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The MYSTERY of HOLLOW INN (SAMANTHA WOLF MYSTERY, BOOK 1) by Tara Ellis – Middle Grade Mystery, Folk Tales, Children’s Books
A summer vacation turns sinister for two tweeny girls far away from home.

Twelve-year-old Samantha (Sam) Wolf and her best friend Alyson (Ally) Parker leave their home state of Washington vacation two weeks in Montana where Sam’s aunt and uncle have turned an old mansion into a hotel called Hollow Inn, after the family that once lived there. While things look pretty good initially, the girls learn from the staff that the place is haunted. Moreover, business is suffering since the last guests abruptly left claiming someone else was in their room – a ghost! Now, Sam’s aunt and uncle must deal with negative rumors and targeted vandalism.

Sam doesn’t fall immediately into the trap of believing the mansion is haunted. Being a natural investigator, Sam happily delves into the Hollow family journal found in the attic. Her hope is to find answers, to separate fact from fiction where the Hollow family history is concerned, and find a way to boost her uncle and aunt’s business.

While Sam’s intentions are good, situations become challenging and downright frightening when a dark presence appears in her room during her first night at the inn. The next day, the girls take a little boat out on the lake and panic when the boat mysteriously overturns. More determined than ever, Sam and Ally begin snooping around the estate in earnest to get to the bottom of the strange occurrences. Their investigation pays off when they discover a secret passageway. Little do they know, however, that their find will point them down a dangerous path.

Ellis’ The Mystery at Hollow Inn, the first book in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries is a well-written work, filled with engaging dialogue, plenty of twists and turns, and chapter cliffhangers that champions a confident, inquisitive young girl and her friend.

Reminiscent of Nancy Drew, Samantha (Sam) Wolf is a relatable, well-crafted character that young readers will enjoy getting to know. Level-headed, smart, and focused, Ellis’ newest heroine can consider any situation that comes her way without allowing her emotions to taint her decisions. She’s also exceptionally curious, an asset that lands her in hot water time and time again.

Working with a small and relatively harmless-looking cast, Ellis keeps her antagonists under wraps while sprinkling red herrings and false leads throughout the narrative; and while clues (lightly laced with twists) are given, it’s a who-dun-it to the very end.

Make room on your bookshelf next to Nancy Drew! Here comes a new series perfect for today’s young mystery fan. Samantha Wolf tackles ghosts, vandals, and a creepy sense that someone or something is watching her every move!

Reviewer’s Notes:
- How was the writing? (very good style, minimal errors)
- Is there any sex? (none)
- Is there any violence? (very low- age appropriate)
- How is the book narrated? (third-person POV)
- Which tense is the book? (largely present tense)
- What’s the mood? (a classic Middle-Grade mystery that consistently builds tension)
February 17, 2018
Writers’ Chinese New Year Horoscopes for 2018

Fun and Inspirational Good-Fortune Horoscopes for Writers for the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dog! by 殿堂级 Diàntáng Jí (Chanticleer’s cousin)

February 18th, 2018 heralds the New Year according to the Traditional Chinese Calendar.

This year of the Earth Dog comes after the year of the Fire Rooster (2017) and before the year of the Earth Pig (2019). The Pig comes in as the last of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, making the year of the Dog the eleventh sign of the cycle.

Chinese Horoscope astrologers forecast that 2018 will be a good year as opposed to the tumultuous last year of the Fire Rooster. The focus will be on home and hearth. The astrologers advise that 2018 is the year for all to start healthy habits and cut back on bad health habits.

Below are Chinese Horoscope forecasts for those who live the Writing Life

Note from Kiffer Brown: Chanticleer believes that we each make our own destiny by being optimistic and positive, being kind and loving, by dreaming and inspiring, being bold and doing, by appreciating and being grateful, and by expanding our awareness of the Universe.

Enjoy and have fun!

If your sign is a Dog (honest, loyal, and hardworking):

This is your lucky year—if you thrive on hard work and discipline. Be sure to nourish and champion other writers in your life who are supportive of you as they will reward you later. Build good relationships with your editors to alleviate worry about your work in progress. It is forecasted that being a team player will be fortuitous for you. You will have the mental clarity to keep your writing flowing. Try not to control the flow or overthink the writing process. Trust in yourself.

