Writing the Paranormal Novel

Author: Steven Harper

ISBN: 1-59963-134-2

Publisher: Writers Digest Books


Click Here To Purchase Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

Writing the Paranormal Novel is an excellent guide not only for writing a paranormal story, but it is also useful for writing fiction.

The book is broken into four parts: Gathering the Elements, Summoning the Characters, Casting the Words, and Banishing the Book. It covered lots more than I expected.

Not only does author Steven Harper go over the basics on how to add elements of paranormal and keeping it real, but he also touches base on important topics such as: How to present yourself when researching, interviews, clichés, writing believable fight scenes and flashbacks, and how to avoid two-dimensional protagonist and antagonists. Each chapter is very detailed and easy to follow. Great techniques and exercises for weaving supernatural elements into your story.

A nice little bonus is added in the last two chapters. In chapter 14, The Reality, he talks about the publishing world, what expect and strategies for getting published. He also shows you how to deal with scams, criticism, queries, rejections, pitch sessions and more. In the final chapter, Destruction and Creation, he shares how to build your career with a little hard work.

All in all, this book is packed to the rim with lots of great tips and info. Whether you're thinking about writing a paranormal novel or just want to learn more about writing, this book has it all.

A great read for aspiring novelists. Especially paranormal novelists.

Steven Harper Piziks was born in Saginaw, Michigan, but he moved around a lot. Currently he lives with his wife and three sons near Ann Arbor, Michigan. His novels include In the Company of Mind and Corporate Mentality, both science fiction published by Baen Books. Writing as Steven Harper for Roc Books, he has produced The Silent Empire series. He's also written movie novelizations and books based on Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and The Ghost Whisperer.

Mr. Piziks currently teaches English in southeast Michigan. When not writing, he plays the folk harp, dabbles in oral storytelling, and spends more time on-line than is probably good for him.

Reviewed by Martha Ramirez of Bookpleasures

Click Here To Purchase Writing the Paranormal Novel: Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements Into Your Story.

The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers

Author: Donald Maass


ISBN: 978-1582979908

Publisher: Writers Digest Books

Click Here To Purchase The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers

Veteran agent, Donald Maass has put together another valuable book for writers. I'm not surprised. If you've read any of his writing books, then you know it's some serious stuff for serious writers. A must-have for fiction writers of all levels.

If you're determined to learn how to be a breakout novelist, this is the book for you. This comprehensive writing reference can help whether you're ready to submit or are just now learning the craft. Donald's words of wisdom will lead you every step of the way.

The spiral bound formatting allows for trouble-free access and the practical tools section shows you how to add larger-than-life qualities—an excellent guide to apply toward a work in progress or a completed manuscript.

The Breakout Novelist includes three parts: Mastering Breakout Basics, Achieving Breakout Greatness, Building a Breakout Career. You'll learn about setting, description, plot, character, agents, contracts, and much more. The list is endless.

The book contains invaluable material from four of his bestselling books, Writing the Breakout Novel, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook, The Fire in Fiction, and The Career Novelist, plus updated content.

How awesome is that?

Top New York literary agent, Donald Maass has more than thirty years' experience in the publishing industry. This is one easy-to-use reference you do not want to miss. Guaranteed.

Donald Maass is president of the Donald Maass Literary Agency in New York, which he founded in 1980. He represents more than 100 fiction writers in the SF, fantasy, crime, mystery, romance and thriller categories. He sells more than 100 novels per year to top publishers in America and overseas. Recently he has obtained six- and seven-figure advances from publishers such as Warner, Ballantine, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Harcourt Brace, Penguin Canada and others for authors like mystery writer Anne Perry, thriller writer Gregg Keizer, historical novelist Jack Whyte and science fiction writers Diane Duane and Todd McCaffrey.

He the author of more than 16 novels. Some of his writing books include: The Career Novelist (Heineman, 1996), Writing the Breakout Novel (Writers Digest Books, 2001), The Breakout Novel Workbook (Writer’s Digest Books, 2004) and The Fire in Fiction (Writer’s Digest Books, 2009). He is a past president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc. (AAR). Mr.Maass speaks at writer's conferences throughout the country and lives in New York City.

Click Here To Purchase The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers

I've got a really special treat for you all! By accident I came across a link that Donald has up on Writer's Digest. It's an amazing PDF. Extremely useful. It gives you a taste of what the book is all about. But most importantly, it will help you become that breakout novelist you always dreamed to be.

For an interview and worksheets from The Breakout Novelist click HERE and you'll see what I am talking about. You do not want to miss it!

How to Marry a Duke

HOW TO MARRY A DUKE is a fabulous read! An enchanting historical romance full of wit and charm and lots of emotion.

Author Vicky Dreiling has created believable characters and a fascinating plot.


