It's A Mad, Mad Wonderland...

Happy Wednesday Everybody,

My computer and/or blog website is acting up, so I don't have any pictures to go with this blog post. I apologize!

Recently I finished a trilogy. The writing was incredibly well done. The plot had many twists and turns, which I imagine the author had to keep many notes to make sure she knew what was next. The characters were deep and well thought out. In fact, one of them, named Morpheus was incredibly complex. Keeping track of how he reacts to things and how he thinks and the fact he had such well-thought out schemes suggests to me perhaps this writer is a major plotter. I highly admire such foresight. The writing, descriptions, action, and romantic tension were all well done. 

If fairy-tales/Wonderland and/or YA novels are up your alley then perhaps you'd want to read it. Or even if they aren't your favorite you might still want to read this trilogy. Why? Because the writing is just that good. It's so well thought out and executed. I'm in awe of it.

So, if you're intrigued or even just a little bit curious, check out A.G. Howard's Splintered, Unhinged, and Ensnared. I think that whatever you feel about Wonderland, the fact that she can keep track of all the itty-bitty intricate details will leave you gaping in wonder (it did for me). I plan to read the novellas that are companions to this trilogy and the new story she has coming out in 2017. Say hi to Morpheus and Jeb for me. Don't tick off Red! Befriend Alyssa. And remember, nothing is as it seems.

Have A Wonderfully Whimsical Wednesday!

Excitement Abounds...

Happy Tuesday All,

Excitement abounds in the Averie Household...if it's not every day things (new toilet seat for the master bath, pregnancy, being a parent, writing, editing, you name it) it's other excitement:

I got some of the notes back from my proofreader, so I've started in

on those notes. It's going well so far, so I'm glad about that. Proofreader is almost done with Immortal Love, and has

pronounced it "a rip-roaring and imaginative story." Which made

me smile. It's definitely got a bunch of action in it. I did my best to throw everything I possibly could into this novel, especially since 

it's the final book in the Trilogy.

Another exciting happening is that Immortal Dreams Book One: Divine Love got a wonderful review from Coffee Time Romance. You can read the 5/5 cup review here.

So, what's it like coming to the end of writing a trilogy? A myriad of emotions. Sometimes it was sad. Other times I experienced relief--I managed to complete the task. And in other moments, it's been a sense of accomplishment. I've never written a story using Greek mythology, so this was definitely an adventure. Some of the research was a lot of fun--cars, and the mythology--I know quite a bit on the outset of mythology, but I still learned a lot and I'm sure I'll learn more.


In the meantime, I'm going to finish polishing this novel up, turn it in, and get it out (hopefully in March!) I have other projects I've also been working on, so like I said...a lot of excitement!

What exciting thing is going on in your life?

Have A Tremendously Terrific Tuesday!

Review Policy

Dear Readers & Fellow Authors:

Based on some current events (where I was asked to do a review and had to say no) I decided it was time to post a review policy. In the right hand margin of my blog (if you arrow down a bit) you will see my review policy, complete with a list of authors I regularly do official blog book reviews for.

I didn't want to do this. I hate making rules and telling people "No, I can't help you." I didn't need rules before because nobody who I couldn't say yes to asked me for a review (in fact, official blog book reviews are generally because I approached the author myself and we worked out an agreement).  But, given what I said in the previous paragraph, it had to be done, especially now. I'm incredibly busy with the Trilogy and other writing projects, and work for critique partner(s), plus my real life.

Hopefully this will clear up confusion I've encountered.

Also, I apologize if you're an author who is not on the list. It's not meant as a personal offense, it's just the list of authors are ones that I've talked to personally and worked out an agreement with.

Thank you for understanding and happy writing/reading.

Sincerely,
Bethany Averie

More Than Eggs At Stake

Happy Monday All,

Oh my goodness! It's been so long since I updated, and I hope you all will accept my apologies. There is much to discuss, and I hope to pour it out this week and in the coming weeks.

But first and foremost, I have a special treat for you all...an official blog review.

Today's morsel is from mystery author, Laura Childs' newest Cackleberry Club Mystery...

Eggs aren't the only things being whipped up in the Midwest.

While Suzanne, Petra, and Toni busily prepare for a meeting with the a banker in their little town of Kindred, murder is being cooked up in the snowy banks behind the Cackleberry Club Diner.

One minute the three women hear snowmobiles, the next minute the wintry evening is still and silent. Feeling curious, Suzanne duns warm gear to head out only to find said banker decapitated from a wire stretched out across the very path his snowmobile was traveling.

Sure, said banker wasn't the most liked member of the town, but murder? Who would be driven to such lengths?

Despite the tragedy, Suzanne, Petra, and Toni soldier on with their many plans--including hosting a tea and fashion show, attending the Fire and Ice celebrations, and the unplanned part of their winter, learning all kinds of crazy gossip.

Then a runaway appears in the diner...someone who knows more than he's letting on. But it's going to take more than yummy cooking to find out just what Colby knows. But will he open up in time to be helpful? And, will Suzanne and the sheriff solve the mystery before someone else lands in a cold grave?

