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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Sweet Satisfaction: a Review of 'Prince In The Mist,' a novella by Claudy Conn

Prince In The Mist, By Claudy Conn
It happens. Once in a great while a character is born into literature that is so richly interesting one simply can't get enough of him. In the world of romance novels, Breslyn, Fae Prince of Dagda, is one such character. Introduced to us first through Claudy Conn's Legend series, Breslyn quickly became a character that enlivened interest and inspired fantasy beyond his intended role in the overall series. With Puckish mischief he disregards the rules of human-Fae engagement to tickle and tease Claudy's heroines and readers temptingly. We are intrigued by his interest in us, intrigued that for him we are more than a mad distraction or passing fancy. He is loyal but rebellious, a warrior who loves humans enough to risk his queen's disfavor by entangling himself in their lives and struggles. If you, like I, have fantasized about being seduced by this golden Fae you will not be disappointed. Claudy satisfies her fans' deepest desires to experience more of one of her most beloved heroes by taking us back in time to explore and discover Breslyn's early heroic and romantic exploits.

In Prince of the Mist, Claudy gives us not one but two romances, set in the era of English-Scotland conflict, before the tides of history turned in favor of Robert de Bruce and his Scotsmen. Breslyn digs himself right into the thick of things, aiding the Scottish by bringing the Knights Templar -guardians of many sacred Fae hallows, and Robert de Bruce together against the British.

Claudy opens the novella with the romance of Breslyn and Chartelle -Lady Dumfires. Political scheming, spies and ne'r-do-wells, add spice and intrigue to their passion. Stricken by her beauty and gentle nature, Breslyn sets out to free Chartelle from a marriage of convenience to the traitor Francis Bothe -Laird Dumfries. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Chartelle finds a champion and lover in Breslyn's strong arms. Can Breslyn free Chartelle and stop Bothe's traitorous machinations, without ruining her life, or breaking any of the Fae laws governing interference in human destiny? Claudy's scenes of passion between these two are enough to make your toes curl, but it is her gentle touch on the strings of your heart that will satisfy you long after the story has ended.

Also woven through the mists is the romance of Breslyn's friend and Chartelle's brother, the Druid Priest and Laird of Belfor, Storm MacLean. Alexis of Waverly has come in disguise seeking refuge at Belfor. Keeper of secrets and a possible spy, Alexis poses a double problem for Storm. Her father has been murdered and her lands confiscated by the British sympathizer, Lord Comyn. Storm is torn between suspicion that she may be a plant of his enemies and the burning need to make her his own. Alexis is everything the young Scottish Laird would have in a companion and in his bed. If only he could trust her, but his instincts tell him she is keeping secrets. Whether these secrets are her own or those of another he does not know. It only matters that she is his heart's burning desire.

Claudy's knowledge of the era, lore and history give this novel a depth of color and excitement that is undeniable. Prepare to be swept away.

Prince in the Mist can be purchased in e-book format through Smashwords.com or through Amazon


Book Title: Prince in the Mists
Author: Claudy Conn
ASIN: B006643NL2
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui

Friday, December 23, 2011

Web of Lies: My Life With a Narcissist, by Sarah Tate


Writers In The Sky Podcast presents an interview with author Sarah Tate about her recently released book, Web Of Lies - My Life With a Narcissist.
The interview offers information about NPC, Narcissistic Personality Disorder and about the authors experiences publishing her work through Create Space.

Click Play to Listen . . .









About the Author
Sarah Tate is a single mother living and working in Switzerland. She arrived in Switzerland ten years ago and apart from a brief stay in France, has remained ever since, as Switzerland has become her adopted homeland.
Sarah has three young kids, who take up most of her time, but she still managed to find time to write her first book, Web of Lies - My life with a Narcissist. The book is an auto-biographical novel which describes in graphic details, the ups and downs of life with a person who suffers from (amongst other things) Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Web of Lies takes the reader on an emotional journey and gives a deep insight into what it's like to be sucked into the world of a disordered individual, and more importantly, how to escape with your sanity in tact.

