Letter Q April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 17 April A to Z Challenge, my theme is characters from books I’ve read plus some audience participation.

Letter Q is for Quetzalcoatl from The Obsidian Mirror by K.D Keenan

The Obsidian Mirror is a fantasy surrounding Native American mythology and mixing it with modern day environmental issues. Sierra Carter has just been fired from her job in PR at Black Diamond a company who make silicon conductors.

She then finds herself chosen by mythical Gods to help save the planet. Given magical feathers, a guide called Chaco who can morph into a coyote and befriended by a creature called a Mannegishi, Sierra is taken to meet an ancient God known as Quetzalcoatl. He sends her on a mission to wipe out the evil that Black Diamond is spreading around the world.

I enjoyed learning about the Native American mythology and the healers who helped Sierra.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’m asking readers to create book titles using the letter Q for the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll choose my favourites.

Here are today’s randomly chosen fellow challengers for you to visit.

http://www.jaynoel.com/

http://nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk/

http://spbwriting.blogspot.co.uk/

http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.co.uk/

http://didyoueverkissafrog.typepad.com/

As part of the tour we are asking readers to leave comments, thank you.

A to Z Challenge Week 3 Sunday Round-up #AtoZChallenge

During week 3 of the April A to Z Challenge we’ve passed the half way mark in the alphabet.

My theme is characters from books I’ve read plus book title audience participation pieces.

If you are just catching up here are links to this week’s posts.

Letter K http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sQ

Letter L http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sS

Letter M http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sU

Letter N http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sW

Letter O http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sY

Letter P http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6t0

Letter P April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 16 April A to Z Challenge, my theme is characters from books I’ve read plus some audience participation.

Letter P is for Mrs Parish from Motherlove by Thorne Moore

Motherlove is contemporary fiction and a heart-wrenching tale of three mothers and their love for their children. Mrs Parish haunts a local park everyday searching for any clues which would lead her to find her baby who was snatched twenty-two years ago. She is a shell barely surviving, constantly facing those who accuse her of murdering her baby, even after so many years.

Kelly Sheldon arrives home to find her Mum seriously ill. Roz has always shied away from doctors and authority but now she needs help, diagnosed with Diabetes, she’s damaged her kidneys. The vegetarian diet they eat will help her recovery and Roz still insists on her herbal remedies, but Kelly goes behind her back to have tests to see if she can donate a kidney for a Mother’s survival.

Gillain walks on eggshells around her angry daughter never knowing the right way to deal with her and always feeling guilty about never finding the right time to tell her she is adopted. That is until the evil Joan blabs in yet another bought of hatred towards her family. Grasping for details Vicky digs up news reports from twenty-two years ago which fuel her anger at the world.

As the story unfolds we read of women who were victims of strong emotions surrounding their babies and life experiences which shaped their futures. There’s no right or wrong definition of a mother’s love in the constant flux of life but it still exists.

A very good tale which kept me enthralled until the end.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’m asking readers to create book titles using the letter P for the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll be choosing my favourites.

Here are some randomly chosen challengers for you to visit today

https://afullcupoftea.wordpress.com/

http://thetexascountrywife.blogspot.co.uk/

https://wtfaioa.wordpress.com/

https://mrsmsmeanderings.wordpress.com/

http://entrepreneurialgoddess.blogspot.co.uk/

As part of the tour challenge we are asking readers to leave comments on blogs, thank you.

Letter O April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 15 April A to Z Challenge, my theme is characters from books I’ve read, plus some audience participation.

Letter O is for Rose O’Carroll from I Listened To My Heart by Rosemary Gallagher.

Rose O’Carroll lives in Australia, she comes form a large family. We meet her just before her fortieth birthday when she decides she’s going to spread her wings and move to London. Rose believes in Angels, Spirit Guides and Guardian Angels. She’s always spoken to her Angels and firmly believes that everything happens for a reason.

The book is narrated by Rose in a chatty format which made me feel like one of her girlfriends, I was there with her through all the trauma and the love. This book is about faith, love and friendship. Rose has yet to be seriously in love and over the next ten years of her life we are taken on a spiritual roller-coaster as Rose finds her twin soul and her soul mate. She pushes her own boundaries of self discovery and becomes a better person for it.

I can’t wait to read the next book. This book is for all those who believe in their Angels and those who love a good love story.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’m asking reader to create book titles using the letter O from the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll choose my favourites.

