Sunday, July 29, 2012

Recommended Read: Review of "The Beautiful Evil" by Robbi Bryant

Welcome to my L.O.V.E. Recommended Read Feature! I started this weekly feature in order to share books that I have had a chance to read recently. A few things you should know - 1) Every book that I feature has been actually read by me. 2) I read books from lots of different genres so you'll see a mixture of stories. 3) I do not get paid for my reviews, nor do I do them by solicitation. Most of these authors won't know about my posts until they are already live on the blog. So, are you ready for another good read?


Click image to view on Amazon


"The Beautiful Evil"
Author: Robbi Bryant
(Visit her WEBSITE or follow Robbi on TWITTER)

Book Synopsis:
Constance Sartone Jacobson never recovered from the sudden death of her father when she was only five. Devastated by her husband's death and the scandal that ensues, Constance's mother, Madeline, does little to comfort her scared and lonely daughter. With nowhere to turn, Constance protects herself by closing off her emotions. 

Through vivid dreams and daytime visions Constance's father calls to her from a horse-drawn stagecoach. These visions help Constance cope with her humdrum life and failing marriage. But things are about to change. On a business trip with her husband, she purchases an antique Greek vase. Upon opening it, a stream of purple light hisses from the vase and a tribe of wasp-like creatures pour out. One of the creatures shape-shifts into a ravishing fairy and offers Constance a way out. Desperate to feel anything, Constance listens to the fairy's advice. 

But as her confidence grows, she begins to make all the wrong decisions, catapulting her into a web of lies and deceit. As her life spins further and further out of control, Constance finds herself starting into the abyss forced to make one final heart-wrenching decision. A roller coaster ride into chaos of a personal hell, The Beautiful Evil is a captivating psychological thriller that will keep you questioning reality until the ultimate final act.

MY REVIEW: Stunning Psychological Thriller - 5 Stars
This story is deeply disturbing and stuck with me a few days after I finished reading it. That is why I am rating it 5 stars! Rarely have I come across a psychological thriller that explores a character's psychosis in such a vivid way that I felt like I was living in the character's mind. This is what author Robbi Bryant accomplishes as she takes us along for the manic journey of Constance, the main character of this book.

The mythological aspect of the story adds an extra layer of interest, but I think that with or without this layer, Constance was poised to suffer through a terrible psychological break as she seemed on the edge from page one. This characterization makes the story highly believable despite the fantasy spin. As a bonus, there is plenty of action, suspense, and truly frightening moments to keep you turning pages rapidly to the end. I highly recommend this for fans of Stephen King type novels.

"The Beautiful Evil" is available on AMAZON for Kindle & in Paperback. Don't have a Kindle? Get the FREE Kindle app HERE and start enjoying ebooks for your phone, computer, etc..




Monday, July 16, 2012

"Completely Whole" Blog Tour Featuring Author Paulette Harper Johnson

The L.O.V.E. blog is excited to welcome award-winning author Paulette Harper Johnson! Paulette is currently sharing her talent with readers via her "Completely Whole" blog tour and we're honored to be included. Read on to find out more!


About the Author
Paulette Harper Johnson, an award winning author, writing coach, and speaker, seeks to inspire women from all walks of life.  As an inspirational and motivational speaker, Paulette’s desire is to empower, influence and cultivate women to move forward while dealing with issues that hinder women from becoming all they are created to be.
 Her topics are biblically sound and pertinent to the needs of today’s women.

Paulette is a wife, mother, grandmother, Bible teacher, radio host, writer and the owner of WNL Virtual Blog Tours. Her years of marketing her own self-published books have created a special talent in her—her ability to sell a product well. Not only does she specialize in marketing strategies, but also serves as the publicist for P.F.L. Publishing.

She has been mentoring and teaching women for years though seminars, workshops and conferences. Paulette Harper Johnson serves in ministry as an Elder with her husband Sr. Pastor Tony E. Johnson at Word of Faith Worship Center in Bradenton and North Port FL. 