A very promising debut with a knockout ending. I very much enjoyed reading. Way to go, Vicky!

Buy How to Marry a Duke at Amazon HERE

To read an excerpt or learn more about Vicky Dreiling visit her website HERE

Amazing Crayon Drawing With Lee Hammond

Author: Lee Hammond

ISBN: 978-1440308109

Publisher: North Light Books


Click Here To Purchase Amazing Crayon Drawing With Lee Hammond: Create Lifelike Portraits, Pets, Landscapes and More

Amazing Crayon Drawing with Lee Hammond is truly amazing! I was in complete awe studying every illustration in this book. Lee Hammond is extraordinary talented yet humble enough to share her techniques and what works best for her.


In this book best-selling author Lee Hammond demonstrates how to create realistic drawings using wax crayons. Magnificent drawings I might add. With Hammond's easy step-by-step drawing guide, you will learn how to create lifelike landscapes, animals, people, flowers and many more.


You will discover how to create brilliant color and burnishing techniques, along with simple blending and layering skills. Each colorful page is very fascinating to look at and simple to comprehend. Lee obviously took her time to break up each demonstration in an easy to follow format.


Hammond touches base on graphing and how to use a grid to achieve that true-to-life masterwork. The plastic grid in the back of the book is a big plus and very helpful.

Amazing Crayon Drawing with Lee Hammond is an awesome learning tool for those who yearn to create vivid imagery. Regardless of any age I can assure you, you will find this book captivating and very inspirational. It's unbelievable the masterpieces you can create with a simple medium such as a crayon.


Crayons, they're not just for kids anymore.


Remarkable! Two big thumbs up.

Reviewed by Martha Ramirez of Bookpleasures


Lee Hammond, author of Amazing Crayon Drawing With Lee Hammond: Create Lifelike Portraits, Pets, Landscapes and More, has been a professional illustrator and instructor for more than 30 years. She has been an author for North Light Books since 1994 and has published over twenty titles.


She is a certified police composite artist and is on call for the Kansas City Metro Area police departments as well as TV's America's Most Wanted.


She has illustrated many of the NASCAR drivers, selling prints on QVC and NASCAR and on her website. Many of her art creations can be purchased from her online art gallery. She continues to add new art on a regular basis.


Lee's passion is and always will be teaching, and she currently teaches workshops full time nationally and internationally. She divides her time between Kansas City and Naples, Florida.


Click Here To Purchase Amazing Crayon Drawing With Lee Hammond: Create Lifelike Portraits, Pets, Landscapes and More

Review for The Drawing Breakthrough Book 3rd edition

Author: John Hastings

ISBN: 978-0-9826202-8-1

Publisher: Draw 3 Lines Publishing

Click Here To Purchase The Drawing Breakthrough Book: Drawing Made Easier for Everyone


The Drawing Breakthrough Book (3rd edition) is an excellent guide for both new and seasoned illustrators. The spiral bound format allows for easy access without any struggles in propping the book up while participating in the exercises.

The book includes three parts, a conclusion and a list of recommended reading. In Part One you will learn the magic of seeing lines and shapes, how to build a drawing from the line up, and ways to draw challenging subjects using just lines.


In Part Two, author John Hastings will direct you on how to use your sense of balance as you create points of reference. In this section of the book you will discover how to master circular, straight, elliptical lines and much more.

In the final segment in The Drawing Breakthrough Book (3rd edition) you will discover how to draw beyond the building-block lines and learn to see an eye for artistic composition. Mr. Hastings includes still-life drawing exercises allowing you an opportunity to apply all new skills learned.

Each and every illustration and artwork provides clarity to the easy to follow instructions. Every paragraph is precisely placed in a simple to read format. The Drawing Breakthrough Book (3rd edition) is an interesting and enjoyable read. A very helpful guide for any person wanting to learn a few tricks of the trade.

Reviewed by Martha Ramirez of Bookpleasures


Frustrated with the drawing lessons he was taking in 1998 John Hastings began simplifying the process of learning to draw. He was motivated by his belief that there was a missing link in the usual approach. Influenced by the writings of positive reinforcement trainer Karen Pryor, he became fascinated with the possibilities for breaking drawing skills into small, achievable steps. In The Drawing Breakthrough Book, he combines years of research and experimentation with his passion for drawing to create a unique system for learning how to draw.

Mr. Hastings has earned a bachelor's degree in liberal arts, an associate degree in electronics, and a certificate in technical communications. He has also been a tennis and guitar instructor, as well as a ballroom dance teacher's assistant.


Click Here To Purchase The Drawing Breakthrough Book: Drawing Made Easier for Everyone

Review for BROOMSTICKS

Authors': Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker

ISBN : 978-1-935290-14-8

Publisher: Diversion Press, Inc.



