Bookworm Buzz

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: ANDREA MICHELLE

Today, we have the amazing author of Escape the Doubt for an interview with us. Read on to know more about her debut novel, what's she's currently working on, how she overcomes writer's block, and some advice shared with the rest of us.

Escape the Doubt book cover

BWS: Hi Andrea, thank you for agreeing to this interview. What inspired you to write Escape the Doubt?

Andrea: Escape the Doubt is actually inspired a lot from my own past. Although the story is fictional, many of the emotions involved in the story were my own at the age. In fact, the poems in the novel were written by me when I was sixteen and seventeen years old.

BWS: Give us an insight into your main character in Escape the Doubt. How did you come up with Riley Shaw’s character? 

Andrea: Riley Shaw is a troubled seventeen year old. She struggles with relationships. She knows she wants to love and she wants to be loved. But she doesn’t believe love exist, not forever. She see’s love as being full of lies and secrets. Men cheat and break hearts. She is full of doubt about love, life and everything in between. I came up with Riley by tapping into what I felt like at that age. I then added in what I could imagine it might feel like to have been through everything she had been through. It’s not her fault she is so scared. She wants to change, wants so badly to have things different. She just doesn’t know how to let go of her past and move forward.

BWS: What are you working on at the minute?

Andrea: I am working on the sequel in this series, Embrace the Moment. It is a continuation to their story. I’m also working on a NA Romantic Suspense Novel that I began before Escape the Doubt. Stories are funny like that. One spoke louder than the other. I also have an Adult Contemporary Romance Novel in the works, Abandoned Identity. Many stories are swirling in my mind and multiple WIP’s sit on my laptop but they’re only so many hours in the day. LOL ;)

BWS: Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?

Andrea: Yes, for example with my sequel. I’m content with the ending in Escape the Doubt. There is just so much more to tell to their story. However, I don’t want to ugly up their beautiful just to create conflict. So I’m trying to stay true to the story they want me to tell. As far as overcoming it... MUSIC. It is an addiction and almost necessary for me to write to. It creates inspiration. 

BWS: Where is your favorite place to write? 

Andrea: You might find this funny, but lying in my bathtub when I’m relaxed.

A Bowl For the Soul

BLOG TOUR: ESCAPE THE DOUBT 

Good day, bookworms! Today I'll be reviewing Escape the Doubt by Andrea Michelle as part of her blog tour. I receive an ARC from Enticing Journey in exchange for an honest review. It's a young adult romance story but it is also much more than that so here we go!

Synopsis:

After the unexpected death of her Dad and the haunting manner in which he died, Riley Shaw built invisible walls around her heart. Barriers she created to protect her from splintering into broken pieces that couldn’t be repaired. She was unable to move forward from her past, letting the guilt of her parent’s mistakes dictate her own choices. 



Dean Warren was safe. Being with him was innocent and peaceful because she didn’t truly love him. His words held her captive in a false sense of security. His eyes were deceptive, and his promises of never pushing her beyond what she was willing to give were broken, leaving Riley Shaw in a state of regret and doubt. 



Joshua Parker had the power to take what was left of Riley’s splintered pieces, and ruin her completely or make her whole again. He was her best friend, her next-door neighbor - everything she wanted and settled on never having. Loving him was as easy as breathing air. The fear of losing him forever was more real to her than the feelings she couldn’t escape. 



When faced with the very thing she feared the most and in the arms she thought were safe, Riley finds herself questioning every decision she has made over the past two years. When she finally escapes the doubt in her head and accepts the truth in her heart is it too late? 



Is taking a chance with your heart worth the escape or was it better to have never loved at all? Can forgiveness really set you free? 



*Warning: This is a mature young adult novel. Recommended for readers 17+ due to underage drinking, sexual content and adult language. 



*This is book one in a series however can be read as a standalone.

This is a beautiful, heartbreaking love story about two teens struggling for their love towards each other while coping with their other life dilemmas at the same time. Everyone has gone through that particular phase where we fell in love for the first time and our times during high school. That is what exactly what I get from reading Escape the Doubt. We can relate well with the story and characters because it happened to most of us at some point in our life.

