Blog-Versary: Eric Arvin Video & Giveaway

eric-arvin-2016-blog-versary

 

*** Congrats to PAVELLIT for winning the giveaway! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to help us celebrate our 4th anniversary. We also send another huge thank you to Eric Arvin for the great videos and to Wilde City Press for the great giveaway! ***

I think it’s common knowledge that we’re big fans of Eric Arvin at On Top Down Under Book Reviews. I (Cindi) fell in love with his writing years ago when I read Woke Up In A Strange Place and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. Not only am I a fan of his books but I’m also a fan of Eric. He’s known this for a long time and has always been kind when I’ve gone into total fan girl mode. šŸ™‚

Illusion Eclipse QuoteEach year we ask some of our favorite authors to celebrate our blog anniversary with us. Eric Arvin is, as I’ve already stated, one of my favorite authors. When I spoke with him a few weeks ago I asked if he’d like to be part of our celebration this year. I let him know that we were open to anything he’d like to do. We just hoped he’d be part of it in some way because he’s very special to us. He was kind enough to do a couple of short videos. If you know anything about Eric you’re aware that he’s not feeling all that great right now. For him to take the time to record videos for our blog anniversary means more than anyone could know. He could’ve said no to being part and we would’ve understood completely. Instead he let us know that he wanted to be.
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So, thank you to Eric Arvin for supporting us almost from day one. You were following us on social media when we were still learning our way around it. You’ve always shown kindness to me personally over my reviews of your work. Thank you for taking the time to record the videos for our blog anniversary when I know you’re not feeling well right now. Kazza and I are always sending good thoughts and big hugs your way.
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Illusion - Water Drip QuoteWe’d also like to send a huge thank you to Ethan Day and Wilde City Press for their generosity. When I sent Ethan an email about this post he responded back within minutes saying, “Whatever you need, it’s yours.”
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On top of the videos from Eric, Wilde City Press is giving away every e-book Eric has published through them – 6 books! – to one person who comments on this post. I have read all of these books and I can’t recommend them enough – every one of them. The information on each book, along with links to my reviews, are at the bottom of this post.
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*** The giveaway will run from October 13th through October 31st. The winner will be chosen at random at midnight on the 31st and contacted via email the next day.***

 

 

*** Below are the books included in the giveaway. ***Ā 

The Mingled DestiniesMingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men (Valley Books)

Minerva True is a River Dweller and mystic who lives deep in the forested hills of a river valley on the fringes of the world. She is the only person who sees theĀ ancient danger that resides on a nearby chapel grounds.Ā Most pay little heed to her warnings, and in the end only a small band of friends stand beside her. A tale of love and duty ensues, challengingĀ the destinies of Minerva, the young heroĀ Leith, his lover Aubrey, and the mute boy, Deverell.Ā Leithā€™s half-crazed mother Calpurnia has her own aspirations, however, that prove detrimental not only to Minerva, but to everyone she comes in contact with.

Cindi’s review.

Cindi’s #1 book of 2013, tied with Azrael and the Light Bringer.

 

Azrael and the Light BringerAzrael and the Light Bringer (Valley Books)

Welcome to the Valley,Ā a liminal landscape that lies somewhere in the fringes of the world; a place with such secret magic that only the very observant can see it. Into this world comes the Lone family. To them, the magic of the Valley is not at first apparent, at least not to all. But the youngest son Lucifer is the most open to the riverā€™s pulse. He converses with the trees and an angel named Azrael, all the while being taught by the midwife Mother True to hone his talents. Meanwhile, Luciferā€™s older brother Uriel rejects the valley altogether and, with the help of his loverā€”a raft boy named Romanā€”flees the place only to be caught up in the corrupt big city world of a madame named Ute Dragal.

And so begins a tale of wonder and danger, filled with a cast of characters ranging from the strong to the stoic to the sinister, in a place where a dark power awaits them all. Venture again to the Valley in this prequel to Eric Arvinā€™s acclaimed epic The Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men.

Cindi’s review.

Cindi’s #1 book of 2013, tied with Mingled Destinies of Crocodiles and Men.

