M.R. Gott's Cutis Anserina: M.R. Gott interviews...Werner A Lind

Supernatural and speculative fiction fans, check out this fascinating interview with the very talented, Werner Lind, author of the wonderful vampire novel, Lifeblood, on M.R. Gott's blog, where he talks about his inspiration, influences and his writing of this historical and faith-based paranormal tale.  And a big thank you to Werner for his very kind mention.

M.R. Gott's Cutis Anserina: M.R. Gott interviews...Werner A Lind: Please Welcome Novelist Werner A. Lind to Cutis Anserina... Your novel Lifeblood is a century-spanning vampiric romance; what were t...

U-TURN KiLLuR (Death Row Edition): Teric Darken Tells All

I'm honored to have as a guest on my blog today, Teric Darken, one of my favorite authors and a respected friend.  Upon the release of a new edition of his fantastic thriller, U-TURN KiLLuR, Teric was kind enough to stop by to share some extra insight on the novel and why, to fully portray the power and glory of the Light, an author can never fear looking at the darkness it pierces.

Sunglasses…  No one’s ever bothered to ask why I’m always wearing those silly sunglasses in my author photos…

My newest release, U-TURN KiLLuR (Death Row Edition)…  What should I say about it?  I think, perhaps, out of the three thrillers I’ve scripted, this one hits extremely close to home.  Each of my works contains snippets of my personal life, but U-TURN KiLLuR… Tears came to my eyes at several intervals while plugging away at it.  When one reads it and discovers the message within, he/she will understand why.

U-TURN is a supernatural thriller about a firefighter and his family:  each member being preyed upon by a sinister stranger – a killer we all know all too well.  I believe it will come as a surprise as to whom the killer actually is.  Ah, yes, the misspelling of “KiLLuR” in the title… The “i” and “u” hold significance within the storyline.

Did I mention the newly released Kindle version is free on Monday, September 24^th and Tuesday, September 25^th?  Indeed, it is!  Simply go to Amazon.com on those dates and pick it up!

Why the newly released edition?  Simply because the first version was self-published.  After being picked up by TreasureLine Publishing, I was afforded an opportunity to re-release my first two self-pubbed works.  This gave me a chance to scrub up each script a bit, add some storyline to each book, and enhance each release with a wonderful new cover.  Linda Boulanger designed the covers for my TreasureLine offerings, and she did a remarkable job.

About the U-TURN (Death Row Edition) cover and my writing style:  I do espouse a Christian worldview, though my target audience isn’t projected toward those living behind stained glass windows.  I have seen much darkness in the world – a lot of hard living – and I am simply “bleeding ink” about things I’ve seen.  I mince few words and scenery.  Some have misconstrued my intent and labeled my works as “gratuitous.”

I’m not glorifying the dark things I write about.  On the contrary, I’m exposing the darkness, often empathizing with those in its vortex, and displaying humanity’s need for The Light.  I like the term “progressive” for my works though perhaps “innovative” would be a better term, indicative of that which is “cutting-edge,” “leading-edge,” and “breaking new ground” by definition.

 

What I mean by the above terms is that it often seems as though – in the realm of “Christian” authorship – there are aspects of every-day-life that some authors are afraid to freely script out, even while trying to “go there”.  I’ve never been content to say something such as:  “He struggled with temptation,” or “She cussed him out and walked away.”  I wish for the reader to relate, interact and react with my characters.  Therefore, as with the above instances, I would place the reader smack-dab within the temptation this character is going through, or allow my character to belt out the expletive within dialogue.  In my opinion, reasonably fleshing it out a bit makes for a richer storyline that’s more true-to-life.  It might raise the hair on one’s arms or make their blood begin to boil… Signs of captivated reading!

"I've never hit a line-drive directly into right field or straight down the center. My works take flight toward left field then curve to the right." - Teric Darken

Speaking of “innovative”:  I believe the cover for U-TURN KiLLuR (Death Row Ed.) says it all for a work some deem “Christian fiction.”  At first glance, most will probably see nothing but the pole dancer’s torso.  But what else is shown?  What about the skeleton rising from her frame?  What about the blood on the keypad and the surrounding flames?  What do these things mean?  When one takes the time to delve in, he/she will see the big picture and understand the significance of it all.  Would anyone believe that my cover concept was conceived from Proverbs 6: 23 – 32 and Proverbs 7: 7 – 27?

Several have read KILL FM 100 (Night Shift Ed.) and Wickflicker, and I am truly thankful.  U-TURN KiLLuR (DRE) is the link between the two.  Each book stands alone, but U-TURN makes the connection between the former and the latter book.  There is a connective thread in the stories.