A Bowl For the Soul

Short Noir: The Thirteenth Prophet

Hi, bookworms! Last month (and year), we did a short story review and we are doing another one again because we love T. Lucas Earle's story that much. This time his short story is titled The Thirteenth Prophet.

Book Blurb:

Mulligan Burke, an over-the-hill P.I. who has forsaken the evils of Personality implants, is brought back from Alaska to investigate the murder of one of the Prophets. The Prophets inhabit the highest position of the social hierarchy - they dictate fashion trends. Fashion, in this instance, encompasses much more than clothing. And, as Burke discovers, being fashionable is something to die - or kill - for.


At first, I was quite confused  when I started reading this short noir story. There are several references that make myself pause and re-read to understand the meaning of the story depiction. Great thing is the editing is done nicely with almost neither typos nor grammar mistakes. Earle has created a complex dystopian setting with terms that painted a world full of Prophets aka government controls, cult followings, and rampant trends. The concept of The Thirteenth Prophet makes sense as nowadays, I find myself becoming a follower of consumerism and part of a social dysfunction. Our personality might even change due to the society. That is exactly what happens in The Thirteenth Prophet. The so-called Prophets (who people worshipped) have different personalities that are copied and uploaded into other people so they can be gods, in some sort of sense. 

A Bowl For the Soul

JOIN A QUEST FOR THE RED SAPPHIRE

We were approached by Rival Gates to review his debut novel: Quest For the Red Sapphire and I finally got the time to start reading it before Christmas. So here's the review! QFTRS (short for Quest for the Red Sapphire) is a fantasy, adventure story. Fantasy novels has always been my cup of tea therefore I got quite excited when I will be reviewing QFTRS.

Synopsis: 

The book centers around Linvin Grithinshield, a half-elf general called home from the goblin wars to run the lucrative family trading business after his father's disappearance. Only after his mother's murder does he discover his destiny is to be the Master of the Red Sapphire, the most powerful magic any mortal can possess. Together with his wise but mysterious Uncle Anvar and his infuriating cousins Bander and Rander, Linvin must flee the would-be assassins and find the gem before the sinister forces from whom he flees find the stone and take it for a dark purpose.

The story was mind-gripping for sure. It's action-packed and full of surprises that keeps the readers on edge. As most fantasy story, it includes a long journey for the main characters that ensure hardships and danger along the way. When one challenge was conquered, another came up and it always seems so bleak for the characters as the story goes on. Nevertheless, Gates has woven a story that makes me want to read on until the end to find out the outcome of this fast-paced, thrilling adventure. 

A Bowl For the Soul

SHORT STORY REVIEW: MONKEY TALK

Hello bookworms! We were approached to review a book by T. Lucas Earle so here is our first short-story review. 

  

Book blurb:

Monkey Talk is loosely based on the Chinese myth, the Monkey King, a timeless story about who belongs, and who doesn’t. In a future in which Chimps can give lectures on cybernetics, Mr. Towry is a Chimp with an attitude. Unfortunately, the rules are still “No shirt, no shoes, no service.”

The fact that the author could develop the characters in the story very well has made me very partial to this book. Especially considering it is only 16 pages long! In fact, while Mr Towry was quite a stubborn chimp, I find myself liking this character. He voices his mind outrightly with no malice intention which makes most of his conversations (internal and with other people) quite hilarious. It's not a full-blown humour but you can find yourself smile when Mr. Towry acts up and demand to be treated more equally by humans. His uses of canes was ingenious- since Towry is an ape, he has a short stature so he has to carry a cane everywhere to press the buttons on elevators and hits people that mistreated him on occasions. Then, he has to make an argument with his new assistant, Ms Liu, regarding the difference between beef and other animal meat (refer to monkey meat). It's an exceptionally heavy notion as Mr. Towry indicates that if all animals could voice their opinions, none of them wants to be cooked and eaten as delicacies for anyone.

