Sevara: Dawn of Hope

Book Review

Title: Sevara: Dawn of Hope

Author: Damian Wampler

Rating: ★★★.5

Date Published: July 1st, 2015

Publisher: Createspace

Genre: YA Fantasy

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Synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Sevara refuses to marry, she's kicked out of her orphanage and left on the streets of Plexus with nothing. She doesn't last long on the outside. Luckily, someone has been watching her.

A shapeshifting immortal gives Sevara a second chance at life, and a powerful set of gifts. But when Sevara begins a doomed love affair with the man she could have married, she must choose between protecting the city and saving the only man she's ever loved.

This is the beginning of a fantasy adventure that will span hundreds of lifetimes.

With a strong female lead, this coming of age adventure is a haunting and heart-pounding thrill-ride. 

My Thoughts:

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Sevara is a young girl growing in a world where all girls get taken to an orphanage as soon as they're born and when they get to a certain age they get auctioned for marriage. If for some reason girls don't get married before they come of age they get thrown to the streets with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Sevara is one of the many girls who doesn't marry and has to leave the Orphanage; the first day she’s out on the streets she stumbles into an execution and she decides to save the man, her actions is all the rebels need to take a stand to try and change the world they're living in.

I really enjoyed this book, the action kept me turning the pages and the story was very unique and different. Sevara was such a kick ass character actually all the woman in this book took crap from no one. I also really liked the way Damian wrote the war scenes, they were very detailed and there were some scenes that involved some soldiers using kites that I found really different and very awesome! Also really got attached to Sevara and Lief, I really loved reading scenes with the two together. The reason I gave this book 3.5 stars was because at some points I found myself a little confused there were so many things going on and so many names dropped that I would forget who and what I was reading about. Other than that I really enjoyed the story and its uniqueness. If you're looking for a fantasy with a strong kick ass female lead, this is the book for you. 

-SandraTheBookWorm

The Children Of Darkness

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Synopsis:

"But what are we without dreams?"

A thousand years ago the Darkness came-a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant. But the vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with "temple magic," and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything. ~ Childhood friends, Orah and Nathaniel, have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When their friend Thomas returns from the Temple after his "teaching"-the secret coming-of-age ritual that binds young men and women eternally to the Light-they barely recognize the broken and brooding young man the boy has become. Then when Orah is summoned as well, Nathaniel follows in a foolhardy attempt to save her. ~ In the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people. ~ Yet they would also incur the Temple's wrath as it is written: "If there comes among you a prophet saying, 'Let us return to the darkness,' you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light.

connect with David Litwack

The author was very kind and answered some questions so my followers and fellow bookworms could get to know him a little better. Thank you so much!

What is your average writing day like? Do you have any strange writing habits?

I aim for two sessions a day of two hours each, but it varies with the stage of a novel. First drafts are hard, and I might go days without writing, and then get inspired and do three sessions in a day. Editing is different. I’ll sometimes edit ten hours a day, especially in later drafts and when a deadline is looming.

Do you write by hand or on a computer?

In my youth, I used a typewriter, carbon paper and white-out (for those who remember). Thank goodness, never again. With my constant need to revise and my poor typing skills, it’s the word processor for me.

Do you plot your books completely before hand or do you let your imagination flow whilst in the writing process?

I usually conceive of a new book as a series of images and scenes, daydreaming about them while I finish work on the prior novel. I maintain a notes file for the new novel and do a rough draft of these scenes—a  very rough draft, what some people call "scaffolding" or “riff writing” like improvisation in jazz. The file can get pretty chaotic. Every now and then I make a feeble attempt to organize it (when I’m finishing up a novel, I try to avoid distractions and stay focused on getting it out to the publisher). By the time I’m ready to start the new novel, I usually have about 20,000 words of loosely connected prose—20-25% of the eventual novel but probably 80% of its essence. I take a couple of months to read, edit and organize that file into a dense plot outline. Then I start a new file from scratch, cutting and pasting prose as appropriate.

It’s a messy process in the early going, but unlike those who start with a more organized outline, I need that amount of writing to get to know the characters and live in the story.

How long did it take to get from the ideas stage of the Seekers series, to the publication of all three books?

The Seeker series started out as a standalone novel called There Comes a Prophet. The initial idea came to me about eight years ago, and it was published in 2011. After producing two other novels, I decided at the urging of readers to go back and turn this standalone dystopian story into a trilogy. Prophet became The Children of Darkness(with a changed title, cover and publisher) and I’ve just published the second book, The Stuff of Stars. I’m hard at work on the third and final offering, to be called The Light of Reason.

