House of Night Series by P.C Cast
I am such a {sucker} for young adult + romance + paranormal. How can anyone say no to that? I’ve been slowly accumulating the House of Night series over the past few months so that I could read them all at once rather than in chunks.
After getting the first 8 together, I couldn’t wait any longer. These books are very easy, quick reads so I read them all in a matter of days over my spring break. The series as a whole has managed to keep my interest, but I do have certain books that I enjoyed more than others.
The House of Night series, like many others, seemed to lose a little of its luster with each book. I feel that less books could have really benefited the story by adding a little more punch into the fewer books, BUT that’s just me. Zoey, the main character, was a pretty good female lead. She had her high-school teenager moments that made me want to throttle her, but that’s to be expected.. And good lord the girl has man problems. If you’ve read the books, then you know what I mean. All through book 3, Chosen, I literally felt like I had whiplash bouncing between those men. I wish I had a picture of my facial expression at the end of that book, because to say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was {aghast}.
After book 3, the storyline started to die down a bit for me. I still read them all the way to the 9th one, but every book I found myself hoping to get back to that level of excitement. Maybe it’ll come in book 10? Who knows.
Would I recommend others to read them? Yes. I did enjoy the series as a whole, it just wasn’t the OoooohMaahhhGawwwd you have to read this kind of series, if ya know what I mean 
All the books are easy to find on Amazon and super cheap, check them out –> House of Night Series
Have you read them? If so, be sure to leave a comment to let me know what you thought of them!
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 Marked, Book #1
The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird’s world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire — that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny–with a little help from her new vampyre friends. (Summary from GR)
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 Betrayed, Book #2
Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs–like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world. (Summary from GR)
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 Chosen, Book #3
Dark forces are at work at the House of Night and fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies. And oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Times), in which Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith, and Zoey’s horrid step-father in particular, are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends so often find out, how things appear rarely reflects the truth. (Summary from GR)
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 Untamed, Book #4
Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a close group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. Speaking of friends, the only two Zoey has left are undead and unMarked. And Neferet has declared war on humans, which Zoey knows in her heart is wrong. But will anyone listen to her? Zoey’s adventures at vampyre finishing school take a wild and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened in PC and Kristin Cast’s spellbinding fourth House of Night novel. (Summary from GR)
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 Hunted, Book #5
What if the hottest guy in the world was hiding a nameless evil, and all he wanted was you?
At the start of this heart-pounding new installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secrets any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and no one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona looks gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life shows Zoey secrets she doesn’t want to hear and truths she can’t face?
On the run and holed up in Tulsa’s Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well – they’ve even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home – but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex-, Erik, but she can’t stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet’s sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us? (Summary from GR)
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 Tempted, Book #6
Zoey needs a break after some serious excitement. Sadly, the House of Night school for vampyres doesn’t feature breaks on its curriculum—even for a High Priestess in training and her gang. Plus juggling three guys is no stress reliever, especially when one is a sexy Warrior so into protecting Zoey that he’s sensing her emotions. Wider stresses lurk too, and the dark force in Tulsa’s tunnels is spreading. Could Stevie Rae be responsible for more than a group of misfit fledglings? And Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from the immortal Kalona and his dark allure—but they also show that only Zoey can stop him. She’s not exactly keen to meet up, but if Zoey doesn’t go to Kalona he’ll exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. She just has to find the courage to do what’s necessary, or everything that’s important to her will be destroyed. (Summary from GR)
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 Burned, Book #7
Y’all need to get yourselves together. Here’s a newsflash from the only High Priestess you have left at this dang school: Zoey isn’t dead. And believe me, I know dead. I’ve been there, done that and got the fricken tee-shirt.
Zoey Redbird is the youngest High Priestess in House of Night history and is the only person—vamp or fledgling—that can stop the evil Neferet from raising all kinds of immortal trouble. And she might just have a chance if she wasn’t so busy being dead.Well, dead is too strong a word. Stevie Rae knows she can bring her BFF back from her unscheduled va-cay in the Otherworld. But it’s going to take a lot more than hoping to bring Zoey back. Stevie Rae will have to give up a few secrets of her own. (Summary from GR)
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 Awakened, Book #8
Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…
And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?
