Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Review and Blog Tour: Vienna Sky by Josh Sinason




Vienna SkyJosh Sinason
Genre:  Spy-Fy, YA, Thriller. 
Publisher: Eternal Press
Date of Publication: September 1eBook ISBN: 978162929312Print ISBN: 9781629293134
Number of pages: 180
Word Count: 75,000
Cover Artist: Dawné Dominique

 
 
Book Description:
 
 When the world pushes you to your limits, sometimes your limits push back.
Archie thought making it out of New Jersey was a long shot. That was before an Eastern European mobster wanted to crack open his head to get the secrets inside, put there by a dead spy he barely knew.
The secrets buried in his head will take Archie across the world and into the arms of Rebecca, the girl recruited as the spy’s last asset. She has her own secrets and her own demons buried in her head. Together they learn what they are capable of in a life and death battle for love and justice.

Available at Eternal Press

 
In the first person narrative of Vienna Sky by Josh Sinason, we follow a young man, Archie, who has the memories of a CIA Agent. As if high school in the poor part of town in New Jersey wasn’t enough for this kid, headaches, crazy dreams and feeling everything that happens in those dreams are becoming the norm for Archie. Upon meeting a mysterious man some of Archie’s questions are getting answered but soon many more a rise. Like who is the pretty girl the keeps popping up in the midst of drug lords and double agents.
 
Now, to start off, the beginning of the book confused me. I didn’t realize that one minute he was on the bus and the next it was two adults talking. It took me a few to realize that Archie was having a dream. Eventually you get used to the sudden change of real time vs. memory/dream time. Once you get to know all the players your brain catches up with the changes. I will say that Josh Sinason did do an amazing job at giving you lots of sensory detail, the grittiness. You can see it all unfold before your eyes, feeling and seeing everything through Archie’s story. There is violence but it wasn’t overly done. He did go into detail on the pain of injuries and whizzing of bullets. If you are into spies/who done it/mystery type stories with a hint of sci-fi this is your book.
 
 

About the Author:
Josh Sinason is a freelance writer working in the Northern Illinois area. His work has appeared as part of Chicago DIY Film Magazine.  His past work includes all ages short story romances, A Linger in the Echo and Monaco Dawn. 


Excerpt 2

 

  Again, I ignored my gut telling me to go see her right away. I sat there and watched from a distance.  It was standard procedure when confronting an asset that’s been left unattended anyway.  Still, I was looking forward to getting this paranoid streak out of my head with the rest of Agent Stephen Locke when this was all over.

            The First National Bank of Vienna was an old brick art deco building covered in sleek new tinted glass windows.  The bricks were worn and bleached from too many winters, but the glass was brand new and freshly cleaned twice a week top to bottom.  There was a front gate with a wrought iron angel sculpture with massive wings and a guard that was a solid 230lbs and knew how to handle himself.  The place wasn’t kidding about security.  Even the window washers had background checks on top of background checks.  It was a hard building to get into, but not impossible.  I picked up patterns: where maintenance trucks were parked, when the guards switched spots.  I saw gaps in their system. They weren’t huge but they were enough for someone quick and small to get through.

Aside from the MI6 guy at the table behind me with the Sig 229 under his arm tailing someone on a completely different case, there was not a single spy to be found.  I surveyed the building on three sides over the hour and didn’t see anything suspicious.  I guess it was time to meet my asset.  Although, in all the surveying and spy hunting, I never really thought of just how I was going to get into the building.

            The easiest way would be a zip-line from the building next door but I couldn’t think of any way to get one on such short notice, so I needed another way in.  I didn’t have Locke’s CIA resources, so I had to use what I had on me, what even Locke didn’t have: the face of a child.  Although, I really wanted to try that zip-line thing, Locke remembers the training course at Langley; it seemed fun to me.

               “Excuse me, sir,” I said in German, as I did my best to act shy with my hands in my pockets and my head down low.  “Mr. Raines, my father, was just dying for a pastry.  I’m to bring it to him post haste.”

            “He didn’t clear it with me.  You’ll have to wait here while I call him.”

