Monday 25 May 2015

From the Couch With Chrys Fey, including my review of Witch of Death.

Hi everyone!

Now wasn't Roland Yeomans entertaining as he spoke From the Couch! I hope you learned something you didn't know about him previously. Go to my next post if you missed him!

Now this week is a little different. I'm featuring Chrys Fey, beloved of many of us. Her blog (Write with Fey) posts are scheduled like a year in advance or something amazingly ridiculous, but it works for her! And we all benefit from very practical 'how-to' posts much of the time. 

Now, musn't dally, as because Chrys has launched her new story, Witch of Death on May 20th, this post is going to be a bit longer than usual. Long posts are a joy to me to read, but I know many of you get itsy after a couple of hundred words. Just skip to the salient bits!





ON THE COUCH WITH CHRYS FEY!

The word that best describes me is...
Determined. When I set out on a new goal, I head toward it with all I’ve got.

My favourite smell is...
Baking bread. Oh it’s the best! Especially if it’s banana bread.

A song that gives me goosebumps is…
Somewhere by Within Temptation. Seriously...listen to it!

My favourite movie of all time is...
Little Women with Winona Ryder. I’m a huge fan of Louisa May Alcott and love Jo!

My first job was...
Going door-to-door trying to get subscriptions to the Florida Today newspaper. Yes, I was one of those annoying kids. I hated it because I didn’t like talking to strangers, but I was the best seller because everyone thought I was sweet. ;)

I began writing when I was...
Twelve years old and found a rusted screw with a crooked tip in the grass next to my house. For the strangest reason, I got a story idea while looking at that pathetic screw. It was essentially the key to my creativity. I started writing a story right then and there and never stopped.

My most treasured possession are...
The notebooks of the first series I ever wrote. I was twelve when I started the series, after I found that magical screw, and I was seventeen when I stopped writing the series. I stopped because I ended up rewriting them, but I can’t even throw out the original books. Those notebooks were a huge part of my childhood.

Books I loved as a child:
Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman, the Little House on the Prairie books, and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

If you are a writer, tell us about your latest project.
I recently published two short story eBooks Ghost of Death and Witch of Death. Right now I am working on book three in my Disaster Crimes series. As a matter of fact, I just sent book two (to follow Hurricane Crimes) to my publisher. My fingers are crossed.

What is your writing plan?
To finish my Disaster Crimes series. The next four stories will all be novels and available in print, which is awesome since I’ve only published short stories and novellas in eBook format. So I’m thrilled about that. I also hope to publish a couple of short stories to go with things already available. But those stories are still secrets. ;)

Where do you do most of your writing?
Either on the couch while watching TV or at my desk with my headphones plugged in and strapped to my head. I’m one of those writers who like sound.

I relax by...
Plopping down on the couch with a good book, hot tea, and some chocolate.

The point of life is...
To try. We all go through hard times and traumas, we all fail and fall, we all have dreams and goals, we all experience grief and heartbreak, but we just never stop trying...trying to strive, love, and live.

NOW I'VE JUST READ WITCH OF DEATH AND OFFERED TO REVIEW IT IN WITH THIS POST.

Firstly, Chrys is a great writer. I read so much, (52 books so far this year!) but am not enamored of reading e-books (so I'm pleased that Chrys is going into print soon!), but I did sweep through Witch of Death. Chrys had me hooked from the get-go.

NOW, MY REVIEW...

Chrys is, in my opinion, a writer who has learned her craft. I'm a sucker for wonderful imagery. Description delights me. And Chrys has mastered the art.

For example, CHAPTER ONE begins:
"The moon was a ceramic bowl overflowing with milk in the amethyst sky, and all the stars were sugar crystals." Nice scene setting, isn't it, but you just know things aren't going to stay nicey nicey in Chrys' spellbinding story. Skip down a few lines: "At the end of the street a tidal wave of white fog billowed over the black pavement...and crashed into houses..." Oops. Not good. Then..."Inside the deflated cloud a woman manifested..." And so the story gets underway and continues with relentless suspense. 

