Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Live-Action Mindjack Book Trailer Reveal

The Live-Action Mindjack Book Trailer Reveal

Hi! My name is Susan Kaye Quinn and I'm the author of the bestselling young adult/SF Mindjack Trilogy. With the help of over 20 cast and crew members, award-winning director Beth Spitalny has brought the concept of my series to life on the screen. Thanks to Cristina for the chance to share the trailer and the books with you!


Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy) by Susan Kaye Quinn When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can't read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can't be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf's mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she's dragged deep into a hidden underworld of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.


When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.




Please feel free to share! (view on YouTube to access the share buttons)


An EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS to
everyone involved in making the trailer a reality, including Director Beth Spitalny, Producer Angel Acevedo, Director of Photography Lance Kaplan, lead actor Nikki Flemming (Kira) and the many fine actors, crew members, and post-production staff who donated their time and talent to the project. For the making-of the trailer, see the Mindjack Trilogy website.




Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling Mindjack Series, which includes three novels, three novellas, and a trailer. She's currently writing a steampunk fantasy romance, just for kicks. When that's out of her system, she has ambitious plans to embark on a series about the Singularity (the time when computers become more intelligent than humans) that should appeal to fans of the Mindjack novels. Or possibly play on Facebook all day. Could go either way.

Thank You Susan For coming on ABC today! I am so excited about your books! I'm on my way over to Amazon now!

Comments Welcome!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Review - Vampire Blood

Vampire Blood

Kathryn Meyer Griffith

I first read Human No Longer which was the second book. Vampire Blood was the first and I must say I do wish I read it first. That most likely comes from my OCD more than anything. I think both books could be read as stand alones. 

Human No Longer


In Human No Longer we read the story of a woman who lost her husband in a vicious attack which she barely survived. She decides to move back to her childhood home with her two children. As days go by we learn that Jenny is being changed into a vampire. The book then is her story of fighting the change and also her battle with vampires who are looking for her.

In Vampire Blood we have the story of Jenny, divorced and living in a trailer on her father's property. She is helping her dad renovate a friends' home when the owners are suddenly missing. Jenny learns they are not the only ones missing. Several people have been reported missing lately. Next door to her brothers' restaurant is an old closed theater. Jenny has good memories of going there with her first husband, Jeff. She notices that someone is planning to open it again. She and her father get the job of renovating it. But just who are the owners of the movie theater? Why do they want to open it? What happened to the missing people? Will Jenny be able to do anything to help? Will Jenny and her family survive?

I enjoyed this story. It kept me reading late into the night. The writing was very good. The story intriguing. I was reading a horror mystery with a bit of romance tossed in. I loved that. A confession...I was reading it downstairs and as it was very late needed to go upstairs to bed. As I was reading this on my Kindle Fire I had enough light to be able to walk around, so I was turning off lights without turning any on. I walked halfway up the stairs, still reading, when I glanced up. OMG! There were no lights on. It was completely dark. I stood frozen on the stairs. Light switches were located in the dark at the bottom of the stairs or at the top. I know it was completely irrational but I could not figure out which light switch would be safer. Finally, I used the kindle light to shine in front of me until I reached a light switch. Hahaha. That will teach me to read scary stories while walking around in the dark. Okay don't leave me alone in this. Have you done this? Have you read a book that had you afraid of the dark, even for a moment? Which ones? 

There was one difference between the books that bothered me. In Vampire Blood, Jenny has a grown daughter and grandchild. Samantha was mentioned often and both Jenny and Jeff have a desire to have a good relationship with her. They want to know their grandchild. At the end of the book they are reunited. Yet in Human No Longer they play no part. I wonder what has happened to them. I hope in the next book that mystery is solved. 

I am really enjoying Kathryn Meyer Griffith's writing. She has the ability to draw you into the story. She writes characters who become friends. Both are the signs of an experienced writer who cares about what they are writing. She has written a number of books that I find intriguing. You can read more about her on my blog post Human No Longer. Her book covers can also be found there. 

It is hard to choose my next read from her but I think it will be Don't Look Back, Agnes. This book has been calling my name since I read Human No Longer. 