Did you suffer from writer's block at any stage? How did you overcome it?

I sometimes think writer’s block is just another way of saying that writing a novel is really hard. I try to keep writing, even if I think it’s going poorly. Then I see how it looks the next day. I remind myself that I can always revise or just throw it away. Nothing’s worse than staring at a blank page.

Long walks are another good way to get the creative juices going. Whatever the case, I try to avoid just sitting there and staring at the screen. Write, read or go for a walk.

How did you come up with the name(s) for your lead character(s)?

Names matter, especially for a SciFi/Fantasy writer building new worlds. The names need to be consistent and reflect that culture. For the Seekers trilogy, where the people have been forcibly returned to something like our 15th century, I found the passenger manifest for the Mayflower, and borrowed names, mixing up first and last names to get ones like Nathaniel Rush or Thomas Bradford. All except for Orah. I wanted her to be different, a rebellious throwback to an earlier time. So rather than picking from the Anglo-Saxon, I chose a name with Hebrew roots. As an added subtlety, the name Orah means light.

Did you get anyone in particular to read your work before sending it to the publisher i.e. family member, friend etc.?

My wife reads everything I write once I get to a middling draft. In addition, for a number of years I belonged to a writing group. Then the final line of defense is an independent editor.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

I started writing seriously when I was seventeen and continued through most of my twenties. When career and family pursuits made writing difficult, I basically gave up, frustrated with my lack of progress. Thirty years later, with career done and family grown, I had no intention of writing again. But once I had time to daydream, the ideas started to flow. Now, in this second stage of my life, I’ve published four books and am hard at work on a fifth.

What other bloggers are saying about The Children of Darkness

A tightly executed first fantasy installment that champions the exploratory spirit." -- Kirkus Reviews
"The plot unfolds easily, swiftly, and never lets the readers' attention wane... After reading this one, it will be a real hardship to have to wait to see what happens next." -- Feathered Quill Book Reviews

"...a fantastic tale of a world that seeks a utopian existence, well ordered, safe and fair for everyone... also an adventure, a coming-of-age story of three young people as they become the seekers, travelers in search of a hidden treasure - in this case, a treasure of knowledge and answers... a tale of futuristic probabilities... on a par with Huxley's Brave New World." -- Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

"The quality of its intelligence, imagination, and prose raises The Children of Darkness to the level of literature." -- Awesome Indies

"...a solid fantasy-dystopian offering, one that is not merely written by some author looking for a middling entry to the genre, but excellently crafted by an artist looking to make his mark... A timely novel beautiful in the simplicity of its writing and elegant in its underlying complexity." -- Eduardo Aduna for Readers' Favorite

"I found the world-building surrounding the people of the Ponds so descriptive that I was transported to their homes and way of life, and when the trio embarked on their journey, I could clearly picture them every step of the way. If you're looking for a classic fantasy quest wrapped in a fascinating, dark archaic world, then this novel will not disappoint you." -- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

-SandraTheBookWorm

Mystery Of The Lost Uniforms

Book Review

Title: Mystery Of The Lost Uniforms

Author: Jerome Jones

Rating: ★★★★ 
Date Published: October 6, 2015

Publisher: Mascot Books

Genre: Children book 

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My Thoughts:

I was sent a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. 

The Mystery of the Lost Uniforms is a children's story about two siblings that solve mysteries together. In this story the basketballs team’s uniforms go missing and it's up to Abby and Tommy to solve the case and find the uniforms before the big game. 

My son and I really enjoyed this book! I loved the illustrations they were very beautifully drawn and very colorful. I also loved that it was about two siblings working together, this is perfect to teach children that working together is a good thing. I also really loved the detective aspect in this book, even though I wish it would have lasted a little longer and they wouldn't have found the uniforms so quickly. I also really like that the characters made it known that they were eating healthy meals and that they were wearing safety gear when riding their bikes. I overall really enjoyed reading this book with my son, he really liked the illustrations. I'm really looking forward to reading more books about this two mystery solvers to my son.  

-SandraTheBookWorm

What Lies Within

Book Review

Title: What Lies Within

Author: James Morris

Rating: ★★★★

Date Published: June 2nd, 2015

Publisher: Kindle Press

Page Count: 218

Genre: YA Thriller

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Synopsis:

“You’re going to die”

Shelley Marano is an ordinary, unexceptional high school senior…until the day she receives a cryptic text message, and her world tilts sideways. Now she’s in real danger, although she doesn’t know who would want her dead, or why. As she starts to unravel the mystery, the truth about who she really is proves to be more frightening than she ever imagined. With the lives of her and her friends hanging in the balance, one thing is certain:

Nothing will ever be the same.

