The other day I was on Twitter, offering my opinion on the latest kerfluffle to the internet – because we all know how internet suffers without the benefit of my opinion ::eye roll: – and I ran into a self-published author who was following my Twitter account. She responded to my kerfluffle tweet and said something like, “Yes, and this person gets paid 50 times what I make, and here I’m trying my hardest just to get a chance.” So I bought her book, because everyone should get a chance.
That evening I looked at the book. It’s an urban fantasy. I don’t read urban fantasy when I’m working. I try not to read it at all, actually, both to keep from unconsciously stealing and because the plot lines are so familiar, it feels like work. So strike one. The heroine sees dead people. Been there, read that, got the ghostly T-shirt. Strike two. Plus, angels and demons. Not my favorite trope. Strike three.
But I bought the book, the author knew I bought the book, so I decided to give it a shot, fully expecting to DNF the thing, because I’m a hateful bitch who hates everything.
I finished it.
I didn’t have to force myself to finish it. I finished it, because I wanted to, and I put the book I was reading and very much looked forward to aside, so I could read Black Parade.
There is a fine line between cliche and classic, and Black Parade stays just on the right side of that line. We have all the traditional staples of UF: the secret world of angels, demons, and ghosts; an orphan heroine, who will fight against overwhelming odds to help other people but is terrified to let people close; a hot angel; a frightening seductive demon; magic, action, fate of the world hanging in the balance. This doesn’t just dip a toe into the stereotypical UF land, it takes a swan dive into the deep water, and I should’ve bounced off of it, but for some reason this worked for me.
I think it’s the voice. Check this out:
The alarm clock went off like a duck being strangled with a telephone cord. I always tried and failed to remember to buy a new one. Groaning, I lurched onto my side and slapped at the device until it went silent. Sunlight streamed in, golden and annoying, through a gap in the dingy grey curtains of the window across from the bed. I threw the comforter over my head and lay there with my face pressed into the mattress, breathing in the faint smell of fabric softener and fried chicken. I really did need to wash these sheets.
After about a minute, I reluctantly climbed out from underneath the blanket and stumbled towards the closet to find my white button up shirt and short black skirt. My shift at the restaurant would start in half an hour. Colton would kick my ass if I was late again.
After wriggling into my work clothes, I wandered into the kitchen and began the nearly involuntary process of making coffee. Once it was brewing, I retreated to the bathroom. As I brushed my teeth, I read the list of the names and addresses I’d taped to the vanity mirror: Linda, Ming-Na, and Ron. I only worked a five-hour shift today so I should have been able to take care of all three of them. After I finished brushing my teeth, I swept my hair up into something that vaguely resembled a bun and took a deep breath before staring into my reflection for a brief analysis.
To be frank, I looked like shit. The skin beneath my eyes was dark with circles since I hadn’t gotten a decent amount of sleep in about two years, my complexion that had once been a rich brown was now a sickly brown-paper-bag color, and my weight had dropped significantly from lack of decent meals. Lord knows how I managed to keep my job looking like this. Cue the makeup—some foundation to cover up the spots and black eyeliner to further divert attention from my unhealthy pallor. A dash of lip gloss and voila, I was once again presentable for public consumption.
My gaze fell across the list again. I sighed. “Ninety-six down, four to go.”
I snatched the Post-It off the mirror and grabbed my flats on the way to the kitchen where my coffee was ready. When I got to the kitchen, I shrieked in surprise.
My favorite forest-green coffee mug was already out and filled with coffee.
M, Kyoko. The Black Parade (pp. 4-5). Kindle Edition.
Here is more:
Crazed teeth gnashed inches away from my face. The eyes rolled back until only the whites showed. Spider-like fingers strained for my throat. I screamed and ran towards the bedroom.
I slammed the door shut and dove for the nightstand, hands shaking as I checked the chambers to make sure the gun was loaded. The door flew open with a bang. A second bang followed. Then all was silent.
The phantom was gone, but in its place stood a man in a suit beneath his dark grey duster. His hair was black and his face was growing paler by the second. He reached out his hand. My panicked eyes spotted the scarlet speckled across the palm. The room had gone silent because the gun had deafened me. The barrel was still smoking and now I could see the hole I had put through the man’s chest.