In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart? (Summary from GR)
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 Destined, Book #9
Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx’s gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father’s shadow…
But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia’s handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there’s the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more – or possibly less – than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there’s something strangely familiar about him…
Will Neferet’s true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox’s humanity in time to protect him – and everyone – from his own fate? Find out what’s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series. (Summary from GR)
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 Hidden, Book #10
At last, Zoey has what she wanted: the truth is out. Neferet’s evil has been exposed, and the High Council is no longer on her side — but she’s far from done wreaking havoc in the vampyre world. First, a mysterious fire ravages the stables. Then, Neferet makes a devastating move that will test them all.
With the seeds of distrust sown and Darkness breeding chaos at the House of Night, everyone must band together — but that’s proving to be more difficult than ever before. The twins are barely speaking and the House of Night’s former enemy, Kalona, has now become their warrior, pushing their trust to the limit. To top it off, Zoey is pretty darn sure she might be losing her mind. She saw something when she looked at Aurox through the Seer Stone that she can hardly explain to herself, let alone her friends. Is it possible that Heath has come back in a different form? Is that why Zoey’s so intrigued by Aurox, when it’s so obvious that he’s dangerous? And who would believe her if she told them? Zoey knows that following her instinct about Aurox might be just what they need to defeat evil . . . but if she’s wrong, it could cause the destruction of those closest to her.
With the tension at a breaking point and friendships on the line, can the nerd herd come together to stop the spread of Darkness before it’s too late? (Summary from GR)
Over all, the series was pretty good. If you happen to check out the House of Night series for yourself then come back to let me know if you felt the same way about them that I did. I would love to see if anyone else had the same reaction at the end of book 3, hah.
I recently came across this series at a book sale and decided to grab the whole set and try it out. The Karen Moning Highlander Series was certainly a good buy, because I flew through the whole set within a week.
I loved the rugged Highlander theme in the books and found myself really connecting with some of the characters. By the time I made it to the third book I realized there was a huge trend with the virgin woman meeting the rough and tough highlander man who has been with lots of women over the years - I couldn’t help but giggle from there on out every time the new characters to consecutive books followed just the same.
Other than the sexual history trend, the books each had a fresh outlook to them. Reading each book had me hopping between different places in time with different species of characters. I really enjoyed the set as a whole.
Probably my favorite of them was the book about Dageus, The Dark Highlander #6. The story of him and Chloe really worked well for me. Nothing says romance like kidnapping  You’ll just have to read it to know more about what I mean!
Amazon has the whole Karen Moning Highlander series bundled for $49 in their Kindle edition – that comes out to about $7 per book.
You can also find the individual books on Amazon for as low as $0.01 + shipping.
The following is the list of the Karen Moning Highlander Series in order, along with their capsule summaries. I chose to not write individual reviews since I enjoyed the set as a whole.
 Beyond the Highland Mist
An alluring laird…
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart–until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm’s length–but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.
A prisoner in time…
She had a perfect “no” on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne’s reservations were no match for Hawk’s determination to keep her by his side. . . (Summary from GR)
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 To Tame a Highland Warrior
He was born to a clan of warriors of supernatural strength, but Gavrael McIllioch abandoned his name and his Highland castle, determined to escape the dark fate of his ancestors. Hiding his identity from the relentless rival clan that hunted him, he called himself Grimm to protect the people he cared for, vowing never to acknowledge his love for ravishing Jillian St. Clair. Yet even from afar he watched over her, and when her father sent an urgent summons, “Come for Jillian,” he raced to her side—into a competition to win her hand in marriage.
Why had he run from her so many years before? And why return now to see her offered as a prize in her father’s manipulative game? Furious, Jillian vowed never to wed. But Grimm was the man she loved, the one who urged her to marry another. He tried to pretend indifference as she tempted him, but he could not deny the fierce desires that compelled him to abduct her from the altar. She was the only woman who could tame the beast that raged within him—even as deadly enemies plotted to destroy them both… (Summary from GR)
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 The Highlander’s Touch
A Warrior Of Immortal Powers
He was a mighty Scottish warrior who lived in a world bound by ancient laws and timeless magic. But no immortal powers could prepare the laird of Castle Brodie for the lovely accursed lass who stood before him. A terrible trick of fate had sent her 700 years back in time and into his private chamber to tempt him with her beauty—and seduce him with a desire he could never fulfill. For this woman he burned to possess was also
the woman he had foresworn to destroy.
