My New Book Cover!

Whoo hoo! I'm so excited. I just received the cover for my new book, CALL OF THE WILDS. Siren will be releasing it in June, but I couldn't wait to share.

Please check it out at my other blog, where I write under my pen name - Gale Stanley.

http://galestanley.blogspot.com/

All the Stillness of the Wind by Donald James Parker

All the Stillness of the Wind by Donald James Parker is enlightening and entertaining Christian fiction. The fourth in a series, it's a wonderful story of spiritual growth, that's suitable for the young and the young at heart. With all the problems plaguing teenagers today, it's refreshing to read a story that's centered on friends, family and faith.

Jeremy Dillon is dating Maria Masterson. His dad, Paul, is ready for a serious relationship with Maria's mother but Lisa Masterson is pulling back. She doesn't want to marry someone who doesn't share her commitment to the Lord. Maria introduced Jeremy to Christianity and they attend church together. Now he's reading and studying religions, searching for the denomination that is the one true faith. The two teenagers become inseparable but keep their relationship within the boundaries of Christian morality. When Maria is badly injured in a car accident, Jeremy's faith is put to the test. He wonders why God has let this happen.

Parker weaves faith, philosophy and scripture into a story about love in all its manifestations - teenage longing, adult romantic relationships and love of God. The language and actions of the teenagers sometimes appears too adult, but the dialogue flows and the story moves at a good pace. The book is very well written and held my attention throughout. More books for young adults are being published than ever before but if you're looking for something other than vampires and chick lit, this spiritual story is well worth a read.

Publisher: Sword of the Spirit Publishing (July 25, 2008)
ISBN: 978-0615208107
Paperback: 212 Pages
Price: $12.95

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What I'm Reading...

My TBR list is growing and I just want to give you a heads up on what I'm reading. The complete reviews will follow - I promise.

                              

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go by Lucille O'Neal

"Lucille O'Neal shares her public battles and personal struggles as a young, single mother of NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal. Lucille would one day have it all, but not before fighting the public battles and personal demons that would threaten to shatter the very foundation of her life while taking their devastating toll along the way."

Everlong by by Hailey Edwards

"Madelyn's life is far from fairytale perfect. She is second in line for the throne of a corrupt, brutal monarchy. Or at least she was until her dark guardian sacrificed his life to hide her safely in a realm of infinite possibilities.

For years she's lived among a colony of escaped slaves as her guardian-s widow. Even in this simple life, though, nothing is as it seems. Her hero kept a secret-a younger brother named Clayton Delaney. Warrior, winged demon-and the man who now wants to lay claim to her heart. No longer cast in his brother's shadow, Clayton meets all obstacles head on, including one named Maddie. His infatuation with her reaches the breaking point when she undergoes a royal rite of passage, going into heat and pushing them both over the edge. Just as Maddie learns that some risks are worth taking, she discovers that her guardian may be alive. And she's forced to make a choice between the man she'd thought she loved, and the demon willing to lend her his wings."

                                               El Patrón by Michele Scott

"What began as an innocent love affair for one young woman, Marta Peña, in Costa Careyes, Mexico in 1969, sets in motion a series of events that spans the next thirty years. This is the story of South American drug lords Antonio Espinoza and Javier Rodriguez, and their violent quest for power. In a sweeping family saga, we meet the women who love them and the children they vow to protect at any cost. With a complex web of interconnected families, this gritty novel delves into the lives of a power hungry clan, following the rise of their business, the destructive path of their torrid and erotic love affairs, and the struggle to balance intense greed with devout family loyalty. Strong women face tragedies that test their will and their commitment to the men they passionately desire. As young girls grow into women, their traumatic pasts will drive their actions and force them to make gut-wrenching decisions. With murder, drug trafficking, dirty politics, illegal gambling, prostitution, obsessive love affairs, and family strife, El Patrón is a whirlwind in the vein of Mario Puzo's The Godfather."

 
Happy Hour by Michele Scott

"Four friends working in Napa Valley, Sundays are for fellowship, good food and wine. Jamie is editor-in-chief at "Wine Lover's Magazine," and a single mother. Before her husband died, she lived a fairy tale life. Guilt from his death keeps her from moving forward. Kat is a sommelier, and co-owner of a restaurant with her chef husband Christian. Although deeply in love they deal with a myriad of issues, including ex-spouses, Kat's teenage sons and her new age mother Venus. Danielle is a vintner who finds herself entrenched in both an identity and family crises when her eldest daughter returns home from college with a bombshell of a secret. Alyssa is an artist and gallery owner. When a tragic past event catches up with her, she must face the skeleton in her closet and rely on her friends to see her through her darkest hours. These women discover that friendship is the right prescription to get through the hard times as well as for enjoying the wonderful moments together."

