Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween. I won't be doing much but I know there are a lot of people who go to functions on Halloween so have fun but stay safe. :0)

Interview with Greg Mitchell

Today I have a interview with Greg Mitchell, he is the author of a Christian Horror book called The Coming Evil: The Strange Man, its the first book in a series. It sounds like a very interesting book that I hope to read some day.

Tell me something about yourself that is not in your author bio?


Well, I recently revealed in an interview that I was afraid of chickens, and that seems to provide people with endless entertainment. So, let’s stick with that. On the subject of chickens, I think that fear stems back to when I was really little and my grandparents had a chicken coup. My uncle thought he’d catch one so I could pet it, but he chased it all over the yard and it was squawking and flapping and by time he grabbed it and brought it to me, I was terrified. Then, it didn’t help that that same uncle also had a ceramic cookie jar in the shape of a chicken and every time I reached for it, he’d yell “B-bawk!” So, yeah, thanks, I’m traumatized.

 Christian Horror, to some that sort of sounds like an oxymoron. Do you think this is an accepted genre for Christian Fiction? I know a lot of people especially in my church who would not accept this sort of writing. Though I must admit I am a fan of Christian Horror books.

I think a problem some people have with “horror” is there exists a misconception of the genre. When I say “horror” a lot of people’s minds instantly jump to Friday the 13th or something of that nature. They think of slasher movies with lots of nudity and sex and drugs and just a guy in a scary mask hacking up teenage underwear models with an axe. Lots of guts and exploitation with no redeeming value whatsoever. While, yes, that is a horror movie, it doesn’t define the genre as a whole. Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are all examples of classic literature that have been dissected by scholars, discussed in classrooms, and retold by Hollywood and the publishing industry for ages. Those are horror stories, too. Putting aside the gratuitous elements that are oftentimes in horror, there are some potent truths in a scary story. Fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood are pretty terrifying, and we tell those to children. But the point of telling those stories to kids is to provide them with something scary—but safe—and give them an opportunity to process it. No matter how scary the story might get, at the end, the kid has made it through. They’re still safe, no Big Bad Wolf got them, and they faced that. That’s a powerful experience that, I think, is a necessary part of our adult development. As we grow up, we realize that real life is much scarier than any story, but those stories—yes, even something like Friday the 13th—are a sort of training ground, where we learn to cope with stress and things beyond our control. I think it’s a sort of rite of passage that humanity has shared since cave paintings. Forget Hollywood, tales of bogeymen, vampires, and werewolves exist in every culture in some shape or form. I think that it speaks to a primal urge in all of us to confront our own fears—whether it be our own mortality or just the fear of the Outsider or Unknown—and live to tell the tale. Some of its detractors might say that horror is just “cheap thrills”, but I think that, when it’s at its best (and, I admit, it’s not always), horror addresses some deep need in our lives to face our greatest fears, but in a safe environment. I think, as a Christian, the horror field is ripe for some amazing stories! Christ promised that He would never leave us, nor forsake us. If God is for us, who can be against us? There are some awesome declarations in the Bible to let us know that, as Christians, we have no reason to fear because God is always our shield and our sword. Even in the face of death or great personal loss, we’re never truly defeated. That’s an unconquerable attitude if only, as Christians, we really claim it for our lives. My approach to “Christian Horror” is to put Christians, much like me, with my own hang ups, failures, and misgivings, into a situation against these impossible odds—against terrible monsters. By putting my characters through these frightening situations and watching how they overcome or succumb to these fears, it’s my hope that an audience, whether they consider themselves Christian or not, can draw some sort of insight from that. Or, you know, at the very least be entertained. I’m a firm believer in lots of action and monsters. Though I believe the horror genre is important, it also takes itself too seriously sometimes. I think there’s room for deep soul searching, as well as laughter and warmth, and lots of “popcorn movie” fun.

How did the idea for The Coming Evil: The Strange Man come about?