If your sign is a Pig (kind, friendly, and curious):

Researching your family history may lead to new storylines and surprising new characters. If you can travel to your ancestors’ homelands, you will be inspired. Being inquisitive will pay off. If you are fortunate enough to be in the position to help other writers, you should do so. Do not become complacent, but be diligent about making good efforts in your work-in-progress. Don’t listen to nay-sayers. Explore new ways of connecting with readers.

If your sign is a Rat (amiable and creative):

Explore new areas, take up a new hobby or interest to supercharge your creativity. Have you been interested in writing in a second genre? If so, this may be your year to try it. Perhaps you should consider adding a dash more romance to your works…This year, celebrate the many good things in your life. This is the year to break out of your writing ruts. Your perfectionist tendencies can cause you to worry unnecessarily and to doubt yourself when you have no need to.

If your sign is an Ox (leaders and loyal friends)

Your attention to detail and being actively involved will serve you well this year! The year of the Earth Dog has the propensity to make prosperous in your endeavors. This is a good year to take on new projects and to expand your horizons. However, if you stick with bad routines and unsatisfactory projects, luck may turn its back on you. Have confidence in your self and your projects, but be moderate where spending money is concerned.

If your sign is a Tiger (passionate and have courage)

This is a particularly promising year for you. Your writerly connections will increase bringing you new opportunities. Forge ahead with your work-in-progress, but be sure to listen to advice given by your editors. Your writing is daring and powerful. You like to cross boundaries and break writing conventions, which is good. However, collaboration with those whom you respect will bring you success. Be sure to share your knowledge with other authors.

If your sign is a Rabbit (friendly and possessing great common sense):

This is the year to contemplate balancing your lifestyle. Are you spending too much time sitting in front of the computer? Are you drinking too much coffee or soda while writing? Be sure to take breaks for walks in nature to invigorate your creative juices. Speaking of juices, try more healthy drinks such as green or white tea instead of coffee this year. As for your writing projects, follow your instincts and try not to second guess yourself. Be sure to read some new books by authors whose works you have not read before.

If your sign is a Dragon (passionate and quickwitted)

This is the year to upgrade your computer/application skills. These new skills will take your writer’s career to a new level. Are there new technologies out there that will benefit your writing career? Be sure to investigate! Concentrate on your pursuits and keep your nose to the grindstone. Try to appear outwardly more moderate in your opinions during the year of the Dog. If you can’t leave a positive review, don’t leave one at all during the year of the Dog.

If your sign is a Snake (wise and almost mystical):

This is the year where you will discover new interests and new techniques to propel your writing career. You are able to hone in on trends before they become popular. Be sure to have your works evaluated and proofed before publishing this year. Don’t be hasty when it comes to publishing. Consider adding romantic elements to your work-in-progress. Be sure to read extensively during the year of the Dog. Be sure to promote and market your backlist in new ways. Your forecast says you will be well rewarded for your efforts.

If your sign is a Horse (independent and high-spirited):

This is your year to explore new cultures and geographies. This exploration will provide new inspiration for your future works and will supply the finishing touches for your work in progress. Be on the lookout for new platforms and methods to promote your works. Are you ready to take up a new challenge? Perhaps begin a new work? The astrologers forecast that conditions will be favorable—if you step up. Don’t doubt yourself. You have what it takes to take on that new writing project.

If your sign is a Sheep (artistic and compassionate):

Attitude is everything this year. Take a chance and try to connect with your favorite author who writes in your genre. The connection you cultivate may bring you new opportunities for your writing career. This year your writing talent will be extra magical. Be sure to line up author events, attend conferences/conventions, and try to reach out to new avenues to promote your works (perhaps at wine tastings, grocery stores, etc.). Try enlisting a few fellow authors in promotional events for the best results.

If your sign is a Monkey (confident and innovative) :

This is the year that you must be organized and prepared. If you are, then you will find brilliant solutions to your writer’s block or plotholes. These ups and downs will allow you to make significant progress—if you make the effort to organize your writing endeavors. Be sure to treat other writers with respect especially this year. If you want reviews from other authors, you must review their works first. An extra dose of friendliness and respect will go far.