            “Well, um.”  I was backing away slowly.  I’d have to go back late at night. Maybe I can tail him and drug him or memorize the shift schedule and make sure to get them right at the switch and sneak in.  It’d take a few days, but maybe I could get that zip-line and maybe some surveillance equipment. I just needed a burn phone and—

            There she was walking out with her bagged lunch to enjoy her lunch hour.  The sunlight hit her hair just right for me to see an auburn gleam from her highlights.  It was like she was actually wearing a halo.  Her bright green eyes lit up like one of those bronze statutes.

            “Actually, never mind. Dad shouldn’t be eating the sugar anyway.”  I handed him the bag and quickly dashed across the street, holding my empty cup of coffee the entire time and the spring in my step so I wouldn’t look like I was running after her.

            Locke had long since got used to tailing people.  The weirdness and uneasy feeling he had the first few times was a distant memory to him.  To me, following a girl who I never laid eyes on before that day but had dreams about every night for the last week, was awkward.  I mean, being turned down for the high school dance in front of the entire class awkward. Just like then, you power through and focus on what you want. After a few minutes, all the awkwardness melts away and you’re in genuine spy mode.  It was weird, but in that moment, tailing a girl I knew but never met because of someone whose mind was downloaded into mine, I felt like a real spy.  

            I followed a good half a block behind, sometimes farther, sometimes closer.  The trick to a good tail is to not follow the book on what makes a good tail.  Even someone untrained can tell when someone behind is walking just a little too deliberately.  So, being awkward gave me an advantage.  I had a lot of training at Park Slope High.

            I tailed her a few blocks until we got to the Athena statue outside the parliament building where she sat and unpacked her lunch.  I kept my distance, still holding my empty coffee cup, pretending to take a sip every now and then.     

            The coast was clear; we were relatively alone.  All I had to do was approach her and tell her she was in trouble, we could go the embassy and get a flight back to New York.  I felt a little guilty about pulling her out of Vienna but—

            “No way,” I said as I dropped my coffee cup.  “Not now.”  It was on the clear other side of the parliament gardens, but I could see it.  The way he stood there, the way he held his jacket tight so no one could see his gun. It was clear.  This guy was here to start something.  I started thinking about ways to get over there and disarm him without taking my eyes off Rebecca.  I was about to move around the other side, drawing him back toward the maintenance entrance.  Right then, I wondered if the gun in my backpack was loaded.

 

 
 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Tuesday Takeover: Spotlight on Author Dariel Raye





Dariel Raye

Dariel is an animal lover who writes IR/MC (interracial/multi-cultural) paranormal and fantasy romance. She is presently writing a shifter series, “Dark Sentinels,” a reluctant hell-dweller series, “Kushiel’s Keep,” two Nephilim series with vampire-like heroes, “Orlosian Warriors” and “Cain’s Progeny,” “Lifegivers,” a paranormal romance series with a variety of beings, and an erotic fantasy newsletter serial. To learn more about Dariel and her books, visit her blog,  join her newsletter, and follow her on Amazon.





Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I just released “Calm Assurance,” the first book in my new “Orlosian Warriors” series. The series is about a race of vampire-like Nephilim. Also, on Oct. 2nd “Finder Of Lost Love” will be released. It’s part of a unique 12-author game project spearheaded by author Nhys Glover. The anthology includes 12 romances and one mystery connecting the romances and you can pre-order your copy now. Here’s the video: https://youtu.be/p2ft5tcD1oM





Who designs your covers?
I’ve designed most of my covers with the exception of “Dark Sentinels” books one and two. Those were designed by Elise Trissel, graphic designer and daughter of author Beth Trissel.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Read everything you can get your hands on, and support other authors. By helping others, we help ourselves. Authors, particularly indie authors, wear many hats, but you can’t do everything and do it well. Focus on the hats you wear best and hire professionals to help with the others. You’d be surprised at the number of reasonable service providers you can find as long as you’re reasonable with and respectful of them and their time and effort.

