Crush on CHBB

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Q & A with the talented JH Glaze

 
Anne Nelson's Interview of the amazing JH Glaze.

 
What an honor it was for me when Shanna (Admin) asked if I would be interested in doing a Q and A interview with JH Glaze!! Being a huge fan of JH Glaze, I’ve read each of his novels: The Spirit Box, NorthWest, The Horror Challenge Vol. I, The Horror Challenge Vol. II, The Horror Challenge Volume III, The Life We Dream, and Forced Intelligence.

Now I’m waiting eagerly for Send No Angel, which is book 3 in the John Hazard series and the new series called RUNE.

I immediately said, heck yes, I’d love to! Then the shock-panic set in. What the blazes was I thinking?? I’ve never done anything like this before. dang I don’t even have a blog page!

But the big scare factor here for me was and still is, interviewing this phenomenal mastermind, genius of a brain, and in my opinion the king of horror/thriller/paranormal himself… Author JH Glaze (takes DEEP breath).

Without fail, whenever I finish reading anything written by JH Glaze, and I mean ANYTHING, I sit there shaking my head afterwards, wondering to myself (as I’m sure a lot of us do) “Where does he come up with this? How does he do it?”

Now the next question is, where do I begin with my Q & A’s for the mastermind JH Glaze? Then I thought it best I do an introduction, not that it’s needed of course... We all know of JH Glaze (and if you don’t yet, start with The Spirit Box).

Here is some information that I actually took from his Goodreads profile and his biography from Amazon:

JH Glaze, the emerging horror/thriller/paranormal author, was born in Niles, OH, in the heart of the Rust Belt. He currently resides in Atlanta, GA with his family. His wife Susan Grimm is his editor and works diligently to keep the stories coming.

The incredibly entertaining stories he writes are drawn from experiences he survived during his travels across the US on multiple road trips. A life lived to the fullest each day, and an imagination that refuses to be silenced.

His writing style has been called clever and unique by many of his readers. He goes all out in his efforts to please, thrill, and shock the reader. A few chapters into his books and you will understand why he is rapidly moving up in the ranks to be a top a author in his genre.

JH Glaze draws from all genres to weave together stories that will at once entertain you. His writing style draws you into the story to the extent that you feel that you are living the action as it unfolds.

Spirit Box is the beginning of a series that will take you into the mind of John Hazard, a former Marine, a detective, and a real man who is persistent, but never perfect.
NorthWest (Book 2) takes John Hazard to the Pacific Northwest for a paranormal exercise in survival. It’s an over the top adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat for more than the last 150 pages, in fact maybe for the whole book, in my opinion.



Send No Angel is book #3 (to be released).


Readers who enjoyed the first two novels will also love the short stories ‘Forced Intelligence’  and 'The Life We Dream'.
 
And the story collections of The Horror Challenge Vol. 1, The Horror Challenge Vol. 2 and The Horror Challenge Vol 3  by this talented author.


 
Now on to my questions:
 
1. I know that this question has been asked about in your street team, and we had or gave our pick . . . but as the author yourself, which book of yours would you like to see made into a motion picture, and why?
 
I would like to start with The Spirit Box. Since the story is one of human frailty and weakness, I believe a lot of people could be drawn into a series that they can relate to, and one that is not afraid to take some chances.
 
The Spirit Box is a source of power and temptation that is hard to resist. To think that you could have literally anything you want and all you have to do is “introduce” people to this ancient box. It is a very compelling story at its core. It is like watching a bug flying near a spider’s web and knowing what may happen, what will happen, but being helpless to stop it from happening. You can yell at my characters, but you can’t stop The Spirit Box.
 
I also injected humor and irony into this story, so while you may be repelled by some of the action, I dare you not to laugh at the same time. Because of the use of various emotional jolts in the story, I think this would be a good place to start.

 
2. How do you wrap your brain around an object or a topic that then spurs you to develop your spectacular stories, whether a full novel or a short story?

