Blurb: Nobody expects to stare death in the face only to find out your entire life is a lie. Rescued by Salco, marketing executive Becky finds herself in an unknown magical world filled with happy …
Source: Blog Tour – Illusional Reality by Karina Kantas
Oooh a heated scene between Thya and Alkazar. Enjoy
#excerpt #novel #fantasy #romance #ebook #magic
Day 5 blog tour. Quick fire questions.
Greetings, Fellow Book Lovers! Today I’m featuring author Karina Kantas who has just released her eighth book, Illusional Reality. Karina Kantas is from the UK but has lived in Greece most of…
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce everyone to a sweet friend of mine, Ms. Karina Kantas. She is originally from the U.K. but currently resides in Corfu, Greece. A prolific writer, …
Let’s go on a binge.
So, if you’re like me, you’re will hear or come across a show that looks interesting. I normally know after the pilot episode whether or not I’m going to like the program, and then I binge. Now I’m not referring to one or two shows a day. I have health issue that leave me at home, so I have a lot of time on my hands. Unless I’m writing, working for a client, or generally busy, I’m streaming my favourite TV shows. I will get into actual dramas in another post, but this one is about reality shows.
The Kardashians
Haters hate and kickers kick, but don’t think I watch this show because I like them. They are a vain, conceited, spoiled, a mentally unstable family. But it’s bloody entertaining. I binge watched as early back as I could. I’m up to date now and don’t miss an episode. Leave a comment if you love or hate this show and why.
Undercover Boss.
I just loved the sound of the title. I watched the USA version first and then the Canadian and then the UK (and that was a waste of my TV time.)
So for those of you that have never heard of this is show. It’s where the big wigs/top brass (unless they are too well known then they get their unders to take their place) go undercover in their own company, on the front lines. Yep, they get a make over/disguise and some are truly dreadful. Then they go cleaning sewage, dinner plates, collect the garbage, work as a shop assistant or a baker and get to see how tough the jobs are. And they get to see how amazing their workers are and how tough their lives are. Sometimes they get to hear the home truths about their own company and what the staff think about the corporate heads. It’s actually a very humbling show and you can tell, that if there was any set up, it wasn’t much. It’s truly realistic and makes me cry on every episode. The only thing the annoys me about this program is that they hand out thousands of dollars to these five works that the top dog worked with to help them with living expensive, debts and student loans and costs, but what about the other thousand workers they have. Everyone has a story, everyone has problems. Just seems a little unfair.
But I love the show and don’t miss the weekly episode. It took me around three weeks to watch from season one up until now.
Face Off
Wow, from the first episode I knew this show was going to hook me. If you love special effects, monster movies, then you will enjoy this program. If you love entertaining reality shows, where the contestants are put through grueling tasks that test their talent, time management and strength both mentally and psychically, then you really have to watch this show. Contestants have but a few hours to do a foundation make up and they are unbelievable. In return they can win immunity from the spotlight challenge or get a pretty awesome prize. Then for the spotlight challenge they have to design a character from head to foot in only three days and one of them is for application. Each episode we say good bye to one of the talented make up artists, until three are left for the final. I have nothing negative to say about this show. It’s truly fascinating and entertaining at the same time.
There are ten seasons up till now and I have binge watched six of them and still loving it.
Leave a comment on your favourite reality show, as long as it doesn’t have the initials BB. And let me know if you watch any of the three I have mentioned.
Illusional Reality is a New-adult romantic fantasy.
Now my fans are wondering why I’ve written a romantic fantasy. It’s no secret that I write in most genres, but I’m known for my hard-hitting Outlaw MC thrillers.
The film Lord of the Rings inspired me to write Illusional Reality. In fact, I came out of the cinema and by the time I arrived home (40 minutes) later, book one was completed in my head, the synopsis on paper, and explain with OTT excitement to my husband.
