Thursday, October 31, 2013

Interview & Giveaway with Paul Mannering, author of Tankbread


Today we have author Paul Mannering stopping by the blog as part of our Spook-tastic Halloween event! Paul is here to talk about his post-apocalyptic zombie thriller, Tankbread, and share with us his favorite Halloween-y reads and spooky stories!

Tankbread sounds like an awesome and thrilling story, and I don't know about you guys, but personally I can't wait to read it! 

I also have the pleasure of hosting a giveaway of Paul's exciting new book, so be sure to scroll all the way down and enter! :) And great news - it's INTERNATIONAL! 


How would you describe Tankbread to those who haven't heard of it yet?

Tankbread is set in Australia, ten years after humanity lost the war against the risen dead. Now intelligent zombies rule the world.

The survivors live in an uneasy peace within Sydney, feeding the undead of a steady diet of cloned people called Tankbread.

One outlaw courier must go on a journey through the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Australia. Fighting his way into the very heart of the apocalypse in the desperate search for a way to save the last humans and destroy the undead threat.

His only companion is a girl with an extraordinary secret. Her name is Else, and she's Tankbread.

What were the challenges in bringing this story to life? Did you have to do any research for your book?

The main challenges were that I a not Australian and I was writing from New Zealand. My research was a very thorough use of Google Earth and maps to ensure that my descriptions of the locations and travel between the various points in the story were accurate.

Can you share with us a few of your favorite quotes from Tankbread?

Stephen King has said that he spends a long time on preparing the opening line of his books. Tankbread came to life initially from the opening line, which just popped into my head:

The asian across the table from me is tearing great gobs of warm flesh from his girlfriend's neck. Tendons and tissue hand from his mouth in bloody spaghetti strands while his jaw works tirelessly to consume. He chews her like gum.

What are some of your literary inspirations? Favorite books/authors?

I read everyone. My current favourites include, Philip Palmer (Debatable Space), Joe R. Lansdale, HP Lovecraft, John Everson, and Jasper Fforde,

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There is always hope even in the face of disaster.

Halloween is here! To me that means horror movie nights with popcorn, tricks and (hopefully) stacks of yummy treats, and, perhaps most of all, the chance to scare someone and experience the thrill of being scared myself. What does Halloween mean to you?

New Zealand doesn't really celebrate Halloween - which is a terrible shame. For me it means horror movie marathons and telling spooky stories in the dark.

Do you have any real-life spooky stories to share with us? Any supernatural experiences or blood-chilling encounters?

I walked into a room full of my dead ancestors (in ghostly form) in an old homestead in Australia when I was 7. I only found out later who the people I saw were. The room they were in also terrified my mother as a child.

What are some of your favorite scary stories? Any favorite horror or thriller books/authors?

Joe R. Lansdale, "By Bizarre Hands" is one of hte great horror collections. Also John Everson's "Needles and Sins"

What's the scariest / most memorable horror movie you ever saw?

The Ring. The scene were the girl comes out of the well. I have a real phobia about wells.

Fill in the blanks:

1) If I was magically transported back in time to the Dark Ages, I'd... I would be burned at the stake as a heretic and a witch

2) I'm a pro at... Using my imagination. That whole 10,000 hours to master a skill thing really applies to writing and making up stories. Something I have been doing for over 30 years now.

3) I'm addicted to... Writing. It's my escape from the mundane. It is my drug of choice.

4) I'm scared of... Wells and being forgotten.

5) The last book I faked reading was... Atlas Shrugged. The stupidest book I have ever tried to read.

Last question: I'm super curious and I'm sure your fans are all wondering about it too: are you working on a new book now? If so, when can we expect it? Can you share some juicy details to keep our appetites going?

Tankbread II: Immortal is being prepared for publication in 2014.

It continues the story of Else and brings back some old friends and enemies as she races against time to save the one person that means everything to her.

Tankbread III: Deadland is being written at the moment. It's the final book in the trilogy.

I also have a new book I'm working on called Dead! Dead! Dead! which is about bikers in an outbreak of infected insane cannibal types (not zombies) brought about by some bad drugs.

I'm editing an anthology called Fat Zombie, for Permuted Press. It is the stories of the unlikely survivors of the apocalypse. The disabled, the least-prepared etc.




Tankbread by Paul Mannering

Ten years ago humanity lost the war for survival against a spreading plague that brought the dead back to life as flesh eating monsters.

