Rai29BookReadNReview

Excerpt: Ever Shade by Alexia Purdy

2012-03-02T06:00:00.000Z

Excerpt from Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale):

“Shade.”

The blue fire glowed around her, crackling andpopping all around. The walls seemed to be so close to her,enveloping her likea cocoon. She stood up from the ground where she had woken.

Is this real? A dream? She did not know.

She felt the walls around her. Nothing but hard,cool stone and the sound of

her own breath echoed around her. The fire camefrom the other side of the

room. It stood like a pillar, the size of a man.In fact, as she stared longer

into the flowing flames, the image of a mansurfaced on the fire. She gasped.

The man’s eyes were closed and his hands laidcrossed over each other on the

hilt of a gleaming sword. The blade glowed withblue fire too. Its hilt was

made of red dark rubies that bled a deep redfire. It glowed down his middle,

red, like blood flowing from his hands down theblade of the sword.

Shade walked towards him, asking who he was. Hedidn’t respond to her inquiries, no matter how much she pleaded with him. Shekept walking towards him slowly, her feet were bare but they did not feel coldon the stones like she thought they

should. Her heart pounded in her throat as shereached towards the man. Help

me, she whispered to him, her voice faint andweak. Her fingers were almost

about to touch the blue flame engulfing hisbody. She felt afraid, not knowing

if the flames would burn or scald her hand. Sheneeded to wake him, to make him

help her out of this place, this tomb. Herfingers were just a bit away now.

His eyes flew open, bright white light pouredout of them and his mouth as he opened it.

A sound quite like loud ethereal music filledher ears to the point she had to cover them. The music seemed to scream intoher. The words came now and were almost booming with the deafening music.

"AWAKEN NOW AND RUN SHADE!"

Shade screamed.

Promotion: Ever Shade by Alexia Purdy

2012-03-02T03:00:00.000Z

Ever Shade

A Dark Faerie Tale

By Alexia Purdy

Blurb:

A dark twist onfaeries. For Shade, a chance meeting with a powerful Teleen faery warrior whowields electrical currents and blue fires along his skin- has her , joining himon a treacherous mission for the good Seelie Faerie Court across the land ofFaerie. Magic and malice abound and nothing is what it really seems to be.

The evil UnseelieQueen and her treacherous allies are round every corner... as Shade makes herway across the breathtaking landscapes of the world of Faerie, which existsalongside the mundane human world. Shade discovers her own uncharted magic andmeets some of the most powerful warriors in Faerie while battling evil dryads,conniving Teleen guards and challenges on her life with every step in a worldwhere nothing can be taken for granted.

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

2012-02-27T06:00:00.000Z

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone

I received this book for review from Netgalley. Although it took me quite a while to read Goddess Interrupted I really enjoyed it! As much as I loved reading The Goddess Test, I preferred this book to the previous one as it seemed as though there was actually more going on within the story. I think I also liked Goddess Interrupted more because Kate became a stronger character, as she came into her powers and learnt more about herself and her "family". My favourite character was Kate, because she evolved from the weak, naive girl that she was in The Goddess Test to the strong, determined woman that she is in Goddess Interrupted, despite attempts by others to undermine her progress. I really like the cover of Goddess Interrupted as it is beautiful whilst remaining inkeeping not only with the Greek mythology theme within the series, but also with the previous books in the series.

Goddess Interrupted will be released on the 27th of March 2012.

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

2012-02-24T06:00:00.000Z

Ever and Damen have gone through countless lives and fought off the world’s darkest enemies so they could be together. But just when an everlasting future is finally within their reach, Damen is struck down by a curse - a dark spell separating him and Ever for eternity. Now sharing so much as a single touch could bring about Damen’s death…and send him plummeting into the Shadowland, an eternal abyss for lost souls. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses her herself in magick. And in her quest, she gets help from an unexpected source...a surfer named Jude.
Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love - and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them from the darkness inhabiting his soul, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger - and tests her love for Damen like never before…

I enjoyed reading this book more than the previous one, even though I sometimes found it repetitive and dark. Some aspects of the story seem quite obvious throughout the Shadowland. I didn't really have a favourite character from this book as Damen remains distant and elusive whilst Ever seems distracted by Jude, amongst other things. I like the cover of this book as it represents aspects of the book within well.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £4.47 (paperback) and £3.58 (kindle e-book).

