Memories in a Box

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Sunday Review: Malicious by James Raven

Title Malicious

Author: James Raven
Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Published: December 16, 2013

Source: Free Copy from author for an honest review

Purchase Link: AMAZON

Blurb
'Cover up your webcams…or suffer the consequences.'
He calls himself the Slave Master. He spies on women through their computer webcams.
Then he blackmails those who unknowingly reveal their secrets to him.
His last victim was brutally murdered. Now he’s targeting the cop in charge of the investigation. To him she’s the perfect prey – because she has a sordid secret of her own.

Review

This is the first book by James Raven that I have read and I can most definetly see myself grabbing another book in the future. I am very unsure of where to start with this review. So I apologize if I ramble a bit.

This was the second book in 2013 that I HAD TO READ and not put down. I started at 5:15 in the morning while getting ready for work and listened to it on my Kindle all day. ALL DAY! I only turned it off to help customers or other work related things and of course for dinner.

It was just absolutely enthrawling ... I am not sure which part hooked me more, that it was in Houston (where I am) or that it was so well written.

I loved how the point of views were different. First person for the main character third person for the bad guy. AND WHOA! Didn't see the bad guy twist coming!! I really should have but I didn't.

I laughed out loud when the bad guy talked about living in North Houston off of Tomball Parkway. I turned to my husband laughing so hard saying, "Hey we could be the bad guys!" Because you know, that's how I would describe our house.

Knowing that the author is in the UK, I am amazed at the details of Houston he was able to capture. Major Kudos to that!

I really wish there was a 6 star system because this book deserves that.

I loved it and I just can't speak enough about how fantastic it was.

Thank you James for giving this to me to review, I enjoyed beyond words!

Interview:

1. How hard was it for you to capture Houston being from England?
One of my daughter’s lives in The Woodlands, just outside Houston and I’ve visited the area on many occasions so I’ve got to know it a little. In my book URBAN MYTH I feature a family from Houston who visit the UK on a house swap, only to find that some pretty nasty things are going on there. Also, my book AFTER THE EXECUTION, is set in Texas and is about a fake execution that takes place at the ‘Walls’ prison in Huntsville. When I was in Houston last year I did most of the research for Malicious.

2. How did you come up with the main character? Is she from someone in your life or made up entirely in your head?
Originally the main character of Robyn was going to be a bored housewife whose marriage is on the rocks and who has turned to online porn to liven up her life. But just as I started writing I realized that I was missing a trick and that there’d be far more tension if she was actually the detective investigating the murder. So that’s how she came about. She’s not based on anyone I know, but I did trawl internet sites and forums to get some insight into what it’s like for women who are victims of porn addiction. I then incorporated some of those elements into her character.

3. Riley – something’s up with him...the whole time I felt like there was more to him ... was he hiding anything?

I agree that he is a character that I could have developed more. But I took the decision not to because I didn’t want to take the focus away from Robyn and her predicament. I also wanted Riley to be a bit of an enigma so that readers would have their suspicions about him. Maybe he is hiding something and if he features in any future books we might well find out!

4. How long have you been writing and has it always been your passion?
I’ve been writing since I was a teenager and that’s a hell of a long time! It’s always been my passion which is why I went into journalism. I stopped writing for some years because I had a young family and a job that took up most of my time. But for me there’s nothing like making up a story and creating a bunch of characters.

5. Are your books series? Can we expect the same kind of stories in your other titles?

I do have one series of books based on a British detective named Jeff Temple. He features in ROLLOVER AND URBAN MYTH and will feature in my next book RANDOM TARGETS. Those books are published by Robert Hale of London as hardbacks and ebooks. There’s another detective character – Sam Quinn - in my book STARK WARNING. He’s head of the fictitious Celebrity Crime Squad and also happens to have a serious addiction – this time to gambling. I’m probably going to bring him back at some point. He investigates crimes committed by and against celebrities in London. I haven’t yet decided whether to do a follow-up to MALICIOUS. A lot depends on how successful the book is.

6. Do you always write in first person? I personally loved how you laid everything out. Was that hard?

I don’t always write in the first person but I often switch between points of view because I think it helps to up the pace of a story. I don’t find it particularly easy and it can be tricky to pitch everything so it flows smoothly. I do read through everything I write quite a few times until I’m entirely happy with it.

7. I live off of Tomball Parkway - how did you pick that spot as the point of where the killer would live?'
I picked it purely by chance. When I got to that part of the story I went to a Google map of Houston, switched to the street view and went on a little tour until I came across a street that I thought would be right. I find that Google maps are a Godsend for authors.