It didn’t take long to write the novel but many things changed before I was happy with the final draft. You see, once you start writing a book, and you’re in the “Zone” the characters take over and tell you were they want to go. And if you need to sleep, you have to do what they say. Many authors will agree with me on that.
At the time I wrote Illusional Reality there were no ebooks, so I submitted the manuscript to agents and publishers hoping for the big break and I knew it was the right time to get my book out. Fantasy films were hitting the big screen and people were either Potter mad or buying their own copies of L.O.T.R trilogy. But it was rejected. Then life got in the way and I put the book/s in a folder and then in the office cabinet and it stayed there for TEN years.
I promised my readers a new book (maybe my last) and I had three projects on the go, but no interest to continue writing them at that. time. So Illusional Reality was dusted off and here we are
Have a read of the blurb
Nobody expects to stare death in the face only to find out your entire life is a lie.
Rescued by Salco, marketing executive Becky finds herself in an unknown magical world filled with happy people that try to forget their land is on the brink of destruction.
Becky will soon learn none of this was an accident, and the council of Tsinia are certain her union with Darthorn’s son, Kovon, will create peace. And although her future has been planned out, she gives her heart to another.
You will not find any elves, dwarfs, witches or fairies in this tale. There are no goblins, unicorns and pots of gold at the end of a sparkly rainbow.
The underlying theme is love, sacrifice and forgiveness. You may meet a Portie or a telent. And if you’re lucky maybe a Zenith will transcribe an oracle. There are no Fantasy stereotypes in my book. The names, places, spells, they are all original and the plot fresh. Whether you like fantasy or not, you will love these characters. You will cry and laugh and then want to hunt me down when you get to the end of the book.
You cn buy this 5* read right here.
I guess I was expecting a film along the same lines of The Walking Dead, after all it was the popularity of the TV show that called for a film to be made. But I was surprised to see if was more of a thriller rather than a horror. Not that I’d let my oldest (9) watch it, but there was hardly any blood or scary faces, in fact, I could say that the ogres from Lord of The Rings were scarier than these Zombies.
However, the film was great.
I’m glad they didn’t go through a long scene of how the virus started and spread, instead it was done in a matter of seconds.
I think my favourite clip of the movie was when Brad Pitt counted the seconds it took for a person to turned into zombie. It was only 11. So you can just imagine how long it would take for a city to be overrun that was what was terrifying about the film.
As for Brad Pitt’s acting skills, I’ve seen better. The main character didn’t really have much to say or do. The film was about the action and the people around him. Although Brad was a hero in the movie, any leading actor could have done the part just as well. No Oscar sorry Pitt.
What was off putting about the film was the speed of the action scenes, they went through so fast it was hard to distinguish what was going on and then there was that dreaded shaky camera syndrome, seems a lot of film are doing this.
And the best thing about the movie was that they didn’t overuse the special effects.
Talk about snakes on a plane, try zombies!
4 stars for effort.
INTERVIEW WITH A ….. WITCH
If you could sit down with a witch and ask her questions, what would you ask?
Please welcome the witch in question, Jerri.
Sit back with your brew everyone and enjoy this frank but fun interview.
When people think of witches, they see broomsticks, black cats and a black pointy hat. Why do witches have such a bad rep?
It is true that when people typically think of witches, they think of the pointy hat and greenish complexion, and broom riding. This was said to have come from elderly women who were healers or herbalists in small villages; beginning as early as the 1600’s. They would cast them out for being non-traditional, not using proper medical procedures, even though they healed. The authorities would take all their belongings including their clothing, force them to wear a burlap sack and they were made to walk the streets of the villages that shunned them. Old, Haggard, that’s the look that stuck with Christians to portray us as creepy, evil, non-repenting. The broomstick riding comes from Gaelic Wicca mostly, as they believe that if you didn’t cast a spell on the broom, it was surely Fairies. As far as the familiars (black cats) the Christians chose that one too, because of its dark appearance, but a witch chooses any familiar he/she wishes. The pointy hat, however came from herbalists called “pagani.” They wore brimless conical hats at first, but then later Christians changed it to the large hat with the brim. Witches adorn many types of head-gear from headbands with the pentagram, images of the Goddess, green leaves and even antlers.