I couldn’t breathe, but somehow I could still talk, and my lips were whispering one word over and over.
“No, no, no, no…”
The man said nothing as he fell to his knees in front of me, his azure eyes locked on mine as if he were trying to tell me something, but the strength was ebbing from him in crimson rivulets. I dropped the gun and fell to my knees as well. My fingertips grazed his face as if I could bring him back to life with one touch, but we both knew it was too late. He laid a rough, scarred hand to the side of my cheek where hot tears had fallen, his lips parting to whisper in a soothing voice.
“Don’t be afraid. They’re going to come for you, but please don’t be afraid.”
M, Kyoko. The Black Parade (p. 36). Kindle Edition.
The voice is really good. The manuscript itself is just well written and well edited. Had this been on the table in 2010, publishers would’ve snapped it up. So if you have a bit of nostalgia for the times paranormal beings roamed the bookshelves in droves, this will hit the spot. I don’t understand why she didn’t query a NY house with it, but she didn’t, so now we can have this for a steal.
Jordan Amador. 21. New Yorker. Waitress. Mild alcoholic. Murderer.
Two years ago, Jordan accidentally shot and killed a Seer: a person who can see, hear, and talk to ghosts with unfinished business. Her crime came with a hefty price, too. She has two years to help a hundred souls cross over to the afterlife or her soul is bound for hell. Tough break.
As if that weren’t bad enough, two days before her deadline a handsome pain-in-the-ass poltergeist named Michael strolls into her life. His soul is the key to her salvation, but the cost just might be more than she can handle. Solving his death puts her right in the crosshairs of Belial: a vain, bloodthirsty archdemon who won’t rest until she’s his slave. Can she rescue Michael and save her own soul, or will they both be dragged down into the clutches of the eternal black parade?
The book isn’t without its issues. The protagonist occasionally strays into immature territory, which caused me to mumble, “Jordan, adult better” a couple of times. I wanted a stronger characterizations from the side characters in a few places. Oh, and the book takes place over the period of several months. It works well, but some people prefer a continuous narrative. But overall, I finished it and enjoyed it, which terribly surprised me for all of the reasons listed above. I bought the second one.
Your mileage may, will, and should vary, and, as always, I recommend downloading a sample. It’s free at BN, iTunes, and on KU and is offered at $2.99 FREE, it is FREE today on Kindle. for those who don’t have it. That’s a price of a novella and at $3 this thing is a bargain. Best of all there are 4 more, so if you like the first one, there is plenty to glom.
Buy links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and iTunes
Author’s website: http://shewhowritesmonsters.com/
Happy reading. 😉
This is amazing, what a wonderful thing you are doing by using your platform to get word out about a new author. Sometimes people just a little help to catch a break!
This.
Yes.
Just one of the reasons we love her.
X10, thank you!
Awesome! I hope this gets her the break it sounds like she deserves!
You are very nice to boost a fellow writer’s career. I love supporting independent authors. 🙂
Bonus, this is free on Kindle today!
Was just going to post that. Too bad that the author won’t get any money from this boost.
I will be waiting until it is no longer free. If I am going to support them, might as well go whole hog.
Buy the second one. 🙂 That will give her money now and it’s still a bargain.
Good plan.
Great idea! Always looking for a fun read. Thanks, Ilona!
If I like it I will buy the series always looking for good books
Ummm. Having your free book recommended by Ilona Andrews…priceless!!!
I love that you’re helping out another author! Just another reason to support you.
Yes. You see why we are your fans.
Thanks for the book rec!
I grabbed bk2 since I didn’t have to pay anything for bk1. I hope to enjoy them.
I almost bought the next book in the Guild Hunter Series. Almost. I stared at it in my shopping cart for about 10 minutes before ultimately deciding that I don’t NEED it, since I was buying over 1200ft of paracord (Sooo many exciting projects!). I still really wanted a new, GOOD book to read, though. Thank-you for the recommendation! I tend to like the books you recommend and the fact that it’s free means I feel 0 guilt about buying it!
