Forest Secrets by Laurie Woodward

Forest Secrets by Laurie Woodward
Publisher:  Laurie Woodward
Publication Date:  October 9, 2015
ISBN:  0692510990
Genre: fantasy, magic

Book Synopsis:  The half-tree, half-human beings lived a secret existence deep in the old growth forest. Until now. When 11-year old Daisy Castillo discovers a plot to destroy the forest, she tries to halt the approaching evil while keeping these magical creatures from being discovered. But danger waits in every shadow. For if these corrupt men succeed, the Forest People will die. A few surprises are in store, as some unknown and undiscovered friendships hold the key to her success. Fate hangs in the balance as Daisy faces her deepest fears, including heartbreak from the past, to rise up against all odds. Suspenseful, mysterious, and full of danger, Forest Secrets captures the enchantment of nature and the power of friendship in this classic tale of good vs. evil.

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this story!! This book has been added to my read-aloud list for my 3rd grade class. I went into this story not knowing anything about it, or if I would like it at all. Within the first few pages my interest was nabbed. This is a cute little tale about an adventurous 11-year old girl from a split family, who moves to a new town. She meets 2 new friends, one a boy who is a couple of years older, and the other a "forest friend". This trio must deal with some not so pleasant life events, but it is presented in a positive manner. In addition to the real-life issues the children deal with, they also learn about and help address issues involving the environment and ecological challenges.

This author writes in a way that makes you feel like you are talking to a friend.  The story was easy to sit down and take in in one sitting - just a quick chat!!  Although the tale is a magical one, the setting feels oh so familiar.  I live in a rural are surrounded by woods, and I can just imagine walking up the path and encountering "tree people".  This story will now leave me with the idea that maybe there are such creatures out there.  Who are we to question it!!!!!!

About the Author:  
Laurie Woodward is a school teacher and the author of the fantasy books: The Artania Chronicles. Her Artania: The Pharaohs’ Cry is the first children’s book in the series. Laurie is also a collaborator on the award-winning Dean and JoJo anti-bullying DVD Resolutions. The European published version of Dean and JoJo for which she was the ghost writer was translated by Jochen Lehner who has also translated books for the Dalai Lama and Deepak Chopra, In addition to writing, Ms. Woodward is an award winning peace consultant who helps other educators teach children how to stop bullying, avoid arguments, and maintain healthy friendships. Laurie writes her novels in the coastal towns of California.           Website           Goodreads

The Sorcery Code: A Fantasy Novel of Magic, Romance, Danger, and Intrigue (Volume 1)

by Dina Zales / Anna Zaires

Publisher: Mozaika Publications

Publication Date: December 6, 2013

Genre:  Fantasy

Book Synopsis:  From the internationally bestselling authors who brought you the Krinar Chronicles comes a captivating tale of intrigue, love, and danger in a world where sorcery is entwined with science . . . 

Once a respected member of the Sorcerer Council and now an outcast, Blaise has spent the last year of his life working on a special magical object. The goal is to allow anyone to do magic, not just the sorcerer elite. The outcome of his quest is unlike anything he could’ve ever imagined – because, instead of an object, he creates Her.

She is Gala, and she is anything but inanimate. Born in the Spell Realm, she is beautiful and highly intelligent – and nobody knows what she’s capable of. She will do anything to experience the world . . . even leave the man she is beginning to fall for.

Augusta, a powerful sorceress and Blaise’s former fiancée, sees Blaise’s deed as the ultimate hubris and Gala as an abomination that must be destroyed. In her quest to save the human race, Augusta will forge new alliances, becoming tangled in a web of intrigue that stretches further than any of them suspect. She may even have to turn to her new lover Barson, a ruthless warrior who might have an agenda of his own . . . 

My Thoughts:  The Sorcery Code is not your typical fantasy!  There is so much that left me second guessing myself; so many times my predictions were way off!!!  Don't you love when that happens???

The story starts off a little on the slow side, but once you start becoming familiar with the characters, you are drawn right in and want more about them.  I found it charming that Blaise was out for the commoner.  More often than not, the powerful sorcerers are evil and want to become more powerful, but not so for Blaise.

I found the whole idea of Blaise's created object, Gala quite interesting.    The development of this character as the story goes on is quite creative, and intuitive in and of itself.  I asked myself several times "now why couldn't I think of something like that?".  She is my favorite character of the story.  She is as innocent and out of control as a child, yet when her emotions take hold, she is all strength and power - much more controlled.

This story is built around the view points of four characters.  The use of flashback throughout is very thoughtful.  I did decide to add the narration performed by Emily Durante, and I am glad I did.  She pulls you in with her voice, and it just adds to the enjoyment, not to mention, I can multi-task and don't have to put the story down when I need to do some little task.

About the Authors:                                            Dima Zales      
Dima Zales is a full-time science fiction and fantasy author residing in Palm Coast, Florida. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked in the software development industry in New York as both a programmer and an executive. From high-frequency trading software for big banks to mobile apps for popular magazines, Dima has done it all. In 2013, he left the software industry in order to concentrate on his writing career.

Dima holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from NYU and a dual undergraduate degree in Computer Science / Psychology from Brooklyn College. He also has a number of hobbies and interests, the most unusual of which might be professional-level mentalism. He simulates mind-reading on stage and close-up, and has done shows for corporations, wealthy individuals, and friends.