Now intelligent zombies rule the world. Feeding the undead a steady diet of cloned people called Tankbread, the survivors live in a dangerous world on the brink of final extinction.

One outlaw courier must go on a journey through the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Australia. Fighting his way into the very heart of the apocalypse in the desperate search for a way to save the last humans and destroy the undead threat.



His only companion is a girl with an extraordinary secret. Her name is Else and she's Tankbread.


WHAT YOU CAN WIN:  
2 copies of Tankbread (thank you, Permuted Press!)
RUNS TILL: November 14th
OPEN TO: Everyone - it's an International giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

  Blog | Goodreads
Paul Mannering is an award winning writer living in Wellington, New Zealand

Paul has published dozens of short stories and radio plays in a range of genres across many different international markets. He has edited a collection of horror fiction, published his own collection and his first novel.

In 2007 he co-founded BrokenSea Audio Productions, which podcasts free audio drama each week to an audience of millions. Paul lives with his wife Damaris and their two cats.


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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted by Caitlin Elyse (Review & Giveaway)

Genre:
New Adult, Romance, Paranormal
Publication.Date  March 14, 2012
Pages:336
Published By:  Caitlin Elyse
WebsiteCaitlin Elyse

Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted on Goodreads
My review copy:Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Where to get:


When Katherine Ambrose became a Slayer, she had one goal in mind--kill the murderers who destroyed her family. After a brief mission into the human world, Kitty finds herself caught between Kenric, her long-time protector; Darien, her lovesick best friend; and Storm, the silver-blooded immortal with an ego to match her own. She never thought she'd attract the attention of one of Hell's cruel masters. When Itzal, the demonic warlord of Hell, declares war on Heaven, Kitty must fight her desires and her thirst for revenge if she wants to remain free. Not even Heaven's holy strength can deter Itzal from his target. And that target is Kitty. Heaven has bound her to their moral will. Hell is hunting her for their own dark desires. And three men are vying for her affection.
(Goodreads)

"Mm-hmm," Storm nodded, rested his chin on one hand, and put on a wide-eyed, enthralled expression. "That's fascinating, do tell. 'By any means necessary'? That sounds scary. What does the big bad Slayer have in mind?"
I laughed. "You did good."
Storm gave me a mock pout. "But I was trying so hard to do bad."
"You have ears. Cat ears." Storm's voice was playfully accusatory.
"Congratulations, you have eyes that work right," I snapped irritably, too tense to come up with a better retort.

I've been in somewhat of a paranormal slump recently. Not for any particular reason, I've just been reading a bunch of contemporaries, and I was okay with that. But then I sat down and started reading Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted. And goodness gracious, this book. THIS BOOK, Y'ALL. I am in love. 
I loved learning about this world and the creatures within it. There are so many paranormal creatures in this book. Some I don't think I've even heard of before, and others that I've never seen in this light before. It was also incredibly cool how the heavenly aspect isn't all sunshine and roses like we'd expect. It's actually kind of dark and sort of flawed in a way that made this story stand out from others it might be compared to.

I was to carry these lovely characters around in my pocket. Not because they're all adorable or happy-happy or whatever. But they were FUNNY. And I love them. Kitty was snarky and strong, but as the story went on she got more vulnerable and I think it was good to see her knocked down a notch. It's not often that happens and I still want to be BFFs with a character. And, in case you couldn't tell from my quotes, I adore Storm. I'm crushing all over that angel boy. (Not stereotypical angel boy, mind you. It's just a lineage thing.) 

Sweet, sweet romance made me smile. And swoon. One of the things that drew me to this book was the fact that there were three guys instead of two--that takes away the possibility of a traditional love triangle. It was a pleasant surprise to also see that while the guys all cared for Kitty, they weren't over-the-top obnoxious about it. Plus, that little boy brio we've got going on takes a little twist at one point, changing things up. It also helped that Kitty didn't bounce between the guys every five seconds. She knew what she wanted and she went for it, which I admire.

And then there is the fact that Storm is everything I could ask for in a book boyfriend. Seriously. I love him. I WANT MOAR. *grabby hands*

The ending left me wanting more. Partly because I just love these characters and their story and partly because of the way things ended. I mean, I can live until I get book 2. I can. I can, I can, I can. But I WANT more so bad. Goodness, I already miss these Kitty and Storm. I heeeeearrrrt theeeeem!