Do you have any writing rituals or certain things you do to aid your writing process?
I love to have paranormal TV series or movies playing in the background while I’m writing. For this reason I’m a huge Netflix and Amazon Prime fan. LOL

Favorite snack and thing to drink while you write?
I inherited an addiction to pecans and various nuts from my Dad, so I indulge in those when I can. Otherwise, I eat crushed ice or sip on smoothies or tea.


ebook or print? 
Both

junk food or sweets? 
Is there a difference? LOL Give me spicy junk any day.

dogs or cats? 
Both, but if I must choose, dogs are more loyal and make better running buddies.

tea or coffee? 
Tea

dark or light colors? 
Neutral, mostly earth tones and black

angels or demons? 
Why, angels, of course!

paranormal romance or historical romance? 
Paranormal

Boxers or Briefs? 
Boxers.

Control Freak or Careless Jerk – 
Control freak


Book boyfriend/girlfriend 
Gregori from Christine Feehan’s “Carpathian Series”
 Joscelyn from Jacqueline Carey
 Joban from “Dai’s Dark Valentine”
 Torin from “Dark Sentinels Book Two: Torin”
Asriel from “Calm Assurance” (Orlosian Warriors Bk. 1)


Stalk Dariel!
Facebook | Website | GR | Twitter
Check out all of Dariel's novels 
and come visit her during her takeover September 29
at Rising Indies United @ 10:00am PST

Monday, September 28, 2015

Release Blitz: Dreamweilder by Garrett Calcaterra



 

Dreamwielder by Garrett Calcaterra
(The Dreamwielder Chronicles, #1)
Published by: Diversion Books
Publication date: September 29th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:
In a world shrouded by soot and smoke, young Makarria has literally been forbidden to dream.
Legend has foretold the demise of Emperor Thedric Guderian at the hands of a sorceress with royal blood, and the Emperor has made it his legacy to stamp out all magic from the Sargothian Empire in favor of primitive coal fired smelters and steam powered machines. When Guderian’s minions discover a Dreamwielder on a seaside farmstead, a chain of events forces Guderian’s new threat—the young Makarria—to flee from her home and embark upon an epic journey where her path intertwines with that of Princess Taera, her headstrong brother, Prince Caile, and the northman Siegbjorn, who captains a night-flying airship.
Dogging their every step is the part-wolf, part-raven sorcerer, Wulfram, and Emperor Guderian himself, a man who has the ability to stint magic and a vision to create a world where the laws of nature are beholden to men and machines. Only by learning to control the power she wields can Makarria save her newfound companions and stop the Emperor from irreversibly exterminating both the magic in humans and their bond with nature.
DREAMWIELDER will be available in eBook and print editions on SEPTEMBER 29, 2015.


Purchase:


AUTHOR BIO:
Garrett Calcaterra is author of the epic fantasy novel DREAMWIELDER, available from Diversion Books. In addition, he is author of the horror collection UMBRAL VISIONS, and co-author of the mosaic fantasy novel THE ROADS TO BALDAIRN MOTTE. His humor titles include CODE BROWN and A GOOD BREW IS HARD TO FIND. When not writing, Garrett enjoys hiking with his two dogs and quaffing good beer. Learn more at www.garrettcalcaterra.com

Author links:
 
 
Excerpt
 
“Hold on, what do you mean you know what to do?” Caile started to say, but Makarria ignored him and sprinted off through the tunnel toward the city before the words were halfway out of his mouth. “Get back here!” Caile yelled, but Makarria paid him no heed.
 
Caile snatched up his weapons with a curse and ran off in the direction of Issborg. At the edge of the cavern city, he caught sight of Makarria nearly halfway to the other side—the only movement in the entire city. The Snjaer Firan were hidden away in their homes and had closed the shutters over every window. Only the blue daylight protruding through the glacier aboe illuminated the city. Damn it all, she’s fast, Caile swore inwardly as he chased after Makarria. When he finally caught up to her at the far end of the city he grabbed her shoulder and dragged her to a halt, heavily winded.
 
“Stop. Wait!”
 
Makarria pushed his hand aside and trotted on. “Please don’t try to stop me.”
 