A Woman Caught In The Mists Of Time
When Lisa felt the earth move under her feet, the fiercely independent 21st-century woman never dreamed she was falling…into another century. But the powerful, naked warrior who stood glaring down at her was only too real…and too dangerously arousing. Irresistibly handsome he might be, but Lisa had no intention of remaining in this savage land torn by treachery and war. How could she know that her seductive captor had other plans for her…plans that would save her from a tragic fate? Or that this man who had long ago forsaken love would defy time itself to claim her for his own…. (Summary from GR)
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 Kiss of the Highlander
A laird trapped between centuries…
Enchanted by a powerful spell, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar slumbered for nearly five centuries hidden deep in a cave, until an unlikely savior awakened him. The enticing lass who dressed and spoke like no woman he’d ever known was from his distant future, where crumbled ruins were all that remained of his vanished world. Drustan knew he had to return to his own century if he was to save his people from a terrible fate. And he needed the bewitching woman by his side….
A woman changed forever in his arms…
Gwen Cassidy had come to Scotland to shake up her humdrum life and, just maybe, meet a man. How could she have known that a tumble down a Highland ravine would send her plunging into an underground cavern — to land atop the most devastatingly seductive man she’d ever seen? Or that once he’d kissed her, he wouldn’t let her go?
Bound to Drustan by a passion stronger than time, Gwen is swept back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where a treacherous enemy plots against them … and where a warrior with the power to change history will defy time itself for the woman he loves…. (summary from GR)
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 The Dark Highlander
I am Dageus MacKeltar, a man with one good conscience and thirteen bad ones, driven to sate my darkest desires…
From his penthouse lair high above Manhattan, Dageus looks out over a glittering city that calls to the darkness within him. A sixteenth-century Scot trapped between worlds, he is fighting a losing battle with the thirteen Druids who possess his soul, dooming him to an eternity of sexual pursuit. When Chloe Zanders, student of antiquities, is drawn into his world, she finds the insatiable alpha male an irresistible lure.Before long, she is caught up in an ancient prophecy that will sweep her back into time to medieval Scotland. Plunged into a world of timeless magic and dark seduction, she will soon face the challenge of a lifetime: fighting thirteen evil spirits for the heart of one irresistible man…. (Summary from GR)
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 The Immortal Highlander
With his long, black hair and dark, mesmerizing eyes, Adam Black is Trouble with a capital T. Immortal, arrogant, and intensely sensual, he is free to roam across time and continents in pursuit of his insatiable desires. That is, until a curse strips him of his immortality and makes him invisible, a cruel fate for so irresistible a man. Now Adam’s only hope for survival is in the hands of the one woman who can actually see him.
Enter law student Gabrielle O’Callaghan. For Gabrielle, cursed with the ability to see both worlds, Mortal and Faery, it is the beginning of a long, dangerous seduction. But as Adam’s quest to regain his immortality plunges them into a world of timeless magic, the price of surrender could be their very lives. Unless they can thwart the conspiracy that threatens both Mortal and Faery realms…and give them a shot at a destiny few mortals ever know: glorious, wondrous, endless love… (Summary from GR)
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 Spell of the Highlander
It’s taken him eleven centuries to find the right woman. He’s not about to lose her now.
Jessi St. James has GOT to get a life. Too many hours studying ancient artifacts has given the archaeology student a bad case of sex on the brain. So she figures she must be dreaming when she spies a gorgeous half-naked man staring out at her from inside the glass of an ancient mirror. But when a split-second decision saves her from a terrifying attempt on her life, Jessi suddenly finds herself confronting six and a half feet of smoldering INSATIABLE alpha male.
Heir to the arcane magic of his Druid ancestors, Cian MacKeltar was trapped inside the Dark Glass eleven centuries ago. And when the Dark Glass is stolen, an ancient enemy will stop at nothing to reclaim it. For Jessi, the sex god in the mirror is not only tantalizingly real, he’s offering his protection—from exactly what, Jessi doesn’t know. And all he wants in exchange is the exquisite pleasure of sharing her bed…. (Summary from GR)
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I absolutely love series book – Especially PARANORMAL Romance
I would love any suggestions for new books to read
 Interview Authors – Advice from the Source
Writing a book is hard to do. Whether the author writes about non-fiction advice and experience, a killer mystery tale or even a zombie apocalypse – the book is still going to be tough to write. For authors who are just starting out, it can be extremely overwhelming to get through mind-mapping, organizing their thoughts, coming up with fresh ideas, drafting and then re-drafting, editing and even finding a publisher.
