Book Review: Rise of the Fire Tamer by Kailin Gow

This is a delightful story with the bonus of a fun way to learn words and their meanings!
Rise of the Fire Tamer (The Wordwick Games #1) (An SAT Prep Dystopian Fiction)
by Kailin Gow

• File Size: 344 KB
• Print Length: 234 pages
• Publisher: theEDGEbooks.com; An Epic Fantasy where Words are Commodity edition (March 31, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0045U9RHI

Genre: Fantasy Adventure
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: March 31, 2011
After winning a contest for a popular game called Wordwick Games, five teens Gemma, Sparks, Rio, Kat, and Jack, are invited to stay at Wordwick Games inventor Henry Word's mysterious castle and play the newest level of Workwick Games. Little do they know, the castle is the doorway to a wondrous world call Anachronia where words can be used as weapons, power, and commodity. There is unrest in Anachronia, and if the five teens can follow the rules of Wordwick Games and prove to be the best player, one of them will be crowned Ruler of Anachronia. Official Book Trailer at: youtube.com/watch?v=COc3-8c_hnM&NR=1

Book 1 of The Wordwick Games
Book 2: The Ascension - Fall 2010
Book 3: The Return - 2011

Review:
Five teens who are unique and different win a contest in a computer game called Wordwick Games. The prize is to stay at the castle of the game’s inventor where they are invited to play the next level of the game, a world called Anachronia.

Gemma is the rich, private school, grade A student from Manhattan. She is observant, calm and a negotiator. Sparks is the young cowboy and football quarterback - strong, rugged and honorable. Rio has been raised in poor conditions in LA making him tough. He is dark, handsome and suspicious of others. Kat is the young, impetuous Goth wannabee from London, and Jack is the red-headed, bespeckled historian geek from Alaska. Each brings certain skills to the Games.

They are told by their host that their goal will be to win the crown of the kingdom. Although they can work together, only one can win the crown and that person must meet three specific criteria. They go to there rooms and find “game pods”. Instead of going to bed they each enter the pod and soon find themselves in the world of Anachronia.  There they learn about the two warring factions, The Perfidious and The Spurious tribes. They must face dangers like the dragon in the Wickedly Woods. They have been told that words have special powers as tools and weapons and Ruler Words. The group will deal with betrayal, strange friendships and personal jealousies while they work toward their goal.

Words and definitions are liberally used throughout the story, including a Troll who challenges the teens to recognize words and meanings in order to pass his gate. I love words and totally enjoyed how they were woven into this fine adventure story.  The plot is fun on its own but made even more fun by knowing that the SAT words could be learned by readers.

Ms. Gow does a good job developing the distinct, and life-like characters. The teens often act like teens but they are on the verge of adulthood and you can see some maturity as the story progresses. There are rivalries for Gem's attention and the touches of romance are consistent with teenage infatuations. Through the obstacles the group overcome there are some good morals imparted for young people to gain some wisdom if their minds are open to it.

If you are a lover of words and light, fantasy adventure you would enjoy this book. I would definitely like to read the sequels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A true statement regarding the power of words:

Jack was still trying a few of the words, and trying not to jump every time he did. The idea that they had that much power seemed like a lot of responsibility. If it would help them survive here though...   Location 1373.

I received this book from the author for an honest review as part of Book Blast Tour.  Check out the GIVEAWAY LINK in the BookBlast Promo Post.

Interview with Wendy Vella, Author of The Reluctant Countess

Please help me welcome Wendy Vella, author of The Reluctant Countess, to Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf.

M:  First, let me say "Congratulations" on your debut novel, The Reluctant Countess.
Wendy: Thanks so much and thank you for having me on your wonderful blog site.

Q1.  I'm always interested to discover the story behind the story. Where did the inspiration for The Reluctant Countess come from?
Wendy:  I was actually looking online for a competition to enter and found one that gave you a scenario for the opening scene; handsome Earl, mysterious Countess and they were both in a ballroom. I’ve never written a story from someone else’s idea before it was quite an interesting exercise and, ‘The Reluctant Countess’ grew from there. I never entered the competition but the book turned out well.

M: Yes, the book turned out well! I’m glad you expanded on the opening scene.
Q2.  What inspired you to write this genre??
Wendy:  The first book I read was Georgette Heyer, These Old Shades, and I was pretty much hooked from the opening page. I loved the idea of writing about an era that I knew so little about and that I or nobody I have ever known has lived in. You do get a certain amount of freedom too, because we know only what we’ve learnt in books not through our own experiences. It’s important that it’s historically correct of course but you can let your imagination run riot. 