After reading Monkey Talk, I can see exactly what the book blurb means. In the story, even though chimps are evolved and as capable (maybe even more so) than humans, they do not belong with the norms of the society. If you don't wear any shoes to a banquet, you can't enter. Unfortunately, Mr. Towry is not human therefore he has hands instead of feet. This actually makes a valid reason for him to be shoeless (how could you wear shoes on hands?!). Nonetheless, this was unacceptable by human standards. Ergo, the point of who belongs, and who doesn't. 

Thumbs up to the author for such a brilliantly executed story with enlightenment of some serious issues in the society. It's a very well-laid storyline with clear thoughts of the characters and being a unique story that does more than just a short story. I do wish that Earle would write more about the adventures of Mr. Towry, as I would love to know more about this particular chimp!

Author's Profile: 

T. Lucas Earle is a writer, filmmaker, and amateur statistician  He lives in LA, a comfortable 60 meters above sea level, where only three out of every 100,000 people are murdered. 

T. Lucas has a degree from Emerson College, which makes for a terrific placemat. He spends his days reading terrible scripts - a job for which he receives  nominal remuneration. Like many slightly brain-damaged children of hypoxic former left-wing political cult members of the 1970s , he will review almost anything. I once caught him writing a review for a Hamilton Beach toaster oven  instruction manual.

When T. Lucas is not reading and groaning quietly to himself, he writes and groans much louder.  He has written several short stories, a screenplay or two, and is working up the courage to write a note to the fetching young lady who works at the Starbucks on Glendale Ave. He's been published in Electric Spec, The Colored Lens, and on Amazon, where you can find his short stories. Find out more at his official website.

Reviewer Notes: I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and do not reflect those of the author, my clients or tour companies I work with. This is not a paid review. To form your own opinion please support the author and acquire your own legal copy of the book.

A Bowl For the Soul

BACK IN TIME: THE MINE

Hi everyone! Let us start with a question regarding time-travelling. What would you do if you travel back in time? Not back to a few years but back to a few decades or more than half century; which means you, or maybe, your parents are not even born yet. When I was a kid I used to think: that'll be cool! Of course being the 8 year-old kid that I was, it's quite a naïve thought. Perhaps, that is one of the reason why I was ecstatic when John Heldt approached our blog with a review request. I've always love a good time-travelling story especially considering all the funny things that could happen to the main character when he or she landed in an entirely different era. Add that with a romantic twist and wonderful historical descriptions, voilá! The perfect book for my reading time. The Mine consist of all the elements said above. It's the first book in John Heldt's Northway Passage series, which consist of 3 more books: The Journey, The Show, and The Fire.

 

The Mine started with the main character, Joel Smith, having discovered an abandoned mine in May 2000. While exploring it, he re-emerged from the mine to an entirely different time. He was still in the same place, but landed in May 1941. He was penniless (modern money did not qualify in pre-war era and credit card was not even invented yet!), have no place to go home to, and perplexed at what he is going to do next. 

Thankfully, after days of walking around and catching a wagon to Seattle (his hometown back in the 21st century), he made good friends with Tom Carter and (here's the catch) his independent, straightforward grandmother, Ginny. Seriously, the young version of Joel's grandmother is one of my favourite character in The Mine; a strong-willed woman during the pre-war era was difficult to be found. Then Joel was introduced to Grace Vanderberg. Sweet and smart, Grace felt immediate attraction to Joel and vice versa. Unfortunately there's a catch, Grace was engaged and this proves to be one of the conflict that arises for Joel. Eventually after spending time in each other's company, Joel's cocky (and a bit arrogant) attitude is softened up by Grace's compassionate nature. Their romance evolves for months as in 1940's, holding-hands and afternoon walks are required for a budding relationship back then. It turns out for both Joel and Grace that their mutual attraction becomes something much more serious and they are falling in love with each other. Think of the Notebook and this tender, beautiful love is just like that. I just can't help but sigh contentedly as I read this wonderfully written romance. 

A Bowl For the Soul

JOURNEY TO HOUSE OF HADES

"Nico, I've seen a lot of brave things. But what you just did? That was maybe the bravest."- Jason Grace to Nico de Angelo; House of Hades.

