Sep 6, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Heart’s Song by Aaoron Gansky and Kaye Morrison
Okay. If y’all missed the podcast last night, or any online banter between myself and the faux bro, I’m here to tell ya,
HE MADE ME CRY.
Okay, not him, really. This story. This modern-day rock romance between Geoff Morris and Emily Amhearst that’s played out via emails and text messages and phone transcripts and journal entries. What an amazing way to tell a story. What an amazing story to tell!
Written by Aaron Gansky and Kaye Morrison (Cindy Sproles), this is edge-of-your-seat action and emotion.
Now, full disclosure, I haven’t read the entire book yet. There’s been things like working and eating and sleeping and, wait for it–writing my own novel–that’s interfered. That may have contributed to the story-induced tears.
I can’t share with you the full text exchange that went on between me and Aaron the last two days, because I don’t want y’all to have any spoilers. Let’s just say on my end there was a lot of “#ihateyou” and on his end a lot of “Sorry. I’m going to be saying that a lot, aren’t I?” The book is just that beautiful. It really is. And it really did make me cry. In public. At my new job. See? I hate him. #notreally
Every dialogue transaction brought me deeper into the characters’ plights, their pull to each other, the world keeping them apart. One thing after another, and then finally, almost, together HAHA FOOLED YOU, but wait, no, he’s here, she’s here, YES!, nope, fooled you again, home calls, responsibilities, past troubles . . . Ugh. It’s like breathing underwater while trying to dance the Mambo. Get it? It can’t be done!
I’m almost half through the book and I’m so furious. Because I really want to know what happens with Geoff and Emily, and even Yaz. And Hailey. But I don’t have time. Like they don’t have time for each other. They call, but life interferes. Again and again.
I can tell you, the story starts with a bang. Literally. Well, almost literally. Emily’s boyfriend beats the youknowwhat out of her and Geoff sends her a ticket to safety. They knew each other back in the day, and have rekindled their friendship. Is it more? They want it to be. Or do they? He’s a budding rock star, she’s a quiet girl trying to put her life back together. They’re like oil and water.
They get to know each other again, on deeper levels, and it’s pretty revealing. And pretty misunderstood. And pretty terrific.
Look, if you’ve ever been in that get-to-know-you stage of a relationship, if you’ve ever had an ex who scarred you in different ways, if you’ve ever wanted to matter to someone, you need to read this book. Live vicariously through it. Root for Geoff and Emily. Because right now they’re being pulled apart. And they need all the rooting they can get.
Purchase Heart’s Song on Amazon.
TWEET THIS: Heart’s Song: A Modern-Day Romance @RealMojo68 @adgansky @cindydevoted #heartssong #romance
With an eager heart and a reading schedule,
Happy reading.
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Aug 19, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Blank Pages are the World’s Canvas
Do you enjoy the written word in all its forms? Do you get distracted with closed captioning on your TV? What can I say: Join. The. Club.
As y’all have probably noticed, part of the blog redoux is book reviews. I’m trying to read one book each week. It’s a challenge, but so far, so good. At least for the past month. [It doesn’t hurt that the books I’ve read and reviewed are shorter than an average length novel. But hey, a girl’s gotta start somewhere.]
I know what I look for in a good book, and if you’ve read my reviews (oh, please tell me you’re reading my reviews!) you can pick up on what I like and don’t like. There are some aspects which are personal preference. I’m not a fan of profanity or gruesome bloodshed. Other readers may not have a problem with it. I’m drawn to historical romances, fantasy, and mysteries. Some people prefer science fiction and thrillers.
No matter what your reading style is, I hope you’ll agree there are some things that fundamentally make a good book:
- Good editing. Y’all can think the best story in the world, but if it’s not clear on paper, it won’t sell.
- A balance of dialogue vs action. “You can’t just keep rambling,” BEE said. Nippers rolled his eyes and poured another cup of coffee.
- First line, last line. Each book, each chapter, and hopefully each page leaves your reader wanting more.
- Description where it counts. Only where it counts. A book causes a movie to play in the head of the reader. Unless the specifics are necessary, leave a little room to the imagination. Describe people, scenes. Not the secondary atmosphere. A woman with long, red tresses is different than A tall female, gangly and pale, with carrot-red hair twisted under her black fedora. “She walked past the garbage which reeked of last week’s take-out.” We don’t need to know what last week’s take-out was. We already know that smell.
- Leave the door open a little. Not everything is wrapped up neatly in life. The end of a good book will conquer the plot at hand, but still leave a few questions unanswered.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : What Makes You Turn the Page?
