Sunday, March 24, 2013
A New Gen of Editors
I'm talking about the new generation of editors jumping into the writing market, fresh out of school--or still neck-deep in ivy. Hear from one such editor on my main website HERE. :)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Spell Caster Updates
What's new with thee bewitching crew? Orange is IN...
FIRST---Sad zombie! Yes, A sad zombie is featured on the latest Monster Soup page created by Devin Blake. Check it out. Ya know ya want to. ;)
FIRST---Sad zombie! Yes, A sad zombie is featured on the latest Monster Soup page created by Devin Blake. Check it out. Ya know ya want to. ;)
Oh! Yes. I have been waiting for this book for awhile and it is finally here. Thank you Jenn Reese. Mirage (Above World)
-- The sequel to Above World. Check it out!
-- The sequel to Above World. Check it out!
More music to soothe my savage beast and get me writing at my best! Hollan Holmes brings us more ambient sound waves. Phase Shift
Check it out and turn it up!
Check it out and turn it up!
And remember, wherever and whenever you can--support local! (Katy Budget Books ---> )
If you haven't yet, check out their Facebook pages. Peace out.
Kara xxooxxoo
Games I like #4
Today I am highlighting a couple games I have and one on my wish list. These games were developed by Blue Tea Games and published by Big Fish. Namely, the Dark Parables Series. LOVE this group of games! Blue Tea has taken old fairy tales one step farther and created amazing 'point and click'ers, or in the case of the iPad--tappers. :)
Dark Parables: The Exiled Prince
The Exiled Prince is quite an adventure. In fact, from what I remember, it takes you all over the place. From a forest, to caves, to a city. The Prince has collected his beloved gals, and you are there to save the day. Sort of. I wasn't quite sure what the story line was (jet lag) but I remember wanting to get to the hotel so that I could continue playing. :)
Dark Parables: Curse of Briar Rose
Curse of Briar Rose is one of Blue Tea's older games that has finally come to iPad, but it does not disappoint. Eerie locations surround this Sleeping Beauty quest.
The next game is on my wish list becuase it hasn't reached iPad distribution yet. Bummer. But it is available for PC and Mac, if you're interested. ;)
Dark Parables: Rise of the Snow Queen
Just Check out the image. Bright colors and paintings that tickle my fingers and eyes. Need I say more? (err... Maybe I've said too much.)
The only thing I wish is that all the Dark Parable games would get to iPad sooner. I hope they do. I am sure they will look amazing on the new iPad. -Kara :)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Old Books on Kindle
From all corners of the world, authors are getting rights to their back lists and republishing old books as ebooks. Books that have been out of print for decades are finding new life in the digital age. All I can say is...hurray!
Confession time: I am not one to typically reread books, especially those from my youth (sometimes they don't measure up to what I remember...) because I am a lazy reader. I experienced enough repetition practicing piano scales to last me a lifetime. And while I have no problem revisiting old sitcoms, movies, and comics a half-dozen or more times, I just don't crack open a book more than once. But the rekindling (forgive my pun, or don't...) of old memories, no longer at the expense of trees, if just fine by me. The first day I got my iPad, I downloaded all those old public domain books, from Mark Twain's works to Edgar Rice Burroughs's Barsoomian adventures (yay!) to the Meditations of Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius (I lost scalp scratching my head over that one). In regards to the latter, I still don't know if it was intentionally written in riddles or fell victim to a case of bad formatting...
There are some books I missed the first time around, and others that I am sure a new generation of readers would appreciate. So far, a few that I might actually enjoy rereading have not reappeared.
Wishing for these in ebook format...
The Quest of the Riddle-Master Trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip
The Riddle-Master of Hed
Heir of Sea and Fire
Harpist in the Wind
This is a trilogy that stuck with me over the years. It had a profound effect on me and I remember thinking about the characters and their struggles for month afterward. I would love to revisit it, yet so far, I have only been able to acquire the second book, Heir of Sea and Fire.
Saturday, the Twelfth of October by Norma Fox Mazer
I read this story in grade school and I remember feeling transported to a past civilization right along with the main character, Zan. The book impressed me. Apparently, I'm not the only one who appreciated it, as the hardcover goes for $399.
Do you have any books you would like to find again as ebooks? Please share. :)
-Kara
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Games I Like #3
More games I like for traveling...
Today I am highlighting the Awakening series developed by Boom Zap and published by Big Fish. Easily, these are some of the most beautiful adventure games on iPad. They contain mini games, puzzles, and intriguing story lines. The games follow the adventures of Sophia as she tries to unravel the mystery of her identity, her family, and her purpose in the world. I never tired of these, and keep them on my iPad to replay them for their aesthetics. They are also available for PC and Mac.