All Acts of Love and Pleasure are her Rituals by Rachel Adair

"All Acts of Love and Pleasure are Her Rituals is a provocative tale of one woman's journey through the end of an era. Caroline Hathaway is the last of a long line of healers, foretold to mark the change in the centuries old tradition of women's mysteries. Throughout her life, she follows the path of her mother, until she experiences a shift in the village view. Practices once held in high esteem become scorned and punished. Caroline has a choice; either leave the land that she knows as a member of her family, or be condemned as a witch. After losing his wife during childbirth, Caroline's father tries to raise his only daughter as a normal child. Sheltering her from the many predictions that foreshadowed her birth, he keeps her out of sight of her destiny. But Grandmother feels differently. This mysterious old woman takes Caroline under her wing and teaches her the ways of wisdom and magic. Unbeknownst to Caroline, she is being prepared for her destiny as High Priestess of the Society of the Crescent. Without direction from her father, Caroline follows many dark paths to discover the true power that lies within her. It is not until her greatest love enters the picture that she is able to fully realize her power, but not without costs."

The Telefax Trilogy Book II: Aurora Rising by Toni Seger

"Book I of the Telefax Trilogy, The Telefax Box, ended with the first fully functional machine, capable of reproduction, mating with a person. Is this a Frankenstein monster? Book II, Aurora Rising, opens with the product of that mating; Aurora, the first half-machine. Or is she the first half being? What are the consequences of Frankenstein reproducing? Is the galaxy ready for this? The galaxy's anti-machine contingent known as Samerac contains a pro-machine element isolated within it known as Dodis. When the Dodis adopt the first half-machine/half-being as their titular leader, how will the galaxy react? Into all of this appears a refugee from civilization; Yon who has fled the galaxy's mainstream laboratory culture to live the natural life of a Samerac. Yon's gene pool improbably combines Samerac and Zanton, the galaxy's leading race and deeply resented by most Samerac."

GENTLEMEN PREFER SUCCUBI by Jill Myles

Jill Myles brings a great new voice to urban fantasy with Gentlemen Prefer Succubi. She writes in a first person narration that's funny and engaging with clever, crisp dialogue. A fresh twist is the nerdy, clueless heroine who suddenly turns smokin' hot with a body to die for. And the men in her life are devilishly good-looking. It's a fun, sexy romp that you'll hate to put down.

Nerdy museum docent Jackie Brighton wakes up in a dumpster and a homeless man tells her she died. Jackie doesn't believe it, but truth is stranger than fiction. Somehow, a one-night stand with a handsome fallen angel named Noah; followed by a bite from a dangerous vampire named Zane has turned her into a gorgeous succubus. Jackie is now attracting every male in sight but being a sexual vampire isn't all fun and games. She finds herself in the middle of a vampire and angel feud. The vampire queen holds Noah hostage until she can find a powerful halo. Jackie must choose sides in a celestial turf war and that means making a choice between her men. Will it be Noah or Zane?


The plot is original and a terrific start to a new series. I like the characters, especially Remy, Jackie's friend who is a porn star succubus. Jackie, seems kind of dumb for a woman who wants to be an archeologist, but she's funny and engaging. There's action, adventure and plenty of hot scenes and strong language. All in all, a very entertaining read.


Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition (December 29, 2009)
ISBN: 978-1-4165-7282-4
Mass Market Paperback: 368 Pages
Price: $7.99

Lost Love Found by Tim Gomes

Lost Love Found by Tim Gomes is a romantic thriller with a well-drawn cast of characters. The hero gets a second chance at love but not without taking great risks and putting his life in danger.

Two years ago, Dan Jagger's wife was killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks. She was on Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania. Dan is still grieving and certain that he will never find another love like Alia. He's surprised to get a phone call from his high school sweetheart, Charlene, the girl who dumped him when he returned home from Viet Nam.

He's not interested in seeing her but Charlene is persistent and they meet for dinner. Dan is reluctant to see her again but his relatives push him into it and soon they're spending more and more time together. Meanwhile Dan's only son Tim, an Army Reservist goes missing in Iraq. Dan's world turns upside down again when Charlene's past catches up with her and puts him in danger.

