Saturday, November 28, 2015

Nightingale - Aleksandr Voinov

A long time ago, I read a book. I've read thousands since then, of course, but that one stuck with me. Even now, after so many years it's still one of my favorites and to be honest I didn't think I could find another to resonate with me so intensely. That one was written by a French fighter  pilot flying with the RAF during the WWII and it was his combat journal. I remember living every single combat on the page, relishing in his every victory. Because he made me feel. Just like Aleksandr Voinov's Nightingale does. That book, which name I will not give, because it isn't about that, ended with a bitter sweet "They didn't understand." They, those who lived in the occupied Paris, without having to live the fear of each sweep, of each dogfight. And I didn't understand either. But with Nightingale, I was forced to. Not only that, but it made me feel, and what more could I ask from a book?

Yves' story took me to that occupied Paris, to the fear of the bombings, and of the German's and Gestapo, and never knowing if you'll see the next morning. The daily struggles are almost glossed over, the lack of coal for heating, the lack of food, or clothing, they all make room for the more pressing matters of dealing with the oppressor while retaining your self and staying alive in the process.

The plot is not predictable. It kept me guessing till the very last page. The love story is real. If you're looking for fluff, you won't find it here, but there is a subtle sweetness to the book, a fondness that makes me think this is one of Aleksandr's favorite stories.

I can say in all earnest that Aleksandr Voinov is, if not the best, than one of the best out there. Hats down to you, Aleks, and thank you for a great story!

http://www.amazon.com/Nightingale-Aleksandr-Voinov-ebook/dp/B018H83J4U/ref=la_B004C36LAO_1_54?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1448704108&sr=1-54&refinements=p_82%3AB004C36LAO

Friday, November 20, 2015

Broken Prince, Mismatched Eyes by Layla Dorine

And a quick cover reveal from who turned out to be my newest addiction...Layla Dorine

 Broken Prince, Mismatched Facebook Cover Art

Synopsis

All of his life, CadenDeMott’s mismatched eyes have made him the target of superstition and scorn. Though he is the son of a nobleman, he’s been allowed to run free over the hills and moors, mostly ignored by his family. No one ever thought to inform him that he had been betrothed since infancy, until the day his fiancĂ©, Prince Rhys Gwyther arrived to marry him.
Rhys is the prince of the small island country of Mauritania, a land rich in gems, rose oil, and pearls, but poor in skilled artisans and seeds to grow crops. In order to further cement the trade route to the mainland, he’s been sent to marry a man he’s never met, and bring him back to Mauritania. Unfortunately, an accident years before has left Rhys with a lot of emotional baggage and very little trust in strangers.
BrokenPrinceMismatchedEyes_600x957
But trust is exactly what Caden and Rhys are going to need if they are to make a life together, and help unravel the mystery of who’s been smuggling valuable gems and pearls off the island. Add in the realization that Caden’s stepmother, Mildred and her island representative, Maxwell, have been importing inferior goods for years, forcing Mauritania to become more dependent on them, and trust becomes even more difficult.
Caden possesses the knowledge to finally allow Rhys’ father to unravel the plot to ruin Mauritania, but only if the king and his son are willing to put their faith in Caden’s loyalty to his new home. Something that is difficult to do after Caden is accused of cheating on his marriage vows to Rhys with his guard, Luc. Will Rhys believe him innocent? Or will their marriage be over before it truly has a chance to begin?