Now I’d like to hear from you: What are some of your favorite books, and what do you like best about them?
TWEET THIS: What makes a good book? @RealMojo68 #amreading
TWEET THIS: What makes you turn the page? @RealMojo68 #amreading
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Jul 29, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Hearts Song
So much about this cover that I love. The authors, the publishers, the endorsements. I love them all. I know them all! How exciting.
Aaron Gansky and Kay Morrison (Cindy Sproles) wrote Heart’s Song several years ago and it found its home at Elk Lake Publishing.
So, this Monday, June 31, is the big release; you know, the it’s-finally-published event. The yeah-they-did-it party.
In case y’all can’t read the back copy, here it is:
Faced with the impending death of his best friend, Geoff Morris wonders if there is life beyond rock and roll. Through the highs and lows of his band, his dead-end job, his frustration with his lack of direction and inspiration, he rediscovers an old friend from college. Emily Amherst is grateful for Geoff s assistance in recovering from a personal disaster, and rewards him by awakening a passion that has lain dormant within him since he moved to LA, away from family and friends, to pursue his career as a rock superstar. But is their budding relationship enough to weather the trials of an internet romance and continual, unceasing personal tragedy?
Sounds compelling, yah? But wait. There’s more!
As we do for such things, we’re having a live Facebook launch event this Monday, and you’re invited! Just log in to your FB account and join here: Book Launch for Heart’s Song.
The fun starts at 5:30 pm PST. There will be lively discussions, revealing facts, polls, great conversation, and a few giveaways. As I do, I’ll be facilitating conversation and allow the authors to share their writing worlds with us.
We’d love it if you could join us, and bring your friends!
TWEET THIS: Facebook Book Launch Party: Heart’s Song @RealMojo68 @adgansky @CindyDevoted #booklaunch #amreading
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 10, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
INVITATION: Harbingers, Cycle One
One of the perks of knowing the people I know, is every so often, I get asked to read books. For no other reason than to read them. And, you know, tell others [that would be you] what I think.
So, some time ago I was given a copy of the aforementioned book by podcast cohost, Alton Gansky. Being the ridiculously slow reader that I am, I didn’t pick the book up until a few weeks later. But once I got into it, I really got into it.
I actually pack it in my bag each day.
That’s something I don’t do, folks! I don’t read in public. I get too distracted. Or I have too many errands to do. But lately, I’ve forgone those pesky errands and planted myself during lunch at the local Starbucks just so I can read what happens next.
Now, Harbingers is unique for several reasons, and I’m gonna tell you why.
FIRST It started out with four authors, each writing a section, or “book”, from the perspective of their own character. That is, Book One was written by Bill Myers in the voice of his character, Brenda. Frank Peretti (later Jeff Gerke), Angie Hunt, and Al Gansky each take a spin for the following sections.
SECOND The first twelve books have been picked up to be published in “cycles”. The first four are in INVITATION.
THIRD It is a very quick read. Well, for most folks. I tend to not dive into a book until I can really commit to it, but this one reads so fast even I was pleasantly surprised. Each book was written to be read in just a day or two. That’s great for people like me. It’s also not great, because when I was done with the first book I just wanted to plow right in to the second one but this thing call housework and another thing called job got in the way.
FOURTH What a joy to read a book that doesn’t take the reader out of the story. As an editor, I naturally find myself critical of writing styles and search subconsciously for errors. I can happily say I was disappointed. Or, not disappointed. Or . . . I just mean the book made me forget I was an editor. That’s hard to do, and highly appreciated.
FIFTH I ain’t gonna lie to you here, the draw for me is I know or have at least met each of the authors except Frank Peretti. Now, when you’re a newbie in the Christian writing world, these are some pretty great names to know. But that’s just my little thing to hold on to.
So let me give you the rundown report on Book One: The Call by Bill Myers.
*WHOOT! WHOOT!* Wait a minute, folks. That’s the spoiler alarm going off! If you don’t want to know about the storyline, best to stop reading here and get yourself a copy of the book. But if you’ve already read it and want to see if my review compares to yours, then by all means, please continue.
SYNOPSIS: Brenda is a “street-hustling tattoo artist who sees images of the future.” Her clients think it’s a game when she tattoos what she sees on them. Two guys bring a drunk friend (“Tank”) and leave him there. The same friend she’s been seeing in her visions. After she works her magic, she’s ready to leave for the night but Tank’s friends don’t return. She’s not the kind to leave him passed out on the sidewalk so she gets him into her car.