Flawless by Sara Shepard

2012-02-23T06:00:00.000Z

In the exclusive town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, wherethe sweetest smiles hide the darkest secrets, four pretty littleliars--Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna--have been very bad girls. . . .

Spencer stole her sister'sboyfriend. Aria is brokenhearted over her English teacher. Emily likes her newfriend Maya . . . as much more than a friend. And Hanna's obsession withlooking flawless is literally making her sick. But the most horrible secret ofall is something so scandalous it could destroy their perfect little lives.

And someone named"A" is threatening to do just that.

At first they thought A wasAlison, their friend who vanished three years ago . . . but then Alison turnedup dead. So could A be Melissa, Spencer's ultracompetitive sister? Or Maya, whowants Emily all to herself? What about Toby, the mysterious guy who left townright after Alison went missing?

One thing's for certain: A'sgot the dirt to bury them all alive, and with every crumpled note, wicked IM,and vindictive text message A sends, the girls get a little closer to losing itall.

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, there didn't seem to be as much happening as there was in the previous book. It was quite sad really in parts because someone (who wasn't one of the main characters) dies, which brings Spencer, Emily, Hanna and Aria together - if only for a short while. My favourite character was Spencer, despite all of her other commitments and the time they had spent apart she still tries to reach out (and sometimes protect) her old friends, whatever the consequences. I really like the cover of Flawless, it represents Aria perfectly, from the girl in the actual image to the purples and pinks surrounding the image.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £5.31 (paperback) and £4.49 (kindle e-book).

Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

2012-02-22T06:00:00.000Z

Izzie loves Mark, and why shouldn’t she? As the captain of the basketball team, he is kind and loving and he’s everything she’s ever wanted in a boyfriend. Her BFF loves . . . somebody, but she won’t say who. So when a hot new guy, Tristan, shows up at school, who better for Izzie to fix up her friend with? And what better way to do it than with a love philtre?

But even the best of magic has a way of going awry - and Izzie finds she’s accidentally fallen in love with Tristan herself. And that’s a problem. First of all, there’s Mark. Second, Tristan comes with baggage - like the supernatural creatures that keep attacking whenever he’s with Izzie, and the fact that he comes from the place where Izzie’s father was killed, years ago, by an enormous, evil serpent that’s still around - and it knows Izzie is out there.

I received this book for review from Netgalley. Although I don't normally enjoy reading romantic books, I really enjoyed reading Tris & Izzie! I just wish it had been longer. I felt that it was more of a novella than an actual stand alone book. I loved reading about the magical aspects that were within this book. My favourite character was Izzie, even though at times I found her quite irritating and immature. I really like the cover of Tris & Izzie, even though it doesn't totally correspond with the event it is depicting from the book.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £8.89 (kindle e-book) and £10.79 (hardcover).

Author Interview: Carolyn Chambers Clark

2012-02-21T13:00:00.000Z

Carolyn Chambers Clark has written My Summer As An Au Pair.

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

My name is Carolyn Chambers Clark and I live in Florida.

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 Summer As An Au Pair concerns an eighteen year old who ends up being an au pair and pretending to be married so she can pay board and room at school.

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

Just finishing up Ghost Story, about a girl who helps the undead cross over. Hope it will be a series.

5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

Been writing since I was 13. My mother gave me my first diary and I was a goner.

6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

Yes!

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

I designed the cover.

8. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?

I think I like the cover for Jane Eyre, Beware the best.

9. Is there anything you would change about your book covers?

Not so far. But since I'm an Indie Publisher, I can change them whenever I want.

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

It started out as D.A.P. (Designated Au Pair), decided My Summer As An Au Pair worked.

11. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?