If your sign is a Rooster (progressive thinkers and doers and unafraid to be different):

Be sure to take the time to step away from your computer/writing desk this year and exercise. This is the year to finally manage your weight. Put your OCD tendencies to improve your health! Your tendency to work tirelessly at your work-in-progress should be balanced with exercise and good diet practices especially during the year of the Dog. Roosters are natural storytellers and love to do background research to add details to their works. Their drive, resourcefulness, and attention to writing craft will pave the way to their success as authors. Most of all, try to have a fun and enjoyable year!

Wondering How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign?

Use the handy table below to find your birth year.

We hope that you enjoyed this fun blog post that is meant as a way of thinking about new perspectives.

Chanticleer believes that we each make our own destiny by being optimistic and positive, being kind and loving, by dreaming and inspiring, being bold and doing, by appreciating and being grateful, and by expanding our awareness of the Universe.

We wish you an AWESOME New Year of Good Fortune, Good Health, and Many Book Sales!

The Chanticleer Reviews Team

February 15, 2018
The Writer’s Life: Author Interview with DIANA FORBES – Chatelaine 1st Place Winner, Historical Romance, The Guilded Age

Diana Forbes writes romantic historical fiction. Her debut novel, Mistress Suffragette is easy to pick up and hard to put down. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview this author and I think you’ll enjoy what she had to say…

Chanticleer: Tell us a little about yourself: How did you start writing?

Forbes: I started writing when I was 6 years old. First I wrote poetry. Then I wrote diary entries, heavily influenced by Harriet the Spy. After that, I wrote articles for my school paper. Then I wrote restaurant reviews for the school paper. In college, I wrote features for the college paper.

Chanticleer: So, basically as soon as you could form cohesive sentences, you were off to the races! Nice job, Diana. But when did you realize that you were an author?

Forbes: I met with a career coach in 2003 and I told him, “I want to be a writer.” He said, “Why don’t we just say you are a writer since writing is in the doing?”

Chanticleer: Smart – writing is an active verb… Let’s chat about genre. What genre best describes your work?

Forbes: Mistress Suffragette, my debut novel, is best described as a romance. It’s historical, so sometimes it’s described as cross-genre: historical-romance. It also has a lot of humor in it.

Chanti: Cross-genre sweet spot – best of both worlds. What inspired you to write historical/romance?

Forbes: I take two writing classes a week in Manhattan where I live, and one of my writing teachers used to tell me, “Don’t worry about the genre. A debut novel is what it is. Just write it.” But, I basically wrote the story I wanted to read. It’s a romance against a very interesting historical backdrop – the late 19^th century or Gilded Age.

Chanti: I love the fact that you continue to work on your craft by taking writing classes. That’s such an important thing to do! Do you find yourself following the rules or do you like to make up your own rules?

Forbes: I like to break rules selectively. In other words, I love to know what the rules are, then break them if there is a very good reason.

Chanti: Good. Know the rules, so you know when, why, and how to break them. What do you do when you’re not writing? Tells us a little about your hobbies.

Forbes: I am an art buff. I like to go to museums and galleries and look around. Recently I have also started going to plays and musicals in Manhattan. I like to poke around antique stores and fairs, too. I have a great respect for history, so if I can learn a little history while I am having fun, that’s even better.

Chanti: You’re in the perfect place to do all that! Tell us a little about how you structure your writing day.

Forbes: I am very structured. I am fortunate to have an office that is separate from where I live. I roll into the office at 9 a.m., trying to get in one full hour of reading before the day officially starts, so from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Then I write from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., trying to stay off social media and email completely. At 3:30 or so, I return all my emails and hop on social media. After that, I work till between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on marketing Mistress Suffragette.

Chanti: That’s a fantastically structured day! What has been the most helpful marketing tool you’ve used so far?

Forbes: I really like awards shows. They offer the chance to have the work receive a little recognition as well as a great marketing push. Award shows can also help introduce the work to new readers.

Chanti: What areas of your writing are you most confident in? What advice would you give someone who is struggling in that area?