Packed with suspense, What Lies Within is a page-turning, plot-driven rollercoaster ride that fans of Stephen King, James Patterson and Rick Yancey will be sure to enjoy.

My Thoughts:

I was sent a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. 

Shelley has a normal life, it's her senior year of high school, she has a par-time job and is waiting on her letter of acceptance for the college she has been dreaming to go to. But that all changes with one text message that say "You're going to die". Shelley doesn't know who would send her that or why anyone would want to hurt her. 

This book had me in the edge of my seat from the first page to the last! Morris writing is phenomenal it was so unique and I swear at moments it was like I was watching a movie as I read. The characters were amazing, Shelley is such a strong lead and I loved her development trough out the book. I think Shelley's best friend Winston was my favorite character his sarcastic sense of humor and the way he protected and loved Shelley no matter what the outcome was beautiful, who doesn't want a Winston in their life. The ending hit me like a ton of bricks I wasn't expecting it at all, I really wished the outcome was different, but I felt that the ending worked well with the entire novel. I can't wait to read more books by James his writing is superb. If you're looking for a good thriller that will have you in the edge of your seat from beginning to end look no further this is it.  

-SandraTheBookWorm

Kindle Giveaway!

Giveaway! 

The amazing author of Ruby's Choice D.F. Jones and the author of Tear Drops of the Innocent Allie Marie have gotten together to host this amazing giveaway! Just click the link below for more information and for a chance to win a Kindle ($75 value)!

Enter Giveaway

Go check out their books-- 

D. F. Jones, author of Ruby's Choice

Allie Marie, author of Tear Drops of the Innocent

If you enjoyed reading their novels, they would appreciate if you would leave a review to Ruby's Choice and Tear Drops of the Innocent on Amazon!  

Without You

Book Review

Title: Without You

Author: Lindsay Detwiler

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: December 1, 2015

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Page Count: 222

Genre: Contemporary

Meet the Author: Website, FB, Twitter, Instagram

Buy Me! Amazon

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Synopsis:

On the surface, Jenna Landsen has it all…

She’s smart, beautiful, confident, and married to Camden Landsen, who happens to be drop dead sexy and just as successful. But after five long years, all the success in the world hasn’t brought the romantic spark back into her marriage. Jenna fears it never will.

When life gives you lemons, open a bakery and name it Vi’s…

Violet Streiff made the exact mistake her mother warned against—she fell in love with Liam Coffman, a charming finance major. When he left her heartbroken to further his career, Violet drowned her sorrows by opening a bakery, and now relies on Bob, her eighteen-pound cat, for warmth at night instead of a sexy man.

To find love, sometimes you first have to discover yourself…

When Jenna’s job offers an extended trip to New York, she packs her bags and takes a two-month vacation from life. The chance of her marriage surviving looks grim, until the surprise of a lifetime throws a wrench in her plans to stay in the Big Apple for good.

You can bend the rules—but sooner or later they’ll break…

When Violet meets a gloomy but totally drool-worthy guy named Camden in her shop, she’s sure her luck has changed. There’s no denying the chemistry, but he’s married, and that’s a major problem. Violet isn’t a homewrecker. Still, staying away from Camden proves nearly impossible. That is, until his wife comes home.

Two women.
Two men.
Double the chance to find love in the most
unexpected places—or double the chance for disaster.

My Thoughts:

The author was very kind and sent me a copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review.

Jenna has been married for five years, but lately she has been feeling like the spark is missing and like her marriage is coming to an end. So, when she is headed on a business trip to New York she decides that it's the perfect time to take a break from her marriage to try to find herself and figure out where her marriage went wrong. Violet has just opened her own coffee shop with the help of her boyfriend Liam, but when he decides he wants to pursue his own career he leaves her heartbroken and dedicating all her time to her coffee shop, that is until Camden walks in, she feels an immediate attraction to the man who seems to be just as lonely as her. They begin a friendship, but the more time they spend together the more Violet realizes that Camden is waking up feeling in her that she thought would never feel again. There is only one problem Camden is a married man and Violet is no homewrecker. 

