Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Review: Hellsbane (Book One) by Paige Cuccaro

Hellsbane (Book One) by Paige Cuccaro

Amazon Product Description:

Emma Jane Hellsbane always knew she was different, but she had no idea she wasn't even human. Well, at least she's half-human. She's half-fallen angel, too, and now dear ol' dad wants her dead. All the Fallen angels want all their troublesome offspring removed from the mortal coil so she's trying not to take it personally. Besides, she wants him dead just as much. Her father's death is the only way she'll be forgiven for his sin, stop those pesky demons from trying to hack off her head, and have any hope at all of getting back to a normal life as a wicked slick Intuitive Consciousness Explorer.
Of course, first she'll have to figure out which fallen angel is her father, avoid accidentally seducing her angelic mentor, help an old friend conquer his own fallen sperm donor, and basically save the world from a cataclysmic divine smack down.
No problem. With a last name like Hellsbane, Emma Jane was definitely born for the job.


My thoughts:
This is a entertaining story! Fallen angels, demon hunting half-angels, what more could you ask for!  Add in a little high school crush and the fate of the human race - you've got an idea of what to expect from this one!  Paige Cuccaro has given us:  Fantastic characters, a realistic setting, an original spin on "new" religion and the idea of angels.  I LOVE Emma!  
It's an action packed thrill ride!  Don't let this one pass you by!
     Here's a piece of one of my favorite parts: 
"You're an amazing woman, Emma Jane. Truly the flesh-and-blood finger of God. You humble me."
"Dude, you've got it all wrong. This isn't duty, This is revenge."

Blog Tour: Earth Angel by E. Van Lowe

This virtual book tour is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
You can see the entire tour schedule by clicking HERE.
Welcome to The Wormhole and my day on the tour!
I am pleased to present: E. Van Lowe!
Hi there! I'm E. Van Lowe, an author, television writer, screen-writer, playwright and producer who has worked on such shows as "The Cosby Show," "Even Stevens," and "Homeboys In Outer Space." I have been nominated for an Emmy and an Academy Award. My first YA novel, "Never Slow Dance With A Zombie," is a zombie horror novel with a comedic twist. It was a selection of The Scholastic Book Club, and a nominee for an ALA Award.
My novel "Boyfriend From Hell," the first book in the Falling Angels Saga, came out in September and has received mostly 4 and 5 star reviews. "Earth Angel," the second in the series, comes out in December.
I write just about every day. I write all over the house, but my favorite spot is the dining room. It puts me closer to the food. In fact, I'm in the dining room right now (*munch, munch*). Please visit me at my blog, E's blog, where I hold contests and giveaways, and share tid-bits about my life as a writer. www.vanlowe.blogspot.com
He was gracious enough to offer an interview!
? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was ten years-old.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
Two real jobs.  I was a salesman and then a teacher.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
I try to write two books a year, but so far I haven’t succeeded.  8-10 months for a solid draft.
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I write in my sleep.  Often when I’m faced with a real problem, I take a nap.  Most times I work it out in my sleep. Strange, I know.

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
Not really.  I am a full time writer, so I approach it like a job. I just sit down at the computer, or with a pad and pen and begin.
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
All my characters possess qualities of people I know—especially myself.
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
Writing for me is like stumbling around in the dark. I stumble around a lot with ideas.  I like to live with an idea for a while before I even begin to take notes.  When I write, I usually start out thinking I am moving in a certain direction, only to discover that I want to go in a different direction.  This happens on almost every project, so I am used to it. It’s my process.


? What books have most influenced your life?
I can’t be sure what has influenced me.  I will say Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger had a definite effect on me as a would-be writer, and Salem’s Lot by Stephen King definitely influenced my desire to write genre fiction.

? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?
I remember the first book I ever finished.  Once I was old enough to borrow from the library, I would take out the maximum number of books because it made me look studious (yes, I was image conscious at 10.  Sad) Anyway, my father noticed I wasn’t finished any of the books, even though they had tons of illustrations.  He told me the next time I went to the library to take out two books and read them cover-to-cover.  I did.  The first was Horse On A Houseboat.  Good thing I liked it.  I’ve been reading (and finishing) ever since.

? What are you reading right now?
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare and The Imaginings by Paul D. Dail

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Watch sports in person and on TV.  Go to movies, hang out with friends, and play tennis. And reading, of course.


? What is your favorite comfort food?
Pizza—hands down.
? What do you think makes a good story?
I like when characters have flaws and doubts. I like seeing flawed characters overcome their flaws and succeed.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
J.D. Salinger.  He was a master at everything that goes into good story telling, including being very entertaining.
? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?
?
Fun random questions: 
·        dogs or cats? Both.  I love animals.
·        Coffee or tea? Coffee
·        Dark or milk chocolate? Dark, but if all you’ve got is milk, count me in.
·        Rocks or flowers? flowers
·        Night or day? Both.  Love both for different reasons.
·        Favorite color? Red.
·        Crayons or markers? Markers
·        Pens or pencils? Pens

Book 1: Boyfriend From Hell:
Amazon Product Description:
Fifteen year-old Megan Barnett and her single mom, Suze, have a special relationship—they are friends, close friends, who do almost everything together. “But come on, guys, she’s my mother… Can I really tell her that while we’re snuggled up on the sofa watching Spider Man Three, I’m secretly undressing James Franco with my eyes? Of course not…” The special bond takes a turn for the worse when Suze decides to start dating again. She hasn’t had a man in her life since Megan’s father left ten years ago. Enter two mysterious young men, Megan’s new classmate, sinfully attractive bad boy, Guy Matson, and the dangerously handsome art dealer, Armando. Before long Megan and Suze both wind up in steamy relationships. But neither of the handsome pair is quite what he seems. In fact, one of them is Satan, with his sights set on a new bride. Megan has precious little time to figure out how to stop him. If she doesn’t, either Megan or Suze are quite literally going to HELL. "Boyfriend From Hell" is the first book in the Falling Angels Saga from the author of the gruesomely hilarious, "Never Slow Dance With A Zombie."

Book 2: Earth Angel:
Amazon Product Description:
E. Van Lowe's "Earth Angel" is the second book in his series of the Falling Angels Saga. In this story, Megan winds up in a life-or-death battle to save herself, the angel she loves, and all of mankind from unspeakable evil.




You can buy a copy of Boyfriend From Hell by clicking HERE.
You can buy a copy of Earth Angel by clicking HERE.