Pre-order Now

Video Trailer


Excerpt

Jackson growled with hatred in his eyes as he pushed past his wife. His steps were heavy with anger as he ascended the stairs to the second floor, fists clenched so tightly that half crescent indents were forming on his palms. Outside his eldest son’s chamber, he paused and took several deep breaths, desperately seeking some small measure of calm before delivering the life-altering news. If only there were a way to be certain Rhys would be kind and understanding of Caden’s odd, distracting behaviors, but sadly, few had ever truly given the young man a fair chance. If he could, Jackson would have spared his son the kind of bitter, miserable marriage he himself endured, but he held little hope that Rhys would be any different from those who had ridiculed Caden in the past.
Knocking on the door, Jackson mentally prepared his speech while waiting for Caden to answer. When he did not, Jackson pushed open the door and let his eyes drift around the dimly lit chamber until they came to rest on the figure curled upon the bearskin rug by the hearth, two large hounds on either side of him. Jackson couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the trio before a sudden thought abruptly wiped the smile from his face.
Would Rhys allowCaden to keep the animals, or would his son be forced to leave his two closest companions behind? Jackson crossed the chamber quietly, stopping near the hearth. When one of the hounds growled low and raised his head, the white splotch of fur around his left eye identified him as Titus. When Titus saw that it was Jackson he laid his head back on his paws and closed his eyes again while the other hound, Brutes, snored on.
With a sigh, Jackson knelt and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, gently shaking him awake. Caden blinked sleepy, mismatched eyes up at his father, and as his son sat up, Jackson wondered what Rhys’ reaction to seeing Caden’s eyes would be and whether the prince was yet another superstitious fool who believed Caden’s one green eye and one white were a sign that he was devil-touched.
Fools, Jackson through to himself as Caden reached out and placed his hand on Brutes’ head, rubbing the dog’s ears. Caden’s head was cocked to one side, and he made a soft, clicking sound with his tongue that let Jackson know he was listening. While his son could speak, Caden used words sparingly and only after careful thought. It was one of the many things that made the boy so endearing in his father’s eyes. In another’s eyes, however, Jackson knew it was just another sign that Caden was different from others his age.
“I’m sorry I had to wake you. Were you up late wandering the moors again?”
Caden grinned and nodded, mismatched eyes lighting up and darting to the heavy curtains that were blocking out much of the sun and the moors that lay just beyond the window.

About the author

LAYLA DORINE lives among the sprawling prairies of Midwestern America, in a house with more cats than people. She loves hiking, fishing, swimming, martial arts, camping out, photography, cooking, and dabbling with several artistic mediums. In addition, she loves to travel and visit museums, historic, and haunted places.
Layla got hooked on writing as a child, starting with poetry and then branching out, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. Hard times, troubled times, the lives of her characters are never easy, but then what life is? The story is in the struggle, the journey, the triumphs and the falls. She writes about artists, musicians, loners, drifters, dreamers, hippies, bikers, truckers, hunters and all the other folks that she’s met and fallen in love with over the years. Sometimes she writes urban romance and sometimes its aliens crash landing near a roadside bar. When she isn’t writing, or wandering somewhere outdoors, she can often be found curled up with a good book and a kitty on her lap.
Layla Dorine can be found at:

Rooftops by John Wiley

rooftops-fb

Synopsis

Its summer and three friends from Ohio graduate college, ready to start making their way in the real world.
Rhys; the eternal optimist who wants to be an actor and moves to Los Angeles.
Erick; the career man, seeking money and position who moves with him.
And Joey; the aspiring artist, who for the love of his girlfriend, Cheryl, stays behind in Ohio.
While attempting to follow their dreams each must face their share of personal and professional obstacles. Each is tested. Will they lose sight of themselves?
Will old friendships fall apart and new friendships form?
rooftops cover

