Spotlight: Author Gregory Coley on his love of books @Ghreggori

Howdy folks, 

Y’all don’t know me, but my name is Gregory Coley. I’m a self-published author and our fine host, Amanda, was nice enough to give me a post here. I got into writing when I was in my early teens. I began with writing lyrics for local bands in high school, lol. In college that morphed into poetry. After college I tried my hand at short stories. Now, at 31, I have over a dozen books to my name. Some are poetry books, some are short stories and some are novels. I’m most proud of my Corvus Chronicles series, of which I’m working on book 6! I’m getting ahead of myself though. 

My love of books was kindled initially by, like most people my age, the appearance of a boy wizard. He showed me how magical books could be. I also love the Vampire Chronicles, the Odd Thomas series, Hunger Games, the asylum series and anything by Neil Gaimen. He is a lovely man who has helped me in no small amount through our conversations. I’m currently reading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. 

As you can see I draw my inspiration from many authors and many genre. My books tend to touch of urban fantasy and the supernatural. I also have a book that revolves around a handicap young man in today’s world. That I draw from experience. I am in a wheelchair and have battled kidney failure my whole life. I’ve been on dialysis treatments to live for the last 24 years. I am always looking for new things to write. My current project is a novel that follows the life of an author told side by side with that of her character.

The first book of my series, “In Death’s Wake”, came to me in a dream. I told my dad about the premise. It is about a young man that is drafted into the 2nd American Civil War. He is used as a science experiment that gives people the ability to see into the minds of the dead. After being discharged when the program goes wrong, he is forced to find a new way to use his abilities in civilian life. My dad’s response when I told him about it? He said, “If you don’t write it then I’ll find somebody else who will.” Now I’m five books deep into that series. Thanks for pushing me to write my first novel, dad. Lol. 

I met Amanda recently. We began talking, and upon hearing of my difficulties finding new readers she offered me this amazing opportunity. She is a wonderful person whom I already owe so much after knowing her for a week. I hope some of you will give my books a try! Book 1 of my series is currently 99 cents on kindle. 

I’m still learning to be a self-published author. I’ve written for a while, but I’m just now trying to network and be more active on Twitter and Facebook. You can feel free to follow me on twitter at @Ghreggori or Facebook at www.facebook.com/GCauthor . My new website is also live! It is gkcoley.wixsite.com/gregorycoleywriting . Thank you for your time. Thank you to Amanda for her time. I am open to any questions about my writing, or anything else. I’m a young writer who is hungry to grow his name.

Thank you, 

Gregory Coley

Thanks to Greg for this great spotlight post. If you'd like to be featured on my blog please feel free to contact me. 

Cover Design Reveal: Death Dolls by @asfarrant

Author Simon Farrant recently contacted me about a cover design for his new book Death Dolls. As we spoke about the story I became really intrigued and began imagining all the possible ways that I could depict the story on the front cover.  Death Dolls is certainly a multi-faceted story and there were many images I could have used to design his cover. Ultimately though, there was one disturbing element which really caught my eye when I read it. I won't reveal that element to you as I don't want to spoil the story, but let's just say, you 'll understand why there's so much blood on the cover when you read it! 

Death Dolls Blurb:

Benjamin McGuinness fulfils his dream of establishing successful businesses and gives jobs with a new home to some of life’s misfits, deep in the English countryside on a farm. Everything seems perfect and his workers are as close as family.


A fire strikes close to home, a disaster that changes his perception of life and one of his loyal workers takes the chance to propose a life-changing venture.

This new business drags Lisa, his sister, into the deadly web of deception.


When exiled Russian twins join the family a symbolic tattoo is created that drives Benjamin’s money into a new league.


Benjamin knows that his future is defined by ‘the family’.


Will greed cause everything to crumble before his eyes, or will there be brutal consequences to their actions?

Cover Design Reveal:

Here is the final front cover for Death Dolls. I hope you like it! If you'd like to talk to me about designing your cover please visit my author services website Let's Get Booked. 