Hello bookworms! I've been a fan of all Rick Riordan's work since The Lighting Thief- including the likes of The Percy Jackson and The Olympians and The Kane Chronicles. Now, with his most recent ongoing series, The Heroes of Olympus, I have been waiting for ages to grab a copy of the 5th instalment: The House Of Hades. Let me tell you; it is worth the long-wait! 

My copy of House of Hades. I abandon my other books just to start reading it!

Rick Riordan reading House of Hades

Once again, Riordan has managed to make me roared in laughter with the right jokes thrown around on the right timing yet keeps me on my toes throughout the book due to the suspense and plot twists (you will not see it coming). House of Hades continues from the end of the Mark Of Athena, where the gang has gotten hold of Athena Parthenos; the key to stop the incoming war between the Greeks and the Romans, but Percy and Annabeth fell to the depths of Tartarus during the process and Gaea is soon waking up to take over the world. The future seems bleak for our heroes but as we all know, it will be hard to break these demigods. Now, their friends are on board of Argo II to rescue Percy and Annabeth from Tartarus and to close the Doors of Death (all the vile creatures aka monsters and Titans are escaping from Tartarus through the door to answer Gaea's summon to create havoc) at House Of Hades. 

I have to say this is true!

We can feel each of the characters' dilemmas because Riordan alternated POVs between all the main characters. This time they have to face their personal fears such as helplessness, feeling of being useless, and failing their loved ones. My spotlight is turned to Leo Valdez in House of Hades. He was awesome and funny since the beginning of the series yet had captured little of my attention up until House of Hades. Guaranteed a spot as the comic relief during the story has always been Leo's job. Then in House of Hades, he matured immensely. Towards the end of the book, his jokes and mischief had sobered much and Jason had noticed a faraway light in his best friend's eyes. He no longer pins after Hazel and he made a great promise that will be hard to keep (Spoiler! To skip spoiler, continue directly to the next paragraph: Leo was stranded on Calypso's island and fallen for her. He promised to return and saved her yet this had been an impossible thing to do for centuries- once you leave, you will never find the island again.) So let's see whether Leo and Calypso will become a new ship in the series. I hope it will because I'm ecstatic at the thought of it! I want Leo to find a way back to Calypso or else..well nothing actually since I'm not the author and I don't own any of the characters (sigh).

A Bowl For the Soul

 AGE WARFARE: A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

I'm sure that most of you have at least one or two dystopian-themed books in your shelves. Aside from vampires and werewolves, dystopian seems to be the rage these days. How can you not love this literary genre? It has all the suspense of an impending future that people are always curious to find out  about. With these stories, you can imagine the future of the world along with the author. I started reading Age Warfare with excitement because I'm a major fan of dystopian novels. Add science fiction to it, and then this story becomes the perfect package. This is the debut novel of Juan Carlos Cantu and we are very pleased that he approached us to review it. 

Synopsis:

A social movement pushing for change brews in the United States. The crushing difference between the appalling conditions the younger generation (called limiters) have to endure and the opulent lifestyles of the older folks (called precollapsers) is increasingly unsustainable. The year is 2053, and the compulsive use of technology has molded human interaction, behavior, and learning capabilities, degrading them to a level which decades earlier would have been thought of as pathological. The world is mired in ecological crisis, as the governments around the world intrusively impose regulations aimed at moderating energy consumption growth in an increasingly strained planet. 

This is the world in which Ethan Maxwell is born: a world of harsh conditions; one that apparently no other youth around him seems to have a problem with. His story is one of transformation, one of survival –and one of hope. Accompany Ethan in the journey that takes him from an inconspicuous high school in Boston, Massachusetts, to the zenith of a worldwide social movement that threatens to rock the very structures that keep his generation oppressed and neglected. Age Warfare is the tale of a not-so-foreign future that paints the picture of what could happen if we continue in the current path, but also one that leaves us with the hope of knowing that there is always another opportunity to start anew.

From the beginning of the story, it has captured my interest immediately. I was hanging on to pages after pages, and found it hard to stop reading it. Age Warfare is a unique, wonderful story that taught me a lesson: We have to take good care of the ecosystem. Unlike most dystopian novels, Age Warfare shows a detailed version of what will happen if the society doesn't do something to stop the degradation of our environment. Age Warfare describes a possible future if humanity keeps squandering the natural resources and earth has finally taken its toll from global warming.

