Introducing: Susan Stec

You're probably all wondering about Susan's interesting author picture. All I can say about it is...read the first chapter of They're So Vein and it will all make sense. Read on to get to know Susan Stec a little better to get a sense of her and her writing. 

"I've always been weird, even as a child. Might've been influenced by all those fairies and trolls living in and around the streams behind Grandma's house, and the talking dragon in the cave on the other side of the lake. Today it probably has something to do with five crazy vamp-women, the fanged tyke, fairy, troll, werewolf, demon, and several sexy immortals living in my head.

In reality I live with my husband and my three King Charles Spaniels on 50 acres of woods, fields, and streams in upper Michigan; hunt deer with my Ruger or crossbow, paint watercolors, sculpture stained glass, and chase butterflies with my dogs.

One's real life is so often the life that one does not lead~~Oscar Wilde

 The first two novels in The Grateful Undead series; They're So Vein, and Gator Baitin' are available in paperback and ebook on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Book three, Blood Sweat and Demon Tears will be released in fall of 2012."

You can connect with Susan on Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest, Weebly, and Google+.

The first two books in the series are: They're So Vein and Gator Batin'. Both are available now from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 

Or enter for a chance to win a signed copy by leaving a comment or entering below. 

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You can also enter to win a copy of Gator Baitin' on Goodreads through August 24th. 

New Book: The Grateful Undead - They're So Vein

So far, we've only had one vampire book on The Edible Bookshelf - which seems surprising given how many vampires books there are in circulation - but this week the vampires are back. Get ready for a whole new breed of vampires in Susan Stec's The Grateful Undead: They're So Vein. 

"Susan is 58-years-old and bored with life. Middle age is a daily drudge of sagging body parts and aches and pains. Her fervent prayer that she could somehow recapture her youth comes true one night during a chance encounter with a child-like vampire. As soon as the other women in her family see the transformation they waste no time in sticking their necks out, hoping Susan will share this new-found fountain of youth.

Suddenly, this newly born group of hot-bodied vamps find themselves thrust into a world controlled by an ancient order of vampires. A world with rules, all of which the ladies pretty much break within hours of becoming immortals. And the little matter of the accidental epidemic of vamped out wildlife isn't exactly endearing them to the powers that be, either.

They're So Vein is a hilarious and irreverent new twist on the paranormal/vampire romance genre. This is the latest edition and includes a sample chapter from Volume 2: Gator Baitin'."

Don't forget about the second book the The Grateful Undead Series. Check out the blurb for Gator Batin'. 

"Susan's budding romance is taking a back seat in book 2 of THE GRATEFUL UNDEAD series, and her sexy immortal lover, Marcus, is having none of it.

In book one, THEY'RE SO VEIN, the women in the Stech family went from dentures to fangs, Depends to thongs, Dr. Scholl's® to stilettos, and bumbled their way into an undead lifetime of Critter Control when one of them inadvertently turned a raccoon into a vampoon.

GATOR BAITIN' (book 2) begins as the team is dispatched to destroy a vamp-gator wreaking havoc at Gatorland in Orlando, only to get sidetracked by a serial killer investigation, a vamp-bull at a rodeo in Kissimmee, and a colorful demon named Rafael. Between bronco busting, dragon riding, Jesus-freak chasing, gator hunting, demon summoning and dead bodies popping up everywhere, Susan's finding it hard to fit in a little romp time."

The first two books in the series are: They're So Vein and Gator Batin'. Both are available now from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 

Or enter for a chance to win a signed copy by leaving a comment or entering below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


You can also enter to win a copy of Gator Baitin' on Goodreads through August 24th. 

Review of: The Awakening

Losing her mother, losing her mind...Alexandria Nicolette Deveraux has overcome terrible trials in her life already. Unfortunately this is only the beginning. Alex is about to face down centuries-old secrets about her family that will bring not only danger, but truths Alex may not be able to survive, as well. 

