One Perfect Night by Bella Andre

5 Stars

This is a super cute, short story. It's the perfect length for a cheesy romance that makes you "aww" at the end. It's just fun and sweet.

Rising by Holly Kelly

4 Stars

A fun, quick, romantic read. I think parts of this story would welcome some more detail, but overall it was excellent. Something to check out if you enjoy romance and a new supernatural creature. I do have to wonder and be amazed that Sara lasted as long as she did without ever being experimented on ... Can't wait to read the next one.

Ask an Author

Click Here!

This weekend, Ask an Author is helping you to find your new favorite author - and add books to your TBR list. Join us on FB Friday, April 24 - Sunday, April 26. Stop in and read previous postings, stay the whole weekend - it's entirely up to you. I will be helping to kick off the event on Friday, April 24 at 9:00 a.m. PST. It's a great time to chat with the authors, get to know the stories behind the stories, as the questions you're dying to ask, and win prizes.
The rest of the weekend should prove to be exciting as well. I know I've found a few authors I love from previous Ask an Author events - I'm sure you will too! :)
Nearly 40 authors over 3 days. 

Your TBR list is obviously not long enough, let us fix that for you. 

Times are PST (+3 for EST; +8 for UK)

04/24/15  

Martyn V. Halm 8:00-9:00 am

Jean Booth 9:00-10:00 am

Jen Ponce 10:00-11:00 am

Ric Snead 11:00-12:00pm

Adrienne James 12:00-1:00 pm

Felicia Fox 1:00-2:00 pm

Serenity Valle 2:00-3:00 pm

Luke Matthews 3:00-4:00 pm

Christine Hughes 4:00-5:00 pm

Daniel Swensen 5:00-6:00 pm

Rachel Rawlings 6:00-7:00 pm

04/25/15 

Miguel Rueda 8:00-9:00 am

Michelle John 9:00-10:00 am

S.J. Wolff 10:00-11:00 am

J.D. Hallowell 11:00-12:00pm

Mariana Thorn 12:00-1:00 pm

Kenneth Lashley 1:00-2:00 pm

Missy Ames 2:00-3:00 pm

Emily Snyder 3:00-4:00 pm

Fiona Skye 4:00-5:00 pm

A.D. Trosper 5:00-6:00 pm

Madison Daniel 6:00-7:00 pm

04/26/15 

Cesya Cuono 8:00-9:00 am

Lexy Wolfe 9:00-10:00 am

Lynn Townsend 10:00-11:00 am

C.V. Dreesman 11:00-12:00pm

Martin Allen 12:00-1:00 pm

Greg Close 1:00-2:00 pm

Kristy Carey 2:00-3:00 pm

Rick Rossing 3:00-4:00 pm

M Todd Gallowglas 4:00-5:00 pm

Luke Green 5:00-6:00 pm

C.B. Pratt 6:00-7:00 pm

No regrets...

I've seen this statement running around Facebook over the past couple of years, and I wonder how many people actually think about this.
I don't have any regrets in life. Yes, there are things in my past that I cringe at when I remember them, or talk about. But when the twinge of regret rears it's ugly head, I ask myself, "would I be who I am today without my mistakes?" To that answer, I have no idea. Nor am I willing to take the risk. I like who I am. I like who I've become. And without the mistakes, I'm not certain I'd be who/where I am now in life.
For example: I was a nerd in high school. In my senior year, I was trying desperately to enhance my social life and become popular, while still focusing on what I wanted out of life - to be a doctor. I had received an academic scholarship for 8 years to any school in my state. I had my future meticulously planned out. I was going to get my pre-med, meet my husband, and while I was in med school we'd have the first of our 4 children. He would stay at home and raise the kids, while I was a pediatric surgeon and life would be bliss. Of course, life rarely goes as planned.
I met a guy when I was 17. He was supposed to be meeting his "girlfriend" for the first time. They had talked over the phone for a few weeks, yet had not physically met up to that point. She happened to be one of my good friends. He and I had an instant connection, and while I tried to ignore it, I couldn't help glancing at him and wishing things were different. Long story incredibly short, we wound up together. He was a manipulator, cheater, and over-all bad guy, and I was newly 18 and in "love." I got into a huge fight with my father over this guy, moved out to be with him, and was left homeless, penniless, and with an STD - HPV. I was able to contact my mother and moved across the country to pull my life back together, losing my scholarship in the process.
It was here where I discovered that I had the cancerous strain of HPV. After having surgery, I was told I would never have children. This was a huge blow to everything I'd defined myself as, and I was determined to prove them wrong. A year later, I met my husband. Together, we have a good life, 9 cats, and are very content.
Without the chance meeting of the first terrible boyfriend, I doubt I'd have ever met my husband, or have rescued the cat children we have today. I definitely wouldn't have discovered the joy of writing, or ever have felt the passion of creating stories.
While I sometimes feel regret for meeting him, and every poor decision I made from that meeting, all I have to do is look at my kitties, or laugh at some silly thing my husband did, and the regret slips away. And even though it isn't what I planned, I wouldn't change it for the world.

The Dictator's Daughter & Scars of Defiance by Lorena Angell

I apologize as I cannot find a cover for this book. Apparently, this series does not exist, even though I have two of the books. Perhaps Ms. Angell removed them, or renamed them for whatever reason. For that, I'm very sorry for you.

 5 Stars

This book was beautifully written and SO GOOD! It's a story of brutal abuse, betrayal and survivorship. Eli's story is gripping, fast-paced, and exciting. I only hope Ms. Angell writes more and brings this series back. I've had this in my TBR pile for a long time and kept passing it over, thinking it would be boring an political, but it was so far from that. Sean is a great character and I have to wonder, how does a good looking, muscular man pull off looking like a woman?

I can't tell you how excited I was to discover the first book in this series on my shelf as well. Be jealous. It's okay. ;)

Just finished the first* book in this series, Scars of Defiance - still can't find either of these books on Amazon or B&N. I'm also still super sorry for you. If you do happen to run across either of these books - pick them up immediately. They're great. :)

Scars of Defiance
5 Stars

Such a good book filled with betrayal, intrigue and suspense. Just as good as the second and I wish I could find more. This author is amazing. She truly knows how to weave a tale that has you hooked and thinking of it long after the story's over.

The Binding by L. Filloon

3 Stars

There are apparently two different covers for this book. Interesting. This was a good story that needs an editor. It's a very good story that has you turning the pages for more, but would be so much better if it were edited. I like the idea, the struggles they faced, and the flow of the story. The way the author switched voices at each chapter was fun, if a tad repetitive. I'm excited to grab the next in the series, I just hope the formal language is minimalized in that one. Contractions are your friend.

Readers' Favorite Review

Jean Booth took what could have been a typical zombie novel and turned it into something uniquely entertaining. The walking dead in this book can actually talk, think, and strategize, making them all the more frightening. I will have a hard time getting the images of disturbing scenes that involved so much blood and gore out of my head, which is exactly what I want from a horror story. Not only did I enjoy the violence, but I also found myself caring about some of these characters, which I think is important. A zombie book could be full of action and carnage, but if I don’t care about the people, there’s no point in reading it. So, I give Jean Booth credit for being able to accomplish both. Zombie War is definitely a must-read for any zombie or horror fans. It certainly won’t disappoint. I can’t wait to read more of this brilliant author’s work.
~ Readers' Favorite

Pick up your copy now! 

Amazon or CreateSpace 

The Color of Destiny by Julianne MacLean

5 Stars

This is such a moving story of heartache, pain, and hope. I didn't want to put this book down and loved how everything was told. I don't want to go into too much detail, because having it unfold as you read is definitely part of this books magic. It's a heartwarming tale that will have you believing in love and all of life's possibilities.

BHC Authors - Connecting Readers to Authors

Blue Harvest Creative is excited to announce the next generation of independence has arrived! And I'm thrilled to be a part of it! Blue Harvest has been a wonderful experience for me - taking my books to the level I want them, offering support, encouragement, and guidance behind the scenes. They're designers, and so much more. Take a second to check out their authors - you never know when you're going to find your next favorite!

 Welcome to the BHC Authors website—a place dedicated to bringing readers and authors together. If you love to read, this is the place to be. Find a new favorite genre or author. Check out new releases and titles. Or enter a giveaway or promotion. Here’s what you’ll find when you visit BHCAuthors.com

• Author spotlights—Get up close and personal. Enter our monthly giveaway for a chance to win autographed print titles or eBooks from featured authors.
• Reader/ARC (advanced reader copy) Program—Love to read? Want to see new titles before they are released? Enjoy giving feedback and discovering new authors or genres? Be sure to sign up for our ARC program.

• News and events—Check our calendar often. You never know where a BHC Author will turn up!
• Are you a reviewer, blogger, or journalist interested in review copies or scheduling an interview? Visit our media center, and we’ll be sure to get you everything you need.
• Librarians and booksellers can also contact us at the media center. We’re here to make your job easier.
• If you run a readers’ group, we offer book club reader’s guides for many of our titles and we’re always adding more.
• Purchases titles and other nifty products from our Amazon affiliate store—From books to writer’s tools of the trade, and more, you’ll find it all here, right at your fingertips.
• Meet the BHC Authors—Many of whom have won multiple awards and are USA Today bestsellers—and get to know their work.

 

• Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about new titles, promotions, events, sales, and more. We hate spam as much as the next person, so we only send out about one email per month. Our intent is not to solicit services. Our newsletters only feature information about BHC Authors.

We’re just gearing up, and we’ll be adding more exciting features. Love our website? Have an idea to share or something you’d like to see featured? We’d love to hear from you, and we appreciate and value your ideas and suggestions. Please email us at: Feedback (at) BHCAuthors (dot) com Thanks for stopping by and supporting independently published authors! Click HERE to visit the BHC Authors website.

The Flower Bowl Spell by Olivia Bowler

4 Stars

This is a very cute, quirky book. Memphis is an interesting character - but not nearly as interesting as Cleo or the strangeness they encounter. It leaves you wanting to know more about their lives and interested in a good way - not a cliffhanger way. I would read more from Ms. Bowler and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys mystery, occult, witches, or fairies.

Beauty and the Wolf by Marina Myles

3 Stars

Meh. This was a cute, predictable story that was a fun waste of a few hours. Not sure I'll grab the rest of the series, but it was a cute read. I liked how Ms. Myles tied the book into the mythos, but there were plot holes and obvious "twists" and things that needed to be expanded on. Cute book, but "meh."

Claimed by Evangeline Anderson

4 Stars

This is a very sexual book. Explicit and vulgar at times, while still maintaining a somewhat pleasant story. My favorite part was the pizza. I about fell out of my chair - I was laughing so hard. This was an enjoyable read, however, if you're shy at all about guttural sex or dirty talk, I may caution you. It can be a bit much at times - definitely something to read alone or with your partner nearby. The science-fiction story behind the sex was fun and I kind of wish the author would've focused more on that instead of the mating process. That being said, I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read Hunted to find out more about the Scourge.

Why did I chose Blue?

As some of you may already know, I first published Zombie War as a small, three book novella trilogy. What you may not know is that I did everything myself. From writing to cover art, editing, formatting, and hitting the print button - it was all me. And there was something missing.
I've known about Blue Harvest Creative for a few years, and had been leery of letting someone else touch my baby. After all, who knew my books better than me, and how could they do a better job? I followed a few BHC authors, read their work, and took time to talk to them. I watched them succeed while I continued to struggle. In short - I discovered that I truly couldn't do it all. I came to a startling realization that if I didn't want to take the time, money, and energy to invest in my work, how could I expect anyone else to?
So I handed over Zombie War to Blue Harvest Creative and gave them free reign to work their magic. I have never been happier.
"What did they do that was so amazing," you ask? Well....
First, we decided to scrap the whole novella thing and make Zombie War into one book with three parts - creating the story I'd originally planned on writing when I first started.

