PROMISE - book review

PROMISE
by debut author Kristie Cook
Release date: July 30th (see marker on the side for further information)

About the novel:

Alexis Ames has a life full of promise…but not all promises can be kept.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can’t be real, she decides it’s time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family’s secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy…until she discovers he’s not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family’s secret society, the Angels’ army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy – Satan’s minions and Tristan’s creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

My opinion:

I won this book as part of a giveaway in a contest hosted by Kristie Cook. The first thing I noticed was the cover. I love it. It's simple and beautiful. Then I opened the book to the first page and saw this--

The sensation of being watched clung to me like a spider web, invisible threads bristling the back of my neck and down my spine.

And I was hooked.

As you can see, the writing is beautifully done. The beginning starts off with action and keeps a great pace throughout the rest of the story. A definite page-turner.

The main character, Alexis Ames, is someone you immediately care about. And as other characters are introduced, the descriptions given are tantalizing, making you want to know more about them and their plight.

The storyline keeps you intrigued, pulling you into Alexis' world full of family traditions, friendships, and magic; topped with a battle between the armies of good and evil for good measure.

Quite honestly, this is one of the best books I've read since my love affair with the MORTAL INSTRUMENT SERIES. I highly recommend it.

If you love the blooming romance of TWILIGHT and the magic of EVERMORE, this book is right up your alley.

Time..Where Does It Go?

Summer is here and my time feels so limited. As I am sure everyone is experiencing.

I honestly don't know how some people find time to write with kids, jobs, meetings, family outings, "I have to go here" kid things, and so forth and so on. It seems since summer started that my time disappears into whiffs of smoke.

Now that Perfection is finished, edited, and I really hope shining, I'm getting ready to start the second book in the series (no title as of yet) on Monday. But I have to go there and do this and that, my distractions of blogs and trying to keep up with agent and publishing news, I'm doing another beta read (which is something I really love doing)--oh...not to mention the fact my computer is in the living room and people come and flip on the television regardless of the crazy lady sitting in front of the computer clacking away on the keyboard--so I am forced to really have to set aside time to write.

I wish I could just pop up first thing in the morning all bright-eyed and bushy-tail (while everyone else is snoozing), and start typing, but unfortunately the gears in my head are barely moving. I tried it, can't do it. All I want to do is zombie-out while my neurons kick start into firing.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun for my fellow writers and blog readers to tell me what they do to schedule their time to include everyday distractions, family, work, exercise, chores, taxi driving, and whatever interferes with what you really want to do (which is write).

Maybe help can be found within the comments.

New Picture

Hi all.

This is my wish cover for my finished wip Perfection. My daughter designed it for me. She is rather talented. I told her what I kind of wanted and then she made it even better.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.


Thanks.

Writing a learning process

I've been writing seriously for more than three years now. I have three completed novels. My first is a fantasy, my second is a paranormal romance, and my most recent is a dystopian fantasy.

And no...none of my novels are published. I am currently sending queries for PERFECTION and crossing my fingers.

I just wanted to share with you what I have learned.

My first completed novel, Krelis, is bad. I'll say it. It really is. Part of the reason for that is I tried to stick to the rules completely, and I wrote out my voice. (I did a blog about the rules earlier.) While editing, I forgot the most important rule. Voice. I wrote my voice right out of the book. Just remember, the rules are there, use them wisely, but don't forget your voice. I sent out queries...not one (not one) request.

My second novel...I wrote it the way I wanted, and went back and edited. I used the rules, but I kept in what I thought was important in keeping my voice. The book was better, and I actually learned a little more about queries...I actually got a full request. Yes, said agent (a wonderful agent by the way) passed, but it was a step closer.

Now with my third...One thing I have learned is to use the rules even more wisely and keep my voice. And once again. The rules are there, sometimes they are meant to be broken, others times maybe not, just use them wisely and remember voice, voice, voice. I honestly believe that is the most important element in writing a great story. Voice is what draws the reader in to your story, into your world, and breathes life into your characters.

I have a couple of queries out for Perfection, and I'm waiting. I've already got one rejection (by a most wonderful agent) but that is okay. I'm still waiting. Testing the waters with my many-times revised query.

What I wanted to share with everyone is don't give up. Learn. Writing is a never-ending learning process. And I believe with every book I've written (and you have written) your voice becomes more defined, your story-telling capabilities mature, and your wonderful story will shine.

Don't ever give up.