Click Image to View on Amazon

About the Book 
Completely Whole is resource filled- guide full of practical and Biblically-based principles, real-life application strategies and prayers to give the readers a holistic approach to living a life of wholeness through Jesus. Christ. This book is inspiring, optimistic, hopeful and encouraging while providing a clear-cut, scriptural blueprint for each reader to follow as they allow the Word and the power of God to transform their pain and restore their lives on their road to becoming Completely Whole.

What Readers Are Saying About "Completely Whole"
"An inspirational guide to living a healthier spiritual life..." - Apex Reviews
"Phenomenal book that is sure to strengthen, rebuild, encourage..." - Faith ABeliever Virtual Book Club
"Practical and thought-provoking..." -Author Lynn Dove


Connect with Paulette
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pauletteharperauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pauletteharper
Blog: http://pauletteharper.blogspot.com
Ministry Website: http://pauletteharper.com

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Virtual Blog Tour: A Sit Down with Author Stephanie Norris


Today we welcome author Stephanie Norris to the L.O.V.E. blog. Stephanie is on tour this summer with author Denesha Sheree spreading the word about their literary work. We spoke with Denesha in a previous post and today, Stephanie answers a few questions about her work and her writing career. Read on to find out more!

When & why did you begin writing?
I started writing my first novel in 2010 titled “Trouble In Paradise.”

What inspired you to write your first book?
I always had stories in my mind and writing them was the perfect release to let them live. After coming up with the ending of my book I was truly inspired to write it.


How personal is your writing? Are any of your characters a reflection of you?
The characters have some of my characteristics, but not many. lol They are a reflection of people I have passed before, mixed in with a little bit of imagination.


What does reading mean to you?
Reading is like starting an adventure. You never know whether it will make you cry, scream or shudder. It’s an escape from the reality of everyday life.

What is your favorite book or who is your favorite author?
As it stands now my favorite book would have to be “Sleeping With Strangers” by Eric Jerome Dickey.


What advice do you have for someone who wants to become a published writer?
I would tell them to make sure and research everything and everyone.  People can portray themselves to be anything online or off. Check their references and resources.


If you could be a character from a literature classic, who would it be and why?
I would be Stella in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” by Terry McMillan.

Thank you Stephanie for stopping by and sharing with us!

CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE
Author's Website: www.stephanienorris.net
Twitter: @stephanienrrs1 or @dramaticromance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveIsADrugInk

**BONUS** Want to win a copy of "Vengeful Intentions"? Stop by Stephanie's blog to find out how!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Virtual Blog Tour: "The Yellow Clutch Society" by author Denesha Sheree


Today we welcome author Denesha Sheree to the L.O.V.E. blog. Denesha is on tour this summer with author Stephanie Norris spreading the word about their literary work and we'll be speaking with Stephanie as well in a few days. TODAY, though, Denesha answers a few questions about her work and her writing career so read on to find out more.



When & why did you begin writing?
When I was in my creative writing class, we were put into groups and we had to exchange papers. One of my group members read the paper and advised my teacher to read a bit out loud. As he began to read, the lecture hall grew quiet. I looked around to see everyone attentive. Hell, I was even attentive, because I couldn’t believe I wrote something so vivid that you could picture yourself sitting there. After class, the professor asked me to have it published. I kind of blew him off, but from that day forth I knew I was in love with writing.

What inspired you to write your first book?
My First book was inspired by one of the stories in my Dream Journal.

How personal is your writing? Are any of your characters a reflection of you?
My writing is not really that personal and as far as the characters, I would say there is a character that is a reflection of me in my second novella. (Laughing)


What does reading mean to you?
Reading means a lot to me because it allows you to escape. It also allows you to see others' ability to manipulate plots and to see descriptive scenes and characters.

What is your favorite book or who is your favorite author?
Stephen King, hands down!

What advice do you have for someone who wants to become a published writer?
Research all editors, stay true to you and your type of writing style because nine times out of ten, that’s what’s going to make you stand out from the rest. Most importantly, just enjoy your craft.

If you could be a character from a literary classic, who would it be and why?
I like the Greek classic literature era, so I would have to say Klytemnestra. She was a fighter in a time where men saw women as being evil. (Laughing)

Thank you Denesha for stopping by and sharing with us!

CONNECT WITH DENESHA SHEREE