These are the covers I created for the original novella trilogy. They are no longer available in eBook or Print.

Secondly, the new full-length novel went through an excruciating 5-round editing process that took approximately 4 months to complete. This was an extremely humbling experience for me - as it should be for any author. We take these stories that scream in our heads, but the editors clean them up and show you the gaping holes you left because you can't see past the nose on your face. In short, they help you perfect and clarify the story you'd originally intended to tell.

Next, Blue took my cover design ideas and showed me greatness. 

The novel went from this:

My cover design - only 20 were printed and available
at the first Reno Comicon. 

To this:

The print wrap created by Blue Harvest Creative.

They designed my publishing imprint's logo for MoonStorm Publishing - something I never thought to do, and looks amazing.

Then they took the interior and floored me. Zombie War went from a simple book to a reading experience overnight. 

My interior:

Table of Contents scrapped from
the original books.

Screenshot of Chapter 1 - before Blue

The new, completed interior designed by Blue Harvest Creative:

Table of Contents

Screenshot of Chapter 6 - after Blue

And if that wasn't enough awesomeness - there's more.

They created a trailer:

and helped with marketing:

And they didn't stop at just ads - they helped create swag:

And finally, they are there for each and every one of their authors. They listen. They help guide you in the right direction to make your book the creation that was truly living in your head. You no longer feel as if you're alone - struggling to have someone, anyone look your way. Instead, you have Blue in your corner, cheering you on, encouraging you, promoting you, and showing you your potential. 

In short - I turned to Blue and haven't looked back. 

Unrequited Love by Mary Reason Theriot

3 Stars

The writing in this story is very stilted and formal. Extremely tough to get into, and desperately needs an editor. Who is Gregory Ferris and why is he such a menace? I sometimes feel as if I started in book two, but there was no indication of a previous tale stated in my copy. I think if a good editor were to attack this book, it'd be fantastic. As it stands, it's extremely difficult to read and enjoy. I love the story idea though. I'm having such a difficult time reading it that I'm not sure how I'll finish. Please, Ms. Theriot, for the love of God, hire an editor. Unrequited Love could be FANTASTIC - if it was edited. Even a little bit. There are some very blatant errors in the plot that could be easily remedied with an editor. I know they can be expensive, but this story is worth the investment. The only reason I gave it 3 Stars instead of 1 was because I liked the story so much. Just please, PLEASE invest in yourself.

BHC

I am a proud BHC author - Stay tuned for more...

Zombified by Lyra McKen

5 Stars

This book has got to be one of the funniest, exciting, and suspenseful reads I've had in a while. A Zombie story told from the zombie's point of view. How fun! This is a book I'd recommend to anyone - it's just fun. McKen weaves a tale that has you eagerly turning pages with excitement and anticipation - even though you already know how it turns out. Very good book. I really want to know what happened to Cage. There's a story there, I just know it.

Karli, or, A Princess with Dragons by L.V. MacLean

4 Stars

Totally not what I expected when I picked up this book. I have a habit of not reading synopsis when I pick up some books, and this was one of those times. I kept waiting to discover the dragons, and those mythical beasts never appeared. Dragons, however, can have other connotations - they can be people, situations, or even emotions. This was a very intriguing book that had situations that almost made you uncomfortable. The author was quick to point out - repeatedly - that the age of consent in this book is younger than in today's society. MacLean was very insistent that the reader understand this and be accepting of it as there are situations hinted at that would not be acceptable in today's society. It was an enjoyable read, although, I would have liked a better separation of the timeline - especially toward the end. The father was an excellent character - I don't want to give anything away - but I enjoyed the way things developed, even if they were slightly predictable. 