I got nalani Singh books from my local library. Would that be possible for you?
Me too
You sold me on picking it up. Hope I enjoy them all. I’ve lately been enjoying book one and finding book two to be a DNF.
Thanks for the heads up. I’m always willing to try new.
Very nice of you to respond to a fellow author and read their book. It sounds worthwhile. Kindle here I come!
Thank you! I’ve been in such a horrible reading rut!
Lol me too all I’ve been doing lately is rereading my favourites. Thanks for the opportunity for something new!!
my 2 cents worth to this aurthor… (from someone who has read a lot of UF and PNR) she needs a better cover. that book cover looks too cartoony and brings up memories of sabrina the teenage witch or something cutesy like that – it doesn’t look serious. learn from susan ee, she held an online contest with a prize money (what she could afford) for whomever could make her the best cover for her first book and it came out amazing. her angelfall cover was beautiful. so even if i’m not big on angels, i read it and the story was surprisingly good – so i waited the 10 years it took her to produce book 2 and 3 and read everything lol.
I completely agree about the cover, it reminds me more of someone going for a ‘dark’ Charlaine Harris cover. There’s pros & cons to that, personally I’m over that phase so I’d pass. It does make it seem more ‘cutesy’, completely at odds with the book blurb and the general feel of the posted snippets.
I looked on her website and thankfully , the rest of the covers are not as ‘sweet’ looking. I know that collectively as the Horde we can be brutal and nitpick about covers but when you’re unfamiliar with the author a lot of people do ‘judge a book by it’s cover.”
customers judge things by their packaging, that’s just how it is – unless it’s on kindle unlimited or it’s something free, lol. the first book is the most important in a series because that’s how you hook readers in. even if your other book covers are not as nice as the first book’s if you’ve already hooked the reader into a series it doesn’t really matter much anymore. if ilona’s kate 10s book cover is just plain white with title and absolutely no pics on it, i wouldn’t care, i’d still read it. i can’t imagine anyone who has already invested years of their life following this series would make that a reason for them not to read it. even if she dumped a handwritten copy on A4 on my lap i’d still read it lol.
I think this is where a lot of self-published authors stumble. I have read some great books with terrible covers through kindle unlimited but when I’m more discerning when I’m buying something. I think covers are more important with something like Amazon because people are scrolling so quickly and you need to grab them.
Is it shallow of me that as a result of the behind the scenes stuff on the Hugh Shoot I’ve tried out 7 new books who also got their covers from the same Art Studio? Their gallery has some incredible stuff on it…I just had to find the books that went with them!
—
Thanks for the recommendation, something to look forward too after marking all these mock exams!
So are the books as good as the covers?
You should see the final Hugh cover. It’s the best cover we ever had, I think.
You haven’t failed me yet on recommendations. Thanks?
Thank you. Your recommendations are always very helpful, and, this one also helps an author trying to break through – good all-round, methinks. Personally, I am in awe that you have done this in the midst of deadlines!
every other author who is on your twitter feed just fainted. Thank you for doing that for her!
As another loser trying to write her own UF while currently addicted to yours, thank you for sharing great work when you see it. I freaking love this little series.
Thank you for the book recommendation. You guys are incredibly decent. Thanks!!
Unselfish, thoughtful acts seem to be part of your style – not really bitchy enough. You’ll have to try harder. Sounds like a good read. I’m downloading it this morning.
nomnomnomnomnom
I love it when you give book suggestions!
I have never regetted following one of your book recommendations. I just picked up book 1. Thanks.
Hmmm, seems interesting. The snippets you posted have a very nice flow to them. I’ll have to check them out.
I laughed out loud at the first sentence. Thank you for the recommendation, I’ve already picked it up for my Kindle. I cannot recommend your books and blog enough. <3
Nice plug, that is how I found you, from the Charlaine Harris blog.
Joe
Got it. Something to do as I jones waiting for Hugh.
Click. Click.
Thanks for the rec, I’m always on the lookout for good urban fantasy!
