Growing and moving on

Bookmarks editing has been a huge part of my life for over 2 years now. I have met some wonderful people and edited some fantastic books... but it's time to do a little bit more for the indie authors out there!

Bookmarks editing will now be known as Grey Cat Author Services, and I will be offering more than just editing - FREE services for indie authors.

Please visit the new blog:

http://greycatauthorservices.blogspot.co.uk/

Or visit my new Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/GreyCatAuthorServices/

I look forward to you joining me!

The Flames of the Immolated: Ardalia Book 3

Just a few days ago, I finished editing "The Flames of the Immolated", book 3 of Alan Spade's "Ardalia" series - and, sadly, the final book in the trilogy.
I use the word "sadly" because I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey that "Ardalia" has taken me on - both as an editor and as a reader.

Here is the synopsis from Amazon.co.uk:

"The great hunt had begun, and the hevelens were the prey. When would it end, and how? Impossible to predict…
With the malian army defeated, the forces of Destruction are laying siege to the Gate of the Canyons and spreading out over the Windy Steppes. For every child of the wind or the water captured and hurled into the Great Rift, a Nylev, a fire-being, is born. Pelmen, Laneth, Lominan and Elisan-Finella must convince the krongos to join them in their desperate struggle, but only a handful of the mineral creatures remain, and Valshhyk, the Immolated, seems unstoppable…"

Tempted? You should be! You really do need to read the first two books in the series ("The Breath of Aoles" and "Turquoise Water") to get the most enjoyment from book 3, but you won't be disappointed with those either!
The character development within this series is superb. I found myself becoming attached to characters without even noticing - which is an astonishing thing to happen to me, since I'm usually certain of "love, hate, or indifferent" responses almost immediately.
The story is one that will keep you reading long past lights out time, and you'll be happy to have exchanged a few hours of sleep for "just one more chapter"!

To celebrate the upcoming release of "The Flames of the Immolated" (available for pre-order from both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk right now!), I asked Alan Spade what three questions he would like to ask his readers about this book. Here they are - along with my answers.

Alan Spade: What is your preferred book of the Ardalia trilogy, and why?

Me: Oh, that's an unfair question! Each book in the Ardalia trilogy has something about it that gives it an advantage over the other two. Book 1 is the opening, with the introduction to a new world, so it has that added excitement for that reason alone. Book 2 is when the story starts to intensify, and we're more used to the world of Ardalia. Book 3, because everything gets tied up nicely with no loose ends. So my preferred book is... Am I allowed to say "the box set"?!

Alan Spade: If you wanted to convince a friend to buy the books, what arguments would you use?

Me: Sadly, none of my friends are interested in fantasy. They don't know what they are missing. The Ardalia trilogy is a great "gateway" series, in my view. If someone has never picked up a fantasy novel, this would be the perfect place to start - and I guarantee that any non-fantasy fans will be converted after the first book.

Alan Spade: Some readers have found similarities with Avatar: The Last Airbender TV Series. Have you found similarities with other books or series, and which ones? 

Me: I must admit, I hadn't heard of this series before you told me about it, Alan. I don't like to compare books with each other on the basis of story line similarities - it could come down to things like the main character's name starting with the same letter!

Instead, I like to compare on the basis of the quality of the writing and the general feeling the books give. In which case, I put the Ardalia trilogy on a par with Tolkien, Robin Hobb, Juliet Marillier, Fiona McIntosh, David Eddings - all my favourite authors.

So... that's the end of the Ardalia trilogy. A sad moment really. But the good news is I can read the books all over again :)

Bite the Big Apple

Available from Smashwords

"Living in New York, working for the people who wanted to kill me, I was in the pit of the lion’s den and preferred not to be their next meal, so I started carrying a knife. Clutching my purse housing my blade closely and replaying the self defense skills Sam had taught me in Paris through my mind, I felt relatively safe. They hadn’t failed me yet, although a six foot man would be much harder to take down than a five foot woman. I wasn’t going without a fight. I kept my purse close. Doing my best to hide my nervousness I asked, “Do you have an appointment sir?”

He placed his paper on the chair beside him and stood up. I braced myself. Then he spoke. “Yes, I’m Mitchel Strat I spoke with William this morning and he asked me to meet him here at one o’clock.” The left side of his lips turned up in a quirky sly smile giving away his recognition of me."

Here is the synopsis and cover for Baby Girl Book 4: Bite the Big Apple. Worth waiting for, huh?!

