Required Reading

Life is complicated enough without getting into hotwater with federal agencies so: TAKE NOTE Many things I review I received at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Consider this as informing you that ALL things I review may have been gotten at no charge. Realistically about 40% but in order to keep things above board just assume that I got the stuff free. I do not collect information on my readers. If cookies or other tracking stuff is used on my blogs it is due to BLOGGER not ME. Apparently the European Union's new rules state I need to inform you if cookies are being use. If they are it isn't byu me, consider yourself INFORMED.
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Monday, December 30, 2013

Runner by Patrick Lee


This is one of those books that makes you squirm when you read it.   It is entirely too believable and too plausible.   Sam Dryden finds himself protecting a child he just met against odds that defy imagination. 

The genetic aspect of the book is well researched and oh so frightening.   Sam's past losses make him predisposed to protect a child.  The poiqnant question may be, "who will protect Sam from her?"
The characterizations were quite believable.  

The action was unremitting! 

The plot was a thorough emersion in a Machiavellian pool.

Lee's depiction of corporate greed and governmental intrusion was sadly quite believable for anyone who reads a daily paper or news blog. 

I highly recommend the book but budget enough time to do quickly because you will NOT want to put it down.



This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

The High King Of Montival by S. M. Stirling


This book is set in a post Apocalyptic world where technology has been truncated by some unknown source.  This story focuses on the children of the initial survivors featured in the Dies the Fire, the first three books.  This book is the 4th of seven in the second series set in this world.   Rudi and Mathilda are the featured characters in this volume. 

Rudi  and Mathilda, the heirs to the Mackenzie lands and the Association territory are returning from Nantucket in this book.   They pick up allies on the way and face more of the treacherous "Cutters".   The idiosyncrasies established in the preceding books continue.    One of the ways they author keep each volume readable as a stand alone is how he has the characters fill in the back story when they acquire new allies.  

An interesting factor is the demonstration of fracturing society into schismatic ethnic and fantasy groups.  Fiction and religious tracts seem to carry the same weight with resulting  societal implications.  Stirling does an admirable job creating likeable characters with believable foibles. 

I highly recommend the series.


Website          http://www.smstirling.com/


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Prodigal Son by Debra Mullins


A bounty hunter and a computer geek team up to save the geek's wayward, ne're do well brother. 


This book does a nice job blending the occult with action adventure and some romanticism.   Rafe Montana's character is fraught with guilt and fear over his inner demons.   Cara Mc Gaffigan is filled with self doubt and weak self esteem.   The author does a nice job portraying emotions and feelings that are believable based on the novels circumstances.

There are some steamy scenes that probably put this book into the romantic category but the action and general story are certainly palatable to the male reader.  No, that is not a sexist remark, that is an observation that most guys won't admit to reading an kind of romantic novel.  I do not categorize this book as a romantic novel.  I think it is a good action/adventure/urban fantasy with romantic overtones.  Huh!  How's that for a description.  

Oh, the occult relates to survivors of Atlantis and their innate powers.  Ms. Mullins uses Basque for her Atlantis language which was a nice, realistic touch. 

I am hoping this will be a continuing series.  The book was easy to read, captivating and entertaining.

I recommend it.


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Reclamation by Jackie Gamber


 A new  book in the popular Leland Dragon Series

 Leland Province remains in danger. The sinister Fordon Blackclaw has returned from the shadows to strike at the heart of neighboring Esra, killing its Venur and making clear his intentions to retake what was once his: Mount Gore, seat of the Leland Dragon Council.

All around, the land grows weaker and weaker. Leland, once thought saved by Kallon Redheart, is without purpose, and within its borders, Murk Forest, a place of mystery and danger, has driven its inhabitants to seek aid. Esra is in flames, and the Rage Desert grows. Dragon and human alike struggle to find their way, and the wizard Orman can sense that there may be more at stake than the affairs of dragons.

Hope remains, yet it is not without obstacles. In Esra, Sela, the daughter of Kallon and Riza, found the well, a source of life, and made herself whole again. But her homecoming is not what she had imagined.

