Evolution Vol. 2 for only $1.99!

Until September 30, you can download Evolution Vol. 2 from Smashwords using the coupon code CK67H for only $1.99.

Evolution Vol. 2 includes my story "Beneath the Skin".

If you read it, please take the time to write a short review on Amazon and rate it on Goodreads. Thanks!

About: Beneath the Skin

"Beneath the Skin" is a story I wrote in the spring of 2011, during a break in between other writing projects. It's one of those stories that just demanded to be written. Those are the best. It was an easy write and then I put it out of my mind. I wasn't particularly saving it for something, I just knew its time would come. And it did. One year later, when I ran by chance into the Evolve Publishing contest, I remembered about it and sent it in full confidence. The subject just fit.

So the subject… I don't remember how I came up with the chameleon idea. I found it intriguing and in the same time scary. Not the idea of being him, but to be with someone like him. It freaked me out. And like with most things that frighten you, you have to fight your fears. Once I started writing it, I needed a name for the character. I often don't name my female characters when I write in the first person, so I didn't bother with her. Him though, he needed a name, a good one. It didn't take long to find it, suddenly I knew what his name was.

While growing up, I had piles of vinyl disks with recorded radio plays. I listened to them so often I knew them by heart. Most of them were children stories, fairy tales, but there were also theater plays and abridged novels, basically whatever hit the stores at the time. The one story that scared me and my cousin the most was The Invisible Man. First, the story had been made to sound more horror-like than the novel ever was. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when I read the book later on and found it so different from the disc, not as the plot was concerned but as atmosphere. The cover art was even worse, being made of small images that formed a bandaged head wearing dark sunglasses. I hated that cover, I couldn't stand having it on top of the pile with the face up.

Calling the character Griffin seemed to fit. So I guess my Griffin is sort of a homage to H. G. Wells. Don't worry, my story is not scary. Griffin is a good guy. And like the anthology's title says, he evolves. They both do in some ways. You'll have to read the story to see how.

"Beneath the Skin" is included in Evolution Vol. 2 from Evolved Publishing, available on Amazon, Smashwords and BookieJar.

Human Instincts Review (5)

Here's another opinion on Human Instincts:

"Overall it's a very interesting story. It will get you thinking.
I believe I read that the story was originally written to be published in an anthology of like-stories. Which would have been a great addition if, I would have liked to see that happen. But as is I think it would make an awesome full length novel with more fleshed out characters."

Read the rest here or here.

Human Instincts is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other online stores. Check out the links in the right side bar.

Evolution: Vol. 2 (A Short Story Collection) is out!

I just got back from my vacation and had the pleasure to find out that Evolution: Vol. 2 (A Short Story Collection) is finally out. My story "Beneath the Skin" is one of the few that qualified to be included after the contest run by Evolved Publishing.

Here is the official description:

From the 2nd Short Story Contest hosted by Evolved Publishing: 10 great stories from 10 terrific authors.

An eclectic mix that will excite, interest, and intrigue from the first story to the last. Laugh a little, cry a little, think a little.

Many genres, many voices, one goal: Provide the reader with a fun journey through the short fiction format.

Edited and polished to a fine sheen.

And the table of contents:

Sixteen Down by Brian Panowich
The Million Dollar Club by David Ballard
Tunnel Vision by Lane Diamond
The Drying by Voss Foster
The Living by Ranee Dillon
Walk Knock by Conda V. Douglas
Ursus Americanus by John Anthony Allen
Beneath the Skin by Ioana Visan
En Plein Air by Erin Ryan
Behind Family Lines by Stevie Mikayne

The eBook is so far available on Amazon, Smashwords and BookieJar and soon to come on Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Apple iBooks.

2012 August Reading List

August was supposed to be my vacation month so I chose some light reading with mainly focus on entertainment. What else rather than YA would fit best? Well, see for yourself... The comments were written while suffering a bad case of bronchitis and therefore they might be snarkier than usual.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth – Same complaints as with Divergent: dystopia with a world building that doesn't make sense (some explanation is given, unlike in book one, but still not enough to make it work), unlikable protagonist (maybe some teenagers are like that, but I wasn't so I found it hard to relate to her), present tense still annoying. 3/5 stars

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout – Fast read but nothing much else to say about it. The book obsessed girl was cute, but the love interest was a jerk from beginning to end. 2/5 stars

The Summoning, The Awakening, The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong – It wasn't what I expected when I started reading it. A bit simplistic and clunky in places but I got through all three books and was satisfied in the end, sort of. 3/5 stars

Bloodlines, The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead – It felt weaker than the Vampire Academy series. Sidney was more interesting when she remained a bit of a mystery, but now that we're in her head she's a bit stuck up and plain. Only recommended for Adrian fans. :) 3/5 stars

The Iron King, Winter's Passing, The Iron Princess, The Iron Queen, Summer's Crossing, The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa – Well, there goes another long series. It works well, even if there's a bit too much description for my taste, and the girl is not annoying for a change. Aside for the fact that I'll never understand how a several hundred years old man can fall for a sixteen years old girl, Ash was interesting enough until he fell in love and turned into a doormat. Being inside Puck's head was fun, but in Ash's head was not so The Iron Knight was a pain to read. 3/5 stars

Interview on We Do Write

Thank you to Dorothy Dreyer for interviewing me for her We Do Write blog.

Human Instincts is available on Amazon, Smashwords and other online stores. Check out the links in the right side bar.

Human Instincts Review (4)

There's nothing better than a 5 stars review coming from a stranger to cheer up your day, especially when you're struggling to recover from a bad case of bronchitis just before going away on vacation and you're running out of time.

"I was very impressed with the author's ability to develop a very interesting and logical apocalyptic scenario. I was impressed to a much greater degree when, in the author's bio, it was disclosed that she is Romanian, and she translated the book into English herself! One would expect to find typical grammatical errors as a result of the inherent differences between languages, but this book was perfectly translated as far as I could tell. The author has a remarkable talent, and presents a compelling story. I look forward to seeing her name on future books, knowing they will be well worth the time to read." (Read more on Readers Favorite.)

Yes! I am so happy someone commented on the language and gave it the thumbs up. :D Of course, a big thank you goes to my dear editors, but this gives me hope that it is possible to publish in English in spite of the language barrier and have fine results.

And now my fingers are itching to pull out my next story collection. Tee-hee! It's next on my to do list so it won't take long. :)

Human Instincts is available on Amazon, Smashwords and other online stores. Check out the links in the right side bar.

Steampunk vs. Gotic

Who won?

Read the article on Suspans.ro

New Interview & eBook Giveaway

Thank you to Valette for hosting an interview and Human Instincts giveaway on her Book Snatch blog.

Human Instincts is available on Amazon, Smashwords and other online stores. Check out the links in the right side bar.

Interview & eBook Giveaway

Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer has interviewed me. There's also a chance for you to win a copy of Human Instincts if you enter the giveaway on her blog so go check it out!

Human Instincts is available on Amazon, Smashwords and other online stores. Check out the links in the right side bar.