That’s a ton of work.
Thankfully, there’s a shortcut that can help with the learning process. So what’s the big secret? Experienced authors love to share stories and advice for how they got to where they are in their career. What better way to find solid, helpful advice on writing than to get it from someone who has “been there, done that” on their own.
How do you land an interview with an author? That depends, mainly on how easy that author is to work with, whether they’re open to sharing their best kept secrets and if you took the time to approach them well.
In general, I think of an author’s “approachability” by the experience they have in the business. This can easily break down to three basic categories: First-timers, Mid-Experienced, and the Highly Successful.
First-Timers
Having just learned the hardships of all the work going into a novel, new authors love to talk about the difficulties and challenges they managed to overcome. They tend to have fresh experience about the struggles of getting published in a competitive field, where as more experienced authors don’t necessarily face these struggles as much anymore. Getting advice about what helped them accomplish the feat of writing their first book can be awesome advice for a writer. Not to mention these authors have just landed their first book and would love to have people talking about it, so your potential interview and post (assuming you’re a blogger) can get them great exposure for free.
Mid-Experienced
The mid-experienced are authors with more than one book who have done fairly well in the business. They move beyond the “first-timers” because not only do they have a list of what-went-wrongs, they now can talk about how they fixed some of their struggles the second or third time around. Getting advice about learning from experience can save new authors a ton of hardship that they could potentially face by trying to do it all on their own. Writing can be a much more enjoyable experience if you involve networking and connecting with peers who can lead you the right way.
Highly Successful
Getting information from a successful author can be a gold mine of information for someone striving to make it in the world of writing. They (the highly successful) have not only learned how to efficiently tackle the hardships behind the writing – but also the tough job of reaching the public with their work and getting people to buy their books.
These are the authors I am just now branching into talking to – I think I’ve had a fear that they wouldn’t want to talk to someone like me who’s not at their level in the writing business. These are the exact thoughts that hold you back. Worst case scenario, they say no. I think I can handle that.
Don’t be like I was and automatically assume they have no time for you. Stick your nose out there, in the nicest way possible, and tell them how much you envy the place they have made it to in their lives. Ask about the biggest mistakes, things they would have done differently, where they go from now – the questions they can advise you on are endless. Soak it up.
So what are you waiting for?
These are just the most BASIC ways to break down experience when it comes to authors. It’s always going to be different for each situation, but by just showing your interest, asking questions about things they know and really showing that you care can get you a long way. Research is clearly still and option – one that I wouldn’t ignore – but are you really going to miss out on learning from experience? I wouldn’t.
You can check out some of the authors I have talked to lately about their books and how they got to where they are in the business.
 Camelot’s Cousin
Author: David R. Stokes
Synopsis: When a Dad tries to dig a hole in his Northern Virginia yard to bury the remains of the family pet, he chances upon something buried years before-a mysterious briefcase. Its contents include a journal with cryptic writing. The father turns to his friend-and boss-Templeton Davis, a former Rhodes scholar and popular national radio talk show host, for help figuring out what he’s found.
They soon realize that they are in possession of materials that were hidden more than 60 years earlier by a notorious deep cover agent for the Soviet Union. And buried with the materials were clues to a great last secret of the Cold War-the identity of the most effective spy in the history of espionage.
Long a mere footnote in history, the story of this man’s treachery reaches the pinnacles of power and geopolitics. It’s a story that begins just before the Second World War breaks out and reaches the depths of the decades-long stand off that followed. (Summary from GR)
After reading Camelot’s Cousin, I couldn’t wait to learn more about the research and ideas behind the captivating book by David Stokes. You can read my full review here.
Hi David, thanks for stopping by Novel Creativity to tell us a little more about Camelot’s Cousin. I really enjoyed reading your book and found myself wondering what kind of work went into creating the story.
I was on the trail of a spy story—a genre I had always enjoyed—for a few years. I did a lot of reading, both fiction and nonfiction (including history works I reference at the end of the book). Many years ago, the Cold War, particularly the presidency during that time, was the focus of my thesis when I earned my Master of Arts degree in political science. Having written a narrative nonfiction story earlier (The Shooting Salvationist), I was interested to experience the fact that it required nearly as much research to write my novel as it did that previous true story.
