ATOM & EVE BY JEFF YAGER

ISBN:  978-1938998362 / 978-1938998348
ASIN:  B00D0G1LAO
Publisher:  Hannacriox Creek Books, Inc
Pages/ File Size:  262pages/573KB
Formats Available: Hardcover, Papaerback, E-Book

BLURB from Edelweiss

Set several years in the future, sixteen-year-old Ricky Romanello, a college freshman, is playing basketball when he collapses and winds up in a coma suffering from a powerful flu that hits the U.S. population causing deaths and a dramatic slowdown in the economy. Research scientist Dr. Mandy Fox has been developing an anti-aging drug that she believes could eradicate the flu. Ricky becomes one of the test subjects. But Ricky and others soon discover that an unintended side effect of the new drug and vaccine has catastrophic consequences for the entire population.

MY REVIEW

I received an e-copy of Atom & Eve by Jeff Yager from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

The cover features two faces, one I would say is probably Ricky Romanello, and the other could be Dr Mandy Fox who invents the flu vaccine that should fix a problem flu, that really ends up causing many more problems. Also, the Atom drawing I'd presume, is a drawing of the medical format of the atom that forms the drug maybe.

I like the cover it is colourful and would attract my attention to it, so I'd say it's doing it's job well. The title is short and catchy, I get the "Atom" part is the reference to the vaccine but I'm not so sure where the "Eve" part is from. 
So do I like the cover? Yes I'd pick it up from a bookstore shelf.

So now to the book, Mmm what can I say? The basic plot is that a young man called Ricky gets a new strain of flu. The flu is spreading on a pandemic level and scientists are desperately working to find a vaccine/cure. Dr Mandy Fox is a chemist who has a drug that should cure the flu but unbeknownst to her colleagues she tweaks the medication herself. The drug is tried on a friend of one of the other "scientist/chemists" and it works, the government allow it to be trialed on another ten people whom it cures. Even though the drug is relatively new it is given out to all who have the flu with disastrous consequences. There are side effects that become apparent where women start behaving more aggressively and "male dominant" and the males who have the vaccine seem to develop their "softer" side and want to follow a more feminine role in life. The book then features other characters and how the drug has and is affecting their lives.

The concept of the story is quite good and I liked the main plot line of that, with the mystery of the drug and it's potential side effects. I just felt that when the other characters were brought in to tell their stories they didn't feel cohesive it felt like a group of short stories about the characters collected together. The book could do with a little tweaking and tightening up a little. I think the book is aimed at the adult genre as though it does not go into gruesome detail but gang fighting and rape are both featured more than once in the book.

So did I enjoy the book? Being totally honest, I did enjoy some parts, the discovering the drug etc. But on the other hand I didn't enjoy the violence depicted in it. That's more of a personal taste issue. Probably a male reader would be more suited to this book. Would I recommend the book? Perhaps to an older male reader as I think due to the gang violence it may put off the female reader. Would I read a BK#2? Probably not. Would I read other titles by this Author? I would take a look at the blurb on the individual title before deciding.

PURCHASE LINKS

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - ATOM & EVE BY JEFF YAGER

ISBN:  978-1938998362 / 978-1938998348
ASIN:  B00D0G1LAO
Publisher:  Hannacriox Creek Books, Inc
Pages/ File Size:  262pages/573KB
Formats Available: Hardcover, Papaerback, E-Book

BLURB from Edelweiss

Set several years in the future, sixteen-year-old Ricky Romanello, a college freshman, is playing basketball when he collapses and winds up in a coma suffering from a powerful flu that hits the U.S. population causing deaths and a dramatic slowdown in the economy. Research scientist Dr. Mandy Fox has been developing an anti-aging drug that she believes could eradicate the flu. Ricky becomes one of the test subjects. But Ricky and others soon discover that an unintended side effect of the new drug and vaccine has catastrophic consequences for the entire population.

PURCHASE LINKS

EXCERPT - IT WAS YOU BY ANNA CRUISE

It Was You by Anna Cruise

                    Excerpt

He smiled down at me and once again pushed the hair away from his face. For one ridiculous minute, I wished it was my hand weaving through those long, black locks.

“Abby Sellers, I am very sorry if I came off as rude,” West said. “Chalk it up to my having a bad morning. I'll try not to let it happen again.”

His gaze was so focused, so intense, and I felt like I couldn't look away.

“Thanks,” I said and then wished I could kick myself. Where was a witty response when I needed one?

He leaned up against the closed trunk of my car. “But now you owe me.”

“Owe you?”

He pointed his finger toward the pavement. “The tire?”

“You want me to pay you?”

He squinted, then shook his head. “I was thinking of something a little less formal.”