Old wounds buried deep must reopen if life is to continue. Dragons, humans, wizards, and shape shifters are all at risk as the peace between dragon and human has finally been broken.

War is here.

The stakes?

Perhaps the whole world.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Merry Christmas, Mr. Babbers by Marco Guarda


Couldn't find a better cover shot. 


This is a short story with a science fiction Christmas theme.  

Mr. Babbers finds himself adrift in the holiday season with the death of his wife.  The story setting highlights an environment heavily impacted by artificial intelligence.

Machines are seemingly sentient in an idiot type of manner.   The story details what happens when Mr. Babbers responds to an unusual advertisement.  

The Christmas tree's personality was the most appealing to Mr. Babbers.
            

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Dejah Thoris and the Green Men of Mars Volume 1 by Dynamite Entertainment

I read Edgar Rice Burrough's John Carter of Mars series back in the halcyon days of my misspent youth.   A graphic novel makes the story much more graphic.   I'm not sure my youthful heart would have been able to handle the bodacious illustrations found in this graphic novel.  

The work is vaguely reminiscent of Frazetta.  The characters all seem to have preposterous physiques.  I'm pretty sure I haven't seen a woman quite as robust as Dejah Thoris even in the pages of Playboy.   The illustrations seem to be the focus of the story as opposed to the story itself.   Depending on what you are seeking that is not necessarily a negative.   I don't know the word count but this story would be decidedly short without the illustrations.  

I loved comic books as a kid.   The graphic novel leaves me wanting more.   I realize packing more dialogue in conversation bubbles would be impractical but I like more story with my stories.

I don't read many graphic novels but this seems to fit the description.  

A+ on the preposterous physiques.
C- on the simplistic story line.

Web site: http://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Romulus Buckle and the City of the Founders by Richard Ellis Preston, Jr



This is a steam punk, post apocalypse tale of zeppelineers and their inter-clan rivalries.

The bulk of this story takes place on the Pneumatic Zeppelin, a hydrogen fueled zeppelin captained by Romulus Buckle of the Crankshaft clan.   Preston does an excellent job of painting easily imagined scenes, sets and characters.   The crew of the Pneumatic Zeppelin is colorful, memorable and entertaining.  Preston provides enough description to clearly see each character and their interrelationship.  

The mix of high technology as in robots and the extreme volatility of a hydrogen fueled zeppelin provides an excellent counterpoint to the plot.  The Founders are the villains in this tale.   A mysterious clan that seeks to gain domination over all the other clans.   Their tactics seem to first divide the contentious clans and embroil them in interclan feuding.  Once the clans are at each others throats then the Founders can strike.

Their plan is rudely interrupted by the actions of Romulus Buckle and his loyal crew. 

I recommend the book.



This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Eric Garrison's Sinking Down Cover Reveal! New Bonnie Wasson Cover Art!

Eric Garrison's Sinking Down Cover Reveal! New Bonnie Wasson Cover Art!

Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the brand new cover art by Bonnie Wasson for Eric Garrison's forthcoming novel Sinking Down, Book Two in the Road Ghosts Trilogy!
  
Sinking Down is slated to come out in eBook next week, with print to follow within one week later. Sinking Down stars ghost hunters Brett and Liz, along with good ole "Uncle Gonzo". This time, instead of being chased by ghosts, they're on a cross-country race to save a poor little ghoul who's been kidnapped. Lots of surprises await, including Vampire LARPers (live action roleplayers) on a beach! This book also features the debut appearance of Skye, the main character of the spinoff series Tipsy Fairy Tales (to be published by SSP in 2014/2015).

The artwork was created by the award-winning Bonnie Wasson, who has been the artist for covers and interiors on the Road Ghosts series.
  
Full Sinking Down Synopsis: Paranormal investigators Brett and Liz find themselves back in over their heads when a forest hunt for a roadkill-eating creature offers up a little surprise. Back home with their ghoulish house guest, it becomes clear there’s more to this investigation than either of them thought. Worse than that, Brett's own fate is linked to the little ghoul's.

