Dark Side DownUnder Halloween Blog-Hop!!!

Happy Halloween and Happy 2nd Anniversary to the Dark Side DownUnder blog!!!

Where has the time gone? It only seems like yesterday our Romance Writers of Australia Paranormal e-loop conceived the idea of starting up a blog to showcase our wonderfully, talented local writers (published and unpublished) from Australia and New Zealand.

Well, here we are two years down the track and still going strong! And to celebrate some of us have joined together to participate in a Dark Side DownUnder 2nd Anniversary Blog-Hop and boy, do we have some goodies to giveaway!

But first, let's get into the Halloween spirit and talk scary things (but not too terrifying as I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to creepy things)!

I'm not one for horror or anything that scares the pants off me, strange considering I write about the paranormal, things like demons, mythical creatures (some good, some bad), magic, evil characters and unknowns that go bump in the night.

But for the fun of it, and because it's Halloween, I'm going to share my Top 10 List of Scary Movies (these might date me but growing up watching these movies cured me for the rest of my adult life):

*A Nightmare on Elm Street (I only watched part of one - I did say I was a big, 'fraidy cat - and could never face another incarnation of it after the first. The only guy with claws that I like is Wolverine!







* Texas Chainsaw Massacre (I never looked at a meat hook in a butchers shop the same again, a blood 'n'guts movie that scarred me for life!) 





* Friday the 13th (thanks to Jason killed one of the campers with a knife through the throat coming up from under the bed, I trained myself to sleep on my stomach) 



* IT (hate, hate, hate clowns and sewer drains)



 



* The Sixth Sense (this wasn't so bad, I think I prefer inferential horror to actually seeing the scary bits - this movie had me sitting on the edge of my seat and my imagination working over time. It was just damn creepy, loved the twist at the end though!)


* Poltergeist (as a teen I believed in poltergeists and it scared the jeheebers out of me and to this day the crackle/prickle of the TV turning off as well as the residual light swirls on the screen as it powers down creep me out) 


*Jaws (water skiing after seeing this was never the same)








*Alien (I watched this at a slumber party when I was 10y.o. - who's bright idea was it to show this movie to a bunch kids???? - couldn't finish watching it and spent the night hiding in my sleeping bag)






*The Omen (my cousin was named Damien, I watched him like a hawk after this movie)







*Carrie (read the book before I saw the movie, awesome telekinetic powers)







On the flip side, one of my all time favorite Halloween themed movies has werewolves, lycans and vampires. Besides starring a certain hunky blond, which I have to admit was a huge draw card, I loved the premise of a mutated virus infecting humans to create two races of supernatural creatures that then spend the next few hundred years at war with one another.

The idea of a vampire and lycan falling in love and breaking all the rules appealed to my Shakespearean love of tragedies (and romance writers heart), although in this case the hero and heroine do have a happily ever after!

And on that HEA note, I think it's time for the 'treat' part of Halloween! My treat - well, I have a Light Blade Book Pack to giveaway (signed copies of VENGEANCE BORN & ALLIANCE FORGED). Two of them actually!!! Just in time for Christmas to give away as gifts to someone or to keep for yourself.

To enter my giveaway, there's some legwork is required, but that's half the fun of a Halloween Blog-Hop! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form as you like (it has plenty of chances for you to enter).

Good luck!

And if you'd want to see what other treats are up for grabs with the other Dark Side DownUnder authors, see the details below. 

DARK SIDE DOWNUNDER HALLOWEEN BLOG-HOP PRIZES:

• The Dark Side DownUnder authors are offering print books, ebooks and other goodies at their blogs.
• The big prize is a $30 Amazon gift voucher.

Here are the rules to the blog hop:

1. To be eligible to win a prize on the blogs, the reader must do as what’s instructed on each blog by 11.59pm 4th November Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
2. To be eligible to win the Amazon voucher, the participants must comment on each participating blog. Only one comment needed. Multiple comments will be ignored for the purposes of the contest.
3. Have fun!

Halloween Special - 2nd Blogiversary Participants

1. Eleni Konstantine 2. Mel Teshco 3. Nicole Murphy 4. Imogene Nix 5. Christina Phillips aka Christina Ashcroft 6. Amanda Ashby 7. Jenny Schwartz 8. Shona Husk 9. Maree Anderson

10. Kylie Griffin 11. Lilliana Rose 12. Nicole Hurley-Moore 13. Eden Summers 14. Erica Hayes 15. Sandra Harris 16. Keziah Hill 17. S E Gilchrist 18. DSDU

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

The End Prize Winner!

The lucky last prize winner for my October Blog Anniversary is...