A prominent author once told me that my works were comparable to “C.S. Lewis meets Stephen King.”  She also gave me a cautionary statement which proved to be prophetic:  “Many will deem your works as too worldly for the ‘Church’ and too Christian for the world.”  That’s okay.  I’ll keep shining that Light out into the darkness, regardless of how unpopular it may be to the world at large.  Prostitutes, drug addicts, cutters, domestic abusers…  I have seen a lot of things first hand.  I can relate.  "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."

Oh, yes, the sunglasses…  The shades are simply a visual metaphor:  “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”  -1 Corinthians 13:12 

Teric Darken

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My thanks to Teric for his visit and for sharing more about his newest release and his writing with readers.  Remember that, to get a free Kindle copy of U-TURN KiLLuR this coming Monday and Tuesday, September 24th and 25th, just click on the book cover link above.  To learn more about Teric and his novels, visit him at his blog: http://tericdarken.blogspot.com/ or on his website: http://www.tericdarken.com/

Book Review: Yesterday's Tomorrow by Catherine West

One of my favorite reads this year, Yesterday’s Tomorrow is an incredibly moving story of love and loss, doubt and faith, and suffering and hope during the Vietnam War.  Through the eyes of journalist Kristin Taylor, who goes to Vietnam to follow in the footsteps of her beloved father and to keep an eye on her brother, Teddy, the suffering on both sides of this terrible conflict is made painfully real, while the hope in love is beautifully presented.  Everything about this exceptional novel, from the amazing character development to the rich historical detail made it unputdownable for me, and I admit it brought tears to my eyes more than once.

Although I wasn’t born until near the end of US involvement in this conflict and my knowledge of it comes predominantly from history classes and more modern discussions on the horrible toll, physical and emotional, that resulted for all involved, what I found even more significant about author Catherine West’s gifted storytelling was that Yesterday’s Tomorrow doesn’t only vividly portray the heartrending result of the Vietnam War for main characters Kristin and Luke and their family and relationships, it also gives the reader a greater understanding of and sympathy for the tragedy that is war itself for all people in all times.  In other words, though West paints a realistic picture of the given time and place in this story, she also manages to give a sense that this story could have taken place and that these people could have been involved in any war in any time and in any place – and I consider that a great strength in a story, as it makes it possible for any reader of any age, and whether they’ve personally endured or have known someone who has endured the effects of war or not, able to relate and empathize.

 

At the same time, despite the reality of suffering, this novel does not come across as hopeless and dark, but just the opposite.  Through every one of Kristin and Luke’s trials, through their mistakes and their successes, in their struggle with doubt and in their growing faith, hope and the ability to overcome shines through the darkness.  And while the story is filled with passion and emotion, their tumultuous relationship, as it grows into love and shapes their faith, also imparts a sense of the quiet peace that comes from learning who we truly are and what we truly want and need in life.

I can’t recommend this novel enough for the beautiful writing, the perfect mix of historical fiction and romance and the wonderful character development that makes the reader think he or she may, in fact, be reading a true story.  I feel so fortunate I was able to read this Grace Awards finalist novel and I definitely look forward to reading more works by this outstanding author.

Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable FREE on Kindle Today

Don't miss Ellen Gable's wonderful pro-life suspense novel, Stealing Jenny, FREE on Amazon Kindle today, Feb. 21, 2012.

Click on the book link:




or visit Ellen at Plot Line and Sinker.

Play It Again by Tracy Krauss

4 1/2 ****

Reviewed on February 20, 2012

In this sensitive romance by author Tracy Krauss, conservative accountant, Russ Graham, finds himself unexpectedly attracted to a vibrant young woman he meets at a resort where her jazz musician father and his band have a gig. Deanie Burton, a former rock singer who is in school studying for what she hopes will be a more stable career, is likewise surprised by her immediate attraction to Russ, and the two share an intimate evening. But a past relationship that still haunts Russ leads to him compounding this passionate mistake with another.

Set in 1980’s Canada, Play It Again is a story about the difficulty of letting go of pain and trusting again, both in others and in the belief that God has a plan for everyone. The two main characters, Russ and Deanie, are very well-drawn and realistic, and author Tracy Krauss does a wonderful job of portraying with honesty and sympathy the heartbreaks of their past and the challenges they must face to overcome them. I also loved the vivid portrayal of all those who shape and impact Russ and Deanie’s lives, from Deanie’s jazz musician father to her former bandmates and friends and the relationship the couple have with Russ’ son, Mark.

