series: Book One of The Oracle of Delphi Trilogy

Cover Artist: Ricky Gunawan


Description:

The slaughter of the Spartan Three Hundred at Thermopylae, Greece 480 BCE—when King Leonidas tried to stop the Persian army with only his elite guard—is well known. But just what did King Xerxes do after he defeated the Greeks?

Fifteen-year-old Thaleia is haunted by visions: roofs dripping blood, Athens burning. She tries to convince her best friend and all the villagers that she’s not crazy. The gods do speak to her.

And the gods have plans for this girl.

When Xerxes’ army of a million Persians marches straight to the mountain village Delphi to claim the Temple of Apollo’s treasures and sacred power, Thaleia’s gift may be her people’s last line of defense.

Her destiny may be to save Greece…
but is one girl strong enough to stop an entire army?


Find Night of Pan Online:



--
And now a GUEST POST from the Author!!
 
Thank you Sister Sinister for inviting me to join the conversation!

My name is Gail Strickland. My book, a YA historical fantasy called Night of Pan, is filled with Greek gods and oracles, mystics and visionaries. Night of Pan is a coming-of -age story about a young girl. You may have noticed there are a lot of coming-of-age books. Night of Pan is different. For one thing, there is no prom.

Let me ask you a question: Do you think the Oracle of Delphi in 5th century BCE Greece was a drug-crazed teenager manipulated by politically-savvy priests as many modern historians would have us believe? Or was she a wise visionary who helped save the cradle of democracy when the largest invasion the ancient world had seen attacked from the north—the Persian army, a million soldiers led by King Xerxes lusting after revenge for the death of his father at Marathon?

My fifteen-year-old Oracle, Thaleia comes of age in a time when philosophers created democracy, a time that shaped our western world more than any other. This is the same time in history that the movie 300 takes place. That movie presents prophecies from the Oracle of Delphi that I believe are inaccurate. As a Greek scholar in college, I translated the four prophecies we know from the ancient historian Herodotus and based my story on these four Persian oracles that all came true.

An army a million strong really did attack 300 Greek soldiers over two thousand years ago. This is all true, but the movie depicts Greece as defeating the Persians with only armed might and female warriors. These distortions of history teach that men controlled the world and that arms and might prevailed. That was not the whole story. Though the Battle of Thermopylae is in my book, my story isn’t about the kind of courage where someone picks up a sword and chops off heads. My book is about the courage it takes to know who you truly are.

Night of Pan tells the story of a simple village girl who is very brave. She is a fictional character based on the real Oracle of Delphi. Her name is Thaleia.

Thaleia lives in the mountain village Delphi—sacred center of the ancient world. Her parents and the town have her destiny mapped out for her. Uncertain who she is or what her destiny is, she knows the traditional path is not for her. She runs away when her father tries to marry her to a gross and much older man. Running free but unsure where to go, she follows mysterious flute music up Mt. Parnassos and meets the satyr-god Pan. He gives her a choice: Live forever in his magical meadow or return to Delphi to save her family, her home … all of Hellas. Thaleia decides to return.

Like any true hero’s journey, that’s when her troubles really begin.
The priests deny Thaleia’s visions and her wisdom. They manipulate the villagers’ fear to gain control and power. They are willing to lie and deceive and even betray the citizens to the Persians, so that they can claim power, wealth and prestige.

Thaleia discovers her own identity and power as she listens for the song of the universe. Like strands in a spider web, the song connects Thaleia to the earth and trees, the wind and stars and those she loves … and ultimately to the gods. Defying the villagers, priests and even death, she discovers that she is the true Oracle. Neither her parents nor the village priests want her to assume that role.

With wild poppies sprouting in her hair, Thaleia claims her identity as the Oracle of Delphi, the most powerful Oracle in all Greece and confronts the invading army as they march into Delphi to seize the gold and jewels and power.

