Can't-Wait Wednesday - The Brilliant Death

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a feature hosted by Wishful Endings where people spotlight an upcoming release.

My pick for this week is

The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta

Title: The Brilliant Death

Author: Amy Rose Capetta

Pages: 352

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Release Date: 30th October 2018

Blurb from Goodreads:

 For Teodora DiSangro, a mafia don's daughter, family is fate.

All her life, Teodora has hidden the fact that she secretly turns her family's enemies into music boxes, mirrors, and other decorative objects. After all, everyone in Vinalia knows that stregas--wielders of magic--are figures out of fairytales. Nobody believes they're real.

Then the Capo, the land's new ruler, sends poisoned letters to the heads of the Five Families that have long controlled Vinalia. Four lie dead and Teo's beloved father is gravely ill. To save him, Teo must travel to the capital as a DiSangro son--not merely disguised as a boy, but transformed into one.

Enter Cielo, a strega who can switch back and forth between male and female as effortlessly as turning a page in a book. Teo and Cielo journey together to the capital, and Teo struggles to master her powers and to keep her growing feelings for Cielo locked in her heart. As she falls in love with witty, irascible Cielo, Teo realizes how much of life she's missed by hiding her true nature. But she can't forget her mission, and the closer they get to the palace, the more sinister secrets they uncover about what's really going on in their beloved country--and the more determined Teo becomes to save her family at any cost.

Goodreads

Why I'm Anticipating This Book:

Poison, murders, mafia . . .  what's not to like? :)

 

Blog Tour + Guest Post + Giveaway - The Scythian Trials by Elizabeth Isaacs

 Find the tour schedule here.

 

The Scythian Trials by Elizabeth Isaacs
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication date: October 16th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

Descendants of the Amazons, the Scythians work alongside prominent governments but answer to no one. Warriors living on the fringe of civilization, they live by one credo: Strength through Equality. Power through Knowledge.

Nya Thalestris is the brightest Scythian of her generation. Strong, capable, ruthless, she is sure to earn a spot in the Trials, a time-honored mating ritual responsible for the evolution of her species.

Abducted by their sworn enemy, the Drahzda, Nya is forever altered and spirals out of control. The Society sends in Jax Nickius. Infamous psychologist and one of the most brutal warriors of their kind, he discovers triggers planted in Nya’s mind. As Nya solidifies her spot in the Trials, Jax develops a plan to help her heal—while pursuing her as a mate. But, Nya’s attraction to Jax is at war with her instinct to never let anyone get too close.

During the Trials, Nya’s repressed memories surface, revealing a new enemy—one from inside the consulate walls—and a traitorous alliance on the horizon that could irrevocably change the course of history.

Since before the Bronze Age, the Society has managed to safeguard humanity from itself … until now.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

10 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer

10. Write your passion. Whether it’s romance, sci-fi, or contemporary, whatever you love to read is what you should write.

9. Never compare yourself to someone else. There’s only one you, and you’re it, so trying to compare your writing journey with another author’s is counterproductive and a huge waste of time and energy. Be the best you you can be.  

8. Know your genre. There are certain attributes to every genre, and it’s critical that we know them. For example, beach reads are happily ever after stories that have no complicated subplots. Sci-fi is based in science. Fantasy is heavy on world-building as usually has mythological creatures or magic. I know it sounds simplistic, but it’s important to know the characteristics of the genre you want to write. 

7. Grammar matters. Mechanics are the nuts and bolts of writing and serve as the foundation of telling a great story. Confused modifiers, weak adjectives, passive, fragmented, or run-on sentences pull the reader out of the story. As writers, it’s our responsibility to know our craft.   

6. Self-care is important. Writing is a sedentary activity. Sitting in a chair for hours on end only moving your fingers can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. Take some time every day to exercise, and no bowl of snacks while sitting in front of the screen. Staying healthy is an important component of the creative process.   

5. Read. Everyday. Not junk. The good stuff. If you can’t find something new, go back and reread stories you love, the ones that moved you in some way, and break them down. Analyze them. Find the magic between the words.

4. Write. Everyday. Even if it’s only a few hundred words. Even if you don’t feel like it. Even if you resent it. Write anyway.

3. Find your tribe and love them hard. Surround yourself with creative, intelligent, fierce, people who are brutally honest. These friends love you enough to tell you if your back fat is showing in that dress you want to buy, or if you have spinach in your teeth, or you need to tone it down and order a glass of water between the wine. Let them read your stuff before you send it somewhere and trust them. They’ll tell you if they see a plot hole or if your writing is weak.

2. Dedicate a few hours a week to improving your craft. Whether it is watching a video from a famous author or taking a class about plot and structure, make continuing your education a priority. The stronger the writer, the better the story.

1. There is an inescapable sense of vulnerability when we share creativity. Embrace it. Whether it be sharing music, writing, or a sculpture, the feeling is the same because it was created from a deeply personal, intimate place. There’s no getting around it. So be courageous and share your writing, for it is in these moments of intense vulnerability we truly live.