While most definitely a Christian novel with themes of redemption and coming to faith in Christ, it can also be enjoyed as simply a spiritually-uplifting contemporary romance because it comes from the character point of view of those who are not starting off with any kind of strong faith perspective, but who are instead just two everyday people who face the struggles, deal with the consequences and must decide how they will heal from the traumas and mistakes all human beings make.

A recommended read for all fans of edgy Christian fiction.

Book Launch: Play It Again by Tracy Krauss

Tracy Krauss, author of ‘edgy inspirational fiction’, is launching her book PLAY IT AGAIN on Feb. 21. You can help her achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book at amazon.com TODAY – and receive all kinds of cool free gifts while you’re at it!

Here’s how:
1. Go to the Landing Page on Tracy’s Website
2. Buy the book at amazon.
3. Go back to the Landing Page and fill in the form with your name, email and purchase number
It’s that easy! You’ll be directed to your free gifts and all you have to do is choose which ones you want.



About the book:
An unlikely duo meet in Play It Again, a story of love, life and faith. Sparks fly when an ex-rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant rendezvous at a local resort, but neither are prepared for the emotional entanglements, family complications, and threat from the past that unexpectedly resurfaces. Set in the 1980s, this story brings two opposing forces together in a clash of romance and danger, while its musical undertones highlight the theme that God can turn anything into beautiful music. Play It Again is the much anticipated prequel to Tracy’s debut novel And the Beat Goes On. Find out where Mark Graham’s journey began in this, the story of his parents.

What others are saying about PLAY IT AGAIN:
“This is one of the best contemporary novels I've read all year. . . Not only was it well-written, but it was edgy in that the story dared to be honest. . . I can see this touching a lot of people who have thought about God but have been afraid to move forward.”
- Michelle Sutton, author of more than a dozen inspirational novels
“This book is hot property, and grabs your interest from page one.”
- Yvonne Pat Wright, author of From Spice to Eternity

Author bio:
Tracy Krauss is a high school teacher by profession, and a prolific author, artist, playwright and director by choice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has gone on to teach Art, Drama and English – all the things she is passionate about. After raising four children, she and her husband now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests. Her first two books were both nominated for the ‘Indie Excellence Book Awards’ for religious fiction in 2011.

FREE STUFF:
Here’s just a sampling of the FREE e-gifts from generous supporters:
- An e-copy of Lisa Lickel’s award winning novel Meander Scar
- Sample chapters from The Promise of Deer Run by Elaine Cooper, Warring Spirits by April Gardner, and The Right Person by Stacy Padula
- Beautiful downloadable art cards by author and artist Brenda Hendricks
- A free subscription to ‘PixApple’
- You copy of Frazzled No More by Shelley Hitz
- A cool ‘Daily Scheduler’ developed by author Janalyn Voigt
- And much more!
All if you buy your copy of PLAY IT AGAIN at amazon.com on Feb. 21! All links will be operational on the ‘Landing Page’ at www.tracykrauss.com/

DISCLAIMER: This ‘Best Seller book launch’ has been coordinated with the help of the ‘John 3:16 Marketing Network’ and many other generous supporters. The free gifts are deliverable electronically over the internet or by email by individual authors and supporters. They are not in any way associated with, nor deliverable by, amazon.com

Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable

5 *****

Reviewed on September 18, 2011

Stealing Jenny by Ellen Gable is a terrifyingly realistic suspense story that could be ripped from the headlines, but it’s also a beautiful life-affirming novel that offers so much more.

Jenny Callahan, a devout Catholic mom overjoyed by the imminent birth of her sixth child after three heartbreaking miscarriages, stands on the bus stop with her young son, waiting for her daughters’ return from school. When she’s approached by a woman offering to share some maternity and baby clothes, she accepts, with no idea of the terrible ordeal she and her family are about to face.

Flawlessly transitioning between Jenny enduring her captivity at the hands of the disturbed woman who means to steal her unborn child and her distraught family trying to hold to their hope she will be rescued, author Ellen Gable offers another amazing portrait of the power and gift of faith in the most horrific of circumstances.

As is the case in all of her novels, in Stealing Jenny the author again excels at smoothly weaving the Catholic understanding of marriage and family – the sanctity of life and the precious gift of children and the sexual relationship – into a moving story of real people facing real world challenges and traumas. The characters of Jenny, her husband, Tom, and their children, as well as those of the unbalanced kidnapper, Denise, and the police officers who search for Jenny, are developed wonderfully. Through the family’s present suffering and glimpses of both the joys and sorrows Jenny and Tom have experienced throughout their relationship, the reader descends into this nightmare with them, but is also lifted up by the Callahan family’s faith and hope in God and by the strength He imparts in the very love which unites them.

