Reader Resource

Scratched Off/ Mystery Playlist Explained

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, playlist, Reader Resource, suspense, thriller , ,

Warning: The discussion here will contain spoilers if you haven’t read Scratched Off. That said, if you don’t mind spoilers or don’t intend to read the book, you should totally read on. It’s a fantastic collection of music regardless (if I do say so myself).

Find the list here.

Audiobook Cover. Digital Artist – Rachel Rossano; Narrator for audio version: Rick Struve

Side note: Many of the songs on here aren’t really my first go-to for style, but I enjoyed exploring beyond my comfort zone.

Introduction:

Scratched Off (ebook version) features the story of an FBI agent hunting a serial killer. Typically, I try to find key points or chapters and find something that matches that mood. This time, though, I pretty much stuck with the killer and tried to go for things he would find inspiring. (What would he listen to as he prepared to wage his private war? What’s going on in his head? Is there a progression/a distinct spiral into madness?)

A Storm is Coming by Tommee Profitt and Liv Ash

The title’s pretty powerful and indicative of the whole story. In the killer, we have a man who wants to figure out the best way to take out the “human trash.”

Become the Beast by Karliene

“Embrace the darkness.” “We are the predators. The Hunters.” “Become the beast. We don’t have to hide.” Not quite a literal fit, but a nice metaphorical one for the killer’s logic.

Raise Hell by Dorothy and Born Ready by Zayde Wolf

I feel like Raise Hell captures the killer’s attitude pretty well. He knows he’s going to cause all manner of chaos. He’s prepared to walk the dark side to bring his own brand of justice to evil doers.

Born Ready is a pretty late addition to the list. Sounds like something he’d use to psych himself up. “I am the unknown fighter.” “I’m gonna push up higher.” “I’m gonna do what I do.” “I’m made of stone. I won’t break.”

Light That Fire by Oh the Larceny

Another song I feel the killer would keep on a personal motivation list. It’s also a good cheerleader type song to encourage one to keep on going.

Who’s at the Door by Unsecret, featuring Sam Tinnesz

This is probably the first song, besides the first, that is really about the mood of the book from the victims’ point of view. It’s also suitably creepy. Play around Halloween.

Wicked Games by The Hot Damns

I like the rhythm of this song. Probably the type of thing the killer thinks about the world. Why the world needs cleansing so to speak.

Wild Thing by Jaxson Gamble

“We descend into the madness. Like a wild thing. Rabid.”Another rallying cry for our killer.

Check it Out by Oh The Larceny

This would be something the killer would want to share with his muse. He has a person he thinks is perfect. He really wants to protect her. This song would appeal to his sense of purpose.

Rule Breaker by Gothic Storm

Don’t think there are any lyrics to this one. But the song captures the mission the killer’s set for himself. Also, from the flip side, it’s a good song to capture the rivalry and high stakes of the game between the FBI agent and the killer.

Vagabond by Tommee Profitt featuring FJORA

The fit here is twofold. I can see him thinking this as he eyes one of his victims. There’s a whole chapter where he kind of rails against a society that lets a woman stay homeless. In a way, this also applies to him. “Can’t put down roots cause they won’t last long … Everything here will all be gone.”

Watch Me by The Phantoms

He’s crying out for attention. He’s getting arrogant.

Incendiary by Tommee Profitt

There’s a dark, dangerous quality to this theme. The killer deepens his game. The agent closes in on a breakthrough.

Thoughtful by MHBH

Wasn’t totally sure about including this. It’s kind of a brain break. One of those that would be played in a montage of the agent and the killer each carefully planning their next steps.

Wolves by Sam Tinnesz, featuring Silverberg

The killer still declaring he’s dangerous.

Can’t Stop Me Now by Oh The Larceny

Pretty straightforward. A challenge.

Big Bad Wolf by Roses and Revolutions

For the second victim, the prostitute (Haley Doherty) or for one of the later victims who he takes out from afar.

Let You Down (piano version) by Tommee Profitt

You’ll probably think I’m obsessed with only like 3 artists, and you’re probably right. This is yet another nice interlude kind of piece. It can also be a theme for Melissa Novak and the budding relationship between her and the FBI agent. Mel’s definitely a side character, but a meaningful one to the main characters.

