LES MISERABLES

I just got back from seeing the film, Les Miserables, with my sister and mother.  I was blown away, but I knew I would be.  I'd never read the book, I knew nothing about the musical, but the trailer struck me.

Some time ago, I took my little sister to see the new Twilight movie, I was fully drenched in adolescent titillation and whatnot, zoned out, uncaring...and then there was this sound.  It cut through all that noise, through the teen aged angst and  struck my heart, just a sound, a wrenching melody.  I sat  up in my seat and physically moved people to see the screen.  It was the trailer for Les Miserables, Ann Hathaway was singing I Dreamed A Dream with such feeling that I found tears on my cheeks.  I simply HAD to see the film.

I drug my mother and sister along with me, and it was everything that I'd hoped.  I cried so much, and when I got home I hugged my baby girl so hard, so thankful for what I have, for my family and what luck I've enjoyed in my life.

I fully endorse this film.  If you have the money and a couple hours to kill it really is a must see!

HAVE YOU LOST YOUR EVER-LOVING MIND?

You saw that right.  Some people believe that those innocent children died because we don't teach Bible study in public schools, because their god wasn't allowed in the building

A grown-ass man killed our innocent children because he was out of his Fucking mind, and no other reason! Don't give me that, ‘Well, you should have worshiped my god because bad things NEVER HAPPEN TO CHRISTIANS’ bull pucky! 

I know some amazingly wonderful Christians who have had cancer and beat it, and I know some amazingly wonderful Atheists and Buddhist who've had hard times and made it through them. Religion is all well and good for some, but the moment you tell me that innocent children died a horrible and frightful death because we didn't pay your particular god enough attention, is the moment I say you're fucking nuts. Bad things happen because bad people exist, good things happen because good people exist...The moment you bring mythical monsters, demons, devils, gods, fairies, witches or whatever into the equation is the moment you lost your ever-loving mind!

I'M A FAILURE

-10 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Poor (Failure) Take the test!

Oh my! I am a horrible 1930's wife! Poor hubby. Actually, I'm really proud to be a modern women; not concerned with ironing every damn thing, wearing makeup all the time and all the other pointless little things a true lady does for her husband...her owner more like it. So what if I like to tell stories with too much gory detail, go without my hair and face all done up, not religious, overly talkative, don't laugh at my husband's jokes, eat too much, laugh too loud, stay up too late, share too much, hate unexpected guests, don't get dinner done on time everyday. Hey, my husband's lucky I make dinner at all when I do. I'm just as busy, just as tired. The only reason I make dinner is because I buy the groceries, so I plan the meals...Hubby and I are equal partners.

My husband has asked me a couple times what period in the past I would visit if I could, and my answer is always the same. I wouldn't go anywhere, not even a year ago. I'm a woman and a progressive thinker. I wouldn't last long in any time before 1960, and I wouldn't be happy in any time before 1990...and even then, I would miss all the progress that's been made in the last 23 years... If anything, I'd go forward in time, see the rise of human prosperity, civil rights, human rights and  pro-earth action...one can dream. 

The Book Diaries: Mortal Sentry

The Book Diaries: Mortal Sentry: Mortal Sentry Author: Diana Graves Adult Book (Amy's Review) 4 1/2 out of 5 Stars Synopsis “Go straight into the heart of danger, f...

MORTAL SENTRY

It didn't take me long to have a trailer for Mortal Sentry once I got the hang of creating them...but I know I'm going to get better, better graphics, better music, better phrasing...just plain better. But, until better happens, here is Mortal Sentry's Official book trailer:

FATAL RETRIBUTION

I'm kind of super proud of myself.  Once again I've dived into something that seemed out of my reach and I did it.  I didn't think I'd graduate high school, did it.  I didn't think I'd go to college, did it (BA degree even).  I didn't think I'd find someone who loved me (Hello James :-) I didn't think I'd write a book, own my own home, have an amazing baby, earn the respect of my mother, did it, did it, done did it...

And now....drum roll please...I made a video! Yay...it's my first try, so be kind.  I will get better.

Enjoy...

AN OFFERING

I've been an indy author for almost an entire year. Hoot! Hoot!

In this short time I've learned a few things; designing book covers is FUN, Amazon is the best place to publish, and a good group of beta testers/ editors is priceless...but also, reviews are of the up most importance...good, bad and indifferent. The bad ones tell me where I'm going wrong. One review said I was in desperate need of a real editor. I took that to heart. And, the good reviews put wind beneath my wings, a song in my heart and leave me on cloud nine for days...but, more than that they help other readers decided if my book is right for them.

Having said that, I make this offer to book reviewers and/or avid readers of paranormal urban delights; I will send you free digital copies of my babies, Fatal Retribution and/or Mortal Sentry in exchange for an honest review from you for both books. I will also promote you on my website, facebook pages, blog and twitter!

Take a look at my website to see if you want to take me up on my offer. You can find my contact information there...under Contact.

A REVIEW FOR JENAKIE

Jenakie by P.J. Whitmore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

~~Spoiler Alert~~

Jenakie is a little short, but a lot of drama and mystery is packed into it. It starts of smack dab in the middle of a horror story. Mass death in the depths of the earth as a cave exploring expedition gone very wrong. Darianne (the main character that narrates much of the book) is a she-Doogie Howser (who names their kid Doogie?)who has felt compelled all her life to heal the sick, mend the wounded and all that jazz. But she has the people skills of our lovably but awkward Sheldon Cooper. Seems like a pretty 'normal' book so far...besides the spelunking mishap, right?

Early on in the book the 'normal people stuff' ends and the magic begins. Darianne comes from a world of science but alone in the dark she finds magic, monsters and a strange people with odd ways. But, most importantly she finds herself and eventually discovers that it was her destiny to delve into the deep unknown.

The book is action packed from beginning to end and full of mysterious foreshadowing for the next book in the series. I would say that Jenakie is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys action and emotionally charged drama. All I can say is, read the sample and make up your own mind.


View all my reviews

THE BOOK DIARIES

Last month I contacted The Book Diaries and asked them if they would be interested in reviewing my books.  I had contacted one other book reviewer before and she was booked up, so my expectations were nonexistent really. Just a smidgen of hope.  But, Amy of The Book Diaries did contact me and was willing to do a review! Yay! She's a super fast reader and shortly after I sent her my babies she had read them and reviewed them, posting her reviews not only on her blog, but on Amazon and Goodreads too.  It was more than I could have hoped.

And not only were her reviews quick, they were so insightful...actually, I'm a little shamed to say that she saw  a dimension to Raina's character that I had not intended or noticed...which is actually a small window into my own life. Anyway, with a sharp mind Amy was able to break down the books into a well worded and fair account of their substance, something most writers have a very hard time doing for their own books, including me.

If you are a writer, I would fully suggest you contact The Book Diaries, and perhaps Amy or Annette would be willing and able to read and review your baby.

If you are a reader, I say to you, The Book Diaries is the place to go if you're hunting for a great book to read.  Also, keep a look out for their reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

Cheers! 

IT'S OVER

Much to my joy my writer's block is over.  Ten days of nothing...it was hard on me.  I felt so much like a failure during that period.  I'm happy to say that when I sat down at my computer the past couple nights the words flew from my finger tips.  In addition to Grave Omen, the third Raina Kirkland novel, I'm looking into making a short story I wrote years ago into a full length novel.  We'll see if that pans out.

I'd also like to say that the lovely talented ladies that run the blog The Book Diaries (Amy more specifically) have graciously agreed to review my books, Fatal Retribution and Mortal Sentry.  So far Fatal has been judged as a 4 out of 5 stars.  Yip Yip!

here's the link to the review.
http://the-book-diaries.blogspot.com/2012/11/fatal-retribution.html?zx=be7211af446fa7d5

It would be a grand idea to follow their blog.  They have impeccable taste in literature and can often times see deep into the heart of a novel.

Here's a Funny Picture!

ZOMBIES & PINK CHAMPAGNE

Tonight my friend, Erin and I are having a Walking Dead marathon. I've been looking forward to it all week long.  I really need to get my head cleared out and maybe hours of zombies is just the thing to do it. I've had writer's block going on 10 days now, and I'm kind of freaking out.

This is the bad part of being a manically depressed lady.  For a week or more I'll write like the wind and nothing can slow my progress. When I'm manic, I'm crazy creative and scary driven.  It's during this time that I stay up all night rearranging furniture, painting, cleaning, writing, drawling, researching, whatever grabs my fancy...But, eventually the mania fades away and I feel hopelessly lost.  My goals are hazy, my attention span is weak. That's where I am now.  I'm staring at a computer screen full of words but they strike no cord in me. Usually that means I'm doing something wrong.  I'm pushing the story in a direction it doesn't want to go or I'm making a character do something they don't want to do. I just have to figure out what that is and fix it...

Many hours later...

I just got home at 2:00am from my friends house. There's nothing like a night full of zombies, pink champagne, purple cupcakes, nasty energy drinks and lovely Italian food. We'll see if it cleared my grey clouds away as I attempt to do a bit of writing before I head off to bed in an hour or so.

The Book Diaries: Fatal Retribution

  

NOW AVAILABLE!

RELEASE DATE: SPRING 2013    RELEASE DATE: FALL 2013

VISIT: www.dianagraves.org for more information.