Film Delicacy

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Hi Bookworms! I finally got the time to watch Catching Fire last night and I'm not disappointed! The second instalment of this epic trilogy is an improvement from the first movie. It continues from the end of The Hunger Games where our star-crossed lover, Katniss and Peeta (or Peeniss for those fans out there; no pun intended) become the victors of the 74th Hunger Games. In Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta has to participate in the 75th Hunger Games aka Quarter Quell. Quarter Quell happens every 25 years of the Hunger Games and the Capitol will add a twist in the Quarter Quell. This time the tributes from each districts will be taken from the pool of the existing victors. Since the only female victor from District 12 is Katniss, she has to become a tribute again while Peeta volunteer in the stead of Haymitch.

Girl Power!

Katniss and Peeta were the Victor Tribute of District 12

In our previous post about Catching Fire, the overall casting for the new characters introduced  are discussed such as Finnick and Johanna. After watching the movie, I'm very satisfied with Enobaria (she's really feral!), Mags (she's so sweet and have an amazing heart), and Plutarch Heavensbee (he has this sly vibe that suits the character). I'm not too keen on Finnick and Johanna's portrayals; very different from what I had in mind for two of my favourites in the book.While Sam Claflin had definitely hit the gym and packed some serious muscles, his Finnick came off a bit creepy for my taste. I was so looking forward to the Sugar Cube part where he met Katniss for the first time but it was lackluster and well, strange. Johanna was an entirely different matter. Jena Malone's portrayal of Johanna was just okay; not as good as I had imagined but fared better that Claflin's Finnick. I love a strong female character where she doesn't need the saving; instead she saves the boy. Johanna was that kind of girl minus saving the boy part. In the book, Johanna was sarcastic and snarky. Yes, she can be a full blown b*tch but I seriously love that girl. Whereas in the film, Johanna was a little tad too loud but I got to applaud Malone for getting away with two f-bombs during the movie. Even if she's not exactly the Johanna in the book, I still love the Johanna by Jena Malone. She is a real bad-ass chick. Brash and i-don't-give-a-damn attitude; especially when she strip naked in the elevator, it's so hilarious.

A Bowl For the Soul

 TO BE OR NOT TO BE: THE QUEEN OF BAD DECISIONS

“Because some life lessons you just have to learn on your own. You need to set your man bar higher.”- Mary to Daisy; The Queen of Bad Decisions.

Author of Must Love Sandwiches, Janel Gradowski, has released a novella with an ear-catching book title: The Queen of Bad Decisions. As the prequel of Must Love Sandwiches (Bartonville Series), we get to know Daisy better and understand her life dilemmas. This is a great story for those who likes to curl up on their couch to relax and enjoy some light reading.

About The Bartonville Series

Sometimes all you need is one or two bites to satisfy a craving.

That is the principle behind The Bartonville Series. We're all busy. Settling down and spending hours reading a nice, long novel is appealing, but how often do you get to do that? With that thought in mind I am creating a women's fiction series where each book will contain stories of different lengths with companion recipes. There will be flash fiction stories that can be read during a coffee break, novellas that can be devoured over an evening and everything in between, like short stories and novelettes.

A Bowl For the Soul

IT AIN'T EASY BEING JAZZY

“Jasmine.” I stuck out my chest. “Jasmine T. Peacock.” “What’s the T stand for?”
 “Nothing. My mom just thought it sounded cool.”- Jazzy; "It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy"

As a part of 'It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy' blog tour, here's the review of this compelling hilarious story by Quanie Miller. If you like humour and funny chick-lit story, then this is the book for you. 'It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy was loosely based on Miller's experiences loving in Silicon Valley. 

Book Blurb:

Jazzy secretly wants to get back together with her ex boyfriend, Curtis, so when he calls and reveals that he's got something important to tell her, she's got no idea that he's about to propose-to her first cousin and bitter rival, Mercedes.