8. Can you give us a brief synopsis of what your next book will be about?
My next book is RANDOM TARGETS and is published in the by Robert Hale. It’s about a sniper who suddenly starts shooting at traffic on Britain’s motorways during the evening rush hour. He claims dozens of victims over several days. Many of them are killed in vehicle piles-ups and the country’s motorway network is brought to a virtual standstill. This book actually made my agent nervous when I sent it to her and her response was: ‘Let’s just pray that nobody decides to do it!’

OTHER WORKS BY JAMES RAVEN

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Some Nights...

Some nights you cannot help but feel the heart ache. Feel the pain that stabs you over and over whenever you look at the people around you, smiling, happy and leading their seemingly perfect lives.

It's not something that you relish in, this feeling of jealousy. It's just something that is. It's there, it's a constant, and it's painful. Even when you do not want it to be.

The social media of this world is fantastic, it provides everyone so much. And yet, as wonderful as it is, it is also a curse. A curse for those who are given a constant reminder of failures or things that they wanted but cannot have.

You look around at all of your 'friends.' Be them people you follow on Twitter, people whom you have added on Facebook, people who you follow on Pinterst, or one of the other hundreds of media outlets around this world called the internet. You notice what they post, who comments and what it consists of. The hopes and dreams you always wanted but never could find or have.

It's so easy for us to judge everyone else, quick to place blame, and in a hurry to write people off because we do not understand.

Tonight I find myself guilty of that ... guilty of being jealous of what I view as others good fortunes when I couldn't have that.

And then suddenly something hits and reminds me - their life isn't perfect either, it's just different. And who am I to judge that they aren't deserving of what they have been given just now.

It's a hard pill to swallow, remembering everyone isn't as lucky as they seem on the outside. But also that my own misfortune isn't bad luck, just not this current journey's path.

I scrolled through my Facebook news feed and saw over a dozen photos of people I grew up with, family members, or general people I have 'added' online and saw photos of their children, their baby snap shots, or their ultra sounds. Each image feeling like a reminder of my short comings.

My heart sinks each and every time I am reminded of my failures. Tonight it feels harder than other nights. I'm not sure why. I don't even know exactly how to process the grief that hits suddenly at times. All I know is, it makes me want to write. No, have to write.

Some nights I wish I could mute the world and crawl into a hold and just live my life. Others I stop and realize that while I might not have motherhood just yet I have other fantastic journey's going on that others might wish they had.

One day I will remember this and the jealousy will stop, or at least hurt less. One day, I will find a way to hold my child in my arms. Even if it takes the rest of my life. One day, I will feel complete in my journey and path.

So now I'm going to curl up with a book, listen to music and read until my heart's pain is drown out and sleep overtakes me. All with the hope that one day, I will understand my journey and path.

I wish I knew where my Ashley's Randomness came from tonight, why I let heartache over come my normal emotions. Maybe it's because no matter how many days, months and years have passed since I lost my babies not a day goes by that I don't think of them. My four angels in heaven. Maybe it is because tonight I found myself praying to God for peace in my heart and soul. Maybe I will learn how to come to terms with realities I cannot change.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Sunday Review: A Wolf's Bane by Sherrie Henry

Title A Wolf's Bane

Author Sherrie Henry

Genre Paranormal Romance

Source I purchased this on Amazon.

Buy links: AMAZON

Blurb
Can a human and a werewolf overcome obvious obstacles to be together? Romy and Kai have been hiding their affair from Kai’s clan; it’s not only that Romy is human, but she’s also much older than Kai. Will Kai’s obligation to his clan and tradition tear them apart?

Kai, the eldest and only son and heir to the family’s clan, has fallen for the forbidden, Romy, a human. His father has plans for the clan that doesn’t involve Kai mating a human; these plans drive them apart. But can they ignore their feelings and buck tradition? Will Kai’s decision lead to his death?

Review

For those that know me they will tell you that I love books about wolves in the paranormal aspect. What that means it's, it's hard to impress me because I am very critical when it comes to them.

Sherrie does an excellent job keeping my attention and interest during this sort story. I wish it had been longer and I hope there will be a sequel (hint hint) with Kai's sister.

Ms Henry writes characters that are easy to identify with. This is the second story of hers I have read and again the female lead made me feel for her with all pain she was in and rejoice with her glory when it was finally over. Her females are always so easy to identify with.

I wish parts had been longer. I wish the start of their relationship had been longer. But other than that I found no fault. This was a delightful story with a happy ending that like I said made me want a sequel.