In, The Awakening, Apryl Baker combines mythical beings from across the world and mixes different mythologies together in order to create her cast of characters. At first glance, one might think a witch, a necromancer, a cursed gypsy, a shifter, and a Seer might be too much to pack into one book, but Baker blends them together seamlessly. The reader isn't inundated with everyone at once. I think this was key to handling so many different characters. The readers gets to enjoy the mystery of each character, seeing each one's secrets revealed at just the right time.

Alex's family is messed up, that's a given from the first few pages, but they're also hiding some deadly secrets as well. The mystery surrounding Alex's family secrets is very good, not only for the mystery itself, but also because for the timing of revealing each new bit of information. Alex's uncle shows up partway through the book, and it is clear from the beginning that he knows much more about what is happening than he is willing to tell. Baker let's the reader agonize over the knowledge that he's holding back answers long enough to drive you crazy, but not so long that it becomes irritating. The pacing of the mystery was well done. My only complaint about the mystery was that there could have been a little more lead-in to the final confrontation. I think the tension could have been increased with just a little more of a hint about who was behind the attacks. 

Finally...the romance! As I mentioned in my post yesterday, the romance in The Awakening was fabulous. Definitely an emotional battlefield. Alex is so easy to relate to because she is struggling with the same things so many teen girls face in the form of rejection, starting over, family problems, heartache, and facing the unknown. Alex's trials happen to be a bit more dangerous than most, but still easy to connect with. This is especially true when it comes to Alex's feelings for Devon. Devon is impossible to figure out, but Alex knows she's meant to be with him. The fact that Devon won't let that happen sends Alex into an emotional tirade. What will really break the reader's hearts is when Devon actively tries to distance himself from Alex by dating another girl. Alex's absolute agony had me tearing up again as I read it this time. And that's really saying something because this is the fourth time I've read this book counting first drafts and revisions. This book has so much going for it, from a good mystery, fascinating characters, and a romance that will suck you in. 

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! I could turn around and read it again next week if I didn't have so many other books to review. Even after having read The Awakening several times I am still eager to read it again. I can't wait for the next book! 

Who would I recommend this book to? YA readers of all types will enjoy this book. There are elements of the paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy, and even mystery. Adult readers who are also fans of these genres will love the book as well. It definitely has crossover appeal. And of course, those readers looking for a great romance, pick up your copy today! 

You can get your copy of The Awakening from Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and most major ebook retailers. Check out The Awakening book trailer as well. 

Baker's "The Promise" is also available from Amazon and B&N, and you can also view the book trailer here. Check out my review of "The Promise" as well. 

Favorites from: The Awakening

I've said before that I think a good romance can make just about any book better. I wouldn't say I'm a romance reader - I don't do full out romance or erotica at all - but a good romance brings a lot of emotion to a story and helps readers connect with characters. Who hasn't either been in love, wanted to be in love, or had heir heart broken? 

Apryl Baker pulls out all three in The Awakening. The main character, Alex, is put through the emotional ringer in this book. Not only does Alex meet Devon and desperately want to make a real connection with him despite his general annoyingness, but she does fall in love...however, not exactly with the results she was expecting. Add to that a crushing heartbreak that will leave readers reeling, and you have a fantastic romance that pulls every other aspect of the storyline together. 


You can get your copy of The Awakening from Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and most major ebook retailers. Check out The Awakening book trailer as well. 

Baker's "The Promise" is also available from Amazon and B&N, and you can also view the book trailer here. 

Interview with: Apryl Baker

You've gotten to know a little more about Apryl Baker, now learn more about her writing, and how her newest novel, The Awakening, came to be. 


1. What was your inspiration for "The Awakening?" 
Honestly, it was just a random thought brought on by nine year old niece’s drawing.  She drew a picture of a girl that had oddly colored eyes.  They were mostly blue, but she put in swirls of silver.  I thought to myself, now why would anyone have eyes like that?  And that is how Awakening was born.  Straight from the crazy insane drawing of a nine year old.

2. Awakening includes multiple mythical beings. How did you decide which ones to use? 
It came down to the eyes.  The character’s eyes play a huge role in the book.  The eyes truly are windows to the soul.  For Alex, the main character, her eyes were midnight blue that would swirl with a silver color.  She has a vast heritage that includes witches, shape shifters and a piece that she will discover in the upcoming books.  Devon, her protector, has eyes that go black with red rings.  My first thought…vamp…NAH.  Way to overdone.  I came up with an alternative.  He was cursed by Gypsies because he wouldn’t take a life.  Now, he’s forced to kill to appease the beast inside because of the curse.  Next we have Morgan, one of her two best friends.  His eyes glow amber and hence he is a shifter, a wolf specifically.  Saidie is her second best friend and we discover she has the Necromancer gene hardwired into her DNA.  She has dominion over the dead and she pretty much has her own book.  It’s the next book in the series, "Necromancer."  And last, but certainly not least, we have Connor.  Thanks to his Irish ancestry he inherited The Sight.  He can see future images and sense when something is going to happen.  Roll all of these guys into one group and you’ve built a powerful force to be reckoned with.

3. Alex refers to "The Event" in the early chapters. Without giving too much away, how does this effect her as a character? 
There are moments in all our lives that we can never forget.  Some are good memories, some are bad memories, but they stay with us.  The “Event” did that for Alex.  It defined her for more than ten years of her life.  It is the moment when everything changed for her.  The Night Terrors started, her sanity started leaking away, and she became withdrawn.  She lost all her friends and became the girl who everyone picked on and made fun of because she was so alone and withdrawn.  She became the freak.  It made her vulnerable and terrified of everyone and everything.  It became who she was for a long time until she found the courage to face it.

4. Starting over is a prominent theme in "The Awakening." What new challenges does Alex face in this book? 
She is coming home to face her demons.  She left after having a mental breakdown in front of the entire school.  Now she has to face everyone there and try for a normal life.  She is also faced with having her heart both broken and mended for the first time and finding friends that will stick by her through everything no matter how weird or strange things might get.  It’s a story about a girl finding herself and realizing that she’s more than just a crazy nut job.  It’s about finding acceptance and strength, and realizing that she is worth the effort.

5. The relationships in "Awakening" play a big part in the story's development. Can you describe the differences between the relationships Alex has with the male characters? 
 Alex and Morgan:  Alex and Morgan share a bond that goes beyond friendship, beyond family, beyond romance.  It’s a soul bond.  They literally share the same soul.  What one feels so does the other.  It can get a little irritating at times too…lol.   It can cause problems, but it’s also wonderful.  She will never again be alone or lonely so long as the other shall live.

Alex and Devon:  He’s bossy, irritating, and arrogant.  She spends half her time wanting to wring his neck and the other half wanting to kiss him.  Their bond was instant and can’t be broken no matter what happens.  Modern day relationships are more blasé, more about we need to get to know each other.  Alex and Devon are different.  Their relationship follows the old world code, where you understood that this person is special the moment you meet and that’s it for you.  They are meant for each other, they each know it, but there’s only one problem.  Devon refuses to let himself be happy.  He wants to protect her and he might be the very thing she needs protecting from.  So what does he do?  He pushes her away by dating another girl and destroys her heart.  Doesn’t mean she won’t do anything in her power to make him see reason.

Alex and Tom:  Tom is the only real human in the book besides her Dad.  He has liked her since they were kids and now that she’s home, he pursued her with a vengeance.  He mended her heart after Devon broke it and has wormed his way in.  She needs him as much as she does Devon, but in a different way.  It’s not fair to him and she knows it, but she needs him.

6. Behind the general craziness of Alex's everyday life there is a mystery surrounding her family. How did you develop the family's backstory? 
Well, once I figured out what she was, I started to add bits and pieces.  I wanted it to be steeped in dark history so I started building from there.  It all just sort of popped out on paper all once.  It’s not something I can explain.  One day, it just sorta formed in my head and there it was.

