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Moonlit by Jadie Jones Book Review


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Tour Schedule

 

 

Moonlit

Eighteen-year-old Tanzy Hightower knows horses, has grown up with them on Wildwood Farm. She also knows not to venture beyond the trees that line the pasture. Things happen out there that can’t be explained. Or undone. Worse, no one but she and the horses can see what lurks in the shadows of the woods.

When a moonlit ride turns into a terrifying chase, Tanzy is left to question everything, from the freak accident that killed her father to the very blood in her veins. Broken and confused, she turns to Lucas, a scarred, beautiful stranger, and to Vanessa, a charming new friend who has everything Tanzy doesn’t.

But why do they seem to know more about her than she knows herself?

Amazon Kindle * Amazon * Goodreads

WiDo Publishing * Barnes & Noble

 

 

Praise

“Virginia’s trees look like they’re burning. Most of them blaze crimson or gold, but some still have a chokehold on their green. I wish they’d give it up already. Leaves are more beautiful when they’re dying.”

And so Moonlit begins. From here the story rolls from one twist to another with many vivid characters whose motives are hard to predict. I found myself being suspicious of everyone, wanting to tell Tanzy to be very careful. The deeper I fell into the plot, the more questions kept rising to the surface. But not to worry, all of my questions were answered. Appropriate for all ages, if you love paranormal fantasy mixed with suspense, mystery and other-worldly romance, you’ll love this novel!

~Author Julie Ford

My Review

This book had a slow start – so slow I almost gave up on it. But, I’m glad I didn’t. This story is about Tanzy, a girl trying to live her life as best she can, considering her home life isn’t the greatest. Horses are a huge part of her life, but after a tragic accident which she blames herself for, she promises not to ride again.

What caused the horses to get spooked? And why does a stranger show up and call her by a different name? Who is Tanzy really, and what dark forces are in her life, trying to cause her harm? The last half of the book is fast paced and suspenseful, propelling you to continue reading to find out the answers.

Prologue

The first anniversary of my father’s death was even harder on my mother. Back then, I thought she was haunted most by what she didn’t know. I refused to blame her when she raged above me on our staircase that night, drunk and sad and angry. When she made me promise I’d never ride again. When she hurled a half-full bottle of vodka at my face and it exploded on the wooden stairs at my feet. I hadn’t tried to get out of the way. She had just missed.
I wanted to tell her that knowledge was no solace, that what you know can burn inside you until there’s nothing left but guilt and ash. I also wanted to protect her from losing the only piece of him she had left. So I didn’t say a word.

 

Author Jadie Jones

Georgia native Jadie Jones first began working for a horse farm at twelve years old, her love of horses matched only by her love of books. She went on to acquire a B.A. in equine business management, and worked for competitive horse farms along the east coast. The need to write followed wherever she went.
She currently coaches a hunt seat equitation team that competes in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, and lives with her family in the foothills of north Georgia. When she’s not working on the next installment of the Moonlit series, she is either in the saddle or exploring the great outdoors with her daughter. Moonlit is her first book.

 

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{Blog Tour} Interview with Jo Sparkes, author of ‘The Birr Elixir’


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Jo SparkesA well-known Century City Producer once said Jo Sparkes “writes some of the best dialogue I’ve read.”

Jo graduated from Washington College, a small liberal arts college famous for its creative writing program, forgot about writing totally, until she had a chance to study with Robert Powell, a student of renowned teachers Lew Hunter and Richard Walter, head of UCLA’s Screenwriting Program.

She has written feature film scripts, scripts for Children’s live-action and animated television programs, a direct to video Children’s DVD, and commercial work for corporate clients. A featured writer on several websites, she was a member of the Pro Football Writers Association and (very unofficially) the first to interview Emmitt Smith when he came to the Arizona Cardinals.

Jo served as an adjunct teacher at the Film School at Scottsdale Community College, and even made a video of her most beloved lecture.

Her book for writers and artists, “Feedback How to Give It How to Get It” has received glowing reviews.

When not diligently perfecting her craft, Jo can be found exploring her new home of Portland, Oregon, with her husband Ian, and their dog Oscar.

Her latest book is the fantasy, The Birr Elixir.

You can visit her website at www.josparkes.com or connect with her at twitter at www.twitter.com/sparkes777

The Birr ElixirWho or what is the inspiration behind this book?

Most of the writing I’ve been paid to do has involved other people as gatekeepers. They change it, mold it, and make it what they envision. And that’s perfectly okay – that was part of the gig.