I love Sherrie's short stories and look forward to reading more of them.

OTHER BOOKS BY SHERRIE HENRY

Saturday, January 4, 2014

When A Memory Jumps Up And Bites Ya

I know that we all have those moments ... when a smell or taste sparks a memory of our past. Good or bad, and then we can't help thinking about it. That's what I just experienced. This morning I woke up with a mission, reorganize my writing room..

This room is my sanctuary. It is where I can escape everything and feel peace. All of my favorite things are in here and it not only provides me with inspiration but it gives me an escape from whatever reality is approaching me at that moment.

So for whatever reason, my psyche woke up today thinking If I reorganize the room, inspiration will strike and I'll feel good. So I hauled the hubby in, gave him my idea, he gave feedback and then left me to contemplate what he suggested.

Fifteen minutes later I had reorganized it and he walked in, 'Why didn't you ask for help?" I shrugged - something in me just had to get it done. So now I had a new writing corner. One next to my bookshelf covered in photos of my family, my favorite books, and the ninja turtles. Go ahead and laugh, but I love those guys!

The dogs had a new spot next to my chair and I had made a corner where I could put my candles, incense and other things of that nature.

After a long day of random stuff I finally get a moment to sit at my laptop and I pulled up Sekhmet's Revenge Vol 5 I am determined to finish this today, by the way! Then hunger strikes. My default comfort food is Nachos. My mamma got me hooked on them and well, I am my momma's daughter after all.And not just any kind of Nachos. They have to be made a very special way.

So now I'm armed with Nachos and my laptop. I take that first bite and the memory jumps up and bites me in the proverbial ass. I remember one Friday night in fifth grade, my mother, brother and I were piled on her bed, armed with Nachos, watching Tales from the Crypt.

Now I just can't stop smiling, I used to love our Friday night dog piles in her room. There was Star Trek, Tales from the Crypt, Twilight Zone ... so many great things.

But now my room smelled like cheese and I just didn't want that - So I dig around and fine my lavender to burn. And now peace. Peace jumps up and snags a piece of me and takes me off to a place that makes me remember that first moments of the wekend morning.

You know, when your eyes are barely open and things are peaceful. This is my favorite part of the day. When life is easy and quiet. My dogs are usually curled up next to me and the hubs is either at work or in the other room watching TV already.

The best things in life, for me, are those that bring you peace and comfort. And that's what my little sanctuary does for me.

It lets me remember all the joys of my youth. Like melting plastic army men in my Aunt Lee's back yard with my uncle and cousin. Chasing my brother around the backyard playing tag. Swimming at the beach with my childhood dog. Playing the flute in the school band in front of hundreds of people. Or curling up at night with Miss Kitty, my old cat.

So in this edition of Ashley's Randomness I traveled through thirty years of memories - thirty years of smiles and laughs.It's these little moments that make the every day hustle and bustle worth it to me.

And then there is the memories I made with my Mom -- And how thinking of her always reminds me of home.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Fire and Ice Book Tours: Splinter by Sherri Fulmer Moorer

BLURB

The year is 3001, and history takes a critical turn when Earth is destroyed by a solar flare. As Dr. Leigh Lybrand and her colleagues explore ways to survive in orbit of Jupiter, dark matter rips open the fabric of space and time, allowing them to see parallel universes. When the visions reveal that a radical religious group planned Earth’s destruction, Leigh must make a choice: Accept her fate, or use what she’s learned to save humanity; even if it means betraying the one closest to her in a parallel universe and sacrificing herself in this one.

AUTHOR LINKS

The Independent Author Network

Readwave

Twitter

An Interview with the Author

Top Ten Places to Travel:

The Grand Canyon. I visited the South Rim in Arizona in February 2013, and it was amazing. I hope to make it back, or to visit the North Rim someday.
Scottsdale, Arizona. I visited the Historic Scottsdale district for a work conference in February – March 2013, and it was amazing. Art Walk night on Thursdays is a must! And stay at Hotel Valley Ho for a great experience.
San Francisco, California. I went there for a work conference in September 2012, and this is a place that everybody should see. It’s beautiful! The weather can be a bit of a shock if you go in the summer and are accustomed to warmer weather, but it’s worth it.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, I like this little town so much that I made the area the setting for my last mystery novel, Move. There’s a little bit of everything, from hiking, to entertainment, to shopping, to great food, to a beautiful aviary called Parrot Mountain where you can actually pet the birds (we got our female sun conure, Chloe, from there). Fall is spectacular there, but it’s beautiful any time of year.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This was practically my second home growing up. Like the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area, it’s full of entertainment and relaxation options, but it’s on the ocean. Stay on the north or south end to avoid most of the crowds – you aren’t far from it all, and there’s still plenty to enjoy.
Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. Everybody could take customer service training from the Happiest Place on Earth. Disney is quite an experience, and you get treated like royalty. Splurge with staying on property (The Caribbean Resort is my favorite) and get the meal plan to make it a wonderful, stress-free experience. It can get overwhelming, but if you pace yourself then you can still see and enjoy a lot.
Asheville, North Carolina. It’s a beautiful, artsy town. You must visit The Biltmore Estate for a complete experience! It’s beautiful, especially when it’s decorated for Christmas, and in the spring when the gardens are in bloom.
Charleston, South Carolina. My husband is from this area, so I’ve seen it a lot. The friendliest city in the United States is also one of the most beautiful. There’s so much to see and do here, and you can’t beat the seafood in Charleston. Plantation tours, Fort Sumter tours, cruise tours, shopping, dining, carriage rides – another place it’s impossible to be bored in!
Savannah, Georgia. Charleston’s sister city has much the same charm, the same great food, the same entertainment, and the most ghost stories in America! Plus great churches, gardens and monuments, it’s a wonderful peek into the history of America.
New York City, New York. Frankly, it overwhelmed me a bit, but I think it’s a good experience for everybody to see “the big city.” There were amazing experiences like the Empire State Building, the United Nations, and The Statute of Liberty.

Top Ten People to Meet:

This is more of a wish list, as my contacts don’t include the rich, famous, or influential:

Jesus Christ. Easily the most interesting person ever. I’d love to meet Him to talk about finding peace in a chaotic life.
Moses. It would be interesting to meet the most humble man that ever lived, and get his perspective on the Exodus from Egypt.
Martin Luther. I’d love to talk to the reformer about how he stood up for what he believed in and started The Protestant Revolution (albeit unintentionally!).
J.R.R. Tolkien. Undoubtedly one of the best writer’s ever, I’d enjoy talking to him about how he created Middle Earth and his adventures in writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
C.S. Lewis. Another one of the best writer’s and a great Christian apologist, I think any discussion with this great mind of the 20^th century would be insightful and interesting.
Gene Roddenberry. It would be great to meet and talk to the creator of the Star Trek series that has spawned so much over the generations.
Mother Theresa. A wonderful, low key woman that made a huge difference, it would be an honor to meet her and be inspired by her loving and generous spirit.
Charles Stanley. Still a great preacher after over 50 years in the ministry, I admire him and find so much inspiration in his work. I’d love to meet him someday, or even just sit in a service.
P.D. James. An excellent mystery writer, and she started while she was still working a full time job (just like I do!). I’d love to meet her to speak about juggling writing with a full life.
Peter Jackson. A master of bringing great stories to the big screen, I’d just love to know his inspiration and how he does it.

Top Ten Foods to Try:

I’m not very adventurous with culinary delights, but these are my top recommendations:

Bar-B-Que. Especially if you aren’t from the south. You haven’t had pork until you’ve tried good old southern BBQ. Take your pick of mustard, ketchup, or vinegar bases sauces. Come to South Carolina and you can find countless places to sample it.
Soup, Salad and Breadsticks at The Olive Garden. Simple but good!
Five Guys Burgers and Fries. These are the best burgers around. Only get the fries if you have somebody to share with with – they’ll load you up.
Longhorn Steak House. You can’t go wrong with anything there!
California Dreaming Steaks. This is a restaurant located in Columbia, SC, and Charleston, SC. They marinate their steaks for 24 hours, making them the best steaks I’ve ever had!
Lizard’s Thicket. If you come to Columbia, SC, you MUST go there for some good, old fashioned country cooking. It’s similar to Cracker Barrel with our local bend. Great food, generous portions, and friendly folks. Every time I travel to a different part of the country, Lizard’s Thicket is the first place I go when I come home.
The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. More good, country cooking with a Tennessee flavor. Wonderful cooking, and bigger portions than you ever dreamed. Desert comes with every meal, whether you have room or not. Watch out, the ducks and geese at the creek running beside the restaurant will be glad to relieve you of it, and any other leftovers you have!
Breakfast at the Grand Canyon Hotel. Last February, my husband and I went to Arizona and booked a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel. The breakfast at the hotel had the most amazing omelet either of us had ever had! The whole experience is great and I highly recommend it. And be sure to get meals with your package, because the restaurant at that hotel is top notch.
Crabby Mikes. This is a seafood restaurant in Surfside Beach, SC, which is just south of Myrtle Beach. It’s an all you can eat buffet, and they have everything from crab legs to prime rib to whatever else you can imagine from the sea! Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s worth it.
Hymans Seafood. If you find yourself in Charleston, SC, you must go here for seafood. Hands down the best!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014 Goals - Starting the Year Off Right!