I respond to reader/reviewer critiques; for Candy, Murder & Me, a reviewer suggested listing the recipes at the end of the book , so they'd be easy to find; I redid the e-book and added the list.

12. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

Not for this book. Yet. I've made one for Dark Forces and posted it on youtube. It's fun to make them. I just have to find the time to do more.

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

Slowly learning to prefer e-books. Save A Tree is a great motivator.

14. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

Yes, so far, although I plan to send Ghost Story through traditional channels for publication. Also working on a steampunk mystery that will also be queried through the agent process.

15. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I've read every one of Ross MacDonald's mysteries numerous times. He's the one who got me interested in writing mysteries.

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

Pride And Prejudice, Kindle.

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

Practice your craft, read and join a critique group.

18. Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: http://freeandbargainebooks.blogspot.com/

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

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/74096.Carolyn_Chambers_Clark/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ccc10

Other: http://www.carolynchambersclark.com/

Editing Services: http://www.carolynchambersclark.com/id161.html & http://carolyn-fictionwriter.blogspot.com/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Carolyn+Chambers+Clark&x=0&y=0

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/CarolynChambersClarkandAnthonyAuriemma

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

Through My Letterbox! 20/02/12

2012-02-20T10:45:00.000Z

What came through my letterbox this week:

A Million Suns by Beth Revis (paperback)

I won a signed copy of this book from A. E. Martin on her blog!

Cover Reveal: Surrender by Aimee Laine

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000Z

Surrender is the second book in the Mimics Of Rune series and will be released on the 3rd of September 2012.

Face the past or look to the future? Both will hurt. One could kill her.

All her life, Lily Crane has supressed her childhood memories, masking the signs of abuse with a variety of looks. From brunette to blonde, tall to short — as a Mimic, changing shape is her gift. Her right. Her achilles heel.

It’s Lily’s latest likeness, chosen simply by accident, which threatens to repeat a history she’s desperate to forget. Worse, she must do so without the one man who takes all her pain away: Cael Aldridge.

Cael has no intention of leaving Lily on her own. He never has. Now, with the woman he loves in the hands of a predator who wants Lily for her genetics, Cael will do everything he can to bring her home.

Alive.

He can only pray he isn’t too late.

My Opinion:

I really like this cover, however I would have liked it even more if the shapeshifter aspect of the book had been reflected within the cover image (as I would never have guessed without reading the blurb that it was a paranormal book, let alone one with shapeshifters - which are my favourite genre of books!). I love the drastic, contrasting colours in the cover image, and think that it suits the book well.

Like the sound of Surrender? Add it to your wishlist on Goodreads!

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

2012-02-17T14:51:00.000Z

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back?

I only came across the Pretty Little Liars books because of the TV series, but I'm glad I did. I absolutely loved reading this book! My favourite character was Aria Montgomery, because despite being the one most affected by the anonymous texts from A, (as she not only had her own secrets to keep but those of her family as well), she remained determined not to let A win. I loved reading the witty, sarcastic messages from the mysterious A! I like the cover that is associated with the TV series as well (even though it strays abit from the actual book).

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £4.33 (paperback) and £4.49 (kindle e-book).

Author Interview: Julianna Baggott

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000Z

Julianna Baggott has written Pure.

1. 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?

PURE is a post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller, film rights have sold to Fox2000 -- a YA-adult crossover about haves and have-nots and the endurance of love.

2. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
It's a trilogy. FUSE, the second book in the trilogy, will be published this time next year.

3. Would you have different book covers for different countries?

There are thirteen foreign editions of PURE. Not all will have the same cover.

4. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
I'm drawn to artful book trailers -- but only if they are compelling in and of themselves. I was hugely relieved when I saw the trailer for PURE -- done by a studio in the UK. They captured the book in tone. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZknTMhd9RL0

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

I don't mind a book that's so old and beat-up that it falls apart in your hands as you read it.

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

I'm reading old medical texts that I couldn't easily find in print so I'm reading them on google books.

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

Protect your relationship with the page. Don't focus on the publishing industry until you've put years into the craft. Read the books you love to take leaps. Learn to listen to criticism keenly. Keep sitting down and writing.

