The New Walking Dead Game or Why I Must Finish Editing ASAP!

Oh, the woes of a writer. How long have I promised myself that as soon as my edits were done I'd be rewarded with a week of nonstop gaming. Weeks go by, then months. Do I even remember how to use an XBox or PS3 controller? Will I get them mixed up again and run forward instead of hop backward?

But I have to finish. The Walking Dead Survival Instinct Game is out! What's even neater is that some of my former co-workers put their blood, sweat, and snot (they don't cry, mind you) into this game.

Here are some lovely pictures courtesy of the game's main website (links listed at the end of my over-excited gushing). These folks have done a fantasmagorastic job.

And this one...

Of course, this is just a taste to whet your appetite. Indeed. There are some scary shots that nearly made me wet my pants. Like a super dark set in a warehouse. Eeks!

To catch more of the action, and find out about cool features like Visceral Zombie Combat, Survival Tactics, Resource Management, and Survival Choices, and to see the trailers. Check out:

The Main Website: http://www.thewalkingdeadsurvivalinstinct.com/game-overview

Terminal Reality's Website: http://www.terminalreality.com/

Daryl. Crossbow. 'Nuff said...

-Kara xxooxx

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. ;)

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!

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! 

And remember, wherever and whenever you can--support local! (Katy Budget Books ---> )

If you haven't yet, check out their Facebook pages. Peace out.

https://www.facebook.com/MonsterSoupComic 

https://www.facebook.com/jennreeseauthor 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hollan-Holmes-Music/366752073334927 

Kara xxooxxoo

Books I Like #8

APOCALYPSIS: BOOK 1 (KAHAYATLE)

Apocalypsis: Book 1 (Kahayatle) by Elle Casey-- A Canner? What (or Who) is that? A hungry young person you do NOT want to mess with. In fact, Bryn, the heroine of Apocalypsis, does everything in her power to avoid these bloodthirsty nasties, but she comes to their attention while helping out a young kid named Peter. A journey to safer land ensues, riddled with challenges, heartache, friendship and hope. Her group grows bigger and so does our bond with it. These characters are sympathetic and funny. Again, this was one I could not put down. Loved it.

PARIS BRATS

Paris Brats y Gwen Ellery--The heroine of Paris Brats is Fern, a rather well-off girl living in Paris with her friends. But will Fern's trust in others, including her family, leave her destitute? Fern's heart is golden. I just love this gal: quirky, spunky, and resourceful. And each friend or family member brings unique charm, adding to some great scenes. 

Need a light-hearted laugh? Gwen Ellery delivers.

Check them out!

-Kara

Books I Like #7

THE TRIAL OF TOMPA LEE

The Trial of Tompa Lee by Edward Hoornaert. This story gripped me within the first chapter and did not let go until I read the last page. Correction, it still has a hold on me. Hoornaert is an ambitious storyteller and world creator. No word is wasted as he fleshes out his characters, makes the reader care about them, and describes a place with unique customs and brutal justice. Truth and honor reside in the victor, however manipulative and savage. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, invested in the outcome. Would the innocent win against the mighty masses? And at what cost to the victor?





FROST ARCH

Frost Arch by Kate Bloomfield. The first book of Bloomfield's Fire Mage Trilogy takes us on Avalon Redding's exciting journey. A Fire Mage, Avalon runs away from home to Frost Arch, where she hopes to begin a new life and keep her family and its secrets safe. But placing distance between her past and her new life leaves her vulnerable to people who care more about class status than fairness. Frost Arch's lower magic-level inhabitants are treated like peasants, and Humans are treated even worse.

Bloomfield not only clearly explains a complicated magic system, but also adds extra details and symbolism that I noticed on second reading. For example: What would a tree, mentioned at the very beginning of the story, have in common with an animal Avalon adores? Read and find out. One note: some missing words and a Track Changes strike-through, which shows up near the end, might be distracting for some readers, but I believe these appeared as a result of formatting from AU to USA Kindle. Don't let these stop you. The story is wonderful. I loved it and can't wait to start on the next in the series.

