The quick version: I'm an audiobook junkie, sporadic book blogger, wearer of pajamas, occasional master chef, soccer mom, cool aunt, beloved wife, craft partner, loyal friend, and lover of words.
The long version:
I'm a work at home mom who can most often be found wearing pajamas, drinking a glass of sweet tea, and wearing headphones lost in the narration of an audio book or curled up in bed with my precious Nook Tablet. Like any bibliophile, I have overflowing shelves and more books than I'll ever be able to read and yet always on the lookout for more.
I read as often as I can. Books are my escape, my refuge, my safe adventures. Audio is my preferred format for experiencing a book. I can't think of anything more relaxing than listening to an amazing narration of an incredible story. When you find the right combination of narrator and story, it is a special kind of magic.
I can be almost erratic in my reading, switching from genre to genre with no apparent rhyme or reason but that's the best thing about reading, there are no rules. I can just jump into whatever world I'm in the mood for. So whether I want to be disturbed by tales of serial killers or enchanted by a fairy princess, I can be there in the turn of a page.
I started blogging in 2010 and at that time focused mainly on dark fantasy. In 2011 it seemed that my reading preferences began branching out in new directions. I've begun to enjoy dystopian fiction as well as YA Contemporary, I still prefer books that are edgy and dark but can also enjoy those feel good stories. One thing that hasn't changed is that I don't really care for books that focus primarily on romance. I want to read a strong plot with 3 dimensional engaging characters. No instant love, obsessive love, or pointless love triangles. And the darker and more disturbing - the better. Another genre I have found myself becoming interested in is Literary fiction. I may begin exploring that genre in the future.
I remain always fascinated with historical fiction, particularly regarding the British monarchy from William the Conqueror down through James I. But other historical fiction intrigues me as well, such as stories that take place during the Ottoman Empire, the Spanish monarchy, and Civil War era American history.
I'm always open to reading something new and I get so excited when I find a new author to love and immediately read everything they've ever written. Feel free to contact me with any comments, book recommendations, or suggestions on how to improve my blog. Contact me at ahappybooker@gmail.com
My favorite authors include:
JK Rowling
Margaret George
Alison Weir
Jean Plaidy
Stacia Kane
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Neil Gaiman
Clive Barker
Maria V. Snyder
Anne Bishop
George RR Martin
Robin Hobb
Brandon Sanderson
Mercedes Lackey
John Green
Kendare Blake
Susan Ee
Julie Kagawa
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Edward · 602 weeks ago
Lucas T Harmond · 550 weeks ago
My reason in contacting you is in regards to my third novel “Glass” for potential review. The first two novels, “Dark Side Darker” and “Shadow Man” were works of “Horror” and were published professionally with the Canadian Publishing House “Prohyptikon” but after they failed to get the stories officially reviewed and disappeared owing more than £2000 in sales I decided, understandably, to collapse the deal and contract and publish the new novel through my own company “Warlock Trading UK LTD”. The first two novels were by no means a failure and got well over a thousand Kindle downloads, which then added to the Hardback and paper back sales which the House still owes me, so my name is already established to some extent and also my stories are receiving an average of 4 or 5 stars by customer reviews on “Good Reads”, so I am confident in my future works.
The story of “Glass”, is Science Fiction with elements of “hard sci fi” but with the pace of “Philip K Dick” and based in a future London where the city has been split into two; A decaying, half flooded lower city and the self-contained, paradise world of the vast “Blocks”, where those lucky enough to afford such luxuries and life style need never worry or go into the old city below. There is a great deal of unrest and the constant threat of revolution as the people of lower London try to force entrance to the Blocks, while terrorist groups the “LSA” and the “Brotherhood of Light” are spreading further chaos with a series of electronic viral attacks and bombing campaigns. The main character Kirsten Glass, is a small time, sheltered Fashion Model with no political agenda and no interest in anything but her own privileged existence in upper London but her life is turned upside down when she is taken hostage by one of the terror groups.
There’s elements of “CyberPunk”, industrial espionage, environmental issues and an overall theme of Corporate control and I really feel the novel has tapped into our zeitgeist and deals, satirically, with a lot of problems just now beginning to surface in our own world.
I was born in the west midlands in 1981 and I write a wide range of material ranging from Science Fiction through to Horror but add many elements such as Crime and Thriller into the already eclectic mix. My influences range from Pulp such as James Herbert, Philip K Dick and Christopher Fowler to more highbrow art such as Burroughs, Bret Easton Ellis, Don Delillo, Michael Crichton and Anthony Burgess. This may sound like an ill matched selection but I feel I have melded them together into a style of writing which is poignant, modern, challenging and also deeply unique. See if you agree. . .
I have read your blog a good many times and am impressed by the range , articles and reviews as well as the look and lay out of the site and would love to be able to send you a physical copy of “Glass” for you to read and possibly even review. SO if you do want a free copy of the novel please provide a mailing address and I’ll send one.
All the best Lucas T Harmond.
Michael · 527 weeks ago
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