Tuesday, March 17, 2020

NEW RELEASE - Gabe's Guardian Angel by Beverly Stowe McClure

Just released today – the latest from Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. -


Gabe’s Guardian Angel
By Beverly Stowe McClure

 

Gabe never asked for an angel…

Gabe Montana’s clumsy. He’s overweight, and he’s dyslexic. Worse yet, the bullies make his fifteen-year-old life even more miserable—so miserable he wants to die. 

Charley, his guardian angel, says no to that idea, and comes up with a different plan. He’ll give Gabe self-confidence so he can solve his problems, not run away from them. But Gabe wonders why the angel doesn’t just help with the bullies. What’s with this self-confidence stuff?

Can Charley help Gabe stand on his own two feet? Will Gabe give up hope life can improve for him? Or will he finally listen to the angel’s advice?



Young Adult Fiction: Boys & Men / Loners & Outcasts / Bullying

Print ISBN 9781939844668 $15.95

EBook ISBN 9781939844675 $4.99



“An important read for young adults and their families.” - Donna McDine, multi-award winning author of stories for children

 “It takes a tough subject and handles it in a positive, uplifting way. A must read for teens and tweens.” – Sandra Cox, author

 “Gabe’s Guardian Angel is a good read for any youngster who has ever felt isolated and bullied.”– L.G. Keltner, author

THE AUTHOR!

Most of the time, you’ll find Beverly Stowe McClure at her computer, typing stories young voices whisper in her ears. When she’s not writing, she’s snapping pictures of wildlife, flowers and clouds. She’s sometimes known as the “Bug Lady.” She’s not telling why.



BUT THE BOOK!


Wednesday, March 11, 2020

REVIEW of Headlock of Destiny by Samuel Gately

I still find it super weird that people come to me to ask for a review of their book. I get that everyone wants to get as many reviews as possible, but the fact that someone values my opinion enough that they will seek me out specifically for a review/quote is a nice feeling.

I don't get a lot of requests mind you, and don't have the time to do many more than I already receive, but I have discovered some really great books this way. The last one was BIG RED by Damien Larkin last year, and now I can add HEADLOCK OF DESTINY by Samuel Gately to that list.

I mean, I get that I'm specifically the target audience for this book. It's pro-wrestling mixed with epic fantasy. But I think that alot of people will enjoy this book, regardless of how you feel about oiled-up men in panties fighting each other. You don't need to be a fan of pro-wrestling to get The Headlock of Destiny, but if you are you'll appreciate some of the inside jokes and references.

Van is a titan, a giant ten-times as a strong as a mortal man, destined to fight and entertain the masses in a wrestling ring. Despite his humble beginnings working at a brewery in a backwater village, he is of course swept up into the politics and show-biz of the fighting circuit, thrust into the biggest tournament in the world, the Headlock of Destiny. Van becomes Van the Beer Man, a wrestling... brewer? (To be fair, the real world has seen wrestling garbage men, dentists and golf caddies, so why not?)

I loved this book. Samuel Gately has an easy, fun voice that makes the text fly by at a breezy clip. The description of the wrestling matches are fast-paced and exciting, with each one a spectacle of over-the-top action. But wrestling action aside, some of my favourite moments were outside the ring, like Van's quest to steal a barrel of beer, his antics at the tavern and casino between matches, or his awkward encounters with his former girlfriend. Much of the characters and interactions are refreshingly grounded and real, despite the story being set in a magical world with wrestling minotaurs and dragons used as passenger airliners. I think that's what really makes this work - in a world with cartoonish wrestling action and fantasy trappings, it's really Gately's down-to-earth portrayal of Van that makes him seem real and relatable. It would have been so easy, and a mistake, to make Van as garish and hyperbolic as the world around him, but instead he's just a normal, regular guy with simple wants and a sad (but not overly dramatic) backstory. Really great stuff.

Long story short, I would recommend this to anyone who like pro-wrestling or fantasy. If you like both, then you REALLY have to check this out, because you're in for a treat.

THE LINKS!

You can buy THE HEADLOCK OF DESTINY on 

Follow Samuel on 

Also be sure to check out 

THE AUTHOR!

Samuel Gately is a writer of novels in the fantasy genre. Most have spies in them. He lives in Oak Park, just outside Chicago, with his wife, daughters, and two terrifyingly fluffy dogs.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Told You So (#IWSG March 2020)

I told you it was going to happen.

I knew it wasn't going to last.

The last few weeks have sucked. The whole family has been battling the flu. I've missed a ton of work during the busiest time of the year. My son had a fever for 8 days straight. My wife's health is at its worst it's been in awhile. Not to mention a couple of other crisis that are about to explode in our face.

Needless to say, I haven't had much time for writing.

I loath this time of year. I don't know what it is, but the first couple months of the year are always so stressful. Here's hoping it calms down by late April/May, like it usually does.

Oh, one little bit of good news, though:


Sci-Fi and Fantasy magazine The Weird and Whatnot will be publishing one of my stories in an upcoming issue! That's pretty cool, and very unexpected as it is a story I've been trying to place for awhile. I will of course share more details when they become available.

That's it for me this month. How was your February?

Hugs & Kisses,
-CDGK

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Writers post their thoughts on their blogs, talking about their doubts and the fears they have conquered. It's a chance for writers to commiserate and offer a word of encouragement to each other. Check out the group at http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/.


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