Chanticleer Book Reviews

Author: chanti

The Cygnus Awards 2014 Finalists – Official List
The results for the 2014 Cygnus Awards Finalists are in.

The Cygnus Awards recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of SciFi & Fantasy Fiction. It is a division of Chanticleer Book Reviews Blue Ribbon Awards Writing Competitions.

The Cygnus Awards has eight sub-genres which are: Steampunk, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mythological, Soft Sci-Fi/Young Adult, and Speculative Fiction.

Congratulations are in order for the following authors who made it to the Short List, The Cygnus 2014 FINALISTS OFFICIAL LIST:
- Selah J. Tay-Song for Dreams of a Vast Blue Cavern
- Robert L. Slater for All is Silence
- Yuan Jur for Citadel 7, Earth’s Secret: Enemy of Existence
- Ryan Henry for Betrayal on Triton
- V. Lakshman for Mythborn: Rise of the Adepts
- Sara Stamey for The Ariadne Connection
- D. C. for Prodigy Genius
- Michael Simon for Natural Selection
- H. G. Bleackley for ISO
- Jane Baskin for The New Earth: Rhapsody
- Tom and Nancy Wise for The Borealis Genome
- Laura Burroughs for The Foxes of Caminus
- Sherrill Nilson for Karda: Adalta
- Jianna Higgins for Filled to Completion
- Simone Pond for The City Center
- Robert Carrell for The Pinks and the Kinks
- Samantha Bryant for Going Through the Change
- Ryan Henry for Betrayal on Titan
- James Zerndt for The Cloud Seeders
- James Musgrave for Jane the Grabber
- J. M. Salyards for Shadow of the Last Man
- Michael Suma for Natural Selection
- Time Vander Meulin for A Humble Heart
- Christopher Pepper for Outrider Legion
- Allen W. Johnson for Blood Line Secrets
- Paul C. Breslin for Observer of the First Order
- Zachary J. Kitchen for The Unbeliever
- Alisse Lee Goldenberg for The Strings of a Violin
- Lorrie Farrelly for Time Lapse
- Jessica Schaub for Gateways
- Jamie Smith for Shadow Wars: The Arcana
- Richard Pulfer for Godtown
- Michael Murphey for About Time
- Terri-Lynn DeFino for Beyond the Gate
- Robert G. Ferrell for Goblinopolis
- Michael Wolff for Smoke and Mirrors
- Joannah Miley for The Immortal Game
- Brett A. Lawrence for The Shadow Guardians
- Jesikah Sundin for Legacy: The Biodome Chronicles
- Ashland Menshouse for The Last Guardian and Keeper of the Magi
Finalists will continue on to compete for a first place category win in their sub-genre, and then for the overall grand prize of the 2014 Cygnus Awards. First place category winners will receive an award package including a complimentary book review, digital award badges, shelf talkers, book stickers, and more.

We are now accepting submissions into the Cygnus Awards 2015. Deadline is January 31, 2015.
October 4, 2014
PNW Booksellers Association TRADE SHOW this weekend & Chanticleer will be exhibiting

Look for Chanticleer’s booth at the PNBA annual trade show in Tacoma, Wash. the weekend of Sept. 26, 27, & 28th, 2014. We are #65 on the room chart and we are also listed in the directory.

And Chanticleer Book Reviews is proud to be a member. It is just another way that we help to promote our award winning authors and titles receiving stellar reviews. So, stop by our booth and take a look at some of CBR’s Today’s Best Books.

The PNBA annual trade show gathers owners and managers of bookstores, publishers, booksellers, book distributors, sales representatives, librarians, publishing professionals, and authors from throughout the pacific northwest together so that they can mingle, network, and connect.

“We come together each Fall Show to exchange ideas, find new ways to connect, discover fantastic books, and delight in each other’s company. But even when we can’t be mingling at author signings or learning together at educational panels, we are strongly connected.” PNBA

CBR — Discovering Today’s Best Books

September 26, 2014
The Official List of the Chanticleer 2013 Grand Prize Winners of the Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions

We are excited and honored to have announced the the grand prize award winners at the Inaugural Chanticleer Authors Conference’s Awards Banquet held on Saturday, Sept. 20th, 2014 at the Hotel Bellwether by beautiful Bellingham Bay, Wash.

CBR– Discovering Today’s Best Books!

The Chanticleer Grand Prize Award 2013 for
Overall Best Book:

The Prodigal by Michael Hurley

Michael Hurley was awarded the $1,000.00 Grand Prize Cash Award and the gorgeous Chanticleer Grand Prize Blue Ribbon along with his digital badge and golden stickers.