Is one girl strong enough to stop an entire army?
--

About The Author 

While studying the Classics in college, Gail Strickland translated much of Homer’s ILIAD and ODYSSEY, Herodotus’ prophecies and THE BACCHAI by Euripides. Living on the Greek islands after college, she discovered her love of myth, the wine-dark sea and retsina. 

THE BALTIMORE REVIEW and WRITER’S DIGEST have recognized Gail’s fiction. She published stories and poems in Travelers’ Tales’ anthologies and the San Francisco Writer’s anthology. Her poetry and photography were published in a collection called CLUTTER. 

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Gail grew up in Northern California. She raised her children; was a musical director for CAT children’s theater; taught music in schools; mentored young poets and novelists and introduced thousands of youngsters to piano and Greek mythology. Gail is passionate about bringing the richness of Homer’s language and culture to today’s youth.

Find Gail Strickland Online:


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

10 Reviews, 1 Post; Featuring Titles by: BETTER HERO ARMY, MIA THORNE, IAIN ROB WRIGHT, PRASHANT PINGE, SHARI SAKURAI, MARILYN PEAKE, SHEENA HUTCHINSON, & JOE SHARP

 Welcome, friends! As some of you know, I had been 'down' with an illness that compounded an already chronic condition that I have, thus putting me more or less out of action for awhile. In an effort to get caught up with non-book-tour reviews, I decided to group the reviews I had waiting to be written, but unable to sit up long enough to write. So please read, enjoy, buy! I recommend them all.

 --Rebecca, your sinister (ha ha) sister

Didn't see your review here? Read the note at the bottom of this post! =D



  * * * * *
 Plagued: The Rock Island Zombie Counteractant Experiment
Plagued States of America #2
by Better Hero Army

Genre: Zombie Horror

* * * * *

Along with the first and third book in this series, I was gifted "PLAGUED: The Rock Island Zombie Counteractant Experiment" by the author and I had a pretty good feeling that I was going to love this series. Not JUST because it was a zombie book and I'm a horror genre junkie, but because I was intrigued by the titles and wondered what each one meant.

Book #1 begins on Biter's Hill, while this book takes place on Rock Island a month after the Biter's Hill catastrophe. We meet a new character, Army Ranger Lt. Mason Jones, and reconnect with an old friend when the muck hits the rudder and Mason's new appointment proves to be a deadly one.

I have to say that I loved this book even more than the first one, especially with the introduction to a secret science facility and a dead-eyed scientist that has no qualms about testing on zombies. Or people. This book ranks up there as one of my all-time favorite zombie novels.


 

    * * * * *
 Plagued: The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment
Plagued States of America #3
by Better Hero Army

Genre: Zombie Horror

* * * * *

Along with books #1 & #2 in this series, I was gifted "PLAGUED: The Ironville Zombie Quarantine Retraction Experiment" by the author and I had a pretty good idea that I was going to love this series. Not JUST because they're zombie books and I'm a big horror genre junkie, but because I was intrigued by the titles and wondered what each one meant.

Book #1 begins on Biter's Hill and #2 at the secret Defense facility on Rock Island, while this book takes place around a week after the obliteration of Rock Island, at a relatively safe location in Biter's Bend. We rejoin Tom and zombie half-breed Penelope Hope (survivors from Biter's Hill), as well as Army Ranger Lt. Mason Jones (escapee from Rock Island), and other favorite survivors from the previous two books. Tom's father, Senator William Jefferson is all over the news, but this time it's not due to his war against zombies in the Plagued States. His helicopter has gone down in a quarantine zone and Tom is determined to rescue him. But he's going to need help.

Primarily told from Penelope's perspective, she and her friends will learn an awful truth about what she is, and that there are far more like her than anyone previously suspected.

As did the first two books in this series, PLAGUED #3 gets a rousing 5 Stars!

Read my review of Book #1, "PLAGUED: The MidAmerica Zombie Half-breed Experiment".