Don't Look Back, Agnes, Don't Look Back, Agnes

Book description:
Don't Look Back Agnes--Agnes Michaels is coming home. Home to her childhood town of Fairfield and the house her father lovingly built for her mother. A house surrounded by the woods where Agnes’ two childhood friends and her boyfriend, Tyler, were all murdered twenty summers ago when she was just seventeen. She was the only one who escaped, but not without emotional and physical scars. Agnes knows that the woods and the evil entity that lives in it have been waiting for her all these years but she has no choice but to return to Fairfield and her mother’s house when her mother falls very ill and needs her care. Agnes can no longer avoid her destiny. Because the killings have begun again and she’s the only one who can stop them. And with the help of a new friend and Tyler’s ghost, she’ll defeat the evil and save another child’s life.
A second short story included is In This House.  Bernard and Althea have lived their whole lives in the neighborhood, in the same house and have grown old there. But Deer Run’s lead smelter plant has been buying out the houses around them because of lead contamination fears and now the lots are empty weeds and only their house remains. Their neighbors are gone. They’re alone. Althea’s been sick and Bernard cares for her even as he remembers how lovely she once was, all the friends they once had and all the good times they enjoyed when they were young. He loves her and he’ll never leave her. They’ll never leave their home. But they can’t stop time and they’re only waiting for their lonely daughter, Jenny, to make one last visit so they can say goodbye to her and introduce her to the man they know she’s meant to be with…then they can leave this earth happy.

Comments Welcome

Saturday, January 26, 2013

My Free Kindle Picks of the Week

These are books that are currently FREE Kindle reads on Amazon. Current being the date this blog post was published. So please always double check the price on Amazon's site. The books posted may not be books I have yet reviewed or read. They are books I find intriguing and thought you may also.  Links are in the book title below the covers. On to the books.

Narco Moolah: A Cleo Matts Novel

Narco Moolah: A Cleo Matts Novel


Book description: 

A heinous terrorist attack in Honolulu cuts vacation short for burned-out Trapdoor agent Cleo Matts. With the streets of Waikiki in chaos and his own agency compromised, Matts turns fugitive. Wanted dead or alive by the police, the Japanese mafia, the CIA, and Trapdoor, Matts finds an unlikely ally in Sid Bidwell, the mysterious leader of Unit R—an international clique of anarchist computer hackers.
With Bidwell’s help, Matts resolves to take down the elite powerbrokers in the fascist Ministry of Streunberg who are proceeding with a ruthless scheme to rescue the teetering empires of corrupt Wall Street billionaires—a plan that will leave urban centers decimated and lay waste to a generation of Americans.
Determined to derail the impending cataclysm, Matts journeys from Honolulu to Basra and Istanbul, plunging headlong into a global web of opium lords, CIA cleaners, billionaire media moguls, psychic spies, and Islamic militants


Free for January 26, January 27 and January 28, 2013.

Digging Up Death

                                  Digging Up Death


Book Description:
To unearth a killer, you have to get your fingernails dirty.
Archaeology Professor Mari Duggins is adjusting to life as a single mom, but she’s caught between the pull of her former flame and her ex-husband. When her colleague is murdered and her ex is accused of stealing an Egyptian artifact, Mari interferes in the FBI investigation, compelled to prove the innocence of her children’s father. 
Soon she is buried deep in suspects. Her old flame, her student and tenant, the office secretary. No one is who they appear to be, and she begins to wonder where her loyalty and true affections lie. 
Mari Duggins’ life caves in as she tries to excavate the truth, but realizes only God can dig her out of the hole she’s created. Will Mari sort through her muddled feelings and put her trust in someone else? Or will the truth bury her alive?

In the Blood (A Genealogical Crime Mystery #1)

In the Blood: A Genealogical Crime Mystery #1


Book DESCRIPTION:
Family history was never supposed to be like this...When American genealogist, Jefferson Tayte, accepted his latest assignment he had no idea it might kill him. But while murder was never part of the curriculum he is kidding himself if he thinks he can walk away from this one.
Why can't I trace them?  What happened to them?
Driven by the irony of being a genealogist who doesn't know who his own parents are, Tayte soon finds that the assignment shares a stark similarity to his own struggle. Someone has gone to great lengths to erase an entire family bloodline from recorded history and he's not going home until he's found out why. After all, if he's not good enough to find this family, how can he ever expect to be good enough to someday find his own?

Set in Cornwall, England, past and present, Tayte's research centres around the tragic life of a young Cornish girl, a writing box, and the discovery of a dark family secret that he believes will lead him to the family he is looking for. Trouble is, someone else is looking for the same answers and they will stop at nothing to find them.

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back 


Book Description

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.
But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?
Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.
Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake. 
Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.
And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.