It is finally here! 2014 has graced us with its arrival and now it's time to line up what needs to happen this year.

I have decided to publish my goals publicly this year - this is to ensure that I stay on point and not veer off into random directions.

There are quite some ambitions things on this list and others that are simply there just to help make me a more rounded person.

I'm breaking them into 'personal' goals and 'author' goals.

Ashley's Personal Goals -- Yeah baby Yeah!

Lose seventy pounds by august. August 12, 2013 I gave up wheat and flour, since, I have lost thirty pounds. My goal back then was to lose one hundred in a year so I have seventy left to go.
Don't cheat on my diet more than once a month. I am giving myself the once a month because I know that I will succumb to temptation at work and I don't want the guilt to become too much for me. Yes I am a softy.
Reach out to one person from my past each month in an attempt to rekindle friendships. I miss my friends, I spend so much time on Facebook it's a shame that I don't do more to stay in touch.
Spend more time with my parents and siblings. I would like to see either my mom, dad or one of my brothers at least once a month. Family is the most important thing in the world to me and I want to make sure they know how much they mean to me.

For Lent this year, along with my usual giving up Dr. Pepper, I am going to add that I read a new book from the bible. One that I haven't read in the past. (I usually stick to Wisdom, Revolution, Acts or Psalms) I want to work on my spiritual relationship a well as my personal ones this year.
I miss reading - it used to be my favorite activity and I want to get back to it. That's why I am challenging myself to read 60 books this year.
Last but not least - I want to be a better wife, as in, house keeper. While our house isn't a mess, it's cluttered. I want to work on each weekend tackling different parts of the house to ensure that our home is loving and warm.

Ashley's Author Goals -- Damn I must be nuts!

Edit Maverick Touch: The Highway (Release in March)
Edit Blood Green (Release in April)
Write Blood Gold, book four of the Blood Series
Write three Temptation Tuesday's by April
Write two Sekhmet's Revenge, well more like one and a half as I'm almost done with one.
Edit Blood Gold (Release in August)
Write Blood Black, book five of the Blood Series
Write Special Delivery
Edit Special Delivery (Release in Oct)
Edit Blood Black (Release in November)

Write Maverick Touch #3 Title Unknown at the moment
Write holiday short story with Stacy mixing Blood Series and Myth Series
Edit Holiday Short (Release in Dec)

I know this all sounds crazy and way too much but this is what I am setting out for myself ... I hope that I make it! Wish me luck!!!

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

New Years Eve Blog Hop

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2014

There it is, 2013 closing its doors on our dreams and 2014 opening its windows to let our new passions and desires in.

What are you wanting to achieve in 2014? Me, I have 60 books I want to read, 12 stories I want to write and loads of movies I want to see with the hubby. I am exhausted just thinking about how busy I am going to be this upcoming year. But I love it!!!

This might seem crazy but I thrive on all of this. I LOVE Reading, I LOVE Writing and I LOVE spending time with the hubby.

So what I think I really am saying is I'm going to spend 2014 getting back to my roots, to myself and my family. That's what I am looking forward too. Writing out my crazy imagination, relaxing with a good book and curling up at the end of each and every day with the man I love and cherrish.

I hope that 2013 was good and full of happy memories for you the visitor on my site. For me, there was a mixture of the good, the bad and the need to wipe from my brain.

2014 is going to be amazing, I can feel it.

I am excited on some of the books I am going to be able to share with all of you. I have so many to tell you about. (Reviews in Jan and Feb!)

I am going to do a giveaway on my blog ... it's going to be simple -- you tell me what the one thing is that you hope to achieve next year that ISN'T something typical. What I mean is, don't say you want to lose weight, that's a normal goal. Tell me you want to read 300 books, you want to paint a picture, you want to write a short story or learn to play the piano. Give me something creative and fun. Everyone who participates will receive a free ebook from The Art of Safkhet selection. Just leave your goal and your email and I'll shoot you over a surprise. OH, and specify, Kindle, Epub or PDF!

Thanks and Happy New Years!!