8. Where can your readers follow you?

Web site: http://pure-book.com/

Blog: http://bridgetasher.blogspot.com/

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/294186610628576/304240489623188/?ref=notif&notif_t=group_activity#!/JuliannaBaggott

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/jcbaggott

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Julianna-Baggott/dp/1455503061/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328415432&sr=1-1

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

Cover Reveal: Reign Of Blood by Alexia Purdy

2012-02-15T11:50:00.001Z

Reign Of Blood by Alexia Purdy will be released on the 31st of March 2012.

"Never tease anything that wants to eat you. I am April Tate and my blood is the new gold. Vampires and hybrids over run my world, once vibrant with life, now a graveyard of death shrouded in shadows. I fight to survive, I fight for my mother and brother. The journey is full of turns that I am quite unprepared for. I'm just hoping to make it to the next sunrise..."

In the post-apocalyptic world, after a viral epidemic has wiped out most of the earth’s population, leaving few humans, feral vampires and a hybrid type of vampire that defies all definitions of what being human and what being vampire is. April is a seventeen year old girl who lives in this world one year after the event. She has become a ferocious vampire hunter and killer and comes upon these hybrid vampires one day in search of her mother and younger brother. Unsure who she can trust, she finds that her new ideals of the world are not as black and white as she thought. Bending the rules to find her family will either save them all or destroy everything.

My Opinion:
Although it isn't the most attractive cover I have come across, I think it suits the story within well. The colours on the cover are quite dull and dreary, which to be honest would deter me from buying Reign Of Blood if it was on a shelf at my local book store. I really like the font and image used on the cover, I just wish that the colours had been brighter or more contrasting.

Like the sound of Reign Of Blood? Add it to your wishlist on Goodreads!

You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay

2012-02-14T11:00:00.000Z

Fifteen-year-old Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth. All Megan wants is to be normal and go to homecoming.
Unfortunately, it's a little difficult when your dates keep getting interrupted by a bunch of slobbering Undead.
Things are about to get even more complicated for Megan. Someone in school is using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into flesh-eating Zombies, and it's looking like homecoming will turn out to be a very different kind of party. The bloody kind.
Megan must stop the Zombie apocalypse descending on Carol, Arkansas. Her life and more importantly, homecoming depends on it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this modern, quirky twist on the traditional zombie tale! My favourite character was Megan. Despite her amazing abilities to control (and help) the dead, she remains determined to have a "normal" life outside of her Zombie Settler duties. I really like the cover of this book as it reflects the story within, without being too cliché.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £5.31 (paperback) and £4.68 (kindle e-book).

Author Interview: Emily Goodwin

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000Z

Emily Goodwin has written Unbound.

1. Whatis your name and where do you call home?

My name is Emily Goodwin and northwest Indiana is the placeI call home.

2. Do youhave a pen name?

Nope, I write under my ‘real’ name.

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

My most recent book is Contagious,the first book in The Contagium Trilogy. Only 20 words? I’ll try lol: Badassmain character fighting against zombies to save the people she loves

4. Do youhave plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I have outlines for seven more books. I’m currently workingon Deathly Contagious, the secondbook in the Contagium Trilogy. Reaper,the second book in the Guardian Legacies, is also done. I’m not happy with theending though, so rewriting it is my next project.

5. Whator who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

I don’t think I can pick out just one thing or person whoinspired me to write. I’ve always been very imaginative and loved getting lostin books. For as long as I can remember, I’ve made up elaborate stories in myhead and that’s where they stayed for years. When I was a teenager I startedwriting fanfiction and silly movie scripts with my friends. I really enjoyed itbut never thought I had what it took to write a ‘real’ book. Then one day Ijust sat down and did it. I have a lot of crazy dreams. Beyond the Sea and the Contagium Trilogy were both born from dreamsI had.

6. Do yougift books to readers for book reviews?

Yes.

