Vicki Tyley

30 April 2013

Drawing on the past...

Have you checked out Kindle Books and Tips yet?

"The Kindle Books and Tips blog has a simple purpose to provide an interactive blog where you will receive tips to maximize your Kindle experience, author interviews, articles from the author’s take on the eBook world, links to special and discounted Kindle books, and the heads-up on the numerous books, short stories, and more available to read (and listen to) on your Kindle for no charge from numerous sites in addition to Amazon."

Every week they have a "Meet the Author" feature. This week it's yours truly. I really wanted to make this different from other posts I've done, so this one includes information about me that I've never revealed in public before but that I draw on in my writing.

Please come and say hello at: Meet Author Vicki Tyley | Kindle Books and Tips

21 April 2013

On My Bookshelf: Inheritance by Kate Loveday

Inheritance by Kate Loveday
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Cassie kicked at the parched earth with the toe of her boot. Spurts of dust flew up. ‘It seems hard to believe that this is usually covered with green feed. With everything so dry I guess we’re lucky to have as many calves as we’ve had this year.’” –Inheritance

Set in Far Northern Australia, Inheritance is an engaging romantic mystery. It is wonderfully sensory with a rich sense of place – it couldn’t be set anywhere but Australia – with a cast of interesting and well-drawn characters. Cassandra Taylor, Inheritance’s heroine is no meek country girl able to be pushed around. More than anything, this story is about her journey from girl to woman.

Highly recommended. I look forward to reading more from Kate Loveday.

View all my reviews

10 April 2013

New Book Covers

Sleight Malice and Brittle Shadows have new covers more in keeping with my other titles. I really like them. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

11 February 2013

On My Bookshelf: Big Horn Storm by Kim McMahill

Big Horn Storm by Kim McMahill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“At the moment, she had much more to fear than the weather or a wild animal. With the soldiers on the move, her grandfather’s health deteriorating and winter approaching, Niki couldn’t help but feel they were on the brink of losing the battle to survive.” – Big Horn Storm

Fast-paced, action-packed adventure with just the right balance of romance and suspense that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I also loved the strong sense of place – a character in its own right – and vivid descriptions.

The only negative for me was the frequent point-of-view switches mid scene. As skilfully done as it was, it still jarred. However, I believe that this is a convention common to the romance genre.

I look forward to reading more of Kim McMahill’s work.

View all my reviews

06 February 2013

On My Bookshelf: Rough Justice by Robin Bowles

Rough Justice by Robin Bowles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While not a prerequisite, Rough Justice will be more meaningful for those familiar with Australia’s high profile murder cases e.g. Jennifer Tanner, Jaidyn Leskie, Peter Falconio, to name a few.

The information presented about Bradley Murdoch (convicted for the murder of Peter Falconio) certainly had me questioning my stance on the case and the safety of his conviction.

There was some repetition from chapter to chapter, though the book’s structure almost made this necessary – I read it from beginning to end, but a reader could pick and choose what to read and still have all the requisite background.

Highly recommended for true crime buffs interested in the Australian legal system and its shortcomings. Robin Bowles is one of my favourite true crime writers.

View all my reviews

22 January 2013

Two Birds Now Available Free at Smashwords

My short mystery TWO BIRDS is now free in multiple formats at Smashwords:

Kristine Abbey lies unconscious and bleeding on her kitchen floor. Crouched next to her with his hands clamped over the knife wound in her abdomen, her husband, Daniel, screams at the couple’s sister-in-law – and his ex-mistress – rooted in the doorway. Time slips away…

3,300 words

DOWNLOAD