Book Review: To Summon Nightmares By J.K. Pendragon

Title: To Summon Nightmares

Author: J.K. Pendragon

Publisher: Less Than Three Press

Length: 53,000 words

Rating: 4 Quills

Tags: Gay, Fantasy, Trans, Explicit, Graphic Violence, Scenes of Self-Harm/Cutting

Link to Purchase: Click Here

Price: $5.99

Release Date: Nov. 5, 2014 (available for pre-order at a discount)

Blurb

Three years ago, Cohen Brandwein was "Ireland's Favorite Daughter", a popular teenage author and internet celebrity. But ever since he came out publicly as trans, the media's treatment of him has been less than golden, and these days, Cohen is desperate for escape.

When he inherits an old house in the country, Cohen sees it as a perfect opportunity to escape the press and work on his new book. What he doesn't count on is becoming embroiled in a small town murder mystery and falling for the primary suspect, a man whose reality makes Cohen's fantasy books seem like child's play...

Review

The story begins with Niall and Jacky as teenagers. They are trying to summon a demon in order to have the power to stop Jacky's Dad from abusing him. The ritual works but there are consequences that neither could have anticipated. Namely, The Guild. They end up spending the next five years in a Guild facility undergoing tests. Eventually, they are able to escape but Jacky has become so angry that Niall and he end up splitting ways. Niall settles down to a life of hiding and anonymity in a small town. Everything seems to be going well until bodies start showing up - bodies he is pretty sure Jacky is making.

Enter Cohen. Cohen is a writer who is overwhelmed by all the press and family pressures after coming out as trans. He is having the epitome of a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad day when he is dropped off at tiny train station, in the rain and his ride doesn't show up. He is met by Niall who gives him a ride home. Cohen ends up being Niall's alibi when he is suspected of the murders Jacky is committing. Cohen and Niall bond as Niall reveals his past and Cohen helps him to make some difficult decisions regarding his old friend.

This book was very exciting. I read it as a serial on the Less Than Three Press website and every week, I waited with baited breath for the next installment. J.K. Pendragon did a lovely job weaving the relationship and emotional plots with the action and magic plots. It never felt bogged down by one or the other. Furthermore, both characters felt very authentic and neither were easy characters to write. On the one hand, Niall is trying to decide what to do about a murderous friend with the full knowledge that stopping means giving up his life (to death or imprisonment). On the other hand, Cohen is dealing with dysphoria and a growing attraction that he isn't always sure what to do with. 

One of my favorite parts about this book is the ending. I'm not going to say much about it because that would be more spoilers than I would ever want in a review. Just know that the day is saved in a way I did not expect. Also, the last paragraph was golden. I am hoping it means there might be a sequel but even if there is not, I love the feeling that we got to travel with these two on a very important part of their journey but their journey is far from over. 

The only warnings are those stated in the tags. Especially if Self-Harm is a trigger for you, you might want to avoid this or have someone you trust read it first and let you know what parts to skip over. Other than that, I would definitely recommend this book. I give it 4 Quills. Remember that I only give 5 Quills if something stands up to the test of the re-read. This one definitely has the potential to get there.

Meet the Character Blog Hop - Alejandro Martinez

I have been tagged by K.C. Faelen to participate in a super awesome Meet the Character Blog Hop with some fantastic authors.

Many moons ago, with the encouragement of a write friend, K.C. Faelen wrote her first fanfic story. After a few years, her muse went into hiding, and then suddenly re-emerged, urging KC to participate and write a story for one of the prompts in the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's 2014 Love's Landscapes DRitC event. The story she wrote was "If At First You Don't Succeed," a romantic comedy about established couple, Evan and Julien and their unsuccessful attempts at kinky sex.

KC prefers to write contemporary male romance, but enjoys reading about them in almost every setting from paranormal, to sci-fi to historical backdrops. She loves men, from the Alphas to the omegas, and all the pretty boys in between. Intelligence and humor whet her appetite. Toss in a course of UST, a dash of angst, season with fluffiness, and she dives right in. Oh, and don't forget the extra-large side helping of sex. For dessert, it's HEA all the way. She loves dark chocolate truffles and candies, and food often play a part in her stories, and in the ones she enjoys reading.

