Vine: An Urban Legend by Michael Williams

Michael Williams’ Blog Tour 

This book is self described as wedding of Greek tragedy and urban legend.  Apparently I am not a fan of Greek tragedy.   I know I like urban fantasy and have even written myself about an urban legend.  I just could not get into this book.   I made multiple attempts and failed miserably.   

I don't admit failure easily so this post isn't easy.   I can't even say I didn't like it as I couldn't even get a handle on it.  It will no doubt garner an audience but sadly I'm not one of that group.  This is why they make more than one flavor of ice cream, the world needs chocolate and vanilla and once in awhile rum raisin.  This book may be your rum raisin. It is quite different and it may be your cup of tea so I would suggest doing a personal evaluation.  

I am proud to be on the blog tour and to help promote a book that you might like even if I am not enamored with it myself.   Gasp! I have even gotten bad reviews on my own books so I am well aware how fickle the reading public can be.  And really fickle isn't appropriate, referring back to ice cream (You probably have noticed in the past how often food metaphors appear in my writing.), sometimes a flavor that is well loved by the rest of the world doesn't ever make your top ten.  I suspect that is the case here as I have read some glowing reviews of the book by people I respect.  I feel I may be out of step with this book but hey! marching has never been my forte. 
Good luck with the book Michael!

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

By Heresies Distressed by David Weber

 

This is the third book in the Safehold series which is up to book five by now.  A planet lost from an alien intelligence that has wiped out mankind except for Safehold.  

Safehold is really all that safe.  A corrupt theocracy controls the planet through a thoroughly venal church establishment.   That control is being threatened by a small kingdom of adept sailors aided by a artificial intelligence left over from the destroyed galactic empire of man.

Once again imbues a book with the courage, hope and despair that can move you emotionally.   He has the ability to paint characters of such likeable and despicable natures that your are seduced into long hours of unceasing reading.   The guy is superb.   I can’t wait to read the next book.  

The Machiavellian nature of both the good and the bad, the sheer courage and nobility of the protagonists make this another superior milestone for Weber.

I highly recommend the book .

Body of work of <a type="amzn"> David Weber </a>

Web Site: http://www.davidweber.net/

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

I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus by S. G. Browne

My initial reaction to this book was less than stellar.  I made an assumption (you can guess where this is going.) that is was going to be roughly in the sheer idiocy category.  Well, imagine my surprise when I enjoyed the book.   The story is the deprivation of zombies by society and the zombie side of the story.

Andy Warner portrays a poignant, abused figure in this tale of discrimination.  I’m not sure black humor aptly describes the book or the plot.  Perhaps demented black humor fits the bill a bit better.   The story and plot are believable from a zombie point of view.   Of course, according to the main character, zombies have very limited points of view.   

Surprisingly there is a note of reality in the reaction of society and the benefits that might be derived from some zombie traits.   Plus the sentimental aspects of both Andy and bit player Shannon are surprising as well.  

The story is both disturbingly funny and touching at the same time.   This is a book that should be wildly successful in the thirteen to fifteen age group who revels in the destruction of zombies.   The title will attract them while driving away many who would be startled to discover that is a good Christmas tale.

I recommend this book!

Body of  work of <a type="amzn" >S.G. Browne </a>

Web Site: http://sgbrowne.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.

FREE R.J. McDonnell's eBook Rock & Rip-Off

R.J. McDonnell's

 Rock & Roll Rip-Off, named 2010 Mystery/Thriller of the Year by Premier Book Awards, is free 12/4/12 through 12/6/12 on Kindle. http://www.amazon.com/Rock-Rip-Off-My...

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

Jealousy Glass Trailer

TRAILER FOR THE JEALOUSY GLASS Releasee on December 1, 2012.


TRAILER FOR THE UNIVERSAL MIRROR This is the first book in the series.

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

The Jealousy Glass GiveAway

About the book:

 "We came to stop a war before it came to Cercia.  And it seems the war has come to us."

Responsibility and patriotism spur Cercia's new leader, Quentin, to protect his beloved country at all costs and he assigns Asahel and Felix to serve as ambassadors and secret agents to Anjdur. Their journey quickly turns awry and Asahel and Felix barely escape a devastating shipwreck, walk a tightrope of political tension, and rescue an empress before they learn they must face an enemy closer to them than they thought.

Will they be able to uncover an assassin's plot before it's too late? Will Asahel be able to unearth a secret that is vital to their mission? Will Cercia survive its own revolution? In The Jealousy Glass, Perkins boldly continues a series of unforgettable characters and events that will leave you begging for more.

Go to Amazon for The Jealousy Glass  and   
The Universal Mirror.

It is always fun to feature a fellow author’s book.  Gwen is not only a good author but dreadfully personable as well.  I have had some email experience with her and she seems like good people.  I particularly like the fact that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. (see photos)

This is a good book and a good series.

Gwen’s GIVEAWAY:

In conjunction with the release of The Jealousy Glass, Gwen is running a giveaway for an autographed, first edition paperback of The Universal Mirror through Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/37726-the-universal-mirror

Please note that to make this giveaway valid for all bloggers on the blitz, this giveaway is available for ALL countries.  This is an international prize so have no fears in promoting it—Gwen will ship the book and assorted swag anywhere.  (The swag may vary, of course, depending on where the book ultimately ends up going.)

The giveaway officially ends on December 21, 2012—the author's birthday and supposed date for the oncoming apocalypse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gwen Perkins has always regarded the deep rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula as the one place that she feels most at home. Gwen grew up in small towns across the Pacific Northwest, going to slug races and strawberry festivals when she wasn't scribbling on any scrap of paper she could come by. She boasts the dubious distinction of going to a public school with only eight students, learning Irish sea chanteys from a man who sang with the Clancy Brothers, and catching tadpoles during classes.

Her adult life is generally just about as much fun.

She lives in the City of Destiny (better known as Tacoma, Washington). Her hobbies include wandering beaches, baking pies and lampworking. In between all of this, Gwen has written two novels in the Artifacts of Empire series: The Universal Mirror and The Jealousy Glass.  The Universal Mirror has been nominated for a 2013 Endeavour Award.

She is presently at work on future novels in the Artifacts of Empire series while working on another series in collaboration with Wilson Fabián Saravia.

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

The Jealousy Glassa by Gwen Perkins

Gwen Perkins reintroduces some characters from her previous book, The Universal Mirror.  I’m sure she didn’t write this book in response to my plea for a sequel but perhaps she did.   Ashel and Felix are back.   This book focuses again on interpersonal relationships. 

The tension between protagonists is practically palatable in this tale.   There is a smattering of magic but it is primarily political intrigue.   I felt the attack of the Ruckh was isolated and didn’t fit with the rest of the story.  Some tie in would have been nice. 

The scene moves from the island state of Cercia to the main land where Cercia is regarded as semi-myth.  Felix, Ashel and Nicholas find themselves unwilling guests of Princess Irena.   Thrust into court machinations far more intricate than found on their home island bemuses the Cercians.  
I think a bit of back story for someone who had not read the Universal Mirror would be helpful and would provide more understanding for some of the characters and their interplay. 

I recommend this book!

Body of  work of <a type="amzn" > Gwen Perkins </a>

Web Site: http://gwen.ironangel.net/

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