M: Georgette Heyer is classic for Historical Romance, especially with that touch of mystery that you brought to The Reluctant Countess.
Q3.  Is there an ancillary character in this book that you had a lot or fun with? Might they appear in a future book?
Wendy:  Lord Sumner was great fun to write.  He’s Patrick, the hero’s, best friend and also finds love in ‘The Reluctant Countess.’ He’s the opposite of Patrick, he laughs often and jokes a lot and has some great one liners in the book. Unfortunately he won’t get his own book because his romance is tied up neatly in the end too. I love his relationship with Patrick, he’s probably the only one in the book who doesn’t give Patrick an inch, and he’s always challenging him.

M:  Yes. Stephen, Lord Sumner, was a great sidekick and provided lots of added color and fun.
Q4.  What would you say makes a romance novel a great love story?
Wendy:  I think a romance novel has to have several elements to make it great; humor is big for me and characters that are not quite perfect. I love sharp dialogue but most of all I love a bit of intrigue. I like stories where the hero and heroine finally get together despite the obstacles they had to hurdle to find each other.

M:  All of those are good elements and I like how you worked them together well in your story.
Q5. Would you please share a surprising thing about your experience writing this book, or about your research?
Wendy:  I didn’t end up using it in the book, but I was researching shops in London and came across the Cow Keepers Shop in Golden Lane in the city of London. The shop was the ground floor of his house where the cows were kept in well ventilated stalls.  People and the milk maids could come and purchase their milk, I thought this was ingenious!

M: Very interesting and thanks for the image!
Q6.  Is any of your writing from your own experiences or is it completely your imagination?
Wendy:  No it’s all my imagination. I do use some traits in my characters from people I know, but mostly it’s just inside my head. It can get a busy in there at times.

M: I appreciate a busy imagination especially when it gets shared in writing!
Q7.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?
Wendy:  Probably only in so far as they limit my ability to write as often as I would like. I work full time and write in the evenings but I’m also a road cyclist so that takes up a bit of time as sometimes my husband and I can be out on the roads for a few hours. I’ve always found the time to write each day and usually fit in 2 to 3 hours most nights.

M: I’m glad you fit the writing time in and share with readers like me.
Q8.  When you get time to read what authors do you read?
Wendy: I have my favorites; Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn and Nora Roberts, but there are so many more who I enjoy, but these are the ones whose books I read as soon as they come out.

M: I agree with several of these… I just have been busy reading “new-to-me” authors like you. J
Q9.  What do you hope your readers get out of your book?
Wendy: I hope my readers enjoy Patrick and Sophie’s journey as much as I did writing it. I hope they laugh and cry and sigh, but most importantly I hope they can’t put it down.

M:  Success - As I noted in my review it does keep you glued and not wanting to put it down.
Q10.   If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be?

***Wendy: She picked up her skirts and ran towards him as he came through the door, she was distraught and his blood ran cold as he heard her say…

M: Thank you for taking time to share.

Wendy Vella is a lover of all things romantic. She started reading her first Georgette Heyer book at a young age and instantly fell in love with the Regency era. Writing is something she has always found time for; she penned her first novel at eighteen though she says it will never make an appearance further than the closet in which it currently resides.

After having her two children Wendy then joined RWNZ and started honing her chosen craft by entering competitions with some success and attending conferences. Her Clendon and Readers Choice award-winning historical romance The Reluctant Countess will debut in Jan 2013 with Random House in their Loveswept line.

She has an addiction to reading and loves a wide range of genres while her first love will always be historical. She relishes novels steeped in Romance and excitement with feisty heroines and delicious heroes, especially when they are set amongst the treacherous waters of London society.

Wendy is a sucker for a happy ending having secured her own. She has been married to her own dark brooding hero for 28 years and shares her home with two wonderful children, two dogs and anyone else who happens to be visiting at the time. Born and raised in a rural area in the North Island of New Zealand, Wendy loves the beaches and lush green rolling hills of her homeland and is proud to call herself a very patriotic Kiwi!

Visit my website: http://www.wendyvella.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorWendyVella
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/wendy_vella
Email: wendy@wendyvella.com

“THE RELUCTANT COUNTESS” can be purchased from Random House Inc. http://www.randomhouse.com/book/221633/the-reluctant-countess-by-wendy-vella

From Wendy Vella comes a Cinderella story of whirlwind passion between a dashing earl and a beautiful countess—and the secret that threatens to tear them apart.

