Author Appreciation, David McAfee, The Bachiyr Series (33 AD, After & 61AD)

This is by far, one of the best book series I have ever read! McAfee has a knack for putting his story right in the middle of a historical event but still making it his own.  Fantastic!!

33AD, Book 1, The Bachiyr Series

Jerusalem, 33 A.D. The vampires of the era have long sought to gain a foothold into Israel, but the faith of the local Jewish population has held them in check for centuries.

When one of their own betrays them to follow a strange young rabbi from Galilee, the elders of the vampire race dispatch Theron, a nine hundred year old assassin, to kill them both.

The rabbi's name is Jesus. Killing him should be easy. *amazon.com*

I was initially drawn to this book by the cover, it is truly frightening!  I was blown away by the content, McAfee’s style of writing grabs hold and pulls you in as he introduces you to his verision of Jerusalem in 33AD.  Imagine True Blood meets Passion of The Christ, that is this book in a nutshell.  These vampire’s do not sparkle and the sun will surely kill them.  Vampires, mystery, blood and gore with just a touch of romance to soften the blow.  The book is split into 4 main storylines but, I assure you, you will have no problems keeping up!  Extremely interesting and unpredictable, the twists and turns will keep you engaged and on your toes.

5/5 Quills.. MUST READ!!

After is a Novella that fills us in on some of the happenings between book 1 (33AD) and book 2 (61AD)

61AD, Book 2, The Bachiyr Series

Britannia, 61 A.D. For ten years, Taras has lived in the young city of Londinium, feeding off the city’s underbelly. But now Theron, his old enemy, has come looking for revenge, and Taras’ nights of living in relative peace are about to end.

Yet not even Theron can slip into town unnoticed, and the Council of Thirteen sends Ramah to deal with the two renegades once and for all. But unknown to the Council, a much older enemy is also in Londinium, and this time even the great Ramah might not be safe.

Set against the backdrop of the Iceni uprising in Roman-era Britannia, 61 A.D. continues the story of Taras, Theron, and Ramah, as they fight their way through history. *amazon.com*

Once again McAfee has taken a key point in history and made it his own, breathing new life into our old friends and adding a few new characters to the mix.  Back are Taras, Theron, Ramah and the infamous Council of 13.  The female characters introduced in this book take two steps forward; unlike in book one they definitely have more of a presence and a voice.  Once again McAfee pulls off the multiple storylines that are uniquely woven together adding just enough mystery and intrigue to keep you guessing until the end. 

These books are amazing, intriguing, engrossing and quite frankly; scary as hell!  NOT intended for young adults, Mature content included.  If you are looking for something original in the sea of regurgitated storylines that seem to overwhelm our books as of late, THIS is the series for you!  But that’s just my two cents.

5/5 Quills.. MUST READ!!

 

Of course, I had to request an Interview with this Amazing Author… here is a brief glimpse inside the mind behind The Bachiyr Series, Mr. David McAfee.

*contest details to follow*

*Tell me a bit about yourself. 

Well, I'm a former military brat. I was born in England and have moved all over the world. I love to read, and have been writing stories for almost as long as I've been reading. I enjoy horror fiction, motorcycling, radio control airplanes, and spending time with my wife and children. Other than writing, my biggest passion is for airplanes. The number one item on my Bucket List is to get a pilot's license.

*Where were you born and where do you call home?  

Ha. Should have read all the questions in advance. I was born in Lakenheath AFB, England. After my father retired from the USAF, we moved to Texas. I always consider Texas to be home, but the truth is that "home" is wherever my wife and kids are. I just couldn't be happy if they weren't there. Now, having said that, I'm pretty sure I'd be ridiculously happy if we were to one day settle in the Great Lone Star State.

*What was your inspiration for The Bachiyr Series?  
I read a book called VIOLENT SANDS, by Sean Young. It's the story of Barabbas. Even though I'm not usually a fan of Christian fiction, I have to admit that Young's book is masterful. While reading it, I could almost feel and smell ancient Jerusalem. He really put me into the scene. So much so that I started to wonder what the vampires of the era would have thought of all the hooplah surrounding Jesus. Viola! The idea for 33 AD was born. I switched gears a little with 61 AD because I didn't want people to think I was only good for Biblical fiction.

*For those who are unfamiliar with your novel; 33AD, how would you introduce it?  
I usually use the tagline. I tell people 33 AD is about vampires in Biblical Jerusalem who try to assassinate Jesus of Nazareth. As anyone who has read the book knows, there is more going on than just that part, but since it's the major plot point and the major hook, that's what I go with. 