Comments Welcome!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Review Fang's Rule by Amy Mah (Vampire)


Fangs Rule by Amy Mah


I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It is an A to Z guide for vampires. Teenage vampires. I have had the book on my shelf for awhile. I love the cover and when I saw it on my shelf it drew my attention. I am happy it did. I really enjoyed this guide. Amy Mah writes this teenage vampire guide in a fun and engaging way.The artwork, done by Heby Sim, was gifted. This is a delightful book written from a teen perspective. Amy goes over all the things you need to know if you suddenly find out you are a vampire. Amy is a teenager who was raised by humans and did not know she was a full blood born vampire. When it was discovered she was adopted into the Pink Bat Family. She tells you about boys and gives you the rules for dating, (boys are not allowed to bite you). She covers the family and ranks in the family. She goes over all the myths and stories you may have heard. Amy Mah writes all this in a voice you can hear. it is like she is sitting with you explaining everything. I would definitely recommend this book. It was a lot more fun than I imagined. It is a book I will mostly read again and purchase as gifts to teens.

There was no bad language in the book however there were sexual references. The author while acknowledging the "bases" and teen hormones did not encourage sexual behavior in the references. I felt it was appropriate for older teens. 

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I had intended to give it to my daughter. Now I guess I will have to buy her a copy because I don't want to give up mine. I do intend to get more books by Amy Mah. 


Amy Mah Vampire VAMPIRE Amy Mah Vampire (The Night Eternal)

You can connect with Amy Mah at:

Her Blog 
Goodreads
Amazon
Facebook
Twitter


Comments Welcome

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Relative Identity by Holly Patrone Review

Relative Identity


Relative Identity by Holly Patrone is the follow up to Death Is A Relative Thing. I was so excited to see this sequel that I put aside my other books to read it. In her first book we are introduced to April and her husband Sal, who happens to be a ghost as he died in some birthday sex that left April with quite a reputation. In this book we continue on with April's story. She has finally found a boyfriend who does not think he will die while getting some satisfaction. Sal received his wings and moved on. Things seem to settling down for her. Then the car owned by April's son but which she signed for is repossessed.  April learns someone is using her dead husband's identity. Since Sal has been dead a number of years, April cannot figure out how he got a loan from a bank. April soon learns that the loan is not the only credit dead Sal has. So she is off on an investigation, trying to retrieve her son's car and find out who is doing this to her. Sal shows back up and encourages April to find the culprit. He cannot help making comments about April's new love interest though.  And just what is up with the things he wears? What is going on on the other side? If this isn't enough April finds out she can also see and hear another ghost! Along with the hilarious adventure, Holly Patrone also gives us a peek into April's feelings about Sal and her boyfriend Jack. We hear of her missing Sal and still loving him while wishing to move forward and let go. We are also privy to her husband lovingly but hilariously allowing April to move forward with her life. I really appreciated that the author addressed this and let us feel the bittersweet emotions. That she was able to write this serious moment in a lighthearted way just shows the writing skills of Ms. Patrone. If you are looking for a light, fun read with a mystery to solve and a romance to enjoy, then this is an excellent choice.

Here is Holly Patrone's first book. While it is not necessary to read it before you read Relative Identity, I would recommend you read it first. My review can be read HERE

Death Is a Relative Thing


Book Trailer

Places to connect to Holly Patrone are:



I love the dog on the covers. Don't you? 


Comments Welcome


Saturday, January 19, 2013

Review: Human No Longer by Kathryn Meyer Griffith




I spoke of this book and author earlier this week. You can read it HERE. Kathryn Meyer Griffith is a new writer for me. She has written 17 books so she is not new at this and it shows. Here is my review of Human No Longer.

*I received a copy of Human No Longer for review. No promises were made except to give an honest review of my opinion of the book. I received no compensation for this review.*

I love this vampire book. It is about a woman who is attacked. Her husband is killed and she is turned into a vampire. Years before she, her husband and her brother, fought vampires and killed some. Now Jenny is a single mother, recovering from the attack and finding herself changing into a vampire. Imagine her horror at that. Imagine her fear of harming her children. Imagine her love that refuses to give up her children. As you can tell this is not your sparkly, friendly vampire book. The author spends a lot of time letting us get to know Jenny and her family. We feel her love, her fear and her horror. We know her family is tight and that they are strong. Kathryn Meyer Griffith wrote this story beautifully. Since it involves children and the loss of a parent it could have been dreary and depressing. Ms Griffith handled writing that successfully. We hear of the sadness and pain, indeed it is a major part of why Jenny will not give up, but it is written with care. It takes Jenny awhile to admit that she is a vampire. Since she has hunted them before, this could be seen as ridiculous. However the author explains it in an understanding and real way. Jenny knows in her heart what she is becoming. She just doesn't want it to be true. We walk with Jenny through her changing. We feel her pain, fear, doubts, horror, strength and, most of all, her love and determination. Their is also a budding romance in the book. It goes at the right speed. We know Jenny is not going to jump into love even without the vampire effect. So it is just the start that we get. It is funny but one of the descriptive words that I think of with this book is healing. We are witness to a family healing from a huge loss. You might not think that possible in a vampire story but it is in this one. And it works. But this is a horror story. Do not be fooled by what I have written so far. There is violence in this book, what we believe are vampires, do kill in it. In horrifying ways and they kill children. I love that Ms. Griffith has kept the violence on the low end of graphic. It is there, just not like it could have been written. Most of it is suggestive, the way a good horror book is written. We get the set up, our imagination terrifies us and then we get what happened. I love that. I love when the author invites my imagination to play. I am hoping there is a follow up book. 