The annual family dinner is coming up, and fearing that she will spend the evening seething while Mercedes flaunts her four carat engagement ring in her face, Jazzy asks Reggie, an Adonis she met at the mall, to accompany her. As fate would have it, not only did Reggie and Mercedes used to date; that backstabbing, leopard print wearing cow is still carrying a torch for him! Revenge. It's never been so sweet. 

But falling for Reggie? Holy crap! That wasn't part of the plan! She's got enough on her plate as it is with a mother who spies on the neighbors and a sister and best friend with man problems that could land them on Jerry Springer. So when Curtis comes sniffing around again-this time, with an accusation that sends her blood pressure shooting through the roof-the one good nerve that Jazzy's got left has just about run its course.

Even the book blurb made me smile while reading it so I was really eager to start the book. Then, I finished it in two days! Yes, it was that funny and tear-inducing (tears of laughter mind you). This book had definitely won my heart and this book is a must for those who are feeling a little blue these days. 

The main heroine, Jasmine "Jazzy" T. Peacock, will make you laugh so hard with her mischievous nature till your stomach cramps and within her family, she's the least quirky along with her sister. Even her spying-on-the-neighbors-as-a-hobby mother is loveable with her catty attitude. The supporting characters such as Serai are also humorous which made me snort with laughter along the way. 

Hi bookworms! As a part of 'It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy' blog tour, this is a teaser post for everyone who loves a good laugh and a story filled with hilarious moments. It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy will be released on October 15th 2013 and here's the book blurb and excerpt link below:

Book Cover

Jazzy secretly wants to get back together with her ex-boyfriend, Curtis, so when he calls and reveals that he’s got something important to tell her, she’s got no idea that he’s about to propose—to her first cousin and bitter rival, Mercedes.

The annual family dinner is coming up, and fearing that she will spend the evening seething while Mercedes flaunts her four carat engagement ring in her face, Jazzy asks Reggie, an Adonis she met at the mall, to accompany her. As fate would have it, not only did Reggie and Mercedes used to date; that backstabbing, leopard print wearing cow is still carrying a torch for him! Revenge. It’s never been so sweet.

But falling for Reggie? Holy crap! That wasn’t part of the plan! She’s got enough on her plate as it is; restaurant shootouts, a neurotic boss, a mother who spies on the neighbors, and a sister and best friend with man problems that could land them on Jerry Springer. Who has time to fall in love? So when Curtis comes sniffing around again—this time, with an accusation that sends her blood pressure shooting through the roof—the one good nerve that Jazzy’s got left has just about run its course.

Read an Excerpt

I'll be posting a review of the book on the 26th October so keep an eye for it! Happy Reading, bookworms!

A Bowl For The Soul

THE PERFECT UNCOMMON HEIST 

"Time, the greatest thief of all"- Katarina Bishop; Heist Society 

Hi bookworms! It has been quite a while since the last post of A Bowl For the Soul. This time, it's dedicated to the brilliant Heist Society trilogy by Ally Carter.

Ally Carter never cease to surprise her fans with new YA series that is just as amazing as her previous works. That includes Heist Society series that consists of three books: Heist Society, followed by Uncommon Criminals, and closed with the finale of Perfect Scoundrels. Ally Carter has created another phenomenal ensemble characters. This time it has nothing to do with spies or espionage but it's about a group of teenage grifters with the central character, a girl named Katarina Bishop (Even the name sounds cool) who came from a family of con-men (and women).

The first book introduce us to Katarina, a teenage thief protege, enrolls herself  in a prestigious boarding school- with a little bit of con here and there to worm her way into the school. Then after a mere three months there, her friend 16-year-old billionaire W.W Hale V, arranges for her expulsion. After bringing her home, he breaks that five paintings have been stolen from a mobster, Arturo Taccone and that her father is the prime suspect. Determined to save her father by locating the real thief and stealing the paintings back, Kat gathers a 'heist society' to pull off the job before a two-week deadline- where her father will be arrested, only to discover that the works were stolen by world renowned Visily Romani, a thief famous for reclaiming Nazi-spoils. By planning the theft of the Henley museum in London, well known for its security, and always having to be one step ahead of Interpol and the mobster on her tail, Kat is going to pull a heist that will make them remembered by every thieves in the world.