Author Bio

 

Elizabeth is an author, teacher, and publishing professional who began her career as a national presenter for Resource Profiles, where she developed teacher seminars designed to foster creative brain stimulation. Moving into formal education, she helped at-risk students improve their writing skills as well as created and implemented a creative writing/blogging program that centered on teaching the 21st-century learner. Works stemming from this initiative were published online and seen in over 40 countries.

Elizabeth receives invitations to speak nationwide at schools and book clubs. She co-founded the popular book site, Chirenjenzie, which reaches thousands of people throughout the world. The writer support and reader interest group promotes and interacts with followers on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and various other blog sites. Elizabeth has a Master's degree from Austin Peay State University, where she studied classical opera. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

"The Light of Asteria" received Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival. Her newest work, "The Scythian Trials" will be released in 2017 by Vesuvian Media.

For more information, please visit www.elizabethisaacs.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Tour-wide giveaway  

Open INT

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Blog Tour + Interview + Giveaway - Death by the River by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor

 

Find the tour schedule here.

 

Death by the River by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication date: October 2nd 2018
Genres: Horror, Young Adult

A high school “American Psycho.”

SOME TRUTHS ARE BETTER KEPT SECRET.

SOME SECRETS ARE BETTER OFF DEAD.

Along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river.

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux.

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Handsome. Charming. Intelligent. The star quarterback of the football team. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch.

He is also a psychopath.

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the ruined St. Francis Abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize.

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes crystal clear that someone has to stop Beau Devereaux. 

And that someone will pay with their life.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Interview with Alexandrea Weis

When did you start writing? 

 I started writing at the age of eight.

What makes you want to write? 

 Everything. I get inspiration for stories everywhere.

Do you ever get writer's block and how do you get over it?  

If I get stuck with a story I get in my car and drive. It helps me figure

out plot holes.  

Do you have a special way of going about writing?  

I have a regular, daily routine. Discipline is important to maintain a 

regular schedule.

Do you have any works in progress? 

My next YA (historical) novel is complete and will be out in May 

2019. Realm (Vesuvian Books) is about the sixteen-year-old 

Persian wife of Alexander the Great—Roxana. The daughter of a 

local governor in Bactria, Alexander married her and took her with 

him on his travels across Persia and India. It is about her time with 

him and the years after his death when she is bounced around his 

myriad of generals who are vying for control of his empire. It is an 

epic tale of love, conquest, and the plight of women in ancient times. 

History tells his story. This is hers.

What are your hobbies?  

I am a runner, and I rescue orphaned and injured wildlife. Not a 

hobby, more like a passion. 

Who is your favorite character in Death by the River? 

Gage and Beau are my favorites. They were challenging. The scenes 

between Gage and Beau are my favorite in the story. I felt their 

relationship was crucial for getting into Beau’s mind. 

What was your favorite part of writing Death by the River? 

Writing Beau and his descent into depravity and the psychological 

instability he suffers from. How his mental illness develops, and how

it affects others around him was fascinating for me.

Quick-fire questions:

Chocolate or ice cream? Chocolate

Paperback or ebook? Paperback

Dogs or cats? Dogs

Go out of stay in? Stay in

Summer or winter? Winter

Author Bio

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

Alexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Having been brought up in the motion picture industry, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.

Tour-wide giveaway

Open INT

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Review - Vicious Rumer by Joshua Winning

Title: Vicious Rumer

Author: Joshua Winning

Publisher: Unbound

Release Date: 24th April 2018

Blurb from Goodreads:

Rumer Cross is cursed. Scraping by working for a dingy London 

detective agency, she lives in the shadow of her mother, a violent 

criminal dubbed the ‘Witch Assassin’ whose bloodthirsty rampage 

terrorised London for over a decade.

Raised by foster families who never understood her and terrified she 

could one day turn into her mother, Rumer has become detached and 

self-reliant. But when she’s targeted by a vicious mobster who 

believes she’s hiding an occult relic, she’s drawn into the very world 

she’s been fighting to avoid.

Hunted by assassins and haunted by her mother’s dark legacy, Rumer 

must also confront a terrible truth: that she’s cursed, because no 

matter what she does, everybody she’s ever grown close to has died 

screaming. 

Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon US

My Review:

 

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Thanks to Unbound and NetGalley*

 

Rumer Cross is cursed - everyone around her dies. Which is why 

Rumer isolates herself, working for a detective agency. 

Rumer lives in the shadow of her dead mother, a ruthless criminal 

with a long list of victims.

When a dangerous criminal that knew Rumer's mother demands that 

Rumer tell him where the Crook Spear is, she finds herself sucked 

into a dangerous world. 

Her very life under threat, Rumer must do whatever she can to survive.

The premise for Vicious Rumer really intrigued me.

I liked Rumer and I felt sorry for her - she had gone through a lot. I 

could totally understand why she thought she was cursed. 

Bolt was an interesting character and I would have liked there to 

have been more of him in the book.

The plot was interesting but nothing that happened really surprised me.

I liked the writing style - it felt very atmospheric - but I wasn't 

gripped.

Overall this was an enjoyable read.