I also make it a point to tell people they aren't going to find any mopey, angsty, Ed Cullen types in my books. I like my vampires brutal and inhumane, so that's how I write them. My books have been called graphic on occasion, and there is certainly blood and even some gore to go around. But you will not find some centuries old guy trying to woo a teenage girl with all his feelings of guilt and self loathing. Bachiyr are monsters, and they like it that way. They kill for food, fun, and sometimes for no reason at all.

*What are the Pro's and Con's to being an Indie Author?  
The biggest pro is that you are not at the mercy of a publisher who may or may not have the same vision for your work as you do. When you read one of my books, every word you read is mine. It's a word I put in there because I liked it. You aren't reading the collaborative effort of me and a dozen editors who are all trying to fit the story into some "lowest common denominator" mold. I love having that freedom, that authority over my own work.

The biggest con is, unless you are insanely good at writing AND marketing, or just very fortunate, few people will know about your book. A publisher has the ability to generate buzz for you and your work. That doesn't mean they will, just that they can. From an exposure standpoint, it's much better to try and get published the traditional way.  

*Whom in your life would you say has influenced you the most?  
As a writer or as a person? As a writer, I'd have to say Stephen King helped warp..uh...I mean SHAPE my young writerly mind as a child. His stories spoke to me. They were the first things I read that didn't have anything to do with Happy Elves or lost puppies or anything like that. Until King, I didn't realize a story could end without a happily ever after. 

As a person, I give my wife most of the credit for who I am today. Over the last 12 years, and at the cost of a great deal of frustration, she has helped to make me a better person. In fact, she is the reason I am here today. Without her nudging and support, I never would have kept writing, and I certainly never would have published my first book.

*What has been the most interesting comment (or review) about your book?  
Oh, geez. There have been so many. I guess if I have to pick one I liked the most, it would be the review of Saying Goodbye to the Sun where the reviewer really nailed what the book was about. He talked about the changes in the main character, and how you almost didn't notice them until you got to the end of the book and realized how different the guy was from the beginning. And that's what the book is about. It's about one man's spiral into vampiredom. When the reviewer posted that, I literally got misty. It's the first and only time someone has read one of my books (that I know of) and got out of it exactly what I put into it. That was a nice feeling.

*Who is YOUR favorite Author?  
Depends on my mood. When I want a good thriller it's hard to beat Dan Brown or Michael Crichton. When I want to be scared, Stephen King is tops. A new favorite is Chelsea Cain. Her mystery/thrillers are fantastic. If I'm jonesing for some YA fiction (which does happen from time to time) give me Amanda Hocking, Aprilynne Pike, or Suzanne Collins. If I want fantasy, it's gotta be Daniel Arenson, David Dalglish, or the team of Weis and Hickman.

*What are you reading right now?  
The Trench, by Steve Alten. It's the sequel to his first novel, MEG, which is about a prehistoric 65 foot great white shark. Good stuff. Lots of people getting eaten.

*Tell us your latest news.  
The most current news is that I am working on the next Bachiyr novel. It is called 79 AD and will be released sometime this summer. I will also release The Gallows Tree, which is about a small town in Tennessee that is haunted by the spirit of a young black child who was lynched there in 1959. Also in the works is another short story collection. All three of those projects will be out this year.

*Can you give us a sneak peek into the next installment in the series?  
Well, I like to set my stories around historical events: The Crucifixion, the Iceni rebellion, and the like. In 79 AD, we find Theron hard at work in the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, trying to figure out a way to make himself immune to fire. (And also to heal the black burn on his hand) By using captured Bachiyr as test subjects, he hopes to cure his hand and eventually solve the problem of his peoples' greatest weakness: the sun. Of course, he doesn't want to help his people. No way. Theron wants the power to walk in the daylight for his own reasons. I may post the prologue on my blog next week, just for the heck of it. (mcafeeland.wordpress.com)

*In addition to The Bachiyr Series (33AD, After, 61AD) and Saying Goodbye to the Sun; you wrote a Zombie book, Nasty Little F!#*ers!  Let's end with a juicy little tidbit about this book...

This is one of my favorite books in my stable. I love NLF because there is nothing complicated or cerebral about it. I was asked by my former publisher to write a gory, B-movie type of monster novel, and that's exactly what NASTY LITTLE F!#*ERS is. It's fast paced, humorous, and very, very icky. I love it. All anyone needs to know about the book is this: Humans vs. Ravenous Insect Larvae. If that weren't bad enough, add some grub-covered zombies to your mental image. Sound good? I hope so. Definitely NOT for everyone, and don't let your kids read it or you are going to have some questions to answer. ;)

The usual rules apply guys, complete all Mandentory tasks and the winner has 24 hours to claim or forfeit!  Goodluck everybody!!

*Teaser* look for Tammy & David to review Nasty Little F!#*ers next week!