So it's back out on the road, with plenty of time for pit stops with a greedy ex, a convention of ghost hunters, partying with fake vampires, and even drinking and fighting alongside good ole Uncle Gonzo. But as the investigation goes deeper, and unseen connections come to light, Brett finds there’s much more at stake than getting through a rough patch with Liz.

A rescue mission. A race for a cure. New friends and old adversaries. Unbreakable bonds and supernatural danger. It’s going to be a wild ride. Can the friends save the nearly undead tween? Can she and Brett stop themselves from ...Sinking Down?

 About Eric: Eric Garrison is active in the writing community in Indianapolis, Indiana. He lives in the Circle City with his wife, step-daughter and a cabal of cats. He also enjoys gaming, home brewing beer, and finding innovative uses for duct tape. Eric’s novel, Reality Check, is a science fiction adventure released by Hydra Publications. Reality Check reached #1 in Science Fiction on Amazon.com during a promotion in July 2013. Seventh Star Press is the home of Eric's supernatural fantasy series, Road Ghosts, including Four 'til Late, Sinking Down, and the upcoming Me and the Devil.


Follow Eric's further adventures on http://sillyhatbooks.com

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Kingdom of Vosh by Jason C. Conley



This is a fantasy novel with socio-political overtones or a socio-political novel with fantasy underpinnings.  A self absorbed Princess comes of age in this steam punk story.

Jasper is a spoiled Princess.  She faces traumatic events that remove her from her comfort zone.   The events are analyzed and observed in detail by the author.  This is why I characterized the story as socio-political.   The sociological background of the King's behavior leads to the events that impact Jasper's life.  

The stand of the King has placed the kingdom in a stasis bubble in regard to the surrounding countries whose economies outstrip Vosh's economy.   The political aspects are the explanation why if good men do nothing then evil has free rein.   It is entirely possible I am reading more into the story than the author intended but the interlocking aspects of economics, sociology and psychology hit three of my college minors.   This coincidence leads me to look at the underlying reasons for the character's behavior.

The author also address intolerance with the treatment of Volk and his people.   The Piksi and the air captains add a lot of color and flavor to the story.

I recommend the book.

















This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Kingdom of Vosh TOUR

KingdomofVoshTourBadge450X300

JasonCConley  About the Author: In 1999, Jason Conley drew a picture of a young woman’s face. It eventually became the cover of the book you now hold. When not consumed by writing or art, Jason canoes, fishes, and hikes the rolling hills of Tennessee with his family. There are secrets to this world we live in. Some faintly whispered, others hidden in plain view. Some of those secrets have been carefully placed throughout this book. Truth and fiction, it is what we try to discern between every day, though I wonder is it even recognizable anymore? Do we know the truth or are we simply told what to believe in and what is real? It is a journey we are all on. It will be up to you to decide which parts are which. Break loose of those chains and look around you, because the truth… will set you free.
KingdomofVoshCover

Book Synopsis: Secrets have been formed in the dark corners of the kingdom. Change is in the air and whispers of new ideas and technologies have swept the land. Unfortunately, the King is old and simple and his daughter is concerned only with worldly possessions. A man by the name of Buul, a man long forgotten, has returned to pay a visit to the King on the King’s birthday. He has not come empty handed and will be the King’s undoing. The King, in moments of panic and war, can trust no one with the protection of his daughter. He quickly decides to entrust her life with a creature most vile and uncommon and chains her to a Vork. He does not leave her empty handed though. His last gift to the Princess is an amulet with powers even he does not comprehend. The land’s only chance, the only one loyal to the King’s memory, is the daughter that cares nothing of the Kingdom of Vosh.   Author Links: Website: www.thekingdomofvosh.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheKingdomOfVosh
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jconley78/kingdom-of-vosh/
Tour Schedule and Activities
  November 20 Watch Play Read
 Review November 20 Beagle Book Space 
 Contest November 21 Sapphyria’s Book Reviews 
 Guest Post November 22 Jess Resides Here 
 Guest Post November 23 Lost Inside the Covers 
 Review November 24 Armand Rosamilia, Horror Author 
 Guest Post November 25 The Official Writing Blog of Dee Dee Davies 
 Guest Post November 26 Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews 
 Guest Post November 27 Spellbindings 
 Review November 28 Workaday Reads 
 Guest Post November 29 Bee’s Knees Reviews 
 Review November 30 Azure Dwarf Review
 December 1 Vampires, Witches, & Me, Oh My! 
 Guest Post December 3 Little Red Reviewer 
 Interview December 4 Myriad Musings 
Guest Post/Interview December 6 Come Selahway With Me 
Guest Post December 7 Breath of Life 
Review December 9 Book in the Bag 
Review December 11 Angela Meadon Blog 
Review December 13 Deal Sharing Aunt 
Review December 15 SpecMusicMuse 
Review/Interview December 16 Word to Dreams 
Review December 18 A Haunted Head 
Interview December 19 Bookishly Me 
Review December 20 The Dan Brien Project 
Guest Post December 23 Sheila Deeth Blog Review