Forbes: Readers often tell me that my strengths are my research, the setting, and the voice. I love stories that whisk me away, and that’s what I aimed for with Mistress Suffragette. I also want to tell untold stories. Some of the things I learned while researching M. Suffragette, I had never ever heard before – even in Political Science classes at my university. Anything I discovered that was really new and really interesting about the time period I made sure to include in the novel.

Chanti: That’s pretty cool. So, we know that you take two writing classes a week, what other things do you do to grow your author chops?

Forbes: My writing classes in Manhattan require that I turn in 20 pages at a time to early readers (my classmates) who give me feedback. One of the classes concentrates more on the craft of writing. I also read books about writing. In addition, I look for award show contests that provide feedback, so that I can learn and grow and my writing can improve before I show my work to an agent or editor.

Chanti: This is how we discovered each other! We’re thrilled you entered your novel into the Chatelaine Awards. What are you working on now? What can we look forward to seeing next from you?

Forbes: I am working on the sequel to Mistress Suffragette. I see the story as a trilogy. I am not sure when the sequel publication date will be. I write many drafts of my novels before I show them to my agent and editor, so I am somewhere in the revision process.

Chanti: I certainly hope we get to see the sequels of Mistress Suffragette. Thank you for stopping in!

If you love romance (and who doesn’t?) and the Gilded Age, you know what to do! Check out Diana’s website and follow the links to purchase her book, Mistress Suffragette.

Like her Facebook page and follow her. Trust me, there is more to come from Forbes, and you’ll not want to miss out.

February 15, 2018
HONG KONG CENTRAL, Lee Carruthers #3 by Marilynn Larew – Suspense, Crime Thriller
Former CIA agent and all around badass, Lee Carruthers, returns for the thrilling third book in the series, Hong Kong Central by Marilynn Larew.

Lee is looking forward to some well-earned downtime, so when her ex-boss and mentor, Sidney Worthington calls with another job, Lee is not amused. During her previous mission, people tried to kill her—multiple times. All she really wants right now is some serious R&R. However, she is the gal who will never say “no” to a job. And besides, Worthington swears it’s an easy gig.

Easy sounds nice. So, our heroine jets off to Hong Kong to track down Henry Wong, an antique dealer who missed a routine weekly check-in for the first time in twenty years. What could possibly be easier?

Once Lee arrives, she sets out to locate Wong Antiques and its proprietor, Henry. Ever the professional finder, she arrives at the antique shop just in time and witnesses Henry’s kidnapping. Lee “borrows” a random motorcycle (she’s not shy about bending a law or two when necessary) and the chase is on, ending when the bad guys dump Henry inside a bar run by a notorious Triad. This initiates a string of unfortunate events for Lee.

In no time at all, Lee is caught up in a battle between the police and pro-democracy demonstrators. The police pursue the demonstrators with tear gas and arrest as many of them as they can get their hands on, including our heroine – Lee. The pièce de résistance: while in jail, Lee is doused with vomit, thanks to one of her cellmates. The end of a perfect day—said no one.

Once Lee is released, her mission becomes even more tangled by labyrinthine layers of deception and obfuscation. She must kick her badassery into gear to complete the mission and stay alive. So much for a simple job.

The character of Lee Carruthers is well-crafted, compelling, and believable. She knows what she wants and when she wants it – and especially when she doesn’t. She can dazzle her prey by wearing a sexy black dress, tote a pistol in her clutch, or sport blue jeans and running shoes to investigate a suspicious event. Readers who loved Lee Carruthers in The Spider Catchers and Dead in Dubai will love her even more now. Readers who are new to Larew’s series are in for a fabulously thrilling, nail-biting, page-turning, edge-of-their seats ride.

Marilynn Larew’s writing style is smooth, engaging, and well-paced. Her ability to craft vibrant settings against the backdrop of exotic and gritty Hong Kong is exceptionally well-delivered. To sum it all up, Hong Kong Central is an absolute win.

