Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Q&A with S.R. Mitchell, author of Shifted by Fate



Now available to purchase is the supernatural romance Shifted by Fate by S.R. Mitchell.


KindleNook iBooksKobo

The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule for a Q&A about her newest novel. 


When did you become interested in storytelling?

I have always been interested in writing stories from a young age. I really developed a love for it in high school and am now fulfilling my dream.

What was your first book/story published?

My first published work was a historical romance, Dark Rider.

Blurb: When Brianna married, she always thought it would be for love, soul shattering love. Now this warrior is demanding her hand. Against her own wishes she finds herself before the altar beside Laird McGregor.

Has fate played a cruel hand or is he the love she has always wanted?

Only time will give her the answer.

He is known as the Dark Rider and feared by many. Already he has lost three betrothed and will not lose another.

Torin likes the feisty lass and Brianna will be his… heart and soul.

What inspired you to write Shifted by Fate?

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Q&A with D.E. Haggerty, author of Fat Girl Begone!



Now available to purchase is the romantic comedy novel Fat Girl Begone! by D.E. Haggerty.



The author has taken a few minutes out of her busy schedule for a Q&A about her newest novel. 


When did you become interested in storytelling?

Frankly, I can’t remember a time I wasn’t interest in storytelling. I started yapping and telling tale tales from the moment I could talk. Apparently, I never shut up. Except at school because – duh! – total nerd here.

What was your first book/story published?

Unforeseen Consequences was the first book I published. I wrote it years before I actually published it. The hubby deserves credit because he pushed me to try this newfangled self-publishing thing.

What inspired you to write Fat Girl Begone!?

In all honesty, I wanted to write another romantic comedy because the first one I wrote, Molly’s Misadventures, sold fairly well and received some good reviews. But I also wanted to tell a story close to my heart. As a diehard yo-yo dieter, writing a book about a supposed fat girl was totally up my alley.

What character in Fat Girl Begone! is the most/least like you, and in what ways?

Most like me is easy – Everly. Everly is a workaholic who weighs too much and sporadically diets. Sounds uncomfortably familiar. As far as female characters go, Everly’s best friend, Blaze, is not like me at all. She’s a kindergarten teacher and I am terrified of children (only slight exaggeration there). She’s also a total fitness fanatic. Although I may be a fanatic when it comes to my tennis game, that’s where it stops.

What is your favorite part in Fat Girl Begone!?

Spring Reads: The Berenstain Bears: 5-Minute Inspirational Stories



Zonderkidz; 192 pages; $12.99; Amazon


The Berenstain Bears is one of the biggest picture book series on the market today. Created by Stan and Jan Berenstain, the first title in the long running children book series was published in the 1960s. Despite being criticized for it's formulaic storytelling, the series has remained popular with every new generation of young readers. Sadly, the original authors have both passed away; however, there son, Mike, has taken over writing and illustrating new titles, which now have Christian themes.

Now available from Zonderkidz is The Berenstain Bears: 5-Minute Inspirational Stories featuring twelve full stories with full-page artwork.






The collection includes:

God Loves You!
Say Their Prayers
Love Their Neighbors
Faithful Friends
The Forgiving Tree
And the Biggest Brag
And The Gift of Courage
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Get Involved
Gossip Gang
God Bless Our Home
Here's the Church, Here's the Steeple

Monday, May 15, 2017

Bookends #1


Originally, I was going to participate in today's "It's Monday, what are you reading?" meme, but instead I've decided to start a new weekly post called Bookends, where I'll be discussing about what I'm currently reading, what I'll be reading next, and anything else related to the world of books.

What am I currently reading?



Last Monday, I started reading the reprint paperback of the 10th anniversary edition of American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I had purchased the title at my local Walmart several weeks ago. My plan was to read the book before the television series debuted on STARZ, but I didn't start reading it until the day after the second episode aired. At a whopping 700+ pages, I've manged to read 456 pages out of a whopping 700+ pages in one week. The novel is very graphic, as well as the television series, and I don't think it would appeal to very many readers. Once I'm finished reading, I'll make sure to post a review on it.

What am I reading next?


Over the weekend, I decided it was best off that I stop the by the library and make sure my card was up-to-date, as I hadn't checked out a book there in quite awhile. I ended up checking out The Broken Road by Richard Paul Evans, so that will mostly likely be my next read. Hopefully, if everything goes right, I should be reading the book by Wednesday.

Are there any new books on my bookshelves?



Of course I do! I have four new James Patterson titles:

16th Seduction
Two from the Heart
Private: Gold
Detective Cross

Two from the Heart contains two romance novellas; one by James Patterson & Emily Raymond and the other by Frank Costantini and Brian Sitts. 16th Seduction is the sixteenth installment in the Woman's Murder Club series. Private: Gold and Detective Cross are Bookshots novellas. I had thought Little, Brown and Company had stopped releasing Bookshots paperbacks and were only releasing the titles in ebook formats, but I must have been mistaken as these two titles were released this month.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Popcorn & Coffee: Zane Grey's Western Union DVD Review


Fox Home Entertainment; Not Rated; 95 minutes; Amazon
When it comes to the western genre, Zane Grey is the biggest name out there. Born Pearl Zane Grey in 1872, he started out as a dentist before writing his first novel Betty Zane (published in 1903). He published over 90 western titles (more if you count all the reprints and re-titled novels). 112 films have been adapted from his novels and works.

Now available on DVD from Twentieth Century Cinema Archives is the 1941 Zane Grey's Western Union. Directed by Fritz Lang, the film stars Robert Young, Randolph Scott, Dean Jagger, Virginia Gilmore, John Carradine, Slim Summerville, Chill Wills, and Barton MacLane. There are no special features or bonus extras on the single-disc.

Based on the 1939 novel of the same name, Zane Grey's Western Union centers on Edward Creighton (played by Dean Jagger), a Western Union engineer who is injured while surveying a telegraph line. This is where he first meets the outlaw Vance Shaw (played by Randolph Scott), who attempts to steel his horse. However, Vance isn't exactly the bad guy that he portrays, so eventually helps Edward.

After recovering from his injuries, Edward returns to Omaha, Nebraska, where he develops a plan to construct a telegraph line from Omaha to Salt Lake City. He enlists the help of his sister Sue (played by Virginia Gilmore), an assistant named Kettle (played by Chill Wills), and a foreman named Pat Gorgan (played by Mintor Watson). Later, a scout is hired - Vance Shaw, who is trying his best to turn his life around.

Work begins on the telegraph line, but it's a lot more harder than what Edward ever expected due to threats from Confederate soldiers and Native Americans.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Book Blogger Hop: May 12th - 18th




Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML


Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books!

If you read a book you ended up hating, would you stay away from future books by that author, or would you give them a second chance?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer: 

 There's probably a good chance I would avoid all future novels by the author. Years ago, I read one title by Danielle Steel. I didn't care for it and I have never read another book by her. Then again, if there's a lot of buzz about a book, I might give the author another try.



Linky List:

The Friday 56: American Gods



Rules:
Grab a book, any book.
Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it)
Post it.
 Add your (url) post below in the Linky at www.fredasvoice.com
Add the post url, not your blog url.