A prequel, Raeven Blacklock, is available on her website and scribd.


THE INCREDIBLE ESCAPE OF THE SLY LITTLE FOX

The Incredible Escape of the Sly Little Fox by Lily Lexington. What a name! And what a cute children's story to go with it. Bright pictures and rhyming poetry will entertain your toddler for many years, and teach a nice lesson, too.  Recommended with a smile!







-Kara :)

Books I Like #5

The perks of being a wallflower (Stephen Chbosky) -- Perhaps Charlie is one of the most loveable characters I have ever encountered in my reading. He feels geniune. Each mental hurtle he jumps and painful discovery he overcomes strengthens the bond between character and reader. Some sentences are packed with so much intent, I found it best to just set the book aside for a minute and mull them over. Having grown up around the time of this book, I was visiting an old haunt and looking back with better understanding. I am pretty sure there was a Charlie in my high school, and I wish I'd befriended him. High school would have had more meaning, immediately.

Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins) -- Gripping sequel to Hunger Games. Doesn't have the typical sag found in so many trilogies' middle books. By taking time to flesh out characters and introduce us to new ones, Collins has built an excellent bridge to her trilogy's dynamic, emotion-packed  conclusion.

On Dublin Street (Samantha Young) -- Okay this story is HOT. For adults ONLY. If you like steamy scenes and thoughtfully crafted plots that focus on relationships and sex, this is the ticket. Young takes extra time (and pages) to bring us along on Joss's journey, her path back to life after surviving tragedy. The fear, to let someone in, is a primary focus. I liked it and appreciated the patient development of characters--something that is sometimes lacking in the hotter books. Beautiful cover.

Books I Like

Today, I'm pointing out a few YA books I enjoyed reading recently. One is now a major motion picture. The next is a wonderful adventure that I would love to see on the big screen some day. After that is a great new twist on an old fairy-tale.  And the last is a blast from the past (2004) which I love for its wit and memorable characters.  I highly recommend these:

I know. I know. I am late. Everyone is talking about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I learned about this series at our annual Halloween party, two years ago. Many kids were dressed as Hogwarts but, in between magic wand fights, they talked excitedly about a character called Katniss and a book called The Hunger Games. They highly recommended it, and after finally reading it, so do I. Even if you see the movie, read the book! I loved it.

Note: For the more mature audience,  Battle Royale is both a manga and movie. Or so I have heard, but again--sigh--I am a bit behind and haven't seen those yet!

Above World by Jenn Reese is one of the best YA books I have read in the past year. I cannot recommend it more highly. Taking place sometime in the future, this story is about Aluna, a young girl whose people (the Kampii) have adapted to living underwater, in the sea. When Aluna and her best friend Hoku discover the Kampii's breathing devices are failing, they set out on a courageous quest to find a solution and save their families. They must journey to Above World. The worlds within the story are delightful in detail; the characters, lovable. It is a rare gift for the reader when an author takes the time to create such depth within her worlds. It's much appreciated!  Usually, I can guess an ending to a book a chapter in, but this story was so original, I was pleasantly surprised at every turn. I eagerly await the next book and recommend it to many friends, young and 'less' young!

Marissa Meyer delivers. Without a doubt. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A great variation on the old fairy tale, Cinderella. Cinder is a cyborg. She's a strong, lovable character who faces a tough world with her street smarts and resourceful optimism. It's a world that spares little sympathy for her, but I had plenty of empathy to make up for that. By the end I was reading on the edge of my seat. I still am. Loved this book. Couldn't put it down.

Okay, this is one fun book. Its title says it all, and I can't really add to that. I enjoyed Hunter and Jen's adventure in So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld and I think you will enjoy it, too.

Published eight years ago, this book is still relevant and, remarkably, very few elements feel dated. The story is a funny social commentary camouflaged within a twisting plot and hidden between some bright, clever characters skating above a 'ticking time bomb' pace.




-Kara