“I’m not here to stop you. I’m here to help. Now just slow down for moment and tell me what it is you think you’re going to do that a sorceresses can’t.”
 
They were getting close to the chambers beyond the city now and Makarria slowed to a brisk walk. “I need to get Kadar into one of the chambers.”
 
“All right, that’s a start. What chambers?”
 
“A few hundred yards down the corridor on the right, there’s a bunch of caves with doors.”
 
“Does it matter which one we get him into?”
 
“No.”
 
“All right,” he said again. “And what do we do after that?”
 
“Then I do my work. Quiet now. We’re getting close.”
 
Caile bristled at being shushed. “Slow down then,” he whispered. “We don’t want to rush headlong into something.”
 
As if on cue, a heavy concussion echoed through the cavern.
 
“I’ve heard that sound before,” Caile whispered. “That’s sorcerers fighting.” He left his sword sheathed and instead strung his bow and notched an arrow, remembering what Talitha had told him about trying to kill sorcerers. Surprise them. Be unpredictable.
 
The sound of concussions and bellowing flames grew louder and more frequent as they continued on, and before long they could hear voices, although, they could not make out the words. Talitha’s indecipherable shouts were little more than guttural moans, while Kadar’s heavily accented words were taunting in their tone. Suddenly, dark figures appeared before them, and Caile almost let loose his arrow but luckily held it back at the last moment, realizing it was the Snjaer Firan warriors who had accompanied Talitha. There were only four of them, and they all huddled close to the wall at their right.
 
“We’re here to help,” Makarria whispered when one of them turned back to see her and Caile approaching. “Where’s Kadar?”
 
“Up there,” the man said with effort, and Makarria and Caile saw that he was badly burned on one side of his face. “Talitha is trapped on the far side, below the glacier.”
 
“Where’s the rest of your men?” Caile asked. “I thought there were twelve of you?”
 
“There were.”
 
Caile pursed his lips and pushed his way forward past the four men to peer farther down the corridor. A torrent of flames spat forward in the distance, and for a brief moment Caile could make out Talitha’s form huddled behind a stalagmite twenty yards ahead and Kadar a little farther beyond her. Then the flames were gone and he saw only shadows again. Caile stepped back safely out of sight. “He’s got her cornered, and he’s too far away for me to get a clean look at him,” he whispered to Makarria. “How is it you think we’re going to get him into one of those caves?”
 
“I’ll get him into the open,” Makarria said. “When I yell, start shooting.”
 
“I don’t see how—” Caile started to say, but before he could get the rest of the sentence out Makarria strode forward into the middle of the corridor.
 
“Kadar!” Makarria yelled. “Kadar! It’s me, Makarria. Stop, please.”
 
“Makarria, no, get back,” Talitha’s voice rang out.
 
Makarria ignored her and walked on, fear in her belly. He won’t risk killing you—you’re too important to him, she told herself, but now that she was exposed, she wasn’t so certain.
 
Kadar peered out from his hiding spot and began laughing an oily, rodent-like laugh. “It is all right, Makarria. Yes, come to me. I would not hurt you.”
 
“Leave the woman alone,” Makarria said. “And then you can have me.” She stopped parallel to the first of the caves on the right. She saw in front of her the smoldering bodies of the slain Snjaer Firan warriors but quickly averted her eyes and kept her attention solely on Kadar.
 
“But I can kill her and still take you,” Kadar said.
 
“Not if I’m in the way, you can’t,” Makarria retorted, and she stepped forward to place herself firmly in the path between the two sorcerers. “Go,” she said, looking back toward Talitha.
 
“Are you mad?” Talitha hissed. “You’ll be killed.”
 
“Just go,” Makarria told her. “Trust me.”
 
In the distance, Kadar laughed again. “Go on. Let the little girl save you for now.”
 
“Go,” Makarria said again.
 
Talitha paused for a moment longer, then sprang from behind the stalagmite and scurried back into the cavern behind Makarria toward the others.
 
“My end of the bargain is met now,” Kadar said. “Now it is your turn. Come to me.”
 
