Sallyann Phillips's Blog
February 9, 2016
My interview with Ian D Moore - author of Salby Damned
Ian D. Moore is a very talented Indie author. His book Salby Damned is a must read, especially with Halloween coming just around the corner. His take on how zombies (that he calls a very catchy Deadheads) come about is very unique, and quite plausible. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed Salby Damned, and just can't wait to see what happens to Nathan (a really great book boyfriend), and Evie, in the sequel he is currently writing.
Ian also pulled together a multitude of international Indie authors together to write an anthology of short stories in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support in 2015, and is working towards a second for 2016, both of which I have had the honour to be involved in. His grief propelled drive has been a truly inspirational thing to be a part of, and Ian has shown us all just what you are capable of if you have the right convictions, as well as the support of other like minded people. Ian is someone that anyone would be proud to call frieind.
This is what Ian had to say...
Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
The simple answer is that I didn’t decide to become a writer, writing found me. It is something I have always enjoyed, right back to my school days in English language and literature, a fascination with words even then. I think a lot of writing is connected to star signs too. That may sound a little odd but I’ve noticed that very deep people, those with active imaginations, tend to have the same star signs. There is something quite magical about connecting with someone on the same level, being able to chat freely about what others consider to be geeky subjects and those subjects fascinate people like me, and I dare say, you.
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
It was my younger sister that pushed me into writing my first novel, Salby Damned. That came about while I was trucking one day. Endless miles on endless roads does allow a certain freedom to think. At the time, shale gas fracking was hitting the headlines – I took it a couple of stages further is all. I had written poetry mostly, in remembrance of those loved and lost, along with a few short stories that will never see the light of day again. At the time, I only had my mobile phone to work with, so I began to post paragraphs to Facebook of my book, then chapters and so on in real time as I sat typing away in my truck while on breaks. The story gained an initial family following and eventually expanded into the fully fledged, though very rough, novel that it is today. After much tweaking, editing and a tonne of advice from seasoned writers, I can now say that I’m extremely proud of it and it has exceeded my expectations. Not only that, it has lead to many rewarding things, true friends, like-minded people, endearing souls that make me no longer feel geeky or ‘odd’ because I choose to write.
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
As a boy, I loved Indiana Jones. The whole character, the action scenes and the weird and wonderful creatures he came up against fired my imagination. I tend to write pretty dark stuff at the best of times, but usually with a glimmering light to the end. I remember a TV program called Tales of the Unexpected, it has stuck with me to my mid-forties. The tales would often be scary but would also have that twist that I just had to stay up to see – those are how stories are meant to be, to capture their audience. I aspire to write such stories now.
Who is your favourite character, and why?
I had a couple of favourite characters in Salby Damned but the one who shone out for me was Colin Snape. I took great pleasure in creating him to be the most loathsome, self-important, slimy, lecherous parasite that I could invent to match the feeling of the scenes. Of course, I enjoyed writing the parts of Tom and Holly too – my step-children at the time, although much older. I took their characters back ten plus years and created them in my mind as to how I thought they might have been then. I still smile about Holly... even now.
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
Unlike many writers, I don’t tend to follow ‘the rules’ as such. When I sit down to write, it’s a little like opening the flood gates – everything pours out. In my time with my writing peers, I have had to learn how to construct sentences, use the punctuation that I had mostly forgotten about in everyday life. It’s a hard lesson to admit being so rusty. I have to say though, that I owe a lot to a great many who continue to give me their advice and support, even to this day. Every writer has what is called an Achilles Heel in their style, I just happen to have more than one, probably more than two, but with my friends around me to offer guidance and opinions, I am still confident of writing engaging tales.
What does your family think of your work?
My sister is immensely proud of my achievements thus far, and I know that my mother is too, though it is not necessarily in her nature to acknowledge that. My father, were he still alive, would have been the one who really made his feeling known. It is partly his memory that inspires me to write for charity as I do now. His depth of character gave me my own, his way of thinking I have inherited and he would have made such a good writer himself. Thanks dad, I love and miss you still xx
How do you deal with writers block?
Oh, writers block… the chance would be a fine thing. I have learned that there is a time for writing, you have to be in the mood or it just won’t happen. If I’m not in the ‘zone’ I don’t try because I know that if I do I’ll only delete what I wrote when I look back at it. Down time is the key, spend time with a loved one, go for dinner, write a poem or an unconnected short story. Go for a drive and take in the scenery or do a bit of people watching. Some of my best lines come from those pastimes, but don’t think about it too hard.
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
Pleasing yourself has to be the hardest part, second only to editing, urrrghhh! That has to be the bane of every writer’s life. Heart wrenching when you know you have to delete or restructure your work that has already taken you weeks/months, sometimes years to get to that point. I push myself harder and faster the more I learn in an attempt to write better, higher quality stories, be it short stories or full books. Any serious writer will know exactly what I mean by that. It’s personal, my characters are my babies; the story is the womb until they are unleashed into the world to be born in the public eye.
Are your characters based on anyone you know?
In Salby Damned, several of the characters were based upon people I know or indeed, knew. Nathan is a much more perfect version of me, if still flawed. Evie was based upon a mixture of my then partner with a dash of personal quirkiness that I had seen in a character on TV. The children, Tom and Holly, were my interpretation of younger versions of themselves. Major Sower was based upon Captain Sower, my old army CO. The O.C. Lt.Col. Richard Connell was purely made up, as was Cpl. Jane Simms. Colin Snape was based upon an old school friend I used to know, his whole body language was taken from that friend. I just added the weasel-like persona. The kids mother was again fragments of my then partner with adaptations of my own creation, including her disability – which fitted in quite well and added yet another unexpected twist to the tale. It will prove to be a good point for the sequel too, but more on that at a later date.
What do you do in your spare time to relax?
I try, as much as any writer can, to turn off my mind. Time with the kids is always priceless and as an absent parent it isn’t as easy as many might think. I have lost so much of their lives so I make every effort to get as much time with them as I can. I have a passion for music and indeed, singing too. It has been known for me to get up on stage in front of a crowd full of strangers and belt out the odd country song or two, though I have very eclectic taste in music, to say the least. I like live concerts too; the music is so evocative and carries me away for just a few short hours. When the time comes again, close time with the woman I love, in that time, I can just be me and know that I am loved none the less.
What do you like to read?
I tend to be captivated by a lot of different books, sometimes even song lyrics, odd as that may sound. I have an ever expanding genre base of written word from an ever increasing array of new and established writers. Since first publishing my book, a whole new, exciting and seemingly bottomless world has opened up to me. It is a world that I have been only too happy to swan-dive into and make a few ripples. I guess, writing has given me a direction I would otherwise have overlooked and I feel very privileged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some serious writing talent. I never would have believed it had someone shown me myself today, ten years ago. I am drawn to stories that have depth, I could drop some serious names here, but I’ll save that for later, hehehe.
Who is your favourite author?
This is question with a very open end, I cannot possibly pinpoint one author from the thousands I have read. I find a new ‘favourite’ almost with every new novel I read. It is an ongoing thing for me to expand my reading horizons, to take not only a good story from the books I read, but also subliminal guidance from the writer’s style and voice within that book.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Life, and a love of being able to invoke a wide range of emotions in other people, simply by the effective use of words.
Where are your books available?
You can find Salby Damned on Amazon worldwide in paperback and on Kindle. You’ll also find our charity anthology You’re Not Alone.
What are you working on right now?
At present, I have a couple of works in progress. A sequel to Salby Damned and another slightly off genre book that I have started but have yet to research and follow up on. I’m also putting together the 2016 Macmillan anthology collection with a further thirty-nine writers from around the world. Busy, busy!! I’m also experimenting with a children’s bedtime story book which is still in progress.
Thank you for the interview and for the detailed questions. As a writer, I would like to thank the readers who have put their faith in my work enough to buy it so far, long may that continue. Your support is priceless.
Ian D Moore
Where to find Ian D. Moore
Amazon Ian D. Moore
Twitter @ianstories
Facebook Ian D. Moore
I'd like to take a momoent to thank Ian for his time and answering my questions. It's a priveledge and an honour to know such a kind hearted and talented man, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours. Why not join me in folloing Ian D. Moore, and pop into Amazon and pick up one of his books, you won't be disappointed.
And finally, for those of you interested in doing your bit for charity, why not pick up a copy of You're Not Alone? Not only would it make a fabulous Christmas present for any family member who's an avid reader, 100% of the royalties (Yes I did say 100%) will go to the Pamela Winton Tribute Fund in aid of MacMillan Cancer suppport. There's no better way to show them your support in return, so just click on the link below and go pick up a couple of copies ;).
Ian also pulled together a multitude of international Indie authors together to write an anthology of short stories in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support in 2015, and is working towards a second for 2016, both of which I have had the honour to be involved in. His grief propelled drive has been a truly inspirational thing to be a part of, and Ian has shown us all just what you are capable of if you have the right convictions, as well as the support of other like minded people. Ian is someone that anyone would be proud to call frieind.
This is what Ian had to say...
Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
The simple answer is that I didn’t decide to become a writer, writing found me. It is something I have always enjoyed, right back to my school days in English language and literature, a fascination with words even then. I think a lot of writing is connected to star signs too. That may sound a little odd but I’ve noticed that very deep people, those with active imaginations, tend to have the same star signs. There is something quite magical about connecting with someone on the same level, being able to chat freely about what others consider to be geeky subjects and those subjects fascinate people like me, and I dare say, you.
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
It was my younger sister that pushed me into writing my first novel, Salby Damned. That came about while I was trucking one day. Endless miles on endless roads does allow a certain freedom to think. At the time, shale gas fracking was hitting the headlines – I took it a couple of stages further is all. I had written poetry mostly, in remembrance of those loved and lost, along with a few short stories that will never see the light of day again. At the time, I only had my mobile phone to work with, so I began to post paragraphs to Facebook of my book, then chapters and so on in real time as I sat typing away in my truck while on breaks. The story gained an initial family following and eventually expanded into the fully fledged, though very rough, novel that it is today. After much tweaking, editing and a tonne of advice from seasoned writers, I can now say that I’m extremely proud of it and it has exceeded my expectations. Not only that, it has lead to many rewarding things, true friends, like-minded people, endearing souls that make me no longer feel geeky or ‘odd’ because I choose to write.
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
As a boy, I loved Indiana Jones. The whole character, the action scenes and the weird and wonderful creatures he came up against fired my imagination. I tend to write pretty dark stuff at the best of times, but usually with a glimmering light to the end. I remember a TV program called Tales of the Unexpected, it has stuck with me to my mid-forties. The tales would often be scary but would also have that twist that I just had to stay up to see – those are how stories are meant to be, to capture their audience. I aspire to write such stories now.
Who is your favourite character, and why?
I had a couple of favourite characters in Salby Damned but the one who shone out for me was Colin Snape. I took great pleasure in creating him to be the most loathsome, self-important, slimy, lecherous parasite that I could invent to match the feeling of the scenes. Of course, I enjoyed writing the parts of Tom and Holly too – my step-children at the time, although much older. I took their characters back ten plus years and created them in my mind as to how I thought they might have been then. I still smile about Holly... even now.
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
Unlike many writers, I don’t tend to follow ‘the rules’ as such. When I sit down to write, it’s a little like opening the flood gates – everything pours out. In my time with my writing peers, I have had to learn how to construct sentences, use the punctuation that I had mostly forgotten about in everyday life. It’s a hard lesson to admit being so rusty. I have to say though, that I owe a lot to a great many who continue to give me their advice and support, even to this day. Every writer has what is called an Achilles Heel in their style, I just happen to have more than one, probably more than two, but with my friends around me to offer guidance and opinions, I am still confident of writing engaging tales.
What does your family think of your work?
My sister is immensely proud of my achievements thus far, and I know that my mother is too, though it is not necessarily in her nature to acknowledge that. My father, were he still alive, would have been the one who really made his feeling known. It is partly his memory that inspires me to write for charity as I do now. His depth of character gave me my own, his way of thinking I have inherited and he would have made such a good writer himself. Thanks dad, I love and miss you still xx
How do you deal with writers block?
Oh, writers block… the chance would be a fine thing. I have learned that there is a time for writing, you have to be in the mood or it just won’t happen. If I’m not in the ‘zone’ I don’t try because I know that if I do I’ll only delete what I wrote when I look back at it. Down time is the key, spend time with a loved one, go for dinner, write a poem or an unconnected short story. Go for a drive and take in the scenery or do a bit of people watching. Some of my best lines come from those pastimes, but don’t think about it too hard.
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
Pleasing yourself has to be the hardest part, second only to editing, urrrghhh! That has to be the bane of every writer’s life. Heart wrenching when you know you have to delete or restructure your work that has already taken you weeks/months, sometimes years to get to that point. I push myself harder and faster the more I learn in an attempt to write better, higher quality stories, be it short stories or full books. Any serious writer will know exactly what I mean by that. It’s personal, my characters are my babies; the story is the womb until they are unleashed into the world to be born in the public eye.
Are your characters based on anyone you know?
In Salby Damned, several of the characters were based upon people I know or indeed, knew. Nathan is a much more perfect version of me, if still flawed. Evie was based upon a mixture of my then partner with a dash of personal quirkiness that I had seen in a character on TV. The children, Tom and Holly, were my interpretation of younger versions of themselves. Major Sower was based upon Captain Sower, my old army CO. The O.C. Lt.Col. Richard Connell was purely made up, as was Cpl. Jane Simms. Colin Snape was based upon an old school friend I used to know, his whole body language was taken from that friend. I just added the weasel-like persona. The kids mother was again fragments of my then partner with adaptations of my own creation, including her disability – which fitted in quite well and added yet another unexpected twist to the tale. It will prove to be a good point for the sequel too, but more on that at a later date.
What do you do in your spare time to relax?
I try, as much as any writer can, to turn off my mind. Time with the kids is always priceless and as an absent parent it isn’t as easy as many might think. I have lost so much of their lives so I make every effort to get as much time with them as I can. I have a passion for music and indeed, singing too. It has been known for me to get up on stage in front of a crowd full of strangers and belt out the odd country song or two, though I have very eclectic taste in music, to say the least. I like live concerts too; the music is so evocative and carries me away for just a few short hours. When the time comes again, close time with the woman I love, in that time, I can just be me and know that I am loved none the less.
What do you like to read?
I tend to be captivated by a lot of different books, sometimes even song lyrics, odd as that may sound. I have an ever expanding genre base of written word from an ever increasing array of new and established writers. Since first publishing my book, a whole new, exciting and seemingly bottomless world has opened up to me. It is a world that I have been only too happy to swan-dive into and make a few ripples. I guess, writing has given me a direction I would otherwise have overlooked and I feel very privileged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some serious writing talent. I never would have believed it had someone shown me myself today, ten years ago. I am drawn to stories that have depth, I could drop some serious names here, but I’ll save that for later, hehehe.
Who is your favourite author?
This is question with a very open end, I cannot possibly pinpoint one author from the thousands I have read. I find a new ‘favourite’ almost with every new novel I read. It is an ongoing thing for me to expand my reading horizons, to take not only a good story from the books I read, but also subliminal guidance from the writer’s style and voice within that book.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Life, and a love of being able to invoke a wide range of emotions in other people, simply by the effective use of words.
Where are your books available?
You can find Salby Damned on Amazon worldwide in paperback and on Kindle. You’ll also find our charity anthology You’re Not Alone.
What are you working on right now?
At present, I have a couple of works in progress. A sequel to Salby Damned and another slightly off genre book that I have started but have yet to research and follow up on. I’m also putting together the 2016 Macmillan anthology collection with a further thirty-nine writers from around the world. Busy, busy!! I’m also experimenting with a children’s bedtime story book which is still in progress.
Thank you for the interview and for the detailed questions. As a writer, I would like to thank the readers who have put their faith in my work enough to buy it so far, long may that continue. Your support is priceless.
Ian D Moore
Where to find Ian D. Moore
Amazon Ian D. Moore
Twitter @ianstories
Facebook Ian D. Moore
I'd like to take a momoent to thank Ian for his time and answering my questions. It's a priveledge and an honour to know such a kind hearted and talented man, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours. Why not join me in folloing Ian D. Moore, and pop into Amazon and pick up one of his books, you won't be disappointed.
And finally, for those of you interested in doing your bit for charity, why not pick up a copy of You're Not Alone? Not only would it make a fabulous Christmas present for any family member who's an avid reader, 100% of the royalties (Yes I did say 100%) will go to the Pamela Winton Tribute Fund in aid of MacMillan Cancer suppport. There's no better way to show them your support in return, so just click on the link below and go pick up a couple of copies ;).
January 12, 2016
My interview with author K.J Simmill
K.J Simmill is the very talented author of Darrienia (The Forgotten Legacies series, book 1), and is donating 10% author royalties to the UHNM charity for the neonatal department (NICU).
She has also released an accompaniment book called Herbal Lore that covers a wide range of herbs and their uses in both medicinal and magical practices, including sections detailing extraction and application. It also provides comprehensive step-by-step instructions on making a wide range of items encompassing creams, herbal bags, incense, salves, tinctures, and poultices. Presented in an easy to understand format, with an added definition of terms, making it an asset to anyone wishing to utilise the beneficial properties of herbs.
This is what K.J had to say...
Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
Writing has always been a constant in my life, something I’ve done for as long as I can remember. Whether it was to blow off steam, or to create something magical from an idea. I never really decided to become a writer, it’s just a passion that seemed to follow me through my many changing ideas of what I wanted to be.
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
I had only ever written short stories before Darrienia, but when I saw that this idea had become a book, or a series even, I knew that I needed to do something more with it than leave it in a drawer. It was with the support of my husband that we decided I should publish the work, and the response of the beta readers only encouraged me further.
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
I have always been a lover of fantasy. Anything I can imagine could become a reality in the world I create, and inventing lore and methods to make these ideas possible only adds to the enjoyment. As for my non-fiction side, Herbal Lore stemmed from almost two decades of personal research and study. I never initially considered compiling it into a book, until I was using it as a reference for my fictional works.
Who is your favourite character, and why?
Now that is a difficult question, each of my characters are individuals with their own personalities and flaws, to choose one above the others is near impossible. Surprisingly though, I don’t think I’d pick one of my main characters, don’t get me wrong, I love each one of them, but I think I would have to choose Elder Robert. As for the reasoning, there is so much more to him than meets the eye. He’s the elder of Daniel’s hometown of Crowley, yet he has seen more of the world and knows more of its secrets than any would believe. He is considered a storyteller, yet there is more truth to his fables than any would ever realise.
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
Not really, although when I am writing, the rest of the world may as well fade to black, all I see before me are the visions of the words I’m writing as they guide my hand.
What does your family think of your work?
My nan and husband, all my family in fact, are so proud of me. My husband has read my book almost as many times as I have, and my father has also read it multiple times. So far, the response from my family, as well as my readers, has been fantastic, so much so that they are already asking when they can see the next one.
How do you deal with writer's block?
At this moment in time, for me, writer’s block is my characters’ way of telling me they aren’t happy with something. It strikes at the beginning of where their discontent occurs and no matter how hard I try, I can’t force my way through, my attention wanders and I have trouble even reading the words. When I realise this is what it is, if I go back and rewrite, be it a section, or a chapter. As soon as the decision is made and I begin I often find myself back on track, and so much happier with the story.
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
Time. At the moment I find myself editing the remaining three books in The Forgotten Legacies Series so they are ready for release. However, in addition to these I have what could be classed as a prequel, which needs to be edited, the story for my next series, and an entirely unrelated series, all wanting to be written. Unfortunately the time I have to write is limited.
Are your characters based on anyone you know?
No, the characters came naturally as part of the story, although I did use the name of my son’s Godfather, Eiji. Although character wise there is no connection, the name itself was a perfect fit for the Elementalist.
What do you do in your spare time to relax?
When I am not writing, I am either reading or gaming. Generally however, I spend most of my spare time reading and reviewing books, especially those written by indie authors.
What do you like to read?
Although I prefer fiction my tastes in books aren’t genre specific. I will read anything that I feel has a good plot and interesting characters. If I were to choose my two favoured genres though, it would have to be fantasy and horror.
Who is your favourite author?
At this moment in time my favourite author is Terry Goodkind, although there are a number of indie authors whose work I will, and have, pre-ordered.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Some of my inspiration comes to me through dreams, some through personal experience which I hope allows me to see things from multiple perspectives and can assist me in adding depth to both worlds and characters, the rest just seems to be character driven as I am writing. Things and events happen which I never expected to, simply because of the characters and their responses to situations guiding the book in that direction. The best example I can give is the ending of Darrienia, it was by no means the one I had planned. Even now I remember looking at what I had written and thinking ‘how the hell did that happen?’
Where are your books available?
My books are available in paperback or Kindle through Amazon, as well as Barnes and Noble and over seventy other online bookstores and over 39,000 retailers and libraries.
Although Herbal Lore is only available as paperback or Kindle, Darrienia is available on other e-book mediums including Kobo, Apple ibooks and Nook.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I am editing The Severaine, which is the second book in The Forgotten Legacies Series, once polished I will edit the remaining books before starting work on either the Prequel or the next series.
Here is how you can find K.J Simmill
Amazon K.J Simmill books
Website Darrienia.com
Twitter @SimmillKj
I'd like to take this last second to thank K.J for the time she took to answer my questions. It's been and honour, and a priviledge, to see inside the head of this up and coming new Indie author, and I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I did. Now why not join me in following K.J, and maybe popping into Amazon and picking up her books.Darrienia
She has also released an accompaniment book called Herbal Lore that covers a wide range of herbs and their uses in both medicinal and magical practices, including sections detailing extraction and application. It also provides comprehensive step-by-step instructions on making a wide range of items encompassing creams, herbal bags, incense, salves, tinctures, and poultices. Presented in an easy to understand format, with an added definition of terms, making it an asset to anyone wishing to utilise the beneficial properties of herbs.
This is what K.J had to say...
Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
Writing has always been a constant in my life, something I’ve done for as long as I can remember. Whether it was to blow off steam, or to create something magical from an idea. I never really decided to become a writer, it’s just a passion that seemed to follow me through my many changing ideas of what I wanted to be.
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
I had only ever written short stories before Darrienia, but when I saw that this idea had become a book, or a series even, I knew that I needed to do something more with it than leave it in a drawer. It was with the support of my husband that we decided I should publish the work, and the response of the beta readers only encouraged me further.
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
I have always been a lover of fantasy. Anything I can imagine could become a reality in the world I create, and inventing lore and methods to make these ideas possible only adds to the enjoyment. As for my non-fiction side, Herbal Lore stemmed from almost two decades of personal research and study. I never initially considered compiling it into a book, until I was using it as a reference for my fictional works.
Who is your favourite character, and why?
Now that is a difficult question, each of my characters are individuals with their own personalities and flaws, to choose one above the others is near impossible. Surprisingly though, I don’t think I’d pick one of my main characters, don’t get me wrong, I love each one of them, but I think I would have to choose Elder Robert. As for the reasoning, there is so much more to him than meets the eye. He’s the elder of Daniel’s hometown of Crowley, yet he has seen more of the world and knows more of its secrets than any would believe. He is considered a storyteller, yet there is more truth to his fables than any would ever realise.
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
Not really, although when I am writing, the rest of the world may as well fade to black, all I see before me are the visions of the words I’m writing as they guide my hand.
What does your family think of your work?
My nan and husband, all my family in fact, are so proud of me. My husband has read my book almost as many times as I have, and my father has also read it multiple times. So far, the response from my family, as well as my readers, has been fantastic, so much so that they are already asking when they can see the next one.
How do you deal with writer's block?
At this moment in time, for me, writer’s block is my characters’ way of telling me they aren’t happy with something. It strikes at the beginning of where their discontent occurs and no matter how hard I try, I can’t force my way through, my attention wanders and I have trouble even reading the words. When I realise this is what it is, if I go back and rewrite, be it a section, or a chapter. As soon as the decision is made and I begin I often find myself back on track, and so much happier with the story.
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
Time. At the moment I find myself editing the remaining three books in The Forgotten Legacies Series so they are ready for release. However, in addition to these I have what could be classed as a prequel, which needs to be edited, the story for my next series, and an entirely unrelated series, all wanting to be written. Unfortunately the time I have to write is limited.
Are your characters based on anyone you know?
No, the characters came naturally as part of the story, although I did use the name of my son’s Godfather, Eiji. Although character wise there is no connection, the name itself was a perfect fit for the Elementalist.
What do you do in your spare time to relax?
When I am not writing, I am either reading or gaming. Generally however, I spend most of my spare time reading and reviewing books, especially those written by indie authors.
What do you like to read?
Although I prefer fiction my tastes in books aren’t genre specific. I will read anything that I feel has a good plot and interesting characters. If I were to choose my two favoured genres though, it would have to be fantasy and horror.
Who is your favourite author?
At this moment in time my favourite author is Terry Goodkind, although there are a number of indie authors whose work I will, and have, pre-ordered.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Some of my inspiration comes to me through dreams, some through personal experience which I hope allows me to see things from multiple perspectives and can assist me in adding depth to both worlds and characters, the rest just seems to be character driven as I am writing. Things and events happen which I never expected to, simply because of the characters and their responses to situations guiding the book in that direction. The best example I can give is the ending of Darrienia, it was by no means the one I had planned. Even now I remember looking at what I had written and thinking ‘how the hell did that happen?’
Where are your books available?
My books are available in paperback or Kindle through Amazon, as well as Barnes and Noble and over seventy other online bookstores and over 39,000 retailers and libraries.
Although Herbal Lore is only available as paperback or Kindle, Darrienia is available on other e-book mediums including Kobo, Apple ibooks and Nook.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I am editing The Severaine, which is the second book in The Forgotten Legacies Series, once polished I will edit the remaining books before starting work on either the Prequel or the next series.
Here is how you can find K.J Simmill
Amazon K.J Simmill books
Website Darrienia.com
Twitter @SimmillKj
I'd like to take this last second to thank K.J for the time she took to answer my questions. It's been and honour, and a priviledge, to see inside the head of this up and coming new Indie author, and I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I did. Now why not join me in following K.J, and maybe popping into Amazon and picking up her books.Darrienia
May 28, 2015
An inspiring journey, with inspiring people, and ALL FOR MacMillan Nurses
Hi guys, I'd like to update you on all that's been happening over the last little while. I've been amazingly busy, and I don't think I've used my email as much in the last 10 years as I have in the last few weeks :). But that said, it's been going well
I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating, it's been an honour and a priviledge to be a part of this venture from start to finish. The authors involved hail from far and wide, and even though they are all very talented writers in themselves, they have gone above and beyond on this adventure we've all all been a part of. They have been amazing to work with, and more than a few have become really good friends, which I probably wouldn't have had the chance to know without taking part.
Now I have to remind you we have a Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/yourenotalon... , which will have a pinned post that will lead you here - https://macmillan.tributefunds.com/pa... .
You can show your support by joining the first, and you will be able to see all the proceeds going to MacMillan on the second. Please join us there and see whats been going on.
As you know the book has been titled You're Not Alone, but what you may not know is that you can now pre-order it off Amazon here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Not-Alo... .
By pre-ordering you'll be one of the first in line to recieve a copy, and therefore one of the first in line to review, as well as being one of the first in line to support out treasured MacMillan nurses, who deserve a great big thank you for the hard, emotionally wringing work they do. They deserve our support for all the support they provide for the ones of us that need it the most.
SO COME ON PEOPLE, LET'S GIVE IT TO THEM!
Don't forget 100% of the royalties will be placed into the fund, and MacMillan will recieve every last penny that is earned. What better way to spend your money :), and you'll be getting so many talented authors you're bound to find something you like.
I'll give you a tip... Prepare your coffee/tea, make sure you get a nice quiet seat, and get ready to be carried away :).
Best wishes,
Sallyann.
I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating, it's been an honour and a priviledge to be a part of this venture from start to finish. The authors involved hail from far and wide, and even though they are all very talented writers in themselves, they have gone above and beyond on this adventure we've all all been a part of. They have been amazing to work with, and more than a few have become really good friends, which I probably wouldn't have had the chance to know without taking part.
Now I have to remind you we have a Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/yourenotalon... , which will have a pinned post that will lead you here - https://macmillan.tributefunds.com/pa... .
You can show your support by joining the first, and you will be able to see all the proceeds going to MacMillan on the second. Please join us there and see whats been going on.
As you know the book has been titled You're Not Alone, but what you may not know is that you can now pre-order it off Amazon here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Not-Alo... .
By pre-ordering you'll be one of the first in line to recieve a copy, and therefore one of the first in line to review, as well as being one of the first in line to support out treasured MacMillan nurses, who deserve a great big thank you for the hard, emotionally wringing work they do. They deserve our support for all the support they provide for the ones of us that need it the most.
SO COME ON PEOPLE, LET'S GIVE IT TO THEM!
Don't forget 100% of the royalties will be placed into the fund, and MacMillan will recieve every last penny that is earned. What better way to spend your money :), and you'll be getting so many talented authors you're bound to find something you like.
I'll give you a tip... Prepare your coffee/tea, make sure you get a nice quiet seat, and get ready to be carried away :).
Best wishes,
Sallyann.
May 14, 2015
A lovely review on Amazon
Hi Guys,
Well, I've been so busy this last few days I forgot to pop up another review for Angel's Blood I found on Amazon. With the charity venture beginning to get really moving there have been a lot of things on my mind, and with home life still plodding along...well, I guess you get the picture. You know what it's called...life :). And doesn't it always seem to get in the way of everything else?
You're in the middle of doing something and bam! You have to cook lunch, or the phone rings, or someone knocks on the door. And if you're like me, the first thing that goes through your mind is either "What now?" of "Sh**, really.". Now don't deny it, you know it's true :). All you really want to do is go back to what you were doing.
The real annoying ones are the sales calls. They disturb you, and what for? Just to annoy you thats what. They break your concentration, drag you away from what you're doing, and generally screw things up. And all in the endevours of selling you something you don't want, and never have.
But, I digress. I have another wonderful review from Robert to show you, and here it is...
Beautifully Written 3 May 2015 By Robert Nacke - Published on Amazon.com Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase This is such well written novel that has such a interesting plot that keeps you intrigue from start to finish .The characters are very interesting with so much life in them that you forget you are reading a story .The plot is well thought out by the writer who put great detail in every aspect of it and leave you wanting more when you get to the end!I have read many novels in my days though this one stands out in being one that is such well written one as it is a timeless classic that will be around many years by a writer who is a true master.
What a great review right?
Well, I'm going to leave it there for now, a part of life that I can't escape is calling. It's called sleep :), and thogh I don't get much, I can't do without it :).
Take care, and I'll speak to you soon.
Bye for now,
Sallyann.
Well, I've been so busy this last few days I forgot to pop up another review for Angel's Blood I found on Amazon. With the charity venture beginning to get really moving there have been a lot of things on my mind, and with home life still plodding along...well, I guess you get the picture. You know what it's called...life :). And doesn't it always seem to get in the way of everything else?
You're in the middle of doing something and bam! You have to cook lunch, or the phone rings, or someone knocks on the door. And if you're like me, the first thing that goes through your mind is either "What now?" of "Sh**, really.". Now don't deny it, you know it's true :). All you really want to do is go back to what you were doing.
The real annoying ones are the sales calls. They disturb you, and what for? Just to annoy you thats what. They break your concentration, drag you away from what you're doing, and generally screw things up. And all in the endevours of selling you something you don't want, and never have.
But, I digress. I have another wonderful review from Robert to show you, and here it is...
Beautifully Written 3 May 2015 By Robert Nacke - Published on Amazon.com Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase This is such well written novel that has such a interesting plot that keeps you intrigue from start to finish .The characters are very interesting with so much life in them that you forget you are reading a story .The plot is well thought out by the writer who put great detail in every aspect of it and leave you wanting more when you get to the end!I have read many novels in my days though this one stands out in being one that is such well written one as it is a timeless classic that will be around many years by a writer who is a true master.
What a great review right?
Well, I'm going to leave it there for now, a part of life that I can't escape is calling. It's called sleep :), and thogh I don't get much, I can't do without it :).
Take care, and I'll speak to you soon.
Bye for now,
Sallyann.
May 12, 2015
My PC is out to get me.
Hi guys :). I hope you're all doing well. I can say I've had another busy weekend, which seems to be the story of my life lately, though hopefull it will slow down some in the near future. I have fingers and piggies crossed, so lets hope I'll get that little bit of luck :).
What I find odd is that everytime I get busy, my PC seems to get the opposit. For some reason it's decided to be on go slow, and very often kicks me off the internet, while gleefully telling me it's limited internet access. Now I know it's lying, I have unlimited wifi, so what on earth is going on?
Now I'm sure you remember me telling you I'm a tech idiot, well, that hasn't changed. Yet I find myself sitting here thinking "is this damned thing possessed?" I'm pretty sure it is. Or it could just be trying to annoy me like an irritable child. But I'm more inclined to believe it's out to get me.In the last 3 hours I've been booted out 11 times, and it's taken me 2 hours to do what I usually do in 1 on twitter. Between the booting, and the dragging of feet to find a page, or the waiting a whole minute to do 1 retweet on twitter, I'm beginning to get a comlex. What on earth have I done to annoy the unhappy little hamster who I'm sure resides inside this damned machine somewhere. I'm torn between offering it some cheese and crackers, and trying to cojole its compliance, and tearing the thing apart and showing it my cat to bully it into working well.
Well it does seem I have a third option. I have a friend, who I've mentioned before, a Mr Toby Heyworth, who has graciously offered his time to try and fix it for me, and therefore save said hamsters life. I have to tell you he keeps me sane where the PC is concerned, well after an almost meltdown. But in all fairness that happens before I get to speak to him :). But, after I've spoken to him I find a little calm, and know that once he has found the time I will finally see and end of my battle with the infernal torture device known as a laptop :).
So I bow down to the king of PC repair, who could double as my therapist during my time of war.Now I'm off to venture back into the nightmare fight, and leave you to ponder what kind of presence exactly dwells within a PC, because I'm pretty sure it's not electronics as much as a demon from hell.Bye for now, and best wishes to all,Sallyann.
What I find odd is that everytime I get busy, my PC seems to get the opposit. For some reason it's decided to be on go slow, and very often kicks me off the internet, while gleefully telling me it's limited internet access. Now I know it's lying, I have unlimited wifi, so what on earth is going on?
Now I'm sure you remember me telling you I'm a tech idiot, well, that hasn't changed. Yet I find myself sitting here thinking "is this damned thing possessed?" I'm pretty sure it is. Or it could just be trying to annoy me like an irritable child. But I'm more inclined to believe it's out to get me.In the last 3 hours I've been booted out 11 times, and it's taken me 2 hours to do what I usually do in 1 on twitter. Between the booting, and the dragging of feet to find a page, or the waiting a whole minute to do 1 retweet on twitter, I'm beginning to get a comlex. What on earth have I done to annoy the unhappy little hamster who I'm sure resides inside this damned machine somewhere. I'm torn between offering it some cheese and crackers, and trying to cojole its compliance, and tearing the thing apart and showing it my cat to bully it into working well.
Well it does seem I have a third option. I have a friend, who I've mentioned before, a Mr Toby Heyworth, who has graciously offered his time to try and fix it for me, and therefore save said hamsters life. I have to tell you he keeps me sane where the PC is concerned, well after an almost meltdown. But in all fairness that happens before I get to speak to him :). But, after I've spoken to him I find a little calm, and know that once he has found the time I will finally see and end of my battle with the infernal torture device known as a laptop :).
So I bow down to the king of PC repair, who could double as my therapist during my time of war.Now I'm off to venture back into the nightmare fight, and leave you to ponder what kind of presence exactly dwells within a PC, because I'm pretty sure it's not electronics as much as a demon from hell.Bye for now, and best wishes to all,Sallyann.
May 2, 2015
My Untold Venture for The MacMillan Nurses Charity.
Hi guys!I'm not sure if you remember me telling you about a venture I was involved in that I couldn't tell you about in my last blog, but the time has come to explain what it is I've been involved in. A few other authors, myself included, have been writing short stories for a book. "That's not news", I hear you say. Well, the part that is news is the fact that it's being done for The MacMillan Nurses Charity. I know most of you will know the jobs these nurses do, and it's heart wrenching work. They deal will death, depression, and fear in their patients, as well as dealing with their families. They are the backbone of any cancer patient, and they help them stay strong as well as keep their dignity.
Now I can tell you there are quite a few of us involved, and it's coming along nicely. We are also in contact with a representative from the group itself, and we're hoping it's not going to take much longer before we can publish.
All proceeds, and I mean every last penny, will be going to the charity, and we hope it will continue to give for many years to come, with the possibility of doing another in the future.We have just now started to think of ways in which to get the word about the book out there as far and wide as we possibly can, and we are asking for any help we can get. Being a charity they do not have the funds for any advertising or marketing, so the authors are doing what we can to help get it noticed. So any help you can provide, or any ideas you have for getting the book noticed, whould be greatly appreciated.
Pleased contact me here, or on Twitter at @_SallyannP, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sallyannphil... .
I have to say it's been an honour, and a priviledge, to work with the others involved, as well as to do something for a cause as worthy as this one. Most of us, if not all of us, have had dealings with these nurses at one time or another, so the cause has been very near and dear to our hearts. It's been an amazing experience, and I hope to be involved with the next one when the time comes.
Well, thank you for reading guys, and as I said, if you can help in any way, or give us any direction, then please get in touch.
Best wishes to you all, and stay safe. Sallyann.
Now I can tell you there are quite a few of us involved, and it's coming along nicely. We are also in contact with a representative from the group itself, and we're hoping it's not going to take much longer before we can publish.
All proceeds, and I mean every last penny, will be going to the charity, and we hope it will continue to give for many years to come, with the possibility of doing another in the future.We have just now started to think of ways in which to get the word about the book out there as far and wide as we possibly can, and we are asking for any help we can get. Being a charity they do not have the funds for any advertising or marketing, so the authors are doing what we can to help get it noticed. So any help you can provide, or any ideas you have for getting the book noticed, whould be greatly appreciated.
Pleased contact me here, or on Twitter at @_SallyannP, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sallyannphil... .
I have to say it's been an honour, and a priviledge, to work with the others involved, as well as to do something for a cause as worthy as this one. Most of us, if not all of us, have had dealings with these nurses at one time or another, so the cause has been very near and dear to our hearts. It's been an amazing experience, and I hope to be involved with the next one when the time comes.
Well, thank you for reading guys, and as I said, if you can help in any way, or give us any direction, then please get in touch.
Best wishes to you all, and stay safe. Sallyann.
April 28, 2015
Head Banging Weekend
Hi guys! Well I hope your weekend has started better than mine! I feel like I should be banging my head against the nearest hard surface, and I've no doubt you guys have been in the same frame of mind at one point or another.
My weekend was supposed to be babysitting my 2 year old granddaughter all day Friday, and for a few hours Saturday for my son to work. Not too bad, I hear you say. Well I agree with you. But, what I wasn't expecting was for him to crash his car on Friday, which meant taking him to, and bringing him home from, work on Saturday. Not only that, but it's the worry of him keeping his job. There is no other way for him to get there.And, just to put the icing on the cake, he's your typical 24 year old. What does that mean? I hear you ask. Well, it means his attitude is pretty much "Oh well!".
So we (the parents) are left worrying, and he still laughs and jokes around. I wonder who gets the better part of that deal. The next generation seem to be very laid back, and I honestly can't decide if I think that's a good thing or a bad one.Well, I'm going to leave that one there for now, who knows? I might even have an answer to it one day. I think that might just scare me a little :).I guess that means the weekend can only get better, at least that's what I'm banking on. There will be work in the garden, so let's hope the sun puts in an appearance, and dinner to cook, and I'm pretty sure the list will grow by the time I strike the first item off it :).
Have a great weekend, and I'll check in soon.
Bye for now,Sallyann.
My weekend was supposed to be babysitting my 2 year old granddaughter all day Friday, and for a few hours Saturday for my son to work. Not too bad, I hear you say. Well I agree with you. But, what I wasn't expecting was for him to crash his car on Friday, which meant taking him to, and bringing him home from, work on Saturday. Not only that, but it's the worry of him keeping his job. There is no other way for him to get there.And, just to put the icing on the cake, he's your typical 24 year old. What does that mean? I hear you ask. Well, it means his attitude is pretty much "Oh well!".
So we (the parents) are left worrying, and he still laughs and jokes around. I wonder who gets the better part of that deal. The next generation seem to be very laid back, and I honestly can't decide if I think that's a good thing or a bad one.Well, I'm going to leave that one there for now, who knows? I might even have an answer to it one day. I think that might just scare me a little :).I guess that means the weekend can only get better, at least that's what I'm banking on. There will be work in the garden, so let's hope the sun puts in an appearance, and dinner to cook, and I'm pretty sure the list will grow by the time I strike the first item off it :).
Have a great weekend, and I'll check in soon.
Bye for now,Sallyann.
April 13, 2015
Chasing My Tail.
Hi guys :),I hope you're all ready for the summer, I know I am. It's been a long winter, and it's about time summer showed his face for a while if you ask me.
Now I'm pretty sure I've mentioned a shortage of time before, many moons ago, and I find I still struggle with that. Between my normal daily routines, and FB, Twitter, and my blog, it's hard sometimes to find the time to do what I enjoy the most, writing.
I have an awful tendency to be up until 3 am, and that's just trying to keep up with the normal things.Lately, though, there have been more things I've been doing.
I've got a joint effort in the works, which I can't say anything about just yet. There's book 3, which I've just got a few paragraphs of so far. But then there's a story that I started for said project I can't mention, which is not now for that project, which has taken on a life of it's own and has grown into something in its own right. I'm guessing that will turn into another book, though it will be in no way linked to the Angel's Blood series.
I do have to wonder where I will get the time, as 3 am seems late enough for me, or early enough if you want to look at it that way. So I tried to sit and work out some sort of schedule, and guess what! You got it. It was a no go. I think the only thing I'll be able to do is take one day at a time, or I'll be like the preverbial dog chasing its tail. Getting close, but never quite getting there. Or if I do it's a false catch, so to speak, and the caught tail just slips right on loose. So a day at a time it is for me, let's hope that it'll all work out in the end :).
Well take care, and hang tight. Summer is just around the corner, and everything looks better in the sun, right?
Sallyann.
Now I'm pretty sure I've mentioned a shortage of time before, many moons ago, and I find I still struggle with that. Between my normal daily routines, and FB, Twitter, and my blog, it's hard sometimes to find the time to do what I enjoy the most, writing.
I have an awful tendency to be up until 3 am, and that's just trying to keep up with the normal things.Lately, though, there have been more things I've been doing.
I've got a joint effort in the works, which I can't say anything about just yet. There's book 3, which I've just got a few paragraphs of so far. But then there's a story that I started for said project I can't mention, which is not now for that project, which has taken on a life of it's own and has grown into something in its own right. I'm guessing that will turn into another book, though it will be in no way linked to the Angel's Blood series.
I do have to wonder where I will get the time, as 3 am seems late enough for me, or early enough if you want to look at it that way. So I tried to sit and work out some sort of schedule, and guess what! You got it. It was a no go. I think the only thing I'll be able to do is take one day at a time, or I'll be like the preverbial dog chasing its tail. Getting close, but never quite getting there. Or if I do it's a false catch, so to speak, and the caught tail just slips right on loose. So a day at a time it is for me, let's hope that it'll all work out in the end :).
Well take care, and hang tight. Summer is just around the corner, and everything looks better in the sun, right?
Sallyann.
April 7, 2015
Hybrid Justice gets another 5* Amazon review.
Hi guys,
I just had to drop you a line to let you know there's another 5* review for Hybrid Justice on Amazon. I have to say I was over the moon when I read it, and I thank Ian for taking the time out of his busy day to write it, and place it up for all to see. And now I'd like to show it to you all :), so here it is...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpfulSometimes, I wish I was a werewolf!! By IAN D. MOORE on 31 Mar. 2015Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase It's times like this that I wish I was a werewolf!
I was privileged and fortunate enough to have been given a draft copy of this book shortly after Sallyann completed it. So taken by the first book Angel's Blood was I, that I pressed and pressed for the second instalment and well, what can I say? Having ploughed into the draft I found it equally enthralling. We see the relationship evolve between our lead characters Tavi and Cade, not to mention a healthy measure of romance between other members of the Camden Falls Pack.
What makes this series different from any other werewolf genre book? It's the addition not only of the "angel" element of things, the effect it has upon Tavi's already formidable abilities, but we also have a strong sense of family ties, we have vampires not only as friends but also arch enemies. The storyline will take you through plots, twists and turns and Sallyann's style of writing is one that you simply cannot help but warm to from very early on. There are scenes described that actually take you to the places in your mind. There are times when you could cut the tension with a suitably sharpened silver bladed knife and times when a werewolf could have been sitting next to me while I was reading and I'd have been none the wiser.
I know already that whatever Sallyann does next is going to be worth reading, indeed I'm already waiting for the next book in this series to be written, along with a long list of other people who have discovered her ability for story-telling. The plots, characters and ease with which the story comes to life are all elements that a reader wants from a good book. In this one, just like the first, you'll not be disappointed I can assure you.
Having read a similar genre book by a much more well-established author some time ago, I can honestly say that these two knock spots off that particular one, to the point where on several occasions throughout Hybrid's Justice, I actually kept reading instead of doing what I should have been doing. For me to do that, it has to be a book with bite ... this has plenty of that! Well done Sallyann, no pressure but ummmm, when's book three coming? :)
It sure is a buzz to know that someone is waiting to find out what happens next besides me. I'm never quite sure what the characters will do next, or where they'll go. All I do know is they want to kick some serious butt, so I'm going to have to get started, before the complaining in my head turns to yelling :).
Well thats all today folks, take care and I'll see you soon.
Sallyann.
I just had to drop you a line to let you know there's another 5* review for Hybrid Justice on Amazon. I have to say I was over the moon when I read it, and I thank Ian for taking the time out of his busy day to write it, and place it up for all to see. And now I'd like to show it to you all :), so here it is...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpfulSometimes, I wish I was a werewolf!! By IAN D. MOORE on 31 Mar. 2015Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase It's times like this that I wish I was a werewolf!
I was privileged and fortunate enough to have been given a draft copy of this book shortly after Sallyann completed it. So taken by the first book Angel's Blood was I, that I pressed and pressed for the second instalment and well, what can I say? Having ploughed into the draft I found it equally enthralling. We see the relationship evolve between our lead characters Tavi and Cade, not to mention a healthy measure of romance between other members of the Camden Falls Pack.
What makes this series different from any other werewolf genre book? It's the addition not only of the "angel" element of things, the effect it has upon Tavi's already formidable abilities, but we also have a strong sense of family ties, we have vampires not only as friends but also arch enemies. The storyline will take you through plots, twists and turns and Sallyann's style of writing is one that you simply cannot help but warm to from very early on. There are scenes described that actually take you to the places in your mind. There are times when you could cut the tension with a suitably sharpened silver bladed knife and times when a werewolf could have been sitting next to me while I was reading and I'd have been none the wiser.
I know already that whatever Sallyann does next is going to be worth reading, indeed I'm already waiting for the next book in this series to be written, along with a long list of other people who have discovered her ability for story-telling. The plots, characters and ease with which the story comes to life are all elements that a reader wants from a good book. In this one, just like the first, you'll not be disappointed I can assure you.
Having read a similar genre book by a much more well-established author some time ago, I can honestly say that these two knock spots off that particular one, to the point where on several occasions throughout Hybrid's Justice, I actually kept reading instead of doing what I should have been doing. For me to do that, it has to be a book with bite ... this has plenty of that! Well done Sallyann, no pressure but ummmm, when's book three coming? :)
It sure is a buzz to know that someone is waiting to find out what happens next besides me. I'm never quite sure what the characters will do next, or where they'll go. All I do know is they want to kick some serious butt, so I'm going to have to get started, before the complaining in my head turns to yelling :).
Well thats all today folks, take care and I'll see you soon.
Sallyann.
April 1, 2015
Hybrid Justice: Two 5* reviews
Hi guys,Well it's finally been published :). Hybrid Justice, book 2 of the Angel's Blood series, is on the amazon website, http://tinyurl.com/HybridJustice .It's been up since this morning, and there are two 5* reviews. I am so pleased, and am excited to see where it will lead.
