02Sep/11

The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki

September 2, 2011Book ReviewsSamantha Boyette

The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki was just as good as The Stone Child. I would only say The Stone Child was better because it is my sort of book, more so than The Nightmarys.

The book follows Timothy July and Abigail Tremens. After being paired together for a school project, both of them start experiencing frightening visions. After they finally admit this to one another, they begin to follow clues to find the cause, and hopefully stop it before it’s too late.

What an easy book to speed through, each time I finished a chapter I wanted to read just a little bit more. Abigail and Timothy are both likeable, and their relationship rings true as it progresses from reluctant partners to friends fighting for their lives together. The clues to what is really going on are dropped subtly, and usually figured out in a time of tension just when you are about dying for the character to figure it out.

Once again, the nightmare creatures that Poblocki creates are creepy and exciting. The pace of the story is perfect, and I can’t wait to read another one!

17Aug/11

The Stone Child by Dan Poblocki

August 17, 2011Book ReviewsSamantha Boyette

This is the first book in a while that I have just grabbed from the shelf of the local library when browsing. This doesn’t say anything about the books that are being put out there, but says more about the sad lack of YA books at my library. Two book shelves full, that’s it, but I digress.

From the moment Eddie Fennicks moves into Gatesweed he knows something strange is going on. Finding out the town is where his favorite author used to live is about the best thing he’s ever heard, until the frightening creatures from his books start to show up. As real life starts to mirror fiction, Eddie finds himself living an adventure like those from the books he loved.

The Stone Child was a great read, reminding me of the books by Mary Downing Hahn and other authors from my youth who knew how to spin a great scary story without ever crossing the border into true terror. Dan Poblocki has just enough creepy in this book to make it appeal to a wide audience. From the moment I started the book I found it hard to put down. Can’t wait to read another one by him!

14Aug/11

Music For Morning Rising

August 14, 2011BlogSamantha Boyette

I’m one of those authors who has a playlist for most books I write. Sometimes it might only be one song, and sometimes it’s thirty or so, but it’s rare that I don’t have any songs in mind when I write. It’s helpful to me with my writing and nice after the book is written because I forever associate certain songs with my books and think of them fondly when I hear the songs.

So, for anyone reading Morning Rising here is the playlist for it.

Closer by Burn Season (This is really THE song for this book)
Perfect by Burn Season
Anywhere by Evanescence
Take Me Away by Fefe Dobson
All Around Me by Flyleaf
Identity by Greenwheel
Dear Pain by Holly McNarland
Buried by Jackalope
Breaking The Habit by Linkin Park
Chaos by Mute MAth
How I Feel by Alexz Johnson
Sometimes by Papa Roach
Like O, Like H by Tegan and Sara
Comatose by Skillet
Whispers In The Dark by Skillet
Under My Skin by Skillet

24Jul/11

I’m a bad blogger

July 24, 2011BlogSamantha Boyette

There, I admitted it. I’m a bad blogger, I neglect my little website and forget to blog on it as much as I should. So for anyone actually checking here for updates, sorry!

I’ve been keeping busy editing and updating a couple different books the last couple months. Also, I made the decision to release Morning Rising on the Nook and Kindle. It’s the first in the Guardian of Morning trilogy, and as much as I love it, I know it might have trouble finding it’s place in traditional publishing due to the nature of the book.

I am finally done editing Prime, and the draft has been accepted by my agent, now we start the process of submitting it to publishers. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long for someone to bite, but I’ve taken a very zen outlook on this whole publishing process. I feel like it’s the only way not to go insane waiting.

I do have good news from my friend J. Gabriel Gates, his book Dark Territory was released earlier this month and is now available at Amazon and other bookstores! http://tinyurl.com/3sx6c9v

I’ll close with the description of Morning Rising, available for the Nook and Kindle for just .99 cents!

In the ever present dusk of Inbetween, Kara Hart wakes up dirty and alone with the memory of a girl named Dylan. She remembers meeting Dylan and how her heart beat when Dylan touched her face, but nothing else. When Kara is sent to Demitar, the evil ruler of Inbetween, the truth is revealed. She is Dylan’s Guardian and neither of them are who they thought they were.

Set in a darker version our own world, Morning Rising follows Kara as she tries to save Dylan from Demitar’s clutches. She is given three days to find Dylan and get her out of Inbetween before she belongs to Demitar forever. Memories must be regained and powers restored if they have a chance of escaping. Each memory and sighting of Dylan helps Kara remember the love they once shared. If only she can help Dylan remember before it’s too late.