Thursday, October 27, 2011
Four Strong Women: Everything is ok….I’m a professional.
Four Strong Women: Everything is ok….I’m a professional.: ***Welcome author, Bri Clark, with us today. Grab your coffee, sit back, read, relax and enjoy a few great chuckles.*** Have you ever writ...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Silent Service
If you have followed the blog then you know I've recently had a car die. A car I bought in March with all my savings. I did talk to the dealer whose response was "You buy as is." In his think foreign accent.
However, I will not dog him online or reveal his dealer name. Because, his employees were deeply embarrassed that he treated me so and most apologetic. Guess what? They have families and need those jobs.
I know the power of word of mouth.
But my cause has not been ignored. Many have offered prayers, love and kind words. Through a pooling of our personal resources we are slowly getting funds together for another car.
However, two families that are friends of ours have graciously offered the temporary use of their extra cars. It is my belief that amazing blessings come through selfless service. However, if they are made public then sometimes the acknowledgement becomes the blessing. Because I am so deeply touched but truly want the most for them I'll not say their names.
But will say here this....you can't imagine the way in which you've eased my burdens.
Thank you.
Why must you provoke me?
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Really? You really wanted to mess with my child?
Have you not heard of me at all? Not heard of the jail time served? The brass knuckles or the butterfly knife?
Monday, October 24, 2011
Moolight Rises...Vincent Zandri Drowns
“Life sucks. Then you die. Or, if you’re Dick Moonlight, first you die and then you live.”
Dick Moonlight is dead.
Really dead this time, now that three President Obama-masked thugs dressed all in black and communicating only with hand-held voice synthesizers pressed up against their voice boxes have beat the life right out of him inside a dark, downtown Albany alley. What are the thugs after? A box. Size, weight, description unknown. They also want him to stay away from his newest and only client: a handicapped nuclear engineer of dubious Russian heritage by the same of Peter Czech.
But then, now that they’ve killed him, Moonlight’s problems seem to be over. In fact, as he undergoes an out of body experience, his soul floating above his train-wreck of a corpse inside the Albany Medical Center I.C.U., he feels pretty damned good. Great in fact. To make death all the more sweeter, his one true love, Lola, is standing by his bedside. With her long dark hair draping her chiseled face and big round Jackie O sunglasses hiding tear-filled eyes, she appears every bit the grieving sig other. Nothing could make the dead-and-gone Moonlight prouder.
But then something happens. Something bad. A man enters into the I.C.U. Some young guy. He takes hold of Lola’s hand, and pulls her into him. Together, the two share a loving embrace over Moonlight’s dead body. Now, what seemed like a peaceful death is anything but. Moonlight wants back inside his body so he can face-off Some Young Guy and find out if his true love has in fact been cheating on him. At the same time, he wants to find out the true identity of those thugs who killed him so he can exact his revenge. No doubt about it, Moonlight needs to live if he’s going to uncover some pretty painful answers and take care of business.
Like a little kid dropping down a playground slide, Moonlight slides right back inside his bruised and broken body. Opening his eyes the white light blinds him. He feels the pain of his wounds and the pain of his breaking heart.
Life sucks, then you die.
But Moonlight rises.
Review
Dick Moonlight is one of my favorite characters. Perhaps it's because he reminds me of so many ex boyfriends who were damaged beyond all hope, were sexy as all get out, and a bit of an alpha male. Or maybe it's because as much as I want there to be the happily ever after for him it will not happen. That's just not Moonlights destiny. But he still tries to give it to others...and that dear reader is the endearing trait that makes me love Dick Moonlight so much.
You can tell from the amazing blurb the essentials of what happens. And everyone knows that the Belle does not give spoilers. It's all about my opinion. I bet by now you are wondering when I'm going to start bashing Moonlight Rises because of that title. Well welcome to disappointment because that's not going to happen.
Moonlight Rises is tearing up the Amazon ranking system as we speak. Which is not surprising it's a Zandri. What do you expect. His writing is versatile, signature, and classic noir with a modern edge. If you like dark plots, real characters with flaws and honor, then you'll love Moonlight Rises.
