The Descendant

Today, PIGLET showcases the highly rated new wave vampire novel...

"The Descendant"

by

Kelly Grealis

The Descendant Description

"Allison Carmichael wakes from a car accident with no memory of the past three years.  She doesn’t recall her husband’s death or how she alienated her friends, and she definitely doesn’t remember her new boyfriend Vincent Drake – a charismatic man with a penchant for rare and unique possessions.  The only things familiar to Allison are her seemingly common ailments – insomnia, lack of appetite, erratic body temperature – which have gone undiagnosed and are worsening. 

Vincent knows exactly who, and what, Allison is – a mortal descendant of the first vampire.  He is a vampire who has watched over Allison and her ancestors since the biblical times of Cain and Abel ensuring their secret is kept.  Once he realizes Allison’s symptoms are accelerating and transforming her, he’ll stop at nothing to have her.

Vincent reveals to Allison that she is a descendant and it’s the devil’s venom in her blood causing her ailments.  She must decide between risking her mortal death if she cannot control her symptoms or fully transforming into a vampire and damning her soul for eternity…a decision made even more difficult once Allison learns that Vincent has manipulated her life, and everyone in it, so he could have the first descendant-turned-vampire all to himself. "

Kelly Grealis

Kelly Grealis - lover of all things Vampire.

About Kelly

Kelley Grealis was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  She has a B.A. in Accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Masters of Businss Administration from Cleveland State University.  She has loved all things vampire since she was a little girl, and it was that passion combined with thirteen years of Catholic schooling, that inspired her to write THE DESCENDANT. She lives in a Cleveland suburb with her husband.

Reviews of "The Descendant"

"NO! is what I wanted to scream when the book ended, I wanted more. This was not your typical vampire story with Ms. Grealis creating her own spin on how the first vampire came to be. From the very beginning of the book, Ms. Grealis draws readers in by making Allison someone most people can relate to. We've all been in that place of dis-satisfaction where we want to find our purpose in life, whether or not it will really make us happy. Allison's journey to find her true origins takes the reader on many exciting twists and turns. The vivid use of language sucks the reader right there alongside Allison. I'm eagerly awaiting the follow up book to see where Allison's journey takes her next. (Sunshine, from Amazon)


I liked that this book offered a different perspective to the traditional vampire story. The descriptive writing kept my interest. (Corine D, Amazon)


I really enjoyed The Descendant... fabulous book! felt drawn into the story based on the descriptive language used of the setting and the characters. I found the new twist on vampires to be really interesting, and I liked how it was carried throughout the story. My only frustration/disappointment was when I realized I was coming to the end of the book .... and I did not want it to end! I cannot wait to read the next book(s) about Allison's journey! (Kristina F, Amazon)


(Read 7 more reviews also on Amazon)

About Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

Home of the Cleveland Browns...

Browns Stadium, with the infamous "Dawg Pound"

... Marilyn Manson

Cleveland's most famous son




...and the first traffic light! It is technically in Ashville, OH, and has been there since  1914.

Contact

Gift buyers can contact Kelly and buy vampire novel "The Descendant" on:

Website and Contact Details

Buy The Descendant Here!

The Briton and the Dane - Paperback Showcase

Ideal Christmas Gift for fans of hard core historical fiction

Welcome everyone to the first Daily Independent Paperback Showcase!


Each day, I'll feature a paperback and share it across the three sites. 


Feel free to share. 

The more people get this blog, the more people will get to read about your Paperback when it's your turn!

Hopefully, the blog will turn into a Mobile Gift Shop, like those little red library vans that come round your village. Or state. Or wherever.

The Briton and the Dane

After the last of Rome’s legions left Britannia to the mercy of the invading barbarian hordes and before the age of chivalry, when knighthood was in flower and troubadours sang of courtly love, there lived a King whose love for his people and the land left a legacy coveted by his descendants who sought to wear his crown.

