Rockstar Book Tours Week Two Recap

Nov 7: Fire and Ice with a book spotlight

Nov 8: Books a Plenty Book Reviews with a four-star review

Nov 9: @allyluvsbooksalatte with a review

Nov 10: Bookdreamr with a review

Nov 11: Two Chicks on Books with a guest post on why I write paranormal romance

Enter the giveaway soon... it ends on November 15th at midnight EST!

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Book Review for Damaged by Graceli Kaye

Writing a book review is an art. I am a writer and a reader, but I don't often write book reviews. I greatly admire those who do. Book reviews are essential to the commercial success of a book. Especially for a new or indie author. I know this first hand. I've literally sent out hundreds of review requests, tailored specifically to each reviewer. I track dates for requests, emailed ARCs, and follow-up emails in an Excel spreadsheet. I've also used book review services and websites like Bookspout. The majority of reviews for my books are ones I've directly requested.

I know the importance of book reviews. I know an effective book review can be short and simple. It doesn't have to be a lengthy book report - just a "I liked it" or "I recommend this book" or something along those lines. Serious (professional?) book reviewers, those with book blogs or podcasts, who review books on a regular basis for authors and publishers often include a book description and reasons or examples to support their opinion.

Writing a book review provides affirmation to its author. For the most part, we are a shy and serious lot. Publishing our books is akin to putting an important piece of ourselves on display. Yet writing our books is a calling we cannot ignore.

I see the art of book review writing as a calling as well. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, I don't often write book reviews, but when I do it's because I feel this book needs to be read.

I love to read. And, when I'm not writing, it's fair to say I'm an avid reader. I've found many of my recent reads on Instagram. Damaged by Graceli Kaye is one of them. Damaged is the first book in The VAC Chronicles, a three-book series. Right after I read the book description, I thought - this could be a series on Netflix. And Damaged did not disappoint.

My Review

The VAC Chronicles are a series of books, new adult drama, whose characters are connected through the fictitious university of Valessia-Anders College.

Geneva Blake is the protagonist of Damaged. She experiences trauma and, during the course of the story, a transforming life change. The book includes multi-character perspectives, written in first person. This approach provides unique and in-depth insight into each character. This emotion-provoking story is intense, involving serious topics of abuse and trauma. The writing is forthright and brutally honest.

Damaged is unlike any book I've ever read. The captivating and complicated characters could easily star in the next Netflix or Amazon Prime original series.

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Amazon US

Meet the Author

Graceli has been a lifelong writer. She began in 5th grade as a way to process and deal with issues by using her creativity. Over the years, she continued to write until some seemingly unrelated storylines began to intertwine to the point that they couldn’t be separated, and that’s when The VAC Chronicles were born. Some of the stories in the series have already been published, and she has countless more in the works with hopes to bring them to you soon.


When she is not working or spending time with her family, Graceli can be found absorbed in her world, writing the next book or books in the series. She currently lives in Maryland with her two adorable kids and awesome husband while surviving on caffeine drinks, kitty cuddles, and Zumba.


Find out more at www.thevacchronicles.wordpress.com

 

AFGR Review for #TirgearrTuesday

The full InD'tale Magazine review (awarded the crowned heart of excellence, five stars, four kettles) is featured in the September issue.

Read the full review here.

AFGR Review for #TirgearrTuesday

 

Read the full review here.

AFGR Review for #TirgearrTuesday

 

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AFGR Review for #TirgearrTuesday

A Fairy Godmother's Redemption, The Magicals Series Book 4 released on July 27. I love this story. It was a bit different from the other books in the series, but it came together so well and felt so right. The reviewers agree. I already have six five-star reviews! #TirgearrTuesday in September will feature some of these amazing reviews. Starting with this one...

Have you read A Fairy Godmother's Redemption yet? It's available now. Click here for purchase links.

A Fairy Godmother's Redemption Review Tour

A Fairy Godmother's Redemption Review Tour:

August 23: Kit 'N Kabookle
August 23: Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 30: Gina Rae Mitchell
September 6: Sandra's Book Club
September 13: Harlie's Books
September 13: Notes From a Romantic's Heart

#TirgearrTuesday

 

#TirgearrTuesday will return in September. Have an amazing summer and follow me on social media to stay in touch (Facebook; Twitter; Instagram) where I'll check in and share sporadically...