Photo: Elaine Dillon

Read Review

The Chanticleer Genre Grand Prize 2013 Winners are as follows:

The Cygnus Grand Prize for SciFi and Fantasy Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Virtues of War
by Bennett Coles

View Cygnus Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Journey Grand Prize Ribbon for Narrative Non-fiction 2013 was awarded to:

More Faster Backwards, Rebuilding David B
by Christine Smith

View Journey Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The M&M Grand Prize Ribbon for Mystery & Mayhem Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Fatal Induction
by Bernadette Pajer

View Mystery & Mayhem Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Dante Rossetti Grand Prize Ribbon for YA Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

The Borealis Genome
by Thomas P. Wise and Nancy Wise

View Dante Rossetti Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Chaucer Grand Prize Ribbon for Historical Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Propositum
by Sean Curley

View Chaucer Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Laramie Grand Prize Ribbon for Western, Pioneer, Civil War Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Unbroke Horses
by Dale B. Jackson

View Laramie Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Chatelaine Grand Prize Ribbon for Women’s Fiction and Romantic Fiction 2013 was awarded to:

Choices
by Kate Vale

View Chatelaine Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The CLUE Grand Prize Ribbon for Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Fiction was awarded to:

Raggedy Man

by Clyde Curley

View CLUE Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

The Paranormal Grand Prize Ribbon for Paranormal/Supernatural Fiction was awarded to:

The Watcher
by Lisa Voisin

View Paranormal Category 1st Place Winners —Read Review

The Somerset Grand Prize Ribbon for Literary, Contemporary, & Mainstream Fiction was awarded to:

Individually Wrapped
by Jeremy Bullian

View Somerset Category 1st Place Winners — Read Review

Now this is something to CROW about!

We invite you to read the Chanticleer editorial book reviews of these stellar works. The reviews will be published on our website and in the Chanticleer Reviews online magazine. If they are not currently posted, they will be coming soon!

We are currently accepting works into the CBR International Blue Ribbon Writing Competitions.

September 23, 2014
Bennett Coles will Present “Secrets of Brick and Mortar Book Distribution” at CAC
Bennett Coles, award-winning science fiction author, will present “Secrets of Brick and Mortar Book Distribution–the Arcane, Ugly, and Little Known Truths” at the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2014.

Bennett R. Coles is an award-winning science fiction author who has the (perhaps) unique distinction of being traditionally, hybrid and self-published. His writing was certainly influenced by 15 years as a Navy officer and since his retirement from active duty in 2005 he has travelled widely in his quest to secure for himself the moniker of “international man of mystery”.

Today he lives a settled family life in Victoria, Canada and has somehow found himself running the maverick publishing company Promontory Press, as well as engaging as a reluctant revolutionary in reshaping the entire publishing landscape. He is also occasionally found hard at work on his third novel, due for release by Titan Books in 2016.
We invite you to meet other members of the Chanticleer International Community of Authors at this fun and informative three day event featuring:

Day Passes are available!
- CBR Awards Banquet – You don’t have to be a CBR winner to attend this exciting event.
- Sessions, workshops, and panel discussions
- Keynote Speakers: Shari Stauch, Tyler Bird, and Diane Isaacs
- Networking opportunities
- Prizes and drawings
- Books By the Bay Bookfair
Join us at the elegant Hotel Bellwether on beautiful Bellingham Bay. Register today!
September 18, 2014
Rochelle Parry will present “Website 101” and “Optimizing your Presence Online” at CAC
Rochelle Parry will present “Website 101” and “Optimizing you Presence Online” at Chanticleer Authors Conference 2014.

“Website 101 (for the computer-challenged author)” will be an introductory overview of the various forms of websites available. We will look at the difference between blogs, hosted sites, free software and subscription software. You will learn the advantages and disadvantages to each solution. We will have a Q&A session.

Who Should Attend: Those who have thought about getting online but just aren’t sure yet; those who have a web presence but want to explore more options; those who just want a better grasp on websites in general.

Rochelle’s second workshop, “Optimizing your Presence Online” will focus mainly on using hosted WordPress software. We will also cover domain names, site setup, choosing a theme, what info you should have on your site, search engine optimization, file management, image optimization, spam control, integrating social media, selling online, and follow up with a Q&A session. She will demonstrate installing a new WordPress site live.

Who Should Attend: Those who are interested in the nuts and bolts of setting up and maintaining their own website, and learn some tips and tricks. If you have a blog on WordPress.com or blogger, and want more control, find out what is involved in having your own web site.