KC lives in Northern California with her husband and two rescue birds. Their female bird hates women and wishes KC would go play in the middle of traffic or take a long walk off a short pier.

*~*~*~*

Now it's time to introduce you to one of my characters in Beaten Track Publishing's Holiday Anthology, Boughs of Evergreen. My story is called The Bard and His Boyfriend: A Tale of Holiday Homecomings.

Seth is a member of an ancient clan of druids that have existed for over 5,000 years. The rituals they perform at the changing of the seasons keep the very fabric of reality from unraveling. But as he goes home for the Winter Solstice, all he can think about is the huge fight he had with his boyfriend before he left school for the holiday break.

Much to Seth's surprise, Alejandro follows him home to apologize.When Seth tells himi the truth about his heritage, Alejandro has to make a decision. Seth adn Alejandro must work together to make sure that wherever they are spending the holidays - they are home with each other.

*~*~*~*

Since you get to see the story from Seth's point of view, I figured I would answer the "Get To Know You" questions from Alejandro's point of view. 

1. Who is Alejandro?

Alejandro is a junior at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. He transferred to the University of Mary from Williston State College. He is studying Music and is working on his junior recital composition piece. He is taking his inspiration from Achille-Claude Debussey, particularly his use of non-traditional scales and chromaticsim. He is twenty-one years old and, since he is new in town, his roommate (and now boyfriend), Seth Dearin is his best friend. He loves his sister, Carmen to bits and loves to visit her and his father on school holidays.

2. Where does The Bard and His Boyfriend take place?

It's primary setting is the made up town of Sweet Briar Valley, ND. Sweet Briar Valley is located near the non-ficticious Sweet Briar Dam. The story was actually inspired as I was driving one day and passed all the exits that said "No Services". My creative juices started flowing and I kept wondering what was at those exits. The end part of the story takes place in Williston, ND - a town which has recently experienced huge boom because of the oil industry. This is actually what brought Alejandro and his family to North Dakota from Texas.

3. What won't Alejandro talk about?

He doesn't like to talk about his mama's death and the first few years after. She died in a car accident when Alejandro was fifteen years old. Very soon thereafter, his papa lost his job and they had to move to where the jobs were (Williston, ND). During the last two years of high school, Alejandro experienced depression and came close to killing himself. None of their family likes to talk about it. While Seth knows Alejandro's mama died, he doesn't know a lot of the rest of it.

4. What is Alejandro's goal?

For the course of this story is it is to figure out how things went to wrong so quickly with Seth. He follows Seth home, without really even knowing where he lives (mystical powers, go!). Once they get on solid ground again, he just wants to spend the holidays with his families.

5. What is Alejandro's problem?

As I said above, at first, it is fixing things with Seth. Then it is coming out and spending the holidays with his papa and sister. He isn't really worried about his papa kicking him out or anything - especially after everything that happened after his mama's death. However, he is a little worried about explaining what it means that he is pansexual. It's pretty new to him and he hasn't even had a chance to talk to Seth about it yet. Since the story is from Seth's POV, we don't get to see much of that. 

*~*~*~*

Meet the Next Author:

Hans M. Hirshi

Hans M Hirschi (b. 1967) has been writing stories ever since he was a child. Adulthood and the demands of corporate life efficiently put an end to his fictional writing for over twenty years.

A global executive in training and channel development, Hans has traveled the world and had previously published non-fictional titles.

The birth of his son and the subsequent parental leave provided him with the opportunity to unleash his creative writing once again. With little influence over his brain's creative workings, he indulges it, going with the flow. 

A deeply rooted passion for, faith in a better world, in love, tolerance and diversity are a red thread throughout both his creative and non-fictional work. His novels might best be described as “literary romance, engaging characters and relevant stories that won't leave you untouched, but hopeful.”

