A Review of Erin A. Craig's "The House of Roots and Ruin

“The House of Roots and Ruin” is Erin A. Craig’s follow-up to “The House of Salt and Sorrow.” Years after the setting of the first book, the narrative follows the youngest Thaumas sister, Verity. She’s recently learned a secret about herself and decides to flee home and strike out on her own. The opportunity comes in the commission to paint a young ducal heir on the far side of the country. Verity takes the job without consulting with her older sister. The duke, his wife, and his son (the subject of her painting) welcome her into their lush home. Verity is happy at first, but she begins to uncover secrets in the house that suggest something more sinister is going on. While her relationship with the duke’s son progresses beyond painter and subject, Verity learns she’s part of the plot and must decide to who to trust.

This was a thoroughly entertaining sequel to “The House of Roots of Ruin.” It starts a little more froufrou with flowers and pink candles, but the gothic qualities catch up by the end. There a few predictable bits that left me a smidge disappointed, but in all I was well satisfied by the story. I can’t say I loved it AS MUCH as the first in the series, but I eagerly await additional stories in this universe. I received this book from NetGalley.

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Book Review of "The Dare Club: Nita" by Laurie Bradach and Kim “Howard” Johnson

Laurie and Kim will be awarding a $20 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so make sure to leave a comment here and visit the other stops on the tour: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/11/virtual-review-tour-dare-club-nita-by.html Series: The Dare Club Format: E-book & Paperback Genre: Contemporary YA, Mystery Length: 330 pages in paperback Blurb: Nita Conroy has relocated to the most boring town on the planet. That is, until would-be boyfriend Brad Keeley spills the beans about a secret group of girls known as The Dare Club. During her subterranean initiation below the high school, Nita overhears a plan by contractors and school officials to embezzle millions of dollars in grant money. When she is betrayed, The Dare Club's pranks become deadly serious. With the clock ticking, Nita will need the help of her new friends to expose the chilling plot--and hopefully survive long enough to snag a date to the homecoming dance. Exce...

Exposition: One tool the author has to tell a story

Exposition is used in two ways when talking about fiction. First, it is the set-up at the beginning of the plot arc. Where we learn the basic who, what, when, and where. This is a necessary part of plot to ground your reader. I'm going to address the second way exposition is used in a story. This is when an author gives background information, description of characters or setting, or summarizes events that have already happened. It can happen at any point in the story. This is a necessary, key element of writing and one of the three tools an author has to tell his or her story, along with scene and dialogue. A good author does this without slowing down the forward progress of the plot. That is, the exposition makes sense in the context of the scene (or action) of the story and does not trip up the reader or bore him or her. She turned her blue gaze toward him. Here, we get the fact that she has blue eyes in the context of the action. That's the best way to give description. One...

An Honest Lie Two!

I got word yesterday that my story, "Independence," will be included in An Honest Lie Two: Delusions of Insignificance. I am, of course, quite pleased since this will be the second story from my unpublished California collection, All Along the Pacific , to appear in print. Everyone knows that a collection with stories that have already seen publication has a better chance of getting taken. Of course, I have quite a bit of work to do on some of the other stories before they would be ready. Currently, I'm working on a few science fiction stories. Also, I've got my NaNoWriMo novel -- I finished it, but it was only 26,000 words -- with another author. If we can bump it up to 50,000, I'm certain we can find a place to get it published. This is a historical YA novel written specifically for eighth graders in Louisiana, but I think it has a wider appeal.

Writer and Editor C.B. Calsing/ G.G. Royale

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