Just once, however, I wanted the chance to write without gatekeepers. Editors, yes. Critics, yes. But not roadblocks.

It’s like kicking your shoes off after a long day. You can wiggle your toes.

Who is your biggest supporter?

Three former students. Although once the decision was made, friends and family came out of the woodwork with some surprising inspiring enthusiasm.

Your biggest critic?

Myself! And Oscar, my dog, does his share of criticizing.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

Art! And the artists that create it.

Creativity should be nurtured, fostered. Celebrated. It’s not a luxury, for goodness sake. Creativity is how man makes progress. First we dream it, then we create it.

So many people believe that you fail as an artist unless you make a lot of money. They tie all measurements of success to a dollar sign. But every time we create, feel that satisfaction from having accomplished something unique, we succeed.

Art to me is the opposite of science. Science is the logical steps to reach goals, but when the steps aren’t clear, or there’s too big of a gap to get there, art is the spark of inspiration that leaps the gap.

It’s the divine part of the human soul. We really ought to encourage it, in ourselves and in our children.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I hope so.

I take classes whenever I can – and this year took a six week class with Cynthia Whitcomb. She’s a screenwriter and a teacher and a playwright – in short she’s fantastic. And of course, in classes you get the chance to meet and network with others. To me, screenwriting teaches you the art of brevity.

Writing is a craft. I certainly haven’t perfected it yet.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Don’t fear failure. I think it takes a few really good failures to create a huge success. And those who never fail never really do anything of worth.

If you want to write – write!

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

You get much further – and have more fun besides – if you’ll just take the chance and go for it.

Sure, weigh your options. But listen to your heart as well. For me, when I decide I’m too nervous to try something, and then find myself still thinking about it later – I know I should forget my doubts and do it.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

Oh yes.

When I was about to start my third year in college – so I must have been twenty or so – a cousin wanted me to travel with her over to Germany. She had a boyfriend/fiancé who was in the army, stationed there. I was working summers to have money to buy books for classes, and when I counted up my pennies, I did have enough to go. But I thought it was impractical, as I’d be very tight on cash when school started. I chose to stay home and work.

What an opportunity – to go to Europe with my cousin, and see the sights. I missed it all for ‘practical’ concerns. I wound up with a few more bucks, and lost life-altering memories.

What is your favorite past-time?

I’m somewhat addicted to NFL football. We’re talking jersey wearing, fists pumping, screaming my lungs out silliness. Probably to do with being a ‘daddy’s girl’ when I was little. My poor British husband had to learn to like the game, or spend Sundays alone.

Go Cardinals.

 

Interview with Ron Hartman, author of ‘The Prophecy Chronicles: Prophecy Foretold’


 

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Prophecy ChroniclesABOUT THE PROPHECY CHRONICLES: PROPHECY FORETOLD

These are dark days for Naphthali. The king has been murdered, the land invaded by the Imperial Army. It will absorb Naphthali into an Empire that stretches across all of Enialé at any cost. The ravaged people cling to an ancient promise, an assurance that a Prophesied savior will come to set them free…

Daniel Martin is trapped in a life that hasn’t gone as expected. His pharmacy is struggling and he is losing all hope of making a difference in his patients’ lives. His family is the one shining light in his disenchanted life, but he is torn from them when an accident draws him to Naphthali. The people need him but Daniel is driven by his need to return to the family he loves. Is he the Prophesied One? Only time will tell as both the Empire and the Resistance battle for Daniel while the fate of Naphthali hangs in the balance…

AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE|ROGUE PHOENIX PRESS

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

In The Prophecy Chronicles: Prophecy Foretold Daniel Martin is a pharmacist that gets pulled from our world during an accident and wakes up in a different country called Naphthali.  The people have been conquered by an Empire that stretches across the continent, and just as Daniel comes into their world they are attempting to overthrow the Emperor.  He’d sustained some facial injuries when the accident happened and those now-healed scars mark him as “the star-burst stranger”, a prophesied savior.  The only problem is he doesn’t know anything about the prophecy!  All Daniel wants to do is get back to his family, but along the way he gets pulled into the struggle between the Imperialists and Naphthalian Resistance.  Daniel struggles to stay true to himself and survive while he searches for a way home…

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

The opening sequence with the accident actually occurred to me several years ago when I was in high school. I’d gotten off work at a grocery store late at night and was driving home in a snow storm.  I came around a series of s-curves that I’d driven around many times before, and for the first time I noticed a pond set not far off the road.   Suddenly I could see, plain as day, the book’s opening!  I could see the car missing the curve, hitting the shoulder and rolling onto that frozen pond, only to break through…  That sequence bounced around in my head for years.  It wasn’t until several years later, when I had a job where I had to travel a lot, that the rest of the story started to coalesce.   I was driving along, missing my family, when I started to think about what it’d be like if you were pulled from your family.  What would you do to get back to them?  What wouldn’t you do?  Would you care if getting back to them meant condemning an entire nation of people?  The whole series started with those initial ideas and eventually became a story that I hope is a great read!

