Warp Your Mind

Title: Brain Warp
Author: Gil Snider
ISBN: 978-1-58348-472-2
Genre: Medical Thriller
Pages: 267
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
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Wrap your brain around this thriller.

Peter Branstead, the intelligent neurology doctor at Saint Mark’s hospital, has stumbled into a medical mystery never before seen in the medical profession. Vagrants from the local area have flooded into the emergency room of Saint Mark’s. All of them with the same symptoms and all of them end with the same result – death. But what is causing these symptoms and why can’t the doctors save these patients?

As Peter investigate this mystery he discovers that everything is not as it seems. In fact it goes well beyond the simple virus or outbreak. Each patient did not simply die, they were murdered. Why? Little does Peter know but the closer he gets to the answer the closer he gets to extreme danger. There are people in the world who would do anything for power and Peter is about to meet them. “Brain Warp” is a medical mystery that travels across the globe and back again.

The deeper Peter digs the higher the stakes get. The individuals behind this horrible plan know of Peter, his fiancé and their investigation. To stop their snooping they have called upon the Scorpion, the most ruthless individual known to the Ukrainian underworld. The mafia themselves fear this individual. What they don’t know is Peter has friends…but is it enough to stop these people and avoid the Scorpion?

From the first word, Gil Snider delivers a fast pace, mystery thriller that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. With each passing page, it is virtually impossible not to encourage Peter to keep digging but be careful and solve this crime. The more you read the more you feel the tension building as all the characters you care about find themselves in peril.

The strength of “Brain Warp” lies in the story structure, crisp plot and believability. With medical terminology to support the plot it lends to the credibility of the story which adds depth in a real world scenario. The characters capture your attention quickly and never let go until the end. Author Gil Snider’s novel is a true medical mystery and thriller in every sense of the word. Think House but in the form of a book. I highly recommend “Brain Warp” for anyone who enjoys edge of your seat suspense, intrigue, crime and mystery.

For more information about Brain Warp and author Gil Snider please click HERE.

Lavender Dreams Are Made Of These...

As the holiday season approaches and we begin to think of family and friends with hopes of sharing love, joy, and cheer it can often be said that we reflect on those lost throughout the years. Many are lost by multiple ways but it is difficult, in this day and age, to find a person or family who has not been impacted by the devastating impact of cancer. Cancer has claimed many but there is hope.

The authors, editors, cover artist, and publisher have their own stories and memories of cancer. It truly is a disease that strikes each individual in an unique way. Many have stood up to battle this savage and with each warrior we inch closer to a cure. We, at MuseItUp Publishing, have joined this fight in the best way we know how. I would like to introduce you to Lavender Dreams. What is Lavender Dreams?

MuseItUp Authors dedicate this book to all who have been affected in one way or the other by cancer. All royalties from the sales of this book will be donated each year to a cancer research organization, or hospice in order to further combat and find a cure. 

The book is divided into three sections: non-fiction, fiction based on true stories, and fictional stories—ten stories generously donated by the authors to help raise funds for cancer. 

This book is dedicated to the memory of one of our dear editors who passed away in 2011 from cancer, Karen McGrath. You will always be remembered.

It may not seem like much but this book can do amazing things with the help of readers who have seen the anguish brought about by cancer. If you wish to learn more about this wonderful book here is the link to its purchase page in the MuseItUp book store. If you are curious, the price for Lavender Dreams is $1.99.

Before I close out I would like to share that my father lost his hard fought battle with cancer a little over three years ago. It is something I will never forget as I miss him on a daily basis. However, for those of you who have battled, fought, and defeated cancer I would like you to know that, in my eyes, you are an inspiration to me and many I know. If you are currently in the middle of your battle then please don't give up, press on, this book is for you and the many who are fighting. There are thousands, if not millions who support you and love you.

Been Here But Busy

Yes I have been lax when it comes to this blog but I have to be honest, MuseItUp Month during the month of September took a lot out of me. I really enjoyed it and would do it again but it is a great deal of work pulling an event of that scale together. Now, I am working on something new that could be a great deal of fun for all of us but I will share more on that later.