Reviewer’s Notes:
- How was the writing? Excellent. The author crafts a solid story layered with interesting characters moving in and around the exotic, politically sensitive, and criminal underworld of Hong Kong. Her ability to create intriguing, believable scenes with succinct, eloquent prose is outstanding.
- Is there any sex? Yes, but it’s not graphic and works to reveal Lee’s attitude towards short and long-term relationships.
- Is there any violence? Yes, but it is not disproportionally graphic and is necessary to reveal the possible dangers facing the lead character.
- How is the book narrated? First-Person.
- Which tense is the book? Past.
- What’s the mood? Tense, colorful, and mysterious.
*Fans may purchase Hong Kong Central from the following retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Kobo, and Apple iTunes
February 15, 2018
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY from Chanticleer to You
Happy Valentine’s Day to You and Yours!

Valentine’s Day means a lot of things to a lot of people. Mostly, in the United States, it means chocolate and flowers (or just chocolate and chocolate…and more chocolate…), but the exact origins of the day are a little harder to nail down.

Some sources point to three, count ’em, three men who at different times and in different ways lost their lives for their strong belief in love. A very long time ago, Claudius the II (you can call him Claudius the Cruel, or Claudius the Really, Really Mean, or Claudius the Heart of Darkness… #nicknames #if_the_shoe_fits sort of thing) banned soldiers marrying because he thought that wives and children would make his army weak (http://www.history.com). Valentine, our hero, opposed Claudius the…whatever and married soldiers anyway.

Anyway, that Valentine was thrown in the slammer. The last he did was write a little note to a girl he had fallen in love with. It read something like, “From your Valentine.” (Except, probably in Latin… or some other language. Definitely not English.)

On February 14th in 270 A.D, Valentine became a saint when Claudius the (fill in the blank) cut off his head.

So, what does that have to do with Chanticleer Book Reviews? Glad you asked!

We at Chanticleer Book Reviews and Int’l Book Awards LOVE authors. Moreover, we believe in them. We get excited about books the same way children get excited over candy!

Here is our Valentine to all of you authors out there, “We love you!”

If you’re wondering what you can do for an author you love, here are a couple of suggestions:
- Buy their books
- Ask your local bookstore to carry their books or ask them to order a copy for you
- Follow them on social media — Sharing is Caring!
- Write a review on Goodreads, Amazon, etc.
- Send them a thank you note for being fabulous!
- Send them chocolate, caffeine, champagne …
Our Valentine to You—Quotes about Love
from a few of our Favorite Authors

“Love loves to love love.” —James Joyce

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
—Emily Brontë

“To get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” —Mark Twain

“You don’t love because: you love despite; not for the virtues, but despite the faults.”— William Faulkner

“Each time you happen to me all over again.” — Edith Wharton

“I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone.” — Lord of The Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” — Lao-Tzu

“There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart.” —Jane Austen

What are your favorite quotes about love? Leave them in the comment section below or with social media post. #SharingisCaring

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!
February 14, 2018
CLUE Book Awards 2017 SHORT LIST for Thriller Fiction
The CLUE Book Awards recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Thrillers, Suspense, & Investigative Fiction. The CLUE Book Awards is a division of Chanticleer International Novel Writing Competitions.

Congratulations to these authors for their works moving up from the 2017 CLUE slush pile to the Short List. These novels will now compete for the First Place Category positions!

Each of the titles below has earned the CLUE BOOK AWARDS SHORTLIST bragging rights!

More than $30,000.00 dollars worth of cash and prizes will be awarded to Chanticleer Book Reviews 2017 writing competition winners!

The CLUE Book Awards FIRST IN CATEGORY sub-genres are Detective/Crime, Suspense/Thriller, Private Eye/Noir, Legal/Medical/Police Procedural, Investigative, Spy/Espionage, and Political Thrillers.

The following titles will compete for the FIRST IN CATEGORY Positions and Book Awards Packages.

NOTE: This is the Official List of the CLUE 2017 SHORT LIST.