“I’m right here. Come get me.”
 
Kadar stepped forward from his hiding spot, and when he spoke there was menace in his voice. “What is it you hope to accomplish, girl? Your dream powers are weak and unhoned still. I could burn you to ash or bring that ice crashing down upon your head before you even close your eyes, let alone dream.”
 
“Not if you want me to kill the Emperor, you can’t.”
 
Kadar smiled and his black teeth glimmered as he slowly stepped forward. “You are a clever girl. Too clever for your own good.”
 
He was almost upon her now. She waited one breath longer, then turned and sprinted away. “Now!” she screamed.
 
Caile stepped out into the corridor and loosed his arrow. It whizzed by Makarria’s ear, and Kadar leapt to the side, just narrowly dodging the projectile. He raised his hands to strike back, but Makarria had changed her course to run right for Caile, blocking Kadar’s line of sight. Caile fired another arrow over the top of Makarria, and this time Kadar had no choice but to jump for cover in the nearest of the chambers.
 
“He’s in!” Caile yelled, notching another arrow.
 
Makarria skidded to a halt and plopped down on her butt, facing back toward the chamber. “Keep him in there,” she said breathlessly and closed her eyes.
 
“I only have four arrows left—move fast,” Caile yelled, but Makarria was already halfway in her trance...
 
 
 Inside The Dreamwielder Chronicles with
Author Garrett Calcaterra
 
 
So Garrett, Makarria and Caile meet up in this first book and start to bond—how much can you divulge about Makarria and Caile’s relationship in the next book? Do they end up together?
 
Ha! Nice try. No spoilers here. I will say this, though. They are much closer in Book 2, and the plot is, in part, directly tied in to their budding relationship. Just remember, new relationships are always hard. Compound that with the fact that Makarria and Caile have some new, very powerful, adversaries, and you don’t exactly have a great formula for a normal relationship.
 
It sounds like Book 2, Souldrifter, is going to have just as much drama and action as the first book.
 
It’s actually even more action packed. I worked really hard to make sure Souldrifter was better than Dreamwielder in every way, so the plot is full of action and twists, there are great new characters, and Makarria and Caile continue to grow as individuals.
 

How many more books do you have planned for the series?

 
Just one more book after Souldrifter, to round it out as a trilogy. That’s the plan, at least. Who knows? I’m just now starting Book 3, so things could change.
 
 
How long did it take you to come up with the world of the Five Kingdoms? And did you draw the map in the books yourself?
 
That’s a good question. I’m not entirely certain how long it took me to come up with the world. All said and done, I spent a good six months outlining Dreamwielder, developing my characters, and figuring out the world—which included coming up with the history and mythology of the Five Kingdoms and, yes, drawing the map myself. I’m not a horribly good artist, but if I take my time, I can put together a decent map.
 
Your novella, The Knight’s Dog, has blown up on Wattpad and frequently gets compared to George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones. For readers who haven’t read your work before, would you say that The Dreamwielder Chronicles fall into the same vein?
 
Well, I hate comparing myself to other authors, particularly authors I admire, like Martin! How about this? Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is definitely an influence of mine. It’s more apparent in The Knight’s Dog, but I imagine you can see the influence in the Dreamwielder novels, too. Since the series is aimed toward a YA audience, it doesn’t have quite as much, uh, “adult content,” but that’s not to say it’s not dark and complex.
 
Okay, last question. What made you decide to have a young female protagonist? And who would play Makarria in a movie?
 
Hey, that’s two questions! Ha! Okay, the second question first. I think Sarah Hyland would do a great job as Makarria in a movie. Or maybe Hailee Steinfeld. As for the first question, it’s pretty simple. My mom literally dreamt up Makarria! The opening scene in Dreamwielder is based on the dream she had. Once she told me about it, I saw all the potential in Makarria as a character and the world she inhabited, and I just had to write the novel.
 
Bio: Garrett Calcaterra is the author of The Dreamwielder Chronicles and other works of dark fiction. You can follow his writing at www.garrettcalcaterra.com