What have I been busy with? Well, I've been working very hard on my novel, Born of Blood. I received my first round of edits and that took about a week to complete. That was an interesting experience because she made a great deal of corrections that actually sharpened the prose while maintaining the story and plot. She also included comments and suggestions that really made me think which also improved the story. I sent that back and she promptly sent me the second round which included a few compliments! Yes, some editors give compliments. That was a great feeling. The second round of edits was very minor with only a few changes. I sent the manuscript back earlier this week. I received an email today, from my editor, which said she agreed with all my changes and passed it on to the line editor. I have no idea what to expect from the line editor but I will let you know as soon as I find out something.

So far the editing process has been enjoyable. I can't say it will always be like that but I might get lucky. I'm in a holding period now while I wait for the line editor so I'm working on my sequel again. The best thing is that I can bring over the lessons learned from my editor to improve the sequel.

I'm hoping my cover will be ready by the end of December. Also, I have two surprises coming out at the end of this month that I hope you will all enjoy. Stay tuned for that.

The Guns Are Blazing

Title: The Guns of Retribution
Author: Icy Sedgwick
ISBN: 978-1-90854-400-1
Genre: Western – Novella
Pages: 122
Reviewed By: Brian Knight


You can run but you can’t hide.

Grey O’Donnell, a bounty hunter with a shady past is on the trail of the elusive outlaw Blackjack Bud Hudson. Grey, with his partners Billy and Mahko, is hot on Blackjack’s trail. With a plan in place they wait for the daily train to rumble past with its mail cargo and money transfer for the bank in Retribution. As the train travels by they make their move. Only Grey and Billy make it on board as Mahko guards the horses. But more than Blackjack is on this train and things are about to get complicated for Grey.

The sheriff of Retribution, Jasper Roberts, is as mean as a snake and as crooked as a politician. He is also on the train with a gun pointed at Grey. A long history exists between Jasper and Grey and he plans to make Grey pay for that past. Grey and Billy, with Mahko’s help, make a crafty escape from the train. They run for the nearest town out of Jasper’s jurisdiction – the town of Sandwater. Grey soon discovers that not all the residents in Sandwater are what they seem to be. It is when Grey hears that Jasper has his mother in jail that he truly learns how deep the connections between Sandwater and Retribution are. Grey must now return to Retribution and rescue his mother. Who will rescue him?

From the first word, Icy Sedgwick delivers a fast pace, action packed story of outlaws, bounty hunters and the Wild West. With each passing page, it is virtually impossible not to join Grey’s posse of bounty hunters as they run down Blackjack. The more you read the more you connect with Grey as his situation grows intense and dire.

The strength of “The Guns of Retribution” lies in the story structure, crisp plot and fast action; the characters capture your attention quickly and never let go until the end. Author Icy Sedgwick’s novella is a true western in every sense of the word. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys action and intrigue during a time when travel was on horseback and a gun was on every hip.

The Liability of Labeling

Author Polly Courtney took the chick-lit world by storm when she refused to work with HarperCollins because they gave her book a pink cover. It wasn’t that she was averse to the chick-lit genre, she said, but HarperCollins was misrepresenting her work.

Readers and writers everywhere were caught up in a whirlwind of shock and awe. Some thought Courtney was a genius for finally saying what they’d wanted to say for years – “Chick-lit is a derogatory, insulting term given to fiction that caters to women! Chick-lit should die! People who read chick-lit should die! Authors who write chick-lit should die painfully, be resurrected, and then die again!” You get the idea.

But there were others who said, “Hey, what’s wrong with chick-lit? I write it! My best friend writes it! My PhD-toting, Harvard graduated sister-in-law’s brother’s girlfriend writes it! I’m offended!”

And then there was me, and, I’m sure, millions of others like me. I have no problem saying I love chick-lit. I have no problems calling it that. And I even – gasp – write it sometimes. But then again, what exactly is chick-lit? Is it ALL women’s fiction that isn’t tear-jerking or coma-inducing? Does it cause diabetes of the brain?