This is a magical love story. All excellent stories have a romantic element I think. We are human after all, well most of us are, and we like to see love overcome obstacles. Liberty Sawyer and Detective Reid Sanders have a mountain of obstacles to overcome if they are going to have a crack at the happily-ever-after. 

There's a witch causing mayhem in the town, and Liberty is the only one with any idea of the modus operandi of this evil murderer. Obstacle number one, Reid, no believer in what he can't touch or see, marks Liberty as the number one suspect, even while she uses her skills as a witch to fight against time to solve these horrific crimes. It doesn't help her case that she looks like your typical evil witch: "Black hair fell from a rigid part in the middle of her scalp to her hips. Her eyes were a soul-stabbing blue and her lips were blood-red". Ooh, aah! 

Will Liberty solve the crimes in time to save herself? Will Reid come to respect her magic abilities and work with her instead of against her? Will they stop this rampaging witch before Liberty loses her life?

Pick up Chrys' story to find the answers. You'll love it!

My only criticism is that it's too short! I want to read more about Liberty and Reid!

Here's the blurb:

Image result for chrys feyDetective Reid Sanders doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but when he’s faced with a crime scene that defies the laws of nature, he has no other choice but to start believing. And solving a magical murder involves working with a witch.
Liberty Sawyer embodies the look of your classic evil witch, so, it’s no surprise when she uncovers the murderer is a witch that she becomes Reid’s number one suspect. If she can’t convince him otherwise, more people could lose their lives to dark magic, including her.

Book Links:

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT CHRYS' BOOK

Title: Witch of Death
Author: Chrys Fey
Genre: Supernatural/Suspense
Format: eBook Only
Page Count: 45 (short story)
Release Date: May 20th, 2015
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

HERE'S CHRYS' BIO: 

Chrys Fey is the author of Hurricane Crimes and 30 Seconds. She is currently working on the sequel to Hurricane Crimes that’ll serve as book two in the Disaster Crimes series.

When Fey was six years old, she realized her dream of being a writer by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve, she started writing her first novel, which flourished into a series she later rewrote at seventeen. Fey lives in Florida where she is waiting for the next hurricane to come her way.
You can connect with her on Facebook and her blog, Write with Fey. She loves to get to know her readers!

Author Links:

Thank you dear readers (sorry, just re-read Pride and Prejudice with a student) for coming by today for From the Couch with Chrys Fey, and to support her as she launches her new story. Please leave a comment. Both Chrys and I would love to hear what you think!

Now, who's next to recline on my couch? Come by next week to see! On May 30th I'm participating in Lexa Cain's SUMMER bloghop!

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38 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hope you get to finish your Disaster Crimes series. And Within Temptation - you rock, Chrys!

Jo said...

Loved both your books Chrys.

Chrys Fey said...

Within Temptation is awesome!

Thank you, Alex! I hope so too. Only a major disaster could stop me. For awhile... ;)

Chrys Fey said...

Thank, Jo!

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you so much for hosting me today with a double whammy post, Denise! Your review was awesome! It really gives readers a taste of what's to come if they read the story and leave them wanting more. I also love the picture you made for me. I'm going to share it on Facebook!

You're awesome, Denise! :D

Denise Covey said...

My pleasure Chrys. Glad you like it. :D

D.G. Hudson said...

Sounds like my kind of witch, one who is effective but forgoes the sparkly! You alerted my sixth sense, Denise and Chrys. . . I love he fact that the writing started because of an item found by chance - perfect start to a passion.

Michelle Wallace said...

You look really cool reclining on the couch...
All the best with your Disaster Crime series, Chrys!
The point of life is that we never stop trying - I agree 100%+
Thanks for a great interview, Denise & Chrys.

Yolanda Renée said...

Wonderful interview, and great descriptive work! Will have to read this one too. Hurricane Crimes was thrilling! Yum on the banana bread too! My favorite!

