Science fiction/fantasy writer. I also write romance under the pen name, Debra Elizabeth.

Twitter: dlmartin6

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Blog: http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/

• #Review: WICKED WAGER by Anya Wylde
• SYMBOLS ARE FOR BABIES by Michelle Snyder
• Book Tour Blast: WILTED WINGS by Shadow Stephens
• Book Tour Blast: THE GOLDEN APPLE OF DISCORD by Lauren Hodge
• LISTEN UP! The Making of an Audio Book by Rebecca Forster

action adventure    apocalyptic fiction    apocalyptic science fiction    apocalyptic series    assassins    contemporary romance    cops    dream visions    dysotopian    dystopian    epic fantasy    fantasy    fantasy action    fiction fantasy urban life    freedom fighters    lady of the lake    memory weapons    merlin    military    paranormal romance    portals    postapocalyptic fiction    prophecy    romance    science fiction    survival against all odds    telekinetic    telepathy    twins    urban fantasy    vampire    visions    war    witch    ya   

• The Zagzagel Diaries: Forsaken on Sep. 10, 2010
  
  I love to read short stories, but tend to prefer novelettes and novellas. Word counts of 10,000 to 40,000 words gives the author room to unveil a story and introduce the characters with all the plot twists and turns. My own short stories tend to be 10,000-12,500 words and I need all of those words to tell my story. All of this is a preface for my review of “The Zagzagel Diaries: Forsaken.” Author Bryl R. Tyne unveils a powerful and moving story in only 3200 words; definitely a gift. I was blown away by it. This story focuses on a young man contemplating suicide because of his parent’s reaction to his announcement of being gay. We find Brett standing on a roof top ledge and he is being observed by his guardian angel Zagzagel, Zag, for short. It is Zag’s inner thoughts watching the turmoil rolling through Brett that draws the reader in. Zag has his own pain, his own regrets and, of course, he’s has very strict guidelines from “Big Pappa” on how much intervention he can have in Brett’s decisions, but Zag has feelings for Brett and he disregards his orders and crosses the line. Without giving anymore more of the plot away, all I can say is that my heart went out to Zag first of all and then to Brett. Their brief connection redefines both of them. In only 3200 words, Bryl has created a masterful story that will stay with you long after you finish reading “Forsaken.”
  
• Cameo the Assassin on Nov. 21, 2010
  
  If you’re looking for a classic good vs. evil book, you won’t find it here. What you will find is a story full of action, surprising twists and turns and a cast of interesting and complicated characters. The story opens up with horrific attack upon Cameo when she was a young girl. While she lay dying, a mysterious stranger, Haffef, comes upon the scene, heals her in his own unique way and her life is forever changed. Fast forward years ahead and Cameo the Assassin has become a legend in her own time. She is a ruthless killer, accepting jobs from the witch, Wick, head of The Association. She moves from job to job with ruthless efficiency while consuming large amounts of alcohol to dull her own inner demons. Her life takes another dramatic turn when her coach is stopped and she is robbed by a pair of highwaymen, Opal and Bell. Against her better judgment, she develops a relationship with these two instead of killing them for stealing from her. This is where the story ramps up the action because everything Cameo does has consequences not only for her, but for everyone she associates with. My favorite character was Opal, the flamboyant dandy. His decisions and interactions with Cameo keep you turning the pages to the very last page. Throughout the book, Cameo is forced to make decisions that are not in her best interest, but she can’t help herself because she finds that after all the years spent alone, she now craves the company of others especially Opal. Haffef comes back on the scene in the last third of the book, compelling Cameo to do a job for him. Because of her bond to him, she cannot refuse his request. Needless to say, a lot happens, relationships change, people die and Cameo must bear witness to it all knowing that all the suffering can be laid directly at her feet. I enjoyed this book, but I do have a complaint about the constant shifting of POV throughout the book. It took me awhile to figure out who was talking during some of the dialogue.
  
• Forbidden The Stars (The Interstellar Age Book 1) on Dec. 23, 2010
  
  3.5 stars out of 5 This book is an ambitious story weaving multiple storylines at once. There is Michael Sanderson, President of Canada Corp’s Space Mining Division; Justine Turner, the first female astronaut who pilots Orcus 1 to Pluto; 10 year-old Alex Manez; the criminal base of operations on Luna and the legend of Kulkulkan, the Mayan god of the sun, the oceans, the earth and the sky. Maybe, a little too ambitious. Alex Manez travels with his parents on a survey mission to the asteroid Macklin’s Rock in the Sol System. This should have been a routine mission, but tragedy strikes and his parents are killed in an explosion. This is no ordinary explosion, but one that will change space exploration for mankind. The asteroid disappears only to reappear four hours later in a Plutonian orbit; the first instance of FTL aided by a mysterious element named Kinemet. Young Alex survives the FTL travel, but his exposure to kinetic element fundamentally changes him. Justine and her crew who were currently serving on a mission to Pluto rescue him. She must abandon her mission on Pluto to bring Alex back to Earth. I wanted to bond with Alex and everything that he must be feeling, but the author keeps Alex at bay keeping him distant and aloof from every overture that Justine makes to befriend him. We do get to know Justine better, a woman who lost everything in her personal life, because of her unfailing dedication to her career. From the moment Justine rescues Alex, however, she develops an over protectiveness toward the young boy. This is where Mr. Daniels gets it right. I felt that I knew Justine and could understand the reasons why she made the decisions she did in her life. Not being a scientist, I found myself skipping over many of scientific descriptions and explanations. These don’t interest me, but this is in no way a reflection on Mr. Daniels who obviously did an enormous amount of research for this book. I prefer to know more about people in the story – their motivations, desires, and dreams. Without giving away any spoilers, there are many events in this book that keep the action moving. All of the storylines came together and I finished the book within a week. It was an enjoyable read and I have no problem recommending this book to fans of science fiction. I received a review copy from the author.
  