This was a riveting book, well written. I give it 5 stars and recommend it.
There is violence in the book. There is no sex or bad language.

I read this book as a stand alone but it is a part of another book, Vampire Blood. I am planning to read this one. I can actually hear it calling my name. I am very interested in reading how this began. 

Vampire Blood

All of Kathryn Meyer Griffith's books may be found on AMAZON.

Connect with Kathryn Meyer Griffith on:


What is your favorite vampire book? Who is your favorite Vampire Author?


As always your comments are most welcome!



Thursday, January 17, 2013

Hidden Wings On Sale Now + Giveaway Info

CAMEO RENAE   HIDDEN WINGS 

Hidden Wings

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON 
ON SALE FOR $2.99 

In My Dreams

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
ON SALE FOR $2.99 


GIVEAWAY IS BY CAMEO RENAE AND IS NOT A PART OF ALASKANBOOKCAFE BLOG

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE
AND
HAPPY READING ALWAYS!

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS BELOW

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Cameo Renae's Hidden Wings Review


Hidden Wings

RELEASE DATE Jan 18, 2013


NO! That is what I actually cried, out loud, at 3 am when I finished this book. Cameo, Cameo, Cameo! How could you do this to me?

I was so excited to be invited to read Cameo Renae's new book, Hidden Wings.I loved her debut book, In My Dreams. When you write an excellent book your first time out, it can be difficult to follow it up. Hidden Wings surpassed In My Dreams. I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I am in awe of Cameo Renae's talent.

Emma is 17. She wakes up in the hospital to find her entire world turned upside down. Both of her parents died in the accident that put her in the hospital, custody has been granted to an aunt she did not know existed, she is moving to Alaska (a good thing but I am biased about that) and leaving behind, in California, her two best friends. Escorts come to get her for the trip to Ak and she is attacked by Darklings, creatures she did know existed, in the SeaTac airport. Then she finds out they have been sent to kill her. Talk about a bad day! That is just the beginning. There is so much action packed into this book that I found myself having to take small breaks just to breathe! There is also a bit of romance in this awesome fantasy. The cliffhanger will absolutely leave you wanting more.

Cameo has done a terrific job with her writing. You get to know her characters and they become your friends. I was able to envision the fight scenes and the settings were vividly written.

The book contains mild swearing but it is only once that I can recall. There are no scenes of a sexual nature. The romance written is suitable for teens. I highly recommend this book to all fans of YA Fantasy and Angel Fantasy.

I received an ARC of Hidden Wings for review. No promises were made except to give an honest review of my opinion of the book. I received no compensation for this review.


Cameo's Debut Book:
In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

is a current Goodreads Giveaway Book!! Good luck to all entrants. The giveaway runs on Goodreads until March 26, 2013. My blog has nothing to do with the giveaway. I am just sharing the news. 

Cameo Renae can be found on: 



As always your comments are most welcome!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Human No Longer

 Human No Longer  by Kathryn Meyer Griffith is a book I will be reading this week. I wanted to share with you all this awesome looking book. What do you think of the cover? 




Looks great doesn't it? Cover is by Dawne Dominique.

Now check out  the description. 