Travel back in time to the late Ninth Century, to the tumultuous days in the reign of Alfred the Great who successfully defeated the Danish Viking King Guthrum and kept his precious Wessex free from Viking rule.

Alfred The Great Video

Journey to the Burh of Wareham where Lord Richard oversees the training of Alfred’s army; where his children, Stephen, David and Gwyneth, swear fealty to their King  and support Alfred’s vision to build a nation to rival the glory that once was Rome in a land ravaged by war and conquest.

Buy The Briton and the Dane at the following online retailers:

Amazon US Special Edition

Amazon UK Special Edition

Barnes and Noble

Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed The Briton and the Dane. From beginning to end it is filled with romance, treachery, and suspense. I felt as though I could have been right there with Gwyneth and Erik. Mary Ann did a great job of taking the reader back in time to the days of King Alfred with great detail. I did not want to put the book down! She leaves you hanging with anticipation for the sequel.

Diane Spaulding, Omaha, NE

The Briton and the Dane was, for me, a delightful surprise on many fronts. Mary Ann Bernal displays a remarkable talent with this tale set in 9th century Britain. She has a formidable ability to constantly surprise the reader with a supply of plot twists and turns. The storyline quickly becomes addicting and hard to put down. The book is a solid package of history, romance, and political intrigue. It is obvious that Ms. Bernal has a great love for and knowledge of this world of the past. Her enthusiasm is contagious! The reader is quickly immersed in a world of events and emotions which seem at once foreign and familiar. And what an array of memorable characters we come to know! Part of Ms. Bernal's talent is to surprise us with revelations of her characters' loves, longings and unexpected relationships to one another. One need not be a history buff to appreciate The Briton and the Dane. By the book's conclusion, I felt a brand new connection with its world of so very long ago.

Paul Auerbach, Douglaston, NY (English Teacher, Writer)

Who is Mary Ann Bernal?

Mary Ann Bernal, author of The Briton and the Dane novels, is an avid history buff whose area of interest focuses on Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon Britain during the Viking Age.  While pursuing a degree in business administration, she managed to fit creative writing classes and workshops into her busy schedule to learn the craft, but it would take decades before her “Erik the Viking” novel was ultimately published.

Mary Ann is also a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter writing campaigns and other support programs since Operation Desert Storm.  She has appeared on The Morning Blend television show hosted by KMTV, the CBS television affiliate in Omaha, and was interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald for her volunteer work.  She has also been a featured author on various reader blogs and promotional sites.

Mary Ann is a New York “expat,” and currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska.

Nebraska

(While many British people will have visited New York City, many won't know much about Nebraska. Here's a guide:) 

Map and photographs of Nebraska

Map of Omaha, plus service links

Of course, many people will associate the great mid western state with Bruce Springsteen's iconic "road" album, so evocative, inspirational, hollow, empty and enchanting.

Contact

Contact Mary Ann at: Mary Ann Website and E-mail links

(Mary Ann Bernal will be interviewed by the Wizard on "The Wizard's Cauldron" in Mid August. Don't miss it!)

Action Plan for the Gift Shop Part 1

Gissa job.

I've had the consultants in this morning and they've told me I need an Action Plan.

So here's the first part, coached and influenced by (currently unemployed) management extraordinaire, 'arry Redknapp.







1) One hundred paperback books on the shelves by September 1st. 

This will give browsers a reason to spend fifteen minutes or so browsing the shelves.

2) Fifty bookshelf photos by October 1st. 

Bookshelves are a common link between Gift Buyers, Readers and Writers.

Readers can post their bookshelves too.

3) Seventy five authors and their paperbacks by October 1st. These photographs humanise the whole process. Facebook is a fantastic medium for humanising the writer. Amazon's author page just doesn't cut it. A human, fun, smiley paperback photo could make the difference between a sale and a walk by.

4) I want to attract 1000 gift buyers by the end of October.