Regal, poised, and elegant, Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is everything that a highborn lady should be. But Sophie is hiding a past that is far from royal. When Patrick, Earl of Coulter, realizes that her story doesn’t add up, he resolves to find out the truth of what Sophie and her sister-in-law are concealing. Although Sophie has every reason to avoid him, the handsome and charismatic Patrick awakens something wicked deep within her soul . . . a powerful need that Sophie must stifle in order to protect her place in society.

Despite Sophie’s humble background, the raven-haired beauty has won Patrick’s heart. But what Sophie needs now is an ally. Viscount Myles Dumbly, the disgruntled former heir of Monmouth, is determined to expose Sophie as a fraud to recapture his lost inheritance. Soon Patrick is drawn into a fight for both their lives. Somehow he must find a way not only to rescue Sophie from poverty once and for all, but to keep her in his arms forever.

Scribd FREE Excerpt available:Vella ReluctantCountess Final

Thank you to Random House for allowing me to Host a 

GIVEAWAY

1 print book and 3 Net Galley Preview copies.

ENTRY FORM HERE

3 Extra Bonus entries: Comment with an answer to the question from author Vella in violet block and red text above (marked ***).
2 Extra Bonus entries: Comment on my Review - Previous Post.

* This contest is open: US ONLY for Print and 3 Net Galley copies open to ALL.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 18, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 19, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: The Reluctant Countess by Wendy Vella

This is a light, fun historical that I really enjoyed.

The Reluctant Countess: A Loveswept Historical Romance
by Wendy Vella

• File Size: 1989 KB
• Publisher: Loveswept (January 14, 2013)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008WOUNIK

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: January 14, 2013
From rising romance star Wendy Vella comes a Cinderella story of whirlwind passion between a dashing earl and a beautiful countess—and the secret that threatens to tear them apart.

Regal, poised, and elegant, Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is everything that a highborn lady should be. But Sophie is hiding a past that is far from royal. When Patrick, Earl of Coulter, realizes that her story doesn’t add up, he resolves to find out the truth of what Sophie and her sister-in-law are concealing. Although Sophie has every reason to avoid him, the handsome and charismatic Patrick awakens something wicked deep within her soul . . . a powerful need that Sophie must stifle in order to protect her place in society.

Despite Sophie’s humble background, the raven-haired beauty has won Patrick’s heart. But what Sophie needs now is an ally. Viscount Myles Dumbly, the disgruntled former heir of Monmouth, is determined to expose Sophie as a fraud to recapture his lost inheritance. Soon Patrick is drawn into a fight for both their lives. Somehow he must find a way not only to rescue Sophie from poverty once and for all, but to keep her in his arms forever.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: The Escape Diaries, The Devil’s Thief, and The Magic.

Review:
Sophie is thought of as an ice maiden. The truth is she is a former maid trying to be accepted as a Countess. She has to concentrate on dancing and small talk and staying in control. Sophie, with her young child Timmy, and her sister-in-law, Lady Letitia Carstairs, are protecting their interests and positions as widows.

Patrick suspects something isn’t quite right with Sophie’s behavior.  He is determined to break through her walls to discover her secrets.  Sophie tries to resist Patrick’s charms but he upsets her composure and she loses focus every time he’s near.  But she brings emotions to him that he has never felt either – warmth, craving.

Sophie is threatened by Viscount Myles Dumbly who would have inherited Monmouth if it weren’t for Sophie and Timmy.  Now she is receiving blackmail threats that she thinks are from the power hungry and evil man she rejected before she moved to Monmouth.

Although Sophie tries to handle the blackmail on her own she has to seek Patrick’s help when Timmy is kidnapped.  Patrick, his good friend, Stephen, and Sophie manage to rescue Timmy and his maid. Now Patrick knows her secrets and she knows some of his so they feel safe with each other. But Sophie is still threatened and Patrick has taken on to be her protector and more.

This is the sort of historical romance I really enjoy. There is mystery, conflicted attraction, a dangerous threat and ultimately an acknowledged love and safety. Ms. Vella immediately begins to build the physical, sensual interest and the mystery between the primary characters. There is a fun side kick in Stephen who gets his own romance interest in the story too.

The writing flows very easily making this a quick read which I practically read in one sitting. There are strong descriptions of setting and attire that create a vividness to the action. The plot moves along well and the romance is warm and sexy without being too much.  If you enjoy historical romance with mystery and a strong, protective hero, you should like this one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sophie’s sister-in-law, Letty, describes Patrick:

“Calls to mind a large jungle cat, all feral grace and beauty,” Letty whispered. Location 211.