 Jenny and Jeff Sanders, on a summer night, become the victims of a bizarre crime, leaving Jeff dead and Jenny in a coma. Their attackers aren't caught.
She returns to her children and her life. With Jeff’s death his business and their income are also gone. Jenny, a novelist, hasn't written a book in years, so she must move back to her childhood home in Summer Haven, Florida, where years before she and Jeff destroyed a sadistic family of vampires.
At least her brother, Joey, who owns a local diner, is there to help.
But Jenny has no appetite. She’s edgy. Her eyes hurt. Could be trauma from the attack. Grief. Until one night, after they've moved into the rundown family farmhouse, she can’t resist the night woods and going out to drink animals’ blood.
Gradually she accepts the truth. Her attackers were vampires. Now she’s becoming what she once hunted and fears she must either kill herself or run. She can’t abandon her children, but promises never to drink human blood; to find a way to live in the human world. It’s not easy. They renovate the farmhouse, which local gossip says is haunted. At night she hunts, and hides what she’s becoming from everyone. She fights to be a good mother and not let the bloodlust overpower her. Gets a job and attempts to fit in.
People, bodies emptied of blood, begin dying. Like years before. With her blackouts, she fears she may be the killer and confides in Joey. While a detective, investigating her husband’s and his daughter’s murders, complicates things.
Jenny suspects it’s her attackers doing the slayings. They've found her and demand she join them–or her family will die. When she resists, her children are taken; to save them, she becomes part of the vampires’ killing spree. Becoming a monster like them…until she finds a way to outwit and ultimately destroy them.
In the end it takes supernatural intervention, a ghost, and the help of a childhood friend to set her, and the world, free from the vampires once and for all. 

Wow! Imagine being a vampire hunter then changing into a vampire. Now add being a mother and single parent into the mix. You are trying to do your best for your children, help them over their father's death and keep them safe. After all, you are all they have now. Then they are taken and you must become the monster you hunted and hated to save them. 

Kathryn has very kindly permitted me to print an excerpt from Human No Longer. So get comfy and enjoy. 

Shutting her eyes, she lingered at the door and listened to the night animals beyond the glass. They were frolicking out there in the autumn murkiness among the crispy leaves and cool dirt covered ground. Little creatures, with nocturne eyes and speedy feet, full of hot blood.
The mother in her fretted over leaving her children alone in the house but the hunger overpowered the mother and she snuck outside into the darkness.
She told herself they’d be fine. She’d be back shortly. That she should reward herself for her self-restraint all day. She hadn't. attacked one living person. Hadn't gone crazy or hung from the rafters by her feet. She’d done well.
She told herself that killing innocent little animals wasn't all that creepy, wasn't all that bad, considering the alternative. It didn't work. She loved animals and hated having to kill them at all for any reason. Or had. But, she had to keep reminding herself, animals died every minute of the day to fill humans’ stomachs. Right? Was what she did any worse than that? All she wanted was their blood. It was her food.
She felt guilty only until she captured the large fox, humanely snapped its neck to drink the blood (which tasted better than anything she’d ever drank or eaten) and then was too exhilarated to think of anything but further feeding her hunger; not even that she could run faster than she ever had, could see like an owl through the darkness, smell her prey miles away and that her teeth were changing. When she stuck her finger into her mouth she could feel the points. Oh, great. Little fangs. Oh, Lord, could this get any weirder? She thought about those horror movies she’d seen over the years where some unlucky human had been bitten and was slowly turning into god-knows-what and couldn’t believe or accept it. Was in shock. Now she knew exactly how they’d felt.
Though, in the end, she did feel regret for killing the poor fox and the one the night before. But, yes, it was better than feeding off homo sapiens. Damn straight it was.
After ingesting the blood she felt as if there was nothing she couldn't deal with. No problem she couldn't solve, no disaster she couldn't avert. She was superwoman.
This wasn't so bad, was it? It’d occurred to her perhaps if a good person became a vampire that might be the key. Good person equals good vampire? Bad person equals bad vampire? She could only pray that was the case. Oh, it could be worse. She could lust after human blood and not be able to resist. Now that would be a deal breaker.
She absorbed the night poised beside a towering tree, its limbs shifting in the wind; inhaled the dizzying perfumes of the forest. Her lips on the verge of smiling. She felt better than she had since she’d come out of the coma weeks ago.
Her new world revolved around her in slow motion. The night birds cooed in their nests. The air danced among the dying leaves. Insects skittered between limbs and under bushes. On the breeze there were aromatic wisps of brewing coffee and chocolate (cake she thought), fresh baking bread and as always now, blood. Animal blood in the small bustling creatures hiding out all around her and in the distance the cloying scent of human blood. Her children asleep in their beds. Amazing.
God, the night was beautiful.
That’s when she saw the pale figure hiding between the trees to her left. A tall man dressed in drab clothes watched her.
She merged deeper into the woods among the thicker underbrush but when she looked back, he was still on the fringe observing.
Waves of uneasiness rippled through her and the vertigo was unbalancing. This man stalking her wasn't her friend. This man was dangerous. If he was a man.
She ran all the way home at a speed she never would have imagined a human capable of. More like flying really. Her feet barely touched the ground, her night eyes so keen she never once collided with a tree or stumbled over a rock.
Within seconds she was inside the farmhouse peeking out the windows; the mysterious stranger nowhere in sight. Thank God.***


How creepy is that? I am dying to know who the man is and why he is there. It makes me want to start it now. I suck at being patient. 