This is the Official 2017 Shortlist for the 2017 CLUE Book Awards:
- Triveen Nair – Land of Seekers
- Jeffrey A. Lockwood – Poisoned Justice
- Carl and Jane Bock – Death Award
- Hubert Crouch – The Weight
- Martin Roy Hill – The Butcher’s Bill
- Kara Lumbley – As the Ribbons Fall
- Jeffrey Ridenour – Aged in Charcoal
- Kaylin McFarren – Twisted Threads
- John Houde – The Criminalist: A Novel of Forensic Science Suspense
- Patrick Clark – The Monroe Decision
- Clint Hollingsworth – Death in the High Lonesome
- Elaine Williams Crockett – Do Not Ask
- Deborah Rich – Under the Radar
- Lisa Malice – Lost & Found
- Robert D. Calkins – Digger
- Barb Warner Deane – Killing Her Softly
- Lou Dischler – Beneath the Frozen Waves of Steel
- Larry Temple – 100 Days of Terror
- Elizabeth Crowens – Dear Mr. Hitchcock
- Zach Fortier – Cachibache
- Dana Ridenour – Beyond The Cabin
- K. A. Davis – A Game of Deceit
- Avanti Centrae – VanOps – The Lost Power
- John L. DeBoer – When the Reaper Comes
- Bruce Graham – Member From Devon
- Murray Lee Eiland Jr – A New Family (The Bart Northcote Series Book 3)
The CLUE SHORTLISTERS will compete for the CLUE First-In-Category Positions, which consists of Seven Judging Rounds. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the CLUE BOOK AWARDS GRAND PRIZE competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CBR Overall Grand Prize for Best Book and its $1,000 purse.

Lonna Enox awarded Clue Grand Prize for BLOOD RELATIONS

All ShortListers will receive high visibility along with special badges to wear during the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.

Congratulations to the Short Listers in this fiercely competitive contest!

Good Luck to each of you!

The CLUE Grand Prize Winner and the Five First Place Category Position award winners along with all Short Listers in attendance will be announced at the April 21st, 2018 Chanticleer Book Awards Annual Awards Gala, which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash.

We are now accepting submissions into the 2018 CLUE Awards writing competition. The deadline for submissions is September 30th, 2018. Please click here for more information.
February 9, 2018
DARKNESS FALLS, Book Two of WINDHOLLOWS by Trayner Bane – Children’s Books, Fantasy & Magic, Sword & Sorcery

What would life be like if the air we breathe was slowly, consciously, being robbed of oxygen itself?

What if the dark side in all of us could be manipulated by a soulless fiend, converting us into unwilling weapons against our own people?

While Air of Vengeance, the first book in the Windhollows series dealt more with issues of overcoming differences, friendships and family, Darkness Falls is more of an adventure/quest: characters from the first book bent on vanquishing evil and saving friends and family…

Windhollows is an idyllic land populated with fantastical creatures, where its peoples live symbiotically, producing complementary air-like Essenses necessary for life. Its way of life is threatened by a brilliant, twisted genius who vows revenge on the people who rejected him because he was different, whose arsenal of weapons both rob the air people breathe and turns others into creatures whose purpose in life is to destroy the ones they once loved.

As the second book opens, Doctor Molskin, father of Billy, the hero of Volume 1, discovers that the breathable air in parts of Windhollows, is being robbed of some of its essential chemical makeup called Essense. He understands almost immediately that the problem has been created by his former assistant who now calls himself Rip Stinker, a brilliant but twisted soul whose dismissal from the doctor’s Essense labs has caused him to seek revenge against the doctor, his children and all “normal” Windhollows denizens.

Stinker was born a “bare pants,” children lacking Essense and therefore societal outcasts. His revenge has been to rob a group of healthy children from birth of their Essense, including Billy, turning them “bare pants.” More menacing, he has now created another weapon that can transform these same children into misshapen monsters seeking their own revenge for their flawed destiny.

Two stories alternate throughout most of the book. First is the quest to find and destroy Rip Stinker and his evil technology undertaken initially by Dr. Molskin, and eventually by his son Billy along with two friends. The other story is built around Skylar, the sweet, innocent young barepants girl who was the object of Billy’s infatuation in the first book. She and other “bare pants” have been wooed by Rip Stinker’s seductive message of regaining their full Essense but she has her doubts about what this Faustian bargain will yield.

Along the way to Rip Stinker’s castle, Skylar discovers she has a mysterious ability to talk to the wild animals that no one else has. Just as she is reveling in her new powers, she runs afoul of Rip Stinker’s technology that turns her into a monster similar to Stinker himself who now is ruled by a darkness within her that she never knew existed, and she now finds her waging a war within, of light versus the darkness, even as she joins Stinker and his nefarious plans.