Another powerful novel from a favorite author that I highly recommend to all suspense readers, especially those who appreciate not only exceptional storytelling, but the depth and meaning in a novel whose creativity is so perfectly intertwined with its spirituality.

The Witch Tree by Karin Kaufman

 

5 *****

Reviewed on September 13, 2011

Karin Kaufman’s suspenseful mystery, The Witch Tree, is, hands down, one of my favorite novels this year for a host of reasons, not the least of these being the outstanding writing.

The story opens with genealogist Anna Denning finding the body of one of her clients, to whose home she has gone in order to deliver a copy of her family tree. It’s apparent the woman has been murdered, and when the victim’s husband finds Anna in his house, he is convinced she’s the perpetrator of the crime. From there, the tension mounts, as Anna discovers that it was not the victim who requested her own family tree, but the owner of a new age occult store called ‘What Ye Will.’ The danger grows more deadly still when Anna’s research into why this self-proclaimed witch secretly employed her services makes her the woman’s number one enemy.

Author Karin Kaufman has crafted a fascinating mystery-suspense around the modern phenomenon of neo-paganism in The Witch Tree, her well-researched story dispelling some common myths about the “historical” roots of Wicca and its relationship to true witchcraft. However, though this theme is an essential aspect of the story, it is not the only one, and the author leaves it to the reader to make his or her own decision on the validity of neo-pagan claims. Just as vital to the story are the universal themes of love and loss and the human tendency to seek escape from a painful past – which can lead to the search for new gods or to an injured faith in the personal love of the more traditional one. All of the well-drawn characters in this novel are real people – from protagonist Anna Denning, still struggling with the grief of losing her husband only a few years into their marriage to the embittered antagonist who searches for self-identity in all the wrong places. This isn’t a book filled with good and evil stereotypes, but with human beings making choices as they struggle with very real challenges in life. The novel’s spirituality is a subtle one – there for those who believe a story lacks without it, as a person’s worldview is fundamental to his or her character, but not thrust on those who are only looking for an exciting mystery. For this reason, I found The Witch Tree to be simply a marvelously-written story that offered all the things I like best in a novel – tightly-woven plot, believable and sympathetic characters, terrific suspense and beautiful writing. I eagerly look forward to reading more works by this talented author.

ECFL Blog Tour Last Stop: Nike Chillemi

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, they say, and today is the final date in the 2011 Hot Summer Reads with Edge Tour.  The tour finishes on a great note, though - a visit with author and Grace Awards founder, Nike Chillemi, at:

http://crimefictionandfaith.blogspot.com/

Nike's four featured books are the exciting crime fiction and thriller novels:

BURNING HEARTS (Sanctuary Point Series), Revenge, K-I-L-L FM 100 and The Clouds Roll Away (Raleigh Harmon Series).

I hope everyone found some great summer reads on the tour.  If you haven't had a chance to check out all the stops on the tour, summer doesn't officially end until September 21, so be sure to visit:



for the entire list of authors, books and blog links.

Thank you so much to Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers for letting me participate.  My TBR list is full of fantastic new reads!

A happy holiday weekend to all!

ECFL Blog Tour Stops 24 & 25: Shawna Williams and Lisa Lickel

There are two more great stops on the 2011 Hot Summer Reads with Edge Tour this week.  I missed posting on Monday, August 29 due to Hurricane Irene, but be sure to visit with author Shawna Williams at:

http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/

Shawna's four featured books are the Christian speculative and historical fiction novels:

Future Savior Book I: Conception, Future Savior Book II: Resurrection, No Other and In All Things.

And the second visit is with author Lisa Lickel at:

http://lisalickel.com/

Lisa's four featured books are the wonderful historical novels:

Wounded Spirits (2010 Grace Awards Winner), Yesterday's Tomorrow, Undercurrent and Meander Scar (2010 Grace Awards Winner).

Check out these fantastic books and continue following the tour at:

http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com/

My thoughts and prayers with everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Irene.

ECFL Blog Tour Stop 20: Christine Lindsay

It's time for the next stop on the 2011 Hot Summer Reads with Edge Tour and today's visit is with author Christine Lindsay at:

http://www.christinelindsay.org/

Christine's four featured books are a fantastic mix of historical romance, mystery and sci/fi, including:

Dance of the Dandelion, A Midsummer Eve's Nightmare, Seasons in the Mist and Shadowed in Silk.

Check out these great reads and continue following the tour at:

http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com/