Before we get to Camelot’s Cousin, I wanted to know a little more about what inspired you to get into writing. Have you always wanted to be a writer or did it build up over time?
I had thought about it for many years and in my work as a minister writing has played a big part. But the decision to actually write books (and articles, essays, columns, etc.) was around my 50th birthday in 2006. I guess I created a bucket-list of sorts when passing that milestone, realizing how life was passing by and I became more goal oriented when it came to writing.
I noticed the correlation between your radio career and the character Templeton Davis being a radio host. Do you feel it’s easier to create a story when pulling from personal experience?
Yes, certainly. And though Templeton Davis is not based on me, I wanted to create a character and context familiar to me—one that I could write about with credibility.
I really enjoyed the history you weaved into Camelot’s Cousin. How did you go about choosing Kim Philby to use in your topic?
Kim Philby was probably the most famous (infamous) spy during the Cold War and his story has been told many times and in many ways. In fact, the great espionage writer, Robert Littell, recently published a novel about him called, Young Philby. In the fall of 2011, I spoke at Darmouth College about my nonfiction book and had dinner after with a Pulitzer Prize winning writer (for journalism in the 1970s). He had covered the “spy beat” for many years back in the day and we had a conversation about Mr. Philby that really inspired me to build the story already developing in my mind around him.
Camelot’s Cousin had a lot of background research and information to back up parts of the storyline – what’s your method for researching the history behind your story?
Reading. Then more reading. It’s as simple as that. I probably have more than 200 books in my library about Cold War espionage (my personal library has more than 7,000 books). And the stories and images have long been part of my thoughts. Practically speaking, I took copious notes in journal-type notebooks. But much of the research was conducted as the story was being written, requiring long pauses at times to work things through.
Do you have an estimate for about how much time went into writing Camelot’s Cousin?
It took me about 6 months to write the narrative, then a few more months working with an editor in New York to polish it. This editor helped me with my previous book—an older gentleman who years ago discovered both Stephen King and John Grisham. I mention him in the book’s acknowledgement section. He was very helpful.
What can we look forward to from you next?
I have about 10 books in my head—fiction and nonfiction, but currently I am writing a political novel based on a true story from the late 1940s.
 About the Author: David R. Stokes is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, ordained minister, commentator, broadcaster and columnist. He has had his own national XM satellite radio talk show and is a regular guest-host for talk shows in across the country. David has also produced and hosted podcasts for The Cold War Museum and Richard Nixon Foundation.
His previous book, The Shooting Salvationist: J. Frank Norris and the Murder Trial that Captivated America, is a narrative non-fiction, true crime thriller set in the 1920s. Booklist in a starred review, says “The book is engagingly written, in an immediate, you-are-there style, and the story is as compelling and surprising as any Grisham thriller. Top of the line.”
Keep up with the Author here on Facebook or Twitter
This past summer, I moved into a new house and absolutely love all the new space I have compared to the apartment I lived in before. Something I always need on hand are DIY Wall Art Ideas.
Thank goodness for the internet and pinterest! I’ve spent the past couple weeks compiling ideas and cool projects that I hope to try out – say hello to 20 DIY WALL ART IDEAS that I absolutely love and hope that you will too!
When comparing prices for supplies, Amazon seems to have some great prices on both Canvas Boards and Acrylic Paint (acrylics are super easy for beginners to work with). A few good ones I stumbled across:
Don’t Forget to PIN ME!
Button is At The Top of This Post
These have all come from fellow bloggers around the web. Be sure to say hello to the ones that help you in you venture for cool new wall decorations! And of course, be sure to stop back and brag about any projects you’ve tried yourself because I’m always on the hunt for cool new things to try.
Now – ready for those 20 DIY Wall Art Ideas???
Over at the Make and Do Girl blog, they use Fabric to Create Quotes on Canvas Boards. I love the versatility of this project and the fact that I have tons of fabrics lying around in storage bins waiting to be used.
At the Sweet Survival blog, she put together a super easy Acrylic on Canvas project to decorate the nursery in her home. The great thing is not only how simple this project is to create, but also the fact that it could be used for any room in your home.
Over at Under the Sycamore, she made a very cute Paper Bird Painting that is the type of project anyone can do. I love how easy it is to put together and design.
