I love writing.  I spend over ten hours a day at my desk.  And I am so happy that Aspen Mountain Press saw fit to publish my debut novel The Reckoning of Asphodel.  For now, just before the sequel The Gift of Redemption comes out in the spring, Asphodel is starting to get some great reviews and even an award.

Let’s start off with this: The Reckoning of Asphodel is epic high fantasy.  It has a strong female protagonist and enough romance and chivalry to satisfy the romance reader.  There’s also enough blood, guts, war, magic, and prophecy to make the fan of traditional fantasy happy.  Personally, I love epic fantasies.  Tolkien is my hero, just as Hope Mirrlees was.

More on that in a bit.

First review was from Love Romances & More.  Asphodel received five out of five stars and this is part of what the reviewer said: “…THE RECKONING OF ASPHODEL is a wonderfully complex story that lures the reader in and delivers a fast pace ride that leaves you breathless. All this reviewer could do was hanging on for the ride! New author Celina Summers delivers a stunning novel that captures the readers’ attention on the first page and never lets up until the last page is turned…”

Melissa at Dogwild *some of you know her ;)* said in her very lovely review “…The Reckoning of Asphodel is high elven fantasy at its best and I can’t wait for the rest of the story to unfold. This story needs to be in print so I can drag it around with me for reading without banging my laptop up…”

Then came this weekend.  I received a third review from Novelspot.com which read in part: “The Reckoning of Asphodel, by Celina Summers, is traditional high fantasy, with chivalric knights and wood-wise elves, beautiful princesses and wise female seers, good and evil sorcerers and magicians. It’s written in the language typical of the genre. It is, however, much better written, with more complex characters and situations, than many similar books. This is a serious fantasy novel, not the verbal equivalent of a computer game…”

That’s not what got me.  This was: “…The style reminds me a bit of Hope Mirrlees’ Lud-in-the-Mist…”

Oh my goodness.  Dang.  That blew me away.  Well, that and this:  

Don’t really know what to make of that one.  Those of you who voted for Asphodel, thank you.  If you enjoyed that first book, I sincerely hope you catch the second.  The Gift of Redemption, Book Two in the Asphodel series, should be out in 2008.  I’ll give you more details as soon as I can.  Thanks for suffering through my bragfest too.

In the end, you have to give it up for the authors and editorial staff at AMP.  There’s something for everyone here, and you can’t go wrong with the books that AMP offers.  If you want to learn more about me or the Asphodel series, check out my blog or my website.  Follow the linkies and you can find a wealth of information.

Once again, thanks!

Lately I’ve received some great reviews …

No Apologies

“I can’t truly find words to encapsulate the power of this story. I literally cried ~ and cried ~ throughout … one of the most potent stories I’ve ever read.” ~ Reviewed by Frost

 

“The historical aspect to the story … takes on an important role and helps bring the story alive. Despite being a very short work, No Apologies is intense and memorable. Highly recommended.” ~ Rainbow Reviews

 

Undertow

“The difficulties of love and loss are universal issues that everyone can understand. Thanks go to Snyder for another incredible book, and one that is a keeper for my book self.” ~ Fallen Angel Reviews

 

Working Man series

“Snyder’s latest tale in the Working Man series is sure to be a hit with the readers. Tender, touching, passionate and compelling are just a few words that can be used to describe Easily Addicted.” ~ Ecataromance Sensual

Sheryl at Ecataromance says this about Del Fantasma: Texas Tea (in part):

Del Fantasma: Texas Tea by Maura Anderson is a riveting tale of the supernatural and also of paranormal creatures. Having read the previous books from the Del Fantasma series this one slots in very nicely amongst them all. I really enjoyed the quirky nature of Texas, and the knowledge that in some way Lara would change his life. I also loved Lara, because she not only fulfilled a promise that had taken years to complete but also because she recognized Texas for his true self and also as her partner, not as a monster or something to be afraid of. Maura Anderson has captured the essence of a love that crosses the boundaries of both paranormal and human while giving us readers a great book to read and one lovers of shape shifters and mystical creatures will fall in love with.

You can read the whole review on the Ecataromance Sensual Blog!

Rogues and Romance has given Aspen Mountain Press’ Babes in Toyland II Anthology a Must-Read!!!

Here is a portion of the review but please visit the Rogues and Romance site to read the whole thing.

Mandy at Rogues and Romance says:

Summary:
Babes in Toyland II really blew me away with it’s fun, smart, sexy, and imaginative stories. Every single one of those stories were ones I enjoyed reading immensely, and the folks at Aspen Mountain should get a big round of applause for choosing the perfect blend of fantastic stories for this anthology. Not only did I find Babes in Toyland II a definite keeper, but I found a ton of new authors that I loved. This is one I will certainly be reading again- at Christmas and all throughout the year.

Who Offed the Holiday Spirit - Wayne Greenough
Wayne Greenough brings us spunky, good-guy private detective Thanet Blake, a character as endearing as he is perceptive. This story probably has most wonderfully Christmas-y feel in the anthology, and you will love the warm feelings it brings you, as well as the smartly metaphorical storyline and characters. I loved Thanet Blake, and I will definitely be reading more of Wayne Greenough!

Christmas Ink - Skylar Sinclair
Christmas Ink is a fun and magical story of fated mates who find each other by an unusual situation, with an even more unusual proof of being mates. Skylar Sinclair really knows how to put a fun dose of Christmas spirit in with magic and romance, creating one wonderfully fun time!

Devon Falls: Sticky Magic - Raine Delight
Devon Falls: Sticky Magic is a sizzling adventure about finding love when you least expect it. You definitely won’t be bored with this fast-paced steamy story. Raine Delight tops it all off with an ending that will have you craving the next story from Devon Falls!

Festival of Lights - Melissa Glisan
Festival of Lights is by far one of the best novellas I have ever read. Melissa Glisan astounded me with her intelligent combination of history and fiction, creating a beautiful story and romance that is sure to touch you heart, no matter what your faith. Glisan’s retelling of the Miracle of the Oil is a religious fiction masterpiece, and a story that is going to become a holiday tradition for this reader.

Christmas Belle - Dawn Montgomery
Christmas Belle is a fantastically magical story that I was entranced by, from start to finish. Everything about Dawn Montgomery’s story was wonderful- the writing, the plot, the characters, and those scintillating sex scenes! Belle and Roarke are two fairies that will work their way into your heart as surely as they do into each others, and you won’t want this story to end. Lucky for us readers, Montgomery ties the story up so nicely, it leaves you sighing with satisfaction.

Heart’s Desire - Michelle Hasker
Heart’s Desire is about finding exactly that. This story was full of mystery and suspense, and you will love Michelle Hasker’s style of uncovering those mysteries! This story is a marvelous true paranormal, and a love story that any romance reader will adore.

The Game - Jeanne Barrack
The Game is a scorching contemporary ménage, with enough sexy secret confessions to make your head spin! Join these four friends as they go on a trip of emotional and sexual discovery, that will leave their lives forever changed. This story will have no trouble making you feel all hot under the collar. Jeanne Barrack writes the most delicious, kinkiest holiday story ever!

Gift of the Holly King - Maura Anderson
Gift of the Holly King is a phenomenal fantasy that gave ME a new fantasy! Maura Anderson not only captivated me by her wonderfully non-complicated but intense plot, but with her ability to make her characters feel real enough to touch. The reader can easily identify and sympathize with Kayleigh, and it’s not hard at all to lust after the Holly King! The connection between the two is absolutely electric, and when they come together, look out for sparks!