Buyers of your unique, innovative, one-of-a-kind, lovingly prepared, artistic books.


1K. 


Challenging, but realistic.


I use the term Gift Buyer advisedly.

Writers forget this aspect of the shopping process. There are buyers of books who buy for aesthetic value alone.

I forgot this aspect. Had all my covers redone by Dark Dawn Creations because they were originally very plain. Bland and unappealing were just two of the nicer descriptions of my covers, so I listened to potential customers and invested.

I'll see the benefit of this at Christmas.
Gift Buyers buy books and on many occasions their receivers never read them. The aesthetic infrastructure of the book is enough of a gift. 

Joyce is a classic example.

There are beautiful editions of Finnegan's Wake that have never been touched. Tolstoy's War and Peace is an even better case. Unread classics which enhance every bookcase. Gravity's Rainbow. Anna Karenina.

While it is nice that readers want to read my stuff, I'm not offended if someone buys my books and never reads a word.

(Unread promo downloads are another matter - don't know how you guys put up with the Freebooters on that ship!)

Collectors too: My fourth book UV is a book about football hooliganism at a small British football club. A very niche audience indeed. I don't think I'll sell more than 1000 in a calendar year. Yet collectors of Green Wizard books will buy it and put it on the bookshelf they need to complete the series, not because they have any interesting in reading a subject which, frankly, many of them will find offensive. Because they are collectors and gift buyers, NOT readers in this case.

5) I'm still working out what the function of a Like is, so I'll quantify that when I'm up to speed. I'm being harassed by Likehunters at the moment and  while I always oblige, I'm not sure why I am doing it and what the reciprocal benefit is for the shop. If you can explain, let me know!!

More later.

News and Jessica McHugh Interview.

Today:


Thirteen books on the stocklist in four days. Yay! If you know an author who wants to display a paperback book as a gift for the Christmas or Birthday market, then forward this blog on and put them in touch with The Independent Paperback Gift Shop.


Repost of the great interview with Jessica McHugh from the "The Wizard's Cauldron". 


Two new books added to the stock list from top cover designer and paranormal romance writer Dawn Smith. She's interviewed next week on The Wizard's Cauldron. 

Next Week. Suzanne Van Rooyen talks about her new book, Dragon's Teeth.
______________________________

Introducing Jessica McHugh!

Jessica McHugh

It's my pleasure to introduce to you all 

Jessica McHugh. 

She writes a better introduction than I ever will, so here it is.

Jessica McHugh is an author of speculative fiction that spans the genre from horror and alternate history to epic fantasy. A prolific writer, she has devoted herself to novels, short stories, poetry, and playwriting. She has had ten books published in three years, including "Rabbits in the Garden", "The Sky: The World" and the first three installments in her "Tales of Dominhydor" series. 

Jess Writing

I'm lucky enough to be (distant) friends with her on FB. Sassy, in your face and pithy, her observations and reflections never fail to make me laugh. The stuff I've read from her is pretty hot too. The lady can write!

The Wizard asked her a few questions about her new projects and here's what she told him.

1. Tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I'm a 29 year old wacky writer chick who lives in nearly 5 different worlds a day. I was born and raised in Maryland, where I live with my husband Dave, a spindly cat named Gracie, and a meowing meatball named Tyler. I work a full-time job in molecular diagnostics, but if anyone asks me what I do for a living, I always reply, "I'm an author." I figure since it hasn't killed me (yet), I can say it's my living. :)

Roald Dahl

2. Who are your inspirations as a writer? Have you a role model? Does your environment inspire you?

Although our writing styles are different, I have always admired Roald Dahl. His children's books are fantastic, but his twisted short stories are even better. From an early age, I would read Roald Dahl books and think, "I want to do that. I want to make people laugh and cry and cringe. I want to brighten someone's life with a heartfelt phrase. I want to ruin someone's day with a sickening story. I want to be a writer."  When it comes to finding inspiration for stories, I wait for it to find me. And I never have to wait long. Inspiration is all around, in car drives or long walks, in the people I meet and the people who pass me by. Just by keeping an open mind, it's fairly easy to see the strange stories hiding in the normalcy of everyday life.