Are you wondering how Kathryn came up with the idea for this story? I am. I love hearing how stories come about. Here is the back story on Human No Longer.

Human No Longer. It’s my 17th published book – yeah! – and my fourth vampire novel. First, let me tell you where I got the idea for it. About five years ago, I was still trying to please the agent (who I no longer have) who’d sold four of my earlier paperback novels to Zebra in the 1990’s and, because she didn't seem to like any of my new potential concepts, I asked her what she would like to see. Out of nowhere, she said, “You know your 1991 Zebra vampire novel, Vampire Blood? I liked that one a lot. The characters. Well, how about writing me a sort of sequel with basically the same cast, but with this premise: A woman, a mother, after being turned into a bloodthirsty vampire, must learn to adapt to the human world and still be a good mother. You know, how would she deal with everything when she had children she loved; didn't want to hurt or leave them…but still had the need to feed on blood? Still had all the urges and desires of a vampire?
Yikes. I hated the idea but, to please her, I went ahead and begrudgingly wrote the book. I tentatively called it The Vampire’s Children or The Vampire Mother or something like that. I finished it. Not too happy with it. I had never liked writing what other people wanted me to write. Stubborn, I guess.
My agent, in the meantime, had begun her own online erotic (which I don’t much care to write) publishing company and when I’d gotten done with the novel she was too busy to even read the finished book. She handed it off to an apprentice intern. An intern? What? Who didn't like it at all. Duh. So, disgusted, I tucked the file away on my computer and, fed up with the whole agent thing, returned to writing what I wanted to write. An end of days novel called A Time of Demons and a new vampire novel where the evil vampire wasn't a mother. In 2010 I went with a new publisher, Kim Richards at Damnation Books/Eternal Press, and she contracted not only those two books but asked me if I’d like to rewrite, update and re-release all 7 of my older out-of-print Leisure and Zebra paperbacks going back to 1984. Heck yes, I said! So for the next 2 years I was busy doing that. Some of those books were over twenty-five years old and very outdated. Their rewriting, editing and re-releasing took a lot of work and time.
Then, in late 2012, I decided to take a very old book of mine (Predator) which was contracted to Zebra Paperbacks in 1993 but, in the end, never actually released, and just for the heck of it, as my 16th novel, self-publish it to Amazon Kindle Direct. Just in ebook form. A kind of grand experiment. The first time I’ve ever tried self-publishing. See how it’d sell. Dinosaur Lake. A story about a hungry mutant dinosaur loose in the waters of Crater Lake that goes on a rampage. Hey, I wrote Dinosaur Lake before Jurassic Park, the book, ever came out! Really. I had my cover artist, Dawne Dominique make a cover for it…and it was stunning with a dinosaur roaring on the front. And I did everything else myself. Editing. Proofing. Formatting. With forty years and endless publishers behind me I felt I was capable. And it’d been selling so well I decided to self-publish another one…and I remembered the mother/vampire book. Hmm  So I revamped (ha, ha, inside joke), polished, and self-published it, as well. I re-titled it Human No Longer. Got my fabulous cover artist, Dawne Dominique, to make me a lovely haunting cover with a troubled-looking woman standing outside a spooky house, with two children behind her in its shadows, on the front and voila! All in all, I don’t think the book turned out half bad. In fact, with the changes I made I think it’s not bad at all. Now I just hope my readers will like it.
So that’s the story of Human No Longer. My 17th published novel.***


Hmm. Interesting but now I am really curious. 17 published novels? Just who is Kathryn Meyer Griffith? Here is what she has to say about herself:


Since childhood I've always been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. I began writing novels at 21, over forty years ago now, and have had seventeen (ten romantic horror, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel, one historical romance and two murder mysteries) previous novels, two novellas and twelve short stories published from Zebra Books, Leisure Books, Avalon Books, The Wild Rose Press, Damnation Books/Eternal Press and Amazon Kindle Direct.
I've been married to Russell for almost thirty-five years; have a son, James, and two grandchildren, Joshua and Caitlyn, and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois called Columbia, which is right across the JB Bridge from St. Louis, Mo. We have three quirky cats, ghost cat Sasha, live cats Cleo and Sasha (Too), and the five of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I've been an artist, and a folk singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.