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Tammy's Two Cents: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Book to Movie Review

There is a door at the end of a silent corridor, and it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?

Harry has a lot on his mind for this, his fifth year at Hogwarts: a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey; a big surprise on the Gryffindor Quidditch team; and the looming terror of the Ordinary Wizarding Level exams. But all these things pale next to the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named — a threat that neither the magical government nor the authorities at Hogwarts can stop.

As the grasp of darkness tightens, Harry must discover the true depth and strength of his friends, the importance of boundless loyalty, and the shocking price of unbearable sacrifice.

His fate depends on them all. (from Goodreads)

This book annoyed me far more than any in the series, why is that you ask? Dolores Umbridge! I’m convinced that Rowling was receiving hate mail regarding the Dursleys and had to create a character we could loath even more than Vernon; mission accomplished! Even the book sleeve described her as having a "personality like poisoned honey." Aside from that, I loved it. Surely it’s the darkest of the series yet. This book still provides us some unexpected twists and turns. Just another aspect of Rowling’s writing that makes you want to read her books. We are left with an emotionally exhausting ending, on many levels. The surprising yet exciting climax left me in tears, not to mention the biggest secret of any of the books is revealed. So big in fact, after reading the final installments in the series you will realize, this secret molded the events that took place after its discovery.

What I liked most about this book, in particular is that we finally get some answers to all those burning questions that have plagued us thus far. And we are left asking ourselves at what point in someone’s life do they begin to question the balance of good and evil that lies within them?  

My Rating:

I LOVED this move by itself. If you read the book, however, it was extremely disappointing. This is the movie for me that I really started to notice the lack of content from the books moving to the screen. Neville Longbottom is, in my opinion, a main character in the books. He is reduced to a side kick in the movies, especially this one. I don’t think they translated what we experienced while devouring the book onto the screen very well. There were necessary parts of the book noticeably missing from the movie, it was upsetting. Having said that, I have watched this movie dozens of times and I do love it. I am able to separate the book and the movie and make them 2 separate entities, it is still unfortunate.

And let me just say, the word “Ahem” makes my skin crawl; when I hear someone giggle I want to smack them; and this movie will make you hate the color pink! But that’s just my two cents.

My Rating: 

Adaptation of the book 2/5 Quills

The movie in and of itself 5/5 Quills.

Treasured Thursdays: Harry Potter Style Part 3-A Double Dose

Treasured Thursday is a weekly event created by Touya over at The Reader's Garden that is all about our most treasured. I'm hosting it here now, for those of you who are interested in joining me. This month, as you all know by now, we are ALL about Harry Potter, so we decided to focus on HP specific topics.  This week we're giving you a double dose; our most treasured member of Dumbledore's Army and our most treasured member of the Order of the Phoenix. 


Once again, Tammy got my pick first and it seems I got Lana's as my second choice, so I'm going to do something a little different and talk a little about both Luna Lovegood & Neville Longbottom. 

These two are probably the most loyal of Harry's friends aside from Hermione & Ron. (Ok and Ginny, sorry. You know what I mean.) They have none of the information Ron and Hermione do about what Harry has to do, and still, they are always there to support him and do what must be done to help the cause. They put themselves in mortal danger again and again to help Harry fight the Death Eaters. 


Luna is one of my favorite characters in the books (not so much in the movies). She is so unique and while most of what she says is a bit insane, there are little nuggets of knowledge there, too. 


"Oh, come on. You heard them, just behind the veil, didn’t you? They were just lurking out of sight, that’s all. You heard them."

And then we have Neville. The boy who has had just as tragic a childhood as Harry, without the neglect, of course. Neville was a favorite of mine from the moment at the end of the Sorcerer's Stone when he braved the Hogwarts hallways at night to try and warn Harry about something. Even though he was terrified of what could be out there, he still did it, to help his friends. 


'We were all in the D.A. together,' said Neville quietly. 'It was all supposed to be about fighting You-Know-Who, wasn't it? And this is the first chance we've had to do something real – or was that all just a game or something?'
'No – of course it wasn't –' said Harry impatiently.
'Then we should come too,' said Neville simply. 'We want to help.'

I love both these characters dearly & really hoped to see them become a couple at the end of the series, but unfortunately Ms. Rowling didn't see fit to show us much of their future. 

 Onto my most treasured member of the Order of the Phoenix. I almost picked Dumbledore, but honestly, in my mind, one man stands out above the rest. Since the moment I finished Prisoner of Azkaban, I loved Sirius Black's character. To me it seemed, Sirius had always been something of an outsider, even in his own family. Then he had James and Remus at school, but then once the Potters were dead, he was left with nothing, quite literally. Unjustly imprisoned and left with the stigma of being a Death Eater, Sirius' life was far from fair.