Danny Marble

3. Tell our readers about your latest book?

"Danny Marble & the Application for Non-Scary Things" is an illustrated young adult horror novella about a boy with nightmare-induced insomnia. 

For years, he's been plagued by three "Scary Things" who ruin his nights...and subsequently, his days at school. Finally, Danny has had enough and embarks on an adventure to rid himself of his fear, an adventure that takes him into a realm of dreams, to Hades, and beyond. 

3a. On average how long does it take you to write a full length novel and how long did it take you to write this one?

I admit it takes a lot longer than it did a few years ago, mostly because I take on a lot more projects now. "Danny Marble" took about 4-6 months with writing and editing, but it's only a novella. 

Nowadays, I average about 7-10 months for writing and editing, depending on what other projects are also occupying my mind. It also depends on the intensity of the story. "Darla Decker Hates to Wait," the 1st book in my young adult series, took less than 2 months to write, while my horror novel "PINS" took almost 2 years. 

4. Wow! Two years! I'm impressed! How do you write? Do you have a daily target or do you binge?

My first drafts are always written by hand. I don't know if I'll call them "longhand" as my handwriting appears to be some sort of abbreviated language only I and top graphologists can decode...if it was written while sober. If I was drinking a lot of beer that night, even the graphologists are screwed.

After a first draft is finished, I type the manuscript into the computer. This is a rather annoying process I call "stabbing the alphabet." After that's done, I print out the book and put it into a 3-ring binder for editing. Once edited and extended, I type the revisions into the computer and print out the manuscript again. Wash, Rinse, Repeat as needed. 

5. Hahahahaha! I understand that. Three books, two CD's and one DVD only for your desert island stay! What would they be?

Books: "Skin" by Roald Dahl, "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norman Juster, and "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" by Avi.

I've never heard of the latter. Wizardwatchers can download it free on PDF from:

http://ebookbrowse.com/true-confessions-of-charlotte-doyle-the-pdf-d60942420

Book Choice

My two CDs would be: "Into the Woods", the Original Cast Recording and Billy Joel's Greatest Hits.  


For my DVD, it would have to be the uncut director's edition of "True Romance." 

True Romance and cool Brad Pitt appearance

6. Love that film! What's your ideal night out?

Writing for a few hours at a patio bar where a lovely young chap is playing acoustic guitar before my husband and best friends show up to tilt a few ales with me. Also, cheesecake should be involved.

Jessica and husband David enjoyiing night out

7. Agree on the Cheesecake, as long as its Key Lime Haha, How do you stay fit when writing is so sedentary? Are you a sporty person?

I hate exercising in front of people, so the Just Dance games on Wii are perfect for me. But even if I didn't have those games, I'd probably dance every day. I love allowing music to fill me with so much joy that I couldn't care less about looking like an uncordinated monkey on rollerskates. 

8. What is the main function of a writer? To entertain? To inform? To educate? To make money?

It depends what kind of writer you are, I suppose. For me, I just want to entertain people. If they learn something, that's awesome, but my goal is to tell interesting stories that twist people's imaginations, perhaps a little further than ever before. Making money would be great, but despite my outlandish nature, I'm a bit too realistic to say I write for the money.

Bibliography

9. What have Jessica McHugh's audience got to look forward to in the coming months?

So much great stuff! 

First off, Post Mortem Press, who published my novel "Rabbits in the Garden" has created a young adult imprint called PMortem Tall Tales and just started releasing a series called "The Blue Moon Crew of Sawmill Falls." 

Early McHugh

Although the books are attributed to author E.J. McCain, the series is actually written by three different authors. Kenneth W. Cain wrote the first book "From the Deep will Rise," I wrote the second book "Play the Way Home," and Eric Beebe will write the third book "The Crying Carousel of Sawmill Falls." The first and second books are already available on Amazon and elsewhere. 