Awakening: The Dreamless Castle -- Sophia awakes to find herself alone in a beautiful room fit for a princess. She doesn't remember much. She must find her way through the castle. Luckily she has a helpful fairy to give her hints. Luxurious scenes, puzzles, and hidden objects.
Awakening: Moonfell Wood -- Beyond the castle, Sophia must find her way through Moonfell Wood. The forest holds even more wonders...
Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom -- We've enjoyed a fancy castle and a luscious forest. Now Sophia embarks upon an adventure into the cold, icy mountain range of the Goblin Kingdom. Gorgeous scenes await!
I just love these stories. I hope you do, too!
-Kara :)
Today I am highlighting the Awakening series developed by Boom Zap and published by Big Fish. Easily, these are some of the most beautiful adventure games on iPad. They contain mini games, puzzles, and intriguing story lines. The games follow the adventures of Sophia as she tries to unravel the mystery of her identity, her family, and her purpose in the world. I never tired of these, and keep them on my iPad to replay them for their aesthetics. They are also available for PC and Mac.
Awakening: The Dreamless Castle -- Sophia awakes to find herself alone in a beautiful room fit for a princess. She doesn't remember much. She must find her way through the castle. Luckily she has a helpful fairy to give her hints. Luxurious scenes, puzzles, and hidden objects.
Awakening: Moonfell Wood -- Beyond the castle, Sophia must find her way through Moonfell Wood. The forest holds even more wonders...
Awakening: The Goblin Kingdom -- We've enjoyed a fancy castle and a luscious forest. Now Sophia embarks upon an adventure into the cold, icy mountain range of the Goblin Kingdom. Gorgeous scenes await!
I just love these stories. I hope you do, too!
-Kara :)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Updates on "Dey for Love"
Be sure to check out the latest on my new website Dey for Love. It's a website dedicated to Romance news, interviews, and reviews. I'll still be doing book reviews on this blog, and artist interviews on my main site, but I decided to start one specifically for Romance Authors and Readers, too!
-Kara xoxoxo
-Kara xoxoxo
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Games I Like #2
Fun on the Kindle...
Today I've chosen hidden object games by DifferenceGames LLC. that work well on the kindle and nook. Pretty music, gorgeous pictures, and pretty difficult-to-find objects highlight these three by Phatpuppy.
Hidden Memory - Dreaming with Fairies. This was the first of Phatpuppy's games that I tried. I knew the art would be tops because she's done several book covers for my alter ego. The music is sweet, and the hidden objects are challenging. This is a gal who knows her colors! I chose Normal Mode (timed) and Display Object (rather than the word). These objects are tricky to find--squint worthy in many cases. But I enjoyed the challenge and the music as I searched. I think it was more challenging because I couldn't get my kindle to zoom in like I can with an iPad, typically. Guess I gotta figure out that maneuver on the kindle yet. Lol.
Hidden Object - Once Upon A Time. Phatpuppy gives the warning that some images might be too scary for young children. These are beautiful image manipulations that tell the fairy tales' darker sides. Since fairy takes are suppose to be scary--that's awesome in my book.
Hidden Object - Creatures Great and Small. I love this Hidden Object episode. There are so many beautiful pictures, I wished to be fast enough in the Bonus rounds just to remove all the objects. I wanted to see the final pictures clear of coat hangers and other odds and ends. I am especially particular to this game because (spoiler) a slight variation to my alter ego's book cover (A.H. De Carrasco's Teller of Destiny Series: Peasant Princess) is in the game! How fun is that?! Guess which one. Of course, You'll have to wait a little bit longer before the book is out. In the meantime, enjoy I guess. Hah! :)
Now here's an even better scoop. I discovered that some pictures from the games are available in print. When the Phatpuppy option in the Main Menu is present, you can click on it and it will take you to them. Gorgeous.
Each game that comes out is better than the last. I look forward to seeing future hidden object games by DifferenceGames LLC. and Phatpuppy.
-Kara xoxoxo
Today I've chosen hidden object games by DifferenceGames LLC. that work well on the kindle and nook. Pretty music, gorgeous pictures, and pretty difficult-to-find objects highlight these three by Phatpuppy.
Hidden Object - Once Upon A Time. Phatpuppy gives the warning that some images might be too scary for young children. These are beautiful image manipulations that tell the fairy tales' darker sides. Since fairy takes are suppose to be scary--that's awesome in my book.
Now here's an even better scoop. I discovered that some pictures from the games are available in print. When the Phatpuppy option in the Main Menu is present, you can click on it and it will take you to them. Gorgeous.
Each game that comes out is better than the last. I look forward to seeing future hidden object games by DifferenceGames LLC. and Phatpuppy.
-Kara xoxoxo
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Books I Like #12
Since so many of my friends have young children, I'm highlighting some enjoyable children's books again! I especially like reviewing children's books because the artwork is always so amazing. These two are some of the cutest!