Before she can start driving, a low-flying plane, on fire, shoots overhead. Brenda drives to follow it and finds the Professor and Andi have survived the crash. Tank recognizes they are all in the new tattoo on his arm. Whether they like it or not, their paths have brought them together. They discover The Institute: A location known for mysterious events and promoting students with quite a bit of, shall we say, psychic activity.
They meet Sridhar, an unwilling student, and Dr. Trenton, the man in charge. But even now things aren’t what they seem. A terrible energy field controls and amplifies the worst fears of those who enter it. Chants and smoke contribute to the graduation induction ceremony for students as they prepare to go into world with the skills they’ve developed, and the spirit guides they’ve received.
It seems our four are the only ones who recognize Sridhar’s apprehension, and understand they must rescue him. And so they try. But how can four unarmed strangers unite in a game plan against security guards and strong, dark energy?
That, my friends, is why you must by this book. Because I won’t tell you the rest.
A well-written, easy to read, fast paced story that has depth of character, backstory, suspense, conflict. All the things you want in a book. With enough realism to gnaw at the back of your neck as you read about spirits and demons, but enough fabrication to let you sleep at night . . . maybe.
Book One: The Call by Bill Myers is just the beginning. Stay tuned for reports on the rest of INVITATION.
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: The Harbingers, C1B1: The Call by Bill Myers. @realmojo68 #harbingers #amreading
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Aug 23, 2015 |
Aaron D. Gansky’s Hand of Adonai: The Book of Things to Come
It’s a bit surreal to announce, but Tuesday, Aaron D. Gansky’s newest book, Hand of Adonai: The Book of Things To Come is finally available.
The first in a series, Hand of Adonai is a Young Adult Fantasy novel that starts in North Chester, Minnesota and ends in Alrujah, a video game kingdom created by best friends Lauren Knowles and Oliver Shaw.
Don’t be fooled by the genre. This book has been read and enjoyed by all ages.
Being Aaron’s social media manager has its perks. I was also one of his beta readers. That just means a few pre-release books were printed for people like me to review and edit. Since I took the task while we were at Blue Ridge, I opted to make comments via stickie notes instead of a computer file.
My HoA Beta Notes
Don’t worry. Most of those are “Way to go, Gansky” cheers. I fell in love with Lauren and Oliver.
They’re not perfect characters. They have real struggles. Like weight gain and bullies and broken families and high school awkward genes. So they create a perfect world. Lauren writes out her ideas in her journals and Oliver transforms them into computer code that results in a game.
After a particularly hard day for both of them, they wake up. Or do they? Lauren doesn’t know if she’s dreaming or dead. Oliver doesn’t know what to do. Together, they play along with the game only to find there’s more to it than they invented.
Dark creatures like the Nar’esh and Beresus are not easy to conquer. And worse, Lauren and Oliver are in the roles of a Princess and a Monk ~ not easily deniable. Their traveling companions swear to protect them. But would they still, if they knew they were frauds? Or are they gods?
Soon they are joined by Erica Hall and Aiden Prince ~ the objects of their real-life affections. It’s hard enough to navigate through high school emotions in this world. Setting aside teen angst and popularity contests, the four must work together to return home from a place that shouldn’t even exist. Will the demon Belphegor win the game by destroying Alrujah?
I’ve been helping Aaron and his publisher spread the word on social media, and Tuesday, we’re having an online party! Starting at 6:30 pm (Pacific Time) you can join our Aaron D Gansky’s Hand of Adonai Launch Party event on Facebook where we’ll be interacting and sharing trivia questions. And if you can’t meet us on Facebook, at the same time we’ll be streaming live with his weekly Firsts in Fiction Podcast. This week’s theme is How to Launch a Book and I’ll be the guest caster.
Of course, what’s a party without presents?
What’s a party without presents?
As we talk about inspiration, social media, what it takes to write a book, and all things from first thought to final print, Aaron, Al, and I will be giving away copies of books, a packet or two of Magic: The Gathering cards, and I’m not sure what else.
If you’d like a preview of the book, you can view the Hand of Adonai pre-release with your BookGrabbr app (download it to your computer or smart phone).
If you like what you read, you can buy Hand of Adonai at Amazon. It’s now available both in print and Kindle editions.
So we hope you’ll join us for the fun. You can check in to either event (or both) ahead of time. In fact, we’d be super glad if you did, and share them with your peeps. Because what’s a party without guests, right?
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
MoJo Book Review and Giveaway: The Bargain by Aaron D. Gansky
“What’s the Word?” Wednesday: Aaron Gansky on Magic and Writing