A lot of different places—really my whole life has been building to this. That sounds corny, but it’s true. It’s just a lifetime of watching fun, scary monster movies and reading comics and telling ghost stories around flashlights. I was that kid who needed to face his fears and pull through unscathed. I realize I could have just taken that inspiration and told a straight up horror story, but the passion for writing a “Christian Horror” story really grabbed hold of me. One of the most iconic images in horror is Van Helsing holding up a cross or a crucifix to ward off Dracula. As a Christian, that’s a really powerful and meaningful scene for me. I always cheer in those moments because I understand, in my own mundane life, how much power God has over the things I fear and face and it’s exciting to see my faith represented in such a cool, “take that, monster!” sort of way. “The Strange Man” was born out of the idea to use that concept—that people of faith could tap into that faith in order to stand against monsters. I grew up in a lot of very conservative, “old time” Baptist churches. Lots of ritual and “we’ve always done it that way”, and yeah, a lot of times, church seemed stale and boring to me. But then I’d read the Bible and the accounts of ordinary people laying their life on the line for what they believed in and how God came through in dramatic, miraculous ways. The Bible excites me, but it’s been my experience that so many who sit on a church pew have hardly cracked it open to see what kind of dynamic life Christianity can be. “The Strange Man”—and by extension the whole “The Coming Evil Trilogy”—is about a lot of different things, but one of the themes at its core is discovering your faith on your own. We’re sort of handed the beliefs and the morals and the practices of our parents or the generation before us, and, for good or bad, we usually take them at face value. Eventually, we need to question those beliefs and say “What’s good about this? What’s bad? What’s true and what’s just tradition?” That’s the journey of the characters and the author as he was writing it.

Could you let us in on a little bit about what is coming next in the series?

It’s longer, for starters. I can’t say much without giving away “The Strange Man”, but the next installment is all about dealing with the fallout of what happens in the first book. A lot more information about Greensboro and its monsters are revealed. I’m actually about to turn in my draft to the editor, and I’ve just added some mythology reveals that I’d been saving for Book Three. Kind of surprised me, but I felt that, if people stick around for Book Two, they should get a little more bang for their buck. Book Two is titled “Enemies of the Cross” and it’s a lot more of an introspective story. In “The Strange Man”, the demons are very physical, slobbery guys with long teeth and claws, but in “Enemies”, while those slobbery monsters are still around, I think the greater threat are the demons of the personal variety. For that reason, it’s a darker story. Grittier and a lot more personal. The book deals with facing your past and coming to terms with your own dark side. Other than that, more monsters. More action. More everything. It wouldn’t be a “The Coming Evil” book without copious amounts of carnage, chase scenes, and maybe an explosion.

 Besides this series do you have anything else you are working on?

I’m currently the writer for the fifth installment in Cloud Ten Pictures’ popular “Apocalypse” film franchise. It’s an End Times thing, but with a healthy dose of sci-fi tech, psychic phenomenon, and demonic possession. When I tell people about it, I explain it as sort of sci-fi B-movie look at the Book of Revelation. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve been a fan of the series for many years, and, like most fans of series, I feel really protective of the characters so it’s been an incredible rush to take a crack at telling another one of their adventures. Other than that, dodging chickens, with their inverted legs and beady, soulless eyes.

Where could my readers find you on the web?

Come visit me at http://www.thecomingevil.blogspot.com/!

BTT: Halloween edition

In honor of Halloween this weekend:

What reading skeletons do you have in your closet? Books you’d be ashamed to let people know you love? Addiction to the worst kind of (fill in cheesy genre here)? Your old collection of Bobbsey Twin Mysteries lovingly stored behind your “grown-up” books? You get the picture … come on, confess!

Well I must confess that I really don't mind anyone looking to see what I am reading even if its middle grade or adult. If I want to read it I will read it. The only thing I think some people, mainly those at my church might not like to see that I have a huge collection of Steven King books. They don't approve of horror books but I can't help but liking them. :) Other than that I have nothing to hid! :0)

What about you?

Reveiw of Don't Look Back

Don't Look Back by Lynette Eason
Pages: 327
Publisher: Revell

Twelve years ago, forensic anthropologist Jamie Cash survived a brutal kidnapping, torture, and rape. After years of therapy, she has made a life for herself--though one that is haunted by memories of her terrifying past. She finally lets herself get close to a man, FBI agent Dakota Richards, when signs start appearing that point to one frightening fact--her attacker is back and ready to finish the job he started all those year ago. Can she escape his grasp a second time? And will she ever be able to let down her guard enough to find true love? Filled with heart-stopping suspense, gritty realism, and a touch of romance, Don't Look Back is the second book in the WOMEN OF JUSTICE series.


Lynette Eason has another great Christian Suspense novel in Don't Look Back! I have been a big fan of hers since she started writing Steeple Hill Suspense and it is always great to see her expand into bigger, greater novel length stories.