Since that book is free today, I bought book two 🙂
Read the whole series and loved it. So glad you enjoyed it too.
Thank you for the recommendation! Love finding new authors with more then one book written. I read a lot and a variety of styles.
Thank you for the recommendation. Bought it on Amazon.
Thanks for the hot tip, Ilona. I love the genre, but had gotten sick of reading poor efforts. I’m thrilled to invest my read time into a good UF book!
I just picked up volume 1. Number 2 will have to wait until next week, when I have money.
Thank you for the recommendation. I’m always searching for something good to read. Bonus that there are more in the series. I like smart writers.
Thank you giving us a heads up about this author and her book. Needless to say, I’ve bought.
Oh, this was added to my to read wish list by another blogger (but one that has much different tastes than me). I will definitely be buying the book as it does sound right up my alley. *I promise not to blame you if for some reason I don’t like it (though the excerpts make me think I’ll enjoy it)….but it sure is good to have someone I trust recommend the book too.
Was debating since I’m trying to keep to a budget, but free? Who can resist that? Thanks for the rec!
I followed the click. I have it now. The “swan dive” remark cracked me up by the way!
Thanks for another recommendation however small problem is it’s not available on Amazon.co uk and .com won’t let me buy it ? maybe a small word with the author? Would love to read it from the except you posted.
As ever your devoted fan ?
Just curious, why do you think it would have been picked up in 2010, but not now? I feel like there hasn’t been anything new lately, and everything is wrapping up. You are finishing up Let’s story (although I pray we get more Hidden Legacy), Kim Harrison finished her story line, Rachel Caine finished several of her story lines including the Weather Wardens, Jim Butcher’s Dresden books have been at a stand still…the list of finishing UF series seems to grow, but I don’t we many new ones taking their place.
I talked about this before. UF is in decline, as far as traditional publishers are concerned. Publishing goes in waves, and UF/PNR wave is out at the moment. People are just not that excited about werewolves and vampires, because there is so much available. It’s not new and fresh. Established authors are still selling very well, but launching a new series now is very difficult.
So what’s the new thing if it’s not UF?
I am seeing a lot of mafia and MC type romances out there lately, but those are not really my thing.
Fantasy romance is starting to pick up steam though, which makes me very glad, because I love Grace Draven, C L Wilson, and Jeffe Kennedy. 🙂
Sorry to hear the UF/PNR wave is out at the moment and that it is difficult for authors in that genre to launch new series. I feel for authors who might be very good but just aren’t established who can’ Get their work published simply because their genre isn’t the current “in” thing. But, I guess it works like other types of retail and is based on supply and demand. Selfishly, I hope the UF/PNR genre comes back in vougue. I can keep rereading my favorite authors over again only so many times before wanting something new. I found it funny to see that I do what so many of the BDH have mentioned they do, which is when a new book in a series comes out (especially a series I love as much as the KD series) they go back and reread the series from the beginning before reading the newest (or in this case the last) one. Another time I find myself rereading (as if I need an excuse!) the KD and/or other Ilona Andrews series is when I am ill. Reading these books is like wrapping myself in a favorite blanket or visiting with an old friend – comfortable and comforting!
Thank you for the detailed review. After downloading a few head banging, DNF “great buys”, I too am cautious about new authors. I have taken some chances and been richly rewarded but I would not have taken a chance on this one mostly because of the angel/demon thing. Bleh. I am giving this one a try. ?
Thanks for the rec! Just downloaded it.
It was also free on Nook!
As of 6pm PST, it’s now $4.99 in the Kindle store.
Whoops, that was for one of the sequels. The first book is still free!
Wonderful! I have tried everything you’ve recommended and discovered some terrific new-to-me authors. Thank you!!
I wanted to like this. It seemed like solid writing, but for some reason, after buying it last week I DNF after beginning chapter 3. The story just went one step too far into cliches wih the flashback. Also I can’t belive her character just went along for the ride after the ‘incident’. However after reading your review I’m goi g to go back and give it another chance.
I needed something good to discover. I read a lot and have worked my way through some questionable low cost reads on Amazon – sometimes I stumble across a winner so I keep trying.