“You didn't mention a fee,” I said. “I could've called AAA for free.”

“True,” he said. “But you'd still be waiting. And your friend over there would really have some explaining to do to her mom.”

Tana was about ten yards away, gesturing like crazy, clearly not happy.

“And you wouldn't have gotten my awesome apology,” he added.

I smiled and shook my head. He was impossible.

“What did you have in mind?”

He thought for a moment. “I think your phone number will do for now.”

My heart fluttered and I tried to keep my tone light. “Why? So you can call for payment? Take my credit card number over the phone?”

He laughed. “Maybe. But you give me your number, we'll call it even.” He produced a phone from his pocket. “I'll put it right in here for safe keeping.”

He was so arrogant, so sure I'd give him the number. Part of me wanted to rattle off a fake number, just to piss him off. But he had just changed my flat tire and he'd apologized for earlier. And it certainly didn't hurt that he look like an Abercrombie and Fitch model. I didn't think he'd actually call me. And I wasn't entirely sure I wanted him to.

“And if I don't?” I asked.

He leveled those blue eyes on me and pursed his lips, a slight frown creasing his features. “Then we'll both miss out, won't we?”

“Miss out on what?”

He shifted against my car, hitching his fingers in the pockets of his shorts. His eyes found mine again and he smiled. “I don't know. But I'm pretty sure we'll be missing out on something if we just walk away. Something big, Abby Sellers.”

My stomach fluttered again and I could feel the heat of anticipation rise up inside of me.

He held up his phone. “Number?”

I hesitated for only a second before giving him the number. The right phone number.

He tapped at his screen. “I probably should've made you promise to answer it when I call.”

A little thrill ran through me when he said “when” rather than “if.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “You probably should've.”

“But I think you will,” he said.

“So sure of yourself,” I said. “Maybe I am one of those chicks who looks down her nose at everyone here.”

He shoved his phone back in his pocket and stepped in closer to me. I made a concerted effort to take a step back, to not breathe in the scent of his shampoo, to not get lost in those blue eyes that were boring into me.

“I don't think you are,” he said, grinning. “I don't think you are, Abby Sellers.”

BOOK SOUNDTRACK - IT WAS YOU BY ANNA CRUISE

As a reader I love learning about the writing process such as what music the Author listened to whilst writing their book. I also love to know what music they would pick as an ideal Book Soundtrack.
Another thing I love to ask (being a nosey reader/blogger/reviewer of course) is who they would like to play certain characters in their book should it ever be made into a movie.

Below Anna Cruise answers the question of what music she would choose for a Book Soundtrack.

Wow. The perfect soundtrack. That would imply that my book would be made into a movie. And I would be so freaking excited and weirded out that my ears would be buzzing and I wouldn't hear shit while it was playing on the screen.

But I know that's not the answer you're looking for so I'll share the songs that were on constant replay in my head as I wrote It Was You.

When I Was A Teenage Whore – Hole. Uh, Annika, in the opening scene in the bedroom? Yeah. 'Nuff said. Lyrics don't exactly match up but the title certainly says it all...

Sparks Fly – Taylor Swift. Abby and West in line at Mesa. Sparks definitely flew, not all of them good. And the lyrics...oh my God. Say what you want about Taylor Swift but that girl know how to tell a story with her lyrics.

Feeling This – Blink 182. The bedroom scene when things get hot and heavy between Abby and West the first time around. Hell. Yes.

Crazy Roommate Song – Enur. OK, so this is that crazy roommate commercial from Target a few years back. And all I could think of while writing Tana's scenes with Athena, her crazy roommate, was how their relationship was sooo not like the one depicted in the commercial. :)

Mean – Taylor Swift. Honestly, is there a better song to describe the way Abby feels about Annika?? I can totally see this playing when she goes off on her at SDSU.

Stolen – Dashboard Confessional. The final bedroom scene with Abby and West. A totally perfect song...because they've both stolen each other's hearts.

So there you have it. Of course, a real movie soundtrack would have great instrumental, Danny Elfman inspired music, too...and that would be freaking AWESOME. Hopefully the buzzing in my ears from the panic and excitement won't be too terribly loud... :)

THE CREATIVE PROCESS - PLAYLIST LISTENED TO WHILST WRITING & CHARACTER BIO'S - IT WAS YOU BY ANNA CRUISE

I don't know about you fellow book lovers but more and more whilst reading a book I will hear a song and think wow that would so fit that scene from that book! So I love learning about the music the Author listened to whilst writing a book as well as what music they would put together as a soundtrack to their book too.