Quite possibly one of my favorite projects I found was over at the RM House of Noise where she created a very easy Canvas Tree project. I have a {slight} obsession with any kind of art that involves trees, so this one definitely appealed to my tastes.
To take a break from canvas projects, I found a super cool Wood Rosette Sign at the Shanty 2 Chic blog. I love refurbished wood projects with the way they can bring an outdoor look to the inside of your home.
We all have a little love for Geometric Wall Art and over at the Beach Brights blog she created a very simple paint on canvas masterpiece. I could certainly use a bit more art like this in my home.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all had a little natural Van Gogh skill in our lives? Unfortunately, for most of us we know that isn’t the case. I ran across a super cool project at Perfectly Imperfect where she was brave enough to create a beautiful Abstract Canvas. This is the ultimate must-have project for anyone who questions their skills since abstract is all about the creator.
Back to the wood wall art projects, House of Hepworths created a beautiful Stained Wood Silhouette that I love. It’s such a big eye-catching project that it definitely demands your attention.
Imperfect Homemaking put together a project different from all the ones I’ve covered so far because they used Fabric and Styrofoam for their base – love how light this project would be to hang. I have tons of random fun fabrics in my storage bins just waiting to be put to good use.
Back to my love of trees, I recently put together an easy Acrylic Leaf Art project here on Novel Creativity. The Stone spray paint is a new obsession of mine for sure.
Looking for something super colorful and easy? Two Girls Being Crafty saved a lot of money by re-creating an expensive piece they loved. This Polka Dot Painting is perfect for anyone and the color pop that is creates is a must in any home.
Have any old wood lying around just waiting to be put to good use? This Old Wood Tree Art turned out amazing that she put together at Lemon Tree Creations. Old stained wood + Trees = I’m in heaven
These next two projects look very similar, but were made very different so I love it. Over at Tater Tots and Jello she created a ModPodge Silhouette Canvas that turned out absolutely adorable. This project is super versatile in the sense that you could create any silhouette that fits your home.
A similar looking project but still very different is the Silhouette Wall Art I stumbled across at Blue Cricket Designs. Her use of dictionary pages as a background is something that I love, love, LOVE – it makes the project so eye-catching that it could fit anywhere with any theme.
I’ve already mentioned my obsession for tree art, but staining come in at a close second! St.ain has the magic of turning the most basic wood into beautiful artwork. Over at the Mouse House blog, the stain Plywood Tree Art they created it totally easy and turned out super cool.
Continuing with my love of trees, the Thriftress blog created a beautiful Canvas Tree Art masterpiece. This project does require a {bit} of skills in department of being able to sketch out the image, but other than that it’s a totally do-able project and super cheap. Ahh, and would you look at that awesome BLUE color – love it.
Looking for a very fun and easy project? At the Inspiration For Moms blog, they put together a really easy Canvas Wall Art project for quotes.
Quite possibly one of the most eye-catching projects that I stumbled upon was over at Just Two Crafty Sisters. The World Map Art they created is so stinkin’ awesome. I would love to do something like this for my office!
I really liked the colors they used at the Ruche blog for this Watercolor Wall Art – they have such a POP to them. I haven’t worked with watercolors in quite some time, but this project definitely seems do-able.
I saved the guilty pleasure project for last because it totally rocks my socks with how cool it is. Over at the Twice Remembered Cottage blog, they created a Scrabble Board project that turned out amazing. I’d play this all the time.
These DIY Wall Art Ideas are just a few of the cool ones I’ve stumbled across lately. If you have ANY cool wall art that you’ve created and want to share then be sure to leave a link in the comments – I’m always looking for new ideas
*Post contains some Affiliate links to Amazon
January 2013 has proved to be an eventful month. Luckily, I’ve still had plenty of time to search for new books and to even read a couple of them. I’m currently competing with another girl to see who can get to 100 books first this year, so it’s a good thing I haven’t been slacking. Rather than post about each one separately, I decided to combine them into a “New Books to Read” post. These are the good and the bad of what I’ve run across – as well as some I hope to read soon. Hope you make lots of 2013 reading time in your schedule as well!