But March is a month that spoiled me with great reads. 1st I found a book from Elizabeth Moon that i had not read yet (so exciting), then a new Tanya Huff?!! and finally, after a long, long wait Pattie’s new book released and Burn Bright was everything I hoped it would be (plus more.. She included some Bran moments .. squeee!!)
The problem with reading a lot of really good books in a short period is that you become more critical. It’s like spending a week dining at 5 star restaurants and then returning to fast food. And generic fast food – not the good greasy diner stuff we secretly love…
I am looking forward to this based on the snippets.
Oh and to Friday… Innkeeper day is the best day of the week
Awesome! I’ve been looking for a new author and free and kindle unlimited is about my price range right now.
I can’t wait until my renos are done and I can buy as many books as I want again.
I finished the first one and enjoyed it. There were a few things I didn’t enjoy but most first books are a little rough. I’ll probably start the second one next week.
Thank you so much for the recommendation. I’m looking forward to the new something. From past experience if you recommend it my mileage is going to be amazing so I’m hopeful that trend continues.
And may I just say the fact you bought it and read it even with 3 strikes right off the bat just bc everybody deserves a chance is one of the many reasons I love you.
Cheers to what Ami said!
Thanks Ilona! I’m always searching for another author in this exact genre, so this is perfect – and who can’t pass up a free book?! That’s how I’ve found many authors that I like and continue to buy and read every other book they wrote.
Thank you – recommendations from people who do not put up with dreck are always appreciated. Plus, we might hep someone – you giive us a win and a bonus
Thanks for this! Because the sheer volume of content is now so vast, it’s great to find a good rec! I’m always looking, too. I can only imagine the difficulty for new authors today. As one slowly building a small biz in another arena, the sheer scope of competing voices can be daunting, to say the least. We are also overwhelmed by voices clamoring for help and with need, but where we can we still need to offer more kindness and you’ve done so. It makes us all happier.
Huh, I bought this in January and completely forgot. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for the heads up. I am now off to ebook land to purchase.
Just ordered the free kindle copy.
Thank you so very much for recommending it.
May you have an awesome day.
Thank you for this. Another demonstration of your generosity and graciousness! I “purchased” this and the second in the series immediately. I hope this garnishes much notice for this author and their works. Once brought more prominently to people’s attention – hopefully they will win a loyal following of many, many readers (if merited, or course)! ?
I read The Black Parade, I think last month. I enjoyed it very much. Not perhaps as much as I enjoy your books, but enough that I went looking for M. Kyoto’s other books.
Oops. I spelled the author’s name incorrectly. Kyoko M.
Behold the Power of IA: the first book was published in 2013. Currently #27 Free in Kindle Store
#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Romance > Paranormal > Demons & Devils
#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Horror > Occult
I got the first 2 books – I agree with your comments above. I like her writing style / voice and the overall plot so far (book 1 is 50% read). I’m not a proper critic but something is a bit off – the pace and the characters. Perhaps a better editor would have helped?? It doesn’t grab me and pull me in and absorb me. I assume she is a younger writer who, like a fine wine, will get better with age.
I generally give a writer a bit of a pass on the first book, if it’s at all promising. The good ones do get better. The ones who don’t improve by the third book are dead to me.
Thank you for the recommendation. It is also free on Kobo…
Rising tide lifts all ships.
Thank you! I purchased.
So I have a writing question kind of. I understand it takes about 3 months for a book to get published after completion. (if this is wrong, just ignore this whole comment)
Magic Triumphs is done and out the door, afaik, and scheduled for release in August 2018-roughly 5 months from now.
So Hugh’s book, which should be read before MT, needs to be turned in really soon, if it is to precede MT.
Yeah, quite a deadline.
It depends on the format and urgency. Typically, mass market is 6 months from acceptance of the manuscript, which mean that the editor looked at it, gave it back, we implemented the edits and it’s now ready for production, copyediting etc.
For hardcover, 6 months is not enough. It’s viewed as bare minimum and the book would be rushed and everyone will be terribly pissy.