Everything in this world has a dual personality. I like to look at things and evaluate what they are made for or meant for and then imagine what happens if they go wrong or rogue. For example, a hair dryer is a wonderful tool we use to style our hair. Yet if we are careless just for a moment, that same hair dryer falling into a sink full of water, combined with a quick reflex to grab it out of the water can result in fatal consequences.
 
But then sometimes I take it a step further. What if there is someone in the house who has planned for such an accident to occur, maybe even applied something slick to the handle of the dryer. At the moment when the dryer goes into the water, that person is leaning against the fuse box in the garage. Instead of the intended victim grabbing for the dryer, the circuit disperses through the metal of the fuse box and the plotting individual is electrocuted instead.
 
Even more, what if the bastard’s girlfriend who was involved in the plot, just happened to grab her lover’s arm as the dryer went into the sink? You can see how the variations can build a wild tale.
 
3. Your fan base and number of followers is growing, can you give us a hint as to what’s developing in that brain of yours? Can we expect a lot more stories in the future?
 
I have been blessed so far with endless ideas. I have a list of topics to write about that I may never finish all of the stories. I already have book 4 of the John Hazard series developed in my head, so with the new RUNE series, more Hazard books and the side shorts and Horror Challenges, there is a lot of work to do!
 



4. I have to ask you this: I think I can “see” you in a character sometimes. Often it makes me wonder if this or that person could be you. Have you written a character into one of your books that resembles your personality? If so, which one?
 
I have to admit. The character who most resembles me is Jack in The Life We Dream. That story is written with pieces of my own life, mixed with fiction. Though you may not be able to tell what is factual and what is fiction, the story itself is based on a theme that is taken from my own life.
 
In all of my other stories, I take a little bit of this or that person I’ve known, and piece them together to be what my character needs in order to drive the story forward. Sometimes they have a bit of me (John Hazard for example), but other people influence them as well.
 
5. Do you feel or believe that what you write or writings change lives/ or the way people may look at events?
 
I just want people to read the stories and be entertained, to be able to escape into something fantastical for a while and forget about everything else for a while. On the other hand, if they see a bit of themselves in my situations, maybe they will be more cautious in their own lives.
 
Believe me, I am mostly trying to write fun, freaky stories that make people say “WTF? That was the shit!” or something like that. The closest I have come to trying to be philosophical was the Horror Challenge story about the Kazoo. You know which one I’m talking about.
 
6. If you could collaborate with another author to create the ultimate novel of thriller/horror/paranormal that would blend with your John Hazard series, who would you join forces with?
 
I would like to write with Whitley Strieber. I have read several of his books where I was amazed at the depth of his imagination. At the same time, one of his books was supposed to be based on his own true story of alien abduction. It was called Communion.
 
He might have some strange ideas, you can see them on his website Unknowncountry.com, but imagine what a powerhouse partner you might have in someone who has a scientific mind, an interest in conspiracies, and an experience with aliens!  That would be the ultimate co-author.
 
My head is sore just trying to think of questions for you JH Glaze!!
 
I’d like to thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy life and being a part of this Q & A blog for our page.
 
Thank you for asking me to be a guest!
 
Oh wait . . . one more thing before I leave you alone. I have never submitted an object/word for your horror challenge stories, so I would like to offer you one: Possessed cowgirl hat
 
I will add that one to my list!
 
 
Thanks so much, Anne and Jeff! If you want to know more about JH Glaze's writing; here is where you can stalk him.:)
 
 
 
 




 
 




Saturday, December 15, 2012

There are no words.

There are no words we can give the families that lost their dear ones; no words could erase the sorrow and loss they must be feeling.
 
But this is what we can do. Let's help the families of yesterday's tragedy. Ambersuperntural AndYareviews is holding a cherity event to help raise money for families who can't afford funerals.

