Thursday, October 28, 2010

Son of Ereubus, Book Review


Since time immemorial, Man has lived in fear of losing his soul to the darkness of Saint Ereubus. For generations, the Ereubinians have wielded that power and ruled like gods. Three thousand years ago, Man irresolutely placed his faith in a mythical world. That world, Adoria, now holds Man’s final hope. As the last stronghold of Man is threatened, the fates of three strangers become forever intertwined and everything they once believed will be irrevocably changed as they discover...

Their time has run out.



After reading that little snippet, I was bound and determined to read this book. Son of Ereubus is book one in the Guardians of Legend Trilogy written by the talented, J.S. Chancellor.

A few months ago she highjacked A.J. & Charli Bite Back. I knew it then. This author would be, will be, BIG. Before I begin my review of this book, which left me salivating for more, please allow me to pay honor to this wonderfully gifted author with a comparison to J.R.R. Tolkien, the prolific English novelist who penned the enormously successful, Lord Of The Rings tales. His incredible ability to world build on a grand scale can clearly be seen in Chancellor's work. Both are, undeniably,
masterful story tellers which will, as Tolkien has, live into legend.

Set in a time where Man lives in fear of the soul stealing creatures of Ereubus, Man's final hope is the Adorians; fabled beings who dwell in a realm beyond the reach of Man.

Whilst most of the human world has fallen into darkness or slavery, Ariana remains free, raised in Pallingard, the last of the human strongholds, unaware that she is of Adorian blood, and destined to be part of something larger than she. Whilst I was piqued by her, it was Garren who completely stole the stage.

He is Eruebus, and therefore, Ariana's sworn enemy. Garren sweeps onto the planes as a vile, bloodthirsty hellion. The reader is determined to despise him, for his deeds are no less evil than massacre and death. Yet, when he spares Ariana's life, surprising even himself, you are taken in by this complex character, and are left in despair, sure there is some good in him.
J.S. Chancellor has created a rich, carefully crafted world, with religion, culture and a history all their own. One can taste, touch, smell and hear, thus completely drawn into the tale. One cannot help but read on in search of Man's salvation, or, damnation. I fear giving away too much, and hope I've given enough to tantalize you, the reader, to read this spellbinding book.

Wow. 'Twas the first thing that entered my mind when I finished reading Son of Ereubus, accompanied only by, I hope I shall be lucky enough to review Book II, so that I may discover where Chancellor takes Garren and Ariana. To see what fate has in store for them, the Adorians, and their fight against the Dark Goddess, Ciara.

From beginning to end, this tale screams epic with a powerfully strong heroine and a sympathetic anti-hero leaving you wanting more. Brilliant in its complexity, coupled with the age old themes of good versus evil, Son of Eruebus, in my humble opinion
, is the next big thing in fantasy.
Son of Ereubus: Guardians of Legend, Book I
J.S. Chancellor
Rhemalda Publishing
ISBN: 978-0982743744

Sunday, October 24, 2010

THE NEW JERSEY HANGOVER

We came.
Ready to take New Jersey on.

We saw.
Things no one should. Things we can't erase from memory.

We learned.
About New Jersey's insane round-about traffic system. The hard way.

We laughed.
And celebrated like it was 1999.

We schmoozed.
And had some peeps schmooze with us.

We conquered.
The New Jersey legal system.

Under the advice of Counsel we cannot, at this time, divulge the specifics of the events that transpired during the Conference but can tell you this much. They never saw us coming.

And Jersey is still standing.
But we're exhausted.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Ledge Tuesday~Crap, Tis Conference Time!

I will not panic. I will not panic. Somebody stop me from repeating that I will not panic!

The New Jersey Romance Writers Conference is three days away. OK, I am freaking out. I am on the ledge and its friggin' raining. Go figure. I have so much to do and I'm here blogging about it.

Oh yeah and the tweener is home with a stomach bug. I hold up a crucifix as I shove a food tray in her door. STAY BACK!

I am an not an evil mother but I have priorities. Before you judge, spare me. She's twelve and can wipe her own ass. She's not some helpless toddler. Didn't you read I fed her. And in case you're wondering it was tea and crackers.

Back to my rant.

I feel like that idiot in the scary movie. The one you yell to, "Yo, biotch. Move. He's gonna kill you! He. Is. Gonna. Kill. You." Splat. I am toast. I am blogging not doing. Frozen like the poor little twit Michael Myers just hacked to bits.

I have to perfect my query and spit shine my first three chaps. The likelihood they will be asked for is small but I was told by an agent to be prepared. Have copies of my query, synopsis, and first couple of chaps ready just in case. I think I'll be getting some folders to put this stuff in. A STAPLES run is needed. That won't be easy. Puking kid, rain, and our second car is a hoopty. Drat.

Then there is the fashion dilemma. A fancy dinner is on Friday night. This chubby clown doesn't do dresses. Hate them unless forced to by friends I want to trip down the aisle. But my evening attire is looking weak. Most of my friends are married. Haven't been to an event in a while. I feel like I am getting ready for the prom. Hate this crap. I won't wear anything that shows off my flabby guns but I don't wanna wear a smock either. AND I have no time for alterations, as if I could just fork over the duckets needed to buy some fancied up satin rag. "Way to go Charli on the Procrastination bit", I say to myself. If I end up wearing an old Moo-Moo dress I will spit. I can't wear a nice suit because I will just look like AJ's date. But that would make for some funny chatter.