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I believe passionately in challenging myself!  Every year I pick something new to try and expand what I believe I am capable of.  In past years that list has included going on international mission trips, teaching college-level courses, helping out more at my church, and competing in a triathlon.  Oh, it also included a challenge to write a novel, which is why we’re here now!  Anyway, this year the challenge is to compete in a Warrior Dash, which is a 5K road race and a pretty involved obstacle course.  When I showed my kids footage of the race online they were very excited to see that I’d be running through fire.  So, the skills I’ve been working on are improving upper body strength along with maintaining my cardio through running…I’m also working on how not to catch on fire!

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

The most important thing in my life, now and always, is my family.  I have a wonderful wife that encourages every crazy thing I try, and three really great kids.  They have been a great sounding board for my books, as well as inspiration for some of the characters!  Let’s just say it should be no surprise that Daniel has a wife and three children he loves dearly…  Some of the flashbacks that he has in the novel are true stories from our family, but I won’t spill the beans about which are true and which aren’t—protect the identities of the innocent, know what I mean?  In fact, some of the names in Prophecy Foretold come from my family as well: the continent that Naphthali is a part of is called Enialé, which is my wife’s middle name (Elaine) spelled backwards.  There is a town Daniel nearly dies in called Namtrah, which is Hartman spelled backward as well…

What are you currently working on?

I’ve already written rough drafts of the other two books in the Prophecy Chronicles trilogy.  Currently I’m doing revisions on the second book, Prophecy Revealed, and I’m working on a new book.  It will be more of a mainstream fiction novel, exploring a group of high school friends that reunite after twenty years when one of their number dies mysteriously.  The overall theme of the book will be about forgiveness, and what happens if you do (or don’t) accept or receive it.  I’m in the early stages of that one, but it has been fun to flesh out so far!

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

I’ve been inspired by many authors, but probably one that most inspired Prophecy Foretold was Stephen R. Donaldson.  I was completely blown away by his Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series.  I’d never seen a story where a character was taken from our world and so completely immersed in another, all the while still remembering where he came from.  Obviously when you are creating a world no one has ever seen, it is very important to flesh out that world well enough that it sounds like a real place.  Other authors that I’d looked to for inspiration on that were David Gemmell in his Troy series, J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series, and Stephen King in the Talisman.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

Definitely I’m a different person.  I think we all change over time, as life sculpts us into what we are meant to be.  For me I’m not sure if 5 years is long enough of a window, although five years ago I was just starting to write my first book (Prophecy Foretold), and now I’m on to book number four.  I’d prefer to look back 12 years.  Twelve years ago I had no children, had just gotten out of college, and was fearless.  There was honestly nothing that frightened me!  Now that I’ve got three kids almost everything frightens me…usually not for myself, I’m frightened for them.  I’m definitely a hyper-vigilant parent.  We can’t go to the park without me continually doing a head count and carefully watching everyone.  It’s a big world out there!  Most of it is exciting, but I can’t help but be worried for my kids.

What is your favorite past-time?

You might have guessed this by now, but my favorite past-time is playing with my kids.  They are a pretty active bunch, so frequently my free time is taken up with soccer/football/tennis/basketball/swimming/boy scouts/orchestra/theater events, but when nothing else is going on I do love to watch movies with my kids, especially ones that moved me as a child and I can share that joy with them.  I also love to travel, and having a good book at hand is always a must!

 

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ABOUT RON HARTMAN

Ron Hartman has had a life-long passion for the written word and is an avid reader. The Prophecy Chronicles are his first written works. Ron graduated from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2000 and lives in Ottumwa, Iowa with his wife and three children. Read more about Prophecy Foretold, as well as excerpts from the other books in The Prophecy Chronicles series, at www.prophecychronicles.com.

His latest book is The Prophecy Chronicles.

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