Tag: podcast

Dan Klefstad’s “Fiona Stories” Podcasts with the Rockford Writers’ Guild

Today I am reviewing something a little different: Podcasts!  The podcasts are Guildy Pleasures by the Rockford Writers’ Guild hosted by Connie Kuntz. I am reviewing the first five episodes which feature author Dan Klefstad and his ‘Fiona Stories’.  I have previously reviewed two of these short stories, which I will share the links.  This is the perfect time of year to review this podcast as Fiona is….(Spoiler alert)… A VAMPIRE!

‘The Fiona Stories’ is a novel in progress, tentatively titled The Guardian.

Now, these stories were written by an adult, for adults, and Guildy Pleasures is also for…Adults.  Fiona is definitely not of the ‘sparkly vampire’ type….

Dan’s five stories that are featured in these podcasts are:

  1. The Caretaker (my review is here)
  2. The Interview
  3. Solstice  (my review is here; Kim also reviews The Caretaker and Solstice)
  4. Wolf at Fiona’s Castle
  5. Hauptsturmführer Fillennius

These are very well written short stories and I love this world and want to know more of what happens!  There is just something about vampires that is fascinating and Fiona definitely is. Every author has their own take on vampires in the world they write, and you will have to listen to these podcasts or read Dan’s short stories to know more.

Dan presents of his stories in these podcasts in his own voice. I always find this wonderful when an author narrates their own work, as they know what has the most importance in their work.  Dan captures the characters personalities in these stories.  I can’t wait to find out more about Daniel and what will happen with Wolf. And of course Fiona and Soren!

After Dan shares his story in the podcast, he is interviewed by host Connie Kuntz. Here we get to know Dan.  I found the interviews as enjoyable as the stories. They speak back and forth with ease.

There are more than just the five ‘Fiona Stories’, but these are all that have been presented in a podcast thus far.  In Dark Dossier Magazine’s Halloween issue we get eleven Fiona stories! I personally can not wait to read them and look forward to seeing the finished product whenever that may be. 

Now….You just can’t help but wonder… Daniel is the first protagonist that we meet in The Caretaker. Our author is Dan Klefstad…. Are these actually stories or is this autobiographical???? I guess we won’t ever know!!!!  😉

You can search for Guildy Pleasure in the app you use for podcasts.  I use Android, so the app I used to download  was Google Podcasts. It is also available on iTunes.  You can also download Guildy Pleasure through the website.

If you are curious about Dark Dossier’s Halloween issue:

This issue is available now! You can buy the issue here:
Dark Dossier’s Website
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes

**SPECIAL BONUS**

**Dan will also be taking over the Bookies Facebook Page this afternoon!**  This is a part of  the annual Authorber Fest.  Dan will be taking over the page from 2-4pm Central/ 3-5pm Eastern:  Be sure to give Bookies and Dan a follow!  Bookies is here.

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Author: Courtney Summers
Published: September 4, 2018
311 pages

Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: September 3-13, 2018
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars

Book Description:

Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meagre clues to find him.

When West McCray—a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America—overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie’s journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it’s too late.

Jessica’s Review:

Sadie is very unique and I mean this in a good way.  You can really see how  society is changing with the way books are now being written; and Sadie is the perfect example of this change.  We have two narrators: Sadie and a podcaster.

Sadie is a YA novel as in the character is YA in age (Young Adult) but for me she was more of a NA(New Adult) character with the themes in the novel.  This one is definitely NOT for younger YA readers. It deals with difficult subject matter: abuse, murder, and revenge.

The narrations go back and forth between Sadie and podcaster West McCray. He gets pulled into Sadie’s story and really does want to find her.  Without West McCray Sadie would have just been ‘another missing girl’. As West is determined to find her, we the reader also want to find her! Sadie’s pov is not an easy one to read as she has had a very difficult life. Sadie believes she knows who murdered her sister and relentlessly tries to find him at all costs.

For most of the novel I thought it was going to be a 4 or 4.5 star read for me until it got to a certain point and then I had different feelings! It’s hard to say too much about Sadie without giving spoilers. 

There is also a ‘real’ podcast that enhances the read! You can search for The Girls podcast  on Apple Podcast.  If you are an Android user, don’t feel left out: You can get The Girls via Google Podcasts. This was how I was able to access the podcast.  There are six episodes then a Courtney Summers interview.  I recommend reading the novel and then listen to the podcast when each ‘episode’ finishes in the novel.  The audio podcast really adds to this experience. A great job was done with the podcast to make it feel ‘real’. If this is the future of books, bring it on!

Sadie is highly recommended. Thank you to Wednesday Books for the copy I was sent!

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK (Releases on October 1st in the UK)

 

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