I am a huge fan of the series on TV Bones, so just the fact that Jamie is a forensic anthropologist made me want to read the book. Jamie has had a hard life she was attacked and kidnapped by a psychopath, and lived to tell about it. She turned her tragedy into a great success story by becoming who she is today, the forensic anthropologist.

FBI Special agent Dakota Richards is in love with Jamie even though they have never been on a date. He can never seem to get past the huge barrier she has built up around herself. It is not until he learns that she was attacked years ago does he start to understand why she has barriers, but he is still determined to break them down.

Jamie likes Dakota, but she just doesn't really think she can let go of the past and let her barriers down to try and find love. Right when she decided to try and take a chance things start happening over again. Her attacker is back and this time he wants to finish the job.

Don't Look Back is a great romantic suspense story that will have you wrapped up until you finish it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes light romantic suspense.

Special thanks to Revell for giving me this book to review.

Interview with Dan Poblocki, plus a giveaway!

Please welcome Dan Poblocki to my blog. He is going to talk about his book  The Nightmarys. It was a very interesting book so I have decided to giveaway a copy. :)

Tell me something unique about yourself that your author bio does not.

I went to Syracuse University where I studied theater, which was a huge influence on me becoming a writer. That school was not my first choice though. I actually got into the Rhode Island School of Design, and almost studied art. I often wonder what I'd be doing if I'd chosen the art path instead of theater... Who knows!?

Do you get haunted by any of your stories?

When I actually sit down and write, I do get a little bit freaked out. If I'm in the middle of a scary scene and the phone rings or someone knocks on my door, I've been known to jump out of my chair. I feel like the word 'haunted' implies a lingering or continuous fear, and that has not happened to me when it comes to the stories I tell. I think one of the reasons I write scary stories is to dispel those fears, to not feel haunted.

Where did the storyline for The Nightmarys come from?

Many, many places. The idea for the Nightmarys themselves came from a dream I had about encountering a large group of creepy girls wearing white dresses. I knew that the story would touch upon how people use fear to manipulate others. That was the seed; the story and characters grew out of that seed. When I started writing The Nightmarys, I was noticing more and more that politicians and corporations were using fear tactics to force people to react to policies and even advertisements in a certain way. I think this is still true. People use fear as a weapon (or at least a tool for manipulation). I think it's a cruel and cheap way to get what you want.

What sort of research goes into creating a scary story? Does the ancient artifact talked about in The Nightmarys really exist?

I think the same kind of research goes into creating a scary story as for creating any kind of story. I tend to surround myself with real and significant details that may or may not influence the book. For this book, I spent some time wandering around the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where they have several jawbones of ancient humans on display. I used to live across the street from the Brooklyn Museum of Art and spent many afternoons looking at beautiful paintings. I even took a trip to the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia (which is a museum filled with medical oddities), so I could see their specimen jars. I wanted to get a sense of how artifacts were shown there and in what ways they were described to visitors. I visited New England, near Providence, RI (where I was born!), and Fall River Massachusetts. These trips influenced how I created the city of New Starkham. As for the artifact in the Nightmarys... no, it doesn't exist... I hope...

What are you currently reading? Who is your favorite author?

At this very moment, I'm reading Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, and I'm loving it. Other favorites this year have been Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey, Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga, and Going Bovine by Libba Bray. My favorite author is Neil Gaiman. I'm kind of obsessed actually... He's so talented.

 Are you currently working on anything new that you could share about?

I'm writing a mystery series which will be published by Scholastic in 2011. The series is called The Mysterious Four, and the first book is titled Hauntings and Heists. It's about a group of four kids who solve mysteries in a small Hudson Valley town called Moon Hollow. The series is going to be a lot of fun--lots of opportunities for the reader to solve the clues along with the characters. I'm very excited about it.

Now for a giveaway! I am going to giveaway a copy of The Nightmarys via book depository so this can be international as long as your country is one of those that they cover under free shipping.

To Enter:

Leave a comment with your email address

Ends: Nov. 19h

Review of Lady of Hay

Lady of Hay: Two Women, Eight Hundred Years, and the Destiny They Share by Barbara Erskine
Pages: 592
Publisher: Sourcebook

With a story as mesmerizing as it is chilling, Lady of Hay explores how Jo, a journalist investigating hypnotic regression, plunges into the life of Matilda, Lady of Hay-who lived eight hundred years earlier. As she learns of Matilda's unhappy marriage, her troubled love for Richard de Clare, and the brutal treatment she received from King John, it seems that Jo's past and present are hopelessly entwined. Centuries later, a story of secret passion and unspeakable treachery is about to begin again-and she has no choice but to brave both lives if she wants to shake the iron grip of history.