I think I may pick up the rest of the books in this series, just to see how everything works out. Very interesting science fiction/romance novel. 

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

3 Stars

First of all, I'm a bit annoyed that it's over $9 on Nook and $5 on Kindle. I have a nook. I shouldn't be punished for not being on the Kindle wagon. :/ This lovely fact didn't have anything to do with my review, but it does help solidify my decision to not pick up another one of this authors books.

I think if I'd read this book before ANY other YA novel, I'd have liked it. However, after reading this book, I've decided that I never want to read another YA book again. It wasn't that this was a bad book, just very predictable and followed the same formula that every other YA novel published in recent years follows.
Bones was a quick read with good character development, the story flowed in a consistent, timely manor and the "twist" at the end was well done, even if I saw it WAY earlier. I personally won't be picking up any other books in this series, but if you enjoy YA, Supernaturals and a well-written story, you should pick up this book.

So, my sister-in-law loves this shitty series so much, she gave me the next 4 books and insisted that they get better. That is the ONLY reason they are in my collection and have been reviewed at all. I would not waste money on this series. It's terrible. 

3 Stars

This was more interesting than the first book, which isn't saying much. I'm SO glad the relationship between Clary and Simon is where it is at the end of this book, and can't wait to have everyone finally realize that Clary and Jace are not related. This does not make for a good twist. It makes for a disgusting incest-ual (spell-check keeps changing this word to ancestral, so..) relationship that is so gross in its intensity that it turns you off of reading any part of their romance. You do not root for them. You are disgusted by them. Anyway, I'm still not a fan of this series, but I am interested in knowing how everyone will discover Jace and Clary aren't related - because it's blazingly obvious to anyone with half a brain, and I would like to see Jocelyn wake up. So while I feel as if I'm becoming dumber from reading this series, at least Clare has kept me reading.

2 Stars

OMG. Clary needs to die. She is such a stuck-up, spoiled rotten brat that ha no redeeming qualities at all. She is the epitome of what is wrong with society. You were told to stay put? You don't agree with that, even though history has proven over and OVER that listening to people is a good idea, and when you ignore them, bad things happen - so you do whatever the heck you want to do because bleep the world? Yah. I want her dead. She's a terrible main character and a terrible role model for girls. The only reason I'm trying to suffer through this series is because I told my sister-in-law I would finish it. And I like Magnus. This is a cruel form of torture. 

 2 Stars

Jesus God - there's more! Kill me now. I only gave this two stars because I made it through and I liked the amazingly predictable ending that everyone seems so shocked by. Of course he's not dead. There has to be someone to hate in this series - and heaven forbid it's Clary. Even though she's remarkably terrible. Simon is great and I'm glad there was more of a focus on him, otherwise, I wouldn't have finished and would've disappointed my sister-in-law. I don't understand how anyone can like these books.

2 Stars

This is probably the best one so far - especially since I only read the first, last, and epilog chapters. It probably would have gotten less stars if I'd read the whole thing. I feel as if I have wasted days of my life reading this series. Days I'll never get back. All I really have to say after reading this series is if another person comes to me and says, "this new young adult book is fantastic - you should read it!" I am going to punch them in the face. If I have to read another teenaged angst book again I'm going to snap. Grow the bleep up people. Doing your own thing, even when expressly stated that it's not a good thing by every other bleeping person on the bleeping planet is not cool. It makes you a dumbass. I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone. You want to read an actual good book, and are insistent that teens be the focal point? Read Katie Jennings' Dryad Quartet or A.D. Trosper's Dragon books. Those are good reads that have main characters that are decent role models for your kids. This series - total crap.

Zombie War Release Party

The party is today!!! Thank-you to everyone who pre-ordered. I can't wait to meet you at the party today! Pictures will be added ASAP! 

The War Begins Tomorrow

Will you survive?

Pre-Order on Amazon now.