Anonymous (Robyn)

You have won two (2) books -

• OUTCAST by J.Johnston
• PRINCE INCOGNITO by L.Goodnight

Congratulations!

To claim them just send your postal address to kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au and I'll pop them in the mail to you.

Thanks everyone for a fantastic month of partying! I hope you've enjoyed it, I know I have. It's been fun!!!

October Blog Anniversary (THE END)

Hard to believe October is almost over. It's been a great month - lots of fun, some good-read give-aways, and people coming to the party!

This is my last free give-away - two (2) books again - OUTCAST by Joan Johnston & PRINCE INCOGNITO by Linda Goodnight.

Simple Q&A today - whether you're a writer or reader, what have you enjoy reading about in my blog over this past month/year?

Is it the guest authors who drop in? The odd book review? Promotion of new authors? Some of the craft articles? Finding out information about the romance industry? Photos of conferences or my travels? The free give-aways?

Share your thoughts by 31st October (midnight Aussie EST) and you could win the last draw of my October Blog Anniversary. !!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

Thanks, everyone, for helping me celebrate a Year of Blogging!

LINCOLN'S SWORD Prize Winner! (Close Encounters Book Review)

Congratulations...

Catherine

You have just won -

• LINCOLN'S SWORD by Debra Doyle & James D. MacDonald
  

Send your postal address to kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au and I'll post them to you ASAP.

Enjoy!

More RWOz Conference

A smattering of odds and sods photos from the Romance Writers of Australia conference.

And two (2) more free books to give-away to celebrate my month-long October Blog Anniversary! Just tell me what's your favourite part about going to a conference or convention (World Con, Comic Con, RWA, RWOz, RWNZ, etc.)?

Make sure you leave a comment by 23rd October (midnight EST) and you'll go into the draw.

!!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

RWA theme for the conference

Paula Roe @ the ARRA signing event

Kris P., the RWNZ exec. rep. from across the ditch

The gorgeous table dec's for the Awards dinner

Bec S. clowning around...or is she?

Erin & I enjoying a cocktail or two

COLTER'S WOMAN Prize Winner! (What are you reading/enjoying?)

It's always interesting finding out what everyone else is reading and enjoying. Did you find something new to try from the other comments? I did!

The autographed copy of COLTER'S WOMAN by Maya Banks goes to...

kiwicarole

You have 48hrs to email me your postal address - kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au - and I'll send it out to you.

Happy Reading!!!

REVIEW: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS by Katherine Allred

I'm not usually a huge fan of first person romance novels (and this is the second one I've read recently that I've really liked).

Hat's off to Katherine Allred for her ALIEN AFFAIRS:CLOSE ENCOUNTERS novel. From the start I was gripped by her heroine, Kiera, and the world-building.

What caught me first was the blurb - I have an interest in genetic-engineering, nothing too scientific, more along the lines of how manipulating traits and giving a character certain talents or enhanced abilities would play out within the context of a story. Would the character see them as a strength or weakness? How would other characters view the same? How would something like that impact a story line?

Allred's heroine - Keira Smith - is a GEP, a genetically engineered person (a woman grown in a laboratory). She has a host of superior physical abilities but even more advanced than you average GEP. So much so she views herself as a freak among freaks and sees it as a disadvantage in a universe that already sees her kind as unusual.

The story revolves around her coming to realise and accept these super-abilities, she's the key to saving an indigenous race threatened with genocide from a powerful corporation driven by greed and profit.

The world-building and the complexities of the external plot were compelling but it was Allred's character that sucked me into the pages. I couldn't put the book down and read it in a night. If you're looking for a good SFR (sci-fi romance) book then check out this series!

Here's the blurb:

Keira Smith is not like ordinary Genetically Engineered Persons...
The Bureau of Alien Affairs needed a special GEP agent with empathic abilities to handle their most extraordinary assignments--and a rogue geneticist saw to it that Kiera fit their specifications. But she turned out stronger, faster, smarter, and more impervious to harm than anyone anticipated. A reluctant “superhero,” Kiera wishes she were normal, but it is not to be.
On Orpheus 2, the indigenous Buri race faces extinction, a prospect the powerful Dynatec corporation welcomes and, in fact, may be actively hastening. As a special agent for the Bureau of Alien Affairs, it is Kiera’s job to protect these beautiful, exotic aliens…and to discover what there is on Orpheus 2 that Dynatec feels is worth killing for.
But the magnetic allure of the breathtaking Buri leader is proving a dangerous distraction. And now, to save Thor’s people, Kiera will need a power she’s never before possessed--something hidden in the unexplored recesses of her heart.