Man on a Mission by Oh The Larceny

“I’m never gonna ever stop. I won’t wait another minute. I’m a man on a mission. I don’t need no permission.” “If you’re standing in my way. It ain’t gonna be your day.” As things get hard, I can see the killer clinging to this kind of logic to bolster his courage.

Wicked Ones by Dorothy

“This not for the faint of heart. Cause the faint of heart gonna fall apart.” Another song that captures the spirit of what the killer wants to accomplish. Also, something to sort of key in on this mental decline.

No Escape: Genesis (instrumental) by Tommee Profitt

Good for when things come to a head.

Man or a Monster by Sam Tinnesz, features Zayde Wolf

The ultimate question for our killer. He’s done some crazy wicked things, but does it make him a monster? Who is he? Is his humanity gone?

Unstoppable by the Score

A nice theme for the good guys. Also, if it was a movie, a nice place to start the credits.

Gambling with Fate (Instrumental) by Tommee Profitt

If this were a movie, I imagine this would be middle/end credits.

Conclusion:

Of course, I’d love for you to read my book, but I know it’s not going to be for everyone. Still, listen to the playlist. You might find a new artist to love. They’re all super talented.

Associate Links to Follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 ….)

Amazon Prime

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – a kid deals with her parents’ divorce, bullies, and the wonder of discovery.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.

OR

Black Friday Giveaway and Clean Reads Book Sale

Julie Gilbert Family, freebies, Kindle books, mystery, Reader Resource, suspense, thriller, women's fiction, Writing, Young Adult , , ,

 

Hey,

Check out this big Black Friday sale. There are over 150 titles available and they are all either $.99 or FREE!

There are also a long list of paperbacks for sale at incredibly discounted prices as well! And the good news is they are all clean reads! Be sure to go check out this amazing sale here.

(If you’d like any of my titles discounted in paperback, you have to email [email protected] … I think my website only has like 2 listed at full price.) I do sell series at a discount. That’s not specific to this sale.

Enter to win stuffs too. (Grand Prize winner receives 20 paperbacks and the 2nd place winner gets 20 e-book titles)

You can sign up for the giveaway here.

Fine Print: The giveaway runs from November 22nd till November 26th @12AM ET Grand prize open to US winners only. 2nd place prize is open Internationally.

Not quite ready to jump right in?

You Could Win These 20 Paperbacks … (Grand Prize)

Leandra’s Enchanted Flute by Katy Huth Jones

Mythical Doorways by Jenelle Schmidt

Faith is the Victory by Faith Blum

Kiera by Kate Willis

Because Anonymous Diana L. Sharples

After: Book One in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Specter: Book Two in The Neverway Chronicles by Savannah Jezowski

Eagle Eyes by Tammy Lash

London in the Dark by Victoria Lynn

When Beauty Blooms by Victoria Lynn

Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset by Sarah Ashwood

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

There Was Always Laughter in Our House by Sarah Holman

Bridgers: A Parable (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Love Blind (paperback) by Angie Thompson

Code by Angie Thompson

Christmas Eve at the Backdoor by Rebekah Morris

The Seven Drawers by Kendra E. Ardnek

He’s Making Diamonds: A Teen’s Thoughts on Faith Through Chronic Illness by Sara Willoughby

You Could Win These 20 E-books … (2nd Place)

Beyond Broken Pencils by Julie C. Gilbert

Ashlynn’s Dreams by Julie C. Gilbert

Gather Round the Fables by Erika Matthews

The Case of the Tabloid Tattler by Perry Kirkpatrick AudioBook

The Twelve Cats of Christmas by Perry Kirkpatrick Audiobook

Coffee Shop Christmas Ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

The Land of Cotton ebook by Ryana Lynn Miller

Entertaining Angels, Entertaining Angels Book 1 by Emerald Barnes

Secret’s Kept by Jennette Mbewe

The Firethorn Crown by Lea Doue

Soldier On by Vanessa Rasanen

Burning Rose by Hope Ann

Iced and Nailed by Avery Daniels

Imani Earns Her Cape by Bokerah Brumley

October by J. Grace Pennington

Disowned by Sarah Addison Fox

My Compass Home by Michaela Bush

Summer Shadows and Necessary Evil by Killarney Traynor

Check out the whole sale. Most are discounted as ebooks and/or paperbacks.

Convinced yet?

ENTER NOW.

 

 

Associate links to follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 … not kidding, that’s basically it.)