Hans is a proud member of the Swedish Writers’ Union, the Writers’ Center in Sweden and serves as chair of the Swedish Federation of Self- & Independent Publishers.

Hans' contribution to the Boughs of Evergreen anthology is a story called A Christmas Tale.

Imagine meeting Santa Claus for real and being granted a wish on Christmas Eve... This sweet little story will take you back to a time, not all that long ago, when life for gays was quite different from how it is today - a time when it seemed easier to believe in Santa Claus than believing it would ever be possible to build a family of one's own.

You can find Hans across the web at the following places:

Website

Email

Blog

Goodreads

About Me


Check out his blog this time next week to meet one of his characters!

The End of the Day is Almost Here...

I am at work (on a 15 minute break...hallelujah). I know it is Friday. I am so glad it is Friday. But I swear this last two hours is going to kill me, wrap me in a rug and bury me in a swamp where no one will ever find the body. Just in case anyone else is having a similarly slow moving day, I figured I would come on here and share some pretty to help make the day go by faster. Enjoy!

(I know it's a cat and not a hot man...I don't care. It makes me happy.)

Update and Pretty

Hello All,
I've a few update items to share!

1. I have written a holiday story for an anthology from Beaten Track Publishing. The title of the Anthology is Boughs of Evergreen: A Holiday Anthology. I'll be participating in a blog hop to introduce one of my main characters next week.

2. I have a release date for my story with Less Than Three Press. The title is Light Perpetual Shines and it will be released on February 4, 2015. More details, and the cover, are still to come.

3. This year I WILL participate in NaNoWriMo. Really, I will. Maybe. Hopefully. I'll keep you updated.

And now, some pretty to make this post worth it. :D

AND THE WINNER IS....

This winner for the Cross & Crown giveaway is calilathisway from tumblr. Congrats to calilathisway. If she does not respond within 24 hours then I will pick a new winner. Thanks for participating everyone!!!

Hump Day Pretty

Happy Hump Day! Get excited. Only two more days til Friday. These fellows want to celebrate with you. :D

Hump Day Pretty

Halfway through the week! Congrats. You can totally make it the rest of the way. Here's some encouragement. :D

Poem Post #6

Sometimes, poetry is most powerful when read outloud by it's author. Today, I am going to share a video from Button Poetry. The poem is titled "21" by Patrick Roche. 

Cross & Crown Giveaway

Let's get started with a list of all the booty. ;) 

1.) A pre-ordered eBook copy of Cross & Crown by Abigail Roux from Riptide Publishing.

2.) Minion themed duct tape - for all your kidnapping and sexy times needs.

3.) Minion Bandaids - for all your wound care needs.

4.) Vinyl Minion doll - just because.

5.) Minion themed recipe cards (not pictured).

6.) Cross & Crown/Nickels themed sticker collection.

7.) "LUCKY" postcards.

8.) Candy/Snack/Beverage combination of your choice.

9.) Anything else I feel like adding at the last minute. ;)

How to enter 

On tumblr: Reblog for one entry. Follow for one entry. Like for one entry. Reblog as many times as you want but it will only count once. Make sure your ask box is open. If it isn't, I'm just going to pick someone new.

On Goodreads: Comment on this thread with your preferred contact info (PM, email, smoke signal, whatever).

On Blogger: Comment on this post with your preferred email address. A follow will get you an extra entry.

THIS MEANS YOU CAN HAVE UP TO SIX ENTRIES FOLKS!

The Details 

I will pick the winner on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 8:00pm CST. I will use random.org to select the winner. The winner will have 24 hours to get back to me, at which point I will select a new winner. 

Good luck!!

Poem Post #5

Today, I am sharing another favorite poem: Emily Dickinson's Because I Could Not Stop For Death. It is just so beautifully written. It makes smile, sigh and think of Sally Sparrow (of Doctor Who) saying "sad is happy for deep people."

