Author Interview: Leah Cypess

Leah Cypess has written Mistwood and Nightspell.

1. What is your name and where do you call home?

Leah Cypess, and I live in Brookline, Massachusetts.

2. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
NIGHTSPELL. In 20 words: A princess rides into a macabre court to rescue her sister – but what if her sister refuses to be saved?


3. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
It’s not part of a series, but it’s set in the same world as my previous book, MISTWOOD, and I do have plans for another book set in that world.


4. How did you come up with the title for your book?
I didn’t. The title I came up with was Ghostland, the name of the country where the living and the dead coexist and where the story takes place. But the marketing department at my publisher thought that sounded too young, so my editor and I tossed around a bunch of other suggestions. I think she was the one who came up with NIGHTSPELL.


5. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?
I changed a lot about the book during revisions! But once it’s in print and my ability to change things is gone, I don’t think about it anymore.


6. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
I have a book trailer for Mistwood, which is athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-6wP2tozOM. I don't have one for Nightspell. I don’t have strong thoughts about book trailers – they’re lots of fun, but I don’t have a great sense of how effective they are as a marketing tool.


7. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
Many! When I was in high school, for example, I read David Eddings’ Belgariad series at least ten times. I’ve also read Megan Whalen Turner’s books several times.

8. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’m currently reading The Passage, and reading it in hardcover – mostly because I like the hardcover cover much better than the paperback one.


9. Where can your readers follow you?


Facebook page: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nightspell/128757930527688

Twitter: @LeahCypess

Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Take a look at the book trailer for Mistwood!

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

ISBN: 9780061214677
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 328

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr is the first book in the Wicked Lovely series.
Wicked Lovely is about Aislinn, who has the power to see faeries. Having the power to see faeries which are invisible to others is dangerous. All her life she has done her best to hide the fact that she can see them. All her life she has tried to avoid catching their attention.
But one faery just won't leave her alone.

I really enjoyed this twisted faery tale, for such a dark story it was written beautifully. The book was mostly written in Aislinn's point of view and as a result she became my favourite character. I liked the concept of the faeries being "evil" for once and iron being used to ward them off (a little bit like garlic being used to ward off vampires, and silver being used against werewolves). I really liked the cover, and after reading the book I understood the meaning behind it.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

ISBN:  9780316068048 
Publisher: Little, Brown And Company
Pages: 619

The Host by Stephenie Meyer is set in a futuristic world which has been invaded. Humans' minds taken over, while their bodies remain intact, continuing their lives apparently unchanged. Effectively becoming hosts, hence the name of the book.
Basically most of humanity has succumbed to the invaders, only a few are left. Melanie Stryder is one of the survivors......until she is captured, and has to share her body with Wanderer.
But unlike other hosts, Melanie refuses to relinquish possession of her mind.

Initially, I only found this book as a result of reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. And to be honest at first I wasn't really that keen on it, but when I got further into it I found that I actually liked reading this book, in fact, more than the whole twilight series put together!
I really liked the modern spin that was put on the classic alien invasion story.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

ISBN: 9780340893609
Publisher: Hodder
Pages: 458

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher is about Finn who lives in a futuristic prison, where the descendants of the original prisoners live, in a living building, and about Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, who is in her own form of prison.

I enjoyed reading this dystopian e-book,. I enjoyed reading about The Era, Incarceron and how this furutistic society was set up. I really enjoyed the concept as well. After reading this book I think the cover suits the story perfectly (as the key with the golden eagle is one of the main aspects throughout the book).

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

It's Your Time You're Wasting by Frank Chalk

ISBN: 9781741666953
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 248

It's Your Time You're Wasting by Frank Chalk follows a teacher through a year at the school he works at.
Frank Chalk is an ordinary teacher in an ordinary British school. A school where the kids get drunk, beat up the teachers and take drugs - when they can be bothered to turn up.


I initially picked this book up because I was drawn to the cover and the title, and I wasn't disappointed! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book on the kindle. 


Available at Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

ISBN: 9780062024022
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 487


Divergent by Veronica Roth is the first book in the Divergent trilogy.
Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. 

Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger.

This was one of the first dystopian books I have read and I really enjoyed reading it. It was wonderfully thought out and wonderfully written!

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

The Island by Victoria Hislop

ISBN: 9780755309511
Publisher: Headline
Pages: 473


The Island by Victoria Hislop is about the Petrakis family.
The Petrakis family lives in the small Greek seaside village of Plaka. Just off the coast is the tiny island of Spinalonga, where the nation's leper colony once was located—a place that has haunted four generations of Petrakis women. There's Eleni, ripped from her husband and two young daughters and sent to Spinalonga in 1939, and her daughters Maria, finding joy in the everyday as she dutifully cares for her father, and Anna, a wild child hungry for passion and a life anywhere but Plaka. And finally there's Alexis, Eleni's great-granddaughter, visiting modern-day Greece to unlock her family's past.


