Guest Article: Cynthia Vespia

Cynthia VespiaI would like to welcome Cynthia Vespia to Literary Escapism today.  Cynthia latest release is Life, Death, and Back.

Life goes by in a blink. One moment can change everything. For most, death is the eternal end. Bryan Caleb has unfinished business. Even as he struggles with his own mortality, Bryan must find the compassion within himself to help guide Lisa Zane, an emotionally and spiritually drained young girl, through her troubled life to find her purpose. For it is only with Lisa’s help that Bryan can rescue his son, Kriticos Caleb.

Make sure you stick around to the end. We’ll be giving away an ecopy of either Life, Death and Back, The Crescent or The Chosen One and Seek and Destroy – winners choice.
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What Makes A Book Readable?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In the wake of green beer, Irish jigs, corned beef and cabbage let us not forget that it is National Reading Month as well. In fact, the Irish are great storytellers themselves. Irish lore and folktales are a grand part of any St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Storytelling is something that has been around for a very long time. Since the days of the wandering minstrel and the bards of old, people have sung songs of heroes and told tales of adventure…true, myth, or imagination it mattered little. Some things never change. For in every creative endeavor there is a story to be told. Whether that outlet is a movie, a video game, a painting, or a book, there is a central theme that runs through: beginning, middle, and end. Maybe some inspire, some bring laughter or tears, and others touch your heart in a different way.

So what makes a good story? As the author of thrillers and fantasy I have had the opportunity to delve into both worlds and weave together different tapestries of emotion, adventure, and above all entertainment.

Life Death and BackI write what I would like to read. Stories to me begin and end with character. If I am not emotionally invested in the character in one way or another why would I want to continue on this journey with him/her? After that I must know what unforseen fates lie ahead. Where are we headed on this ride? The stakes need to be raised, the situation needs to matter. In other words the plot cannot just be slapped and pasted together around an idea. Things need to flow in a natural progression. Once I’m knee deep in story and rich detail (don’t forget to explore the five senses) I would hate to be pulled from it by loose ends that don’t make sense or a bad plot point that seems woefully out of place. And finally the resolve should be satisfying. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left a theater, turned off a TV, or thrown a book across the room because the ending failed to deliver. I don’t care if you kill off the main character who I’ve bled, sweat, and cried with this entire ride as long as it makes sense for the story. If it is riveting and believable you’ve got a winner and a fan in me.

So those are some of the things I look for when beginning to read or writing a new book. Some of my favorite novels that I’ve read throughout my lifetime include Dean Koontz Intensity, Mary Higgins Clark’s Loves Music, Loves to Dance and even Nora Roberts Sanctuary which is not my usual genre but I’m not afraid to explore authors new to my tastes.

Right now for reading month I’m getting ready to begin Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, which was given to me by someone I love awhile back but I never got around to finishing it. Now that I hear the entire series from Martin is heading to HBO I am compelled to dive into Thrones one more time.

What are you currently reading or do you suggest as a great novel that shouldn’t be missed? Just leave a comment telling me and you can win a choice of one my current novels in e-book format. This includes Life, Death, and Back, Demon Hunter: The Chosen One, Demon Hunter: Seek & Destroy, and The Crescent.

Happy reading!

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The journey began for Cynthia Vespia after pulling a copy of Dean Koontz Intensity from the dusty shelves of her high school library, she was taken by the writing Muse. Enraptured by the idea of creating new worlds and the characters that meet you there, she set out to study her chosen craft. The road was arduous but perseverance was key. With a mix of discipline, hard work, and eternal persistence she continued to hone her skills each day. As a skilled wordsmith she established a successful career as a journalist and promotional writer. Throughout that time she remained true to her passion and pursuit of writing novels.

CrescentContact Info
Website: www.cynthiavespia.com
Blog: http://cynsights.blogspot.com/
Social Media: Facebook / Twitter

Want to purchase Cynthia’s novels?
Demon Hunters:

  1. The Chosen One at Amazon
  2. Seek and Destroy at Amazon

Theater of Pain at Amazon
The Crescent at Amazon or at the Book Depository
Life, Death, and Back at Amazon or at the Book Depository
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Thank you Cynthia for taking the time to stop by Literary Escapism!

Contest Time! Cynthia is giving away an ecopy of either Life, Death and Back, The Crescent or The Chosen One and Seek and Destroy – winners choice. To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: what they are reading and why? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered.

As always, there’s more ways of getting your name in the hat (remember, these aren’t mandatory to enter, just extra entries):

  • +1 for each place you post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer.
  • +1 to any review you comment on, however, comments must be meaningful. Just give me the title of the review and I’ll be able to figure it out from there.
  • +1 If you are a follower of Literary Escapism on Facebook and/or Twitter
  • +10 Purchase any of Cynthia’s novels (listed above), or any novel, through LE’s Amazon store or the Book Depository sometime during this contest and send a copy of the receipt VIA email for your purchase to: jackie AT literaryescapism DOT com. Each purchase is worth ten entries.

The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.

The contest will stay open until March 24th, at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer and the List Randomizer.

I have not been contacting winners, so you will need to check back to see if you’ve won.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

2 Comments

  1. Hi,

    Right now I’m reading two books: The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier and Halfway Hexed by Kimberly Frost. The first is a YA book set in a fantasy world and the second is the third book in the southern witch series.

    I agree that my number one requirement to enjoy a book is the characters. I won’t finish a book if I don’t care what happens to the characters.

    +1 facebook follower.

  2. I’m reading Pale Demon by Kim Harrison. The Hollows series is one my favorites because of the relationship between Rachel and her friends and enemies.

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