How these two quests intersect becomes the race-to-the-finish theme of this admirable middle-grade fantasy novel.

Follow the links to read the Axe Breaker and Air of Vengeance Chanticleer Reviews!

February 6, 2018
LITTLE PEEPS Book Awards 2017 Shortlist for Early Readers
The Little Peeps Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works of Early Readers. The Little Peeps Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer Reviews International Book Awards.

The following titles will compete for the FIRST IN CATEGORY Positions Book Awards Packages for the 2017 Little Peeps Book Awards.

Congratulations to all those who made the SHORT LIST!

Good Luck to All!
- Penelope Lagos – I Miss My Best Friend
- Kizzie Jones – A Tall Tale About a Dachshund and a Pelican: How a Friendship Came to Be
- Brian Estes – Flying Pigs & Dinosaurs & Things You’ve Never Seen Before
- Sylva Fae – Rainbow Monsters
- Heather Pallotta – Wishes and Kisses
- Peggy Sullivan – Lessons from a Cat: The Moon and Star and Midnight and Moonlight
- Deanna Edens – The Almost Cool Kids Club
- Wanda Carter Roush – Angel on Assignment
- Shana Hollowell – Little Mouse’s Sweet Treat
- Stacie Sullivan Simon – I Am Me & You Are You
The 2017 Little Peeps Short Listers will compete for the Little Peeps First-In-Category Positions. First Place Category Award winners will automatically be entered into the Gertrude Warner GRAND PRIZE AWARD competition. The CBR Grand Prize Genre Winners will compete for the CBR Overall Grand Prize for Best Book.

All Short Listers will receive high visibility along with special badges to wear during the Chanticleer Authors Conference and Awards Gala.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions at Info@ChantiReviews.com.

The Little Peeps Grand Prize Winner and the First Place Category Position award winners along with all Short Listers in attendance will be announced at the April 21st, 2018 Chanticleer Book Awards Annual Awards Gala, which takes place at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash.

To compete in the 2018 Little Peeps Book Awards or for more information, please click here.

Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media, L.L.C. retains the right to not declare “default winners.” Winning works are decided upon merit only. Please visit our Contest Details page for more information about our writing contest guidelines.

CBR’s rigorous writing competition standards are why literary agencies seek out our winning manuscripts and self-published novels. Our high standards are also why our reviews are trusted among booksellers and book distributors.

Please do not hesitate to contact Info@ChantiReviews.com with any questions, concerns, or suggestions about CBR writing competitions. Your input and suggestions are important to us.

Thank you for your interest in Chanticleer Book Reviews International Writing Competitions and Book Awards.
February 6, 2018
GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards 2017 SHORTLIST for Lab Lit and Global Thrillers
The GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards recognizes emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Lab Lit and Global Thrillers. The GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards is a division of Chanticleer International Novel Book Awards and Writing Competitions.

Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring suspense, thrilling stories that put the balance of world power or that will end the world as we know it. We include with Global Thrillers the Lab Lit genre. Lab Lit is when Fiction Meets Real Science and Research or stories that are based on real science and research up to a certain “what if” point.

2017 is the first year that we offered the Global Thriller Book Awards and we are honored to announce the very first authors whose works have made the 2017 GLOBAL THRILLERS Book Awards!

Examples from www.LabLit.com:

Enigma by Robert Harris; A brilliant mathematician struggles to crack German codes in the second world war. Historical Fiction
The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch; A budding marine biologist has an unforgettable summer.
Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis; A scientist/medic leans the hard way that pure research is nobler – and cures plague in the process.

GLOBAL Thriller examples:

Best examples of these are James Bond books, X-Men, Tom Clancy novels, and Star Wars/Star Trek where humankind is at stake or the planet is doomed.
(For light-hearted, cozy, or classic Mystery and Suspense entries see our Mystery & Mayhem Awards and for Thriller/Suspense/Hardboiled-Detective series, please see the CLUE Awards)

More than $30,000.00 dollars worth of cash and prizes will be awarded to Chanticleer Book Reviews 2017 writing competition winners at the Chanticleer Authors Conference April 21st, 2018!