    * * * * *
 Protecting Their Mate
The Last Pack, Part One
by Mia Thorne

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

* * * * *

I was offered the opportunity to read PROTECTING THEIR MATE, Part One (35 pages), the first part of a new Kindle Unlimited serial featuring a werewolf who knows very little of what she is, and why she is in a fever of need. It isn't until she is rescued from starvation, abuse, and imprisonment that she begins to learn that the fever inside her is a biological imperative. Ashley Todd is in heat.

Can I say that I feel a little naughty for having really gotten into this book? This might just be the first erotic book that I have read and itched to read more when it was done. Generally the language in books like this tends to make me twitch, and it did here too, BUT the writing was fantastic from Mia Thorne. Sexy, steamy, hot, and with a woman with some meat on her bones! I absolutely recommend this to anyone loving erotic paranormal romances!!

GOODREADS | AMAZON


    * * * * *
Ravage
by Iain Rob Wright

Genre: Apocalyptic Horror

* * * * *

**This is more of a shout-out to a horror author I really enjoy, as I've posted a review (but not blogged it) before.**

The Book Description:

FIRST PEOPLE GOT SICK. THEN THEY GOT VERY SICK..
Nick Adams is just a normal guy. He loves his family, appreciates his home, and covets his car. But he absolutely hates his job. Which is what makes it so difficult that not a single customer has come by his store today. It seems as though there’s a bug going around, something that has come out of nowhere and is keeping people at home. Still, it’s probably nothing to worry about. People get sick all the time.

And besides, things are finally starting to look up. Nick’s first customer of the day has just stumbled through the door…

HIS DAY IS ABOUT TO GET WORSE..
It won’t be long before Nick’s entire life is turned upside down, sending him on a frantic journey through a ravaged world that will ultimately lead him 500 feet upwards to a hilltop amusement park. Is it the last safe place on Earth, or are the monsters at the top of the hill even worse than the ones below?

WELCOME TO RIPLEY HEIGHTS. WHERE THE FUN NEVER STARTS.

 ---

My thoughts: I absolutely loved this book. Loved it. It wasn't just another zombie apocalypse, hack/slash/run, it was deep in character and not hard to believe.

There were a lot of extra words that looked as if the author had forgotten to delete them and I itched to message him myself and offer to do it for free, but the writing was so excellent that I forgave easily. =D



   * * * *
 Sceadu
by Prashant Pinge

Genre: Fantasy

* * * *

SCEADU: YOUR SHADOW HOLDS A SECRET was gifted to me by the author after I spotlighted the book on my blog, and I was thrilled to have the chance to read to review it.

The book introduces us to 9 year old Matilda and an ancient, leather bound book she came home from the library book sale with. What follows are the dreams, nightmares of slithery shadows suffocating her. But it's not until her parents and aunt are called away on an emergency and her two older cousins are left to look after she and her brother, that Matilda goes missing...

Transported to a world of fantasy and danger, Matilda and the others kids will be faced with more adventure and mystery than they ever could want, as they find themselves in Sceadu, a shadow land with a prophecy foretelling the destruction of the home they left behind.

Learn more by reading my spotlight on "Sceadu"; includes a Q&A from the author! And check back soon for an upcoming interview with Prashant Pinge!



  * * * *
Demon's Blood
by Shari Sakurai

Genre: Paranormal Horror

* * * *

I was given the opportunity to read this book by the author, this story revealing the darkness of vampires, and though they are not completely inhuman, they are not the romanticized version of vampires. 

Taku and his lover, Thane, were forced to flee from Tokyo in hopes of settling somewhere more peaceful and starting over, but that is not to be. Now in England, it seems that Thane still cannot control his violent urges and it soon gets them into a world of hurt.

While I enjoyed the book's darker, more traditional elements, what really did it for me was the inclusion of the Japanese culture and the author's skill in portraying it (I assume, as the extent of my knowledge in Japanese culture comes from my fascination with Japanese movies). Shari Sakurai writes wonderfully and I'd like to see more from her!



  * * * *
 Shade
by Marilyn Peake

Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery

* * * *

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read to review SHADE after I expressed my interest to the author. In love with her style after reading another book by her, I wanted to read more: even if it wasn't a horror.

