Dark Magick by Stacey Thompson-Geer and Stevie Trinity

Dark Magick is a world with a different kind of apocalypse.

The “gateways” between universes have been opened, letting through all kinds of magical beings, monsters, and…things which have never been seen before in the normal world. There are evil entities and groups at work, who want to control the gates to keep power over the devestated populace.

The story is told from the perspective of two best friends, Lynn and Rhea. Lynn is a fighter, and Rhea is the appointed healer of their band of survivors. While they often clash, their abiding friendship for each other and love for their families inform all their decisions.

Endowed with special powers by the Goddess, the pair resolve to close the “gateways” and return the world to a semblance of normalcy. Along with the assistance of other survivors, they search for a young witch who may be the key to locking the gateways forever.

The story is fast paced and action filled. Authors Thompson-Geer and Trinity manage to balance the tension with drama, romance, and even a light touch of humor. Dark Magick is a book you won’t forget, a great kick off for a suspense filled series.

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©2011 Lori Titus

 

 

 

A Little Town called Chrysalis

Pembroke Sinclair interviewed me on her blog. We talked about Green Water Lullaby, and my upcoming releases for Fall. Go get the skinny on the book’s publication and new Marradith updates:

http://pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com/2011/05/green-water-lullaby-by-lori-titus.html

 

Is it a Crime?

While Hailey’s Shadow is just a couple of quick breaths away from being released, check out Heather Faville’s article on Doubleshot Reviews.

http://t.co/pnxrRYT

 

Alice Hoffman’s SKYLIGHT CONFESSIONS

Hoffman has the ability to make ordinary prose flow as smoothly as poetry. It’s part of her signature writing style, and it’s just as evident in this novel as it is in her prior work. Skylight Confessions is a drama that starts out as a romance, but broadens to encompass a whole family. Arlyn Singer, a girl who dreams about finding her true love gets more than she may have expected from John Moody. More, and tragically, much less than what she would have hoped for. John is distant, selfish, somehow removed from his wife and children. But despite his feelings about their marriage, Arlyn’s brief life and painful death change him in ways that he doesn’t understand.

Without giving away more spoilers, I will say that this was a beautiful, lyrical story tinged with sadness. The novel walks that fine line between dream and reality, normalcy and chaos. You will feel for all of the characters in this book, in spite of, and because of their shortcomings.

The only thing that I didn’t like about this book was the ending. If felt as if things were being left open for the possibility of more stories about the Moody clan.  Hoffman manages to leave the story on an uplifting, if bittersweet note. There is a pervasive sadness to the story, but also beauty, a bit of magic and hopefulness that keeps you reading and hoping that in the deepest moment of despair, those Connecticut men Arlyn dreamed of will take flight.

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©2011 Lori Titus

 

Angel Zapata: The Man of Shadows

Angel Zapata has a way with drawing you in to a story and keeping you there – even though you cringe, you crave more words. From the atmospheric crime horror-noire of The Mouth of Babes, to the subtle horror of Surrogate Fruit, and a bite of zombie lore with compassion in Dead Flames, this collection is a taste of the author’s writing career from 2008 to the 2010. You don’t have to be a horror fan to love Zapata’s work. He finds the sick and twisted amongst what at first appears normal, and humanity in the most bleak circumstances. If you like prose that paints a picture, tingles the spine, and leaves you wanting more, The Man of Shadows is highly recommended for you.

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©2011 Lori Titus

 

Hailey’s First Review

Literary Escapism reviewed Hailey’s Shadow: 

http://www.literaryescapism.com/16543/haileys-shadow-by-l-titus

 

Anitra Lynn McLeod’s DARK HARVEST

Dark Harvest is a lust filled romance/fantasy tale. The second in a series of books about McLeod’s Onic Empire, the world-building and customs of the world are well constructed. I haven’t read the first book, but still found enough explanations and detail to understand the goings on of this society. Both highly advanced (in technology) and in some ways primitive (especially in regards to the social order and roles of men and women), the Onic Empire felt like a place that could or did exist at some point in history.The story revolves around Kasmiri, next in line to become Empress. At her Harvest, when she is initiated as a woman and a full citizen, she is chosen by a man she does not know and doesn’t want. Sterlave, the man in question, has some trouble getting Kasmiri to take him seriously, despite their strong physical chemistry. What starts off as duty, however, ends up as love.

Meanwhile, other things are going on in the palace. Death, betrayal, and the rise of a brutal foe threatens to destroy the couple and bring about the downfall of the empire.

Be warned, this book is full on in its sexuality. There’s very little here that is not explored, and this may not appeal to some readers. While the explicit sex (and varieties of it) didn’t bother me, I have to mention that there are a couple of chapters that deal with rape. While those passages are brutal, they were meant to make the reader uncomfortable. The beast that commits these crimes is just that, and McLeod does not shy away from showing him in full grotesqueness.

If readers stick with this book from beginning to end, I think they’ll find it an action packed story. You’ll root for Kasmiri and Sterlave to find their way to each other and a new life together.

 

 

 

 

 

Hailey’s Shadow

Hailey is not your ordinary woman.

She’s been accussed of murder, arson, and a list of other crimes. But she also claims to be tortured by “shadows” that tell her things about the future. Read Loretta Sylvestre’s review of this story:

I’ve been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at Lori Titus’ upcoming novelette, Hailey’s Shadow. Reminiscent of some of her earlier work, this 10,000 word story walks a line between horror and mystery. It showcases Titus’ talent for the latter in particular.

For more, go here:

http://worldswellwritten.com/2010/12/05/lorit-titus-haileys-shadow

 

Luella, Hailey, and Marradith

Here are interviews and reviews that have popped up this month:

Patrick D’Orazio’s blog reviewed Lazarus:   http://patrickdorazio.com/2010/11/25/review-of-lori-tituss-lazarus/

Jaidis Shaw gave me the honor of being the featured author on her blog. We talked about Hailey’s Shadow, and writing in general: http://junipergrove.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/featured-author-lori-titus/

The Beacon News asked me about Green Water Lullaby and The Marradith Ryder Series : http://www.beacon-news.com/interview-lori-titus-author-green-water-lullaby/222068/

 

Lazarus Review on Loretta Sylvestre’s Blog

Loretta gave Lazarus a very well thought out review! You can read it here:

http://worldswellwritten.com/2010/10/11/lori-titus-lazarus-undead/