As most of you know already I am a cover freak. So for your pleasure, and mine, here are the covers for Kathryn's other novels:

Dinosaur Lake by Kathryn Meyer Griffith, SF horror novel  Evil Stalks the Night-Revised Author's Edition by Kathryn Meyer Griffith, Evil Stalks the Night-Revised Author's Edition by Kathryn Meyer Griffith from www.damnationbooks.com KathrynMeyerGriffith horror DamnationBooks 

The Ice Bridge by Kathryn Meyer Griffith Winter's Journey by Kathryn Meyer Griffith Egyptian Heart by Kathryn Meyer Griffith 

Witches (Author Revised) THE LAST VAMPIRE by Kathryn Meyer Griffith Blood Forge:  Revised Author's Edition  
The Woman In Crimson  Scraps of Paper A Time of Demons (Before the End series) 

Don't Look Back, Agnes, Don't Look Back, Agnes Vampire Blood The Heart of the Rose
All Things Slip Away

and her two novellas

The Nameless One -erotic short story   Always & Forever-erotic short story

There are some great covers there. I am eager to review Human No Longer and then, perhaps, on to Don't Look Back, Agnes. Or maybe Egyptian Heart. But then Vampire Blood was the start of Human No Longer. Ugh!  That is what covers do to me!!

I hope you have enjoyed checking out Human No Longer with me. Later this week I will have the review up for you. 

For more on Kathryn Meyer Griffith please visit her websites:

As always your comments are most welcome!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Telenovelas and a Recipe

I went on Girlfriends Book Club last night. She was talking about learning Spanish from telenovelas. Telenovelas, for those who don't know, are like Spanish soap operas. They differ in that they are usually based off books, there is an end - most run about 5-6 months though some may go longer, and they don't break off for part of the year. That is important for me because every year at some point I am going through withdrawal over Sons of Anarchy, Walking Dead and American Horror Story. The part about them being based off of books is handy too. I can always tell people I am comparing the show to the book. Back to the telenovela post. Wendy over at GBC was talking about her favorite novela, Por Ella Soy Eva, (For her, I'm Eva).  I had seen this advertised but never watched it. So I decided to check it out based on what she wrote. I have watched I don't know how many episodes but sleep is not coming any time soon. First off it has one of my favorite telenovela stars in it, Lucero, (who is also a fabulous singer - you can get to her website by clicking her name - it is in English as well as Spanish). Second it has a lot of comedic moments in it. I love telenovelas and missed them a lot since coming to Juneau. Then a friend of mine recommended Korean soaps on Hulu Plus. Yes I have watched some of the Korean shows. A really good one of those is Boys Before Flowers (there is a link you can click if you want to check it out). While on Hulu Plus I discovered they have telenovelas going! Whoo hoo! So currently I am watching Soy Tu Duena (also with Lucero and it has my all time favorite telenovela actress Gabriela Spanic - she has Twitter! links to her website and her Twitter are on), Corona De Lagrimas, Una Familia Con Suerte, Amores Verdaderos and now Por Ella Soy Eva. I have even got my friend, who is Samoan, watching them with me. I think we are okay though, I have a test that I run on us every so often. Just in case you watch these and would like to take the test here it is:

1. Do you wake up suddenly and wonder who your real parents are?
2. Do you look at everyone who has known your family since your birth and wonder if they are hiding your real parents identity? This, of course, would be so they could steal it from you. Malditos!
3. Are you positive that when you uncover who your real parents are you will receive a large inheritance because they were rich?
4.Do you find yourself looking for your, separated at birth and unknown of at the moment, twin whenever you go to the mall? If you are a twin, have you ever switched identities and is one of you evil?
5. Do you call your mother each day (or post in Facebook) to find out if anyone is in the hospital because of some freak accident?
6. Has anyone tried to kidnap you? 
7. Have you ever fainted only to wake up at the hospital, where all your family and friends have gathered, and been told you are pregnant? No puedo ser!
8. Have you ever faked being blind, pregnant or paralyzed?
9. Is your boyfriend/husband cheating on you with your best friend, cousin or other close relative, or an employee you trust? No me engañes!
10. Do you find yourself using the following words, (especially if no one in your home speaks Spanish): Malditos! Maldito sea! No me tocas! (I hear Gaby Spanic's voice in my head), ¡suéltame! ¡lárgate! ¡callate! ¡vete al diablo! Me las vas a pagar! Que haces aqui?No me engañes! No puedo ser! Que pena ! (this one must be said with a fake sympathetic face).

If you have no idea what I am talking about you are really missing out on some fun. You need some novela therapy. Find one that has subtitles if you don't speak Spanish. The Korean ones I watch have them but you better be a speed reader on them. 