Overall, this is the best paranormal romance I've read in a while. I am seriously racking my brain for a paranormal book I've read recently that I loved as much as this one...and I'm coming up blank. It has enough of the regular stuff to be something I like, but it was also different enough to hold my attention and not bore me. At all. Not one little bit. Ahhhh, this book. So much love!

Cailtin Elyse is awesome enough to be giving away a paperback copy of Heaven Bound, Hell Hunted along with the sequel, Heaven Prays, Hell Preys to one lucky winner! The paperback giveaway is US/Canada only, but if you're international, you can still enter to win digital copies of the books instead. Trust me, you want these books. Enter through the Rafflecopter below!

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Blog Tour: Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards (Review)

Genre:
Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller 
Publication.Date  October 1st 2012
Pages:326
Published By:  Sourcebooks Fire
AuthorNatalie Richards

Six Months Later on Goodreads
My review copy:Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Where to get:


Chloe didn't think about it much when she nodded off in study hall on that sleepy summer day. But when she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life. Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.

What happened to her? 
And why can't she remember?

(Goodreads)

How much harm could one teeny little catnap do?
My memory decides to have some sort of massive file corruption and these are the months I missed? What about my years in braces? Or the summer my dog and grandmother died a month apart? No, I get to miss the six months that turned my life from train wreck into perfection. Lovely.
Riding home with a fake boyfriend sucks under normal circumstances. But now, said boyfriend isn't just fake. He's also hiding something from me. And it's not an early Christmas present.



     Six Months Later is a total nail-biter from start to finish

     Chloe falls asleep in Study Hall. Fast forward six months and she wakes up, only to discover that her life has been flipped inside out. She has dirt under her fingernails and no clue what happened to her. Her best friend doesn't speak to her anymore. The hot guy she's been crushing on for ages is now her boyfriend. But, oddly enough, it is the creepy guy with a criminal record and crooked (*coughs* sexy *coughs*) smile that is making her heart beat faster. She's also one of the top students in her class now! How weird is that?! Amnesia caused by SAT-related stress? Is she going crazy or has something terrible happened to her? 

     There are no paranormal elements at play in this book, though half of the time (OK - 99% of the time!) you feel like there is something sinister and evil going on. And of course, you're right about that! The story is dripping with tension, mystery and intrigue. It's so intense, I had to make a conscious effort not to bite my nails. And Richards' excellent writing style only enhances the experience. The narration flows effortlessly, and the plot line is so unbelievably gripping, it practically swallows you whole. I honestly did not expect to be so completely immersed in this book. I have been hearing amazing things about Six Months Later even before I picked it up, but even all the rave reviews, all the oohs and aaahs, did not prepare me for the crazy rollercoaster ride it turned out to be. This book is a masterpiece! 

     Chloe is an unreliable narrator; she has no idea what is going on and has to work hard to discover the truth behind her missing memories. Her story is a puzzle, and as you read further into it, you begin to put the pieces together. And boy, do they snap together tightly! You can't help but admire Richard's seamless plotting and how much thought she put into this story. The result is a taut and ingenious thriller

     As far as characters are concerned, I must say I really loved Chloe. She is my kind of heroine, spirited and complex, and with just a sprinkle of sass that makes her very likeable. She's confused, lost, frustrated and understandably frantic about the whole situation, but she doesn't whine about it, she starts digging, determined to uncover the truth. And so what if she's risking her shiny new apple-pie life, she doesn't care! She liked her old life and she wants it back. I loved that about her! She's scared - terrified even! - but she doesn't back down. This girl is a fighter and it took me no time at all to connect with her. Her voice is genuinely awesome, too. Despite all the shady/scary things going on around her, she doesn't freak out, doesn't get overly dramatic, no, she keeps it cool. Her inner dialogue is often quite amusing, especially when she makes biting remarks about things and people around her. That's another thing I absolutely loved about her! 

     And Adam? *dreamy sigh* Oh, Adam is just simply delicious. Mysterious, edgy, complicated.. A guy with a baggage, lost, troubled and utterly irresistible. To me, he was fascinating and I really liked him from the get-go, just like I liked Chloe and Maggie. 

     The bottom line here is that you MUST read this book. I believe this is a story that everyone will enjoy, no matter your genre preferences, etc. It's unnerving, compelling and heart-pounding. Above all, though, it's just a really awesome book with a fantastic, well-thought-out plot line and great, memorable characters. I can't wait for Natalie D. Richards' next novel!