This novel had my emotions all over the place one minute I was crying and the next I was laughing, I fell head over heels for this book! Lindsay executed the way monotony can be a problem in marriage so well in this novel.  I fell in love with each single character! At the beginning of the book I thought I was going to hate Jenna, but I just couldn't, as I kept reading I completely understood where she was coming from even though I did want to shake some common sense into her once in a while. Violet I loved her instantly especially her sense of humor and her best friend had me laughing out loud. Camden at the end of the day I just wanted what was best for him. I think he was the character I felt the most for, he was happy with the life he had with Jenna and didn't understand why she would do that to their marriage. This book was very beautifully written and I was not expecting any of the twists the author hit me with. I recommend this book to anyone in look for a good contemporary or just a good novel.

-SandraTheBookWorm

Author Kerr-Ann Dempster

Author Spotlight!

In my very first author spotlight, I have the Awesome Kerr-Ann Dempster author of Beneath Scarlett Valley and hers most recent novel The Reluctant Sacrifice. Kerr-Ann was very kind and let me interview her so my followers and fellow book worms could get to know her a little better. Thank you so much Kerr-Ann for being so kind and taking the time to answer my questions, I had so much fun reading your answers. Also her current novel "The Reluctant Sacrifice" is on sale for .99 cents and Beneath Scarlett Valley is currently free. To read my review for The Reluctant Sacrafice click here! 

1) Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born in Kingston, Jamaica where I got my start writing plays for a local church. After moving to the United States, I worked as a Flight Attendant and then in Marketing before deciding to pursue writing as a career and not just a hobby. I now live in Michigan where I am working on The Reluctant Huntress, a companion story to my YA novel, The Reluctant Sacrifice. When not writing, I spend my days reading, stalking my fellow authors on Instagram, and redecorating. I squeeze in an episode of The Big Bang Theory and The Vampire Diaries whenever I can. I am also a voracious book collector and have recently had my Amazon 1-click privilege revoked because I am prone to sleep-shopping.

I love chatting with readers and fellow authors. Find me on Instagram (author.kerr), Twitter (@annk3rr), and Facebook. 

2) When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I began writing as a child. I started with poems and then plays. After moving to the U.S., I began experimenting with longer stories. I wrote Beneath Scarlett Valley in 2011. Upon completion, I shoved it under my bed and wrote The Reluctant Sacrifice. I then shoved it under my bed too and pulled out Beneath Scarlett Valley again. I published it in 2014.

3) Is there any author or book that influenced you in anyway either growing up or as an adult?

1. J. K. Rowling. The woman is a genius. Her world building and attention to details are second to none.
2. C.S. Lewis. His creativity is beyond anything we’re seeing today. He had just the perfect mixture of light and darkness without being heavy-handed.
3. Nnedi Okorafor. Everything about her writing is fearless. I can’t get enough.
4. Stephen King. He’s an expert on all things dark, creepy, and bloody.
5. Ted Dekker. He gets it. He knows how to craft thought-provoking stories that stay in your head for years after reading them.

4) Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

No. When I want something, I make it happen. We live in an age where publishing on your own is possible. Please notice, I didn’t say easy. Sure, uploading to Amazon is a no-brainer, but an author who wants to do more than see their name in print has to invest in their craft. I invested, heavily, while publishing The Reluctant Sacrifice. I hired writing coaches and editors. Then, I hired book designers, and reached out to beta readers and reviewers. Will I still consider a traditional publisher? Yes. I have a secret project that I intend to pitch. However, if it winds up at the bottom of a slush pile, I’ll send it off to beta-readers and see if they think the story is worth publishing.

5) How did you come up with this title?

I chose The Reluctant Sacrifice as I ironed out the details of the novel and became familiar with the lead character, Aubrey Shaw. After the first draft, I began to have doubts and so decided on the title, The Hunted. All my beta-readers hated the new title, and encouraged me to stick with my gut. So, I went back to The Reluctant Sacrifice. I am happy I did.

6) Do you ever experience writers block?

Unfortunately, yes. I hate not writing, but I’ve found that it’s my body’s way of telling me to take a break. A day or two away from my story usually gets rid of it.

7) Do you have any advice to give aspiring authors?

Be fearless. It is easy to play it safe by copying others. Resist the urge to do so. Find your own voice and ideas, then work your butt off to hone your style. Readers will thank you for it. Plus, it’s more fun than putting a spin on someone else’s story.

8) Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you. Every review and letter is appreciated and treasured.

Purchase Links For The Reluctant Sacrifice

Amazon
Book Depository
B&N

Purchase Links For Beneath Scarlett Valley

Amazon
iBooks
Kobo
Nook
Smashwords

-SandraTheBookWorm