Last night I had a dream I couldn't find JAWS at the airport. I think I need to wear the clown nose when I do with a sign that reads, JAWS' RIDE.

So, I  need to get my tookus to Staples and the big girl's lookin' fine store, AKA, Lane Bryant. I have about thirty bucks left on a gift card. I guess that's a start.

Tweener is calling on the intercom. Lovely. Wish me luck.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

TEAM ERIC or TEAM LESTAT

I've been feeling a bit paranormal due to the Halloween Season. Our recent Team Blog Post had Grandpa and Teen Wolf beating out the more popular boys of Twilight. How interesting. That had me thinking. I know, scary, eh?

What about the sexy vamps of legal age? I love me some Eric Northman. Yummy. Loving this Undead Viking had me thinking about another vamp I had a crush on a few years back. Lestat.

Eric and Lestat are very similar characters. They'd probably hit it off and be the best of cohorts. But today you must choose. Are you...
Team Eric...
Or
Team Lestat?

Now. Let's chat before you decide.
Eric is a modern vamp. He wears track suits, highlights his hair and owns a strip bar. He's sort of like a Hot ass vamp version of Tony Soprano.
Eric takes no crap, has a truly sadistic side and his vanity knows no bounds. The Viking has a soft side too. He loves him some Sookie. And his eyes, oh man one stare and I am done son.
Lestat is an old school vamp. He wears lace shirts, has Fabio-esque hair, and steals his fortunes. He's sort of like Prince from Purple Rain but a wee bit more macho.
Lestat too, is ridiculously vain. Sadistic to a fault.
Lestat killed kids without a thought. A vamp of  truly indiscriminate tastes.

Eric donned highlight foils, not so hot. 
Lestat, a top hat. Hot? Not sure but definitely intriguing and cooler than the foil.
Eric on a bad day, he's still looking pretty hot.
Lestat, not so much.

The prodigies. Hmmmm...Louie or Pam?
Louie is the mighty fine Brad Pitt but Lestat was right, he can be kind of whiny. Pam is not my type personally but she'd die for Eric. Louie tried to off Lestat. Maybe next week we can decide whose team we're on. Pam or Louie...
At the end of the Day, I am Team Eric. Why? Lestat would still try to rock his puffy shirt while Eric would be chillin' with me in a track suit. My kind of guy.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

In Business!

My first business cards as an aspiring author. It felt great to open this box and pass them out to family and friends. I am super stoked to share them with my cyber family, YOU!

There are not as grainy in real life. I just have a lame ass scanner. I kept the theme in line with my website.



Monday, October 4, 2010

WATCH OUT NEW JERSEY!

Lassies and laddies, we are on hiatus. You may see some posts here or there but JAWS & CHARLI are getting ready for the New Jersey Romance Writers Conference.

WOOOT WOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, they shall be in the same place at the same time.

We are getting our butts in gear. Prepping to meet with agents and editors. Getting our pitches ready. We're busy, too busy to blog. Yes, I know you will miss us.

First, business cards. What fun! Maybe we'll let you peek at them. Maybe.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Hallelu-yer! Fictional Agent Friday. MADEA in da House!

MADEA made bail. She's out and ready for those publishers and editors. She strapped b*tches.

Who wouldn't want MADEA for their literary agent?

She brings a gun, some Jesus, and a kick ass attitude. Can't you just see her across the table from the big dogs. Hair- coiffed. Glasses- adjusted. Gun- loaded. I think she'd even beat Ari. And you know I love me some Ari.

Not convinced yet? Here are some of Madea's most famous lines.


Mable 'Madea' Simmons: Joe. Did that thing just push you?

Joe: Sho did. She don't know about us. We Baptist. We tear this place up.
Mable 'Madea' Simmons: Girl, I will set it off up in here. I will do a drive-by in this church. She don't know me. You better be glad you at church. Jesus just saved your life, Hallelu-yer!

Mable 'Madea' Simmons: You don't know me. I'm a straight-up thug. I shot Tupac. Yes, I did. We was arguing over a parking place. I didn't kill him, though. No, that wasn't me.

Carlos: Can we have a moment alone?
Mable 'Madea' Simmons: In my house? Hell no.

Joe: I was hoping they would lock you the hell up.
Mable 'Madea' Simmons: The only thing locked up around here is your bowels. Now shut the hell up.

Joe: We don't want it. Return to sender.
Mable 'Madea' Simmons: I remember I sent you somewhere too and you came back with something. It still itching?
Joe: Yo' momma. Aw hell that's my momma too

Madea advises that "If you don't know how to be by yourself, what are you going to do with somebody else?"

In summary, Madea teaches that raw emotion is a dominant part of life that should not be swept under the rug... but dealt with. You learn "It's doesn't matter what people call you, it only matters what you answer to". You learn to let things go and that is all you need to know!

I double doggie dare publishers to say no to her.

Next week?

J.R.

Or

Don Draper