Here Anna Cruise is answering the question of what she listened to whilst writing "It Was You"

I honestly can’t listen to music while I’m writing. Low in the background is okay. But blaring and in my face? I lose my train of thought and I can’t focus. But here are the songs I listened to while I was thinking about writing It Was You:

Stolen - Dashboard Confessional. One of my all-time favorite songs and I could see Abby and West together at the end of the book, listening to this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82FBbgpUy4

I’m Falling Even More in Love With you - Lifehouse. I kept hearing this as Abby and West grew closer over the course of the book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyqruTi_0eU

Safety Suit - Stay. The lyrics in this one really hit home when Abby leaves West. The words felt like his. Also - one of the least appreciated bands out there today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TylTsyqX_iY

Teenage Whore - Hole. Oh, hey, Annika. What’s up?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47cF_IpAwUQ

Damn Regret -- Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Again, another totally underappreciated band. But the title of this song ran through my head, over and over. Abby and West both have regrets in this book. Lots of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soDIGy7nQLo

Catch My Breath -- Kelly Clarkson. I know, I know. This is probably about a girl breaking free from some asshole guy. But wanna know how I heard it? Abby breaking free from Annika.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJT5dC3DJo4

Wanted -- Hunter Hayes. If West was gonna sing a song to Abby, this is the song I could hear him singing. A punked-up version, of course. :) But the words...swoon...what girl wouldn’t want their guy to sing this song to them??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruyaKdPfTN4

Those are the ones that stick out for me, that I think really offer a flavor for the themes in the book. I could probably pick about a hundred others, but, uh, then I wouldn’t get anymore books written!

CHARACTER BIO's

Abby Sellers – The good twin. She's no angel but, compared to Annika, she looks like Mother Teresa reincarnated. Fed up with being overshadowed and bullied by her twin sister, she makes the drastic decision to switch up her college plans, opting to enroll at the local JC instead. Turns out, it was probably the best 'bad' decision she's ever made.

Annika Sellers – What's there to like about Annika? Unless you're a dude looking for an easy hook-up, not much. She's beautiful and bold and takes what she wants...from whomever she wants. And even though she's a total bitch, there is a softer side to Annika—and a reason behind why she does what she does.

West Montgomery – The uber-hot baseball player/surfer who storms into Abby's life and refuses to take no for an answer. He's got a bit of a temper and hits the sarcasm ball out of the park, but he can bake a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies. And he completely melts Abby's heart.

Tana – Abby's best friend. She's the best friend every girl wants, the kind of friend every girl deserves. She pushes Abby and supports her but she's not just the requisite cheerleader...she's got some issues of her own, hilarious issues that Abby helps her out with as she makes the transition from their hometown in San Diego to college life in San Luis Obispo.

Griffin – West's best friend and roommate. We don't see this massive, overbearing oaf a ton in this book but when we do, he completely steals the scenes he's in. Yeah. He's that charming and that funny and goddammit, now I want to write a book about him.

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT & GIVEWAY - IT WAS YOU BY ANNA CRUISE

Title-It Was You

By Anna Cruise

Publication Date-February 28, 2013

Published By- Mission Bay Publishing

BLURB supplied by Girls Heart Books BlogTours

Abby Sellers knows what she wants.

Enduring eighteen years in the shadow of her identical twin sister, Annika, she wants a fresh start. A chance to create her own life, separate from her conniving, deceptive twin.

Surprising both her family and friends, Abby ditches her plans for college and enrolls at a new school instead. There, she encounters West Montgomery, a sexy fellow student who immediately disarms her with his good looks and charm. West takes a liking to Abby and she suddenly finds herself walking a thin line, fabricating a fictional life created not by lies but by omission. She soon discovers West has secrets of his own, secrets that he's not altogether interested in sharing.

Out from under the shadow of her twin, Abby's life—and her relationship with West—blossoms. When Abby leaves town one weekend, something unthinkable happens and her relationship with West is shattered. Reeling from the discovery, Abby fears all of her plans have backfired and she's created a mess for both of them, a mess that no one can clean up.

But West isn't willing to let her go that easily. When he forces her to confront secrets they've both been hiding, Abby must decide more than if she's willing to forgive and forget. She must also decide just what kind of life she wants...and who she wants to live it with.

Links

Goodreads

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PURCHASE LINK

AND A SNEAK PEEK AT THE SEQUEL . . . . . . . 

BLURB supplied by Girls Heart Books Blog Tours

All West Montgomery wanted was a vacation. A week-long stay in Tucson with Abby and her parents, a chance to get away for the week, the opportunity to get to know her family a little better and maybe carve out a little alone time with his girlfriend.

What he doesn't count on is finding a way to resume his baseball career.

Encouraged by Abby and her father to attend a MLB open tryout, West discovers that he can still play ball—well—and he suddenly becomes the hottest commodity on the field. Overwhelmed with offers and possibilities, West knows that whatever choice he makes will affect more than his baseball career. It will affect his future with Abby.