7. This is the first book in "The Bloodline Series." Can you tell us a little bit about your plans for the rest of the series? 
The books tell the story of how Alex became Alexandria Nicolette Deveraux.  The first book introduced us to her history and how she came into her powers. The next few books will take us through the steps of that journey.  Book 2 will help us to understand more about her magic and why Saidie’s death magic affects her.  Book 3 will show us Devon’s story and why he came to Jacob’s Fork to protect Alex.  Book 4 will test the bonds that bind the friend together and Book 5 will be the last of the series.  Alex will have to face her ancestor’s past and chose her path. 

8. Who are your favorite authors? 
Good Lord there are so many…lol.  My top authors though are Kim Harrison and Jim Butcher.  My top YA authors are Richelle Mead and Kira Saito.

9. Do you have any interesting rituals or habits when you write? 
I’m a chronic insomniac so I write most of my stuff between 3 and 5am.  I almost can never sit down during the day, especially if I actually got sleep, and write.  I need the sleep deprived brain to write.  I have to have a can of Coke too.  Coke and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

10. Can you tell us about any other books or future projects in the works? 
Currently I am working on three novels:
The Oath, Book 2 of The Coven Series
Necromancer, Book 2 of the Bloodlines Series
The Ghost Files of M. Hathaway, Volume I. 

The Ghost files are what I am most focused on at the moment, though.  It’s darker than what I normally write and I need to finish it…lol.  It won’t leave me alone until I do.  Way too many characters running around in this sleep deprived noggin of mine.

Thanks for having me, Sheree! It’s always a pleasure.
Apryl Baker

***

You can get your copy of The Awakening from Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and most major ebook retailers. Check out The Awakening book trailer as well. 

Baker's "The Promise" is also available from Amazon and B&N, and you can also view the book trailer here. 

Introducing: Apryl Baker

Apryl Baker's "The Awakening"

Over the last three years I have had the chance to get to know Apryl through the online writing group TheNextBigWriter.com. Apryl has been a big help with my writing, and I've had the opportunity to read her novels from rough draft to final, published version. Now it's time for my readers to get to know Apryl Baker as well. Read on to find out more about Apryl. 

"So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friend Chazz laughs at me when I scare myself watching them and tells me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.

Apryl Baker's "The Promise"

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama you were seen kissing a particular boy on a particular day just a little too long. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.

Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my niece and nephew and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.

I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories." 

You can connect with Apryl on Facebook, Wattpad, Goodreads, Twitter:  @AprylBaker, and on Apryl's Blog. 


You can get your copy of The Awakening from Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and most major ebook retailers. Check out The Awakening book trailer as well. 

Baker's "The Promise" is also available from Amazon and B&N, and you can also view the book trailer here. 

New Book: The Awakening

Apryl Baker is a returning featured author on The Edible Bookshelf. Last time we got a dose of Salem-style witchcraft in "The Promise." This week we'll be delving into mythological creatures that span ages and continents in The Awakening. 

"Snap...crackle...pop. The sounds of bones breaking and shifting and of muscles tearing haunt Alexandria Reed.

For the last five years, Alex has been locked up at Compton Academy, a "school" for the emotionally challenged. She calls it the politically correct way of saying they’re all nuts and Alex has no doubts she’s insane. She comes home to Jacob's Fork to face the demons she left behind her after deceiving the doctors into believing she’s well. Soon after her arrival home though, news of her estranged mother's death brings her uncle back into her life and she and her brother, Jason, learn a terrifying secret about their family.

After questioning her sanity for the last ten years, she discovers the night terrors she's suffered for so long has become a reality. She and her brother are now being hunted because of the secret her family has killed to protect. Her world has been turned upside down, every belief she held true destroyed. Aided by her new friends, who have some dark secrets themselves, can she and Jason survive long enough to figure out the secret behind the secret?" 

If you'd like to see more, check out The Awakening book trailer. 

You can get your copy of The Awakening from Amazon Kindle, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and most major ebook retailers. 

Baker's "The Promise" is also available from Amazon and B&N, and you can also view the book trailer here.