Second, I just received a contract from Post Mortem Press for my horror novel "PINS." That title might change, by the way. I don't know when it'll be out, but I have a feeling the book, which takes place in a strip club/bowling alley, will be released later this year. 

I also have several short stories in forthcoming anthologies, as well as several projects, including a historical fiction and my "Darla Decker" young adult series, that may see the light of day in 2012. But as I'm always piling more projects on top of an already alpine stack, who knows? My official author page on Facebook is the best place to go for updates and humorous (sometimes horrifying) witticisms. 

Cool quote

 Jess, it's been terrific talking to you. How do Wizardwatchers contact you?

Your readers and buyers can contact me on

Become a Fan of Jessica McHugh on Facebook!

and they can read more about me at

JessicaMcHughBooks.com.

Thanks for having me on The Wizard's Cauldron!

You're welcome, Jess and the best of luck from all at Green Wizard.

Launch

Hi everyone, this is Mark at The Independent Paperback Gift Shop.

I'd like to welcome you all aboard. I'm the chief writer and munchkin at Green Wizard Publishing and because I have severe writers block, - I mean, tabula rasa head, complete white void; you ever had that? - I thought I'd set up a new enterprise to fill my time.

The Independent Paperback Gift Shop.

Independent Reader's Quality Bookshelf

http://www.facebook.com/The Independent Paperback Gift Shop

A place where READERS can come and buy independently authored paperbacks as gifts for Christmas and Birthdays.

A one stop shop for READERS and GIFT BUYERS.

Writers can advertise their paperback books AND their e-books (their laundry service for all I care!) on their own special Photo Bookshelf in the Photo section of the page.

This is the BOOKZONE.

Readers can open up the photo folders and browse through for a complete paperback buying experience.

There are three so far.

a) Paperback Book Gifts, complete with functioning links to Createspace, Authors Online, Lulu etc. Also links to e-books, biogs, websites and FB addresses - a one stop shop for the Paperback Book Buyer.

Elegaic African memoir from Sue Lobo 

b) Photographs of authors with their paperback books! I love this section. Seeing something you've written in paperback form is a real pleasure and the moments are captured here.

Enthused Elizabeth Marx Fan

c) Bookshelf Photographs. I love this section. Is there anything more beautiful in a house than a bookshelf? My abode is no Mulholland Drive Rapper's crib, I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, but my bookshelf covers three walls and it makes it look like a stately 'ome! Post yours up.

Loads more books. Books! Books! Books!

I don't know what to do with this blog. I might do featured paperbacks, articles. Let me know what you think. If I do that, I'm going to need help. I'm already overloaded on Green Wizard business. I really don't want to write any more blog stuff - I'm a FICTIONALIST, people, and the Gift Shop is pure fact - and I'm already writing about eight blogs, so please, if you can help, let me know.

Just for info.


Firstly, the shop is free. I'll never charge the writer a commission. That's not what I'm about and not what its for. If it becomes successful, I might charge the paperback printers and I might sell advertising. That kind of front end stuff which will keep the shop going.


Secondly, if you don't have a paperback, I can't work with you. Sorry. However, if you have a DEFINITE publication date for your paperback, I'll put your Bookzone up. I'm an e-book writer, but there are tons of sites already for e-books and the shop is aiming for a different clientele.


Finally, I don't mind what you put in your Bookzone, but I'm not bothering with pimping, reviews, market articles and stuff. Again, there are loads of sites out there - including the brilliant E-Reader House and the hyper-aggressive Pimping Indie.

This is a shop for READERS.

Anyway, I'm talked out. I wish you guys all the best and let people know about our little Shoppe venture. It won't work without Indy writers and it won't work without potential Indy readers. Lets get them on board.

Excelsior,

Stan L...sorry, Mark.