Hugh is being self-published. 🙂 So if we can get it done by April 1st and have it ready for preorders, it should give us 60 days or so to edit, clean, tweak, promote, etc.
Thank you for this response. I was curious about the timelines too!
Yes, THANK YOU! I’m glad you overlooked my 3-month mistake. I was thinking you’d need it done by next week, (more or less) and I hoped you were near the end.
You’ve said before Innkeeper was profitable as a self-publish and Hidden Legacy is really popular also. Has Avon been at all reasonable? Are you getting tired of either of them? You’ve mentioned a Kinsmen story, could that be a big series like Kate?
So many questions, but I’ll just keep reading.
Again, Thx!!
Re Avon: there are no news we are allowed to announce. 🙂
The Innkeeper brings in a very nice amount of money. Kinsmen probably won’t be a big series like Kate.
Right now we are looking at probably a trilogy for Hugh unless it completely bombs because there is a lot more there than we can pack into a single book.
No worries, barring some unforeseen circumstances, we will be kept busy for a bit.
start writing that trilogy cause that baby is not gonna bomb!!!!
I take encouragement from your “no news we are allowed to announce”, not just ‘no news.’
Even though I think Hugh is scum, 3 books are better than one.
Thanks!!
No doubt in my mind, it will not bomb!! 🙂
OT: Hmm. I’ve tried commenting a few times on different blog posts here, and my comments never seem to appear. Is there something I’m doing that keeps them from being approved? I don’t feel like my comments differ from other people’s, so I’m mystified.
Or, watch. This one will show up right away to prove me wrong!
I felt like that for a long time. But it changed.
Carysa, if something isn’t getting through, drop me an email through the website. Most of the time the spam filter is on point but it blocks an epic amount of spam, so if your comment is caught in there, I might not see it.
Thanks! I’ll do that in the future. 🙂
Okay, so it seems that only REPLIES to other comments don’t show up. Weird.
Carysa, we are eagerly awaiting your new book as well. Something to fill in the time from now until Hugh is out. Please write faster also…
So I REALLY hope this comment shows up! Thank you so much, Tiana! I was totally not expecting anyone on this page to even know I write, much less have read my books. Pirate Consort is SO CLOSE. Final edits are pretty much my entire existence right now. I’m hoping to get it done and up this week, but it will be available by the end of the month for sure. <3
You’ve been spotted. Off to glom.
Awesome!!! I keep re-checking Amazon ever since my pre-order vanished (was delayed or something). Also waiting to pre order Hughs book.
Would reccomend your books to the book devouring horde. It’s a nice blend of action fantasy and romance in space. Reminds me a bit of Ilona’s books. Although saying that that’s probably against the rules or something. Never sure what the etiquette is re discussing books in other writers blogs?! If it’s a no no they can just delete this.
Love your books almost as much as Ilona’s!!!
Blogs need emoji reactions so I can properly express my dropped jaw and the insanely huge smile following it up! Best. Compliment. Ever.
Yes, I had to pull the preorder for Pirate Consort. The flu took me out for almost a month of writing time, and Amazon wouldn’t let me push the date. BUT it should be out by the end of the month, and I am SO nervous/excited to get it into readers’ hands. As soon as the link is live I’ll announce it on my blog/FB page/NL/etc. <3
Tiana, you totally made my day! Probably many days, for months to come. I'm a voracious reader, and Ilona is my favorite author and has been for the past few years. I thought it was fantastic when a reader compared my books to Anne McCaffrey, as she was my first F/SF read and made me want to become a writer. This is at least as good on the scale of best reader compliments. 🙂 Thank you so much!
Bought it on this recommendation (actually on free promo yesterday). Looking forward to reading it.
I am looking for something to read during lunch but it feels like the stretch to April has a dearth of awesome (Practical Guide to Evil is on hold, Worth the Candle is irregular, no Innkeeper until Friday at best, no book releases that sound awesome, books on library on-hold list unlikely to manifest in the next week).
What’s a girl with a severe reading addiction to do? Bought this book. 🙂
*most important part of the comment, that I failed to actually write:
Thank you for saving me from death by boredom/addiction withdrawal with this recommendation!
I have heard you speak of your own start in working to be published.
I remember finding your first book @ the FLP, you know the drill, spinning the rack, the cover catches your eye, you read the back, you walk around wit it cause you can’t handle it if its not as good as it seems, you read the frontispeice. You burst out cackling, in the library, you hide in the racks hoping no one knows its you, trying to stiffle your giggling.
Then you get yo’self under control determined not to take this book home if it will fizzle. So you sit and start to read, a couple of minutes later, your numb butt makes you look up. Right into the clock that lets you know its a hour& a half later . . .
I scrambled back to the racks, they had Kate 3 but # 2 was already checked out, so I took one of the Edge books. What is wrong with People! The FLP is open 7 days a week! Over the next 2 weeks I could not catch up to any of the books the FLP had, they were all checked out or had holds.
Then I remembered my Nook, I could order those puppies. Then I found the free stuff & the short stuff . . . sorry, glory days, on memory lane
My point was, the excerpts read well, but I have a dislike for ‘why me’ when reading a fictional book. If it can’t happen the book isn’t worth existence. Everybody deserves a chance, I am a coward, free books, deserve a comment. Be blessed, be well
Downloaded it. Sounds fun and I like the voice.
Curious to know the market for urban fantasy and paranormal books has changed since 2010. I’ve been reading them for what seems like forever and I suppose getting pickier with the books I pick. Is it oversaturated? Would be interested to know your thoughts on the market now vs. then.
I think it became a fad, so lots of books being written in the genre. Still my favourite genre but I’m picky about what I get and don’t have a lot of spare time to read now so thankfully haven’t burnt out (yet).
I think it is wonderful for you to put Kyoko M’s .work out there. You are really neat! ?
Thank you. Your so generous, it’s part of the reason I’ve bonded with you. The other reason is you write so well. You (both) express humor,action, personal development and a story line I live with in real time.You are amazing.
Thanks for this rec! Like another BDH’er I’m wasting away in this drought between favorite author’s releases. Read that excerpt and have started reading “Of Cinder and Bone” and so far me likes this author. If she continues and evolves then she’ll be another keeper in my library collection.
Artist looking out for each other is such a positive force. Another reason why you’re such a “she-ro” for me, Ilona! ?
The book was wonderful! I can’t waot to read more.
Will download posthaste. Thanks for the tip.
I bought and read the book. It was interesting.
It feels like YA. I just wished the Heroine would evolve. Learn something.
She feels like puberty. Character is: mouthy and stubborn… and?
Yay lets go alone – AGAIN! And get beaten up. Because thats her right.
I want her to get some intelligence. And i want to like her.
I quess i am pampered. Young age was never made for me 🙂
Thanks for the book recommendation, I downloaded to my Kindle and then stayed up way past my bedtime finishing the book.
Hi, * I love that one reader thinks Hugh is “scum,” because I cannot get enough of him and find him super-compelling. He doesn’t need to be “redeemed” for me, somehow in my head he is greater than the sum of his bad actions (I do regret Kate’s Samoan friend at the Order). I still do not know if Hugh behaved the way he did because he was confused about how he felt about Kate (attraction + affection); or if he was in a rut of autopilot violence and not feeling anything or evaluating right from wrong; or if he was hellbent on delivering Kate to her dad/deeply loyal to her dad, whatever it took? I will be interested in knowing him better! Three Hugh books = yay!
* I dl’ed The Black Parade and read 50 pages. Each new character connected me deeper to the Christian canon of angels/devil/archangel/The Father, which is not an interest of mine. The main character, a 22yo waitress named Jordan, has two God-sent magical male characters in her life and will probably be chaste to the end of the book. So that doesn’t work for me. If you do not buy in to that belief system, the book assumes you do. Isn’t there a category for this type of fiction, Christian PN or something? Finally, shooting a strange, threatening man who has broken into your apartment is not a situation that requires penance. Why does the author make her feel guilty for defending herself?
The first is pretty good so I bought the second.
After reading your excerpts, I headed to Amazon and got the first book. Thank you very much for the rec!