More importantly, who cares?

I detest labels. They cause people to go up in arms, get defensive, go crazy. Who needs it? I know what I like; fiction that delivers what I want, what all readers want – a damn good story. So to new authors who might be shaking in their boots because they write in the dreaded “chick-lit” genre, I say, to hell with what they call your writing.

Write what you want to write. Write the story that makes you laugh and cry and feel like God. Write what you want your readers to read. Write to make people feel better about themselves, to create silliness in someone’s day, to make that scientist in the corner of the bistro snort with laughter.

Forget the labels. Just write.

My name is Adriana Ryan. I’m a writer, and a genre-hopping one at that. I’ve written a little of everything – horror, speculative fiction, mainstream, romance – and sometimes have found people who actually think my work is worth publishing. Not sure if they made the decision during happy hour.

Right now, I have a contract with Muse It Up Publishing for my novella, Her Heart’s Desire. It’s a contemporary romance with paranormal elements, and was my first foray into the novella genre. I am now in love with writing novella-length works, and hope to do many more (and have, in fact, finished a second, which is in the revision stage… in other words, the stage that makes authors want to jump off tall buildings).

If you feel a burning desire to do so, or are bored out of your mind, you can contact me at: adrianaryansc@gmail.com.

What Will Your Past Bring To Your Future?

Title: Witches and Wolves and The Witches Exile Road 
Author: Anna Patterson
ISBN: 978-1-4661-3279-5
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 300
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
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The impact of one’s heritage can last a lifetime and more.

Elizabeth Johnson is down on her luck; no boyfriend, no job, and no money. She is betting everything on the inheritance she receives from her parents. Little does she know, this inheritance would have an unimaginable value. At the time she saw it for what it was worth to her….nothing. Further investigation of the journal inside the box opens her eyes to a secret in her heritage; a secret that will impact her life forever. In “Witches and Wolves and The Witches Exile Road” we journey with Elizabeth down the road of her new life.

Unfortunately this newly discovered knowledge does not deliver an income. Her friend provides a job for her but cautions that her new employer, John Pierre, is eccentric and shrouded in mystery. With no idea what she is getting into Elizabeth takes the job and travels north.

Will Elizabeth harness the true potential of her heritage? Will she unravel the mystery around John Pierre? Will her life dreams come true?

“Witches and Wolves and The Witches Exile Road”” is the culmination of author Anna Patterson’s imagination and love for storytelling. It is in this vein of old time storytelling that anchors her story to the realm of fantasy. Patterson develops character situations that are easy to connect with. The dark undercurrents of this budding romance novel captures your desire to encourage love to conquer the darkness.

“Witches and Wolves and The Witches Exile Road”” is the latest novel published by author Anna Patterson. This story of two creatures, shrouded in reputations of fear, coming together is the stuff of uncommon romance as opposites attract. I recommend this book to those with a taste for romance with dark undertones and a love for the things that stalk the night.

If you would like to learn more about this author and her novels please click HERE.

Instruction Comes In Two Forms

Title: Inspirations From God
Author: Louise Manigault
ISBN: 978-1-45384-736-7
Genre: Devotional/Inspirational
Pages: 219
Reviewed By: Brian Knight
Official Premium Promotional Services Rating:


“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.”
- Psalm 32

Instruction comes in two forms. One is to prepare us for a task and the other is to show us a direction. It is a remarkable thing to gain instruction in the ways of uplifting faith and positive attitude. “Inspirations from God” is, in a word, remarkable; it delivers heartfelt inspiration in the form of daily devotionals, letters and prayers that deliver a strong message of hope and deliverance. What sets this book apart from the others in this genre is the coupling of thoughts and stories with supporting scripture. It is awe inspiring to see faith and true love written by individuals and supported by scripture.

Louise Manigault delivers this motivational devotional with an elegant hand. The joy and positive support contained on the pages of “Inspirations from God” is greatly complimented by Louise’s care, passion and humble personality. Louise shares the thoughts, stories, scriptures and notes that impacted not only her life but those in her church and community. It is an endearing quality that makes this book unique when compared to other inspirational and motivational books.