Directly from the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/173964402727625/

I am trying to raise funds to go directly to the families affected by the tragedy from the Connecticut shooting on Dec. 14th!! Please help me send money to help with families in need for funeral arrangements and memorials or such for those precious lives that were lost!
...

So here is what I am asking you guys to do, visit this link, donate and forward your receipt that is emailed to you to my email at agarcia6510w(at)gmail(dot)com!! Thanks everyone!!

http://www.helpmedonate.org/Sandy_Hook_Relief_Fund

Friday, December 7, 2012

Ghosts & Lovers: First Confessions by Aneesa Price

My review for: Ghosts & Lovers: First Confessions by Aneesa Price
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Shanna Roberson

This is actually my first time reading Aneesa’s work and I was not disappointed.

Ghosts & Lovers follows Simone, an unsatisfied housewife as she moves her family to Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s not that she doesn’t love her hardworking husband; she just misses that spark that has long ago faded.

With her husband always working and her duties as a stay at home mom, it was easy to let the lack of intimacy slide for a while.

But left to her own devices in this strange and big house, she soon finds herself a welcome distraction. She isn’t as alone as she first thought and her ghostly intruder wants to help relieve her of her mounting sexual frustration.

As impossible as it seems, she gives into her ghostly lover’s advances. But when she wants to give her marriage her all; she finds herself with a very jealous and threatening spook.

Will his jealousy put her family in harm’s way? How do you protect yourself from someone you can’t see coming?

I really enjoyed this one. The right level of heat without being raunchy and even though it was a short, it allowed the reader to connect with the main character and her family. I can’t wait to see what is next for the feisty Simone!
 

 

Betwixt by Melissa Pearl

My Review for: Betwixt by Melissa Pearl
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Shanna Roberson

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I adored it! But I will be honest with you, it did take me a little while to get into it but once I was in, I never wanted to come back out!

Nicole Tepper is your run of the mill mean girl. You know the type; she’s the girl with the hot jock boyfriend and the group of snide female followers, partying every night. She’s arrogant and entitled; feeling her world is perfect. Well, that is until the night someone hit her with their car and left her to die alone out in the woods.

Dale Finnigan is not what you would expect. He is quiet and reserved. And with an awful scar marring his handsome face, he isn’t part of Nicky’s crowd. Not even close. The one time he reached out to Nicole, she branded him with a horrible nickname to save face in front of her group of self-absorbed snotty friends. Even though, he sees something in Nicole that is redeemable; he refuses to put his self back out there for her.

That was until tragedy brought them together again. With her life slowly slipping away, she haunts the only person that can hear her spirit, Dale.

Will she have enough time to convince this boy she is worth saving before she is gone forever? Will she finally look past the scar and see the amazing person that is Dale? Or will her would-be murderer finish her off before she is found?

Like I said before, it took me a bit to get into Nicole’s story. It was hard to feel sympathy for such a cruel and shallow person. But as the story unfolds, she grew on me. There is a decent person under all the ‘mean girl’ bravado. And the swoon-worthy Dale opens her eyes to the fact her life and friends might not be so perfect after all.

Betwixt is beautifully written and thought provoking in an age where bullying is spreading like an epidemic. Melissa Pearl tells a tale of human nature, cruelty and redemption. I love it. She had me smiling and crying throughout Nicole’s journey. If you haven’t read Betwixt yet, you are missing out on a wonderful YA paranormal.  It's brilliant!

 

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Cover Reveal for Desolate City by Racquel Jones

 
 
Blurb:

 
After being invited to a party, Seiren never dreamed of being haunted by the Haydens--supernatural beings--of her city. She was supposed to forget about how they watched her every move days before. She was supposed to forget how everything went downhill after meeting a certain white eyed Hayden. But that would be too simple...
 
Ereshkigal, a group of powerful beings that all Haydens resent, have their sights on Seiren and Haydens from every corner of Black Phoenix will do everything in their power to stop them.
 
With the help of the gun-toting agent Luann and Hayden guardian Julius, Seiren must figure out her place in all of this and why she is literally running for her life.
 