Because I Could Not Stop For Death (479)
By Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death –

He kindly stopped for me –

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

And Immortality.

We slowly drove – He knew no haste

And I had put away

My labor and my leisure too,

For His Civility –

We passed the School, where Children strove

At Recess – in the Ring –

We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –

We passed the Setting Sun –

Or rather – He passed Us –

The Dews drew quivering and Chill –

For only Gossamer, my Gown –

My Tippet – only Tulle –

We paused before a House that seemed

A Swelling of the Ground –

The Roof was scarcely visible –

The Cornice – in the Ground –

Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet

Feels shorter than the Day

I first surmised the Horses' Heads

Were toward Eternity –

Hump Day Pretty

Gah...it's only halfway through the week. I think I need some hot guys to even be able to contemplate continuing on. I guess I can share with you guys. :D

Tuesday Teaser

Hello All - I finally have a title for my Love's Landscape story!! For some reason I just couldn't settle on one for this story. I am still not 100% pleased with it but I think it will stick.

So without further ado, I give you an excerpt from To The End.

***

"Iryandeth Hirat. That was your full name. I called you Iry for short."

MarShael had sat up as they were talking but at that statement, Deth surged forward and pressed him into the bed again, knife once more at his throat.

"That's a lie. I grew up as a dedicant to the King's Assassins. It is all I have ever known. I am here to kill you because you have betrayed your King."

A look of revulsion flitted quickly across MarShael's face but was quickly pushed aside. Cautiously, as though he realized how close to death he really was, MarShael lifted a hand and placed it against Deth's cheek.

"My name is Akrandsmar Shaelen. You would call me Akr. Mother hated it. So of course I refused to respond to anything else."

Suddenly, a memory flashed through Deth's mind. A small bright room filled with cheerful laughter. A woman, no older than he was now baking bread with two young boys sitting at the table throwing scraps of dough at each other.

His hand shook and the knife was close enough to Akr's throat that blood began to trickle down towards the bed.

"No." Deth whispered. But even he could recognize a losing battle while he was still fighting.

Akr saw the opening. "Iry. Let me show you. Let me help you remember who you are. Let me show you what I'm fighting for."

Deth had almost given in until that last part. He was a King's Assassin, bred to do his will, loyal to the end, beyond question and this man was a traitor. He lifted his arm to slit Ak..no MarShael's throat but at the last minute, diverted the blow. He brought the hilt of his knife down on MarShael's head and knocked him out.

Hump Day Pretty

Happy Wednesday. Here's some pretty to get you through the rest of the week. :D

Poem Post #2

Back when I was in grad school, I took a class on caring during crisis - specifically spiritual distress and how to deal with it when your faith or the faith of someone close to you has been rocked by a traumatic event. The following poems was in one of our texts and I don't think I have ever connected with a poem so dramatically at the time I read it. The idea of this "fact of glass," that there are some things that cannot be changed no matter how many times you bang your head up against them, resonated. It's hard to really say why this poem is so important to me, even all these years later but every time I read it, it rings through me.

Up Against It 
By Eamon Grennan

It’s the way they cannot understand the window

they buzz and buzz against, the bees that take

a wrong turn at my door and end up thus

in a drift at first of almost idle curiosity,

cruising the room until they find themselves

smack up against it and they cannot fathom how

the air has hardened and the world they know

with their eyes keeps out of reach as, stuck there

with all they want just in front of them, they must

fling their bodies against the one unalterable law

of things—this fact of glass—and can only go on

making the sound that tethers their electric

fury to what’s impossible, feeling the sting in it.

Do you have any poems that resonate with you? I'd love to read them! Post in the comments (can be original or not).

Teaser from Love's Landscapes story

I am not sharing a snippet with you yet (I will at some point). Today, I am going to share a creepy little audio file I made of a "nursrey rhyme" from my universe. ;) Unfortunately, I am not sure how to post the audio file over here so I am going link over to my tumblr.

Check it out here. Also, in case you don't remember, this is the picture and prompt I worked from.

Enjoy.