There's also a second book in the series - ALIEN AFFAIRS:CLOSE CONTACT.

GEP's just want to have fun...

A Genetically Engineered Person and self-proclaimed "party girl," Echo Adams loves her diplomatic job entertaining alien bigwigs for the Galactic Federation.But the Bureau of Alien Affairs has discovered she's much more than she thinks-that a rogue scientist endowed her with skills and psi abilities dwarfing those of common GEPs. And suddenly Echo's luxury life is over, replaced with a far more dangerous one: a special agent expected to not only chase bad guys, but eliminate them.
Echo's hates being stuck on Madrea-a planet of technophobes off limits to Federation visitors-hunting for a stolen quartz crystal with a powerful alien lifeform embedded inside. She despises the Bureau's restrictive rules-especially the one warning her away from the dangerously seductive Commander of the King's Forces. And if she doesn't learn how to use her alleged super-psi powers soon, her partying days-in fact all of her days-will be over for good.

Check out Katherine's website.

Time for another free give-away in my October Blog Anniversary celebration! Tell me, what catches your eye when you pick up a book - is the cover, the author's name, the back cover blurb, or reading the first few pages of the book?

Answer the question by October 19th (midnight Aussie EST) and you'll go into the draw for LINCOLN's SWORD by Debra Doyle & James D.MacDonald.

!!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

Lords of Satyr Prize Winner! (Sci-Fi Romance Challenge)

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Sci-Fi Romance Challenge.

Without further ado, the winner of Elizabeth Amber's Lords of Satyr books is...

Jess Anastasi

Jess, email me your snail mail address - kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au - and I'll post them out to you!

Have fun reading!

What are you reading and enjoying?

Sometimes we forget in the busyness of life to take time for ourselves and do something we enjoy. I love getting out and spending time in my garden, creating patchwork (not that I've done a lot of that lately) and curling up with a good book.

There are times I get so busy I don't read for weeks. It's only when the stress levels get to unmanageable that I realise I've ignored my need for down-time. I've become to tangled up in "everything else". That's when I make an effort to pick up a book from my To Be Read pile and spend a few hours escaping.

So, have you been taking time out to read for pleasure? And if not, why not?

And continuing in the spirit of my October Blog Anniversary month, a free give-away* will go to one commenter (local or international) who can tell me about a book you've recently read and why you enjoyed it.

Just a couple of sentences, it doesn't have to be an essay. Was it the character/s you identified with, the excitement of the plot, the interesting setting, a favourite theme running through the book? Leave a comment along these lines by midnight (Aussie EST) 16th October, and you'll go into the draw!

*Give-away prize is an autographed copy of COLTER'S WOMAN by Maya Banks.

!!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

SUGAR & SPICE Prize Winner! (from Business Card post)

A copy of SUGAR & SPICE by Leda Swann will be winging it's way by Aussie Post to...

Mel Teshco

To claim your prize please email me - kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au

Congratulations, I hope you enjoy the book!

Paranormal Prize winner! (Book Review of TBPOD by K.Gay)

Thanks to everyone for dropping by and checking out my review on Kelly Gay's debut book, THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS and very happy to see I've convinced a couple of you to try it out!

The name drawn from my clean coffee cup is...

Helene Young

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the books!

To collect your paranormal book prizes

• The Accidental Vampire - Lynsay Sands
• Lincoln's Sword - Debra Doyle & James D.MacDonald

email me - kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au - no spaces - within the next 48hrs, with your postal address and I'll send them off in the mail.

Congratulations & happy reading!

Have you read a good sci-fi romance lately?

It's great to see sci-fi/futuristic romance cultivating an interest with people and long may it continue. There's nothing like picking up a good SFR novel.

Same goes for SF movies with romantic elements. Look at some of the ones that have been released recently (and a few fav's from the past):

• Avatar
• The Time Traveller
• Terminator Salvation
• Transformers 1 & 2
• Gattaca
• Star Man
• The Matrix Trilogy
• Star Wars 1-6
• Dark Angel TV series
• Jericho TV series
• Farscape TV series
• Firefly TV series & Serenity

Have you read a good SFR novel lately? Want to?

I know just the spot to find a galaxy of authors who write them - the Science Fiction Romance Brigade (of which I'm a member - yes, this is a plug, I'm totally biased :-D ). We have a mix of published and unpublished authors.

The SFRB has a website and blog and our purpose is to have fun, network with like-minded writers, build our name recognition and future reader base, and socialize with other SFR NG ("next generation") writers who love science fiction romance.