For current subscribers, please note that the email subscription service offered through Blogger will be discontinued in July 2021. To keep up-to-date on all things Maya Tyler, please subscribe to my newsletter.

#TirgearrTuesday

 

For current subscribers, please note that the email subscription service offered through Blogger will be discontinued in July 2021. To keep up-to-date on all things Maya Tyler, please subscribe to my newsletter.

#TirgearrTuesday

 

For current subscribers, please note that the email subscription service offered through Blogger will be discontinued in July 2021. To keep up-to-date on all things Maya Tyler, please subscribe to my newsletter.

AFQ Review for #TirgearrTuesday

 

For current subscribers, please note that the email subscription service offered through Blogger will be discontinued in July 2021. To keep up-to-date on all things Maya Tyler, please subscribe to my newsletter.

#TirgearrTuesday

 

For current subscribers, please note that the email subscription service offered through Blogger will be discontinued in July 2021. To keep up-to-date on all things Maya Tyler, please subscribe to my newsletter.

AFQ Review for #TirgearrTuesday

 

Buy Now

AFQ Review for #TirgearrTuesday

 

Buy Now

First Review for A Fairy's Quest

 This week, I saw my first review for A Fairy's Quest...

5 Stars on Goodreads

"...I fell in love with The Magicals with the first book A Vampire’s Tale. The magic within each book just seems to get better and better. Once I pick up a book from The Magicals world I can’t put it down until I have read the last page. Once I opened A Fairy’s Quest I was pulled into its depths with all the vampires, fairies, wizards, and its magical world..." -- The Avid Reader

You can read the full review on Goodreads.

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#bookreview on Natural Bri - Pursuits of Life

Natural Bri - Pursuits of Life read and provided an honest review of A Vampire's Tale as part of my Goddess Fish Promotions virtual book tour.


"I really enjoyed this book... easy to follow... and keeps you on your toes... The author did a great job combining all the elements of the story into a very exciting book."

The best laid plans…

Marisa Clements was never satisfied writing the ‘gossip column’ in the local paper and she quit her job to follow her dream of writing fiction. Floundering in an unforgiving industry, she wrote about vampires, a popular subject she considered fascinating but as real as unicorns, to pay the rent.

Corgan was tired of human misconceptions about vampires and ‘living’ as a vampire. He planned to tell Marisa his story and end his existence. It was no coincidence Corgan selected Marisa to write his story. With the ability to see the future, he knew she would be a major part of it. He knew if they met, she would help him die, but in doing so, she’d be doomed to the same fate. Once they met, their futures would be irrevocably intertwined.

Corgan began to care for Marisa and finally revealed the truth to her. He admitted his quest to atone for his past sins had put her in grave danger from a nest of revenge seeking vampires. Corgan must claim her for her own protection. But claiming her is not enough, he must ask for help from his wizard friends and his maker in order to destroy his enemy or Marisa will never be safe.

For the full review see Natural Bri - Pursuits of Life.

#bookreview from Fanatical Paranormal Romantical

Fanatical Paranormal Romantical read and provided an honest review of A Vampire's Tale as part of my Goddess Fish Promotions virtual book tour.


"I enjoyed the book... it is a fun story to read..."

The best laid plans…

Marisa Clements was never satisfied writing the ‘gossip column’ in the local paper and she quit her job to follow her dream of writing fiction. Floundering in an unforgiving industry, she wrote about vampires, a popular subject she considered fascinating but as real as unicorns, to pay the rent.

Corgan was tired of human misconceptions about vampires and ‘living’ as a vampire. He planned to tell Marisa his story and end his existence. It was no coincidence Corgan selected Marisa to write his story. With the ability to see the future, he knew she would be a major part of it. He knew if they met, she would help him die, but in doing so, she’d be doomed to the same fate. Once they met, their futures would be irrevocably intertwined.

Corgan began to care for Marisa and finally revealed the truth to her. He admitted his quest to atone for his past sins had put her in grave danger from a nest of revenge seeking vampires. Corgan must claim her for her own protection. But claiming her is not enough, he must ask for help from his wizard friends and his maker in order to destroy his enemy or Marisa will never be safe.