 

The RascalThe Rascal

Lana is a faded movie star who lives alone in a big house on a hill that overlooks the sea.Ā  She has lived this way since the death of her daughter and the disappearanceĀ  of her husband.

Jeff and Chloe are a couple who live in a cabin below the big house.Ā  It was Chloeā€™s idea to strengthen their marriage; but she seeā€™s now that it isnā€™t working.Ā  Jeff has become obsessed with the cabin and the old water well.Ā  Chloe only sees strangeness around her.

One night while talking on the computer with Ethan, Jeffā€™s brother, a feeling of dread comes to the fore.Ā  When Ethan sees a figure behind Chloe, he leaves his boyfriend and baby and sets out to save Jeff.

Chloe, Ethan and Lana come together to fight an evil that would destroy Jeff.Ā  Will they succeed or will all of them fall to the taste of a young cannibalistic ghost?

Cindi’s review.

Cindi’s #1 book of the year, 2015.

 

Wave Goodbye To CharlieWave Goodbye to Charlie

My nameā€™s Charlie. Iā€™m many things, though none of them having to do with any real talent. Iā€™m a runaway, a hustler when I need to be, a ghost when I have to scare hoodlums away from my home, and a loner who maybe reads too much. But most of all, Iā€™m the keeper of the carnival. Thatā€™s how I see myself. I look after the place ā€™cause even dying things need to be cared for. Maybe itā€™s illegal. Maybe that rusty metal fence around the carnival is supposed to keep me out too. Or maybe me and this place were meant to find each other. Truth is, I never felt at home anywhere but here, not even in all the foster families and orphanages I was placed in as a young shit. They donā€™t look for me no more, those places. I suspect I ran away so much they finally just said, ā€œFuck! Let him go.ā€ I am a hangnail on societyā€™s manicured middle finger. Iā€™m older. One year past the age anyone gives a shit.

And this is my adventureā€¦

Cindi’s review.

 

The Rest Is Illusion
The Rest Is Illusion (Valley Books)

Magical realism meets coming of age as four Verona College students are thrown together by choice as well as circumstance. When their lives and loves are threatened by blackmail and violence, they respond by using all the means at their disposalā€”including some they arenā€™t even aware they possess. But will that be enough to prevent tragedy or even death? Eric Arvinā€™s first novel is once again available, ready to set your heart racing and your mind reeling.

Note: Second Edition ā€“ this is a previously published work.

Cindi’s review.

 

ghouls-gymZombie Boyz: Ghoul’s Gym, co-written with T.J. Klune

Board up the windows, push an old dresser against the door and load your shotgun. A zombie apocalypse is about to hit Wilde City, and if you want the best survival tips, Wilde Cityā€™s boys are here to help.

Youā€™ll never want to exercise again as Eric Arvin and TJ Klune turn a gym full of hunks into a smorgasbord of terror in GHOULā€™S GYM.

Previously published as part of the Zombie Boyz Anthology

Cindi’s review. Note that the review linked is for the entire Zombie BoyzĀ anthology.



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Kazza K
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Eric Arvin has always been one of the most talented writers in the genre we primarily read in. He could write anything in any genre and make it something special. On top of that, he has always been one of the nicest and most humble people. Eric has also supported this blog from the beginning and what some people might not know is he has always, always respected your reviews, Cindi, as much as you have always respected his beautiful writing – and you have reviewed all of his books. Thank you to Eric and his family for this video,… Read more »

Jen CW
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Jen CW

A huge thank you Eric and his family for the videos. It is always wonderful to see him; I am thinking of him and his family…hoping that they can get out of the rough patch they are in. Thank you to Ethan Day and Wilde City Press for the wonderful giveaway! I have yet to read Eric’s books, but I have heard so many great things about them.
Jczlapin@gmail.com

Elayne
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Elayne

I love Eric’s books. Its always a highlight of the day when he puts out a new video for us and always a big worry when he goes through a rough patch. Here’s wishing him only good times to come.

susana
Guest
susana

Thank you Eric, for taking the time to record those videos. I really hope you get over that rough patch soon. I really wish him all the best, and send big hugs from Spain šŸ˜‰

Sofia
Guest
Sofia

Thank you Condi and Eric for this opportunity. Happy anniversary Cindi and my heartfelt best wishes Eric, thank you for writing.