Romance
 Street Game by Christine Feehan
Series: Ghost Walkers, #8
This Ghost Walker series novel focuses around the love lost between Mack McKinley and Jaimie Fielding. They find themselves conflicted over government issues in their work place leaving them conflicted over who is really behind the missions their team gets sent into and do they really have the teams safety as a concern. The relationship between Mack and Jaimie worked well for me, but I found myself more engrossed into the story behind the Ghost Walker’s themselves. I made the mistake of starting with book #8, so I plan to backtrack and start from the beginning soon in order to answer some questions I have lingering. ★★★ Grab Street Game on Amazon
 A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster
Series: Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor, #4
This book seemed to stick with me from the start since she opened with a really bizarre scene, so I struggled to put it down. I liked the character dynamic between Spencer and Arizona with the way they banter but yet clearly still have an attraction toward each other. Learning about Arizona’s past really helped to explain why her personality was so erratic and independent. Once again, I found myself more enthralled by the topic itself (Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series) and have to kick myself for starting with book #4 rather than from the beginning. I’ll be keeping an eye out for Foster books at the new few book sales I check out. ★★★ Grab A Perfect Storm on Amazon
 Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter
Series: Alien Huntress, #2
I have loved, LOVED the Alien Huntress series from the start. As per my usual haphazard reading – I started at the last book in the series and have managed to work my way backwards. Luckily this hasn’t ruined any of the books for me at all, so I’ve enjoyed them immensely. With this book, we get to learn all about Eden Black, the Raka. With her golden hair, golden skin and golden eyes – her race is clearly something to be envious of – and the humans in the story are no different since they hope to keep her as their prize. Any fans of Gena’s books will thoroughly enjoy this story. ★★★★ Grab Enslave Me Sweetly on Amazon
 Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter
Series: Immortal After Dark, #8 and Alien Huntress, #4.5
This was, believe it or not, the first book I’ve read by Kresley Cole. I’ve had my eye on her books for a while since I’ve been a fan of Gena’s work for so long now and Kresley writes very similar. She did not leave me disappointed by any means. I loved the new ideas that were wrapped into her world and found myself to really enjoy reading about Murdoch Wroth and Daniela—the delicate Valkyrie. The Immortals After Dark series is officially on my shopping radar.
I knew going into the Gena half of the book that I would love the story since I’ve already read almost all of the Alien Huntress books. The alien/human society that Gena has created resonates really well with my creativity/supernatural itch I need to fill every couple of books. The shape-shifting Aleaha put an even newer twist into the world, so I found the book to be really enjoyable. Can’t wait for more ★★★★ Grab Deep Kiss of Winter on Amazon
Non-fiction
 The Writer’s Compass by Nancy Ellen Dodd
From Story Map to Finished Draft in 7 Stages
Grab The Writer’s Compass on Amazon
Being the avid book-loving reader (that sounds ridiculous), I often look into books all about WRITING. I love them. Authors get the opportunity to build worlds we can’t imagine, scope the lives of people who have never really lived and create stories out of nothing. Everyone should be jealous of that.
This book turned out to be a really cool resource for someone {like me} who doesn’t fully understand the structure and technique that goes into writing a compelling story. The author has 2 master’s degrees in writing and teaches at a university, so she understands not only how to write but also how to TEACH someone else to write. Her idea behind the compass is building a structure and foundation for your story and mapping out where it needs to go. She includes diagrams to help visually, examples for how to do each step she explains and then ends each section with Writing Exercises. I happily read this book front to back and plan to add it to my “keep” bookshelf. In addition, she has a great website with tips for anyone. ★★★★
Currently Reading
 The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. This widely acclaimed bestseller, in which Malcolm Gladwell explores and brilliantly illuminates the tipping point phenomenon, is already changing the way people throughout the world think about selling products and disseminating ideas. (summary from B&N)
 All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin
Seth Godin’s three essential questions for every marketer: “What’s you story?” “Will the people who need to hear this story believe it?” “Is it true?” All marketers tell stories. And if they do it right, we believe them. We believe that wine tastes better in a $20 glass than a $1 glass. We believe that an $80,000 Porsche is vastly superior to a $36,000 Volkswagen that’s virtually the same car. We believe that $125 sneakers make our feet feel better–and look cooler–than a $25 brand. And believing it makes it true. As Seth Godin showed in this controversial book, great marketers don’t talk about features or even benefits. Instead, they tell a story–a story we want to believe, whether it’s factual or not. (Summary from B&N)
 Rogue Alliance by Michelle Bellon
Trying to escape a horrific past, Shyla has immersed herself in life as a tough, sassy cop in the bustle of LA. When the case of a lifetime takes her back to her hometown of Redding, she is thrown into a world of organised crime, deceit, and bitter reminders of her childhood.
