Friday, April 17, 2015

REVIEW: "Shadow Show: Stories In Celebration of Ray Bradbury" by Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, et al.

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Release Date: July 7th, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Comic Books, IDW Publishing, Anthology, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Ray Bradbury is the bomb

About the Book: In Shadow Show, acclaimed writers and artists such as Joe Hill, Mort Castle, Audrey Niffeneffer, Charles Paul Wilson III, Maria Frohlich, Eddie Campbell, Neil Gaiman, and more come together to pay tribute to the work of the one and only Ray Bradbury. In this collection are stories based on "By The Silver Water of Lake Champlain," "The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury," "Backward in Seville," "Weariness," "Live Forever!," "Who Knocks?," "Earth (A Gift Shop)," "Altenmoor, Where the Dogs Dance," and "Conjure." [Description provided by Netgalley.com]

My Review: Reviewing anthologies can always be difficult, since there is multiple authors and therefore multiple styles. Usually they run either really amazing, or ultimately forgettable. Shadow Show falls right down the middle of the road. There was one story that scared me, another that made me very sad, and a few I couldn't wait to end because they were mildly boring.

Anthologies are tough enough, but imagine a graphic novel anthology, where each story has to be broken up into panels. As a collection of short stories celebrating the great Ray Bradbury, this anthology is just okay. But as a collection of comic shorts, this was very well done. The art was great, and each singular graphic novel flows well into the next one.

Cover Lovin': This cover is all over the place - which is very fitting considering that is how the book runs as well. This cover also looks very similar to the Unwritten series by Mike Carey.

Recommendation: For fans of Ray Bradbury, of course!

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). Like all anthologies, some stories were amazing, and some were... not-so. And therefore, it evens out to a solid, enjoyable three.


Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

Monday, April 13, 2015

Author Promo: Lisa Beth Darling!

Today I'm giving my blog over to author Lisa Beth Darling to promo her two newest releases, "Sins of the Father" and "Cold November Rain" - check it out!


SINS OF THE FATHER
BOOK #2 SISTER CHRISTIAN SERIES
BY LISA BETH DARLING

BLURB-
As Hannah recovers from emergency brain and heart surgery, memories of the past take over her dreams with such clarity they cannot be denied. As the last of the painful family secrets, including what really happened the night of Hannah's accident and the circumstances surrounding the death of her only son, Little Ricky, come to light it's up to her brother, Doctor Richard Mason, and his unconventional methods to help her confront the ugliness.  For it is only when we deal with our demons that we can leave them behind and work toward a bright future.

Please note this novel/series is NOT a "Christian" or "religious" story. Adult themes apply and reader discretion is advised.

EXCERPT:
Something that sounded like a shotgun blast echoed through the church. Father Murphy ran out of the vestibule. "What is it?"

"Someone's at the door." Sister Cynthia said.

"Who knocks on the door of a church?" Father Murphy huffed.  The sound came again. It was sharp and demanded attention. Those were not knuckles wrapping at the door.

Outside in the rain, Spaulding turned to Mason and echoed Father Murphy's sentiment. "What's wrong with you? No one knocks on the door of a church."

"How ya supposed to get 'em to let ya in?"

"Open the door?" Spaulding put his hand on the handle as he went to push it; it was opened from the other side. "Oh, hello, Father." He stuttered.

Father Murphy looked at the two men standing in the pouring rain. "Are you here for her?  Please tell me that the Lord has guided your steps and brought you here for her."

"Actually it was a trail of broken glass, not God." Mason said gruffly. "Where is she? Where's Hannah?"

Father Murphy held out his arm and stood aside. "Come this way, My Son."

Putting one foot over the threshold of the church Mason looked at the priest, "Let's get one thing straight right now, Padre, I'm not your son."

Paperbacks are now available from Amazon

Pre-Order Sins of the Father on Kindle and Smashwords $0.99:

Trailer: https://youtu.be/vBeBFpC0J1c?list=UUzpOiBqu9gHeuNKvucR2hng


COLD NOVEMBER RAIN
BOOK #2 IN THE DOC SERIES
BY LISA BETH DARLING

BLURB-  
Mason and his Mystery Lover meet again in the second installment of the hot adult The Doc Series.  As he becomes sucked into her world of insanity, hot sex and crazy love ensue much against Mason's better judgment.  Mason is not alone in his lust for the fair 'Rose'. Someone else is watching and seething over her loss. Someone who will stop at nothing to get even with Mason for taking her away.

EXCERPT:
Rick felt his heart drop; she was here but she'd already picked out her prey for the night.

Feeling his jaw clench as he tried to decide if he should stay or go, Tony put a glass of scotch on the bar for him.  There wasn't any sense in letting good booze go to waste.  Turning his back to his Mystery Woman, Rick retrieve the drink only to discover the large mirror behind the bar gave him a better angle on her companion for the evening; male, maybe thirty, good looking.  Lucky guy didn't know what he was in for tonight.  The Mystery Woman raised her empty glass to catch Tony's attention and, like a good bartender, Tony went right over to her with a fresh Martini.  Downing the double-shot, Rick gazed in the mirror to stare at her reflection, she was staring at his back from the corner of her pale green eyes as she chatted with the man across from her.

Rick looked away wondering if it was just coincidence or if she'd noticed him sitting there so he gave it a few moments while he lingered over his drink before glancing into the mirror again. This time she wasn't taking a sneak peek at him from the corner of her eye she was looking directly at him, past him, at his reflection. When she saw him staring back at her, she smiled for him.  Shy. Precocious. Full of promise. 

Was she wishing he'd come over there? Maybe.  Only one way to find out.

Rick eased himself off the barstool and made his way over to where the couple was engaged in light conversation. "Excuse me," he said to the man in the booth, "You're in my seat."

"Pardon?" The man asked as he looked from him to her. "Were you waiting for this guy?"

"Actually," she said softly, "I was."  She was surprised and delighted by the Doc's forthrightness. "Hi, Do-c."

There it was, 'Do-c', just the way she said in it his dreams, with that extra little coy kick she gave the 'c'.  It made him want to melt. "Hi." Rick said to her. "Three's a crowd." He said to the man. "Go on beat it."

Now available in paperback on Amazon

Pre-Order Cold November Rain on Kindle and Smashwords $0.99:


Author Links:
Author website:
http://www.moonsmusings.com
Author blog:
http://lbdarling.wordpress.com
Author Facebook:
http://facebook.com/lbdarling