Rochelle Parry has been working with websites since 1998 when she created Megabite Design. She has worked at Microsoft designing software help systems, and at Western Washington University creating and managing websites. She enjoys helping non-technical clients understand computers and software, and creating useful, usable and engaging websites. Her website is at www.megabite.com.

We invite you to meet other members of the Chanticleer International Community of Authors at this fun and informative three day event featuring:
- CBR Awards Banquet – You don’t have to be a CBR winner to attend this exciting event.
- Sessions, workshops, and panel discussions
- Keynote Speakers: Shari Stauch, Tyler Bird, and Diane Isaacs
- Networking opportunities
- Prizes and drawings
- Books By the Bay Bookfair
Join us at the elegant Hotel Bellwether on beautiful Bellingham Bay. Register today!
September 18, 2014
Tyler Byrd presents “What is on the Horizon of Internet Marketing Technology” at CAC
Tyler Byrd, founder of Red Rokk Digital Media Marketing Agency, will present “What is on the Horizon of Internet Marketing Technology and What that Means to You” at Chanticleer Authors Conference 2014.

Tyler is the CEO of Red Rokk Interactive, a digital media marketing agency. Digital Media Marketing is the future of advertising and promotion. And the FUTURE is now.

The award winning agency specializes in design, marketing, and strategy. Redd Rokk team members are known for being digital aficionados, experts, inventors, and enthusiasts of today’s global digital age.

We invite you to meet other members of the Chanticleer International Community of Authors at this fun and informative three day event featuring:

Basic Day Passes now available!
- CBR Awards Banquet – You don’t have to be a CBR winner to attend this exciting event.
- Sessions, workshops, and panel discussions
- Keynote Speakers: Shari Stauch, Tyler Bird, and Diane Isaacs
- Networking opportunities
- Prizes and drawings
- Books By the Bay Bookfair
Join us at the elegant Hotel Bellwether on beautiful Bellingham Bay. Register today!
September 18, 2014
Michael Hurley presents “The Literary Author in the Age of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’” at CAC
Avid sailor and acclaimed author Michael Hurley will present “The Literary Author in the Age of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’” at the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2014.

Hailing from Charleston, S.C. , Michael is an avid sailor who solo sailed 2,200 miles in a two-year voyage that ended with the loss of his boat, the Gypsy Moon. It was that voyage that inspired him to set sail on a new adventure: writing his memoir. Hachette Book Group published Once Upon a Gypsy Moon in 2013.

His debut novel, The Prodigal, has received numerous accolades in the trade press and will be coming out soon as a film. His next novel is titled The Vineyard and is scheduled to be released in December 2014. Michael Hurley is a member of the Bar in North Carolina and Texas and has been in trial practice since 1984.

We invite you to meet other members of the Chanticleer International Community of Authors at this fun and informative three day event featuring:
- CBR Awards Banquet – You don’t have to be a CBR winner to attend this exciting event.
- Sessions, workshops, and panel discussions
- Keynote Speakers: Shari Stauch, Tyler Bird, and Diane Isaacs
- Networking opportunities
- Prizes and drawings
- Books By the Bay Bookfair
Join us at the elegant Hotel Bellwether on beautiful Bellingham Bay. Register today!
September 15, 2014
Amanda Hagarty will present “Wattpad Wonderful” and “Social Shenanigans” at CAC14
Amanda Hagarty will present “WattPad Wonderful” and “Social Shenanigans” at the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2014.

“WattPad Wonderful” will answer the question, “What is Wattpad?” Wattpad is a social media platform just for readers and writers and has surpassed sites like Goodreads, reddit, and even Tumblr in the number of people in the US who visit the site each month.

It is still a relatively unknown entity. But this is changing quickly. The news is getting out (in August Wired ran an article about an author who garnered over 800 million reads of her trilogy and 300 million comments), and more writers are wondering how they can use Wattpad to drive discoverability.

Amanda Hagarty has published nearly 30 chapters on Wattpad and hit the top 200 list of both Fantasy and Adventure with her story on numerous occasion. The story has earned over 2500 reads, nearly 300 votes and over 300 comments in that time. In this session she will share a few of the tricks and good practices she has learned on Wattpad that have helped her find a small but dedicated and growing group of fans for her work.

Amanda will also present two other sessions at the Chanticleer Authors Conference. Social Shenanigans on Friday will focus on author specific activities you can get up to on social media to both have fun and boost your discoverability. Tired of just posting “buy my book” or not sure what to do? Come and get creative ideas that will spice up your platform with a little variety and make the chore of social media something you can enjoy.

