Review: How I Exiled My Inner Bitch by Miv Evans

Synopsis:
Dionne is 36, and still hooked on the imaginary twin she invented to get her through her desolate childhood. With such an odd companion, long-term relationships are impossible and she is doomed to live her life as a serial monogamist, until the Go Along Guy shows up. Greg has denial on intravenous, so Dionne’s quirks simply pass him by and, pretty soon, shallow love blossoms. Unfortunately, however, what are also blossoming are Greg’s teenage daughters. They don’t like Dionne and their hormones are raging.

My Rating: 4

My Review:

I've always had an interest in psychological disorders. Seeing them in movies and novels alike always catch my interest. I can let out my inner psychologist without having to actually talk to anyone, and that is awesome. So when I heard that How I Exiled My Inner Bitch was a psychological comedy, I was immediately interested.

Now, I am not usually one to judge a book by its title (especially because I suck at coming up with titles in my own writing) but this one definitely intrigued me. Not to mention, the story is even better than I would have initially imagined.

The characters in How I Exiled my Inner Bitch are extremely well-developed. Dionne is a good protagonist, and certain aspects of her are very easy to relate to. Lionne was definitely my favorite, not only acting as the most entertaining character by far, but really causing the reader to think.

Even now, after completing the novel, parts of it are still fresh on my mind. While reading, I really had to question the reality of certain portions. Although it is clear that Lionne is imaginary, Evans does such a great job with her character, I felt that I was Dionne and actually believed her to be real. Having a realistic fiction novel that gets the reader to question reality is truly a gem to discover.

Having Dionne as a connectible character just makes the reading experience even better. I'm the middle child of three,  and I know what it is like to feel the odd one out with siblings. Just as I am sure that many readers can connect to having that nasty voice inside of their minds. (Even if the voice isn't personified in a schizophrenic kind of way.)

How I Exiled my Inner Bitch is highly entertaining and comedic. Some parts had me chuckling to myself to say the very least. Although being very funny, Evans still manages to convey dark pasts and serious themes.

I loved every minute of How I Exiled my Inner Bitch, and highly recommend the novel. Readers are sure to be in for an entertaining and gripping experience. And they might just wonder how they were affected by the imaginary friends they had as a kid.

Barely Alive Book Tour - Promo Blast

Barely Alive (book #1)

In twelve weeks, seventeen-year-old Paul Ledger will be dead. At least he hopes so. Paul is trapped in the worst cult the United States has ever seen. Infected with a zombie virus, symptoms culminate in a dead body but thriving mind over a course of twelve weeks. If he doesn’t earn the final death he longs for, he’ll be chained in a basement facility, moaning for human flesh for eternity. Sent out to kidnap girls for food, toys, or whatever the boss wants, Paul nabs Heather McCain. He’s not a fan of humans as a general rule, but even his graying skin and insatiable hunger for her flesh don’t stop her from reaching out to him. Give him the second chance he doesn’t know he needs. Overcome by his cravings, Paul bites her delectable skin. Amazingly, she doesn’t develop the zombie-like side effects. When the boss discovers Heather’s immunity, he gives Paul an ultimatum – deliver up Heather and her family to continue the research or watch as Paul’s brother suffers the zombie fate. Paul has a chance to endure his short zombie existence knowing his brother is safe. But he’ll have to sacrifice Heather to do it.

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Falling Apart (book #2)

Days slip through Paul’s graying fingers. Humanity faces the end. His brother has the virus and is dying, too. Paul’s hopes ride on Heather’s genetic code. Her immunity leaves her unchanged and untouchable. What would she see in the zombie he was becoming anyway? Dominic’s army of infected grows, capturing the south and leaving little alive in its wake. While Paul and his friends work on the vaccine, protecting the north becomes protecting the world. Heather is taken hostage and Paul races toward Dominic to save his heart. With his time “alive” shortened, Paul must do more than protect the uninfected. He has to get his brother and Heather back to Sandpoint before the zombies find them. Paul needs to survive the upcoming war before he finds himself defecting to the other side and leaving Heather to Dominic’s mercy. He has three days to get the cure or he might as well find a fire to call home. *This has mature themes and language. Not for young or pre-teens.*

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Mostly Dead (book #3)

Time is running out and Paul’s original wish for death looms. As his skin grays and hunger becomes uncontrollable, the world burns. Heather and Paul have fallen for each other, but with life and death barricading them apart, and the potential cure disappearing into time, they have no hope. Paul’s hunger is all-consuming. He has to walk into the flames, join Dominic, or eat everyone he loves. Can he save anyone, if not himself?

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Viral Intent (Prequel short)

Dominic has no remorse, no guilt, and his righteous justification swells as his research goes unchecked. There’s someone Dominic wants to save, and he may have the cure. But now he needs test subjects. He creates a virus that brings about the zombie apocalypse. There’s no excuse for how he treats Paul and humanity itself, but understanding the man might shed light on the evolution of the virus that brings Paul and Heather together. Discover the how and why behind Dominic’s evil actions. Are you brave enough to see how a Zombie Master is born?

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Bonnie R. Paulson mixes her science and medical background with reality and possibilities to make even myths seem likely and give every romance the genetic strength to survive. Bonnie has discovered a dark and twisty turn in her writing that she hopes you enjoy as much as she has enjoyed uncovering it. Dirt biking with her family in the Northwest keeps her sane. Follow on: Facebook / Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Newsletter / Literary Addicts / Amazon   Follow the Book Tour The author is giving away a Zombie Survival Kit! ARV $50

Zombie Apocalypse survival kit in a sardine can

A zombie hunting permit bumper sticker (for the state you live in)

The Zombie Survival Guide Manual

Emergency Mylar Blanket.

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Interview with Bev Stout

Recently I reviewed Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout, which you can look at here. I was able to interview Bev, and I am really excited to share this!
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 Blamed for her uncle's death, fifteen-year-old Annie is on the run. Knowing the perils she will face on the streets of eighteenth century London, she disguises herself as a boy. Her life on the streets is cut short when she becomes Captain Hawke’s cabin boy.
Not only must Annie work alongside the Realm’s motley crew of outcasts and gentlemen, she must also keep her superstitious shipmates from discovering she is a girl.
Annie vows she will never leave the Realm, where dreams are chased, shattered lives can mend, and secrets are stowed like keepsakes in an old desk drawer. But when her past catches up with her, can she return to the Realm? More importantly, will she have a choice?



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JW: In one hundred and forty characters or less, how would you describe Secrets of the Realm?
BS: Annie faces life’s adversities with unfailing spirit both on land and out at sea.

JW: How did you get the idea to write Secrets of the Realm? Have you always held an interest in the topics of sailing and pirating?
BS: I have always loved the sea and non-fiction books about ships, including books about the ghost ship, the Mary Celeste, and the Titanic. I never had an interest in pirates except after the movie Pirates of the Caribbean came out. Oddly enough, my first Halloween costume was that of a pirate. And I did read Treasure Island as a child. I remember little of my school projects, except for one. It was on sailing ships, which I also illustrated. The actual character of Annie sort of popped into my head, and after looking at a map of England, I knew where she was born.

JW: Secrets of the Realm has plenty of interesting and entertaining characters. Which was your favorite to write? The one that held the most difficulty?
BS: Besides Annie, Symington was the most fun to write. He is such a nasty fellow and his cockney accent was a challenge to tackle. I think bad guys are always fun to write. Captain Hawke was the most difficult being he was one of the more complex characters in the book. Even he doesn’t know his whole story, but I do.

JW: If you made a playlist for the novel, what would be one song that you would have to include?
BS: Actually, I have two very different pieces that would have to be on my playlist: Violin Concerto No. 3 K.216, 3^rd Movement by Mozart and Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men.

JW: Annie is strong, spirited, and not afraid to take chances or speak her mind. Would you say that you relate to Annie? If not, is there any character that you see a little of yourself in?
BS: Except for always having been small for my age, I am nothing like Annie, although, I wish I could be. I have to say the character who is most like me is Mr. Montgomery. As much as he wants to be a rebel, he can never quite lose all of the trappings of a fine gentleman.

JW: If any one character from Secrets of the Realm could come alive in person, and you could have a conversation with them, which character would you choose?
BS: I know all there is to know about Annie, so I think it would have to be Captain Hawke. I am certain he still has a few more surprises up his sleeve, even for me. For being only in his twenties, he has had quite a colorful life.

JW: If you joined the crew of a ship like the Realm, what would you see yourself doing? What would be the first place you’d like to travel to?
BS: I would want to be the cabin boy, because he gets to try out different jobs on the ship. Plus, he (or she) gets to visit with the captain in his quarters in a more relaxed atmosphere.

JW: Although these types of questions seem to be over asked, I will ask it anyway, since it seems to be one of the first things that people think of: how would you feel about a film adaptation of Secrets of the Realm? If given the opportunity, is that something you would consider?
BS: Given the opportunity, I would say yes in a heartbeat. A number of people have told me that they can see Secrets of the Realm made into a movie. I have also been asked who I would have play the various characters in the book.

JW: Have you considered writing more using these characters? If not, are there any other projects you are currently working on?
BS: I am writing a sequel to Secrets of the Realm. Most of the main characters will return. I am also working on a contemporary paranormal story, My Name is Nissa.

JW: Are there any authors or particular novels that inspire you, or have inspired your own writing? BS: William Saroyan and Harper Lee both have written novels about young people in compelling circumstances.

JW: When not writing or reading, what do you enjoy doing?
BS: I enjoy time spent with family, friends and working with children. I like train trips and sailing on the ocean. I love nature, whether it is watching ducks on the lake, otters playing in the ocean or dolphins racing alongside our boat. I also play tennis at least twice a week, even if the temperature is soaring to triple digits here in Arizona.

JW: Have you always wanted to be an author? If not, when did you realize that writing is what you want to do?
BS: I always enjoyed the arts, but I did not think about writing until about seven years ago.

JW: Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring writers or those who are considering publishing a novel of their own?
Write for the pure love of writing. Being published is a bonus. However, if you want to be published, join a writer’s organization and a critique group. Honest criticism can be quite helpful.
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Bev Stout's love of the sea began while growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and continues today with visits and vacations to Cambria on the California coast.

While she has been an avid reader since early childhood, she didn't start writing seriously until later in life. Bev Stout lives in Arizona with her husband, a thankful rescue dog, and an insane but lovable cat.