For the full review see Fanatical Paranormal Romantical.

#bookreview and #characterinterview on Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books! read and provided an honest review of A Vampire's Tale as part of my Goddess Fish Promotions virtual book tour.

"A Vampire's Tale initially reminded me of An Interview with a Vampire as the premise was similar... as the story starts it is plain to see that this is a completely different story. This book was well written... It is a different take on the vampire / virgin story, so I would recommend it for anyone wanting something that differs from the norm."

The best laid plans…

Marisa Clements was never satisfied writing the ‘gossip column’ in the local paper and she quit her job to follow her dream of writing fiction. Floundering in an unforgiving industry, she wrote about vampires, a popular subject she considered fascinating but as real as unicorns, to pay the rent.

Corgan was tired of human misconceptions about vampires and ‘living’ as a vampire. He planned to tell Marisa his story and end his existence. It was no coincidence Corgan selected Marisa to write his story. With the ability to see the future, he knew she would be a major part of it. He knew if they met, she would help him die, but in doing so, she’d be doomed to the same fate. Once they met, their futures would be irrevocably intertwined.

Corgan began to care for Marisa and finally revealed the truth to her. He admitted his quest to atone for his past sins had put her in grave danger from a nest of revenge seeking vampires. Corgan must claim her for her own protection. But claiming her is not enough, he must ask for help from his wizard friends and his maker in order to destroy his enemy or Marisa will never be safe.

For the full review see  Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

I also provided a character interview with Kurtis - a dutiful grandson and apprentice wizard in his grandfather’s circle.

What are you keeping a secret?

Following in my grandfather’s footsteps to become a wizard is my destiny, but I don’t want to live this life. It’s not my choice, yet I don’t want to disappoint my grandfather like my father did. So, I continue my work as an apprentice and say nothing.

What are you lying to yourself about? To others?

<<snort>> Lies? I’m living a complete lie. I love Waldor - my grandfather – I do. He raised me. My father took off – I don’t exactly remember when – I might have been three. One morning I woke up – I heard a noise – it was my father standing by the front door, but I only remember a hazy shadow holding a large duffel bag. I stood at the top of the stairs. He waved at me. I waved back. He left and I never saw him again. Waldor tells me my father loves me. I find that hard to believe. If he actually loved me, he wouldn’t have abandoned me. Like my mother. She died, though, shortly after I was born so she didn’t voluntarily leave me. Like everyone I have ever cared about. Except Waldor. And even he keeps the truth from me. Why my father left. If he knows where he went. Anything but “your father loves you” or “your father would be so proud of you.” The truth is I’m an orphan and I’m old enough to handle the truth.

Is there anyone in your life that you are attracted to?

Yup. It doesn’t matter though. Wizards lead a solitary life. And, as an apprentice, I’m forbidden from even speaking to, or in the presence of, women.

What scares you about this person?

Everything. She’s everything I’m not. Vibrant. Dynamic. Witty. Lethal. Undead. And she treats me with nothing but distain. She goes out of her way to taunt me. Like a cat would toy with a mouse. And I can’t say anything to her. I stand there stoically while she circles around me, predatorily, examining me closely to see if she can make me talk. And smirks when I don’t. I am so tense, I remain that way, muscles fused and catatonic, until I no longer smell her bittersweet perfume lingering in the air. She scares me, if she knew how I felt, she would have the ultimate power to hurt me. Even not being together hurts me.

When you walk into a room what do you notice first? Second?

I scan the room, check for hostiles, and take note of all exits. I never walk into a room without an exit strategy. The Circle has many enemies. Our alliance with Corgan, and other vampires, makes us unpopular. Most circles distrust vampires.

What are your goals in life?

Goals? I’ve never had any goals beyond following in Waldor’s footsteps, becoming a wizard and joining The Circle. My life path was pre-determined the moment my father’s departure broke Waldor’s heart. I want to make my grandfather, and The Circle, proud and compensate for my father’s betrayal. So, my goals in life are not really for me, but to please others, namely Waldor.

What are you most afraid of?