Buy Now

Excerpt

“I’m really proud of you,” Rhys’ dad says, shaking his son’s hand and pulling him in for a hug. When he lets go, Rhys doesn’t speak, distracted by something two cars down. Rhys’ dad follows his son’s gaze to the unnaturally tan boy taking his cap off and shaking his head to try to fluff out his hair.
“Who’s that?” his dad asks, smirking at Rhys.
The guy checks his reflection in the side mirror and runs his fingers through his hair.
“Huh? Oh, just some guy.”
“Go talk to him,” his dad says, pushing him toward the guy.
“Dad, no,” Rhys says, blushing.
“Maybe I should tell your mother about him, she’ll talk to him for you,” his dad offers, a mischievous grin on his face.
“What’s that?” his mother asks, distracted by taking pictures of the buildings surrounding the quadrangle.
“Nothing.” Rhys sighs. “I hate you,” he whispers to his dad, a smile on his face as he walks down to the guy, who’s wearing a blue T-shirt and khaki shorts.
“Hey, Liam. Congratulations on graduating.”
“Yeah, thanks… you too.” Liam looks at Rhys like he’s trying to place him.
“Thanks. It’s Rhys, by the way. We had a couple of classes together.”
“Yeah, I know who you are.” Liam smiles. “You made that B*Witched documentary for our film editing class.”
“Yeah, I did. And you made a film about how Japanese Americans were treated during World War II. It was really good,” Rhys adds after a few seconds of silence.
“So, I gotta get going and meet my parents at their hotel.” Liam tosses his cap and gown in the trunk before getting in his car.
“Oh, right. Yeah, my family is waiting too.” Rhys turns toward them and sees his mom taking a picture of the guys talking. “Dammit.” He looks back at Liam and sees him smiling.
“Later,” Liam says, shutting the door and starting his car.
“Bye,” Rhys mumbles, turning and sulking back to his family. “That was so embarrassing!” he says when he reaches the car.

Video Trailer

About the author

JOHN WILEY is currently a barista that hates coffee, but is really good at making it. When not writing, he likes to expose his cat to as many Christmas movies as possible. Just like his life, his biography is a work in progress.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Rooftops by John Wiley - cover reveal

HTML Code
rooftops-fb

Synopsis

Its summer and three friends from Ohio graduate college, ready to start making their way in the real world.
Rhys; the eternal optimist who wants to be an actor and moves to Los Angeles.
Erick; the career man, seeking money and position who moves with him.
And Joey; the aspiring artist, who for the love of his girlfriend, Cheryl, stays behind in Ohio.
While attempting to follow their dreams each must face their share of personal and professional obstacles. Each is tested. Will they lose sight of themselves?
Will old friendships fall apart and new friendships form?
rooftops cover

Pre-order Now

Excerpt

“OKAY YOU three, get together,” a woman with a camera says to her son and two of his friends. She brushes a stray strand of hair out of her face.
“Ugh, come on, Mom,” moans Rhys.
She gives him the “mom look” and he quickly puts his graduation cap on his shaggy brown hair.
“I really wish you would have gotten your hair cut,” Rhys’ dad says, standing behind his wife. He holds the graduation program up to block the sun from his eyes.
“Ooh look, it’s the mascot!” says his mom, running across the quadrangle to catch the giant squirrel, which is wearing a graduation gown of its own. Well, it’s more of a waddle than a run. She’s having difficulty running in a dress and high heels.
Blank bookcover with clipping path
Blank bookcover with clipping path
“This is so embarrassing,” Rhys says, and he follows his mom with his two friends.
At six foot one, Joey is about the same height as Rhys, but his blond hair is spikier and shorter. “Yeah, it is,” he says. “You should be ashamed.”
“My family is probably looking for me, you know?” Erick, the shortest member of the group, says. He’s a pale guy who has a constant five o’clock shadow no matter how recently he’s shaved.
“Okay, guys, hurry,” says Rhys’ mom. She has the mascot cornered between a large bell and a wall of shrubs. Rhys and Joey get on either side of the squirrel and Erick stands in front of it. “You look like a vampire, Erick,” she says, looking at the image on the camera.
“Sorry?”
“It’s just your white skin against the black robe,” she says, mostly to herself as she gets the picture perfect. “Okay, thanks!” she says to the squirrel once the picture has been taken. “I’m just saying that you probably should have gotten a base tan before moving to California,” she continues to Erick as she reviews the several dozen pictures she’s taken so far today. “You’re going to burn like a lobster once you get out there.”

Video Trailer

About the author

JOHN WILEY is currently a barista that hates coffee, but is really good at making it. When not writing, he likes to expose his cat to as many Christmas movies as possible. Just like his life, his biography is a work in progress.