This is the Official announcement of the Authors and Titles of Works that have been SHORT-LISTED for the GLOBAL THRILLERS 2017 Book Awards. These titles will now compete for the First In Category positions.
- Amy Rogers – The Han Agent
- Denis Lipman – Striking Terror
- Mario Loomis, MD – Essence
- John Yarrow – The Recombinant Theory
- John D Trudel – Raven’s Redemption
- Lou Dischler – Off Road to Armageddon
- K.V. Scruggs – What They Don’t Know
- Sara Stamey – The Ariadne Connection
- Daniel Elliott – The Kingmaker
- Dean De Servienti – Quantum – The Trilogy Begins
- James Tacy Cozad – Stormfront
- Avanti Centrae – VanOps – The Lost Power
- Lawrence Verigin – Seed of Control
- Lee Burvine – The Kafir Project
- Richard Gargulinski – Magenta is Missing
Good Luck to all of the 2017 GLOBAL THRILLERS Short-Listers as they compete for the First Place Category positions.

First In Category announcements will be made at the Awards Ceremony. The GLOBAL THRILLERS Grand Prize Winner and First Place Category Winners will be announced at the April 21st, 2018 Chanticleer Writing Contests Annual Awards Gala, at the Chanticleer Authors Conference that will be held in Bellingham, Wash.
January 31, 2018
The LOOSE ENDS BECAME KNOTS: An ILLNESS NARRATIVE by Austin Hopkins – Memoir, Sexual Awakening, Health and Wellness

A young man survives the extremes of sexual abuse, physical harm and emotional chaos in the harrowing and profoundly powerful memoir, The Loose Ends Became Knots: An Illness Narrative by Austin M. Hopkins.

The experience of sexual violence starts for Hopkins as a teenager, during the time he struggles defining his own sexual identity. The men he meets take advantage of his youth and naiveté, at first, and later, though he gradually becomes wiser to the stark intricacies of a sexual awakening in the world of gay men, he still succumbs to men who use him – with and without his consent. He never seeks such treatment consciously, yet, it continues to happen. What is it about him that attracts predatory partners, he wonders? Hopkins grapples with the many issues that often assail young people dealing with gender identity: How can he reach out to his parents for help when the root of his pain contradicts whom he believes they want him to be? Is he disappointing them? Will they cut him out of their lives? How complicated his life has become since his childhood!

As encounter after encounter with unkind and uncaring individuals sends him into a downward spiral, three things work together to give him hope: he’s a bright student and doing well in college; he finds an excellent therapist who offers concrete advice and skills that will serve to help him personally and professionally in the years to come; and finally, after courageous self-examination and altered personal perspective, he meets a loving, compassionate partner, who, though not fully understanding the different emotions and energies from Hopkins past, authentically recognizes and acknowledges the unique qualities that his partner brings into their marriage.

Hopkins has collected this episodic memoir from his journals, poetry and other writings, and added the observations of others, attributing identity where permission was granted. He carefully phrases the depictions of sexual violence in a manner that compels the reader to feel his pain and humiliation. Hopkins does not shrink from the frank sense of shame and self-blame that characterizes his early encounters. Readers unfamiliar with sexual awakening stories may find some of the text hard to work through. And yet, the author presents his work as a gift to those who are on the brink of their own sexual awakening – or who are already there and wonder what next to do – how to live successfully in the malaise of public opinion and family complications. It is through the pain and traumatic recollections that Hopkins expresses himself most eloquently – and it is here where his work, though painful, is the most rewarding. Readers witness a young man triumph over obstacles and begin to actively balance his life with acceptance and love, endeavoring to help others along the way.

Hopkins’ story is profoundly powerful. And his story is not over – he is, after all, a young man working towards a career in medicine. He offers this narrative to “raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual violence within the gay community” as he experienced it. His goal is to help others who are experiencing similar kinds of abuse and hopefully shed a much-needed light in this potentially lonely and frightening time for those whose sexual identity is something other than what certain groups claim as normal.

January 31, 2018

Chanticleer Book Reviews