Professional baseball was always his dream, but Abby was a new dream come true. He doesn't want to choose between them, but in order to fulfill one of those dreams, West will have to.

Because he knows it's all on him.

Goodreads

OTHER PURCHASE LINKS FOR BOOKS BY ANNA CRUISE

GIVEAWAY

This is a Tour Wide Giveaway

done in conjunction with Anna Cruise & Girls Heart Books Blog Tours

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PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - AUTHOR INTERVIEW - ANTIOCH - THE CIRCLE BY WILLIAM HARLAN

ISBN:  978-1482099973

ASIN:  B00ATSY2NE

Series: The Circle

Publisher: Self/Indie

Pages/File Size: 349pages/886KB

Formats Available: Paperback, E-Book

BLURB/DESCRIPTION from Amazon.co.uk

"Armageddon is arrived." Threatened by an unnatural plague that raises the dead, an ancient order of mystics must choose between keeping its secrets and saving humanity.

Kind of like Star Wars with zombies.

Editor's Review: Antioch is a great fantasy adventure novel with plenty of sword fighting and monsters (zombies), but the heart of the book is its characters, complex story and clean, imaginative prose.

From the pious yet conflicted paladin Michael to the loudmouthed but lovable sailor Ditch, the characters in Antioch are multifaceted and unique. There are no stereotypes within these pages, yet through the use of humor and seamless dialog, the characters are relatable and believable. This is a rarity in books even by many seasoned authors.

The story begins with slaughter and mystery, then turns to small-town life under the shadow of fear as the citizens of Antioch prepare for Armageddon. Still, questions about the origin and nature of the plague remain and the eventual discovery of the answers is as exciting as the final showdown with death. My only complaint is that the story is left unfinished, and like everyone else who reads Antioch, I have to wait for the rest of the series to discover the final fate of my favorite characters and the answers to all my questions.

The writing in Antioch is clear and precise. I can testify that the author agonized over every word, and it shows in the careful phrasing and brilliant imagery of the story. This, in my opinion, is the mark of a not just a great book, but a great writer.

Highly recommended for any fantasy fan.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?

My name is William E. Harlan, or Billy. I was born in Austin, Texas and I live in Houston, Texas.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?

I did not. When I was young, I was sure I was going to be a comic book artist. In college I studied sculpture and after that got a culinary degree. Then I was working in a kitchen, started up a band, wrote a few songs and sang a lot. I enjoy making things and artistic interpretation. Writing was the last thing I tried.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?

It was about halfway through this first book. I was a stay at home dad and writing about seventy hours a week. I was always thinking about it and ducking away from things to jot a few ideas down, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night and rushing to my computer. It's the biggest thing I've ever done but it never felt like work.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?

Now, yes. I'm a cook at Pappadeaux, an upscale and terrifically busy Cajun seafood restaurant chain. It's not as easy to write after fifty back-destroying hours a week in that kitchen. The stay at home dad thing was easy.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?

It's titled "Antioch." In 20 words, it's a slash and blast, medieval-meets-steam-punk zombie romp that questions the existence of God.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Antioch is the first book of "The Circle," a series about a group of knightly mystics who call themselves paladins, and the secret they guard. I'm currently working on the second book, Golgotha.

What genre would you place your books into?

Low-fantasy - not too much magic, royalty or destiny but plenty of sword fighting, monsters and food.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?

I love role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons and World of Warcraft. I'm writing a world I would enjoy playing in.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?

Yes, fanatically.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?

The best review I've gotten was from a stranger who loved it. The worst was from my older brother, who was one of my beta readers. That one broke my heart.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?

Absolutely not! I gather up all my bad reviews and post them on my website in a section called "F'n-A! Reviews - Reviews that exist in lieu of a big, red "Electrocute Author" button."

Link: http://www.williameharlan.com/fn-a-reviews/

Of course, I haven't gotten a bad review I agree with yet...

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books? Who designed the Cover of your books?

I drew and painted the cover.

Link: http://www.williameharlan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bookcover-thumbnail.png

It's an interpretation of the book's content.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. It's exciting and horrific. I only read it once, but it was one sitting - up all night and then staying home from school the next day. I couldn't put that book down!

Your Website?

www.WilliamEHarlan.com

Your Facebook Page?

www.Facebook.com/CircleOfSaints

Your Goodreads Author Page?

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6884314.William_Harlan

Your Twitter Details?

@WilliamEHarlan

And any other information you wish to supply?

I've been illustrating and reading a chapter of Antioch each week and posting it on my website as a free, downloadable audiobook. I just finished chapter sixteen. Halfway done!