NEW RELEASE!! ABANDON: 13 Tales of Impulse, Betrayal, Surrender, & Withdrawal | #horror #anthology @GLHorrorPodcast @HWAOntario

To act with abandon, in any sense of the word, is human. Whether it’s the sudden, strong urge to do something, either good or bad, or the act of betraying someone you love, we make choices that forever change our lives. Do you give into something or someone completely, or withdraw wholly into yourself? These thirteen stories run the gamut of emotions and express horror as you’ve never imagined it.

The story of a woman alone at the end of the world and the small lifeline she hopes will prove humanity still exists challenges the search for anything left behind after the death of a child. What if you hid a secret you’d thought no one else knew? Would its revelation spark the monster hiding within? A downward spiral into madness juxtaposes the ultimate, but impossible, (re)birth. Would you choose the frigid winds of winter over the warmth and safety of your lover’s arms?

Abandon hope, all who enter here…

Available for purchase on:

Amazon (Digital)

US | UK | CANADA | AUSTRALIA | ITALY | GERMANY | FRANCE | SPAIN | MEXICO | BRAZIL | JAPAN | INDIA | THE NETHERLANDS

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Print versions coming soon to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, plus additional digital retailers to follow soon including iBooks, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.

Featuring stories from some of the hottest names in Canadian Horror including Ted Bergeron, Chantal Boudreau, Crystal Bourque, Suzanne Church, Brian F.H. Clement, Sèphera Girón, Danann Hawes, Repo Kempt, Caitlin Marceau, Jon Olson, James Pyne, Andrew Robertson, and A. F. Stewart.

Collected & Edited by Julianne Snow

A REVIEW FROM MY COMMUTE: The Dead Hour – Denise Mina #Crime #Mystery #Scotland

So what book will I be reviewing for you today?

The Dead Hour

Denise Mina

Paddy Meehan returns in Denise Mina’s most powerful mystery yet, nominated for a 2007 Edgar Award.

When journalist Paddy Meehan investigates a domestic dispute, the well-dressed man who answers the door assures her the blonde in the shadows behind him is fine, and slips her money before he closes the door. In fact, the woman was tortured and left to die later that night, and Paddy has only days to uncover the truth before the newspaper learns of her bribe and the police close the case for reasons of their own. Only Paddy cares enough to pursue a dark and brutal story that could make her career-or kill her, in a novel that proves why Denise Mina is “some kind of magnificent” (Wall Street Journal).

So what are my thoughts on The Dead Hour?

I picked this one up after listening to Field of Blood and enjoying it so much. I was not disappointed. It’s the second in a trilogy and I plan on picking up the last installment on audiobook once I can find it. Read by the same actress who has become the voice of Paddy ‘Patricia’ Meehan in my mind, it’s just as fantastic as the first book.

The story took off after the conclusion of Field of Blood and Paddy’s got a new position at the paper that allows her to follow and report on the crimes that occur overnight. The Dead Hour was filled with alternate moments of terror and dark humour that made it an easy listen and an engaging tale. I definitely recommend this one as well.

Rating: 5 out of 5

A REVIEW FROM MY COMMUTE: Field of Blood – Denise Mina #Crime #Mystery #Scotland

So in keeping with my promise to get these reviews out to the world at large, I’m back with another installment of A Review from my Commute. Today I’ll be sharing with you my thoughts on:

Field of Blood

Denise Mina

Here’s the synopsis so that you’ve got a little context…

A sensational murder provides the young journalist Paddy Meehan with her big professional break when she realizes that she has a personal connection to one of the suspects. Launching her own investigation, Paddy uncovers lines of deception that go deep into the past – and that could spell even more horrible crimes in the future if she doesn’t get the story right.

So what are my thoughts on Field of Blood?

Delightful and devilish.

I believe that about sums it up! I’m a huge sucker for crime drama and this one delivered from a wholly different perspective. The book itself is set in Scotland and the actress who read the story was Scottish so if the idea of an accent turns you off, don’t consider listening to this one – read it instead.

The plot itself was full of twists and turns, along with characters that were interesting and multidimensional. It also gave a glimpse into the cultural landscape of Scotland in the 1970s which felt like a character in and of itself. I loved every minute of it. Oh and I just discovered that it was adapted to a television series by the BBC so I’m definitely going to search it out.

Rating: 5 out of 5

BLOG TOUR: Dragon Born by @ElaLourenco | #YA #Fantasy

Thank you for stopping by The FlipSide today. I have a special treat for you in the form of an interview with Ela Lourenco, author of the YA Fantasy book Dragon Born. If you’re not yet acquainted with Ela, let’s take a few moments to get to know her…

Ela Lourenco lives in Scotland with her two daughters and husband. She has been an avid reader since childhood and has long enjoyed mysteries, mythology and anything related to the paranormal/supernatural/mystical/science fiction. She loves nothing more than making up stories about faraway people and places (helped somewhat by a mind that just won’t grow up!). When she isn’t nose deep in a book or writing herself she can be found dancing around the kitchen whilst baking. Her biggest wish in life is to infect others with a passion for reading.

Welcome Ela! Tell me, what does your significant other and family think of your writing career?

They are very supportive. In fact, Dragon Born was inspired by my daughters!

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

Yes, the most demanding… my two daughters! Also a few close friends who don’t mince their words!

What one word best describes you?

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Anything is possible!

Is there a writer you idolize? If so who?