The Six Pirates by Lily Lexington. This books has everything a parent could ask for in a story: fun rhyming poetry, clean and crisp illustrations, and a nice story. I think this book will be wonderful for parents who like to read with their children. It has great opportunities to ask them questions and to practice identification with words, colors, and objects. Not to mention, it also affords them an opportunity to discuss good and bad behaviors. Love the parrot.
Kevin and the Seven Lions by Martin Tiller. Illustrated by Carla Tracy. Martin Tiller has won a special place in my heart for creating this book. What writer or artist wouldn't have adored a teacher like Kevin's? Carla Tracy illustrates Kevin's daydreams superbly. I really like her style.
The Six Pirates by Lily Lexington. This books has everything a parent could ask for in a story: fun rhyming poetry, clean and crisp illustrations, and a nice story. I think this book will be wonderful for parents who like to read with their children. It has great opportunities to ask them questions and to practice identification with words, colors, and objects. Not to mention, it also affords them an opportunity to discuss good and bad behaviors. Love the parrot.
Kevin and the Seven Lions by Martin Tiller. Illustrated by Carla Tracy. Martin Tiller has won a special place in my heart for creating this book. What writer or artist wouldn't have adored a teacher like Kevin's? Carla Tracy illustrates Kevin's daydreams superbly. I really like her style.
Check them out!
-Kara :)
Friday, March 1, 2013
Games I Like
Games I Like #01 --- While Traveling...
I love all kinds of games (RPG, first person shooters, co-op, puzzles, adventure...you name it--it's all good to me! Old and new. Since I've spent too much time travelling lately, I've turned to games I can play on my iPad, like Midnight Mysteries by developer Mumbo Jumbo. Adventure games published by Big Fish have got me hooked once more, I'll admit it. It's fun to pass the time in flight with a 'point and click'er. Nothing beats it, this side of an alcoholic haze, to drown out the passenger snoring and to make the time fly by. ;)
MUMBOJUMBO MOBILE, LLC
I discovered MumboJumbo while I was sick in bed for a few days. I enjoyed the Midnight Mysteries episode Salem Witch Trials so much, that I've always kept an eye out for anything new from them. Ghosts of famous writers stop by for a visit and pull you from your den's cozy fireplace. They send you on quests to solve mysteries. Just my kind of adventure! I loved playing these on my iPad, but now they are available for the kindle as well.
In The Salem Witch Trials you'll team up with Nathaniel Hawthorne to solve the writer's death. Visits from the victims of Salem, a fun romp through the cemetery to scavenge for clues and many hidden object and puzzles await you. Just the thing to spend some relaxing time while sharpening your brain!
In Devil on the Mississippi, Mark Twain's ghost comes to visit you and steals you away to a spooky river boat filled with apparitions and puzzles, and scenes from the past. You'll travel to many locations in search of Shakespeare's true identity!
Let me know what you think of them. Like I said, I used the iPad version, which was great for zooming in on the objects. Many of Big Fish's games are available for PC, Mac and Kindle, as well! Enjoy!
-Kara xoxoxo
I love all kinds of games (RPG, first person shooters, co-op, puzzles, adventure...you name it--it's all good to me! Old and new. Since I've spent too much time travelling lately, I've turned to games I can play on my iPad, like Midnight Mysteries by developer Mumbo Jumbo. Adventure games published by Big Fish have got me hooked once more, I'll admit it. It's fun to pass the time in flight with a 'point and click'er. Nothing beats it, this side of an alcoholic haze, to drown out the passenger snoring and to make the time fly by. ;)
MUMBOJUMBO MOBILE, LLC
I discovered MumboJumbo while I was sick in bed for a few days. I enjoyed the Midnight Mysteries episode Salem Witch Trials so much, that I've always kept an eye out for anything new from them. Ghosts of famous writers stop by for a visit and pull you from your den's cozy fireplace. They send you on quests to solve mysteries. Just my kind of adventure! I loved playing these on my iPad, but now they are available for the kindle as well.
In The Salem Witch Trials you'll team up with Nathaniel Hawthorne to solve the writer's death. Visits from the victims of Salem, a fun romp through the cemetery to scavenge for clues and many hidden object and puzzles await you. Just the thing to spend some relaxing time while sharpening your brain!
In Devil on the Mississippi, Mark Twain's ghost comes to visit you and steals you away to a spooky river boat filled with apparitions and puzzles, and scenes from the past. You'll travel to many locations in search of Shakespeare's true identity!
Let me know what you think of them. Like I said, I used the iPad version, which was great for zooming in on the objects. Many of Big Fish's games are available for PC, Mac and Kindle, as well! Enjoy!
-Kara xoxoxo
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