 
All credit for this amazing cover goes to Silviya Yordanova. You can locate her on:
 
 
 You can find Racquel Jones on:
 
 
Don't miss this debut from Racquel Jones! It looks amazing.
 


Friday, November 23, 2012

Wanna Chance to Read Opal?!

I know I do! The lovely Jennifer L. Armentrout is giving away THREE copies of her soon to be released Opal!! For those of you who haven't been overcome by the awesomeness that is the Lux series, allow me to enlighten you. This series will knock your socks off! Snarky heroines to sexy aliens (yes, you heard right), there is nothing this series doesn't have! So what are you waiting for?

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Opal Book Trailer Reveal!!!


 
Opal (The third book in the Lux Series)
Available in both print and digital version on December 18, 2012


 
 
Without further ado, <insert high pitch squeal> here it is!
 
Official Opal Book Trailer

 




 
 

Check out Jennifer L. Armentrout on the following sites:

 
If you haven’t checked out this series, you are seriously missing out! I mean have you seen Daemon Black?! Hey, don’t judge me. I am a total sucker for the ‘holy trinity of hot boys’.
 
Jennifer’s Lux series are my favorite sci-fi books to date and I am tickled pink to be a part of the Daemon Invasion!
 

Monday, November 19, 2012

Indie Authors need to become Indie Reviewers too!


Indie Thoughts by Aneesa Price

 I’ve always been an avid reader and before I began writing I used to read an average of four books a week. Then, once I found and fell in love with writing, my reading time diminished significantly and I averaged about four books a month if I was lucky. Furthermore, I mostly used to read traditionally published books because ‘indie’ was an unknown term to me.

Then I entered the self-publishing arena. When I struggled to get reviews, a prominent blogger and reviewer was kind enough to give me a tip. She suggested that I review a few indie authors’ books too. By doing so I would illustrate a willingness to do what I was asking for -take a leap of faith for another lesser known author. That was essentially what I was asking reviewers to do for me. Once I’d done this, reviews were a lot more forthcoming.

What baffles me is that I’ve seen many indie writers complain about the lack of reviews they get and after observing them for a while I notice that they have one thing in common - they do not give any reviews to other writers. So, it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

There’s another reason to read other indie authors’ works and it is a management 101 tactic - reading other authors’ works, especially if they write in the same genre, is the best way to check out your competition. You’ll gain insight into their writing style, their imaginative capability, how well edited their work is and if you read enough books in the same genre, you may discover an emerging trend in what is being published. Knowing your competitor’s strengths, weaknesses and the genre trends enables you to approach your next book with your reader in mind.

For example, at the moment, erotica is rife within the romance genre. But what varies is how explicit the erotica is. I’m finding that erotic literature is either mildly descriptive or leans towards BDSM. There are few erotic works that fall between those two opposites. This may then be a potential gap in the market. Unfortunately, if authors don’t read other author’s books, they wouldn’t be able to make such observations.

So now you may wonder when on earth you’ll have time to review books when you’re struggling to write too. My advice is to plan your time to do both. I force myself to take a hiatus from writing after every novel I’ve completed and to use a week or two in between writing books to read and review indie books. Of course, there are many traditionally published writers whose work I crave and I’ll add one or two of their books to my reading list during these breaks. The wonderful thing in doing this is that it taps into a different part of my imagination - it feeds it after I’ve squeezed it, emaciating it, during the writing process. I’ve found that I ‘hit the keyboard’ with renewed gusto after such reading exercises.

If you are an author reading this blog and none of it resonates with you, leaving you still unconvinced, then maybe the words of Stephen King (I think we’d all agree that he is an exceptional and hugely successful writer) may do the trick: “If you don’t read, how do you expect to write.”

With that, I bid you happy reviewing.

Yours in romance and reading,
Aneesa Price
(Author of The Coffin Girls and Finding Promise)

Aneesa Price Amazon Page

Saturday, November 17, 2012

The Wicked Blog Tour

 


Book Blurb:

What if you lived in fear of yourself?

For Mage McPherson being afraid of herself is just the norm. Thanks to that fear, being a loner in a small town never bothered the mysterious Mage. Once she received her secret abilities, she figured being alone was the safest way to be. That all changes during her sophomore year at Summerville High when Adam, her equally mysterious secret crush, starts to notice her.

Afraid that she might harm Adam, Mage must learn to either control or deny herself. With Adam by her side she's more powerful than she’s ever been, but is she powerful enough to defeat her worst nightmare? She learns a hard lesson about love and magic when her destiny comes to collect.





I am pleased as punch to be a part of the talented Tabatha Vargo’s Wicked Blog Tour! Here is our favorite excerpt of Wicked Fate.

 

Excerpt:

A loud noise from across the gym catches my attention. Searching the crowd, it seems that no one else even notices the strange commotion. I hear it once more before my eyes are directed to the culprit. A now familiar face comes into sight.
With her back against the wall, Bernie covers her face with her hands as three girls stand in front of her and pummel her with a big red kick ball. They laugh when the ball bounces off of her and she lets out a little hissing noise.
“Stop it!” Bernie yells back. “What are you…five?”
“Are you a freak, too? Everyone saw you with the weird girl today at lunch,” I hear one girl say as she bends down to grab the ball.
Word gets around fast…poor Bernie.
“The gym is the best place for you, fat ass!” another girl says with a laugh.
The ball smacks against Bernie’s leg, causing her to fall to one knee.
Disgusted, I stare helplessly, knowing that this is because of me.  As far as they’re concerned she’s a traitor to the normal people.
Just seeing the backs of the three bullies, I know who they are. I don’t need to see their almost perfect faces. Brandy Phillips, Michelle Sedgwick, and Wendy Baker—The Three Bitchkateers.
All three are fake blondes with tanning bed tans and acrylic nails. I guess they could be considered as pretty—at least on the outside; inside they’re wretched heathens.
I run ideas through my head on how to stop their torment. Before doing anything, I look back up and meet Bernie’s eyes staring back at me with a look of pain on her face.
Please look away!
No way am I doing anything with her staring at me. It would give everything about me away. Not that it matters if she thinks I’m a freak; everyone else does. I just don’t want to go around flashing to the world that they’re right about me.
Finally, she looks away to block the ball. I take advantage of that moment, and I shoot my vision to the little red kick ball. I follow it as it bounces off of Bernie and back into the hands of her tormentors. I let my anger build until I can almost feel the red hotness of my fury burning behind my eyes. 
Never taking my eyes from the ball, I begin to feel its vibrations inside of me. Every time it bounces from one surface to the other, I feel it; even from across the room.
My anger reaches its limits, and I know that I’m now in control of the ball. With one final bounce off of Bernie, I push and add speed behind the ball. Instead of catching it with her hands, the ball flies directly into Brandy’s face. The sound of the red rubber smashing into her echoes through the gym.
 
About the Author:
 
Tabatha has been writing since she could pick up a pencil. Her first publication was a little poem in her elementary school paper, from that point on she was hooked. When she was a teenager, she traded in her girly magazines for personalized writing notebooks.
 
At nineteen, she met her own personal prince charming and writing took a back burner for a while. She is now married to that prince and the mother of a beautiful Six year old princess/rock star. Once her daughter was born, writing came back into her life, and she finished her very first novel in May of 2009.
 
She is pursuing a Bachelors in English and hopes to one day teach while continuing to write.
 
As a stay-at-home mom and full-time student, Tabatha enjoys the freedom of spending a good bit of her days doing what she loves the most . . . writing.
 
Where to find her:
 
I hope you have enjoyed our stop on the tour! Please continue the tour for more wonderful snippets and reviews.
 
 
December 1 – this date is open because my site will be doing something special!