I found this book to be a beautifully written, heartbreaking tale.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

ISBN: 9781407121086
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 416

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater is the second book in the Wolves Of Mercy Falls trilogy.
Linger is about Grace and Sam's fight to stay together.
For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  I enjoyed the poetry throughout as well.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

ISBN: 9781407115009
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 438

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater is the first book in the Wolves Of Mercy Falls trilogy.
Shiver is about Grace and Sam.
When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will left howling alone at the lonely moon.

I really enjoyed reading Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater! My favourite character was Sam, because of his optimism.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

ISBN: 9781407121116
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 493

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater is the last book in the Wolves Of Mercy Falls trilogy.
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater is about Grace and Sam's continuing struggle to be together. And The Wolves of Mercy Falls are being hunted.

Once I got into this book, I really enjoyed it. I was sad to know that this would be the last book in the Wolves Of Mercy Falls series, I wanted to learn more about the pack as a whole, more about Beck, more about Sam. Even though the ending was beautifully written and  left open, I still found it upsetting & a bit disappointing really. I would LOVE to read another series about Grace, Sam, Beck, Cole and Isabel!

I'm not a big poetry fan but I loved the poetry throughout this book and the whole series.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: Lynn Rush

Lynn Rush has written Wasteland, which I have reviewed here.

What is your name and where do you call home?

Lynn Rush. I’m living it up out here in the desert! Love Arizona! Even when it’s 117 degrees.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?

Wasteland (releases September 2011 from Crescent Moon press)

How ‘bout Twitter Style: A tormented half-demon seeks salvation in a teen’s prophesied power, but he must resist her tempting protector or face eternal damnation  (less than 140 characters)

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

Crescent Moon Press contracted only Wasteland, but they have first right of refusal of anything else I write in relation to Wasteland. And….I’ve written a second book, tentatively titled Awaited, and it’s out to my critique partners to hack up. So, spread the word about Wasteland, and maybe if it does well enough, we can get the second book out there too! *grin*

How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

My publisher has a great staff of design people. Seriously. They contracted Jeannie Reusch (http://www.willdesignforchocolate.com/) to do the cover. She did a fantastic job. It’s even in the top 20 over at Goodreads Best Covers of 2011 (hint, hint…go vote & tell everyone: http://bit.ly/l6aLIG)

How did you come up with the title for your book?

Wasteland actually comes into play in the book. The setting of the story is in Arizona…the desert. So you can see where the crackled sand comes into play. Okay…can’t say any more than that. But, I’m thankful Crescent Moon Press liked the title enough to keep it. A lot of times the titles the authors chose don’t make it through the editing process. So, I was happy.

Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

I like paperback and e-books. For a few of my favorite authors (Vicki Pettersson, Rebecca Zanietti, Charlaine Harris for example) I have their books on both my Nook and paperback. But mostly I read on my Nook. Love e-readers (can’t believe I’m saying that when I once resisted the idea!)

Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

The advice I have applies to writers and non-writers alike. “Take the next step.” That’s the advice I have for you. It was wisdom handed down to me when I realized I had an 87,000-word novel written and NO CLUE what to do with it! My friend said, “Take the next step.” I did, and I kept taking them and here I am now. So, whether you’re a writer or not, you can take that advice, too, toward whatever you’re dreaming of.

Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: www.lynnrush.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/LynnRushWrites

Goodreads author page: http://bit.ly/mGB4zg

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LynnRush

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/pavzwE

Barnes and Noble:  http://bit.ly/pbigOg

All Romance Ebooks:  http://bit.ly/nujjjp

YouTube Trailer:  http://youtu.be/k-KRE1yMiNk

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Author Interview: Joshuah Buckle

Joshuah Buckle has written The Rise.


1. What is your name and where do you call home? 
Joshuah Buckle and I live in Hervey Bay, Queensland in Australia.



2. Do you have a pen name?
No


3. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?

My latest novel is titles 'The Rise." It is a supernatural fiction, angels


4. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I am currently working on part two, and there is the possibility of a third book in the series. I am also working on the film script for the book.



5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I have been writing fora  few years now, mostly creating ideas for film work (Scripts etc). I was starting a small animated film in 2007 that turned into an idea for a full length drama television series and from there I just kept writing.



6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?
I can't for every book reviewer but if I think it will help bring my book to the world more I will certainly think about it.



7. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
The cover was just what I saw in my head. I got the opportunity to design my own cover as I have worked in design.



8. How did you come up with the title for your book?
'The Rise' is something in the book that is essential to the story.



9. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?
No. Once my book is finished and I am happy with it there is no need to change. I may change and grow as a writer and in the future I may of written different things, but when I wrote that book, that was where I was in my career at that point. I hope that makes sense.



10. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
Most book trailers I see are just some images and words and I really don't find that appealing. I am currently in pre-production for a book trailer for 'The Rise' which is more like a feature film trailer with actors, special effects and a lot of action.



11. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?
I love the feel and look of hardbacks and paperbacks. There is nothing like actually holding a book and that new book smell.



12. Are you a self-published / Indie author?
I would have been but I was picked up by a small new publisher in Aberdeen.



13. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
Not that I remember.



14. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
Currently writing and I don't really read while I'm writing a book.



15. Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
The best advice in the world to a writer is to write. Write as much as you can as often as you can and find your voice.


16. Where can your readers follow you?

Website: http://www.joshuahbuckle.com

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JoshuahBuckle

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/joshuahbuckle

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheRealJoshB



Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters

ISBN: 9781847389602
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 386

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters is the third book in the Generation Dead series.
Karen DeSonne always passed as a normal (if pale) teenager; with her friends, with her family, and at school. Passing cost her the love of her life. And now that Karen’s dead, she’s still passing - this time, as alive. Karen DeSonne just happens to be an extremely human-like zombie. 

I enjoyed this book as much as the first two, and I was sad to find out that this was going to be the last book in the series.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Kiss Of Life by Daniel Waters

ISBN: 9781847383976
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 416

Kiss Of Life by Daniel Waters is the second book in the Generation Dead series.

The phenomenon that's been sweeping the country seems to be here to stay.  Not only are the teenagers who have come back from their graves still here, but newlydeads are being unearthed all the time.  While scientists look for answers and politicians take their stands, the undead population of Oakville have banded together in a group they're calling the Sons of Romero, hoping to find solidarity in segregation.

I enjoyed this book as much as the first one!

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

ISBN: 9781847383273
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 393

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters isthe first book in the Generation Dead series.

Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He’s strong and silent…and dead.
All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn’t want them. 

Despite this book being a zombie book, I really enjoyed it!

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

ISBN: 9781907410277
Publisher: Atom
Pages: 480

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer is about Calla Tor.
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

I enjoyed reading this book, I liked reading about Calla and her pack. My favourite character was Calla because of her determination and stubbornness! I love the cover of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer! The colours, cover image and flower silhouette are all lovely individually, but together they are amazing and represent the book within well.


Available at Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk.

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

ISBN: 9781595143976
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 416


Across The Universe by Beth Revis is about seventeen year old Amy who joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future.

She could never have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

I liked this book despite it being quite slow at first. Due to the parts of the book I really enjoyed reading, being written from Amy's perspective I quickly grew to like her as a character! Whereas (at first) I dreaded the chapters from Elder's perspective. As I read further into the book and I understood the previous chapters I grew to like Elder more. 

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

ISBN: 9780312649913
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Pages: 325


Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel is about Lenah Beaudonte.
When Lenah, a 500-year-old vampire queen, wakes up a human teenager at an ultra-cliquey prep school, she must choose between embracing the humanity she’s always craved and saving her new friends from her vicious coven.


I honestly didn't enjoy this book much at all. It was too slow for me. Nothing really happened at the start, it all happened at the end and I didn't fully understand most of what happened at the start, as I feel some of the stuff mentioned at the start wasn't explained or described enough! Having said that, out of interest I would still like to read the second book to see if I would like that one, as it could possibly pick up where the last one left off.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

ISBN: 9781408811313

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 344

Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey is about Violet Willoughby.

Violet doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her....

After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

I enjoyed reading this book, it was different from the other ghostly books I have read, and it was set in a time where corsets are still all the rage.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Entangled by Cat Clarke

ISBN: 9781849163941
Publisher: Quercus
Pages: 372

Entangled by Cat Clarke is about seventeen year old Grace, who wakes up in a white room with a table, pens and paper. And no clue as to how she got there.
As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she's tried to forget. There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nat, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing. As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?
Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here? 

I really enjoyed reading this book and as a result I have read it twice already! I enjoyed reading about Grace's desperate journey to remember. I think the cover is beautiful and suits the book well.


Available at Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk.

Wasteland by Lynn Rush

ISBN: 9781937254018
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Pages: 282


Wasteland is about David Sadler, a half-demon. 
Bound by the blood contract his human mother signed four centuries ago, he must obey his demonic Master’s order to capture fifteen-year-old Jessica Hanks. But as David learns more about her, he realizes she may be the key to freedom from his demonic enslavement. 


I don't normally enjoy angelic / demonic type books but I absolutely loved this one, it was a pleasure to read it! I really liked the concept of David's nature. It was well written and had a wonderful plot. I love the cover as well, its beautiful but in-keeping with the book and without reading the blurb I would have picked it up regardless.


Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Alpha by Rachel Vincent

ISBN: 9780778328186
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 472

Alpha by Rachel Vincent is the sixth and last in the Shifter series.
The new council chair has charged Marc, Jace and Faythe with trespassing, kidnapping, murder and treason. Faythe must avenge her brother's death and protect her Pride while she does. And she's not sure she's ready to run her Pride let alone protect it.
But life never waits until you're ready.

I really enjoyed this book, and was sad to hear that it was going to be the last in the series as I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Faythe Sanders and her Pride.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.