Amazon Links for The Kingdom of Vosh Print Version http://www.amazon.com/The-Kingdom-Vosh-Chained-Princess/dp/1937035433
Kindle Version http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Vosh-Jason-C-Conley-ebook/dp/B00DDU70AC


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

The Warble by Victoria Simcox



This book has been re-issued by the author under the new name of The Warble rather than the Magic Warble

A social misfit finds her self in another world where she can save a kingdom and make new friends. Kristina Kingsley is a girl who doesn't quite fit in. Her best friend is her pet rat, Raymond. Through magic she finds herself in Bernovem, a kingdom under the sway of an evil Queen. Her adventures there comprise the story.

Ms. Simcox
All kids, at some point, feel like they don’t belong. This book will appeal to anyone who has felt like they may be slightly out of step with their peers. Kristina meets a wide variety of beings and shows no discomfort in accepting them. I’ve mentioned in past review how much I enjoy anthropomorphism. All the animals talk in the book and provide a different perspective. The story is a somewhat simplistic magic quest to save a kingdom. Simcox does a nice job in keeping the action coming while building her characterizations. I suspect this book will do well in the 4th to 6th grade reading groups.

I recommend the book.

Web Site:


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Box Car Baby by J.L. Mulvihill


This is book one of the Steel Roots series.   Even telling you that up front won't stop you from being annoyed when the book stops abruptly.  I enjoyed the book but I wish the author would have coasted to a stop rather than doing a tuck and roll out the window and having the story just stop.  Abby is a teenager thrust into an intolerable situation when her father disappears, her main caretaker grandmother is incarcerated and she is pursued by an evil landlord.  

Ms. Mulvihill did a nice job creating a steam punk world.  She postulates early industrial age job bondage accompanied by a big brother presence.   Abby shows a lot of character development as the story progresses.   It is a coming of age personal study of Abby and hints at future responsibilities.

A smidge of the occult comes in toward the end of the book.   The sweat shop setting is reminiscent of the industrial revolution knitting mills in New England.   The occasional mention of steam engines, large and somewhat improbably small (sewing machine) seems to the main connection to the steam punk genre.

I enjoyed the book and await impatiently for the follow up.

Web Site: http://www.seventhstarpress.com/j-l-mulvihill/

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Confessions of Sylva Slasher by Ace Antonio Hall!


The Confessions of Sylva Slasher by Ace Antonio Hall:
·                     Laurie @ Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews
·                     Jaidis @ Juniper Grove
·                     Gabby @ What’s Beyond Forks?
·                     CCAM @ Mythical Books
·                     Jessica @ Jess’s Book Blog
·                     Dafeenah @ Indie Designz
·                     Sam @ Crazy Book Reviewer
·                     Elizabeth @ Elizabeth Delana Rosa
·                     Ladies @ The Violet Hour Book Reviews
·                     E.M. @ The Reader’s Hollow
·                     Flora @ From the Bootheel Cotton Patch
·                     Amber G. @ Lady Amber’s Reviews
·                     Amber @ Jazzy Reviews
·                     Nely @ She Writes Again
·                     Cameo @ Cameo Renae
·                     Cu’Anam @ Cu’s Ebook Giveaways
·                     Rachel @ Rachel Tsoumbakos
·                     Susan @ Cruising Susan Reviews