Though I am not one that really believes in past lives, I am aware that those types of things make for a good story. Its also a good way for a story to use both history and present day to intertwine a great story about a historic figure.

Lady of Hay is a dramatic story of Joanna who is researching hypnotic regression (which I am not sure I believe in either) and as she researches this she decided to let them put her under hypnosis. While under hypnosis Jo becomes Matilda. Matilda is a young lady from the 12th century and her life a mixture of emotions.

Matilda's husband William is not really nice, King John feels he can do what he wants with her, and Richard de Clare is the only man who really loves and understand her. Joanna has a life not to far away from Matilda's as she has a group of men who think they know what is best for her but she is not married to any of them and Jo is pretty head strong, but with each man thinking they know whats best for her she finds her self confused and overwhelmed and sometimes she has a hard time distinguishing between herself and Matilda at times.

It was a interesting story about two different centuries, but two women who where a lot alike, although I don't really believe in reincarnation, past life stuff it was still a interesting story and if you like historical/modern storytelling then I think you would like this book.

     I recieved this book from Sourcebook for review.

Review of In The Arm's of Mr. Darcy

In The Arm's Of Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan
Pages: 384
Publisher: Sourcebook

If only everyone could be as happy as they are...


Darcy and Elizabeth are as much in love as ever-even more so as their relationship matures. Their passion inspires everyone around them, and as winter turns to spring, romance blossoms around them.
Confirmed bachelor Richard Fitzwilliam sets his sights on a seemingly unattainable, beautiful widow; Georgiana Darcy learns to flirt outrageously; the very flighty Kitty Bennet develops her first crush, and Caroline Bingley meets her match.

But the path of true love never does run smooth, and Elizabeth and Darcy are kept busy navigating their friends and loved ones through the inevitable separations, misunderstandings, misgivings, and lovers' quarrels to reach their own happily ever afters...


Okay so I have tried reading these knock off's of Jane Austen novels and I think I have come to the conclusion that they are just not for me. Though the only ones I have tried have been Sharon Lathan's I just can't seem to get into the this is what happens after the happily ever afters. I also don't think that a book is held to the depth of Jane Austen when they put sex in the book every time you turn around. I understand that they are still considered newlyweds even though its been a year and they have a child now, but still, its not something I think Jane Austen would have thrown into her readers faces all the time.

I think my favorite character out of the whole book was Col. FitzWilliam, it was very nice to read more about his character than it was the main characters. I just felt that this book read just like the other book I read from Lathan and didn't really give me much depth of characters or feel like I was in a Jane Austen book. Maybe I am looking at things the wrong way but its how I feel. I know a lot of people love the Jane Austen knock off's but I just think they are not for me. So I think its best that I not try anymore because I hate not liking a book.

Thanks to Sourcebook for giving me a ARC to review.

Update: Under the weather :(

Right now I have a horrible stomach flu and can very sit up because it makes me sick. I just don't have the umph to blog right now, but as soon as I am feeling better I will be back full speed ahead!!

found out that my so called stomach flu was a extremely infected gall bladder and I had to emergency surgery. Was in the hostital 5 days so I am still recovering and it will be awhile before I am back to full blogging capasity. I will be back though!!

Read-a-thon wrap up.

Hey everyone, I had a lot of fun doing the read-a-thon. I think I have learned what I am going to do differently next time to be a little more prepared. I only made it through only one book. And read a bit of some other books, since I just couldn't find myself getting into anything later on in the night.  I also didn't make it through the whole 24hrs I fell asleep around the 19th hr. :) What can I say reading makes me sleepy. :)

I enjoyed the various mini challenges that I entered and learned about some new things, like audibles.com.
I even one a cool prize pack for leaving a comment on the read-a-thon page! So I am super excited to get my books in the mail. :)

Over all I enjoyed myself! :0)

Read-a-thon: Hr 15 challenge

Updates:

I have finished The Harrowing and it wasn't to bad actually. Now I am trying Dracula: The Undead but I think it might be a little to dry for this time of night trying to stay awake so I might change to The Mediator: Shadowland or Jaws.

Reading Through Life has put together the challenge for the 15th hour.