Click Here To Purchase Broomsticks

Broomsticks will take you on an unforgettable, magical journey. It's a children's story about a special friendship and a magic you find in just being yourself. An engaging story guaranteed to charm you.

Nine-year-old Pocky McQuire knows she's different but has no idea why—not until she attends a school for gifted students. There she meets a strange boy with a goatee. From the moment she meets him, she knows he's different. Stamp (the strange boy) wants nothing to do with Pocky. Nothing to do with anyone mortal.

After learning a few things about him, Pocky hopes to become friends as she yearns for him to teach her a few tricks of the trade.

Turns out Stamp is a little more gifted than she expected. But, Stamp is a sorcerer who doesn't need a novice. Suddenly she doesn't feel as alone in the world. Levitating books and freezing angry dogs in their tracks doesn't seem so bad after all.

But will it take a special kind of magic to bring these two similar souls together?

Broomsticks is an enchanting tale sure to entertain all ages.

Reviewed by Martha Ramirez of Bookpleasures

Katherine (Katie) McHugh Parker was born in Maysville, Kentucky on October 7, 1974 to Etta Molton McHugh and the late John Michael (Jack) McHugh. She graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Maysville. She received her Associate in Arts Degree from Maysville Community College, her BA in Elementary Education and MA in Elementary Guidance Counseling at Morehead State University. In 1997 she began teaching at St. Patrick's School, where she currently teaches 4th grade. She resides in Maysville with her husband Ricky and their daughter Sophia. It was in 2000 that her uncle Sean McHugh, a cartoonist and caricature artist at Disney World, offered her the opportunity to collaborate on a project to turn his comic strip "Broomsticks" into a children's chapter book. Diversion Press picked up the manuscript in 2009. It was released in October 2010.

FOX 19 interview with authors: Sean McHugh and Katie McHugh Parker


Click Here To Purchase Broomsticks

The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle

Author: Dan Bodenstein

Illustrator: Brian C. Krumm
Publisher: Totem Tales Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9843228-0-0


Click Here To Purchase The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle



The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle is a fabulous and colorful story about a young sea turtle named Eartha who finds help in the last place she expects.



Based on a true story, the tale starts off as Eartha enjoys a swim but swims into something she had never seen before. The more she tries to get out of the tangled mess, the more it takes a hold of her. Pleading help from her fellow sea friends, they all try to release her but unfortunately the mess happens to be much bigger and stronger then all of them put together.


If nobody from the sea can help her, who can?


Sad and alone, fear sets in as Eartha searches for hope and the will to survive, but how could she if all of her friends can't help her? Mr.Crab's claws aren't sharp enough. Squid's tentacles aren't mighty enough. Not even a lobster or a clam can help.


Later that night Eartha stares at the moon in hopes of becoming free. Only a miracle can save her now. She notices the moon getting bigger and bigger. And then the whole sea around her lights up.


In the end there is a happily ever after and Eartha is swept away by somebody who cares. Somebody she least expects.
With vivid illustrations and a fantastic storyline, children will learn the importance of helping animals who may become injured due to man's negligence. This colorful tale makes for an interesting and educational read—a great reminder not only for children but adults as well.


And the story behind the story is just icing on the cake.


The book also includes a useful Parents' page that directs you to a sea turtle webpage. A sure win for both boys and girls.


Two thumbs up!

Reviewed by Martha Ramirez of Bookpleaures

To learn more about the author and Eartha click HERE

Click Here To Purchase The Tale of Eartha the Sea Turtle

Kidnap & Ransom by Michelle Gagnon

Author Michelle Gagnon has created an adventurous story with superb characterization—lots of tension and suspense. Kidnap & Ransom is about a world's foremost negotiator who is snatched by a ruthless drug cartel in Mexico.

A very talented writer with very promising stories to tell.

Buy on Amazon HERE


Learn more about Michelle Gagnon: http://michellegagnon.com/

Kidnap & Ransom summary:


When the world's foremost kidnap and ransom negotiator is snatched by a ruthless drug cartel, Jake Riley becomes ensnared in the effort to save him. But he's up against Los Zetas, an elite paramilitary organization renowned for its ferocity and skill. Now he and his colleagues must navigate the dark underbelly of Mexico, from raging street wars to perilous jungles, in an effort to rescue him before time runs out.


After nearly losing her life on her last case, FBI Agent Kelly Jones may never do fieldwork again. Determined to regain her confidence, she joins Jake on his mission—and quickly realizes she's in over her head. Then in the slums of Mexico City, she encounters a former nemesis who's enacting a nightmarish ritual on the weak and vulnerable. Now she has one last, desperate shot to prove herself—by taking down a killer.

Review for Jen and the Frosted Friends

Title: Jen and the Frosted Friends
Author's Name: Kerry sparks
ISBN number: 978-1-4520-5349-3
Publisher: AuthorHouse

Click here to purchase Jen and the Frosted Friends (Book #2 Of The Get Frosted Series)

Jen and the Frosted Friends is a fun and fabulous read. The second book in the Get Frosted series is written in the perspective of fifth grader, Jennifer Logan. A must read for girls entering their adolescent years! Pre-teens are going to love Jen and all of her "frosted" friends. Glitter and cute boys? What more can you ask for?
Readers of all ages can relate to Jenn's hopes and fears but most of all they will enjoy the tween humor and Jennifer's adventure in dealing with her every day pre-teen life. Everyone could use a friend like Jen.
Not only is Jen and the Frosted Friends an entertaining read but author Kerry Sparks weaves in a great lesson learned without disturbing the storyline—a message worth learning.


Reviewed by Martha Ramirez

Fifth grade is the best for Jennifer, Rebecca, Pamela and Sammie. Their teacher, Mrs. Fern, is as sweet as pie, the boys are extra cute this year, and, between the girls, the glitter supply is strong. The girls use so much glitter, the principal calls them "The Frosted Friends" All is well until mean old substitute, Mrs. Frost, comes along. Jen and Becca already had to have Mrs. Frost for fourth grade, and Mrs. Frost is supposed to be retired! Mrs. Frost is back, and she's as mean as ever. She's making the girls write sentences and confiscating glitter! Everyone seems to think Mrs. Frost is the pits, except for Jen's classmate "Frowning Francesca" Clearwater. She's the only one smiling for once. Will Mrs. Frost pass the girls on to the sixth grade, or are they destined to stay in the fifth grade forever!


About the Author
Kerry Sparks is the creator of the Get Frosted tween series. Make sure to get Book #1, "Frost Bites" for your pre-teen girl. Kerry Sparks is a former teacher, professional nanny and writer for tweens. She currently resides in Houston, TX. Become a fan on Facebook. Search KerrySparksfans!

Click here to purchase Jen and the Frosted Friends (Book #2 Of The Get Frosted Series)

Night Star by Alyson Noel

Author: Alyson Noël

ISBN: 0-312-59098-9
Publisher: St.Martin's Griffin
Click Here To Purchase Night Star (The Immortals)

The highly anticipated Night Star is the fifth book in the installment of the Immortal series. With one last book left in the series (due out in summer of 2011) it is no wonder how Alyson Noël's Immortal series has 2 million copies in print. It is addictive, riveting, and an experience you'll never forget.

In this epic love story Ever and Damen confront angry rivals and envious friends. Their biggest goal—to be together forever. After struggling for centuries to be together, Ever and Damen combat one final face-off. But will they ever find the antidote that will allow them to be together? And as if that wasn't a challenge on its own, Haven causes turmoil and lots of drama, and more than determined to take Ever down. And Sabine, her aunt who has custody of her, is not exactly being the easiest to live with at the moment.

A love triangle between Jude, Ever, and Damen continue until the very end. When Ever discovers a terrible secret about the past regarding Damen, she faces her greatest fears as she strives to find answers from Jude.

Author Alyson Noel finds a way to captivate her readers and wins her fans over by creating a hypnotizing voice. Your voice wins me over every time, Alyson. Keep up the great work!

"Alyson Noël is one of the hottest paranormal teen authors writing today.

Night Star is guaranteed to mesmerize fans and leave them breathlessly awaiting the sixth and final book. Don't miss this explosive new installment of the number one bestselling series that's enchanted millions across the world!"

"Best friends make the worst enemies—they know all your secrets, your weaknesses, and just how to hurt you most... The Immortal series will leave readers gasping for breath."

Alyson Noel is the #1 New York Times, and USA Today and Publisher's Weekly bestselling, award-winning, author of FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, LAGUNA COVE, FLY ME TO THE MOON, KISS & BLOG, SAVING ZOE, CRUEL SUMMER, FIRST KISS (THEN TELL)- an anthology, and the IMMORTALS series including: EVERMORE, BLUE MOON (July 09), SHADOWLAND (Jan 2010), and more to come in 2010/11/12. Her books have won the National Reader's Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, NYPL Books for the Teenage, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, Reviewer's Choice 2007 Top Ten, nominated for YALSA's Teen's Top Ten Award, chosen for the CBS Early Show's "Give the Gift of Reading" segment, and selected for Seventeen Magazine's "Hot List" and Beach Book Club Pick. She was born and raised in The OC and has lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan, but now finds herself settled right back in California where she lives and writes full time.

Click Here To Purchase Night Star (The Immortals)

Learn more about Alyson HERE

Discover the Immortals HERE