Patrick’s friend, Stephen, teases him:

“Why don’t you just throw her over your shoulder and be done with it?” Location 778.

I received this for an honest reviewing from Random House. Please see the next post for Author Q&A and Giveaway!

Guest Post and Giveaway: Godspeed: A Love Story by Dan Chabot

Finding A Story Idea

Sometimes the elements of a good story are right under your nose.

Readers often ask where I get the idea for a story.  In the case of Godspeed, I took a real-life incident, embellished it considerably, added some interesting characters patterned after people I knew in the newspaper business, and created a story that I hope will inspire others who might be battered by life’s unending struggles and setbacks.

I was a young newspaperman when a good friend wound up in the situation that confronts Derry in my novel.  My friend was engaged to a lovely young woman who was struck down without warning by cervical cancer.  She had no family to speak of, so it was left to him to make funeral arrangements.  In his grief and the daze induced by tranquilizers, he watched helplessly as a shabby funeral home staged an embarrassing service.  The rent-a-minister mispronounced her name, fumbled her biographical details, and in general presided over an ignominious travesty.  All of us there felt so badly for him. As we left the service, I overhead another friend whisper in his wife's ear, "Don't ever let that happen to me."

That incident stayed with me for years, and as I turned it over and over in my head, speculating on what somebody could ever do to recover from a situation like that, eventually a novel was born.

Because of the serious theme, I had to leaven the story with some doses of humor.  Much of it was provided by Derry’s stable of eccentric newspaper colleagues.   One of them sometimes cruises the inner city, windows down, playing tapes of his favorite 1950s crooners at deafening levels, in retaliation for the young guys who boom rock music from their car radios on the street outside the newspaper offices. Another friend recalls that as a little girl, when she asked her father why people walked so jerkily in those old movies, she believed him when he told her it was because that’s the way people walked in those days.  In another incident, when Derry invites Amedee up to his apartment, she makes friends immediately with his dog, who is scratching furiously at an ear.  “Oh, now I get it,” she says. “You lured me up here, an innocent maiden, to see your itchings.” And Derry’s confrontation with an earthy, profane, inner-city minister also adds some lighter moments and some counterbalance to the overall message.

In the end, I hope I have created an inspiring, sentimental message about holding on to a faith in tomorrow.  So look around you.  You might have a story waiting to be told, too!

See my Review Here.
Learn more about the Author and this book here: www.godspeed-lovestory.com.

Thank you to Mr. Chabot for offering Books for Giveaway!
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for PRINT COPY to US and eBook to International.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Comment with an answer to this question from author Chabot:

Derry did something that not many of us have the chance to do --to try to make amends for a situation that went terribly awry.  How about you?  Have you ever thought, too late, of something comforting you could have said to a friend or family member, or wished you could retrieve some harsh words said in anger or frustration? 

* This contest is open US OR INTERNATIONALLY.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 18, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 19, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Blast with Giveaway: Rise of the Fire Tamers by Kailin Gow

Rise of the Fire Tamer by Kailin Gow

After winning a contest for a popular game called Wordwick Games, five teens Gemma, Sparks, Rio, Kat, and Jack, are invited to stay at Wordwick Games inventor Henry Word's mysterious castle and play the newest level of Workwick Games. Little do they know, the castle is the doorway to a wondrous world call Anachronia where words can be used as weapons, power, and commodity. There is unrest in Anachronia, and if the five teens can follow the rules of Wordwick Games and prove to be the best player, one of them will be crowned Ruler of Anachronia.

Purchase

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Book Trailer

Author Kailin Gow

Kailin Gow is the award-winning, international bestselling author of over 80 distinct books.

Kailin Gow is also the President of a media company, a media personality, and has been writing full-time since she was first published. Holding a Masters in communications management and leadership positions in Fortune 500 corporations, she puts her leadership abilities, her experience, and desire to help others into her fiction books. As a result, she has written the forthcoming, Finding the Heroine in You book which is also a national tour. She is a mother and spends whatever spare time she has volunteering at the Red Cross, Battered Women's Shelters, and other organizations.

Currently her Frost Series is in development for a major international MMO Game, and she has over 14,000 and growing Frosters on her facebook fan page.

Links:

Facebook * Twitter * Book Club

Website * Blog * Goodreads

Blog Tour now through January 25th

Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/27/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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