Amazon Prime

The Collins Case – 2 FBI agents track down a kidnapped family. Kid friendly.

If fantasy’s more your thing, go Redeemer Chronicles. The first, Awakening, is available as an audiobook.

If clean thriller is more your thing, try Scratched Off (New Release): FBI agent Samuel Kerman takes on a serial killer.


OR

Live Chat Narrator Interview with Reuben Corbett

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Author Resource, Fantasy, Interviews, middle grade, Reader Resource, Young Adult , , , ,

 

Introduction:

Hey all, tonight we have a very special guest. He’s the narrator of many great books, including Spirit’s Bane and The Golden City Captives. (both ebooks are free.) By the way, if you have the ebook, usually the audiobooks are cheaper. If you’ve never listened to one of his audiobooks, you should definitely consider doing so.

Feel free to join the discussion by commenting.

Let’s Welcome Reuben.

BL: Glad you are able to join us, Reuben!

Reuben: Thanks, Bonnie.

BL: I am learning a lot about the Audiobook process – it is fascinating!

EF: Hey Reuben, welcome – this is a great place to hang out.

Reuben: I love it so far!

 

Reuben Corbett Discussion #1

Hey, thanks for joining us today.

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What got you into narrating?

Do you listen to audiobooks?

How can we learn more about you? (links)

Do you have a FB page?

Reuben: Well, I am from Grand Junction, Colorado. I was a welder for a number of years, worked in all kinds of trades. I have always loved reading books, and I was always told I had a good voice! So I decided to get into narrating. I was a cello performance major in college, so I was already familiar with audio recording. So I got out my old equipment and started reading!

Me: Do you still play the cello?

Reuben: I do, but not nearly as much as I would like, with work an all. I definitely need to get back into it!

EF: Reuben, what was your first audition like?

Reuben: First audition for an audiobook? It was terrible, lol. It took me almost 6 months of practicing, auditioning, and recording to really find my voice, my style. I also learned a lot about recording audiobooks! Very different from recording music, acoustic treatment of the room is critical to great sounding recordings.

EF: Do you have a home studio or is there somewhere that you go?

Reuben: Lol, you’re not going to believe this, but my studio is actually in my parents basement! My house is next to a very noisy road, and it didn’t matter how much I did to treat my closet, car noises showed up in the recordings.

Reuben Corbett Discussion #2

How many books have you narrated?

Readers: What have you been reading lately?

Reuben: I have narrated 7 books so far. Right now I am working on the Dragonia Series for Craig A. Price Jr.

Me: I have the first of that series on my to-read list.

EF: I’ve been working on a project for the day job- so I lot of business and leadership books. Way behind on the fun books.

BL: Sadly, I haven’t made enough time to do as much reading as I would like – I am just started the 7th in Toby Neal’s Crime in Paradise

Me: I have all but given up “fun” reading. Usually too much else to do, but I enjoy the whole process … even rewriting, which I’ll be doing a LOT of this summer.

BL: Hope you get a lot of fun reading time! I got away from it for a little while and really missed it – it rejuvenates me when I am spending too much time in my own thoughts

Reuben Corbett Discussion #3

What do you look for when you browse for things to audition for?

Readers: What do you look for in a book?

Reuben: I look for a book that I would want to read lol. I love science fiction and fantasy. I also love self help books lol.

Me: Self-help and scifi/fantasy…that’s an interesting mix. Do you get a lot of fun reading time?

Reuben: I do, I really do. I just love immersing myself in stories. I also love to find ways to better myself, hence the self help books.

Me: What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten from a self-help book recently?

Reuben: Fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real

Reuben Corbett Discussion #4

Tell us a little about what you’ve been working on recently.

Readers: tell us something you’ve been working on recently.

Reuben: I just finished Craig’s first installment in the Dragonia Empire series. It is very much in the epic fantasy genre. I just started the second book, where the story really gets going!

Me: Tell us a little about that series.

Reuben: It is very much rebellion against empire. Two main characters, Devarius and Paedyn, lead a ragtag bunch of villagers on a perilous quest to join the resistance. There are dragons, betrayal, and romance!

 

 

Reuben Corbett Discussion #5

If you could recommend 3 of the books you’ve narrated, what would they be and why?

Readers: Do you listen to audiobooks? What could convince you to try audio if you haven’t ever done so?