I applaud Louise for the devotion and love she shares with all of us with the writing of this book. It is a shining example of her character and faith. I feel comfortable in saying that “Inspirations from God” is among one of the best of its genre. I consider it a pleasure to have read this book.

“Inspirations from God” is a wonderfully passionate daily devotional that will not only uplift the reader but motivate them to be better and look to the Lord for strength and direction. The pages in this book are inspired by love and mercy; written by hands through faith. I recommend this book for the down trodden, exhausted, or stressed; those who need peace and strength in their daily life.

To learn more about this author and her book please visit her site HERE.

This Is You, My Ideal Reader

You devour epic fantasy and seize the opportunity to transcend worlds through books. It’s not unusual for you to sink into a recliner, in the most secluded corner of your house, and read for hours. And interspersed between trilogies set in distant worlds, you come back to this one, drawn to the mysterious, dark realm of supernatural thrillers and horror. Exotic settings must jump off the page and come alive in your mind, especially stories of survival; life on the fine edge of existence. You cheer for the reluctant hero, the common man thrust into obligation and you also cheer for the villain, the arch nemesis.

Episodes of “Ancient Aliens” clog your DVR while you anxiously await the return of “Cities of the Underground” on History. You can recite verses from “The Raven” but get more excited when someone wants to talk about “The Rats in the Walls.” Heavy music fills your iPod. Those shiny discs that the kids no longer recognize lay scattered on the passenger side of your truck. You are a fan of Black Sabbath and Aerosmith, not “reality show” Ozzy or “American Idol” Steven. You prefer “Master of Puppets” over “The Black Album,” and like Cliff more than Jason or Robert. The rumble of a Harley Fatboy makes you smile and you know Detroit will never produce anything cooler than a 1977 Corvette. When you have the choice, you opt for Guinness over Budweiser and Starbucks over Dunkin Donuts. You can’t hang a picture without a power tool. You can’t purchase a power tool without hanging it in your garage.

Louis C.K. makes you laugh while the memory of George Carlin makes you cry. You love vampires and hate Twilight. You know the difference between a hip check and a cross-check and despise golf unless it includes a home video of a Tiger mistress. You prefer Suicide Girls over Playboy Playmates, long hair over short hair, curves over rails. Ten years later, you don’t necessarily believe the full-on conspiracy theory surrounding 911, but you also know an F-15E Strike Eagle could have prevented anything from hitting the Pentagon.

Too young to give up, too old to start over. Too immature for Johnny Walker Red, too mature for a case of Busch. You’ve been around long enough to get tired of mainstream entertainment and yet you’re still excited by a new author, band, or movie.

This is you, my ideal reader. Let’s hang out sometime. I want to be your ideal author.
http://www.jthorn.net

An Author and The Worker Prince

Today we have special guests. Author Bryan Thomas Schmidt and Davi, his main character, have stopped by to share with us a little about Bryan's upcoming book The Worker Prince. Take it away Bryan and Davi:

1. This one is for Davi. Did you see the book trailer for The Worker Prince? What did you think?

Davi: Well, they had several drawings of me with long hair and another with short hair. But in one I was blonde, the other I was brown, and frankly, I imagine it confused people. Neither of them looked much like me. But it was exciting for what it was. I mean they made my life sound like it was quite an adventure when, really, most days are pretty routine. It’s kinda hard to see yourself presented as some intergalactic hero or something. I’m just a guy doing what I have to to survive and take care of my loved ones, you know? At least Bryan described me right in the book, though, I do appreciate that.

2. Davi, do you feel like Bryan did a good job capturing who you are in the book? Bryan, how much trouble did Davi give you while writing?

Davi: Again, he makes me into this hero. I don’t feel like a hero. My wife still accuses me of having a fighter jock ego and make sure to humble me daily. People don’t walk around acting like I’m a hero. I still get lots of stress and frustration, no special treatment. But the events he described did happen, and I did experience the feelings and issues he describes. Some of the conversations were pretty close to how I remember them, too. So, I don’t know, I’m not a writer. I just let him do his thing.

