Category: reviews

I See Me (Oracle 1) Kirkus Review

I See Me (Oracle 1) received a great Kirkus Review today. So of course, I had to share.

In this first book of the Oracle fantasy series, a young woman ages out of a foster-care system only to learn she’s a being of great magical potential.

An orphan from birth, Rochelle Saintpaul has just turned 19. She’s now allowed to leave her Vancouver Residence home and follow her bliss in an RV. Her online business of selling charcoal drawings is successful, but her unknown psychotic disorder (plaguing her since she was 13) produces seizures and visions. The visions—featuring a tall man in a black suit and a blond woman wielding a sparkling green knife—become the subjects of her drawings. While saying goodbye to her social worker, Rochelle receives a jewelry box that belonged to her mother, who died in a car accident. Inside are a gold necklace and “an antique white rock.” Rochelle then buys her RV and heads for Washington state, just as a scraggly local named Hoyt tries once more to befriend her. No sooner does she find a roadside diner across the border than does someone ask her, “What are you?…A witch?” The buff, charismatic stranger, named Beau Jamison, notes her tattoo sleeves and alluring eyes. After buying her some pie, Beau wins Rochelle over and returns with her to the RV. Expanding the world of her Dowser series, Doidge (Catching Echoes, 2016, etc.) merges romance, carnality, and supernatural fantasy to lush effect. Her characterization of Rochelle as someone who’s earned her place in the world is encapsulated by the line “My entire life had been dictated by other people’s tragedies and shortcomings, but now I had a future that was just mine.” Later, Doidge hints at the bond forming between her protagonists when Beau “tucked my hair behind my ear…then caressed down my neck and across my collarbone,” only to moments later shove readers off an erotic cliff. The fantasy elements, including shape-shifters, sorcerers, and Rochelle’s connection to them all, proceed more gradually. The volume ends with a compromise—made for love—that promises dire consequences later in the series.

A gift to the author’s fans and a compelling introduction to her supernatural universe for new readers. – Kirkus Reviews

AMAZON – KOBO – iBOOKS – SMASHWORDS – BARNES & NOBLE

The ebook version of I See Me (Oracle 1) is FREE for a limited time.

Reconstructionist 1: early reviews

Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1) has been available for one week today! Whoot! A number of lovely readers have taken the time to leave reviews, so I thought I would share a few screenshots to help celebrate the novel’s first week anniversary.

From Amazon USA:


All Amazon USA reviews.

From Amazon CANADA:

All Amazon Canada reviews.

From Amazon UK:

All Amazon UK reviews.

From Barnes & Noble:

All Barnes & Noble reviews.

Thank you to all who have read and reviewed. Getting reviews is vitally important for a new release, especially in the first thirty days and especially when launching a new series.

Your time and thoughts are much, much appreciated.

Oracle 3: early reviews

I See Us (Oracle 3) has been available for a week and its release has been stellar (if I do say so myself) with lots of lovely readers leaving a number of fantastic reviews on all platforms.

I’ve cobbled together a few of them below:

“Meghan’s amazing stories are amazing, intriguing and addictive. You can always count on experiencing a wide range of emotions throughout the story. When you start reading there’s no stopping! In this book we learn so much about Rochelle and her abilities. I was on the edge of my seat with each chapter and revelation about her and even a few unexpected tidbits about other Adepts. I highly highly recommend this series to anyone who loves the Dowser series or just a good read with magic, laughs and the ability to make you care deeply about its characters.” – Amazon USA review

“Loved the series. I was really attached to the character as she grew up, matured and found her destiny. Very sorry that the series is complete but enjoyed every minute. I gave 5 stars not for this book alone but for the entire series and the way the author masterfully made me care what happened to this anti-social, rough kid who needed to find a capacity to love. This series has a bit of magic itself in the way that it is really much more than the sum of its parts. The series should be read in order. I look forward to reading more from this author.” – Goodreads review

“I love this series! Sad it was only a trilogy but it just made sense once I finished the book. Very well written and I LOVE all the characters. Even the characters you hate you still love because she wrote them so well. It feels like I almost know these characters. I can picture them at the store or passing me when I walk. From the first page I am drawn into the book. The story is richly told and I find myself transported into their world. I cannot emphasize how much I love this book!” – Kobo review

“I laughed, sobbed and fretted. It keeps on getting better. Read them all, devoured and need more! Strongly recommend you add this to your collection!” – Amazon UK review

“Another masterful piece of writing from Meghan Ciana Doidge! Action packed, extremely funny, and poignant love and family messages. Sad that it was over too soon. A must read (along with all of the Oracle series.)” – Amazon USA review

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Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed so far. The first 30 days in a release are very important. Sales (of course) and honest reviews trigger the algorithms of the various retailers, then the book actually gets more ‘screen’ time (at least, that’s the current urban myth).

Your reviews are welcomed and appreciated.

oracle3_nowavailable_banner

AMAZON – iBOOKS – KOBO – B&N – SMASHWORDS

Dowser 6: early reviews

As I struggle to focus on work while prepping for Chicago and The Bookcon, I thought it would be fun to share a few snippets from the early reviews for Dowser 6.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review. It is very much appreciated (and helps keep the book visible to the retailer ranking algorithms).

