Just published my first short story: Gears of Brass + Giveaway

Proud to reveal the cover of Gears of Brass an anthology containing my first short story.    

Welcome to the steampunk realm. A world like ours, but filled with gears of brass, where the beating heart is fueled by steam and the simplest creation is a complex clockwork device.


Within this tome, you’ll find steampunk fairy tale re-tellings, as well as original stories that will send your gears turning.





Gears of Brass will be published through Curiosity Quills on November 10 2014. Prepare for eleven authors guiding your path through worlds filled with airships, top hats, and corsets.

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You don't have to wait until October 29th to explore Gears of Brass. CQ is offering a free ebook. To enter, all you need to do is share the cover. This can be done on your blog, facebook, twitter. Each time you share it, log in to rafflecopter to record it. Contest ends October 27th. Good luck!!

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Review: Sisters

A book that will make you say Awww in five different pitches!

Telgemeier is back with the sequel to Smile (don't worry -- there are no dentistry problems in this one). This time, Raina, has to survive a road trip to Colorado with her younger sister Amara, whom she considers to be a pest.  Through the use of flashbacks, we learn of Raina's excitement when Amara was born and her futile efforts to build a friendship before she gave up altogether. Are they simply incompatible zodiac signs? Or can a ''car confinement'' bring this two to finally bond? 

The illustrations are vibrant and easy to follow, allowing us to concentrate on the emotional aspect of the story. Although, little Raina's insistence to play with unwilling Amara wins the reader's sympathy from the start, we soon learn that this isn't a rivalry story but something much deeper.

Other books in the series

Smile

Drama

Feature and Follow Friday: I'm Feeling Spicy

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Book looks -- your favorite fashions from the books you've read

Steampunk!! I see it as a great autumn look, suitable for this time of year. Cora from The Friday Society nails it with the perfect goggles.

If I could, I would divide myself between steampunk for daytime, at night time a casual laid back ballerina attire like the one in Pirouette and on weekends the Effie look from the Capitol of The Hunger Games.

What's your fashion?

Review: Wildlife

With a friend like Holly who needs enemies?

Sib is having a lucky year. Her godmother got her to pose for a huge billboard. And now, Ben Capaldi, aka the most wonderful guy in school, just kissed her. This makes up for being forced to spend an entire semester in the woods. If only her best friend, Holly, would stop tormenting her every chance she gets.

Meanwhile, Lou, a new girl who suffered the loss of her boyfriend, sees everything and can't help but try to get Sib to learn to stand up for herself. Even if that means she'll need to start caring again.

Although, both point-of-views had their moments, Sib's controlled the plot as Lou had to face anger and grief before she could start coming out of her shell. But, all in all, Holly's character is the one who steals the show. Her friendship with Sib is of a controlling nature, which can only be described as plain bullying. From showcasing her pictures of her pimples to the boys, to forcing her to have sex -- Holly needs to be stopped before it's too late.

A little lengthy, but worth the read, especially if you've ever been in or observed a controlling relationship.

Top Ten Tuesday: Hard Knock Books

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOKS THAT WERE HARD TO READ 

I knew what I was getting into in terms of subject matter when I selected these following books, and yet they managed to surprise me in ways I didn't foresee.  

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

A serial killer, I can't deal with. I've seen Dexter. But this guy has ''sexual issues'' that were too much to handle.

Maus by Art Spiegelman

Even with drawings, the subject matter of Auschwitz is always hard to read.

Lucky by Alice Sebold

I learned that rape isn't the worst that could happen. Imagine your family and friends asking you over and over why you didn't try to escape.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

That scene, when they numb a boy and remove his organs one by one while he's still conscient.

By the Time You Read This I'll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

There are so many ways to commit suicide. Peters lists them all, how long it will take you as well as the pros and cons.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Piggy should have been the saddest part, but for me, it was reading about all those poor six-year-old kids surviving alone while the others casted them aside.

Which book topped your list?