So you are a modern witch. Do you cast spells?
I have been a witch for 27 years, and although life can get hectic and busied it is important to keep the magic flowing. Yes, I cast spells and perform rituals and say small prayers and blessings every time I pass my altar.
You have a big holiday coming up, where witches and monsters are supposed to roam free. What does Halloween really mean to you?
Samhain/Halloween is my favourite holiday. We feast and decorate. It’s the beginning of winter and the beginning of the darker half of the year. The Greenman will rest, it will be the time of the Crone; harvesting, cooking and feeding friends and family. I’m starting to make some goodies this weekend. It’s a lot like the Christian version of Thanksgiving, similar foods and gathering of friends. It is most important to me because it’s when the doorway to the spirit world is open, just a crack, but it allows the spiritual presence of our loved ones that have passed to join in the festivities with us. It’s a time for me to honour the Dead and be closer to them.
Are you part of a coven if so what do you get up to?
No actually my Mother was a Christian Wiccan Herbalist/healer. I am a Solitary Eclectic Wiccan, no coven. Another reason I don’t belong to a coven, I don’t like being told what to do or how to do it.
Isn’t the religion Wiccan supposed to be about mother nature. Can you clarify?
I don’t believe in organized religion of any kind. Yes, you call her mother nature, I call her Goddess. I follow the seasons. Everything around us is alive and worthy of respect, from the dirt, to the air around us. Each season change represents a different stage of the Goddess. Now it is harvesting, feasting and rebirth. Oh, and by the way, eclectic for a Wiccan means I take bits and pieces from different beliefs such as Druidry, Gaelic and Fairy Lore. My body is my altar and everything around me is my church.
Now for the ultimate question…. what is your favourite witch film?
hmmm… that’s a tough one because they portray witches so differently in movies and on T.V. I like The Craft, (one of my favourite as well) because there is some truth in it. Witches Of Eastwick is one of the best.
Got to fly now getting ready to make some Bewitching Brownies. I’m off to a Halloween Party this evening.
Thank you, Jerri and blessing be.
Plenty of dark short tales in this diverse collection. Heads & Tales buy direct from the author. Leave out the middle man.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karina-Kantas/31754864225
SOA, for those of you that have been out of the loop, Sons of Anarchy, is a TV show on FX based on the thrilling life of a bad ass outlaw motorcycle club.
SAMCRO Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original lives and runs Charming a fictional town in the central Valley of Northern California, and the residents don’t seem to care (it’s all about tough love.)
The programme showcases some of the meanest talent on TV, and even the women are tough; well you’d have to be if you want to earn the title of LADY.
It’s not worth me going through a list of who’s who, as SOA is on its 5th season and season four left us with a change of power which most fans thought was well overdue.
Creator, writer, genius, Kurt Sutter’s original idea was to base the show on Shakespeare’s Hamlet… and we all know how that story ends.
Mr Sutter is not afraid to speak his mind as those that follow his tweets know. He also films regular video blogs called W.T.F Sutter, where he answers questions from his hard-core fans. Although he won’t admit it, he cares about what people think regarding the show.
You can follow Kurt Sutter here blog and tweets
And if you’re a die-hard fan or a newbie, feel free to join one of the many friendly Facebook fan pages.
SOA Merchandise
HUNTRESS Book two of the OUTLAW series.
Come and hang out with the Wolves one of the baddest MC in fiction,
Buy now
STONE COLD YA supernatural thriller
Reviews:
Interesting storyline, well crafted. The author has the ability of gaining the readers attention and never letting go. Not my usual reading genre but was recommended by a very good friend – I’m glad she did!!