Denise - excellent review - and tops on the interview! Signing up for the blog hop too!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I loved HAND OF SORROW by Within Temptation ( I consider it Victor Standish's theme for his early life in Detroit). I am a banana bread fan, too.

What a great interview, Chrys and Denise. Starting early in childhood I think is the best way for a writer to start. Denise, what a grand, enticing review for GHOST OF DEATH.

Nilanjana Bose said...

I love the opening lines, so evocative! All the best for Witch of Death's success and finishing the series to Chrys!

Denise, I enjoyed both Roland's and Chrys' interviews, and you've done something awesome cool to your banner/blog, wow! Or was the makeover done before and I in my usual distracted way forgot to take it in?? Anyways, I just wanted to say that I absolutely adore the sketch, seriously nifty!!

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you, D.G.! How I started writing still amazes me today. I try to figure out why something as small and insignificant as a screw sparked a story idea but I can't. It was meant to be. :)

Chrys Fey said...

I have to credit Denise with how great I look in that picture. ;)

Thank you, Michelle!

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you, Yolanda! Nothing is more great than baking homemade banana bread. :)

Chrys Fey said...

All of their songs are great. There are certain ones that inspired scenes for many of my books.

Thank you, Roland! :)

Chrys Fey said...

When I saw Roland'a comment, I realized that the wrong cover art was used in this post. Witch, not Ghost. Oops! :P

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you so much, Nilanjana! :)

Nick Wilford said...

Good luck on your upcoming novels, Chrys! Sounds like you're keeping busy. Always keep trying - top tip. I agree with Denise that the descriptions are excellent. A woman appearing from a cloud is such an arresting image.

Denise Covey said...

I saw that late last night. I will change it as soon as. Sorry!

Chrys Fey said...

That's okay. :) Looks like everyone understands the review is for Witch of Death.

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you, Nick! And good luck with your collection! :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Determined is a great way to be in this industry. Congrats Chrys. And great review!

dolorah said...

I love the "keep trying" tip. Can't get anywhere if you give up. Congrats on the release, and your lifestyle sounds conducive to creativity Chrys. Good review Denise.

Have a good week to both of you.

cleemckenzie said...

I too am a sucker for images and descriptive passages. So glad Chrys writes those. Thanks for the great review. Those always help me to add books to my list of must reads.

Unknown said...

I enjoyed the interview, especially the part about the magical screw inspiration. It's amazing where inspiration can be found! Loved the review, Denise! :)

Christine Rains said...

Fantastic interview! It's amazing where inspiration comes from. Congrats to Chrys!

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you, Lynda! :D

Chrys Fey said...

Exactly! Thank you, Dolorah! Have a great week. :)

Chrys Fey said...

I don't know how to write any other way. :) Thank you for checking out Denise's review of Witch of Death.

Chrys Fey said...

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Lexa. :)

Chrys Fey said...

Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything. :) Thanks, Christine!

Pat Hatt said...

If the only criticism is it's too short, that sure is a good thing. Writing while watching tv? I don't think I could do that, unless it's a blog post.

Chrys Fey said...

Right? I'll take that criticism! And a lot of other readers have made the same comment, so I guess that's a good thing.

H. R. Sinclair said...

A year in advance? That's wild. I was so please with myself when I was able to write them a month in advance!

Chrys Fey said...

It's easy when you have a specific subject and can brainstorm ideas.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Chrys and Denise .. yes Holly I noticed that too - a year in advance for postings! I'd forget the post by then ... but great organisation by you Chrys.

The rolling fog ... thick and black across the pavement ... that I can visualise ... as it's the weather here now on the Downs ... but I'd rather not think about witches or ghosts pushing ahead out of that foggy mist.

The idea of the bent screw and being able to create a series aged 12 ... you must have had a really creative childhood ... good luck with the books and fun to read your couch stories here at Denise's place .. cheers Hilary

Denise Covey said...

Looking forward to your visit Hilary.

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