Each book in Elle Klass' Baby Girl series reads like a TV show episode - and leaves you waiting for the next instalment.

In "Bite the Big Apple", the story really begins moving fast... questions are answered and things start to become clear... but there are more questions that will leave you eagerly awaiting Book 5.

The standard of the story line and the writing is consistent throughout the series, meaning picking up the next book in the series has been like welcoming an old friend - one with a lot of adventures to share.

The Nobody Show

Available at Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

"The Nobody Show is an accident waiting to happen...

Old Castle (population 666 ... 665 ... 664) is a town ravaged by unemployment. The magic is gone and the economy is in the gutter, but newest dole statistic, Arthur Lawless, has a dream...

Arthur wants to chase down his childhood dream to build his own circus. He makes it his mission to put on The Greatest Show on Earth - Old Castle's slice of Earth, at least..."

You have no idea how much I have been looking forward to this book – both as a reader and as an editor!

Packed with humorous happenings, “The Nobody Show” is the third offering from author Jonathan Dunne .

If you have read “Balloon Animals” and “Living Dead Lovers” there are a few extra guffaws to be had during the journey.

The quality of both the story line and the way it is written makes this book very easy to read. I was truly disappointed to reach the end. Mixed in among the laughs and giggles caused by Arthur Lawless and his antics is a... No, I won’t tell you. Read “The Nobody Show” and find out for yourself!

DOWN STREAM - Episode 1

Available for FREE at Smashwords  and for £0.99 at Amazon.co.uk

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Joseph Bridgeman. I am a moderately depressed, reclusive insomniac with a failing antiques business and a constant headache.
And you need to trust me when I tell you, that’s the good bit.
I’ve lived alone for years, avoiding social contact and emotional connection very nicely thanks. Until now. You see, when you stop earning, money tends to run out (ever noticed that?) and if I don’t do something soon, Martin says I could be out on the street; and that would mean connecting with people and for someone with my affliction that never ends wells. Martin? Oh he’s my annoyingly successful accountant. This morning he gave me the name of a hypnotherapist, said it might help. Clearly, he doesn’t understand how busy I am? I have places to go, things to do, people to avoid, vinyl to buy.
Anyway, I went to see her and things got a little complicated. I thought my day started badly but where I ended up? I could never, ever, possibly have imagined. Oh, did I just say where? What I meant to say was when…"

I can't recall reading a book with a main character that feels as real, as solid - as human - as Joseph Bridgeman does. 

The story flows along very nicely and, if you're like me, you'll find yourself chuckling with amusement at times, sitting forward in anticipation at others, and at the end you'll be wishing you could time travel to get to the next episode! 

Another offering of pure delight from author Nick Jones.

The Embers of Hope

Available for pre-order in Kindle format from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

"After narrowly escaping the Shiryaevo Vault, Nathan O’Brien is on the run, adapting to life without Jennifer Logan. In his possession: a powerful mind control device known as the Histeridae and evidence of the Hibernation Program’s true agenda. 

Beginning with George Mohanty and his words ‘Death is a relative term’, he must unravel the mystery of the Histeridae. But Nathan is on borrowed time, trapped inside a body that was never supposed to last. Can he bring back the woman he loves and expose the truth before it’s too late, or will the past finally catch up with him?
From the mountains of India to the futuristic streets of London and Dubai, The Embers of Hope is the thrilling second instalment in the Hibernation saga."

Sounds good? Really, it's much, much better than good!

Darker, deeper and more emotional (though not "sappy" by any means!) "The Embers of Hope" is a superb continuation of the "Hibernation" series, which began with "The Whisper of Stars".

You don't need to have read "The Whisper of Stars" to enjoy this book, but why would you not want to?! I'd recommend reading book 1 while you are waiting for book 2!

Nick Jones' writing is superb. If you want to feel truly cocooned in a story, wrapped up in words, this is a book you shouldn't miss.

  

Baby Girl Book 4: A Bite of the Big Apple

Planned for release in January, 2015, "A Bite of the Big Apple" - the 4th book in the Baby Girl series -  is another triumph for Elle Klass.

Unfortunately, I have no synopsis or cover to share as yet.

Suffice it to say that this wonderful series of "bite size" books has converted me to shorter works of fiction!
It has been amazing to watch the story unfold and the characters grow.

Editing "A Bite of the Big Apple" was a joy (although I did keep forgetting what I was supposed to be doing, as I was enjoying the story so much!).

Look out for a sneak preview of the cover and synopsis at a later date.