Bryan: Davi was a joy to work with compared to his uncle Xalivar, let me tell you.

Davi: (laughs) He gave me a bit of trouble too, you know? He’s good about that.

Bryan: Well, yes, the book captured that pretty well I think.

Davi: I’m sure Xalivar disagrees.

Bryan: Maybe that’s why he no longer takes my calls.

3. What does The Worker Prince mean to both of you?

Bryan: Well, it’s my first novel and frankly, that’s a huge honor and accomplishment, seeing it published. So it means a great deal to me. That and the fact that I first heard Davi’s story 25 years before I sat down to right it, so I’ve carried my passion for it with me for a very long time. I’m pleased with the reactions from readers and critics, too. People seem to enjoy it. What more could I ask?

Davi: Well, it’s kinda my life story, you know? And they’re marketing it as fiction, so that’s a bit odd. But it’s written well and I definitely like the cover art. Makes me sound good. Who can complain about that?

4. Will there be a sequel? Is there more to Davi's story?

Davi: I’m still alive. Sure. You can do a whole book about what I had for lunch. Lots of meals to cover. Whew! Readers are already lining up.

Bryan: (laughs) The Worker Prince is book 1 of a trilogy, so yes, there’s more to tell. The second book, The Returning, should be out in Summer 2012 and the third book, The Exodus, sometimes in 2013.

5. This is for both of you. What is your favorite part of The Worker Prince?

Davi: The part where I meet Tela is pretty cool. And pretty significant. I also like reading about the heroic things my parents did for me. They’re the real heroes, you know? Miri, Lura, Sol—amazing people. I’m so lucky to know them.

Bryan: Well, I really enjoyed the action sequences, especially the scene where Davi, Yao and Farien are introduced, which opens Chapter 1, as well as the scenes with Davi and Tela. But the action stuff in general was really a lot of fun. People tell me I captured the feel of Star Wars: A New Hope, and that’s something I’m proud of because I loved that movie and that was a goal when I set out to write this. So it feels like a huge success to have them respond like that.

6. Your cover is reminiscent of many Sci/Fi novels. What inspired you to go with this type of cover?

Bryan: Well the artist came up with the cover, not me. I could barely draw a stick figure and no one would pay me for it. What I asked for was something that represented the book well, capturing the feel of the action and adventure and fun. I think Mitch Bentley did a great job, and he insisted on reading the whole book first, which not all cover artists do.

Davi: Chicks dig it. How can I complain? My wife laughs at it though.

7. Where can we find more information about Bryan the author and The Worker Prince?

Davi: That’s a Bryan question.

Bryan: Well, my website www.bryanthomasschmidt.net is the place to start. I also do a column for www.graspingforthewind.com every Thursday where I interview successful people from the Science Fiction and Fantasy publishing business. That comes from live interviews I do every Wednesday on Twitter’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat. You can find more about that at www.bryanthomasschmidt.net/sffwrtcht. My Twitter handle is @BryanThomasS. I also have a Facebook author page and info can be found at my publisher’s site www.diminishedmediagroup.com as well. The book has a page on my website specifically devoted to it and there are a number of free excerpts available at: http://bryanthomasschmidt.net/tag/excerpt/ too.

8. The floor is yours. Would you both like to share a few closing words?

Davi: Well, don’t overplay the hero thing, ok? I think we all have the capacity to be heroes under the right circumstances, and while writers like Bryan can glorify it and make it seem epic, you can be a hero every day in little things—how you love your wife and kids, how you treat employees and other people. Being a good person in and of itself is almost being a hero given the way things are in this world. Be the kind of person you want to meet, Miri always said. And it’s true. I try to do that. Nothing epic about it, just living life to create the life you want.