Reuben: I would definitely recommend The Afterlife Academy, Spirit’s Bane, and Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns. Afterlife Academy because it is a pretty silly paranormal book that kids and adults can enjoy. It has fun characters, and great humor. Spirit’s Bane because it is very thought provoking, deeply emotional and spiritual, but also fantastically fun fiction drama. It has action and really great characters that were a blast to do voices for. I’ve already talked a little about Dragonia…

Me: Okay, so, of course I’m gonna focus on SB for a moment… who was your favorite character to voice?

Reuben: Oh my goodness… This book definitely tested the limits of my acting abilities, lots of character voices. I have to say that the most fun voice was the guilt demon! Satan was difficult, as you can imagine. Suave, yet the epitome of evil…lol tough. I also loved doing the voice of Lord Hadeon.

Me: I think the one that impressed me the most was Mina… the one that flat-out made me laugh was the “frantic little demon.”

BL: I have to admit I have only tried one audiobook – and I was not enamored with the story – I am definitely going to give it another try (but with one of Julie’s books!) now that I have started taking walks daily.

Reuben Corbett Discussion #6

What inspires you?

Readers: What inspires you?

Reuben: My inspiration, to be honest, comes from other narrators. I love hearing how other people read, do voices, tone, etc.

 

 

Reuben Corbett Discussion #7

What is your process for creating an audiobook?

Readers: Describe one of your creative processes. What do you do? How do you do it?

EF: When I am editing a big project, I tend to cut it into smaller pieces and arrange it on my living room wall. A friend saw it once and asked if I was stalking someone.

Me: That’s awesome. I want a pic of that!

Reuben: First, I have to read the book! As I am reading, I can hear the tone of the book, from the way the author writes. Ideas for voices also form as I get to know the characters, where they are from, etc.

Reuben Corbett Discussion #8

Thanks for stopping by tonight. Stick around for a few days as some people couldn’t make it tonight but may drop in later tonight or tomorrow.

Totally not kicking you out, but this ends the “formal” stuffs I prepped. 😛

Closing thoughts?

Reuben: Yes, I have some promo codes for The Afterlife Academy if anyone wants a free audiobook!

Me: I heard it. I’ll second that it’s a good one.

Audiobooks Reuben has done …

The Golden City Captives, Spirit’s Bane, The Afterlife Academy, The Night Human Hunter, Simplify, Godstone, and Dragonia: Rise of the Wyverns. Go here if you want to check them out.

Commentary:

He’s an amazing narrator (quick, clean audio, decent range of voices, easy to work with). If you’re interested in hiring him, look him up on ACX or email me your contact info and I will ask him to get back to you. (devyaschildren @ gmail.com)

 

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

 

Audible – If you’d like some free codes, please email me at [email protected] with requests for any of my works.

The Science in Science Fiction

Julie Gilbert Reader Resource, scifi, Young Adult , , , ,

Introduction:

Science fiction comes in many flavors. It’s not all aliens and spaceships. Sometimes, science that matters most. Writers who strive for near-future science fiction typically ask “what if” a lot.

What’s the trick to making it realistic?

Go a step further than what’s possible now. For The Dark Side of Science, the whole premise might be beyond what’s possible now, but not by much. Mostly, ethical guidelines and massive amounts of red tape separate reality and fiction here.

The Devya’s Children series features several genetically altered children. By turning certain genes on and off, the scientists gave the children special gifts. Also, the scientists played around with their features, so that even though the biological parents were white, one appeared Asian and another African.

Is that possible?

Several documented cases show that it’s possible to get kids of mixed descent turning out with different skin tones. Take this National Geographic article about black and white fraternal twins for example. We believe our understanding of science has come far in the last few hundred years, and it definitely has. However, we’re still making new discoveries all the time.

Could it happen?

Shoving ethics aside and unfettering science, it probably wouldn’t take long to get where The Dark Side of Science started.

In The Dark Side of Science, two companies compete for the same secret government contract. They’re showing off the “best” of their products by having the children created in the programs battle in a winner-takes-all, losers-might-die competition. Since they’re not sure how to make Minders, they’re trying to get those memories out of one of the scientists who turned away from the project.