"Believe me. I never betrayed James and Lily. I would have died before I betrayed them."

 I love the relationship between he and Harry. He is sort of a parent substitute/uncle/godfather/brother/friend all rolled into one. What I love about it most, though is that Harry doesn't just need and depend on Sirius to fill those holes in his life; it's definitely a two way street. Sirius needs Harry just as much. They are each other's family. 

Sirius is loyal and brave and somewhat arrogant at times. He can behave more like a teenager than a grown man when he's feeling useless but, he always comes through for Harry. Always. How can you not love a person like that? 

Combo meal, comin’ up!

HA! I love it. Mel has Luna and Tammy has Tonks. But seriously, there are no other people I feel the need to tip my hat to! I love when we’re all different but.. Ach. They have Neville and Sirius so it’s all good! ;D

Luna Lovegood, honestly, I didn’t trust her when she first came on screen. I thought she was just acting so…well…odd, to perhaps get in good graces with Harry and BANG stab him in the back, or something of that nature. But noooooooooo. I was wrong. Per usual when it comes to this series.

After I figured out she wasn’t going to kill anyone I liked, I began to just love her! Though nothing she says is really taken seriously, I believe she is onto something. And like Dumbledore, she comes up with the cutest little lines.

"Mistletoe," said Luna dreamily, pointing at a large clump of white berries placed almost over Harry's head. He jumped out from under it. "Good thinking," said Luna seriously. "It's often infested with nargles."

She’s a wonderful character and definitely a treasure!

As for Tonks…

…I love my fierce women! And if she isn’t that then I don’t know who is. She’s bitchy and fierce, but not to the point where she appears in a scene and I go, “Here we go; time to get pissed at the characters.” Nope. I love her.

Only thing I’m curious about it, why we didn’t see any story with Remus… Uh. In all honesty, seeing the movies first, I didn’t know they were together or even interested in each other until about the end. Actually, I thought he was her FATHER. I can tell this is gonna piss me off when I get to the book this is mentioned in, because lemme tell ya, if my girl got as shafted as it appears she did, I have a problem here… Urgh.

Sorry, sorry, I’m threatening the book before I even get to it. Bad Lana, BAD.

Anyway. Tonks is definitely my most treasured member of the DA- and the only contest? Mel’s got it covered ;)

“Don’t. Call me. Nymphadora.”

Neville Longbottom . Again, his storyline was much better in the books than in the movies; at least they included him in the movies at all! His story and watching him grow and battle his inner demons is almost as prolific as Harry’s. When Harry’s parents were killed and he was unfortunately tied to Voldemort we had a great many other tragedies as well. In the books, this is recognized, not so much in the movies. I really wanted to see him and Luna in the end as well, to see how they’d gotten along since leaving Hogwarts. I guess that is what imaginations are for!

TONKS! You know how I like my strong female characters; if they have a bit of bitch in them, even better! Here is yet another story line that was explored more fully in the books; Tonks and Remus. The movies don’t even show the struggle she had to get her man, he was so hesitant in the beginning; not only because of what he is,  but because of their age difference as well. It is such a great part of the books. I don’t understand why they couldn’t include it in the movies. We were on vacation in Florida when DH came out and I was reading it on the beach, crying like a baby. GAH! I swear they cut more stories from the movies than they left in. I’m aggravated now just thinking about it.

These are our most treasured, who are yours? 

Unguarded by Ashley Robertson: Review, Interview, and Giveaway

Guardian angel Selene was so close to becoming an archangel--the supreme of all beings--until she fell in love with Cole, a forbidden dark one. Once she discovers her vampire lover has been kidnapped and the only way to save him is by abandoning her number one priority--Caitlyn, her human charge--there really is only one answer in Selene's mind, even though leaving Caitlyn unguarded will most likely cause Selene to fall from grace.


But her choice to save Cole doesn't come without a price...and now Selene is racing against time to not only save her dark lover, but find a way to keep Caitlyn alive as well.


With the help of a new vampire ally, Luke, Selene will push her diminishing angel abilities to the point where her very existence lies in the balance. Now threatened with the chance of becoming a fallen angel or even dying, Selene can only pray she'll have enough time--and good grace--to save the ones she loves.


Unguarded, I will say, has potential. The plot is intriguing, the drama is thick and runs through the entire novel, and the writing is well done. The chemistry between Luke and Selene was electric, and pulsed right off the page, easily drawing me into the book. Finally! A love story where the girl and/or the guy doesn't immediately fall in love and forget everything else in the world, besides the other member of the relationship! How many times have I whined about that, guys? Seriously. 