HERE'S ONE...5.0 out of 5 stars Angel's Blood, Hybrid Justice - spoiler free, 30 Mar. 2015By K.J. Simmill "KJ" (uk) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Hybrid Justice (Angel's Blood Book 2) (Kindle Edition)I was so honoured when I was asked if I would be willing to read and review the advanced copy of this work, plus as a big fan of the first I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it.This book, for me, was everything I have already come to expect from this author, well written, involved, gripping and enjoyable. I don't get as much time to read as I would like, but again I couldn't put it down, in fact one night I was still up at 5am reading because I just had to know what happened next.Throughout the book there is the return of previously introduced characters and of course the introduction of new ones. As before I find them well conceived and very real. You can't help but be drawn into their plight and experience their highs and lows. I love how you can see the characters growing and developing, not only from their initial introduction in the first book, but throughout this book as well.Story wise, it continues from a point not too far from the ending of the first book and introduces a multitude of new ideas opened by the author's initial reinvention of the Vampire/ Werewolf creation myth. Of course right at the centre of it is Tavi, trying to fight her way to the truth and protect all she holds dear, whilst uncovering a complex web that spans far beyond anything she may have comprehended following the events of book one.For me book two opened a magnitude of new possibilities. I can't wait to see where the author takes us with the third book given the complex events that have started to unravel to show that things go far deeper than was imagined when we first encountered RB.This series is a must read, it contains so many new concepts that it stands apart from others in the genre and the brilliant characters ensure you, as the reader, are also invested in the story.A brilliant book, an excellent sequel to Angel's blood, that just leaves me begging the question, when is book three coming out?
AND THE OTHER...5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating world of werewolves and vampires 30 Mar. 2015 By Books And Spoons Blog - Published on Amazon.com Format:Kindle Edition Intriguing fantasy, where werewolves and vampires fight for justice, where love, family, and friendships nourish, and trust, hope, loyalty and faith are the key values.The fantasy world the author has created, with amazing details and fine point manners, habits, and culture to the pack just blew me away. It is dark, gloomy, and violent, mixed with the light, love, and frail world of the pack.The tight unity, hierarchy of the pack, the team effort for survival, and love and care for each other was solid. Tavi's adapting to the pack life is not without hiccups, but Cade's patient towards her is commendable, and while he is teaching Tavi about the customs of the pack, the reader gets a great inside of it as well.The love interests within the pack are adorable, and as Tavi and Cade's feelings towards each other grow, yet another new world opens up to Tavi, the world of love, commitment, and passion, not unlike the one she saw in her parents' life.As the rescue of Zack progress, the fights between good and evil increase. They are bloody, violent, and rough. The only survival with Tavi's extraordinary talents.The story flow out so beautifully, and even though I don't usually read paranormal stories, I was pulled into the tale. The intriguing details, characters, and culture were a constant amazement, the action and fights between the two worlds savage and intense. The love, passion and commitment growing between Tavi and Cade was precious and pleasing. The author shows just enough of passion between them, without going into too many detailed acts.Fascinating world of werewolves and vampires, where Tavi's unique qualities and bloodline, gives her, and her pack, an advantage to fight for what's good, right, and just, while adjusting and learning to live with her pack.~ Five Spoons
Thank you so much guys, I truly do appreciate it. Who knew everything would move so fast? Not quite what I expected, but amazing to see.I think it's about time I got started on book 3 now, and Tavi and the Pack are in agreement. They have things to do, and justice to find. Oh! And Bloodbroods and Dark Wolves to take down, as I've been promptly reminded, and they're fed up of me waisting time :).I'm also thinking of a little celebratory something ;), which I'll let you all know about as soon as I do, so stay tuned.Well back to work, and catching up :).Best wishes to you all,Sallyann.
HERE'S ONE...5.0 out of 5 stars Angel's Blood, Hybrid Justice - spoiler free, 30 Mar. 2015By K.J. Simmill "KJ" (uk) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Hybrid Justice (Angel's Blood Book 2) (Kindle Edition)I was so honoured when I was asked if I would be willing to read and review the advanced copy of this work, plus as a big fan of the first I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it.This book, for me, was everything I have already come to expect from this author, well written, involved, gripping and enjoyable. I don't get as much time to read as I would like, but again I couldn't put it down, in fact one night I was still up at 5am reading because I just had to know what happened next.Throughout the book there is the return of previously introduced characters and of course the introduction of new ones. As before I find them well conceived and very real. You can't help but be drawn into their plight and experience their highs and lows. I love how you can see the characters growing and developing, not only from their initial introduction in the first book, but throughout this book as well.Story wise, it continues from a point not too far from the ending of the first book and introduces a multitude of new ideas opened by the author's initial reinvention of the Vampire/ Werewolf creation myth. Of course right at the centre of it is Tavi, trying to fight her way to the truth and protect all she holds dear, whilst uncovering a complex web that spans far beyond anything she may have comprehended following the events of book one.For me book two opened a magnitude of new possibilities. I can't wait to see where the author takes us with the third book given the complex events that have started to unravel to show that things go far deeper than was imagined when we first encountered RB.This series is a must read, it contains so many new concepts that it stands apart from others in the genre and the brilliant characters ensure you, as the reader, are also invested in the story.A brilliant book, an excellent sequel to Angel's blood, that just leaves me begging the question, when is book three coming out?
AND THE OTHER...5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating world of werewolves and vampires 30 Mar. 2015 By Books And Spoons Blog - Published on Amazon.com Format:Kindle Edition Intriguing fantasy, where werewolves and vampires fight for justice, where love, family, and friendships nourish, and trust, hope, loyalty and faith are the key values.The fantasy world the author has created, with amazing details and fine point manners, habits, and culture to the pack just blew me away. It is dark, gloomy, and violent, mixed with the light, love, and frail world of the pack.The tight unity, hierarchy of the pack, the team effort for survival, and love and care for each other was solid. Tavi's adapting to the pack life is not without hiccups, but Cade's patient towards her is commendable, and while he is teaching Tavi about the customs of the pack, the reader gets a great inside of it as well.The love interests within the pack are adorable, and as Tavi and Cade's feelings towards each other grow, yet another new world opens up to Tavi, the world of love, commitment, and passion, not unlike the one she saw in her parents' life.As the rescue of Zack progress, the fights between good and evil increase. They are bloody, violent, and rough. The only survival with Tavi's extraordinary talents.The story flow out so beautifully, and even though I don't usually read paranormal stories, I was pulled into the tale. The intriguing details, characters, and culture were a constant amazement, the action and fights between the two worlds savage and intense. The love, passion and commitment growing between Tavi and Cade was precious and pleasing. The author shows just enough of passion between them, without going into too many detailed acts.Fascinating world of werewolves and vampires, where Tavi's unique qualities and bloodline, gives her, and her pack, an advantage to fight for what's good, right, and just, while adjusting and learning to live with her pack.~ Five Spoons
Thank you so much guys, I truly do appreciate it. Who knew everything would move so fast? Not quite what I expected, but amazing to see.I think it's about time I got started on book 3 now, and Tavi and the Pack are in agreement. They have things to do, and justice to find. Oh! And Bloodbroods and Dark Wolves to take down, as I've been promptly reminded, and they're fed up of me waisting time :).I'm also thinking of a little celebratory something ;), which I'll let you all know about as soon as I do, so stay tuned.Well back to work, and catching up :).Best wishes to you all,Sallyann.