Some randomly chosen blogging challenger for you to visit today.

http://smidgensbitsandsnippets.blogspot.co.uk/

http://evegaal.blogspot.co.uk/

http://towerofthearchmage.blogspot.co.uk/

https://seezooeyrun.wordpress.com/

http://gettingupagainforthe8thtime.blogspot.co.uk/

As an ongoing part of the challenge we are asking readers to leave comments on posts, thank you.

Letter N April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 14 of the April A to Z Challenge and my theme is characters from books I’ve read, plus some audience participation.

Letter N is for Nin from Marked for Magic by Daisy Banks

Marked for Magic is an adult fantasy. It does contain sensual sexual encounters. Nin has been thrown out of her village because she has the mark of a witch. The villagers have sent her to a Mage called Thabit to be trained as his apprentice. At first he doesn’t want an apprentice, but he is soon attracted to her and finds she does have magical skills. He would rather her be trained at the castle of Lord Farel by the Lord’s sister Cassandra.

 Whilst at the castle Thabit foretells of a darkness which will consume the land unless he can find it’s source. Thabit and Nin share an ability to communicate telepathically and Nin must rescue Thabit when his spirit is captured, and together they must become a strong power to defeat the evil.

A well written book and I enjoyed the details of the magic.

This book is due to be published on April 28th and can be pre-ordered here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’m asking readers to create book titles using the letter N for the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll chose my favourites.

Here are some randomly chosen links to other challenge bloggers for you to visit today.

http://www.thecontemplativecat.blogspot.co.uk/

http://hobbyofphotography.blogspot.in/

http://www.rkgtheauthor.com/

http://lawsofgravity.blogspot.co.uk/

https://bftreviews.wordpress.com/

During the tour we are asking readers to leave comments on blog posts, thank you.

Letter M April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 13 of the April A to Z Challenge, my theme is characters from books I’ve read, plus some audience participation.

Letter M is from Matthew Hopkins from The Black Hours by Alison Williams

The Black Hours is a book that thinks about the actual lives of ordinary people who are mixed up in a period of history that is well publicised. Set in England around 1647, a time of Civil War and strong religious times. This book looks at the famous Witch Trials.

The author has interpreted some of the documented names and facts into a thoughtful story about the horrors of the period. We meet Alice Pendle and her Grandmother Maggie, wise women of Coggeshall who have used herbs and ointments to help and heal the villagers for years. When their midwifery skills result in the unfortunate death of a mother and child, people start to whisper.

Religious fears have been stirred up in the country and Matthew Hopkins believes he has a duty to God. He must rid the earth of evil in the form of Witches. With the law behind him Matthew arrives in Coggeshall and finds a supportive Minister and Lord of the Manor. Villagers are encouraged to sign witness statements condemning Alice and Maggie.

What follows is a horrific tale of their trials and suffering at the hands of Matthew and his supporters. This tale depicts the suffering of just 2 lives. During the actual period of history in question it is believed that between 200 and 300 women were similarly accused and tried. It was a terrible time and an example of how people are easily led and manipulated by their fears.

This is a well written glimpse in to the window of history.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’m asking readers to create book titles using the letter M for the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave you answers in the comments below and I’ll be choosing my favourites.

Today’s randomly chosen fellow challengers for you to visit today

http://susannedrazic.blogspot.co.uk/

http://fromthemarkettotheplate.blogspot.co.uk/

http://catstarrastraltraveller.com/

http://curiousasacathy.com/

http://gwynnsgritandgrin.com/

As part of the challenge we encourage all readers to leave comments, thank you.

Letter L April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 12 of the April A to Z Challenge, my theme is characters from books I’ve read, plus some audience participation.

Letter L is for Lottie Brinkley from Stable Mates by Zara Stonely

Stable Mates is a hot romance or bonkbuster and not a book for those who like their romances sweet. Written in a style similar to Jilly Cooper it may not be for some readers, while others will thoroughly enjoy this romp around the Cheshire countryside involving death, disaster, passion and feuds.

Rory Steel is a sexy three-day eventer and owner of a small horse yard in Tippermere. Billy Blinkley is a former superstar show-jumper with a reputation as a womaniser. Amanda James is a grieving widow and now owner of Folly Lake Equestrian Centre, while Lady Elizabeth Stanthorpe resides over all the proceedings with a meddling and mischievous skill.

Through lots of confusion and twists Lottie, Billy’s daughter is searching for reasons why she loves the place and is desperate not to see it sold off and her father left homeless. Should she keep forever chasing the hopeless Rory or should she look for love and stability elsewhere? Perhaps Mick the Irish Farrier has the answers or perhaps Tom the supermodel?

This was a fun read and very suitable as a holiday or beach read.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’m asking readers to think up book titles using the letter L for the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll be choosing my favourites.