He is also into healthy eating and fitness, so he should live long enough to finish all the book projects he starts. In fact, he very much hopes to catch the technological advancements that might let him live forever (biologically or otherwise). Aside from that, he also enjoys learning about current and future technologies that might enhance our lives, including artificial intelligence, biofeedback, brain-to-computer interfaces, and brain-enhancing implants.

In addition to his own works, Dima has collaborated on a number of romance novels with his wife, Anna Zaires. The Krinar Chronicles, an erotic science fiction series, has been a bestseller in its categories and has been recognized by the likes of Marie Claire and Woman’s Day. If you like erotic romance with a unique plot, please feel free to check it out, especially since the first book in the series (Close Liaisons) is available for free everywhere. Keep in mind, though, Dima Zales's books are going to be much more PG 13 . . . at least that’s the plan for now.

Anna Zaires is the love of his life and a huge inspiration in every aspect of his writing. She definitely adds her magic touch to anything Dima creates, and the books would not be the same without her. Dima’s fans are strongly encouraged to learn more about Anna and her work at http://www.annazaires.com/                                   

Anna Zaires                                                                                                                                                                                Anna Zaires fell in love with books at the age of five, when her grandmother taught her to read. She wrote her first story shortly thereafter. Since then, she has always lived partially in a fantasy world where the only limits were those of her imagination. Currently residing in Florida, Anna is happily married to Dima Zales (a science fiction and fantasy author) and closely collaborates with him on all their works.

After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.

Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.

In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.

She loves hearing from her readers, so please don't hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.

The Universal Mirror–Character Interview with Quentin

The Universal Mirror by Gwen Perkins
Publisher: Hydra Publications
Publication Date: January 9th 2012
ASIN:  B006VYHLNS
Genre:  Fantasy
Author Links: http://theuniversalmirror.com/
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Blurb: On the island of Cercia, the gods are dead, killed by their followers and replaced with the study of magic. Magicians are forbidden to leave their homeland. Laws bind these men that prevent them from casting spells on the living—whether to harm or to heal.
Quentin, a young nobleman, challenges these laws out of love for his wife. His best friend, Asahel, defies authority at his side, unaware that the search for this lost magic will bring them both to the edge of reason, threatening their very souls. The Universal Mirror shows how far two men are willing to go for the sake of knowledge and what they will destroy to obtain it.

Character Interview – Quentin


What’s your strongest opinion?

I believe that it's important to do what your instincts tell you is right, even if it may appear to be the wrong thing at the time.

Do you say what’s on your mind?

Constantly. I have a bad habit of saying things first and thinking them through later. I tend to dive right into situations. My heart is there but there are times when it takes my head a bit to catch up.

Are you a peacekeeper or troublemaker?

Quite definitely a troublemaker.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I'd try to be a little less thoughtless at times. I hurt others around me unintentionally on occasion because I've not noticed them or how they've reacted to something that I've said. I'd like to be better about that.

Do you have any regrets? What are they?

I regret that I let my father talk me into marrying my wife before she had a chance to fall in love with me. Arranged marriages are typical among those of our station but I wish that she loved me as much as I love her. Or even that she understood how much it is that I do, in fact, love her.

What’s your greatest talent?

My ability to delude myself.

Whom would you contact first to share good news?

I would want to contact my wife, Catharine. The odds are good, however, that I'd likely spill the news to my friend Asahel. Of all the people that I've known, he's both the easiest to talk to and the one who accepts me simply as I am. He doesn't ever seem to expect or want much of anyone. That's a rare thing in Cercia.

Have you undergone any dramatic physical transformations in your life?

No, I can't say that I have, other than the usual spotty period that one gets when young. I never particularly had a gawky period, I've always been reasonably in shape, and the Plagues passed my household by.

What would you never do, no matter the price?

Give up on someone that I loved.

What secret would you feel the most vulnerable sharing with anyone?

That I care more about what people think and about life in general than I let on. I'd rather everyone think that I was just as careless and carefree as I pretend to be. The truth is, I don't like to let others down. It's simply that I always manage to, particularly where my family is concerned. I always wanted to live up to their expectations and never managed it.

Why should the reader care about your story?

We might have something in common, after all. Who hasn't done something foolish or possibly dangerous for someone that they loved? Or wanted to prove themselves to the ones that they cared for? I hope that my tale will inspire others to think about the world from which I've come and wonder how it might be the same as their own.


My Thoughts on The Universal Mirror:


This is a very unique fantasy story, one in which I enjoyed reading very much.  In the beginning, I was scratching my head and wondering if this was for me, not sure what was going on, but it didn't take long, and once I got into it, I just couldn't put it down.  


Perkins did an excellent job with the characters. Each character was so fleshed out, I think they could have walked out of the pages at any time. It would be so easy to create a movie based on what she created.  In addition to the characterization itself, the interactions and relationships between them was fascinating - not what was expected - and indeed complex.  


The story-line was anything but simple.  There were so going on - the heresy of using magic on a human body, the motives that Quentin had for doing so, and the ethical ideas that were brought to the forefront.  I found this book to be a real page-turner.  Even when I was getting tired, I wanted to read "just a few more pages".  


The end of the story was not what I had expected, but I do understand that there will be another book.  I am looking forward to reading more about this world - and just more from Gwen Perkins.  I think she is a master at her craft!


Book Trailer: