Month: May 2014

Posted in Book Reviews

Review of Pure Control by C. Lloyd Brill

Posted on by S.M. Lowry

Pure Control

*Disclaimer: I beta-read this book. It was NOT in exchange for a review. The review is because I loved it!

 

Genre: Science Fiction

 

In Pure Control by C. Lloyd Brill a strange room is unearthed during the building of an amusement park. With the room’s bizarre but inoperative knobs and gadgets, the amusement park developer believes it will make a great attraction for little kids. Unfortunately for the first group to enjoy the attraction, the room turns out to be something they never expected. The need to work together is vital, but the situation brings out the worst in the people involved. Giancarlo tries desperately to lead, but he’s frequently thwarted by Quinn. While the adults fight for control, the power rests with the children.

 

Pure Control is a wonderfully written sci-fi novel. I hated being interrupted during this novel because I just had to know what happened next. C. Lloyd Brill has an easy way of writing that drew me in and made me feel like I was there with the characters. The characters, with all their flaws, were realistic and engaging. The characters really made this novel. Like most people, when faced with a situation that is out of their control, they fought among each other for what control was left. The characters made me feel a wide range of emotions for them, which made me care what happened to them. I don’t want to give away anything, but the storyline had me hooked and was not at all what I expected. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys science fiction and to anyone who is just looking for a fantastic page-turner novel!

 

You can purchase Pure Control here

 

About the author:

Clint Brill

Bio:

Author C. Lloyd Brill lives in California with his girlfriend and ten cats. When not writing he enjoys reading and cross-stitching as well as hiking and star-gazing.

 

Links:

FB Author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/C-Lloyd-Brill-Author/274230026061204

Blog: http://clloydbrill.wordpress.com/

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1h4fIPz

Posted in Uncategorized

The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty by Steve LeBel Releasing Soon!

Posted on by S.M. Lowry

The_Universe_Builders_kindle_06-187x300

Genre: YA Fantasy

The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty by Steve LeBel is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend going and getting this one!

 

Synopsis:

This humorous fantasy explores a world where Gods and Goddesses go to school, fall in love, and struggle with bad bosses and horrible bullies while designing complex universes.

Meet Bernie, God School’s latest graduate, described by his teachers as careless and lacking focus, yet lucky enough to land a job building a sun with three planets.

Meet Shemal, the boss who eats young gods for breakfast. When Shemal isn’t terrorizing Bernie, our young god has to deal with Billy. Think Satan is God’s adversary? Billy’s the Bully God with a grudge and a plan to sabotage Bernie’s universe with mysterious asteroids, volcanoes and more.

If you enjoy fantasy and science-fiction and the twilight of the gods, this book will challenge everything you know in this terrific page turner.

 

The Universe Builders releases May 30 and will be on sale for $.99 for a limited time!

You can purchase the book here:

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B00KKQT1CC

*A print version will follow within the next 60 days.

 

You can find out more about the author here:

Steve-LeBel-200x300

https://www.facebook.com/stevelebel.author

http://theuniversebuilders.com

Posted in Uncategorized

“Self-published” doesn’t have to be a bad word!

Posted on by S.M. Lowry

Some good thoughts on self-publishing by author C. Lloyd Brill

C. Lloyd Brill - Author

     A few days ago I was talking to someone about my novel and he seemed genuinely interested in it. He asked questions about the book and I could see his eyes lighting up. He asked where he could get a copy and how much it cost. I gladly answered as my heart raced at the thought of another sale. He asked me who the publisher was and I told him I self-published it. He shook his head and when I asked him about that reaction he explained that he refuses to buy self-published books. I asked him why and he told me that he’s wasted too much money on self-published books that were pure garbage.
     My heart sank. I tried to explain to him that my novel was a quality novel that received high reviews. It didn’t matter. He associated the phrase “self-published” with poorly written/edited stories. I…

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Posted in Book Reviews

Review of Sway by Kate Roth

Posted on by S.M. Lowry

Sway_eBook copy

*Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

Genre: Romance

SwayTeaser5 copy

 

Beau Harris has always been a ladies man. His passion was his work, and it consumed him, until things fall apart for him at work. Suddenly, the only client he has left is Vanessa Curtis, his long time friend. Whitney is the little sister and backup dancer of Vanessa. Both Whitney and Beau are haunted by pasts they cannot forget, but they must come to terms with their own pasts and with each other’s if they are to ever find happiness.

 

This is a wonderful book! Kate Roth has a keen insight into the flaws that make people human—and lovable. Her books are a sweet, enjoyable read, but they are also so much more than that. The characters do more than just fall in love; they journey to discover themselves and make peace with their pasts. The characters of Sway come to life and are easy to identify with. From the beginning, I fell in love with Beau and Whitney. They’re real people, despite their luxurious lives, with problems I found myself easily understanding and sympathizing with. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be taken on an enchanting journey of love and self-discovery.

 

*As a side note: The Confession Records novels are stand-alone novels. However, I suggest reading Natural Harmony before Sway only so you can better understand the complexity of Beau. And, because it’s just a great read!

 

Sway BUY LINKS:

AMZ: http://amzn.to/1nBZVjp

AMZ UK: http://amzn.to/1rJi3rc

BN: http://bit.ly/1lydYnL

KOBO: http://bit.ly/1hdrw38

Paperback: http://bit.ly/1koC0k2

 

Natural Harmony BUY LINKS:

AMZ: http://amzn.to/1emo6dQ

AMZ UK: http://amzn.to/1cYQLsG

BN: http://bit.ly/1ggXJYA

KOBO: http://bit.ly/1dNOJGT

 

Information about the author, Kate Roth:

www.katerothwrites.com

www.twitter.com/KateRothWrites

www.facebook.com/authorkateroth

Posted in Book Reviews

Review of P.A.W.S. by Debbie Manber Kupfer

Posted on by S.M. Lowry

P.A.W.S

Genre: Fantasy/YA fantasy

 

Young Miri has had a wonderful life. Until one day when tragedy strikes, and she is sent off to boarding school where she doesn’t fit in. Her only solace lies in reading, writing, and sitting under her favorite oak tree. When bullies refuse to leave her alone, Miri discovers a startling secret that changes her life. Soon, Miri finds herself on a journey to discover who she really is and finds new friends at P.A.W.S. (Partnership for Animagi, Werewolves, and Shapeshifters). But, there’s a powerful man with secrets of his own, and he’s determined to destroy Miri.

 

P.A.W.S. had me hooked from the first page of the prologue! I did not want it to end. Debbie Manber Kupfer is a talented writer who drew me into the lives of the characters. The detailed description of Miri’s happy life before the tragedy struck made me feel even worse for Miri. The author did this for other characters in the book as well, and the contrast of their pleasant lives against their tragedies created an emotional bond for me with the characters. The sensory descriptions in this book transported me into the story. I could feel the characters’ pain and joy. The story was full of action and magic and kept me turning the page to find out what would happen next. I highly recommend this story, and I can’t wait for the sequel!

 

You can purchase P.A.W.S. here.

 

Follow the author at:

Paws4Thought: http://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com/

Author page: https://www.facebook.com/DebbieManberKupferAuthor

Twitter: @CiciCat42

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Manber-Kupfer/e/B00DHPNJ5I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7142164.Debbie_Manber_Kupfer