Samples of the Science in the Fiction:

(Contains spoiler for The Dark Side of Science)

In chapter 13, we find Dr. Jessica Paladon having a disagreement with a molecule simulator. Her friend got poisoned, and she must create an antidote from the raw materials. First, she designs the molecule she wants in a computer. Then, she tasks the molecule simulator to create the compound so she can test it on her friend.

To my knowledge, molecule simulators don’t exist. But 3D printers do. It’s essentially the same idea, only applied on a smaller level.

While many genetically altered plants and animals exist, probably not humans … yet. The movie Gattaca explores some of the ethical questions behind a society that allows itself to choose skin color and traits that would favor certain abilities. Long before I even started writing, the “what if” question existed.

Spaceships exist, but not ones that can take humans to the far side of the galaxy. Yet. We’re limited by resources: the fuel, the technology, and so forth. But what if something new was discovered, a stable element that lasted far longer and burned hotter than any known fuel. That could be a game changer.

Conclusion:

Science fiction takes the known and pushes it further into the unknown. It paints a picture where everything we know is true plus a few extra things.

About the Author:

Julie C. Gilbert teaches high school chemistry and writes in many genres, including nonfiction, fantasy, young adult science fiction, mystery/thriller, and Christian mystery. She collects Legos and Star Wars stuff.

Links:

Email:

Amazon page – has all the published works.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram: juliecgilbert_writer

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

 

Audible – If you’d like some free codes, please email me at [email protected] with requests for any of my works.


Themes in Christian Mystery

Julie Gilbert mystery, Reader Resource , , , , ,

Introduction:

Some people aren’t sold on the idea of Christian mysteries having a place in the world. First, I’ll explore my general expectations of “Christian” books. Next, I’ll explain the difference between clean mystery and Christian mystery. Then, I will dive deeper into what I think makes a mystery book “Christian.” Finally, I’ll touch on some of the themes that pop up in the Christian Mystery genre.

What do you think of when you think “Christian Fiction”? 

To me, it brings to mind historical fiction like Gilbert Morris’s really long, mostly awesome House of Winslow series, which follows one family’s journey to America and beyond until about the 1950’s. The other half I think of is Dee Henderson’s modern Christian romances, which have a fair amount of suspense in them.

Clean vs. Christian:

I’ve written both. Scratched Off is what I’d consider clean mystery. The Heartfelt Cases series would be considered Christian mystery. Absence of “adult” scenes and strong language place both in the clean category. Scratched Off probably has more “disturbing” content, as it centers on a serial killer’s quest to find himself, but there are few gory details. The details that are included are somewhat sanitized by the way they’re described.

So, what makes Heartfelt Cases Christian and Scratched Off not?

What makes a mystery book “Christian”?

Christians. Before you get annoyed by that answer, let me explain. The characters in Heartfelt Cases are Christians. The way they approach their lives inherently includes God and prayer. Their faith defines them. Ann and Patrick don’t cease to be FBI agents just because they’re Christian. It’s just a part of them.

Could you have a Christian mystery without any main characters being Christian? Maybe. At least one character would have to be, but they don’t necessarily have to be the main character.

Genres only exist to help us categorize books. Mystery itself is a broad, overarching genre and Christian mystery is a subgenre.

Themes in Christian Mystery:

In no particular order, these are some of the themes you might encounter in a Christian mystery:

  • Justice vs mercy – If you’re reading a mystery, something’s gone wrong for some character. They’ve been robbed, murdered, assaulted, or something. Likely, that person is related to or a good friend of the main character. Then, the rest of the book follows the MC’s quest to get justice, while battling the idea of mercy rather fiercely.
  • Finding peace (terrorism, murder, other mayhem) – Anybody who’s been hurt significantly would struggle with finding peace. Some Christian mystery books may center on the main character’s need to overcome a tragedy.
  • Finding true love – Love is the cornerstone emotion. Misunderstood love has led to a lot of tragedy. A strong subtheme in Christian mysteries might be the journey to finding true love.
  • Forgiveness – This is a tough one in life and in fiction. With the hardships that the characters in mysteries face, often there is a need to learn
  • Redemption – I suppose there are varying levels of redemption, but the type most common in a mystery would involve a scenario where the main character ends up committing some wrong and needing to do something to fix the problem.

Does there always have to be a conversion to make a book Christian?