Amanda Hagarty’s second session on Saturday is entitled What is a Good Web Presence? In this session you will learn how to make the most of each component of your web presence, find your strengths, fill in the gaps, and bring it all together.

Amanda started building websites and doing online promotion in 1995. Social media marketing and promotion are a passion-turned-business for her.

Helping other writers learn how to use the Internet and social media to build their author’s platform and market their books was just a natural extension of her passion for marketing and her passion for writing.

We invite you to meet other members of the Chanticleer International Community of Authors at this fun and informative three day event featuring:
- CBR Awards Banquet – You don’t have to be a CBR winner to attend this exciting event.
- Sessions, workshops, and panel discussions
- Keynote Speakers: Shari Stauch, Tyler Bird, and Diane Isaacs
- Networking opportunities
- Prizes and drawings
- Books By the Bay Bookfair
Join us at the elegant Hotel Bellwether on beautiful Bellingham Bay. Register today!
September 14, 2014
Diane Isaacs presents “The Unfinish Line: Measures of Success” at CAC14
Executive film producer Diane Isaacs will present “The Un-finish Line: Measures of Success” at the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2014.

Diane brings more than two decades of experience in film and television industries as an executive film producer, president of production for Don Johnson Productions at Universal and Paramount pictures, president of development and production for Green Moon Productions where she produced films for Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson.

Diane Isaacs currently has The Prodigal by Michael Hurley (ahem – she discovered The Prodigal via Kiffer Brown and Chanticleer Book Reviews) under option for film rights.

Diane is also the executive creative director of Wutz/Nxt. Nike, Microsoft, Guitar Hero & Rock Band video games, and others are just a few of Wutz/Nxt clients.

Diane will present The Unfinish Line: Measures of Success on Saturday, Sept. 20th at 9:30 a.m. at CAC14 and later that evening at the Chanticleer Awards Banquet.

Diane has always been in the business of leading change. She is known for her marketing wizardry and making waves, good ones!

We invite you to meet other members of the Chanticleer International Community of Authors at this fun and informative three day event featuring:
- CBR Awards Banquet – You don’t have to be a CBR winner to attend this exciting event.
- Sessions, workshops, and panel discussions
- Keynote Speakers: Shari Stauch, Tyler Bird, and Diane Isaacs
- Networking opportunities
- Prizes and drawings
- Books By the Bay Bookfair
Join us at the elegant Hotel Bellwether on beautiful Bellingham Bay. Register today!
September 13, 2014
Robert Dugoni presents “Creating Memorable Characters” at CAC
Robert Dugoni, NY Times bestselling author of legal thrillers, will present “Playing God–Creating Memorable Characters” at the Chanticleer Authors Conference 2014

What is it about certain books that when we finish the final page the characters stay with us for days? What is it about those characters that has made them so memorable? Using examples from his own works and other writers, Bob will teach techniques to make your characters well-rounded individuals that will keep readers wondering about them long after they have finished your book.

A writer turned lawyer turned writer. Dugoni is a NY Times bestselling author of legal thrillers. A Stanford graduate and UCLA law school graduate, he practiced for 13 years in San Francisco. We at Chanticleer Book Reviews agree with others that “Dugoni is the undisputed king of the Legal Thriller.”

Dugoni’s first in the Tracy Crosswhite series will be released November 1, 2014 by Thomas and Mercer. Crosswhite, Seattle’s First Female Homicide detective is on a twenty-year quest to find out who abducted and murdered her younger sister. The answer will shock her, and open horrifying new dangers. Look for the prequel, The Academy, also to be released by Thomas and Mercer.

Bob has passed on this link to The Academy, now available on Amazon for free download to Kindle. Click below to get this excellent prequel to the next legal thriller series from Robert Dugoni.

http://www.amazon.com/Academy-Robert-Dugoni-ebook/dp/B00LMKD6SU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1410457416&sr=8-6&keywords=The+Academy

We invite you to meet other members of the Chanticleer International Community of Authors at this fun and informative three day event featuring:
- CBR Awards Banquet – You don’t have to be a CBR winner to attend this exciting event.
- Sessions, workshops, and panel discussions
- Keynote Speakers: Shari Stauch, Tyler Bird, and Diane Isaacs
- Networking opportunities
- Prizes and drawings
- Books By the Bay Bookfair
Join us at the elegant Hotel Bellwether on beautiful Bellingham Bay. Register today!
September 11, 2014