Her name is Galactic Shade Griffin and she curses her mother for it. She's also not too keen on the string of boyfriends, drugs and alcohol her mother indulges in and Shade is desperate for distraction. She soon discovers it at her new school, where she finds friends and an outlet for her artwork. And that's not all.

Shade's new attic bedroom actually belongs to the ghost boy who haunts it and she's going to need his help.

SHADE is a novel about a teenaged girl suffering from a neglectful and abusive mother, which drives her to cut herself, and because of this, it might not be for everyone. It was emotionally challenging for me but not taboo, and this allowed me to enjoy the story and the girl it's about.

READ My REVIEW of "Mutation Z: The Ebola Zombies",
also by Marilyn Peake!


 * * *
 Seraphina
The Awakening
Seraphina #1
by Sheena Hutchinson

Genre: Paranormal Romance

* * *

**I was given the opportunity to read "Seraphina: The Awakening" and the recently released book 2, "Seraphina: Initiation" as part of the series' blog tour.**

Sera is your average kind of girl, still living at home, feels like she's nothing special and maybe a little boring. Something is missing from her life; she feels incomplete. She's having dreams about a man she's never met and she has a crush on a cute coffee shop owner. So wouldn't it figure that her first date with him goes a little spooky haunted kitchen type of deal?

An accident triggers a change that alters her forever, and her mystery dream man just so happens to be real - and her guardian angel.

Unfortunately, I wasn't really drawn into the story and didn't invest in the characters. For me, Sera's miraculous (well, an angel WAS behind it) make-over turned me off. It felt like she wasn't good enough just as she was, and now she has no memory of her past to go along with her angelic new looks, super senses, and slayer powers. I did kind of like Jack and angel Nathaniel, though he went from being angry about his demotion to guardian angel to instantly in love at first sight. I'd have preferred a little more leading up to it. So even though the book didn't overly appeal to me, it WAS well written and WILL be exactly what many readers enjoy, so if you like Guardian Angel, good vs evil, paranormal romances, you should really check it out!

Please check out the spotlight I did on SERAPHINA; it includes an excerpt and Guest Post by the author!



 * * *
 Seraphina: Initiation
Seraphina #2
by Sheena Hutchinson

Genre: Paranormal Romance

* *  *

**I was given the opportunity to read "Seraphina: The Awakening" and "Seraphina: Initiation" as part of the series' blog tour.**

SERAPHINA: INITIATION picks up after the first book, with Seraphina a newly changed woman and moved in with her fallen angel boyfriend. She's still trying to adjust to life as a demon slayer, a woman with new looks and new powers, and her guardian angel Nathaniel must begin training her. It's good vs. evil, there are secrets to be revealed, battles to be fought, and more questions will be asked as the devil comes to town in his quest for Sera.

If you enjoy Guardian Angel romances, good vs evil paranormal battles, you just might want to check it out!

Read the spotlight I did on SERAPHINA: INITIATION; it includes an excerpt and Guest Post by the author!



* * *
 Viral House
by Joe Sharp

Genre: Horror

* * *

VIRAL HOUSE isn't about your everyday, run-of-the-mill haunted house, as recovering alcoholic Paul soon discovers. Along with Cheryl, a woman he meets in a bar who is searching for her missing brother, Paul will go looking for a drug dealer peddling more than just street narcotics.

And it's all going to go down on Orchard Street, in a house infected with a hive mind virus that wants to assimilate all who enter.

A pretty decent book but definitely not what I was expecting.



WHEW! So I *still* did not get to all of the reviews I have to post, so I will be doing another Catch-up day on Nov. 24th, and will feature titles by authors J.C. Andrijeski, Robert Evert, Irene Helenowski, T.L. Onyx, and more! I also have interviews coming up with Nikki Rae, Richard Alan, Prashant Pinge, Irene Helenowski, and T.L. Onyx!! So STAY TUNED!!!!! 

And thank you.

<3