RACHAEL STAPLETON

When it comes to the post-apocalyptic genre, I must admit I've consumed more films than books but it's still a favourite scenario of mine. It raises questions about the human condition: how do humans survive catastrophe; how do they maintain their humanness. Author Frederick H. Crook has just released his adult geared post-apocalyptic crime fiction this month, Campanelli: Sentinel, about a smuggling operation, organized crime, corrupt cops, politicians, preachers and based on the reviews, promises not to disappoint. Frank Campanelli is a blind Chicago Police detective who depends on his fully functional bio-electronic implants to see and do his job. After assisting on a botched infiltration of a top human trafficking network, he and his partner, Marcus Williams, are transferred into the CPD’s Organized Crime Division to head the newly formed Sentinel group and bring down the Ignatola family business. Frederick was kind enough to weigh in. Read on for a glimpse of his...

Today I'm talking to Author Susanne Mathews about Canadian history, her writing career, list of novels and latest work, an early French Canadian historical romance title, The Price of Honor, recently released by Solstice Publishing.  Before we get into your latest release, I noticed one of your books is called Holiday Magic and since 'Tis the season to buy stocking stuffers, I thought this might appeal to some of my readers this week?  I've actually got three Christmas books out. Holiday Magic and The Perfect Choice are stories written concurrently, both ending on Christmas Day. The main characters in the book are Georgia and Eleni Baxter, twin sisters who find love, in different ways, at Christmas. The interesting thing is that some of the same events take place in each book but from the other sister's point of view.  Perfect. Now let's talk about, The Price of Honor . I can't tell you how nice it is to see fiction set in Canadian history. Was the...

Jack Strandburg is a transplanted Texan so it's really no surprise that his debut novel was a good old fashioned off the wall western-humor. Hustle Henry and the Cue-Ball Kid, brought to you by Solstice Publishing was spawned from one of his all-time favorite movies, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Henry and Cue-Ball, as the names suggest, make their living not by robbing banks but by hustling at billiards. The book takes place in the Old West, circa turn of the 20th century. Originally he wrote the book in the 1980’s just for fun. He never dreamed this would be his first published novel. Once it was accepted, he made it his mission to research and ensure the writing reflected the time and place Thank-you for joining me Jack.  Given my interest in science fiction and fantasy, I always like to ask people where and when they would go if time travel was possible. Would you head to the Wild West? And if so what sort of occupation would interest you?   I would love to tr...

You have a new book releasing soon from Solstice Publishing called Beyond the Skyline. What is it about? Beyond the Skyline is really a story about redemption, in both a social and spiritual sense. The book is a compilation of the journal entries of Alex Lane, a renowned criminal who is given a second chance at life. After a childhood spent forging his criminal empire, followed by a stint in a juvenile detention center, Alex is released with a new outlook on life. He just wants to be normal, and hopes to find his way in the world without repeating his past by succumbing to a life of crime. But Alex quickly learns that following this new path is easier said than done. I can’t tell you any more without giving away too much of the story. My book will be released early next year, and will be available through Solstice Publishing, Amazon.com, and my website, www.brodylanegreggauthor.com. What do you like most about writing? My mind tends to sway back and forth between rea...

I am delighted to welcome Karen King to my blog today. She has had over one hundred children’s books published. She’s written for many children's magazines too including Sindy, Barbie, Winnie the Pooh and Thomas the Tank Engine. She writes for all ages and in all genres; story books, picture books, plays, joke books and non-fiction. Sapphire Blue is her second YA novel. She also writes romance novels under the name of Kay Harborne.  Her new book, Sapphire Blue, is out today. Below is a blurb and an excerpt. Can love survive death? “No one has ever walked out of Red. Once the Soul Catchers get you they don’t let you go.” Denny’s words scare me but I have no choice. If Will is in Red that’s where I have to go. I’ve never really thought what it was like when you died. I’m only 16, too young to worry about that. At least I thought I was. I’ve heard about Heaven and Hell, of course, but it doesn’t look like I’m in either of them. All I know is that Will is here too and I need t...

The lovely Vicki-Ann Bush resides in Las Vegas, Nevada but her love for writing began in New York at the tender age of thirteen when she took part in a city wide writing contest in her hometown of Floral Park. She was hooked and after many years of writing she finally plucked up the courage to submit in 2008, at the urging of her two wonderfully supportive daughters. The first positive response came from Salt of the Earth Publishing and her work began with children books—Winslow Willow the Woodland Fairy and The Queen of It. She has since settled into writing young adult fiction. Her first release was the novella series, The Dusk Chronicles,  a supernatural romance set in Las Vegas. Her latest work has just been released by Solstice Publishing, a historical romance novel, The Garden of Two and the paranormal romance novella, The Fulfillment. In addition, she is currently working on a young adult science fiction novel, The View from Room 629. The Garden of Two Charlie ...

Who's ready for the constantly ringing doorbell and the shouts of Trick or Treat ? Here are some fun ideas I found online for confusing the kids. I'm still laughing at #3, 5, 6 and 18. 1. Give away something other than candy. (Toothpicks, golf balls, bags of sand) 2. Wait behind the door until some people come. When they get near the door, jump out, wearing a costume, and holding a bag, and yell, “Trick or Treat!” Look at them, scratch your head, and act confused. 3. Fill a briefcase with marbles and crackers. Write on it, “Top Secret” in big letters. When trick-or-treaters come, look around suspiciously, say, “It’s about time you got here,” give them the briefcase, and quickly shut the door. 4. Get about 30 people to wait in your living room. When trick-or-treaters come to the door, say, “Come in.” When they do, have everyone yell, “Surprise!!!” Act like it’s a surprise party. 5. Get everyone who comes to the door to come in and see if they can figure out what’s wrong w...

With the contract signed I'm ready to move into the exciting world of cover art and I'm having way too much fun. Look at all these great images. It's clear to me that I need some help from my dearly devoted friends, fans and family. Which image would you like to see selected for the cover of Curse of the Purple Delhi Sapphire ? Keep in mind this is still part of the The Temple of Indra Series, but it has more of a mystery/thriller vibe to it as opposed to the adventure . As a librarian, Sophia Marcil loves reading, especially books about ancient curses and reincarnation, but she never imagined the legend of the Purple Delhi Sapphire was true until she inherited it and was transported back to a past life where she was murdered. Now she knows that not only is reincarnation real, but so is the devil’s magic locked inside the precious gem. Just as she’s about to tell her boyfriend Cullen about it, he proposes with an engagement ring made from a piece of the very sapphire ...

As I sit at my desk watching the steam roll off my coffee, I take in the dark wood paneling, old books and brick fireplace that make up my study. Something about this space reminds me of that Victorian steampunk film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. You know the one, set in the late 19th century featuring an assortment of fictional literary characters appropriate to the period. Maybe I love it because it's filled with Victorian Era superheroes or maybe because it draws on the works of some of the greats: Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, Bram Stoker, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, and Mark Twain—just to name a few—or maybe I just really love it because of the kick-ass library. I truly am an atmospheric person. Architecture, decor and everything old, these are the keys to my creative spark. My husband promises to build floor to ceiling library shelves complete with a rolling rack. But even just as it is, this room is too beautiful and too inspirational not to ...