• The Zagzagel Diaries: Desperate on Dec. 27, 2010
  
  DESPERATE is the third story of the Zagzagel Diaries. Once again the author packs a punch with so few words. In this story, Zag, our resident guardian angel, must stop Nick, a teenage boy who may or may not be gay, from doing something that will forever change his life, and not in a good way. Being from a religious family and living under the roof of a racist, Nick understandably suffers inner turmoil. Zag takes direction from Big Papa and the number one rule is not to interfere. Humans must be allowed to make their own choices, however stupid they may be. This is where Zag has a serious problem. He can’t always follow his directive and sometimes intercedes directly on his human’s behalf. It is not always pleasant when Zag has to report to Big Papa and endure the severe tongue-lashing heaped upon him. The author interjects humor in all of the Zag stories, but for the first time, I noticed something else. Zag is experiencing a human affliction. I don’t want to spoil anything for the next reader, but suffice it to say, I found this intriguing. Is something changing for our resident guardian angel? If you’re looking for short stories that pack a wallop, then start with FORSAKEN, the first story in the Zagzagel Diaries and work your way through them. You will not be disappointed.
  
• From a Far Land: Jaben's Rift book 1 on Aug. 18, 2011
  
  Whenever a book starts out with the sentence, “The others will not know,” I am immediately intrigued. Not know what? Who are the others? FROM A FAR LAND sets up this premise to draw the reader in, and boy, was I drawn into this story. The protagonist, Jason Bennett, is an 18-year-old American visiting his relatives in Scotland. Bored with the conversation around the dinner table about his ancestors, he goes off on his own to explore the countryside. What he finds, however, will change his life forever. Buried deep within an ancient stone building on his great-uncle’s property, a light shines in a doorway and draws Jason to it. When he steps through, everything changes and he finds out that he is a pawn in a centuries-old battle between supreme beings in the Land of Teleria. The author does a fantastic job of keeping the action moving. Just when I thought I had figured everything out, another plot twist is thrown into the mix. We learn about Reyga, the Emerald Loremaster, and Jason’s guide in this strange land, the other Loremasters of the High Council, magical powers called dimsai, a Shanthi girl named Lenai, strange warrior beings and an event called The Devastation that somehow helped create the supreme beings. Through half-truths and misunderstandings, Jason is plunged into a battle of words and wits between the High Council and the strange outcast Bodann. He must somehow make sense of each side’s accusations about the other before it is too late and Teleria is catapulted into a full-scale war. Who is telling the truth? Which side should he trust? Lenai does her best to guide and instruct Jason, but even she is not immune to the effects of the conflict between the supreme beings. To make matters even more complicated, Jason finds out that the High Council believes him to be Jaben, the one cited in an ancient prophesy; the being who has the power to either save or destroy Teleria. Not too much pressure for an eighteen-year-old. The characters are well fleshed out, the action is non-stop, magical mysteries abound and there is a great battle. Really, what else would you expect from one of the best fantasies I’ve read this year. Highly Recommended.
  
• Easy Bake Coven on March 28, 2013
  
  This is the first book I've read by this author. EASY BAKE COVEN is a engaging light-hearted story about twenty-something Selene Warren. She's a witch and with her best friends from college, who also are witches, formed their own coven. They only dabble in witch craft, nothing serious in their minds. Everything changes when a handsome brooding stranger shows up and tells Selene that she's in danger. He also tells her that she is part elf. What? So begins the story of Selene and Cheney and their complicated relationship. I was enjoying the story when I thought she was only a witch, but throw in half-elf and you have my full attention. The author does a great job of fleshing out these two along with a delightful cast of characters. The dialogue was witty and I found myself laughing throughout the book. Each chapter revealed something new and kept me turning the pages. The twist at the end was fantastic. It's a quick, easy and most enjoyable read. I can't wait to read the next book to find out what Selene and Cheney will be up to next. Recommended.
  
• Hungry, Hungry Hoodoo on May 02, 2013
  
  This is the second book in the Easy Bake Coven series and it doesn't disappoint. Selene Warren has found love in the arms of her elf husband, Cheney, but the problem is she doesn't remember her former life with him. Who was she and why won't anyone tell her anything? When she tries to force the memories, she is assaulted with unimaginable head pain. Throw in a sexy former lover, a murder and kidnapping and this book is full of exciting twists and turns. The more I read about Selene, the more I liked her. The author has done a great job letting the reader into the mind of Selene as she tries to figure out who is friend or enemy. Cheney is stoic, but underneath that cool exterior, is a smoldering love for Selene. He's one sexy elf. The action is this book never stops and just when you think you've got the mystery figured out, there's another twist in the story. This is a quick and easy read and it wraps up most of the problems, but there is a cliff hanger that will have you clamoring for book 3. Recommended. I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.