Review
Author: Sarah Tate
Publisher: CreateSpace (December 27, 2010) 
Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 145651668X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1456516680
Link to Purchase 

Web of Lies is the gripping autobiographical story of Sarah Tate, a young woman who's life goes tragically wrong when she meets and marries a man with NPD, Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

The author skillfully relates her life story and experiences, revealing aspects of relationship that are both sobering and chilling. Circumstances related in Web of Lies are those of a nightmare relationship come to life and include the psychological torment experienced by Sarah and her children as they struggle with both loving and fearing her husband and their father.

Readers will learn about the nature of NPD, how to recognize the symptoms and what it means for those who are close enough to be impacted by the narcissistic personality. The experiences and situations related in Web of Lies are real and expressed from the perspective of the author for the benefit of others.

Everyone may have some traits of narcissistic behavior, that may at times seem selfish or to be the cause of distress in their relationships. However, a person with NPD is engaged in behavior that goes far beyond natural or healthy self interest.  Sarah Tate opens her life story in Web of Lies, as a healing journey of self discovery and recovery, a shining example of perseverance and the healing that can come through creativity. Web of Lies includes a comment from Dr. David Holmes, Senior Lecturer for the RIHSC Research Centre: Social Change Research Centre.

Recommended reading for everyone interested in the human story!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Residue and Ashes, an Interview With Author Russ Vanheel

One of my favorite topics and interests as a writer is how creativity can be used in healing and self recovery.

In Residue and Ashes, author Russ VanHeel set out to record his healing journey using short story writing as a form of therapy. He explores the domestic abuse and trauma that he suffered in a past relationship from many angles.

Russ's writing is deeply visceral, and at times disturbing. Residue and Ashes is not for everyone, as it explores abuse situations and the abuser/victim experiences that are both traumatic and frightening. Those who have suffered abuse however, will recognize their own experiences in them and hopefully feel the liberation of deeper understanding that comes through self exploration and reflection.

Some of the stories Russ has written from the perspective of witnesses and several through the eyes of his abuser. Several of these stories explore the emotional experience of abuse through fictionalization, but all share autobiographical elements.

Healing is a personal process but sharing ones experiences is an integral step in moving forward and embracing life. Residue and Ashes is the author's vehicle of healing, which he hopes will touch others who have survived domestic abuse allowing them to know that they are not alone.

Residue and Ashes is a study in healing, and an exploration of the soul.

Join host Vonnie Faroqui as she interviews author Russ VanHeel about his latest book Residue and Ashes, a collection of short stories that explore the healing journey. How has the author used writing to aid in self recovery? How vital is creativity in the healing process?

Click Play to listen . . . 


Author Russ Vanheel and grandchildren
 After two years of extensive therapy, I had finally learned I was a victim of domestic abuse. From a male standpoint, this was an extremely difficult concept for me to accept, and up until then, it felt like nothing more than a weakness on my part. Who was this woman that had caused such an overwhelming magnitude of ruination to every aspect of my life? Someone totally devoid of a conscience, and clearly incapable of having empathy for others. I'd never known anyone like her before she came into my life....
~ Russ Vanheel


Russ's two books, Life in Purgatory and Residue and Ashes are available through Outskirts Press and Amazon books.

Friday, December 9, 2011

GOOD TALES, an Interview With Author Louis Winslow

Every Body Loves a Good Tale

Author Louis Winslow and host Vonnie Faroqui discuss the release of his short story compilation in an engaging interview.

The author shares his experiences with writing and publishing, Good Tales: Tales Guaranteed to Entertain!

Louis Winslow is a retired chemist, turned author, living in Stillwater Minnesota. Good Tales is his first published work.



Click Play to Listen . . .




To purchase your copy of Good Tales visit Amazon.com