Ann Alaskan
Guest
Ann Alaskan

Hopefully Eric realizes it Pumpkin Patch time .. not Rough Patch time. Have all of his books & the person who wins will get hours of pleasure .. baskets of laughs & squeaks of fear! Thank you Eric for making these videos and to Cue & his Krew. We appreciate & LOVE every time we see his smile. Speedy recovery! Love you from Alaska

April
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April

I was recently introduced to Eric’s books by a friend who could not say enough about them. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of reading three of Eric’s novels and have enjoyed them immensely.

Eric, I wanted to say you are incredibly talented. Your books move and flow like the landscapes that grace their pages. You make the stories come alive with vibrancy and depth. Thank you for sharing them with us. Be well and take care. ~hugs~

Pavellit
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Pavellit

I’ve very recently discovered this magical world that Eric Arvin created for us. A beautiful place to get lost. A place to call home. The mastery with which Arvin tells his tales make me crazy. The way he phrases things makes a desire to memorize every word on every page. It’s always a delight to pick up some Eric Arvin story. I greatly appreciate and value the way you celebrate this anniversary. The books the lucky one will hold in his\her hands is a gift of love. Thanks for that . Happy Anniversary guys! All the best, and here is… Read more »

Lisa
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Lisa

Thank you so much to Eric & family for taking the time for the videos. And to Wilde City for their support as well as On Top Down Under. I have nothing but respect and best thoughts for Eric. Feel better soon. *hugs*

Nancy Hartmann
Guest
Nancy Hartmann

So good to see and hear Eric, always. And reading his work is something else altogether. Amazing. Eric’s the kind of writer who inspires midnight orders to Amazon that just happen to coincide with your discovering that you only have a few pages to go in the one you’re reading. Looking forward to the next book. šŸ™‚

Deb B
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Deb B

I was teary eyed reading the lovely intro by Cindi and with all the visual detail of Eric’s books and quotes. What a treat to see and hear from Eric again. Thank you to Eric and everyone else involved in the post. Happy anniversary too! xoxo

Sula
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Sula

What a generous giveaway and post from such an inspirational writer and person, especially as I have not read any of these books and have had them on my wish list.

Nina
Guest
Nina

I haven’t read all of Eric’s books, but the one’s I have read are amazing. In fact, Eric’s books are the reason I fell in love with reading all over again. I know Eric personally and bought “The Rest is Illusion” because I knew him. I literally cried when I was done with the book because I didn’t want it to end. I owe Eric a huge thanks for the gift he has and shares with the rest of us. I wish him the very best and hope he will continue to write.

Aniko
Guest
Aniko

Don’t enter me into the giveaway because I already have all of these wonderful books, but I wanted to say how wonderful it was to see Eric’s beautiful face, and to thank him for all of his amazing words. I look forward to reading it when his latest book is released. And congrats to On Top Down Under on your blog-iversary!

Jen
Guest
Jen

Thank you so much to Eric for filming these videos and for Top Down Under for sharing them. It’s amazing that he still has and shares that beautiful smile. I hope that his rough patch is over soon. And wish him and his family happiness.

LeeAnn Pratt
Guest
LeeAnn Pratt

Happy 4th Anniversary! Here is to many more.
I loved seeing and hearing Eric again. I hope this set back is of short duration and he will soon be up to no good again. šŸ˜‰ Hugs and love to him.
I have been able to read only a few of his books but they were amazing!
Good luck to everyone!

Casey
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Casey

One of the first books I read when I discovered the genre was Woke Up in a Strange Place. I’ve read dozens of books since then but that one will always be one of my favorites. I’ve read Mingled Destinies but not Azrael and the others yet. I’m eager to now.

Happy anniversary Cindy and Kazza and thank you to Eric Arvin for the video.