So, head on over to either site and check us out, and if you're so inclined, become a member! And while you're there check out our authors and their SFR novels in the member links listed on our blog. You just never know what great books you might find!

And for some more October Blog Anniversary goodness - if you can leave a comment and the name of one SFRB member (besides myself!) in your comment, you'll go into the draw for three of Elizabeth Amber's Lords of Satyr series! Comments close October 13th (midnight Aussie EST).

!!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.


ACKNOWLEDGMENT
* Top picture taken from http://fantasyartdesign.com"> Fantasy Art 3D Wallpapers, digital art modern online gallery.

Business Cards

Prior to writing conference time there's a lot of talk about what sort of business card a writer needs and what information should go on it.

After reading many e-messages and chatting with others going to conference, I went with simple and professional - author name, brand line, website address and email. I decided to have mine professionally printed rather than DIY, but this choice is entirely up to you.

Things not to put on your business card:

• personal address
• personal phone number/s
• personal email address
• a background that obscures your information

When handing out your business card, and depending on the situation, you can always pen any personal information on the back.

So, what's your business card look like? What sort of information do you have on yours? Share (by midnight Aussie EST, 10th October) and you'll go into the draw for Leda Swann's book, SUGAR & SPICE.

!!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

REVIEW: The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay

There I am, at my first RWA® conference in Orlando, Florida, a total stranger in the line gathering for breakfast at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort Pikabu restaurant. Ahead of me is a lady wearing a conference lanyard and nametag. So, what do I do? I say g'day and strike up a conversation.

This is how I first met Kelly Gay, urban fantasy author, and double finalist for a 2010 RITA® Award. We sat together and shared a very pleasant hour or so talking about writing, publishing, the industry and a few other topic, as you do at a writers' conference -lol!

To cut a long story short, I bought her debut book, THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS, and have now found a new author to read and stalk...umm...I mean follow. I'd like to share what I enjoyed about the book and, hopefully, convince you to give it a go!

MAIN CHARACTER: Charlie Madigan, divorced mother of one. I love the fact Charlie isn't your usual single, teen or twenty-something, kick-ass heroine. She's been married, is still coming to terms with her divorce, and struggling to balance her job and home life, and raise a daughter. The entire story is written from her POV as a first person narrative.

HEROINE'S OCCUPATION: A cop who works for the Intergration Task Force, an organisation of humans and off-worlders who work together to provide law enforcement for all races.

SETTING: Earth but with alternate dimensions (called Elysia and Charbydon) and off-worlders who live among us.
Not only are there other beings existing and visiting our Earth but some humans also have supernatural abilities (like Charlie) or have a talent (like Bryn, Charlie's sister, who wields magic).
There's a bit of a Men In Black feel to the story - with humorous elements sprinkled in, but there's definitely a much grittier, darker overtone - one I REALLY enjoyed. Gray's world building is seemlessly integrated into the story and incredibly believable.

SECONDARY CHARACTERS: Hank - Charlie's off-worlder partner. He's a siren, a useful skill in police work, particularly during an interrogation when all he has to do is use his voice and the criminals are busting to tell him the truth!

Bryn - Charlie's wiccan sister who owns a magic shop with a unique security system.

Emma - Charlie's young daughter, who's as strong and brave as her mother (no spoilers, but she shines through in the last part of the story).

Mynogan - the off-worlder villain who wants to rule both worlds. You know he's a meglomaniacal bad guy but every action he takes, every twist to the plot is entirely believable. As a reader, you dread the next scene with him in it. You fear for Charlie and her friends because you know whenever he appears the stakes are raised. They're not going to be able to stop him easily, they're really going to have to work to defeat him. Gray achieves this evil/convincing villain balance very well.

Carreg - an off-worlder politican with suspect motives. He reminded me of Garrak, from Star Trek DS9. As the story progressed you never quite knew whether he was an ally or someone not to be trusted (again, no more than this or I'll spoil the story).

Will - Charlie's ex-husband. He adds a slight romantic element to the plot, until he ends up selling his soul to a spirit entity called Rex.

Rex - a Revenant, a spirit who granted Will's greatest wish in exchange for his soul. An unexpected ally who teams with Charlie & her friends. His character adds a touch of humor to the story.

Aaron - a human Mage who's in love with Bryn.

PLOT: Gray's characterisation of Charlie makes her undeniably appealing and you empathise with every step of her journey as she tries to unravel the dual mysteries of the ash-related deaths (an off-world narcotic) and her own personal conflict of dealing with her unexplained revival and evolution of strange powers after a near-death experience.

The sub-plot layering and gripping tension drags you from one chapter to the next and I found it impossible to put the book down. In fact, I resented any interruption and ended up taking the phone off the hook and ignoring the outside world just so I could keep reading to the end.

THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS has a blend of paranormal, suspense and romantic elements that satisfies any fans of the urban fantasy genre. While this is the first in a series, the resolution/ending is solid but, be warned, it does leave you wanting to know what's in store for Charlie next.

I've already ordered THE DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN, the second in the Charlie Madigan series and can't wait to read it. I suspect to become very anti-social again once I delve into the pages.

THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS
Charlie Madigan is a divorced mother of one, and a kick-ass cop trained to take down the toughest human and off-world criminals. She's recently returned from the dead after a brutal attack, an unexplained revival that has left her plagued by nightmares and random outbursts of strength that make doing her job for Atlanta P.D.'s Integration Task Force even harder. 
Since the Revelation, the criminal element in Underground Atlanta has grown, leaving Charlie and her partner Hank to keep the chaos to a dull roar. But now an insidious new danger is descending on her city with terrifying speed, threatening innocent lives: a deadly, off-world narcotic known as ash. 
Charlie is determined to uncover the source of ash before it targets another victim. But can she protect those she loves from a force more powerful than heaven and hell combined? 

To read an excerpt, click here.

THE DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN
Deep beneath Underground a cunning bid for power and revenge has begun, one that threatens to make Atlanta the new battleground in the ultimate confrontation between heaven and hell. 
The powers of hellish Charbydon have the upper hand after plunging the city into primordial night. And under the cover of darkness, a serial killer targets the most powerful Elysian’s in the city, the angelic Adonai. 
For detective Charlie Madigan and her siren partner Hank, tracking deadly predators is all in a day’s work. But this case will test the limits of their strength and friendship as it draws them into a deadly world of power plays, ancient myths, explosive secrets, and a race against time that risks all that Charlie holds dear.

To read an excerpt, click here.


Want to know more about Kelly Gay? Check out her website.

If you've already read her series, let me know what you think. If you haven't, have I convinced you to try the book?

Leave a comment by midnight (Aussie EST) 9th October and you'll go into the draw for two (2) paranormal romance books(in deference to Kelly I won't name these books/authors).

A Year of Blogging

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

It'll be a year to the day on October 6th since I started my blog.

I hope the posts have been informative and fun to read. There's certainly been plenty of topics to cover and discuss. My favourites have been, and always will be, the guest authors - it's always a hoot interviewing and learning more about them.

Thank you to everyone who has dropped by to leave comments or lend their support in any way.

To celebrate, I'm giving away free books all this month! To be in the draws just read the posts, answer my questions or challenges and leave a comment - Aussie locals and overseas visitors are welcome to participate!

The books will be from a mix of authors and genres. Check out the list below.

• Colters' Woman - Maya Banks
• Outcast - Joan Johnston
• The Accidental Vampire - Lynsay Sands
• Red-Hot Australians:Outback Engagements - Margaret Way
• Lincoln's Sword - Debra Doyle & James D.Macdonald
• Wanted:A Father For Her Twins - Emily Forbes
• Sugar & Spice - Leda Swann
• Prince Incognito - Linda Goodnight
• Nicholas - Elizabeth Amber
• Raine - Elizabeth Amber
• Lyon - Elizabeth Amber

Here's to another year of good things!

Mullaley Public School celebrates 125 years of schooling!

Today I attended Mullaley Public School's 125th Anniversary and what a fabulous day it was!

Native Rose arbour at the entrance to the school

Mullaley PS established 188

Mullaley (pop.approx.200) is a small rural village located about 40 kilometers from Gunnedah in northwest New South Wales, Australia. Many of the students who've attended the school over the last 125 years have come from the village or off properties surrounding the village.



There was quite a crowd - I've been told between 400-500 people attended the day - parents, past and present students, past teachers and principals, and community members. Those I talked to had very fond memories of their time spent at the school.

Tambar Springs SES unit

Mullaley PS staff in period costume

MP Peter Draper & Principal Tony Johnston

Cookbook & updated History book

Mullaley Rural Fire Service vehicle

Some of the events featured today included performances by the students (dancing, singing, play acting, maypole dancing), an official book launch for the Mullaley Remembers history book and Mullaley 2010 Cookbook, photographic and static displays of old school memorabilia, open classrooms, time capsule opening and cake cutting by the oldest ex-student & youngest present day student.

Wood-turning display

There were also a variety of craft stalls, a wood-turning display, several antique cars & tractors and the local Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service vehicles display. 

Happy Anniversary Mullaley PS - may the school continue to educate students for the next 125 years!

Balloons in school colours