Book blurb:
What if everything you thought you knew about yourself and the world turned out to be wrong?
For Davi Rhii, Prince of the Boralian people, that nightmare has become a reality. Freshly graduated from the prestigious Borali Military Academy, now he’s discovered he was secretly adopted and born a worker. Ancient enemies of the Boralians, enslaved now for generations, the workers of Vertullis live lives harder than Davi had ever imagined. To make matters worse, Davi’s discovered that the High Lord Councillor of the Alliance, his uncle Xalivar, is responsible for years of abuse and suppression against the workers Davi now knows as his own people.

His quest to rediscover himself brings him into conflict with Xalivar and his friends and family, calling into question his cultural values and assumptions, and putting in jeopardy all he’s worked for his whole life. Davi’s never felt more confused and alone. Will he stand and watch the workers face continued mistreatment or turn his back on his loved ones and fight for what’s right? Whatever he decides is sure to change his life forever.
292 pp · ISBN 978‐0‐9840209‐0‐4 ·Trade Paperback/Epub/Mobi · $14.95 tpb $3.99 Ebook · Publication: October 4, 2011

Bio: Born and raised in Central Kansas, Bryan received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications-Radio-TV-Film in 1992 from California State University at Fullerton. He then spent five years working in the television and film industry on documentaties for A&E, TNN, NBC and more, including the award winning Discovery Channel documentary Titanic: The Legend Lives On.

Bryan released his first CD of original music, “Stand,” on his own label in 1998 and spent the next two years touring in support of that album. Bryan continued to write songs, stories and articles, releasing his second CD, “Glorious: Worship,” in 2003. His third CD, “Love Like No Other,” was released in May 2009.

Receiving an M.A. in Theological Studies from Covenant Theological Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri, he founded Anchored Music Ministries, Inc. , a 501(-c) 3 non-profit organization devoted to providing leadership development training in worship arts around the world. Since the year 2000, they have worked in 6 countries on 4 continents, including Ghana, Brazil and Mexico.

Bryan’s first devotionals were published in Secret Place magazine in 2009. His first devotions for Upper Room magazine appeared in 2010. His first published science fiction story, “Mars Base Alpha,” was published at www.sffstories.com in January 2010. His first science fiction novel, The Worker Prince, arrives in October 2011. The first novel in an epic fantasy,Sandman, is currently undergoing revisions, while Bryan works on a novella and sequels toThe Worker Prince.

The host of the weekly #sffwrtcht (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Chat) on Twitter, Bryan currently resides in Ottawa, Kansas, with his two dogs, Louie and Amélie.

News From The Editor

What a month! MuseItUp Month was a lot of fun. If you missed any of the posts don't worry I will leave the link widget on the right. Click on the names and enjoy the informative/entertaining post prepared by all the authors, editors, cover artists and publisher of MuseItUp Publishing.

In other news, I received an email from my editor on Friday. This was not your typical email because her first round of edits was attached to it. At first I was surprised. I just sat there and stared at it. After a few minutes I clicked on it. It popped open and I read the email. I was floored! My editor really liked my first novel. In fact, this is a snippet from that email. "The plot is very good, with believable twists."

That statement alone made my day. Oh there was plenty more to the email and I have work to do but the confidence boast that simple statement gave me is unbelievable. I have to be honest; I did not open the actual document. I waited on that for a few hours. I finally built the nerve to open it around ten o'clock that night. I always heard that editors ripped manuscripts to shreds and bleed all over them. Authors were beat down to a shell of what they once were. Fortunately this proved to be false. I opened the attached document and began my review. I will say that I am not a grammatical genius so I expected to see a great deal of corrections when it came to that. I'm not complaining at all, I'm very much grateful for it.

At this moment I'm going through and addressing her comments regarding structure and a few other items. Am I having fun? I'm not sure I can say that yet but it is not a traumatic experience. I can't relate it to getting teeth pulled by a dentist. It is work but on the other hand it is a labor of love. I can see the improvements to the manuscript and it is a very exciting thing to experience.

In short, working with an editor is not the nightmare I was lead to believe. Actually, I consider it a privilege to be able to work with a person with such a sharp eye for detail and sense of plot strength and flow that all novels really need to have.

You know, after the potter shapes the clay into his vision he puts it in the furnace to get that final glaze and polished finish.