2. ...I receive books from wonderful publishers, big and small, to read and review
3. I do not always like the books that I've read so..
4. ...my reviews are both positive and negative; a little constructive criticism from the reading audience never hurt.
5. Despite the fact I receive books, I still buy books (even if it's just one) every month which means....
6. ...my TBR pile is ever growing; I'll get to them one day!
7. I have a hard time saying no to a good deal or sale, especially if it involves books.
8. I've been known to pick up hobbies for a while and then discard them having either lost the talent or interest. One year, I thought I would take up drawing and created a pretty good if I do say so myself rendition of Winnie the Pooh with Piglet fast asleep on a moon in a starry sky. Even had a request to create a color version for a friend's nursery. Dropped it for a while and yeah, the skill doesn't seem to have stuck.
9. The closest to actual writing I've done besides my book reviews and blog posts is poetry. Even had a few make it into one of those published anthology type books (for amateurs of course). Only thing is, I can't just make one on the spot....they are mostly emotionally driven, so it's not uncommon to find me with a pen in hand when feeling really happy, sad, mad, etc.
10. I'm actually a rather shy person....hard to believe, right? For those that have come to know me better man (wait, that's partially from A Christmas Carol... anywho...)....it's probably easier to see...
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Thanks for sharing! I'm like you on good book deals. I can't resist them. No one in my family understands why I still buy books when I have so many I haven't read yet. You can never have too many books. Am I right? :))
You should consider posting some of your poems. I would love to read them. :)
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Make sure to check out GMR's lovely blog for honest reviews, great interviews and cool giveaways.
**Every week, one author or blogger will share 10 fun facts with us. If you would like to be featured, email me at melvautour(at)hotmail(dot)com.**
Today is the release of Toby Ball's thriller debut : "The Vault". To celebrate his release, Toby is sharing 10 fun facts with us. Enjoy!
1. I’ve seen Easy Rider more than a dozen times but have never seen Forrest Gump. That must mean something. 2. I have a Washington Bullets cap on the back ledge of my car. 3. My senior year in college, of the fifteen starters on our rugby team, I was one of three Tobys. 4. I don’t like butterflies. Something about the way they flutter around mindlessly freaks me out. 5. Tastes great, Ginger, boxers. 6. If it was up to me, David Sedaris would be the voice of my GPS. 7. I spent a night in a jeep stuck in the mud with my family in Meru Game Preserve in Kenya. It turns out that the real danger in those situations is being found by poachers. 8. I used to open up Oreos, scrape off the filling with my teeth and then eat the cookies. Now I eat them all together. 9. I seem to have a hell of a lot of baseball caps. 10. I cook a mean lasagna.
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Thanks Toby! I've seen Forrest Gump but never Easy Rider. I've done #8. Oh, and when can I come over to try your lasagna? :D
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About Toby :
Toby Ball was born in Washington, DC, grew up in Syracuse, NY, and attended Trinity College (CT). He has had stints in journalism (Congressional Quarterly), education (one memorable year as a high school social studies teacher), and nonprofits (the Carbon Coalition among others). He is now the Business Manager at the Crimes against Children Research Center and the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire. He lives in Durham, NH, with his wife and two children.
About The Vaults :
In a dystopian 1930s America, a chilling series of events leads three men down a path to uncover their city's darkest secret.
At the height of the most corrupt administration in the City’s history, a mysterious duplicate file is discovered deep within the Vaults---a cavernous hall containing all of the municipal criminal justice records of the last seventy years. From here, the story follows: Arthur Puskis, the Vault’s sole, hermit-like archivist with an almost mystical faith in a system to which he has devoted his life; Frank Frings, a high-profile investigative journalist with a self-medicating reefer habit; and Ethan Poole, a socialist private eye with a penchant for blackmail.
All three men will undertake their own investigations into the dark past and uncertain future of the City---calling into question whether their most basic beliefs can be maintained in a climate of overwhelming corruption and conspiracy
Please welcome urban fantasy and paranormal romance author, HP Mallory!
First off, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your books: “Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble” and “To Kill a Warlock”?
Sure, I’m 33 and I’m married and have a 17 month old son. I live in California although I wrote both books when I lived in the UK (Cambridge and Edinburgh). Both my books are paranormal and Fire Burn tends toward the romantic aspect of paranormal more so than Warlock does—Warlock is more an Urban Fantasy. Fire Burn is the story of Jolie Wilkins and her dealings with the Underworld creatures after she realizes she’s a witch and can bring the dead back to life. To Kill A Warlock is a whodunit regarding a fairy in law enforcement, Dulcie O’Neil.
Can you describe your writing process? Do you have a favourite room/place to write?
I wake up every morning at 5 am and write for 1.5 hours. It’s the only time I have to myself! LOL I write in my office and really the only thing I need is quiet.
How do you beat your writer’s block?
You know, I don’t really get writer’s block. I outline my books ahead of time so I always know what’s going to happen in them. Sometimes I might not feel like writing, so I’ll edit previous chapters instead.
Which of your books was the easiest/hardest to write? Why?
Fire Burn is the more complicated and longer of the two books and that was definitely more difficult to write. It was also the first book I wrote so there was also some ramping up time involved. I would say it’s more complicated because the story is much more involved and it will take 3-5 books to really get through the entirety of the story in order to reach the conclusion.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Well, I don’t really have a lot of time to myself. I work full time and as a mom and wife, my own time is pretty scarce. That’s why I wake up at 5 am every morning to write. In my off time though, when I’m not writing, I like to spend time with my son and my hubby and I are currently working on renovating our house which seems to take a ton of time also!
Did you learn anything from writing your books? If so what was it?
I learned that I have lots of stories within me that are dying to come out! LOL I just really enjoy the process of writing and in writing my books, I realized it is just something I have to do!
Why did you choose to write urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels instead of any other genre?
I love these genres. I read these genres so I think it’s a natural that I would want to write in them. There is just a freedom of creativity in writing fantasy—there aren’t any rules. I can create any creatures I want to without having to justify them.
If you could co-write a book with any author(s) (living or dead) who would it be and why?
What a good question. Well, my favourite author is Jane Austen so I’d have to say her!
Are there any songs that match your books?
I listen to lots of music while I write and the songs I listen to definitely influence my mood. Two of the songs that really remind me of my books are indie songs (how fitting! LOL). The first is Blah Blah Blah by Say Hi to Your Mom and the second is Digitalism, Pogo.
If your books were made into movies who would you see playing your main characters and why?
This one is always a tough question. I can’t think of anyone who would play Rand. But a good Jolie could be Scarlet Johanson, I think. I’m not sure about Dulcie or Knight either. I just sort of have ideas of who they are in my head and I don’t model them after actors.
If you could be any character in your books, who would you be and why?
I really like Jolie. She’s just very down to earth and I can relate to her.
I just love the covers of both “Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble” and “To Kill a Warlock”! Did you design them yourself?
Thank you! I did design them though I purchased the people images. I then added the Halloweeny backgrounds, changed hair and eye colors and added the text. Did it all in Photoshop!
Do you have any favorite book(s) and author(s)?
I have so many! I was an English major in school so I have lots—Oscar Wilde, Austen, Bronte Sisters, Shakespeare, Nathaniel West, newer stuff—love the Sookie Stackhouse series and the Anita Blake series.
What can we expect to see from you in the future?
I’m working on the follow up book to Jolie’s story now, Toil and Trouble. I’m hoping to complete it in about 4 months.
Any tips for aspiring writers out there?
Don’t give up and if traditional publishing doesn’t work for you, don’t be shy to do it yourself!
Where can readers find you for more information?
I’m all over the web: www.hpmallory.com http://twitter.com/hpmallory
Another site I manage: Indie Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Website: www.indieurbanfantasy.com
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Thanks HP!! I can't wait to read more of your work. :D
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble :
A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches. The Underworld in a state of chaos. Let the games begin.
Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.
Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!
Word of Jolie’s incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworld’s most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.
To Kill a Warlock:
The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.
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Giveaway Details :
Now for the giveaway, HP has offered an ebook copy of both "Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble" and "To Kill a Warlock". I've had the pleasure of reading "To Kill a Warlock" and it's really great! You can read my review here.
So, there will be 2 winners. The first winner will choose which book he or she wants (Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble OR To Kill a Warlock") and the second winner will get the one left.
I'm doing this short and sweet this time. To enter for a chance to win :
* Leave a comment about the interview. Don't forget to leave an email so I can contact you if you win. * If you want an extra entry, post about the interview & giveaway somewhere (blog, Twitter, Facebook...) * Being a blog follower is not necessary but it is certainly appreciated. :)
Giveaway is open to all since it's an ebook and will end on September 22nd. The winners will be announced the next day.
**Every week, one author or blogger will share 10 fun facts with us. If you would like to be featured, email me at melvautour(at)hotmail(dot)com.**
Please give a warm welcome to the author of the new release "Dead Politician Society", Robin Spano.
1. When I was 4, my dad brought me to his office blackjack party. I won $14.
2. When I was 8, I was on a game show called Just Like Mom. I tried to cheat—I told my mom that in the bake-off portion I’d add raisins galore and that’s how she’d recognize my cookies—but in the excitement of the moment, I forgot about my evil plan. We won anyway.
3. When I was 9, I thought my mother was a Russian spy.
4. In high school I was a member of the science club. I didn’t know that was geeky until I met my husband and he started making fun of me.
5. I used to hitchhike all over the Maritimes. As a university student, it was my preferred mode of transportation.
6. When I was 21, I had a boyfriend who walked all over me. A customer at the diner where I worked gave me a copy of The Rules. I read the book and immediately gained control of that relationship. (It took me five more years to realize that if you need rules, you’re in the wrong relationship.)
7. When we were in Morocco, someone offered my husband 10 camels for me. Keith said he wanted 12. The man looked very seriously at me, then back at Keith. “No,” he said. “She is only worth 10.”
8. People think I’m a badass biker chick, but speed terrifies me. I like to stick to country roads where the limit is 70 (45mph). (You can also find me on the easy runs of any ski hill.)
9. My husband is my fashion consultant. If I buy clothes without him, they look terrible on me.
10. When I was 34, I played poker in Las Vegas. I won $14.
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Thanks Robin! That story about the camels made me laugh! :D
* 101 Super Uses For Tampon Applicators * People Who Don’t Know They’re Dead: How they attach themselves to unsuspecting bystanders and what to do about it * Reusing Old Graves * Sex After Death * Living with Crazy Buttocks * How to Be a Pope: What to do and where to go once you’re in the Vatican * History of Shit * The Haunted Vagina * If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs * How to Write a How to Write Book * Bombproof Your Horse * Steal This Book * How to Shit in the Woods
Title : To Kill a Warlock Author : HP Mallory Published : July 2010 Ebook
Blurb :
The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.
Dulcie O’Neil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens. She’s a Regulator—a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world.
When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she’s either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim.
Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie.
Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcie’s got her hands full.
As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S&M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals.
My Thoughts
When you read the first couple of pages of a book and you're already hooked, you know you'll be in for a great adventure. That's how I felt while reading To Kill a Warlock. The book starts off pretty funny, and disgusting I must say. The main character and fairy, Dulcie is turned into a "walking phlegm pile" with four arms and needs the help of her friend Sam the witch to break the spell. A very clever way to entertain the reader from the beginning.
Dulcie has her hands full. Not only must she do her job as a Regulator (kind of like a cop for the paranormal world) and find out who's behind the murder of a warlock with the help of her new and sexy co-worker, she's also working on a paranormal romance novel. She's a lovable character with a few issues. She doesn't like her pointy ears (her ex-boyfriend called her Tinkerbell) and wishes to have a surgery performed on them. She also has a difficulty trusting people all because of that same guy. At least three guys (I think) have a thing for her but she won't go on any dates because of her past relationship. She's the type of character everyone can relate too. You can't help but like this fairy.
To Kill a Warlock is a well-written and light-hearted book. I never wanted it to end. HP Mallory has created a fun and wonderful world with a variety of paranormal creatures. I was somewhat surprised by the ending and some questions were left unanswered. I definitely can't wait to read book #2 in this series. :D
If you haven't heard "Stuck Like Glue" by Sugarland you should definitely watch the video. I just love that song. I've been playing this a lot on my ipod lately. The music video is pretty good too. :D
Hey everyone! My name is Melanie and as some of you already know, I'm a full-time student and an avid book reader. My reading preferences are all over the place. I love paranormal romance, YA, historial romance, crime thrillers and the list goes on.
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