I will give you a run down of Corona De Lagrimas. It opens with Refugio (played by Victoria Ruffo) being thrown out of her home with her 3 sons (the oldest around 6). Her husband moved in another woman (younger and prettier of course). At first Refugio was there as her servant but then I guess they tired of that and out she went. Now I know you are probably like me and saying "wth Refugio! kick her butt before you go! what the heck were you thinking staying there with her?" But then there would be short drama, (though satisfying and exciting), and no show. So Refugio leaves with very little money, one suitcase and her sons. She left weeping, no  she left crying so much I thought she was going to dehydrate. She finally gets to the city where she meets a woman who helps her and becomes her best friend, (Julieta played by the awesome Maribel Guardia). Fast forward some years and the boys are grown. She is working as an accountant where she is harassed sexually by her superior and is having trouble with her eyes. However she stays on not complaining so she can support her sons. The importance of this will become apparent in a moment. One of her sons Ignacio, (Nacho), is a mechanic. Her other two sons, Edmundo (Mundo), and Patricio, (Jerk, oh wait that is only what I call him), are both in school, one for medical and the other, (Jerk), for law. At this point Patricio is involved with Lucero, daughter of Julieta. Then he meets Olga and the jerk disorder kicks into high gear. Olga is the daughter of a well to do lawyer. He spoils her and offers Patricio a job in his firm. However we learn that his real job is just to keep Olga happy. Back to story. Patricio tells a lot of lies to anyone who will listen but most especially Olga and most involve him being poor at the moment because he is fighting for his inheritance that his Uncle stole from his father. He starts seeing both Lucero and Olga. Then on Lucero's birthday, Patricio went to Cancun with Olga and stood up Lucero. If this isn't bad enough, (and since this is a novela you know it isn't), Lucero learns her father was killed in an accident! Que lastima! And on her birthday! At her party!! Patricio does not return until after the burial. Then he breaks up with her! Speeding things up here. Olga finds out that Patricio is living in a poor neighborhood when she follows him. Olga meets his mother then runs home where she has a breakdown. She gets hospitalized and we learn she is mentally unhinged. There is always one who is mentally ill. Olga's father fires Patricio, taking everything from him. But don't worry. A few days later and Olga's father figures out how to use Patricio and schemes him back into Olga's arms. Job and belongings returned to him. He introduces Patricio to his girlfriend (yes Olga has a mother and yes they are unhappily married). He then informs Patricio that he will marry Olga and make her happy or else! Patricio leaves the house, moves into an apartment, (I guess), and dumps his mother and brothers. No big loss if you ask me. In case you are worried about Lucero both Mundo and Nacho tried to make her happy. Mundo won. Don'y worry about Nacho though. Chelito, who is the garage owners daughter, (he is a mechanic, remember?), is in love with him. He just needs to stop being stupid before he loses her. There is a guy at the gym who has some potential to make a triangle. Patricio and Olga's wedding plans were in the paper which everyone saw. Refugio goes to Patricio's apartment building and confronts him. He tells her that he has no mother and that he told Olga that Refugio is his nanny. WTH! Classy guy there. She leaves brokenhearted. The rest of the family and friends talk her into going to his wedding even though Patricio told her to stay away. When it ended Friday, Refugio walked up to Patricio to give her blessing on him. Olga's mother asked if she was Patricio's mother. Olga responded with no! of course not. She is his nanny, right? Then Olga's mother demanded to know who she is. All the while this was being said Patricio was telling his mother to get away from him. Sweet guy! There is much more going on and it is sure to be good tonight. Ay! Caliente!

Here is a recipe for a tostada that we make all the time.  Sometimes it is served alone and other occasions is served with other food like Mole or Birria. Soccer game? Baby shower? Just hanging out? Who is bringing the tostadas?

Tostadas de atun

2 cans of tuna
1/4 cup each mayonnaise and sour cream (Honestly, I have no measurements for this as I usually eyeball how creamy I want the mixture. I am guessing on the amount so adjust to your taste )
1/2 onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped (seeded if you want it mild. again this is your taste. I usually use 3-4 jalapenos)
1/2 cup or so of mixed vegetables (if canned drain and rinse, if frozen thaw them)
Cilantro chopped - about a handful
salt to taste * can omit - sometimes I forget it
Tostadas

Mix all together and serve on tostadas. Fast, easy and yummy. If you made them mild and someone wants them spicy, Valentina hot sauce goes well. 

I'll catch up on the other novelas soon with some more recipes. Do you watch telenovelas? Which one is your favorite?  


As always your comments are most welcome

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