~ About the Book ~


Title: The Confessions of Sylva Slasher
Author: Ace Antonio Hall
Published: April 14th, 2013
Publisher: Montag Press
Word Count: 84,000
Genre: YA Horror
Recommended Age: 12+

~ Synopsis ~


SPRING BREAK GETS WILD ON THE LIVELIEST CRUISE IN THE PACIFIC UNTIL THE UNDEAD CRASH THE PARTY.
Eighteen-year-old Sylva Fleischer and her friends raise the dead for a living for police investigations and mourning families. Two years after her high school crush, a hot guy named Brandon, is assumed dead, Sylva’s friends convince her to go on a spring break cruise in an effort to suppress her depression over him. But when passengers mysteriously die and reanimate into flesheating zombies like she’s never seen before, Sylva plunges into a horrifying struggle between a ship infested with the undead and the scariest thing of all: a second chance with Brandon after she discovers he’s still alive. This is a zombie story that eats right to the core and leaves you licking your chops for more.

~ About the Author ~

 
Ace Antonio Hall graduated from Long Island University with a BFA. He is a former NYC middle school English teacher who can’t get enough of zombies and Spider-Man comic books. When he’s not in the gym working off the extra calories from eating way too many donuts, Ace writes young adult horror fiction.
His novel The Confessions of Sylva Slasher was released April 14, 2013 by Montag Press. The second book in his series, Sk8board Xombies, will be available next year.
Ace’s short story Dead Chick Walking made the Fall 2013 edition of the best-selling Calliope Magazine and his science fiction story, They, won the Honorable Mention distinction for the 2013 Writers of the Future Award.
For updates and news, follow him on Twitter @aceantoniohall, like his facebook author fan page or visit www.aceantoniohall.com where you can read his blog, updated regularly.
 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Virtual Blue by R.J. Sullivan



A RPG gets out of control when female supremacist try and bring their demoness into the real world.

Fiona is a woman who is tired of dealing with her fears.  Her decision to rid herself of her boyfriend ends in her being involved in a computer generated nightmare.

Sullivan does a good job in portraying the nerds.  There is, perhaps, a bit of emulation in my look at the story.   I have avoided role playing games on the computer as I am a bit fearful that I could apply my normal obsessive personality to gaming and disappear into the ether.  However having been deeply involved in the first cyber-cafe in Pennsylvania I have seen how immersed gamers can become.   Contrary to many "authorities" I believe that role playing can be a very positive catharsis and can help kids and adults deal with things they may have no control over in the real world.  

Sullivan uses the game aspect as a tool in crafting this story.   I plan on reading the prequel to this story to see how and what Chip and Blue became who they are.   The story is a fun read and there can be more extrapolated from the story if you want to ponder its implications.

I recommend the book.

Web Site: http://rjsullivanfiction.com/virtual-blue/


 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Quick Fix by Linda Grimes


This is a YA romantic urban fantasy. The book has a lot of heavy breathing by the young female protagonist. The fantasy part is split between her romantic fantasy and her ability to adopt the aura of other people and look, speak and impersonate that person.

The book is described on the cover as "deliciously sexy" and that apparently is to appeal to the young female reader. The concept is similar to shape shifting but different enough to be unique. The plot is ok but the deliciously sexy part is a bit of a distraction for me. I suspect it will be a big hit with the young female reader. I don't see teen boys grabbing this book off the shelf.


Web page: http://www.lindagrimes.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Mist by Susan Krinard


An urban fantasy based on Norse mythology, set in San Francisco and featuring a knockout godling/Valryrie, this book was quite entertaining.  

Ms. Krinard provides one of my favorite protagonists, a butt kicking female!  I enjoy seeing more books that feature strong, intelligent, tenacious female protagonists.   Mist qualifies on all counts.  The setting in San Francisco seems a bit tongue in cheek due to the infamous San Francisco acceptance of all things different.   The premise is that only in San Francisco could you have mythological characters moving about and  receiving no undue attention from populace or authorities. 