About the author:

Natalie D. Richards won her first writing competition in the second grade with her short story about Barbara Frances Bizzlefishes (who wouldn't dare do the dishes.) Now she writes about awesome girls, broody boys, and all things dark and creepy. When she's not writing or shopping her manuscripts, you can probably find her wading through the towers of dog-eared paperbacks that have taken over her bedroom. Natalie lives in Ohio (Go Bucks!) with her techno-wiz husband, three amazing kids, and a seventy pound dust-mop who swears he's the family dog.
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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Three Month Plan by Kimberly Patterson



Genre:
Women's Fiction
Publication.Date  August 9th 2013
Pages:260
Published By:  Amazon Digital Services
WebsiteKimberly Patterson

The Three Month Plan Goodreads
My review copy:I received a copy from the CLP blog tour in exchange for an honest review


Where to get:



Kelly Callahan had everything going for her. Everything that is, except for a relationship. It wasn't for the lack of trying, it just seemed like she was a magnet for all the wrong ones. But all of that was about to change the minute she laid eyes on Jake.
On a dare from her close friend, Michelle, Kelly accepts a challenge to date and become Jake’s girlfriend within three months. The consequence of losing is global humiliation, and she refuses to lose.

Enlisting the help of her childhood friend and confidant, Brian, Kelly manages to catch Jake's attention. She also unknowingly hooks Brian who tries to sabotage the plan. Kelly finds herself with a dilemma; take the final step with Jake and win the plan or follow her heart and reveal her feelings for Brian.


“This is exactly why I was afraid to fall in love with anyone in the first place. I knew that I wasn't worthy of being loved in return, even by my best friend."
“As much as I tried to push him from my mind, my heart hurt knowing that we had driven a distance between us that I never knew could exist."
“If you really want my advice, you should fight for what you want and who you love. Don't let her get away. You could be missing out on the rest of your life thinking about what could have been.."



"Sometimes you just have to be ready to see what's right in front of you for what it really is"
This romance is told from both the view point of Kelly and Brian (her best friend). I love books like this because you get to see what the guy is thinking through out the book. It can be hard to do when writing to tell the story this way, but Kimberly Patterson pulled it off without a hitch. 

A warm, heart pounding story of friendship and love, this book was really good. At first you want Kelly to win her bet she has with her friend Michelle, but then you find yourself starting to route for Brian because he is such a great character. His character is funny, sweet and very sincere. Qualities that women all want in a guy. Although Jake is a great character in the beginning, as the story is played out, I found myself not liking him. Not because of anything he did necessarily but because he is the only thing standing between Kelly and Brian.

The character of Kelly was such an original female protagonist. She was beautiful but didn't know it. Innocent, even though she had many boyfriends in the past and was going into college next term. Fun-loving and a great friend. It was easy to see why Jake would fall for her and also why Brian would realize his feelings for her. There was just nothing not to like about her. 

I would reccomend this book for people who enjoy a good love story, told from both points of view. Kimberly Patterson has a great story telling voice and is a pro at creating characters you can really fall in love with. 




GIVEAWAY
**Everyone who leaves a comment below will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Three Month Plan before November 11 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**



About the Author

Horses were one of my first loves, and writing soon followed. As a child, I spent hours writing poems, and short stories (about horses). My parents realized that I was horse-obsessed and decided to buy me one after taking riding lessons for two years. I think they hoped that all of the hard work, and hours spent mucking stalls would help me give up this expensive hobby. They were wrong. Writing is still a passion of mine, although now I primarily write fiction. My first novel, Red Rock, was published in 2010, and big surprise, there are horses in it. My second novel, The Three Month Plan was released August 2013.
Other Loves: My family, yoga, skincare and makeup, sushi, and raising money for pediatric cancer. I have two rescue dogs and would have more if there weren't zoning restrictions. I’m always trying something new, as I tend to get bored very easily. Thankfully, my love of driving around with the gas light on fuels some excitement. I love novels with happy endings, and am a hopeful romantic. My latest obsession is browsing Netflix, and I can name all 50 states in alphabetical order in under 30 seconds. Do I feel a wager coming on?


To read more about Kimberley or to purchase her books please visit the following links:

http://kimberleypatterson.wordpress.com

http://kimberleyskincare.wordpress.com

www.thethreemonthplan.com

www.kimberleypatterson.com
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