No. That might be part of the story if it’s mainly about harrowing events drawing somebody to Christ, but characters in stories, like people in life, will be at all different stages of their spiritual life. Some may be well-grounded, while others are just starting out. The other characters should be able to see the difference in Christian characters, but just like life, that doesn’t mean they’re going to immediately become Christians themselves.

Conclusion:

Thanks for reading. If you’ve never tried a Christian mystery book, give it a go. You can start out with The Collins Case for free if you like. Let me know what you think.

About the Author:

Julie C. Gilbert teaches high school chemistry and writes in many genres, including nonfiction, fantasy, young adult science fiction, mystery/thriller, and Christian mystery. She collects Legos and Star Wars stuff.

Links:

Email:

Amazon page – has all the published works.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram: juliecgilbert_writer

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

 

Audible – If you’d like some free codes, please email me at [email protected] with requests for any of my works.


Audiobook Reviews 4/5 stars: Blue Hydrangeas by Marianne Sciucco

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, drama, Reader Resource, romance, women's fiction , , , ,

 

Summary:

Jack’s struggling to take care of his wife. She has good days and bad days. On good days, she remembers who she is, where she is, and what she’s doing. On bad days, she could end up anywhere in a panic because her mind’s being blasted to bits by an awful disease.

Additional Comments:

– The narrator’s performance did the story justice.

– Plot (4/5): Nothing that happens seems out of the ordinary for the situation. I’m sort of used to books with more murder and mystery, but it’s still a touching story.

– Characters (4/5): Jack and Sara are a lovely couple. There’s not much information about what they did before retirement. They ran their home as a bed and breakfast. He did some sort of business in a city. She’s an artist. Who’s Emily? Not terribly clear on the rest of who’s who in their family. As I understand it, Derek and Jesse are the grandsons, their father is David, who is Jack and Sara’s son. David’s wife is Anne. I think that sums up the major players.

– Flashbacks: I’m not a fan, but one probably couldn’t really tell such a tale without them.

– The descriptions of Jack’s struggle to care for Sara are touching.

– The crisis that the family’s in over the disease seems realistic.

Conclusion:

A different kind of drama than I’m used to, but heartfelt nonetheless.

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

 

Audible – If you’d like some free codes, please email me at [email protected] with requests for any of my works.

 

Go here if you want to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease:



Audiobook Reviews 4/5 Stars: Dragon’s Heir by Kandi J. Wyatt

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, dragons, Fantasy, middle grade, Reader Resource , , ,

Summary:

A young Rider leaves the comfort of home to track down a dragon hatching snatcher. He vows to bring justice, but is that the only way?

Additional Comments:

– It’s been long enough since I heard the first book that I had to spend the first bit orienting myself with the world again.

– Since I heard the audiobook, I was totally picturing Brayden, not Braidyn, but that’s cool.

– The little dragon baby (Perci? Sorry about spelling) was adorable, even if she is still inside the egg.

– Plot (4/5): Things progress logically. We get to meet Braidyn and get a brief feel for his sense of justice and fairness. Then, after the eggs go missing, he sets out on the larger quest to bring them back.

– Characters (3.5/5): Several characters’ motives didn’t seem as strong as they could be. I get that the guy who stole the egg was disgruntled, but that whole thing could have gone down without the middleman so to speak. The returning characters act as support for the young main character.

– World-building (4/5): The introduction to a new culture provided a nice touch. The Riders from the South don’t do much to adapt, but they do foster a decent relationship with the new people.

– Although several well-described fights happen, there’s not much danger sense throughout. That might be due to trying to keep it MG friendly.

Conclusion:

Kid-safe dragon adventure story.

 

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

 

Audible – If you’d like some free codes, please email me at [email protected] with requests for any of my works.


Audiobook Reviews 3.5/5 Stars: Ruby in the Water by J.P. Sterling

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Reader Resource , , ,

 

Introduction:

This book was a bit of a change of pace. It’s really more of a family drama than anything else. Most of the time, I recommend reading a book’s blurb first, but in this case, just don’t if you hate spoilers.

Summary:

Peter’s got an incredible gift for playing the piano.

Additional Comments:

– Don’t read the blurb. Ah, too late, you’ve probably already done so. It pretty much gives away the whole story.

– Note: I’m not a huge fan of flashbacks, but they’re pretty much 85% of the story here. And it works.