There are tortured characters, heroic teens, a motorcycle gang and plenty of nefarious villains.   Treachery and violent dishonesty is brought to life in Loki's character.  The stage is for a sequel.

I recommend the book.

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Guest Post by R.J. Sullivan


 
The solitary life of an author....no, wait, just kidding, the modern collaborative experience

We all know the stereotype of the solitary writers locking themselves away for days and months at a time, because "ve need time alone to create!"

And it's true, I have had to disconnect from the internet to block out a few hours at a time. Even still, it's a pretty rare day I don't get to spend at least an hour in the morning checking in with social media. Today's technology has made it possible to be "alone with friends", or "out in the faraway nearby", and for me, at least, it's opened me up to collaborative opportunities all over the world with valued players helping me all stages of the creative progress.

And so I wanted to take this space to thank and perhaps enlighten people on how authors have learned the Garfield the Cat principle--to use their friends wisely while producing creative collaborations not possible even a few years ago.

Most Important in my mind is a peer author I met back in 2001, years before either of us were published. She lives in Los Angeles, CA on the other side of the country and to this day we've still never met. Through the magic of email and initially from mutual interest in Star Wars and SF author Kathy Tyers, Debra Holland and I started exchanging manuscripts and mutually line editing each other's work. She taught me a lot about what I was doing wrong and I'd like to think I gave her a pointer or two along the way. She continues to be an invaluable editor on almost all of my works. Today she's a published author through Montlake Romance and Penguin, and has some pretty incredible success with self-publishing, too.


Years later, when I started building up readers, I learned many fans can provide fabulous insight into your work, and I wanted to give a huge shout-out to one: reader, fan and good friend Nikki Howard. She started beta reading for me on Haunting Obsession, but proved herself the Most Valuable Responder to my drafts of Virtual Blue. Her eclectic knowledge and enthusiasm for the project helped bring the vision all together. She has also taken her fandom that second mile on my behalf, such as drawing crowds to my author table last year during the launch of Haunting Obsession with her Maxine Marie cosplay, then following it up with an enthusiastic Haunting Blue cosplay photo session!


Speaking of Cosplay...

What do you get when you combine a Cyndi Lauper fan from Canada, a musician/composer from England (and one-time co-writer and member of Ms. Lauper's band), a 3D rendering artist from Florida and a video editor from Kentucky? You get my most ambitious collaborative project, the Haunting Obsession book trailer, with Lily Monstermeat as Maxine, images by Nell Williams, original and arranged music remixed by Jan Pulsford, and Seventh Star guru Stephen Zimmer assembling all the parts!


There's so many more to mention, readers and fans that come into your life, and friends who know things and are willing to help you with various tasks.

Like my Florida gaming buddy Nocole Rinaldi who writes poetry and was a former EMT. She contributed both of these resources to the final version of Virtual Blue.

And how my first-fan, Monica Felver-Kellogg, the first person to discover RJ Sullivan's online website when I was still an unpublished author trying to find a deal. She's my most enthusiastic beta reader, and she has STRONG OPINIONS!!!! about how Blue and Rebecca should act in my stories. And she's usually right. (And yes, she expresses her opinions in all caps and exclamation points) That's why Virtual Blue is dedicated to her.

The rest of these are somewhat official, but still need mentioning.

Peer author and cover artist for the original edition of Haunting Blue, Ash Roland, who also gave the novel an awesome critique just before I turned in the manuscript.

Seventh Star artist Bonnie Wasson, who has captured my vision so perfectly. Seventh Star editor Amanda DeBord.

I could go on to list a plethora of peer authors and great friends in the industry I would not have met if not for social media, but I won't. Suffice it to say, a writer's life is not the angst-filled solitary existence it used to be, even when you spend hours days at a time in an office "by yourself."
 
Thanks to Azure Dwarf for hosting this entry of the Virtual Blue tour!