I’m afraid to hope. There is futility in dreaming of what cannot be. I must accept facts. Love is not in the cards for me. I am to become a wizard. I must release dreams of a life other than The Circle. Yet I’m afraid to live that life, filled with unknowns. The Circle is all I’ve known. Sometimes the familiar is a better, less risky, alternative.

What do you like best about yourself?

I’m a good guy. I contribute to The Circle, I’ve been a quick learner. My apprenticeship will soon be over and I’ll be given a choice of accepting my place or leaving The Circle. There is no choice, I will do the right thing and assume my role.

What do you like least about yourself?

The very things I admire about myself, I also dislike. How can I so easily sentence myself to a solitary life as a wizard? The Circle, best described as a group of old men, is no substitute for love. How can I deny myself the opportunity to tell Dee how I feel about her? Why can’t I tell Waldor that I want to leave? I accept my fate as if avoiding disappointment is more important than finding happiness. I am essentially alone, an orphan in this world, and I long for connection, companionship, and I’m a coward, too frightened to try.

If you could change anything about your life what would it be?

I would arm myself with courage.

Have a candid conversation with Waldor. In an ideal world, he’d understand my desire to leave The Circle. During his transitional period, his “coming of age,” he went out into the world and sowed his oats, you might say, before he made his choice. My father, too, experienced life outside The Circle, but, when it came time to make his choice, he did not chose to become a wizard.

My wish to leave is independent of my feelings for Dee. I don’t feel like this is where I belong. I can concoct a potion or cast incantations, but mechanical ability is not a strong enough reason to select a vocation. I want to heed my calling – whatever it is – and become who I am meant to be.

If I could change anything in my life, I would become courageous, fearless, sure.

#bookreview on Two Heartbeats

As part of my Goddess Fish Promotions virtual book tour, Two Heartbeats read and provided an honest review of A Vampire's Tale.


"What a great story... it’s one that will keep you turning the page .. A wonderful read that’s original and new."

The best laid plans…

Marisa Clements was never satisfied writing the ‘gossip column’ in the local paper and she quit her job to follow her dream of writing fiction. Floundering in an unforgiving industry, she wrote about vampires, a popular subject she considered fascinating but as real as unicorns, to pay the rent.

Corgan was tired of human misconceptions about vampires and ‘living’ as a vampire. He planned to tell Marisa his story and end his existence. It was no coincidence Corgan selected Marisa to write his story. With the ability to see the future, he knew she would be a major part of it. He knew if they met, she would help him die, but in doing so, she’d be doomed to the same fate. Once they met, their futures would be irrevocably intertwined.

Corgan began to care for Marisa and finally revealed the truth to her. He admitted his quest to atone for his past sins had put her in grave danger from a nest of revenge seeking vampires. Corgan must claim her for her own protection. But claiming her is not enough, he must ask for help from his wizard friends and his maker in order to destroy his enemy or Marisa will never be safe.

For the full review see Two Heartbeats.

#bookreview from The Avid Reader

The Avid Reader read and provided an honest review of A Vampire's Tale for my Goddess Fish virtual book tour.

"I have truly enjoyed reading Corgan and Marisa’s story. I loved all the new twist that the author created for the way vampires live and the magic things they are capable of doing. A Vampire’s Tale puts a whole new twist on vampires. I would recommend A Vampire’s Tale to anyone who loves reading about vampires."

The best laid plans…

Marisa Clements was never satisfied writing the ‘gossip column’ in the local paper and she quit her job to follow her dream of writing fiction. Floundering in an unforgiving industry, she wrote about vampires, a popular subject she considered fascinating but as real as unicorns, to pay the rent.

Corgan was tired of human misconceptions about vampires and ‘living’ as a vampire. He planned to tell Marisa his story and end his existence. It was no coincidence Corgan selected Marisa to write his story. With the ability to see the future, he knew she would be a major part of it. He knew if they met, she would help him die, but in doing so, she’d be doomed to the same fate. Once they met, their futures would be irrevocably intertwined.

Corgan began to care for Marisa and finally revealed the truth to her. He admitted his quest to atone for his past sins had put her in grave danger from a nest of revenge seeking vampires. Corgan must claim her for her own protection. But claiming her is not enough, he must ask for help from his wizard friends and his maker in order to destroy his enemy or Marisa will never be safe.

For the full review see The Avid Reader.