– Quite a few things about the way Peter’s elementary school was portrayed irked me. I see why the author wanted them to have some silly, nonsensical policies but they just wouldn’t happen in a school. I’m a teacher. I know some weird policies come down, but having only one meal choice a day and forcing all students to abide by that isn’t going to fly. I can see only offering one choice, but there’s no way you could ban kids from bringing a bagged lunch if they want. There are too many allergies and such to force one thing.

– Also, Peter as a 5-year-old ticked me off. His parents were supposed to come across as supportive, but they annoyed me too.

– I loved the mystery woman and the priest and the nun.

– The end has some nice twists that will either annoy the heck out of you or make everything click into place for you. I’m in the latter category, but I definitely sympathize with the former category.

Conclusion:

A family drama type story with a nice end twist.

(I enjoyed the end.)

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

Audible – If you buy some of my audiobooks with your first credits, I’ll pay the first month’s bill (beyond the free ones). (Terms and conditions: must have proof of purchasing my books, like a screenshot. Will also have to have paypal.)



Author Interview with Nix Wittaker Author of Model Serenity

Julie Gilbert Author Resource, Reader Resource, scifi , , ,

Author Interview:

Hey, join me in welcoming Nix Wittaker today. Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend.

Tell me a little about your background.

I was born in South Africa on the east coast. Mosquitos and green mamba rather than lions and giraffe Africa. I left when I was a young girl and moved to New Zealand with my family. And traded snakes and sharks with earthquakes and volcanoes.

 

What do you do for fun?

Reading and looking after kittens. I’m a foster mom for the RSPCA and hand rear week old kittens or help tame feral kittens.

 

Who or what inspires you the most?

My grandfather believed in collecting useless information. I do the same and that is where I get most of my ideas.

 

 

About your writing:

What got you into writing?

I’m dyslexic but when I was growing up no at school figured that out because I’m also a smart cookie so they suggested I read books. I read a lot. Talking about 3 digits and so I ran out of books to read and started writing my own.

 

What is your writing process?

I am not a pantser I always plan out the book. Not in detail. I plan it out start writing and then pause when I get a feel for my characters and go back to put more detail into the plan. Then I write the exiting bits and figure out why the rest isn’t interesting. Once I figure those out I start having others start reading chapters and giving me feedback while I tweak and polish.

 

When do you consider a work complete?

Never. I like to go back over and over. I usually publish though after I spend the cash on an editor. My mother is an artist and she is the same. She usually sells her work or paints over it as it never seems perfect. At least with writing you can forever tweak it.

 

About your book:

Are there any deep themes or messages in the book the readers should be aware of?

My book is set on another planet where some crazy scientists have played eugenics. The same stuff the Nazi were trying during WWII, I wanted to show that our racism in this day and age is insidious and everywhere.

me: That’s a great theme. I’ve got a series with crazy scientists too. (I’m a chem teacher too…so I get the appeal of going nuts with science.)

 

What gave you the idea for this book?

I’ve had this idea for a long time. But the original was a fantasy but I find I write Sci-Fi better and when I changed it to science fiction the story became something new. There are a few things that came over from the fantasy version like the names of the caste systems.

 

How long did the book take to write?

Longer than usual. My first novel took 3 months, to write this one it is already at a year but I have managed to knock out the next book in the series in that time as well. I thought I would write the whole series before I published.

 

Who designed the cover?

I design my own covers but don’t take that as permission to make your own. I am also a digital designer and sell covers professionally. If you are an author let the designer do their job, it is what you pay them for in the first place. I cringe when an author wants you to change everything or add in too much on the cover.

Me: Ha, yes, I can understand that. Wow, if I were a digital designer that would save me a whole heap of money :-). I’ve only ever made my nonfiction covers b/c they’re mainly text. (It is a very cool cover.)

Do you write in other genres?

I have another series in Steampunk with dragons so in my mind it is alternative history slash fantasy. Though technically it still falls under Science Fiction.

 

Tell us about one other book or series and why it’s important to you.

I’ve another series and this one is set a little in the future after the world has survived global warming. Usually when you have dystopias it is awful but my world isn’t. Humans are amazing and can adapt and that is exactly what they do in this book.

Random:

What animal do you most relate to?

Cats. Who wouldn’t want to lie in the sun and sleep all day.

 

What’s one thing very few people know about you?

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream? Triple chocolate. I have a distinct soft spot for anything chocolate. Add anything with nuts to the chocolate and I am in heaven.