Here are today’s randomly chosen fellow challengers for you to visit.

http://afieldtriplife.com/

http://www.marianallen.com/

https://broccoliaddict.wordpress.com/

http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.margokelly.net/

Throughout the challenge we are asking readers to leave comments of blog posts, thank you.

Letter K April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 11 of the April A to Z Challenge, my these is characters from books I’ve read plus some audience participation.

Letter K is for Kate Wolseley from The Orchid Tree by Siobhan Daiko

The Orchid Tree is a historical drama set in Hong Kong. The First part is from 1941 – 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during WWII. Fifteen year old Kate Wolseley is British and lives with her parents on The Peak. When the Japanese invade and the governor surrenders no one can quite believe what happens.

Once the Japanese have taken over, Kate and her family are moved to the Stanley Internment Camp, an ex-prison. Conditions are poor and food soon runs very short. Kate makes friends with Charles Pearce a half Chinese boy as they queue each day for water and attend lessons together. The descriptions and imagery are very thought provoking as everyone waits to be rescued by either the British or the Americans.

Across the water in Macau we meet Sophia Rodrigues and her family who are from Portuguese descent. During the war, Macau was neutral, yet Japanese people still arrived in the area. Sophia’s father is head of the Macau gold consortium and befriends the Japanese Kimura family. Sophia is half Chinese and is close to her Uncle who is involved with smuggling. During the war he smuggles medicines into the POW camps.

As the recapture of Hong Kong drew nearer, situations on both sides got very desperate, Charles is arrested one day when the prison guards learn of a radio that the prisoners are listening to. News comes that Charles was on a ship heading for a Japanese labour camp when the boat as torpedoed and everyone fears the worse.

A heart-broken Kate and her father go to Australia after the war, but both return to their home in Hong Kong later. Part two of the book covers the years 1948-1949. Hong Kong rebuilds itself and there are many opportunities to make money for enterprising individual’s. The population is growing fast with the spread of communism in China and people fleeing the fighting. Sophia and Kate are both young ladies now and their lives and loves link them in more ways than one.

I enjoyed this book, it was a very good insight into the war years and how Hong Kong expanded in the post war years.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation piece I’m asking readers to think up book titles using the letter K for the picture below

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll be choosing my favourites

Today, I’ve lined up the following fellow challengers for you to visit.

http://www.colindsmith.com/blog/

https://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com/

https://lje1.wordpress.com/

http://www.desertcanyonliving.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.melanieschulz.blogspot.co.uk/

As part of the challenge we are asking readers to leave comments, thank you.

April A to Z Challenge Sunday round-up week 2 #AtoZChallenge

Welcome to my Sunday round-up of the April A to Z Challenge.

At the end of week 2 here are links to the posts you might want to catch up with.

My theme is characters from books I’ve read , plus I have a fun book title challenge going on.

Letter E http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sE

Letter F http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sG

Letter G http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sI

Letter H http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sK

Letter I http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sM

Letter J http://wp.me/p2Eu3u-6sO

Letter J April A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge

Day 10 of the April A to Z Challenge and my these is characters from books I’ve read, plus a little audience participation piece.

Letter J is for John Steel from Rise Of A Phoenix by Phill Syron-Jones

Rise Of The Phoenix by Phill Syron-Jones

 

Rise of a Phoenix is an exciting action thriller set in New York. It opens with kidnapping and a brutal murder. Homicide detective Samantha McCall and her team soon find themselves on the trail of a serial murderer.

Mixed with this is the exciting figure known by many names such as The Shadow, The Phoenix and The Lone Wolf. John Steel ex-Navy SEAL operative, joins the NYPD team whilst on his own search for Santini. The name behind a vicious past that drives Steel forward. Steel reminded me of James Bond at times as the action took off involving Russians, hired thugs, homeless men and an array of weaponry.

There are plenty of twists and turns and the storyline kept me enthralled until the end.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

For my audience participation I’d like you to think up book titles using the letter J for the picture below.

A book title and cover picture can often make or break a book sale. Is a book cover eye-catching? Does the book title appeal to the reader?

Have fun creating book titles from my own pictures, you might even think about a genre they could fit.

Leave your answers in the comments below and I’ll be choosing my favourites.

Here are some randomly chosen challenger bloggers for you to visit today.

http://www.thingsmymothertaught.com/

http://robertbreen.com.au/

http://iwantbacksies.blogspot.co.uk/

http://ramblinwitham.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.generationgossip.com/

As part of the A to Z Challenge we ask readers to leave comments on blogs thank you.