There are too many to count!! I am thankful to each writer whose books I have read for giving me moments of true unadulterated pleasure! (To name but a few; Richelle Mead, Kim Harrison, Jennifer Estep, Nalini Singh…)

Entice us, what future projects are you considering?

Well, the next four books of the Dragon Born series have already been written. And I am currently working on another YA series (I am on book three!).

What are you passionate about these days?

My family, my kitten, reading, writing and the creative writing workshops for children that I run… everything in my life actually. Happiness is the little things.

Who is your favourite character in Dragon Born?

Aside from the four protagonists who are based on and named after my daughters and nieces, it would have to be Deedee, the wonderful, weird and eccentric shop owner… but is that all she is? (I know, that’s just mean of me!!)

What was the hardest part of writing Dragon Born?

Not having enough hours in the day, or days in the week!!

If you could tell readers one thing about Dragon Born that you think would interest them in reading it, what would it be?

Well, Dragon Born is a fantasy adventure and it is filled with magic and rituals, prophecies and legends. But what really makes it interesting are the many twists and turns the story takes, the ‘whodunit’ factor and mystery.

Using 10 words or less, tell me about Dragon Born.

Fantasy, adventure, magical, mystery, surprise, friendship, past becomes present.

Thank you Ela! Now for a little information about Dragon Born…

Far in the distant reaches of the universe is a world called Azmantium. A planet with lilac skies, jade green seas and fiery red suns. A planet where everything, from the tides of the sea to life itself, is rooted in magic. Children are assessed at an early age and trained according to their unique magical talents.

Lara, an orphan who has no memory of her true origins, is unaware that she has a vital role to play in the ancient prophesies that are about to begin coming true. Older than most who are just beginning their magical training, Lara will soon find out that destiny waits for no one, especially when the fate of the world rests on their shoulders.

With the help of her new friends, Lara will learn that in order to save the future, she must journey into the past – to a time when Dragons ruled the world!

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Dragon Born is available on:

Amazon: US | UK | Canada | Australia | Germany | France | Spain | Italy | Japan | Mexico | Brazil | India | The Netherlands

Amazon Print: US | UK | Canada | Germany | France | Spain | Italy | Japan | Mexico | Brazil | India

Barnes & Noble (Print & eBook)

Kobo

iTunes

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A Monday for Anything: Two Open Submissions at Sirens Call Publications!

Sirens Call Publications is now accepting submissions for:

Out of Phase: Tales of Sci-Fi Horror

Very simply, for this collection of short stories, we are looking for Science Fiction Horror. We don’t care if that means mutation, creation, invention, machinery gone awry, or space and or time travel. But it must be Science Fiction, and it must be Horror Fiction. What we specifically do not want are Other World/Fantasy stories – these will be rejected.

If you choose to take a factual approach to your Sci-Fi Horror, we ask that you exercise constraint and not bore us or the reader with unneeded details. By all means, include necessary details, but delivering a slew of facts in order will not translate to an intriguing read. Most likely, these stories will be rejected as well. Our review team is highly scientifically minded, so vet your facts, and make sure they are accurate. False data based too closely on truth that lacks an imaginary spin will also earn you a rejection.

Be creative, imaginative, and dead-on-the-money accurate on this one. It’s our first venture into the Sci-Fi realm, and we won’t be accepting anything that lacks genuine kick!

Submission Deadline: May 31, 2014

Word Count minimum: 4,000 words – nothing less will be reviewed; no reprints considered.

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Mental Ward: Experiments

The elevator doors open, the lights are flickering, the gurney is wheeled into a dank, dimly-lit hallway well below ground. Does the Doctor have the patient’s best interests at heart, or is something more nefarious going on? How does the staff figure out what treatments are most effective and which are not?

In our other two Mental Ward collections, we asked you to tell us what happened above ground in the institute itself; what memories of the past were trapped in the abandoned hallways; now we’re asking you to tell us what goes on behind closed doors. The secret experiments that are feared and whispered about among the patients. Tell us what greed, the corruption of power, and the desire to be remembered will drive a Doctor to do the unthinkable to the unfortunate patients left in their care.

Tell your tale from whatever perspective you’d like, just make sure the story you tell is a depraved one.

Submission Deadline: April 30, 2014

Word Count minimum: 4,000 words – nothing less will be reviewed; no reprints considered.

Please read the submission guidelines before submitting. They can be found here.

Wicked Women Writers Challenge 2013

I’m one of the Wicked Women Writers for the 2013 contest and today at 12pm MST you can all listen to the podcast of all of the contestants on HorrorAddicts.net! I would love for you all to listen in and vote for me should you think my story is the best. You will also be able to read the stories on HorrorAddicts.net! Come out and support the Wicked Women Writers!

If you’re interested in coming to the Facebook Listening Party, you can join in the festivities here: 2013 Wicked Women Writer Challenge Podcast Airing!

A Sign of Trends to Come?

Today I read an article in The New York Times that has me wondering if traditional publishing is truly on the decline. I don’t think it will ever go away, but if what is said in the article is true, traditional houses are focusing less of their money on marketing. What does that mean for the traditionally published authors who may now adopt the self-publishing route? Well for starters, it will give them a bigger piece of their royalties and they’ll get to be in charge of their own marketing campaigns.

Is there a shift coming? Read New Publishers Authors Trust: Themselves in The New York Times and see what you think.