I have never used Wordle before but it was very fun putting together this challenge. We had to use either a review or a discussion that we have on our blogs. I used my review of Out For Blood by Alyxandra Harvey and I think it looks pretty cool...LOL

Read-a-thon: Mid Event Meme

Whew, we are half way there and my butt is getting really sore from sitting around all day..LOL I might have to do some reading standing up, or maybe try it on my elliptical..he he.

So now its time for the Mid Event Meme:

1. What are you reading right now? Dracula: The Un-Dead


2. How many books have you read so far? 1 :( The Harrowing

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Trying to get threw another book.

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? No

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Yes, I have had a few. First dad wanted to take me to breakfast (not that I am complaining..lol), then he came back later with a bookshelf  that he found while looking for a dog house..lol. Now, can I fault him for finding me a shelf and interrupting things..nope. Then there are my dogs, they are like kids in a lot of ways..lol. They want attention.

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? I am enjoying some of the mini challenges.

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No not really.

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Pick smaller books to read..LOL Maybe throw some kids books in there so I feel like I read a lot...hehehe.

9. Are you getting tired yet? Eyes are getting a little tired. Really glad to have leaned about audible.com today because next year I think I am going to add at least one audio book so I can let my eyes have a break.

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Only tip I think I can give is just from experience. Try to pick some light reads, or short books. If you pick to many hard reads and long books you get discouraged because your not getting as far as you might like to in the read-a-thon.
 
Well back to reading.

Read-a-thon: Hrs 1-5, 6-7 Update

Well I am not doing as well as I would have liked. My dad called me this morning and wanted to have breakfast so I went out with him and that took a couple hours. So off to a poor start and I know I will have some more invasions into my reading as the day goes on, but oh well that's life.

The good thing is  the book I am currently reading The Harrowing is starting to pick up a little I was afraid I was going to have to put it aside but I am going to give it some more attention in hopes that it does get better. One thing I have learned when doing a read-a-thon you can't stick with a boring book and expect to get much reading done so you must push them aside and hope the next book is better. :)

The fourth hour activity is to show off some of your books. I have two pictures one is my immediate TBR pile and the other I need to shuffle through because some I have read and some I haven't. The ones I have read I need to get rid off since I have no room..LOL. I was going to take another picture but my cameras batteries died. Oh well. :)

UPDATE:

Well The Harrowing is starting to get pretty good I am on page 128. I really wish I was a faster reader as I would love to get it finished so I could start something else..LOL I wish I could read a book in a hour or two like some..sighs.

Mini Challenge for the 7th hour!

My challenge to you (if you choose to accept it) is to write a post sharing some of the sites from your books, or some facts about the place where your books are set. It could be books that you are reading for readathon, or books you have read recently, or some of your favourite books ever.

I haven't gotten to this book yet but its on my list. Its called Dracula: The Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker. One of the reasons I want to read it is because it has that old Dracula feel. Talks about Transylvania, Romania which is one place I would dearly love to go. Since the first time I read about Dracula I have always wanted to go visit it. I know Romania has some great history and I would love to visit all the castles, but the one I want to go to the most is the castle of Vlad, the impaler. He is where everyone things that Bram Stoker got his idea for Dracula!

I found a sign of a place I would just have to eat at if I went to Romania, Vlad's castle and the Romanian Palace at night. :)


Well its back to reading!

Dewey's Readathon!: The line up

Wow, this readathon snuck up on me. I thought it was next weekend..ugh. Oh well, its not like I had a lot planned for tomorrow anyway...lol. 

Okay so here is my line up, I am going to post more books that I can actually read in a day because I am a slow reader but I would rather have to many than not enough listed. :)

Today I just stared Meg Cabot's Mediator series book one: Shadowland so far its pretty good at least its holding my interest. :) I have also started The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff, but the beginning is a bit slow, but I am going to give it another try.

Since I am trying to do a lot of Halloween inspired reads this month the other ones I have to read are:

Dracula: The Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Stray by Rachel Vincent

And even though I know I won't get through all of those I have a back up book I just bought. I guess you might call it a modern classic since it was written in 1974 and its movies have been scaring people for years. I thought it might be a fun read.JAWS by Peter Benchley. :-)


What are you going to read?

Its a Blog Hop!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! Hosted by Crazy-For-Books.


Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

This week's question comes from Suko who blogs at Suko's Notebook.

What's your favorite beverage while reading or blogging, if any? Is it tea, coffee, water, a glass of wine, or something else?

I guess I never really gave that much thought. I don't think I really have a favorite beverage that I drink when I am reading. Usually its just what ever is in the house, juice, water, soda, kool-aid, etc.