An intriguing YA thriller, “Stone Cold” presents the truly ugly side of bullying, whether it is as simple as older children demanding a younger child’s lunch money, or more complex such as backbiting and hurtful gossip, or even more maximal, such as crimes against persons and against property–all in the name of “looking out for number one,” and let the rest of the world-all the victims and potential victims-suffer. In this story, the tables are turned, and for once a lifelong victim of bullying finds she-or someone like her-has the upper hand and the power to influence change.
“Stone Cold” is also a story of moral values, and of justice vs. retribution, mercy vs. vengeance, and friendship vs. the need to be part of a clique. I think it will find a wide audience, because there are very few who haven’t been the victim of at least some form of bullying, gossip, betrayal, at some point in our lives. Yet not many of us would go to the extent Billy does to solve her problems, and to prove herself superior to her detractors.
One moment, Billy was on her way to the bathroom, the next she was standing outside the hostel covered in mud. She couldn’t remember having a shower, let alone going outside.
Why on earth would I go outside in my pajamas, barefooted? Billy wondered bewilderedly.
The iced chill of the air stabbed through her clothes like daggers. She’d never felt so cold before. She was about to make her way back, only after taking one step, she stopped. A sharp pain pierced the bottom of her left foot. When she lifted it up to have a look, she was surprised to see the sole bleeding.
“How on earth did that happen?” She said aloud.
Billy limped her way back to the hostel, but stopped when she reached the front door.
If I walk through the main entrance I’ll have the supervisors and Professor Brian on my case, and I don’t particularly want to answer their questions.
The last thing Billy wanted was for everyone to know about her sleepwalking escapades, if that was what it was. So she decided to enter from the back. Luckily, her dorm was not far from the backdoor.
It appeared that everyone was asleep, and she managed to creep past without waking anyone. Carefully sitting on the edge of her bed, she lifted her foot up to have a closer look.
“Where have you been?” Susan whispered loudly, making Billy jump. “Jesus what happened to you?”
“Ssh, I don’t want to wake the others,” Billy answered. “Listen can you swipe some dressings and antiseptic and meet me in the bathroom in five minutes? Don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“Sure,” Susan agreed and climbed out of bed.
Billy grabbed clean nightwear and then limped to the bathroom. She noticed her toiletries lying on the floor under the bathroom mirror. As she bent down to retrieve them, she caught a glimpse of her reflection and couldn’t understand how she’d gotten into such a state. Dried mud covered her pajamas and most of her hair. Maybe I decided to have a mud bath instead, she laughed at her joke.
Billy took a quick shower and reflected on her dilemma.
So far, only Susan knows about the incident. I hope it stays that way. I can’t get it straight in my own head, let alone having to explain it to anyone else. How am I supposed to explain why I was outside in the first place without sounding nuts? I’m glad Susan knows, though, as I really need her help.
Dressed in clean nightwear, Billy waited patiently for Susan, and giggled when she turned up minutes later with her hands full of first aid products.
“What did you do, raid the box?” Billy laughed.
“Well, I didn’t know what you’d need,” Susan replied uncomfortably. Dying to know what had happened, she held her tongue until Billy finished cleaning and dressing the foot.
“So, where have you been?” Susan asked impatiently.
“Don’t laugh, but I was sleepwalking,” Billy said.
“You couldn’t have been sleepwalking; you haven’t been to bed yet.”
“I know. I fell asleep in the bathroom.” Billy smiled falsely
“No!” Susan laughed.
“I guess all the hard work and fresh air has finally caught up with me. I’m totally shattered.”
Billy was relieved that her explanation had worked. Actually, Susan had quite a giggle at her expense. Luckily, she didn’t question her any further.
Billy got through a restful night without anyone else finding out about her little escapade, and in a couple of days, she totally forgot about the incident. That was, until it happened again. In fact, it happened twice.
Reading of STONE COLD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDgh0oiU-FU
Buy here
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