To order Simon's book please CLICK HERE

Book Review: In the Dark by @CaraHunterBooks @PenguinUKBooks

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'RE HIDING IN THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR?

From the author of the massive bestseller CLOSE TO HOME, comes the second pulse-pounding DI Fawley crime thriller.

A woman and child are found locked in a basement room, barely alive.

No one knows who they are - the woman can't speak, and there are no missing persons reports that match their profile. The elderly man who owns the house claims he has never seen them before.

The inhabitants of the quiet Oxford street are in shock. How could this happen right under their noses? But DI Adam Fawley knows that nothing is impossible.

And that no one is as innocent as they seem . . .

Review:

When I read Cara's first book Close to Home, I loved the way she interweaved the social media posts with the story. It was relatable in the trial by social media world we live in today. So I was delighted to see this format repeated in In the Dark.

Adam Fawley and his team return to solve a disturbing case where a woman and young child are found in a suburban basement while an not very likeable neighbour does work to his house. It's immediately clear from their emaciated conditions that they had been in said basement for some time. 

Cara knows how to grip the reader from the first few pages. Immediately drawing the reader in, forcing them to question and suspect almost every character that pops up. Possibilities are teased to the reader as they venture deeper and deeper into the story. Several times, I thought I had the plot sussed, only to be proven wrong time and time again. The number of twists and turns in this book made it a highly engaging read. Definitely a page-turner! 

I also love the way she seamlessly waves Adam's backstory into the narrative without it being distracting. It's not vital but I would really recommend reading Close to Home first. One, because it's an amazing two, because you'll gain a deeper understanding of Adam and all he has been through. The characters are so well developed that it would be a shame to miss out as In the Dark is definitely driven more by the investigation rather than the people. 

If you love a book that keeps you guessing then you must add In the Dark to your reading list. 

I have to say that Cara Hunter is fast becoming one of my favourite crime fiction authors. Watch out, Karin Slaughter!

Rating:

★★★★★ 

Giveaway: Win a copy of Sticks and Stones by @JoJakemanWrites @DeadGoodBooks

'A revenge thriller to make you punch the air in solidarity’  Eva Dolan, author of This Is How It Ends
‘A gripping story, sensitively told’ Laura Marshall, author of Friend Request
‘Deliciously dark and gripping’  Emily Koch, author of If I Die Before I Wake
Imogen’s husband is a bad man. His ex-wife and his new mistress might have different perspectives but Imogen thinks she knows the truth. And now he’s given her an ultimatum: get out of the family home in the next fortnight or I’ll fight you for custody of our son.

In a moment of madness, Imogen does something unthinkable: she locks her husband in the cellar. Now she’s in control. But how far will she go to protect her son and punish her husband? And what will happen when his ex and his girlfriend get tangled up in her plans?

Sticks and Stones is a deliciously twisting psychological thriller from an unforgettable new voice.

'Revenge is a dish served with lashings of relish in this vivid, blackly comic suspense novel, as three women fight back against an abusive partner. I cheered them on to the bloody end' Louise Candlish
‘Sensational – pacy, twisty and darkly funny with well-rounded characters'  Roz Watkins, author of The Devil’s Dice

'A cracking book. Darkly funny, yet also touching and emotive. Plus, full of suspense and twists. Buy it!'  CJ Tudor, author of The Chalk Man

‘A brilliant debut from an author with a sharp wit and a keen understanding of human nature. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough’  Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle

About the author:

Jo is a writer based in Derbyshire. Her debut Psychological Thriller will be published in the UK as Sticks and Stones by Harvill Secker (Penguin Random House) on 12 July 2018, and as The Exes’ Revenge by Berkley in the USA on 11 September.

Giveaway:

For a chance to win a copy of Sticks and Stones, head to my Twitter, follow me and retweet the pinned tweet. Open to the UK and Ireland only.