 

What are you non-writing hobbies or interests?

Art. I’m a decent artist but I realised at a young age that I couldn’t be a great artist. So I thought I would become great at something else.

Conclusion:

If you’d like to learn more about Nix, please visit her website.

Website: www.nixwhittaker.com

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

Free Kindle Reading App

Audible – If you buy some of my audiobooks with your first credits, I’ll pay the first month’s bill (beyond the free ones). (Terms and conditions: must have proof of purchasing my books, like a screenshot. Will also have to have paypal.)

Narrator Interview: Reuben Corbett

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Author Resource, children's, Reader Resource , , , , ,

Introduction:

Hey all, I’d like to introduce you to a very special guest today. A few weeks ago, I had a fit of insanity and posted 5 casting calls for narrators for a variety of projects. I’d pretty much settled on a narrator for The Golden City Captives, when at the very last second, I got one more unsolicited audition. Upon hearing that short audition, I absolutely fell in love with this guy’s rich voice. Please welcome Reuben Corbett. He’s a relative newcomer to the audiobook scene, but I’ve no doubt you’ll be hearing more from him in the near future.

Let’s start off easy. Tell me a little about your background:

I grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado. I always liked performing, so I started playing the cello when I was 9 years old. I played all the way through college, where I was a cello performance major. A couple years into college, I realized there wasn’t a lot of money in music, so I became a welder of all things. 5 years and like 12 different jobs later, I still hadn’t found anything I really enjoyed. I had always been told by people that I had a great voice. I also loved reading and listening to audiobooks. I decided that I would be really good at narrating books! I did some research, found acx, and the rest is history!

What do you do for fun?

I narrate audio books!

(Me: I shoulda seen that one coming.)

About this Work:

What brought you to working on this project?

I found it on acx, auditioned for it, and Julie picked me for the part.

(Like I said, squeaked in under the wire. I was sending out proposals as his audition came in.)

What was the hardest part of bringing this story to life?

It really wasn’t too difficult. Julie’s writing does most of the work. The most difficult part is becoming the characters.

Do you have a favorite character voice from the project? Why/ why not?

My favorite voice to do was Lord Ewald. Coming up with his voice was just fun, and it just seemed to really fit the character.

(Me: That it did.)

Do you have a favorite chapter from the project? Why/ why not?

My Favorite chapter is chapter 5. A lot happens in the chapter, lots of action. A very dramatic chapter.

About your other works:

How many other works have you narrated?

I have only narrated one other book, so far.

Can you recommend any of your other titles for us? What about the work is appealing?

My only other title is called Simplify: How to Declutter, Get Organized, and Stay that Way. It is a short self-development book about being organized.

(Sounds like a useful title…less fun than a fantasy one though :-))

Which work are you most proud to have been a part of? Why?

The Golden City Captives, because it is my first fantasy genre book!

What drew you to voice acting?

Well, I have been told all my life that I had a great voice. One day the idea occurred to me, and I decided to try and make it a reality.

Is this the only acting you do? If you do other forms of acting, which is your favorite and why?

I also do YouTube videos. I prefer to do audiobooks, but I still enjoy doing videos.

Do you have a process when you approach a work? Please describe it for us.

First I read the book to try and dive into the story, get to know the characters and so forth. Then I practice voices for the characters, and try to figure out the tone for the overall book. Feedback from the author is definitely a necessity.

If you could only leave 1 lasting impression on the world, what would it be?

I would want people to remember me as an example of being loving and kind.

Do you get to read for fun? Do you have a favorite genre to read for fun?

My favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy.

What kind of movies do you enjoy?

I love movies that are clean and uplifting.

Where can we find out more about you?

Website: https://frcorbett1011.wixsite.com/reubencorbett

Social Media Links:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIayBxVOF0JuBVam1NDTQlw

https://www.facebook.com/reuben.corbett

Conclusion:

The Golden City Captives will release soon. It’s in the approval stage from ACX. I can’t wait to share this lovely project with everybody. Leave a comment and I might pick somebody at random to win a free copy of the audiobook.

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

Free Kindle Reading App

Audible – If you buy some of my audiobooks with your first credits, I’ll pay the first month’s bill (beyond the free ones). (Terms and conditions: must have proof of purchasing my books, like a screenshot. Will also have to have paypal.)