Artifacts, Dragons, and Other Lethal Magic (Dowser 6) ebook

Via Amazon.com [see all reviews]:

“Possibly the best Dowser book yet.” – Johnny

“A worthy story for lovers of romance and fantasy.” – Mark

“Wow!!! I just can’t get enough of this series, it is utterly addicting.” – Marcia

“Another wonderfully engaging book!” – Rhonda

“These books make you laugh, cry and fall in love with (most of) the characters. Can’t wait for the next taste of this series already!” – Megs

“Dowser #6 is thrilling, complex, & intoxicating!!” – Chloegirl

Via Barnes & Noble [see all reviews]:

“This book is so amazing!” – HannajoSol

Via Goodreads [see all reviews]:

“Wonderfully written! Twists and turns abound!” – Wendy

“Awesome! If I could I would give this book and the entire series 10 stars! ” – Cheryl

James reviews I See Me (Oracle 1)

Okay. I wrote this entire blog post, then deleted it because I was boring myself. Ha. Instead, I will leave you with a screenshot of the review that inspired my deleted blog post and let you make your own observations.

James – I hope you don’t mind me sharing this but I loved finding your review over on Amazon today.

James reviews I See Me

I just write the stories that haunt me, then cross my fingers and hope that readers might enjoy them. Thankfully some of you do!

Okay! I’m off to the Northwest Chocolate Festival in Seattle. See you on the other side.

Trinkets, Treasures and Other Bloody Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge-Review, Guest Post and Giveaway

New review, cupcake recipe and giveaway!!

Trinkets, Treasures and Other Bloody Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge-Review, Guest Post and Giveaway Trinkets, Treasures and Other Bloody Magic The Dowser Series…

via Trinkets, Treasures and Other Bloody Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge-Review, Guest Post and Giveaway.

A review of Blackheath by Scott Fitzgerald Gray

Blackheath – An Elathien Solo Mystery by Scott Fitzgerald Gray & Quinn Hamilton

Synopsis (via Amazon): In the great Free City of Yewnyr, the Blackheath Refuge is home to the victims of the most powerful magic in the Elder Kingdoms — those wounded in body and mind by dark mana, ancient curses, and the hunger of the undead.

When an invisible killer is unleashed within the refuge, the brash investigator Elathien Solo must contend with indifferent authorities, a spurned lover, and a young patient’s terrible secret as she searches for the truth.

And even as a dark conspiracy of murder and madness unfolds around her, Elathien is forced to cope with the still-raw scars of the time she herself spent as a patient within Blackheath’s walls…

FOR MATURE READERS

My thoughts: I really liked this story. I find it has stuck with me the next day – this rarely happens for me – and I am looking forward to more instalments in the Elathien Solo Mystery series.

Caveats: I picked up this book on a day I was seriously under the weather. It took me about four chapters to get wrapped up in the story … I was struggling with vocabulary and the formal tone of the writing for a bit. The writers had me actually looking up words, including arcane, which I was pretty sure I knew the definition of (I did), and rereading bits of information at the beginning. But around chapter four I stopped doing so and just let the story unfold for me.

I came to really like the main character, Elathien — though I have no idea if I am pronouncing her name correctly in my head — she is brilliantly flawed (I love that in a character), fearless and fearful, powerful but restrained with that power (intriguingly so) with a dark, dark past.

I don’t think I have ever read this blend of genre before – a fantasy/mystery – but I quite enjoyed the meshing of the magical dark fantasy world with the more classic mysterious medical-facility plot structure.

The main mystery of the story was nicely interwoven with the mystery of Elathien’s past with just enough of an intersection between the two to keep it interesting but not overly contrived.

Also, I must say I did enjoy the extremely tasty (!!) SEX scenes, which are explicit, but not shockingly so.

I give it a solid 4 stars. You can currently find the ebook at Amazon for FREE, though I am not too sure for how long.

*Disclosure note: I know Scott Fitzgerald Gray. He edits my writing. I have no idea who Quinn Hamilton is, except he she (how about I do a little research before post, hey?) co-wrote this novel and I liked what I read.

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EXCERPT

Elathien was forced to take a step back as Nerani turned on her suddenly. A dark strength had worked its way through the girl, giving her the tone and disposition of a different person. The thought set Elathien on edge as she called up the cantrip of detection, the incantation barely a whisper.

“She knew all their names,” Nerani hissed, pushing closer. “She knew what they did, what they needed, how they lied. She wouldn’t have told, but their fear blinded them. Made them not believe her. So I felt how long it took her to fall. How her legs broke, her spine shattered when she struck the ground. I felt her bleed to death in the dark…”

There was no magic in her. No sign of the possession or enchantment that Elathien would have sworn she was seeing, no sign of Nerani’s thoughts or actions controlled by some outside force. With a sharp cry of pain, the girl pushed past her, stumbling toward the laboratory door.

Which was open now, Elathien saw.