That being said, the other side of the love triangle miffed me a little. I kind of feel like I missed the first book in this series. Cole and Selene were already together when UnGuarded starts, but you don't see them interact until about...oh, 50% through. But by then, the reader (me, at least) has already seen Selene and Luke semi-flirting and teasing each other, and you see Luke really cares for Selene, and that Selene is confused about her feelings, but as soon as Cole is back in the picture she suddenly doesn't care anymore. 


In all honesty, Selene infuriated me until ~86% through. I won't tell you all WHY I liked her near the end, but during the rest I wanted to smack her. Considering she is an angel, and isn't fallen, her number one priority should be Caitlyn, just by nature (as is in any other angel story I've read, and I have read several). But it's not. Caitlyn almost feels like an afterthought to Selene, and Cole is her entire center. Sound the alarms, you all should know by now I hate when girls, in books or in real life, do this...


Though, I will say, I'm very glad that "God" wasn't a giant WHAP in the jaw for this book. A lot of the angel books I've read mention God so much, and personally, I don't like it. I don't like talking about it and I don't like reading about it, so I'm really glad it wasn't so "GodGodGodGodGod" in this. The matter was obviously mentioned--we are talking angels, here--but Robertson didn't rub it our faces and I was relieved by that.


The world Robertson created has a lovely air about it, though I wasn't blown away, I still think it was a nice little read, and I would most likely pick up a sequel if Ashley were to write one (for the hopes that Luke is given another chance, because...I really like those two.)

My Rating:

And now, our review with Ashley Robertson!

Hi Ashley! First I'd like to say thank you so much for taking the time to do this with us!

*What made you want to become an author?
I’ve always loved writing. Ever since I was a young girl I would write songs and poems that eventually—as I got older—turned into short stories and plays. I remember loving my English classes in high school, always got great grades on my essays, and not long after that, those essays began evolving into things with a more fictional twist. Fast-forward fifteen years from then (and me working 24/7 as a real-estate agent) to when I was finally given an amazing opportunity by my husband: to abandon a career that consumed all of my time and focus on one that was more flexible and would allow me more time with my family. Immediately, I dove back into writing. I have one poetry book published and two urban fantasy/paranormal romance thrillers—all of them falling into a YA or Mature YA sub-genre.

*Out of all the things, paranormal or otherwise, out there to write about, what made you decide to write about angels and demons and vampires?

 For me, this answer is simple. I’m obsessed with vampires—always have been—which is a main part of Crimson Groves and its upcoming sequel, Crimson Flames (formally titled Crimson Rain). However, I wasn’t surprised when Selene (the guardian angel protagonist in UnGuarded) came knocking on the door of my mind until I caved in and embraced her story, though there are still vamps in this one too, just not the main character as in CG.

*Do you consider yourself like Selene in any way? If yes, how so?

 I’d surely hate to ever be in her position of choosing between her duty of protecting her human charge and the deep-rooted love she has for a vampire. But honestly, we all make mistakes, and consequently we all have to pay the price. Selene’s ability to shift into human form at will has caused her to experience more human-like emotions, and I can easily see myself struggling to make the right choice, yet still falling to the greatest temptations of my heart.

*Are any of the characters based on or inspired by people you know in real life? 

Sort of. As a writer, it’s easy for me to look at people’s situations from a different viewpoint, gathering what I need to make my characters more relatable to my readers. I also think I’m influenced by other heroes and heroines that I’ve read about in other books.

*UnGuarded has a very definite ending; did you have that finale planned throughout the entire novel?

 Yes. I was undecided if this book would be part of a series or a stand alone, so I tried to construct an ending that could either finalize the book or possibly leave it a little bit open-ended.

*Myself personally, I can see the book continuing, even though it did have a wonderful little bow on it. Do you intend to continue on with Luke, Selene and Cole’s story, or is it simply a stand-alone novel?

 Part of this is answered above. But adding to that, I’ve received several requests for a sequel, so I’m actually considering it, but not before I finish Crimson Flames (due out this winter) and then the novella series I plan to write in 2013.

*Do you prefer writing with music in the background, or complete silence? 

Both. Some days I’ve got to have some subtle house music or jazz. Others I’ll need more progressive-sounding tunes. But of course, there are plenty of days where silence is a necessity. I like to change things up, creating different environments so I don’t get bored.

*And lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

 I’d love to share some tidbits of info for anyone wanting to get into this business. First of all, make sure this is your passion—writing not only for yourself but to entertain others with your stories. Keep your readers in mind by making each page thrive with drama, action, romance, betrayal, and just about anything else that will provoke emotions and keep your readers turning the pages. This is a very competitive business (I’d actually compare it to those aspiring to be actors/actresses). Yes, it’s that competitive. So you’ll need to grow a thick skin to the many rejections and negative reviews you’ll face along the way. Don’t take it personally! Use it to grow as a writer and improve your work. And remember, you can’t make everyone happy—no author can. Make sure you have a good editor to clean up your work, as no one likes to read anything with numerous grammar errors that will actually detract from your story and more than likely cause a lower review for your book. I use the amazing Stephen Delaney with Close Reader Editing Services. Everything I write—even my interviews and guest posts—is overseen by him. And finding an editor is very much like finding a literary agent: you must research and find the ones that specialize in your genre; otherwise it’s a big fat NO from them. Everyone loves a personal touch, and editors, agents, bloggers, reviewers, etc., are no different. Spend the time learning their likes and dislikes (most of them tell you this in their submission guidelines or on their Facebook pages) and then use that to your advantage to stand out above your competition. Trust me, this is a MUST, as I’ve received countless thank-you letters from various bloggers and reviewers who appreciated that I listened to their requests and shared information about things we had in common.

*Thanks for doing this with us, Ashley! Hope to see more from you soon!

 It’s been a huge pleasure with you and Mel. Much success to your blog, and I’ll definitely be back with my future books. **hugs

And now for the giveaway!

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About the author:

Ashley Robertson resides in sunny Orlando, Florida and loves reading and writing about everything urban fantasy and paranormal romance. When she isn't writing you'll find her spending time with family and friends, training in her home gym, traveling and exploring new places, drinking fine red wines, and making gourmet coffees with her Nespresso machine. Visit her website to learn about her upcoming releases, guest blog posts, and featured giveaways at: AshleyRobertsonBooks.com

You can find Ashley on:

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Group Book to Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter is midway through his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup. He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly. (from Goodreads)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in the series by J.K. Rowling. Overall, this book is one of my least favorite in the saga. We do  meet even more new characters and some new creatures, and that is always exciting. However, the story felt drawn out to me and downright slow in some places. I felt like the action started, stuttered and then stopped in certain areas. The climax is really what saved this book, in my opinion, from being mediocre to the core. While I did enjoy it overall, it still sometimes felt like a chore reading this book. 

My Rating: 

As much as I thought the book was redeemed by its ending,I found the movie to be beyond redemption almost from the beginning. Brilliant and funny scenes were left out of the adaptation leaving me bereft. Some characters were either completely omitted, changed or downgraded. Whole chapters were glossed over or left out; fifty pages cut down to seven minutes in the film. The replacement Dumbledore, I think, was the biggest letdown for me. I know it was unavoidable, but I just felt this actor came off as creepy in the extreme.  It was disappointing to say the very least.

My Rating:

And we return to the *sigh-time* books.

Would someone please explain this to me? I mean, I realize that the third book blew me off my feet and was very enjoyable and all that good stuff, but seriously? I’ve read four, (obviously) and 3 of them have bored me. This is where I gave up last time I tried reading these, and seriously, if Mel wasn’t telling me book five was good, I’d probably give up again.

To me, there was just so much going on in this book; it’s no wonder Rowling got bored. It’s a 700+ page book, and honestly, a lot of it wasn’t really necessary . . . Just my opinion. Like Rita Skeeter. I know she has her purpose, but with everything else going on in this novel, did we really need to add another person? If she’d have kept it on the Tri-wizard Tournament, I wouldn’t have gotten so friggin’ bored (and she might not have, either).

Another thing; can we stop with the Dark Arts teachers? I understand the point, it’s an easy way to enter new characters, but really… By this time I know they’re either evil or leaving! It’s not really a spoiler at this point—they’re all crazy. The job is cursed. Just give it to Snape, dammit, he actually WANTS it and he could probably handle whatever “curse” was on it. Bah. Why can’t a student be evil? Or the school be attacked? There are a lot of ways to introduce a new villain besides this schoolteacher. It is predictable and predictable is boring…

So, at this rate, my expectations for book 5 are low, again. Watch, I’ll like this one more! Haha

My Rating: 

2.5, really, but we don’t do halves and I’m rounding down today, so…

Now, for the movie. This is kind of like book 2 for me. After Chamber of Secrets, this was my favorite movie in the series. I thought it was traveling darker than 1-3 (and I love dark stuff) and I was startled several times when I watched it.

But I have to mention this. Now that I’ve read the books, I have to know, when did Hogwarts turn into McKinley? WHY does everyone have to sing and dance now like we’re watching Glee? (This coming from the girl who will watch any and every musical on the planet…) First we have them singing, “Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble” and now, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang come in with a performance? Seriously? I love musicals as much as the next person, but really?

And Ron…Dammit, Ronald. THIS is where I truly started hating Ron Weasley. All he does from here on out is pout and whine and cry over a bunch of crap. Sure, he’s upset about Harry getting the spotlight again, but if he had stopped and used the brain that was put up there (for apparently no reason), would he really WANT this? To be the boy-who-lived and be the one everyone looks to when there’s a problem? And instead of ignoring the life out of your date, why not go and ASK HERMIONE OUT IF YOU LIKE HER SO MUCH? I was hoping this was JUST in the movies but no. The only reason I mention it here is because it was very OBVIOUS to me in the movies.

Besides Ron, I really did like the movie…Even if half the book was missing…but really, unless we divided it in two, how do you get 700+ pages into a 2½ hour movie?

So, just looking at it as a movie, it’s a 4.5. Looking at it as a BOOK-TO-MOVIE, it’s a 2…so I’ll go in the middle and say three quills. Seem fair?

My Rating:

In the fourth installment of the series, Harry and his friends face new challenges and some of our beloved secondary characters take on a more prominent role. My personal new favorites are Fleur and Viktor along with their headmasters Maxine and Karkaroff. As well as one of my all time favorite parts of all the books, The Unforgivable Curses.

Rowling magnificently conveys how Harry and his friends are maturing in their fourth year and brings forth some resentments and infatuations. Without giving too much away, I'll just say that Rowling is definitely moving on to more serious matters. Friendships and honor are put to the test as the tension, jealously and anxiety comes to a head.

Rowling's undeniable talent keeps the suspense building throughout the book, I found myself flipping back several chapters to re-read certain things to ensure I was understanding some of the intricately entwined plots correctly. The Goblet of Fire will leave you anxiously awaiting the next installment.
My Rating:

FINALLY! I am not so upset that they left stuff out of the movie, I didn’t have to deal with the Dursleys!! WooHoo!!! I am, however, extremely upset that they boiled several chapters in the book down to 15 minutes in the movie.  Let’s be honest, when you take a 734 page book and attempt to squeeze it into a 2 hour movie, you are bound to miss some of the good stuff! 

I just watched this movie again (for the 51st time!) and as usual, it flows so well and before you even know it, it’s the end.  I can’t get away from the lack of story for Neville in the movies though, he was so much more prominent in the books and his story is almost an afterthought in the movies.

We come to the end of another fabulous Harry Potter movie. Of course, in the end, Dumbledore has the best line! “Dark and difficult times lie ahead Harry, soon we will all have to make the choice between what is right, and what is easy.” Somebody please tell me when Harry has ever been able to take the easy way out???? It was perfectly spoken though. LOVED IT!!! But that’s just my two cents.

Tammy's Two Cents

Intervew, Review and Giveaway Author Chrystalla Thoma

Rex Rising (Elei's Chronicles)

Winner of position #6 on the Preditors and Editors Readers Poll in the category of Fantasy and Science Fiction Novels published in 2011.

In a world where parasites create new human races, Elei leads a peaceful life -- until a mysterious attack on his boss sends him fleeing with a bullet in his side. Pursued for a secret he does not possess and with the fleet at his heels, he has but one thought: to stay alive. His pursuers aren't inclined to sit down and talk, although that's not the end of Elei's troubles. The two powerful parasites inhabiting his body, at a balance until now, choose this moment to bring him down, leaving Elei with no choice but to trust in people he hardly knows. It won't be long before he realizes he must find out this deadly secret - a secret that might change the fate of his world and everything he has ever known - or die trying.

Warning: Some profanity and violence. 

This book is very Dune meets invasion of the Body snactchers; sort of.  Initially I was drawn by the cover, we know I am a Cover HO.  The story did not disappoint; fast paced and thought provoking, Thoma has created a futuristic Sci-Fi Gem for young AND old alike with her Engrossingly descriptive style of writing.

We are immediately drawn into Elei’s world; Who shot him? Why?  Why is he on the run?  Who is after him, again, Why?  So many questions and Thoma keeps your attention and keeps you guessing until the very end; With just a few twists and turns along the way that surprised me!

Our story starts with Elei bleeding and on the run, controlled by dueling parasites that are at war with each other inside him. Thoma’s concept of the “invading” but not always “deadly” parasites had me intrigued from the first page!  I especially liked Cronion, he was the more terminator-esque parasite that would head smack Elei, from the inside. LOL!  He kept Elei on his toes, literally.

The major concept of the story is that parasites not only make you sick (sometimes even killing the host) but give them enhanced abilities as well; special powers I guess you could say (Super Human!) as well as ruling their behavior. Add in the Dystopian society in which the Ruling Parasite (Gultar) are all female and what you have is a page turning, action packed, must read novel!

4/5 Quills guys.

On to the good stuff; Chyrstalla was kind enought to answer some questions for me... here is my interview with her (giveaway details to follow!).

*Tell me a bit about yourself.
Crazy lady born under the Sagittarius sign, compulsive writer and traveler.
Origin: Cyprus, eastern Mediterranean, native language: Greek, favorite genres:
dystopian/sci-fi/fantasy, favorite food: waffles with whipped cream.
Owner of a house in construction, a hybrid car and a battered laptop.
Married to a Costa Rican who was mad enough to follow her to Cyprus where
she now lives.

*What was your inspiration for Elei's Chronicles?   I have a fascination with parasites, which started after I read a fantastic (but non fiction!) book called “Parasite Rex” by Carl Zimmer on all the crazy things parasites can do, how they can change our behavior and even the way our bodies and brains function. So I thought basically: if my protagonist was infected with two competing parasites, and sometimes one of them won and sometimes the other, how would he behave and what could happen? Elei says in the story that one of the parasites makes him bold, the other meek, and we see much more of this alternation in his behavior in books 2 and 3 of the series. In Rex Cresting, as the title suggests, the parasite called “Rex” becomes very strong and pretty much takes over Elei, pushes him to a more aggressive and reckless behavior.

*For those who are unfamiliar with your novel; Rex Rising, how would you
introduce it?  My novel, Rex Rising, is a YA science fiction adventure set in a post-apocalyptic sort of world ruled by a race of women called the Gultur. In this world, where parasites create new human races, Elei leads a peaceful life as aircar driver — until a mysterious attack on his boss sends him fleeing with a bullet in his side and the fleet at his heels. Pursued for a secret he does not possess, he has but one thought: to stay alive. Yet his pursuers aren’t inclined to sit down and talk, and that’s not the end of Elei’s troubles. The two powerful parasites inhabiting his body, at a balance until now, choose this moment to
bring him down, leaving Elei with no choice but to trust in people he barely knows in a
mad race against time. It won’t be long before he realizes he must find out this deadly
secret — a secret that might change the fate of his world and everything he has ever
known — or die trying.

* Your storyline for Rex is so unique, what research did you do to come up with
the finished story?  Or, was it a fantastical idea??  As I said, my research into parasites was a big factor in figuring out the story. For instance, see the Gultur, the all-women race who control this world. Well, I read a lot about a parasite called Wollbachia which transfers parts of its genes to its host (see http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=2963) and can completely change the population, transforming all into females and only allowing the birth of females (http:/ /www.nature.com/news/1998/990429/full/news990429-8.html). In fact, the parasite takes over its host so completely (and its whole generation of hosts) that it cannot reproduce if it is not infected with Wolbachia and in some cases they can reproduce
asexually (http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2002/07/03_paras.html). And
this is just one parasite. The world of parasites is just amazing. Although Wolbachia
does not infect humans (or even mammals in general, I believe), it was my prototype for
Regina, the parasite that created the Gultur all-women race in Rex Rising.

I also gave the world in which he lives – the seven islands – a lot of thought, how
islands have limitations and how these can be exploited by a regime, and how this world
originated (more of that is to come in books 2 and 3).

*What are the Pro’s and Con’s to being an Indie Author? The positive side is that it’s wonderful to be the one in control of the cover and general design and of the editing. I also liked that fact that I wouldn’t have to wait for at least a year to see my story out (as is the norm even with small traditional publishers) and that I could set the price, change it, re-upload new versions of the story if I found problems, and in general have all this freedom that you have when you are your own publisher in the digital era.  The negative side is that Indie authors have a lot of prejudice to fight against and that they have to pay for the cover, editing and so on. That can cost quite a lot of money!

*Who in your life would you say has influenced you the most?  My father. He was a poet and a historian, a folklorist and mythology lover. He loved books and writing, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without him. God bless his soul.

*What has been the most interesting comment (or review) about your book?  A reviewer described Rex Rising as “crazy science fiction done right” and I love it. It is
crazy science fiction, and I do hope it’s done well!

*Who is YOUR favorite Author?  I have many favorite authors, but I have to admit that, right now, I’m into Cassandra Clare’s series (Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices). They’re just awesome!

*What are you reading right now?  Divergent by Veronica Roth. Interesting so far!

*Tell us your latest news....

Well, it’s summer and it’s blistering hot here in Cyprus. I have just finished the
first draft of book 3 of Elei’s Chronicles (Rex: Equilibrium) and am currently
writing some stories set in the same world. Planned for this year are a non-
fiction book about the origin and kinds of dragons, a futuristic sci-fi about an
android, and (perhaps) a trilogy with vampires... Time will tell!

Thank you very much for having me here today.

Okay guys, up for grabs 1 free ebook copy of Chrystalla's short story collection, DreamWater.  The usual rules apply!  Thank You so much Chrystalla for taking the time to visit with us and for your contribution.  Good luck everybody!

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