Wednesday 22 August 2012

MAKING A BOOK TRAILER: Part Three

ADDING VIDEO CLIPS TO YOUR TRAILER
Okay, so by now you've looked at more video clips than the man in the Processing Department at Kodak. Now let's do some more fun stuff!

Tuesday 21 August 2012

MAKING A BOOK TRAILER: Part Two

Right. So know we have a rough idea of what we would like to produce. Don't worry if it's a bit sketchy, just a rough outline in your head will do. Now we need some software to do it with.

Monday 20 August 2012

MAKING A BOOK TRAILER: Part One

I recently mentioned on FaceBook that I had made my first Book Trailer and asked if some friends would mind having a look at it and giving me their opinion. The response was very encouraging and a number of people asked me how I did it. Originally, I thought I could sum it up in just a couple of paragraphs, but then I realised that maybe I could be a little more generous and give everyone a guided tour on how to make a simple but effective book trailer based upon my experience.

Thursday 16 August 2012

THE EMERALD CANCER: David Hulme


When Siobhan Corrigan's beloved father is murdered by Protestant para-military forces in Northern Ireland, her father's right-hand man takes her alter ego, Sandra, and installs her with an English family to live the life of an English rose. Her role: to become a sleeper in the Terrorist Surveillance Unit run by one Michael Forsythe and report back to Drago, the head of the Northern wing of the IRA.
After the Harrods bombing in central London and a terrible personal tragedy, Patrick Rutherford also sets out on a path of revenge; his recruitment to TSU, the only conclusion. When the infiltration of TSU becomes apparent to Forsythe, he engineers a risky plan using the outsourced asset, Patrick Rutherford, to infiltrate the Northern Wing of the IRA.
Patrick Rutherford and Siobhan Corrigan were created by circumstances beyond their control, manipulated by British Intelligence and the Northern wing of the IRA. Twisted and full of hate, they are brother and sister on opposite sides of the fence. Under certain circumstances each might kill the other but in most situations the invisible thread that binds them would prevent it. When they eventually meet, the chemistry between the two of them is explosive with devastating, inexplicable consequences.

This is an exceptional book. The characters are superbly built and we are taken inside their minds with a skill that is second to none. Dramatic scenes are vividly portrayed and pull the reader's imagination skilfully into action. The author successfully transports us from one character's world into another, telling us of their beginnings with an expertise and ease that is overwhelmingly wonderful. This is truly a first class story written by a man who can most certainly tell a tale but—and I hate to say it but I must, seeing as it is something I bleat on about—it needs the final 'polish'.
This first release is tarnished by a light dusting of grammatical and formatting errors that could so easily have been addressed before its release. Normally, I'd not tolerate it so for a book to survive that flaw and for me to finish it... well, it must be good. Indeed, the book survives solely due to Mr Hulme's superb writing and storytelling skills and thus I pray for a sequel whilst also hoping that Mr Hulme will release a second edition of this novel with these flaws addressed. With that little bit of extra polish, this book could sit with pride, nestled among the offerings from any of the bestselling authors. Yes, it really is that good.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

FAE EYE FOR THE GOLEM GUY: Robert C. Roman

Micah Slate has lived centuries, his lonely existence dedicated to the protection of art. Then he meets Ophilia Morgan, a young artist who has transformed herself into a living work of art. Micah thinks she'll never give him a second glance, but she has dark secrets of her own. When a greedy socialite uses Micah's museum as the setting for fraud and destruction, he and Ophilia will be thrown together in a night of mayhem.

If you are looking for a short but delightful read, this is it. It fits neatly into the genre of FANTASY with an air of Terry Pratchett about it. It's well written, grammatically correct with good punctuation and formatting--things that so often let the Indie Author down. The storyline is well-crafted, beautifully told and entertaining and the characters well rounded. The book did something few do--I found myself wanting to go to bed so I could read the next chapter. Don't let the fact it's a short story put you off either. It's not hurried and yet it is eventful. It left me with that rare feeling of sadness that one gets when you have finished a really good book. I want more!

Wednesday 1 August 2012

FROZEN PAST: Richard C Hale

Luke is only fourteen. Eliana is his whole world and for a fourteen year old, the burden is immense. You see, Eliana is being stalked. Stalked by a madman who wants nothing more than to see her dead. The madman knows things that no one should know and sees things that no one should see. He tells them if they say a word to anyone, they will both die. And Luke can't let that happen. Eliana's past is catching up with her and Luke must do anything to save her. Anything.

An excellent THRILLER, it had a great balance of suspense and action and was very well told. As an eBook it was well presented (grammar, punctuation and format) which are a big thing for me as an Indie Author with high standards. It was another of those rare books that had me eager to read the next chapter. It had me bouncing about emotionally, one minute sick with worry for the characters and the next delighted in the kids just being kids. The author has successfully captured the spirit of childhood and their unique ability to deal with problems, an ability we, as adults, seem to have forgotten. I shall tell you no more as I have no intention of spoiling it for you.