Find out on November 6, 2012 when the new Cackleberry Club Mystery, Stake & Eggs is released!

Have A Mysteriously Marvelous Monday!

Books, Writing, Reading, & Life

Happy Friday All,

It's the end of another week and my allergies have decided to act up. So, I'm waiting on a call back from my doc's office to see what they'll recommend I take (I had a question about an over-the-counter med). Hopefully it won't get any worse; I just got over having one thing or another not that long ago.

Yesterday I read most of the day. I finished up Joy Preble's YA novel, Haunted (book 2 in her series) and then I went ahead and worked on Katie McGarry's YA novel, Pushing The Limits.

Joy Preble's books use some of the Romanov story and Russian folklore. It's set in contemporary times, full of magic, mysteries, and a little bit of something for everyone. The first in the series is Dreaming Anastasia, which I really enjoyed. Haunted is book 2 and Anastasia Forever should be available, soon. (Joy told me it comes out, I think on August 7th). I'm hoping Anne stays with Ethan!

Katie McGarry's Pushing The Limits is one heck of a read. It's poignant, heart wrenching, and full of mystery. It's a contemporary YA, and I don't normally read things that aren't paranormal or fantasy too often, but because of what I said in my congratulatory post a couple of days ago, I went ahead and purchased and read it. This book is for OLDER teens (17 or 18) and adults. There's a lot that happens in it and things that are mentioned that I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers. Also, this is more than a love story. This is also about self-love, and family type love. It's a journey into the awareness that while you might be one thing, you can become something more--something better--than that one thing. It's about forgiveness and growth. It's about discovery of self and of what is the truth.  So many things are packed within those pages. I found myself laughing, crying, and having to know what was going to happen. It truly turned into an incredible story.

I'm now started a novel by an author I haven't read before (yet another YA) called Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs. I just barely started, so I have no idea what I'll think of it, but I think I'll like it.

I'm counting down the days until Shanna Swendson's novel, Much Ado About Magic is out. For Kindle users, it's available for preorder. For Nook users, you can purchase it on the release date, which is August 15th. And, here's a peek of the story.

Other than that, I hope to do some writing today. Conjure A Man is about half done (short blurb is in the margin of this blog), and I've got several other stories waiting in the wings.

Have A Fantastic Friday!

Health, Reading, Etc.--Or, Something Called "Life"...

Happy Friday Everybody,

I apologize for the lack of posts for Wednesday and Thursday. I still have to sit down and brainstorm blog ideas. Last week and this week family members have been sick and I'm fighting allergy/health issues of my own (nothing serious, just annoyances).

I'm working on finishing an ARC for an official blog book review in March (I have THREE for March. I've finished 2 of the ARCs and this is the last one). Then I have another official blog book review to schedule in April and I have to read that book, too.

These are some good stories that are coming out, folks! I'm excited to talk about them, but it has meant that I've been very busy, too (if not for an official blog review, but to look up when something is coming out so I can be sure to read it when it's released).


I'm also in the process of brainstorming for a WIP (Work In Progress). The manuscript is started, just have some ideas to play around with--plus some other things working in the back of my mind.

Pandemonium, Lauren Oliver's sequel to Delirium comes out on February 28, 2012 (not next Tuesday, but the following). Delirium was a truly unique novel (you can read about my impression of the novel here).  I interviewed author Lauren Oliver in November of 2011.  Pandemonium looks like it's going to good!


What's going on in your world?


Have A Fantastic Friday!

Sinuses Misbehaving, New Releases, & Do I Have Enough To Read?

Happy Tuesday Everyone,



As this image suggests,
lots of Kleenex
have been used



I'm a little slow getting this post up. A family member of mine has a sinus infection, which has made for an adventure I wasn't planning on. The good news is, the family member is doing better today and saw the doc yesterday and got on antibiotics the same day. I have hopes that this person will be much better tomorrow, but it has meant that I don't have the time to myself that I normally would get during the week. Fortunately, today that person seems to be in better spirits, which I hope continues throughout the day.

I expect the family member will improve and get well soon, but positive thoughts and prayers are always welcome and appreciated.

Author (and friend of mine), J.D. Faver has done it again! She's put out a new novel, A Romantic Thriller called On Ice (intriguing title, right?) Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's available on Barnes & Noble Nook (I'll check with J.D. and see if it'll be available at a later date), however, there are other titles of hers available for Nook users. On Ice, and other titles by J.D. Favor are available on Amazon Kindle.

Blog ideas are beginning to stack up! I have 2 official blog reviews coming up...both are early March releases (don't worry, I've started reading both books...and yes, I can have 2 books going at the same time, I just can't read them at the same moment, so I have to go back and forth...but they're very different so it's not hard to keep them straight--so far so good!)

There's another official blog review coming up later in March--but I already read that ARC (I got it earlier this year, so I was able to get it started and finished rather quickly--I'm looking forward to posting that review).