As Shyla’s path crosses that of Brennan, an unwitting and troubled sidekick to the ringleader she’s intent on taking down, she is forced to re-evaluate everything she believes about herself, her job, and what she knows about right and wrong.
Can she face the demons of her upbringing and learn to trust again? Her life will depend on it. (summary from GR)
 The Highlander’s Touch by Karen Marie Moning (Highlander, #3)
A Warrior Of Immortal Powers
He was a mighty Scottish warrior who lived in a world bound by ancient laws and timeless magic. But no immortal powers could prepare the laird of Castle Brodie for the lovely accursed lass who stood before him. A terrible trick of fate had sent her 700 years back in time and into his private chamber to tempt him with her beauty—and seduce him with a desire he could never fulfill. For this woman he burned to possess was also
the woman he had foresworn to destroy.
A Woman Caught In The Mists Of Time (summary from GR)
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As usual, I will continue in my quest for New Books to Read in the year 2013. If anyone has any suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment about the great books you’ve found!
(Affiliate links included in post)
 An Epic Medieval Saga Fantasy Readers Will Love
Author: Patrick W. Carr
In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone’s search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he’s joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.
Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom’s dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.
Excerpt:
The woman took another, slow step toward him, her smile stretching the cuts and bruises on her face. “I don’t care who kills you boy, but do you really want to die by the borale arrow?” She laughed. “Do you relish feeling it rip and tear its way out of your flesh leaving you to die from blood loss, screaming in pain?” She nodded back toward Balina. “The captain has a sword, freshly sharpened. He can make your end quick and painless.”
“Don’t believe her boy,” Merodach said. He pitched his voice to carry over the flood below. “A malus never kills quickly. They feed on pain. Come with me. I can take you to safety.” He took a step.
Errol’s tried in vain to watch everyone. The pounding of his heart merged with the flood waters. He cast the briefest of looks down, fought to keep from sobbing. The roiling depths were too far away to survive a jump.
He was going to die. All that remained was to choose between the arrow, the sword, and the water.
Without turning his back to Merodach or the malus-possessed woman, he climbed the railing.
The three of them inched forward.
“Come, boy.” The woman’s voice crooned. “There’s no need for such a death.” Her voice grew mocking. “Don’t you want to be buried in your faith? Don’t you want the priest to bless your grave?”
“Errol, don’t.” Merodach’s voice cut across the woman’s.
For a moment, something in the assassin’s voice penetrated the fear that clouded his thinking. Could he be telling the truth? If he’d wanted Errol dead, he could have simply fired. It would be impossible to miss at this range, but that would leave Merodach open to counter-attack by the malus and her guard.
He didn’t want to die. Errol took a tentative step toward the assassin, tried at once to ignore the arrow aimed at his chest and brace for its impact that would kill him.
An animal-like snarl erupted from behind him. Merodach raised the bow, drew. He launched himself into space, heard the whine of the borale’s arrow merge with a cry of rage and pain. The water rushed up at him
 About the Author: Patrick Carr was born on an Air Force base in West Germany at the height of the cold war. He has been told this was not his fault. As an Air Force brat, he experienced a change in locale every three years until his father retired to Tennessee. Patrick saw more of the world on his own through a varied and somewhat eclectic education and work history. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and has worked as a draftsman at a nuclear plant, did design work for the Air Force, worked for a printing company, and consulted as an engineer. Patrick’s day gig for the last five years has been teaching high school math in Nashville, TN. He currently makes his home in Nashville with his wonderfully patient wife, Mary, and four sons he thinks are amazing: Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Sometime in the future he would like to be a jazz pianist. Patrick thinks writing about himself in the third person is kind of weird.
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Kaitlin has
read 34 books toward her goal of 100 books.
Currently Reading: 
The Tipping Point National Novel Writing Month
Did you participate?
I didn't make it to the 50,000 word goal, but I was still very pleased with making any progress at all since it occurred during one of the hardest quarters of my program. A little progress is better than none!
Find Me Here:
“It's not that I don't like people. It's just that when I'm in the company of others - even my nearest and dearest - there always comes a moment when I'd rather be reading a book.”
― Maureen Corrigan
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