The plot is intriguing and the characters have interesting pasts but the pacing suffers from some technical flaws. The book starts out strong with a prologue that takes Dan back to his first battle in Viet Nam but the present day scenes contain long conversations, dialogue that slows things down and robs the story of suspense. Despite this there's a lot to recommend the book. Description and setting are detailed, the plot takes a few twists and turns and the ending satisfies.
Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided at no cost to me and this review is my honest opinion of the work

Publisher: iUniverse (July 23, 2009)
ISBN: 978-1440148675
Paperback: 244 Pages
Price: $16.95

Face of Betrayal - A Triple Threat Novel by Lis Wiehl With April Henry

Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl with April Henry is the first in a new series, a political thriller ripped from the headlines. The story seems to be loosely based on the 2001 Chandra Levy case. Lis Wiehl is well equipped to write in this genre. She graduated from Harvard Law School. She's a former federal prosecutor and a legal analyst and commentator for the Fox News Channel.

Katie Converse, a seventeen year-old U.S. Senate page, comes home to Portland, Oregon for her Christmas break. She takes the family dog, Jalapeno, for a walk and never comes home. Reporter Cassidy Shaw, Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce and FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges are long time friends. They call themselves The Triple Threat, named after their favorite dessert. The three women become enmeshed in the case. As the investigation continues, they discover Katie's blog, which hints at a relationship with an older man, possibly Senator Fairview, her Washington sponsor.

The book begins on a confusing note, jumping from past to present but the chapters are dated so it didn't take long to get into the flow. The chapters are short, the pace brisk and the use of technology and the internet adds realism. There are enough twists and turns to keep a reader's attention. The book seems geared towards women, with its cast of strong female characters. And it's an interesting touch to view the crime form three different perspectives, the reporter, the prosecutor, and the investigator, who each have their own personal problems to deal with. There is a religious element to the story. It centers on Allison, the attorney, who prays, consults her priest and talks about religion with her friends, one of whom is an agnostic. I wasn't fully engaged with the characters but I'm a fan of whodunits so I enjoyed the read and the unpredictable ending.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. The opinions are my own.

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 1, 2010)

ISBN: 978-1595548177

Paperback: 320 Pages

Price: $15.00

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In the Courts of the Sun by Brian D'Amato

In the Courts of the Sun by Brian D'Amato is a unique doomsday thriller as well as a story of time travel. It's based on actual Mayan prophecy. D'Amato's writing is vivid and filled with technical detail and portraits of Mayan life and rituals.

Jed DeLanda, a Mayan descendant living in 2012, is a math prodigy who plays strategy games against his computer and profits from online trading. His former mentor contacts him about a newly discovered Mayan document concerning a game that predicts the end of the world. He's recruited to travel back to 664 AD to uncover how the end will come. His brain waves are sent through a wormhole into the mind of a Mayan king. But instead Jed arrives in the mind of a man about to become a human sacrifice.

The story is told through the protagonist, a believable hero. He's not always likeable but he does grow and change in the course of the story. He speaks in English, Mayan and Spanish and his voice is sometimes hard to follow but he manages to convincingly describe his every sense with insight and humor. A glossary is included to help the reader.

Mayan history, future technology, pulse-pounding action, game theory, politics and a bit of romance - it is an impressive start to the trilogy. The author has obviously done his research and he provides plenty of detail. Sometimes the pace plods and sometimes it's chaotic but all in all a gripping adventure that should have readers clamoring for book two.

Publisher: NAL Trade (November 3, 2009)

ISBN: 0451229061

Paperback: 704 pp.

Price: $16.00

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http://EzineArticles.com/?In-the-Courts-of-the-Sun-by-Brian-DAmato&id=4031773

Happy April 1st Update!

Wow March was a really busy month. Lots of good things happening.

So here's what I've been up to - my author page is up on Siren's web site. The cover isn't finished yet, I can't wait to see it. Whoo-hoo! I can't believe CALL OF THE WILDS will be out soon.
Check my page out here:
Author Gale Stanley

And I have a first draft for my WIP, Mating Season. You can see my progress meter on my other blog Gale Stanley

I've been doing a lot of reading as well and I'll be posting a new review in a day or two. Right now I'm off to see "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" with my granddaughters.
Hope you all have a happy April 1st!