I have a few other things for the blog that I'm working on, that you'll see once I get it all put together. It's a surprise what else I've got planned. Just keep coming back and commenting and it'll be revealed throughout the year.

Other than that, I've got my 2nd cup of coffee and Vanilla yogurt waiting for me, so I best get this blog post up and running.

Is there a 2012 release you're excited about? Tell me all about it in the comments! Always interested to hear what's coming.

Have A Thrilling Tuesday!

Snowbound With A Vampire

Happy Wednesday All,

What a treat, two official blog reviews in one week! Syrie James especially asked me to review her book, Nocturne, on my blog. It's a beautiful novel and I'm delighted to tell you about it:

Michael Tyler didn't ask to be a vampire. In fact, it was the very last thing he ever wanted in his life. Tired of the bodies stacking up around him, he's shut himself off from the world--inside a huge house on a mountain in Colorado. He finds a way to exist, and limits contact with humans to telephone calls and the Internet.

That is...until Nicole blows through his part of the world.

Nicole's running from a past so painful she didn't even go back to the job she loved. Now she merely exists--thinking it's enough. Colorado struck her fancy for the skiing and meeting up with her college friends for a wedding. But it's time to get back to her cat and her responsibilities.

In an attempt to outrun a blizzard, Nicole suffers a car accident and gets knocked unconscious. When she comes to she finds herself being tended by Michael in his home. He keeps the fact he's a vampire secret and sidesteps her by being short-tempered.

At first it seems being stuck with Michael while the blizzard blows over is going to be a trial. Until Nicole uncovers his secrets.

Can two people really fall in love in less than a week? And, if they do give in and let themselves fall in love...will it last?

I loved this book! I'm still under it's spell and you can fall under the spell of Nocturne by picking it up at Barnes & Noble or Amazon...also available on Barnes& Noble Nook and Amazon Kindle. Go ahead! Colorado is waiting...and so are Michael and Nicole!

Have A Wonderful Wednesday!

Romance, Mystery, & Author Support

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

I'm so excited! An author, whose story I recently read, has asked me to do a blog review of the book on my blog. So I promised the author I'd put it up this week.

If you haven't heard, Tea Trelawny has put out a new Erotic Romance that's available. We're talking motorcycle riding vampires...which I haven't heard of, before, but it's an intriguing idea. Start Your Engines is available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook and also available on Smashwords.

Today is release day for Laura Childs' new Scrapbooking Mystery, which I did an official blog review on yesterday. Skeleton Letters is now available for your reading pleasure!

**I mentioned this yesterday, and I've Tweeted about it and put it up on my Facebook. There's a write-in campaign for author Christie Craig. Please check out Suzan Harden's and Melissa Ohnoutka's blogs for further information.**

So, what's going on in your life?

Have A Terrific Tuesday!

How Mysterious!

Happy Monday Everybody,

Wow, it's been a long time since I've had an official blog review to do on a novel, but when I'm asked specifically by an author (or I beg them--Okay I ask very politely and they generously agree) I generally get an ARC (Advanced Readers' Copy) of their novel so that I can read it and review it before it comes out. And TA-DA! That happened, so you, my darling readers, get to hear about it before this even hits the sale shelves...

The newest addition to Laura Childs' Scrapbooking Mystery series is just about to hit stores and you better be ready for one wild ride. (And when doesn't Carmela and Ava NOT take you on a wild ride? After all, they do live and work in New Orleans, dahling!)

In Skeleton Letters we find Carmela and Ava witnesses of their friend, Byrle's death.

While taking care of some volunteer business of Ava's at St. Tristan's Church, Carmela and Ava have the horrifying experience of witnessing a murder. Unfortunately, they didn't exactly see how everything went down, and nor did they get a good look at the murderer. After all, what can you see when a person is swathed in a brown cloak?

A quick call to Carmela's boyfriend (and definite hero material) Dectective Babock sets Carmela smack into the middle of a murder investigation.

Worse still, Baby, Carmela's friend and regular customer at Carmela's scrapbooking shop, Memory Mine, begs Carmela to "look into things". Which, is expressly against Babcock's edict that Carmela keep herself out of the investigation, period the end.

Does she listen? Of course not! How can she when Baby specifically asked her and Byrle was her friend? So, with the help of another friend, and fellow witness, the very exuberant Ava, Carmela launches her own investigations...

Only to be nearly pushed off the road by a car following her...


and come across another dead body...

and stalked by some psycho leaving her a message in blood!


Who could be behind these heinous acts and why can't Carmela and the police pinpoint a good suspect?

The only way, you, my readers can find out and solve the case with Carmela and Ava is to run off and pick up a copy of Skeleton Letters available tomorrow (October 4, 2011) at Amazon and Barnes & Noble also available on Amazon Kindle and available on Barnes & Noble Nook.

P.S. Please look on my Twitter feed on how to support author Christie Craig--I'll have details through Twitter and my Facebook page. THANKS :-)

Have A Merry Monday!