August 2014 | Staci Troilo

Book Spotlight: Deception, Book One of The Transformed Series by Stacy Claflin

I thought I’d mix things up a little bit, and talk about books this month.

Sure, you can go online and find hundreds of reviews for books by Stephen King, Nora Roberts, James Patterson… If an author is already a NYTBSA, he or she hardly needs a book review from me.

But what about the “little people” that New York has forgotten?

I’m taking books that I like from different genres this month and spotlighting them here.

Hopefully you’re looking for a book in one of these genres, and you’ll give my recommendation a try.

This week’s genre: Young Adult

Sub-genre: Paranormal Romance

Deception by Stacy Claflin is a story of a young girl’s transformation from “normal girl” (which she never was) to vampire royalty, and all the trials she faces as she embraces her new role with her people. Along the way, she finds love, family, danger, and deception.

Deception takes place in contemporary Delphic Cove, a small town in the state of Washington, where the girl Alexis grew up. But Marguerite, the vampire and the sonnast, was born in a castle. Time is spent there, as well as in the woods and in another vampire’s castle too. Readers are really given a sense of who the girl was and who the sonnast is, in part because of the locales Claflin creates.

Deception is an entertaining novel for teens and adults alike. This isn’t just another vampire novel. Claflin creates an interesting world and a compelling mythology never before seen in literature. The characters are easy to relate to, the plot is well-conceived, the pacing is strong, and the rules for the storyworld are new and first rate. I give this book 5 stars, and I’m certain if you give it a chance, you will too.

If you’re looking for a fantasy with romance, intrigue, and action, you’ve found the story. Heck, you’ve found the series you should be reading. Deception, Book One of the Transformed Series by Stacy Claflin is your ticket to an exciting new world.

Stacy lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, their two sons, and their dog. She’s a homeschooler and owner of a daycare, and loves spending time with family and friends. But every spare moment she has is spent writing short stories or novels for one of her three series. Check out the vampire saga (The Transformed Series), the ghost series (The Mercy Series), and soon, her first foray into non-paranormal fiction, Gone (part one of a YA suspense/thriller series).

Connect with Stacy at her website.

Find Deception and all Stacy’s work on Amazon.

Book Spotlight: Finding Eliza by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman

I thought I’d mix things up a little bit, and talk about books this month.

Sure, you can go online and find hundreds of reviews for books by Stephen King, Nora Roberts, James Patterson… If an author is already a NYTBSA, he or she hardly needs a book review from me.

But what about the “little people” that New York has forgotten?

I’m taking books that I like from different genres this month and spotlighting them here.

Hopefully you’re looking for a book in one of these genres, and you’ll give my recommendation a try.

This week’s genre: mainstream literature

Sub-genre: historical

Finding Eliza by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman is a story of a woman’s quest to understand her family and to come to terms with a painful loss. At her grandmother’s behest, she attends a “genealogy party” only to discover there is so much more to her history than she ever thought.

Finding Eliza takes place in contemporary Georgia, but there are several flashbacks to the 1930s which accurately and poignantly depict the tribulations many faced in the pre-desegregation south. The author seamlessly traverses between the contemporary angst felt by her main character and the desperation felt by her ancestors.

Finding Eliza is an engaging and compelling novel. The plot is well-conceived and the characters are entertaining and memorable. In addition, the settings are so beautifully constructed, you can see the landscapes and taste the lemon squares. I’m giving this book 5 stars and know you will do the same.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must mention that I assisted the author with editing this novel, but my involvement in no way impacted my opinions of the book. If you’re looking for a getaway to Georgia and want to read a story that is so emotionally engaging that you’ll both laugh and cry as you turn the pages, look no further than Finding Eliza by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman.

Stephanie is professional genealogist specializing in Midwestern and Southeastern United States family history. She’s written seven family history research guides as well as several articles and blog posts for genealogy websites, and she also speaks on the topic.

Connect with Stephanie at her website.

Find Finding Eliza on Amazon.

Book Spotlight: Answering Annaveta by Lorna Faith

I thought I’d mix things up a little bit, and talk about books this month.

Sure, you can go online and find hundreds of reviews for books by Stephen King, Nora Roberts, James Patterson… If an author is already a NYTBSA, he or she hardly needs a book review from me.

But what about the “little people” that New York has forgotten?

I’m taking books that I like from different genres this month and spotlighting them here.

Hopefully you’re looking for a book in one of these genres, and you’ll give my recommendation a try.

This week’s genre: historical literature

Sub-genre: romantic suspense (contains Christian themes)

Answering Annaveta by Lorna Faith is book one of a trilogy that begins in 1913 Russia. The story follows young Annaveta and her journey to adulthood. She encounters great hardships, devastating heartbreak, and dangers few of us can comprehend. But she also discovers boundless compassion and unwavering love.

This book is an excellent combination of historical facts and character development. It shows the ups and downs of family life, the positives and negatives of living in pre-World War I Russia, and the best and the worst elements of society. Continue reading

Book Spotlight: The Princess and Her Dress by Arthur Grimm

I thought I’d mix things up a little bit, and talk about books this month.

Sure, you can go online and find hundreds of reviews for books by Stephen King, Nora Roberts, James Patterson… If an author is already a NYTBSA, he or she hardly needs a book review from me.

But what about the “little people” that New York has forgotten?

This month, I’m taking books that I like from different genres and spotlighting them here.

Hopefully you’re looking for a book in one of these genres, and you’ll give my recommendation a try.

This week’s genre: Children’s Literature

Sub-genre: Christian Fiction

The Princess and Her Dress by Arthur Grimm is a children’s book written in the classic fairy tale style. There are castles, kings, a princess in peril, a prince coming to her rescue, a moral learned, and a happily ever after ending. All of the major elements were met for a successful fairy tale, and it was a fresh story (if you’re looking for a change from the traditional stories from our youth).

Where Grimm differs in his approach is in incorporating a Christian element. This book not only will entertain young children, it has a positive and faith-affirming message woven seamlessly into the plot. Often secular stories lead children away from God’s message; this one reinforces it. Continue reading

Laci and Del: Birthday Wishes

It’s the first Friday of the month. Time for another installment of short fiction. You can, at any time, find this work or any of the First Friday Fiction Features (#FFFF), by going to the My Work tab, clicking on Freebies, and selecting the story you wish to read.

Remember that 2014 is the year I’m trying serial work. This is part 8 of 12.

Laci and Del: Birthday Wishes

Laci’s stomach churned. This was so not a good idea.

After she and Del had talked out the misunderstanding that had broken them up for a year, they had each explained it to their families in the hopes of putting to rest the hard feelings that had developed. She wasn’t sure it had worked, particularly where his mother was concerned.

His birthday should be a day of celebration, not a day of détente.

She swirled the knife through the fluffy white frosting on three-tiered fudge cake she’d baked that morning. Just when she thought it looked perfect, Del ran his finger through the top.

“Mmm, that’s good.” Continue reading