As for Vincent Zandri drowning...and this isn't about that rumor circulating involving a hot tub in Cairo. He hasn't even been there in a while. It's about drowning in success. Vincent has landed a contract with a traditional publisher while he is still creating with is local indie pub Stone House Ink. Congrats are due all around to Vincent.
Moonlight Rises is a book to read especially on a dark storming night all alone.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Belle Overwhelmed
So if you follow the Belle you know she runs at warp 9 most days and only slows down due to illness, injury, or incarceration. Well I've recently opened Belle Consulting. Something I am immensely proud of and requires more time. While I still read like a demon possessed I don't always have the time to review like I used too. It is heart breaking to turn down reviews or not even have time to respond. So I'm going to do something I hardly ever do. I'm asking for help. The Belle of Boise is inviting those who are interested to apply to be a reviewer for The Belle of Boise.
What you'll get
- You'll have your own reviewer page where we will list your bio, picture, contact info, genres preferred and forms that you read. ie. eBook print
- You'll be added as an admin to post your reviews.
- All your social media contacts will be added
- Your own signature
- Your posts will be shared on all my outlets
What is Expected
- Reviews should be honest, concise, include buy links, cover art and product description.
- Posted in a timely manner.
- If I see you posting a book I have a problem with I will not let you review it here. I don't have a list of what's ok because I'm pretty easy going. So it's shouldn't be a big deal
How it will work
- A Google Calendar will be created. I would like for reviews to be posted on Fridays. Post the book you want to review on what day. This will help us stay organized. If you find a blank Friday and want to post something go ahead. You will have requests come in over time. I get them myself and will forward any I can't do and you can choose from them.
- Or if you got a book from a blog tour you signed up for, one you bought, or one you borrowed from the library those are great too.
- You can do your own interviews or giveaways with authors as well.
If interested please go here and fill out the questionnaire and good luck.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Romantic Thriller Review Wired
Blurb
Mary Elizabeth and Charlie’s marriage is fading away as Charlie tries to just get along and Mary Elizabeth struggles not to disappear completely. A murdered teenager is discovered at the local teenage hangout on a bluff high above main street bringing back memories to Mary Elizabeth that she would rather forget but may hold the key to saving an entire town. But when the bodies keep popping up everyone must struggle with feelings of guilt, shame and redemption.
Review
Now those that read this blog know that I am a sucker for romance and thrillers. Well in Wired I got both. Martha Carr's writing is an interesting blend of characterization, plot, and dialogue that is so real and dynamic you think you are reading a movie. Only the screen is in your head. I'll also mention movie rights are being discussed. I'm not surprised.
It is expected in any novel that the reader identify with the main protagonist. That the readers feels what they feel, cries with them, roots for them and just all around connects with them. While you will feel, cry and even root for Mary Elizabeth it is hard to like her...until the end. From the first paragraph I didn't hate her but I didn't like her. Charlie, her husband, was typical yet layered. It's obvious he has a much better relationship with their adorable son. It takes talent to make a reader to feel so strongly about the characters as I did in Wired.
Martha has a craft similar to thriller authors like Vincent Zandri where they reveal a little here and there. And then at some point you start having these moments where things begin to click but still leave you surprised with the ending.
However, her writing of the sexual scenes and thoughts were tasteful yet emotional and poignant like the romance authors I adore some much.
I highly recommend Wired. It's a great read especially for right before Halloween.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Living Life's Country Song
So I've cracked the joke lately that my life became a country song. You know the cliche... Your car breaks down, spouse cheats/leaves, dog dies, BFF sleeps with your sister, your trailers repoed and you don't realized it until your flying in it in a wrecker down the interstate.
You get it.
Well it's not that bad. Truly. But my van I bought in March's engine seized and I have no funds to purchase a new car or fix it. And my husband was in a car wreck in Feb and is in a law suit and turns out slipped 5 disks from said wreck. Not to mention he's in construction and we are hitting the slow time.
But that's not what this post is about. It's about what I do have. Health, love, shelter, food, food storage, the bills are currently current (my editor will love that.) and a host of amazing friends. Online, close by, and faraway. They support me with honest guidance, kind words, well couched and placed reminders of my blessings. Not to mention two are willing to share the use of some spare wheels.
So let's talley
Blessing:10
Trials: 3
I'll remember that when it's hard and smile.
So dear reader how's your trials vs. blessings lately?
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