The white light from the corridor beyond pushed up against the pale glow of Elathien’s spell-light, shimmering along a boundary like oil and water settling slowly against each other.

The door had been closed when Nerani stepped away from it. A thousand things could have explained it opening, from the most minor incantation to a loose latch and a breath of air from the corridor beyond. Elathien felt a chill twist through her all the same, rising from the base of her spine as Nerani turned to her.

“They killed Irandis,” the girl said. “You wanted to know.”

“What?” Elathien’s voice caught as she spoke. “I wanted to know what?”

“You wanted to know why I came here. To Blackheath.”

Nerani’s steps were steady as she made her way down the corridor, bare feet silent on the stone floor…

Insightful blog posts?

I don’t write insightful or instructive blog posts.

I read a lot of blogs. I follow all the news about filmmaking or publishing or writing – whatever I happen to be interested in that day – but I don’t write them. It doesn’t really occur to me to share my opinion on such things as self-publishing, or buying book reviews, or ebooks in libraries, or the latest controversy. I twitter or facebook the posts I find most interesting and then shut down my browser and focus on writing whatever I am working on …

It has just occurred to me this morning that perhaps this is odd. Is it odd that I am not more “opinion-ly” active? Is it odd that I while I appreciate other people’s opinions, and use their blogs to keep myself vaguely informed, I don’t offer any of my own insights in return?

It’s not that I don’t have opinions on what makes a good story (structure) interesting (action) and engaging (kick ass characters), but that I rarely think to share them beyond a few guest blog posts, etc. It’s not that I am not trying to figure out how to position myself in the market and get more readers’ eyes on my books. And it’s not that I don’t have any experience to bring to the table, though most of that experience is in independent filmmaking in Canada and screenwriting.

To me writing is intense, all-encompassing.

At first, it is just about getting the story out of my head with as much focus as possible, and yet also being free enough to let the character or plot take me where it will within the structure I’ve provided. I often feel utterly empty after a few hours of writing on this level. Devoid of opinion … or even complete sentences.

Then, the next drafts are about making sure that each beat rolls into the next smoothly … with just enough information but not too much.

Then, editing. Is this word the right one? Is it simple enough that anyone will understand what the character feels or thinks, but complex enough to encompass everything I am trying to say or imply?

I write my heart, my fears, my dreams, and my aspirations into each story. All cloaked in the fictional world I’ve envisioned. I laugh … I cry … I fall in love – just a little bit – with scenes I had no idea I was going to write.

I don’t try to be insightful.

I see the story. I write it. I refine it as best I can.

And, at the end of the day or week, that is all I have. Just whatever words have made it on to the page.

I have nothing else to give, but these stories or movies. No opinions or insights, no matter that I would love to write engaging and interesting blog posts. I guess I have nothing much to say about anything else other than whatever story I am constructing.

Unless it’s a picture of a cat attempting to impede my writing, I have been known to snap a few of those. Such as: Leo in the blueberry box, Darby sleeping on a manuscript, or cats ruling the world. But I have a feeling those posts don’t count at all … not on an “insightful” level. My Facebook friends seem to like these posts the best though, and honestly so do I.

I guess this makes me kind of boring.

Sorry about that.

Maybe you’ll find one of my books or films more interesting … that is always the hope.

A review of We Can Be Heroes by Scott Fitzgerald Gray

Death and Friendship. 
Love and Gaming.
Mind and Machine.
The Meaning of Life.
High School Graduation.
The End of the World.
That Kind of Stuff.

A group of teens discovers that the online game they’ve been playing has serious, life-impacting consequences. While this tight knit group seems on the edge of unraveling at the beginning of the book, the author skillfully interweaves the plot of his action-packed, sci-fi thriller with an exploration of the relationships of his characters. At times, they hate each other as much as they care, but when faced with life and death, games, guns, and secret military organizations, they choose truth and love.

This is rather obviously my kind of book.

I hesitate to elaborate further because I don’t want to give too much away about the plot, which, though it starts slowly, ramps up into glorious action and heartwarming love story. By the midpoint, I was gobbling up the novel and turning the pages as quickly as I could read. By the end, I had tears in my eyes. Unreleased, but still tears.

Normally, I would quote some of my favourite lines when reviewing a good book, but in this case I feel the reader needs to discover this world as the author has presented it, beginning to end, and not in bite-sized pieces. With that said, I will at least hint at my absolute favourite line, which is the accumulation of a running motif. This motif is almost painstakingly set up by the author as a way to describe the feelings of his main character, who also happens to be the author himself. Yes, this is written as semi-autobiographical.

Crazy stuff happens. It can’t all possibly be true. You’ll have to read it to figure it out.

I’m going to read We Can Be Heroes again. And I very rarely reread. I give it a solid 4.5 stars. You can currently find the ebook at Amazon (click the book cover picture above). The paperback version would also soon be available.

*Disclosure note: I know Scott Fitzgerald Gray. He edits my writing. I should therefore be harder on him than other storytellers, just to get back at him for tearing my words apart. So perhaps I am. Perhaps I should have given We Can Be Heroes five stars. Man, sometimes I can be a meanie.