Tag: authors

Books, Out of the Box Blogs, Reviews

Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined by Stephenie Meyers

Les

As I am sure you have heard about this new book, Life and Death, that Stephenie Meyers is putting out for the 10th anniversary of Twilight. Now, I am a twilight fan, don’t hold it against me. I am however just pretty shocked and kind of angry that this is what she is choosing to give us, her devoted readers that made Twilight what it is today.

Her readers have begged for years since the talk began of doing the Twilight series from Edwards point of view. She allows someone to read one of the drafts and they betray her trust and release it, and now all of the fans have to suffer. Even though this wasn’t the only version in existence.

So the part that makes me angry is that here she is trying to sell us this mockery of a book instead of giving us the greatest gift that would have brought Twilight back to the fore front, which is Midnight Sun.

So, when do we finally get to have the book we are dreaming about? When is our loyalty to the books, movies, and entire franchise going to be rewarded? Or, is it that we just don’t matter as much as we thought, or would like to believe we do.

As a big Twilight fan, I refuse to be quieted by this scrap she is throwing us. I feel like she will always be waving the Midnight Sun bone in front of us like snapping dogs forever.

I am vowing right here and now that I will not purchase this book, I will not let it overshadow what she at one time said she would give us, her loyal fans, Midnight Sun.

Look, I know authors can’t give every reader what they want, but I believe that if you say you are going to deliver something, then you should hold up your end of the bargain, and we will hold up ours.

Peace

Les

Books, great reads, Reviews

Brighter Than the Sun by Darynda Jones

Karen

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Reyes, Reyes, Reyes. I’ve been dying for a book from his POV and it’s finally here. Let me give you the scoop.

Official Blurb: All his life, Reyes Alexander Farrow has suffered the torments of the damned. Only one thing has given him hope: the woman who radiates a light that no mortals can see; a light that only the departed can see…

Told from his point of view, BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN chronicles the first time Reyes ever encountered Charley, and how their relationship has been the one thing that can either save him or doom him.

One thing to keep in mind is this is a book from Reyes point of view. No catchy chapter starters, no funny lines, and no crazy death defiling antics. Well he does defy death often but regardless this book has a much deeper, darker undertone than the series does. If you’ve read the past Charley Davidson books you’ll understand that Reyes past is horrific and he’s not the rainbows and sunshine half of their relationship. So prepare yourselves, this is the mind of Reyes, from the beginning, it’s not all happy thoughts.

My opinion? I loved it. Reyes has always been one of those characters that I want more of. More info, more time, more anything. Plus we have only had glimpses into his mind before so having a whole novella from just his POV was great. I also enjoyed the fact that Darynda didn’t try to make it light or funny, Reyes is a dark character with a dark past, his book shouldn’t be light. The story itself was great, if you follow the series a lot if it is information you already have, but seeing it through his eyes makes it that much more impactful.

Reyes is still the sexy, broken, stubborn character he’s always been, this just makes me love him more. Read it! But if you are not familiar with the series start with First Grave on the Right, it will make you understand him even better.

 

 

Books, great reads, Out of the Box Blogs, Reviews

Montana Dragons by Chloe Cole

Les

Ok so this is about a wolf shapeshifter that’s prearranged mate ha chosen someone else, so her parents secretly marry her off to a dragon shapeshifter without her knowledge.

This is pretty much part 1 of this, I guess I would call it a series of novellas. I got them as a bundle and I’m actually ok with them being short right now.

It is a good story. Lead female is feisty and strong. The male lead is smart, strong, sexy and has to watch his temper a little.

All in all I am going to continue reading it and will update you soon.

Peace

Les

Books, great reads, indie author, Reviews, scifi

The Unspoken Agreement

Karen

I have always felt there was an unspoken agreement between an author and us readers when we purchase a book and frankly lately I think the rules have been out the window. So I’m curious, is it just me that feels this way, having these expectations of my writers? Do I need to adjust to a new way of writing? Or are some books just not playing by the rules? Allow me to explain.

When I buy a book it’s like the author and I have made a contract. A simple one, I will give money to your seller and you will deliver a story. I don’t have to like it but it must follow the guidelines of all stories. Sound simple? Apparently not. This is how I view a story: A beginning, if it’s the first time we are meeting everyone with character and world building when appropriate. Then a middle, this is where your plot comes to life, the climax of the story as it is, whether it’s bad guys seemingly defeating good guys, or a big fight, big reveals, this is when we get the meat of the story. The all important end, the big finish, where you frankly actually finish the book. No cliffhangers (I will discuss this), no unrelated twists, just bring it home. Make it complete.

What I feel like has been a trend in some writing lately…

The Cliffhanger. Why do authors do this? Especially with book one? I have yet to meet a reader that loves this, so why do it? Is it because you just couldn’t think of an ending? Is it because you want me to be forced to buy your next book (doesn’t work with me, you cliff hang I abandon)? Or is it because you knew from the beginning that you would write three books so it doesn’t matter to you? Well that sucks. Let me tell you there are many extremely successful series out there that have 8,10,20 books and you know what, no cliffhangers! Every book is a complete story by itself. We feel satisfied when we read it, like an episode on tv.

The Plot. Ever read the back of a book, then read the book and the blurb has nothing to do with the story? I bought the book because this is what you told me the story is about. Can’t always blame the publisher, indies are also committing this crime, it’s kind of like false advertising. See this whale??? Sorry we are sending you home with a guppy. I might have been interested in your original story, I like guppies, but it’s just not going to sit right with me the whole time cause all I can think about is that whale. Blurbs should match the story and the plot should follow that. Having a plot is good too, some now don’t even have a plot.

The beginning. World and character building are paramount. In fact too often characters are left with no personality, shallow as it were, and books can fall very flat. But some authors swing too far the other way making whole books out of world and character building. That’s great if I already have book 2 and 3 but if this is all I have, then I don’t have a story, just a really long resume. And 200 pages of that gets boring. I know a lot of authors say they are setting up the next book, but I’m not buying, you got to sell this book to me, not the next one.

So the big question is, are my expectations to great?