7. Howdid you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

I came up with the idea for the cover by wanting a pictureof something that is important to the book. A lot of the action takes place inthe woods in Unbound, and I wantedsomething that looks magical and mysterious without giving too much away aboutthe book. I’m lucky to have a very talented artist for a friend, and she didthe cover.

8. Which is your favourite cover ofall the books you have written?

The cover that I have for Beyond the Sea (a YA paranormal romance about mermaids) is theprettiest, in my opinion. That book isn’t yet available though. The MS is stillwith the editor. I’m hoping to have it up and running within a month.

9. Is there anything you wouldchange about your book covers?

There are trends with book covers, so I am always wanting to‘update’ covers to go with the look that is considered ‘in’.

10. Would you have different bookcovers for different countries?

Only if the publisher wanted to; I would prefer them all thebe the same.

11. Howdid you come up with the title for your book?

Coming up with titles is very hard for me. I want the titleto have some reflection of the story while being interesting and enticing toread. I usually throw words around until I come up with something I like, thenrun it by friends to see what they think before making it ‘offical’. Unbound will fits with the story becauseof something important that happens in the book. Yes, I’m being ambiguous so Idon’t give away any spoilers!

12. Isthere anything you would change about your book? And why?

Almost every time I read one of my books, I find somethingI’d like to change. Once books are edited, I try not to read through them so Idon’t get tempted to change something.

13. Doyou have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

I am working on a book trailer for Unbound. I think they are a good way to bring in readers,especially people who don’t usually read. I feel a lot of people in today’ssociety are so visually driven since they are used to seeing everything on TVor the internet that they need to see what a book is about in order to want toread it.

14. Doyou prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

I love the convenience of e-books, but nothing can replaceprinted books. I don’t have a preference of hardcover or paperback.

15. Areyou a self-published / Indie author?

Yes.

16. Haveyou ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

Yes. I’ve read the Harry Potter books multiple times.

17. Have you ever bought a specificedition of a book because of it’s cover? (For example a UK, US or Canadian version)

Nope. I’ll admit I’m a sucker for pretty covers, but it isnot the selling point of a book for me.

18. Have you ever read a book justbased on it’s cover?

The covers make me pick up a book. If I like the blurb, thenI’ll read it, but I don’t read a book solely based on the cover.

19. Has the quality of the cover ofa book ever put you off of reading it?

Yes, though I try really hard not to judge a book by thecover, since often the authors don’t get much say in their covers.

20. Whatbook are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’m reading Dead WitchWalking in paperback.

21. Doyou have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you havebeen given when it comes to writing?

Don’t give up and don’t doubt yourself. You’re more likelyto regret not writing than writingsomething you don’t like. You and edit and revise as much as you need to. Anddon’t let the fear of rejection hold you back. I remember reading that JKRowling got rejected about 40 times.

22. Wherecan your readers follow you?

Blog:www.emily-goodwin.blogspot.com

Facebookpage: www.facebook.com/theguardianlegacies

Goodreadsauthor page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/1635425.Emily_Goodwin

Twitter:0emilygoodwin

Barnesand Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unbound-emily-goodwin/1106893640?ean=2940013307339&itm=1&usri=emily+goodwin

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unbound-The-Guardian-Legacies-ebook/dp/B005YTMZQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326772919&sr=8-1

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/100847

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

Author Interview: J.E. Hopkins

2012-02-13T11:00:00.000Z

J.E. Hopkins has written We Shall Rise.

1. What is yourname and where do you call home?

J.E.Hopkins. Home is New York City.

2. What is the nameof your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, whatwould you say?

We Shall Rise, Misfits ofthe Lore Series (Book#2). Two vampires finding love in the midst of animmortal race war that threatens to destroy all supernatural creatures.

3. Do you haveplans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I am working on Book #3 inthe series.

4. What or whoinspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

I havealways loved to write as a hobby. I found it cathartic in so many ways. Idecided to pursue it seriously in 2006 and after writing my first book, The Broken, I decided to continue writingin 2010.

5. Do you giftbooks to readers for book reviews?

Absolutely.

6. How did you comeup with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

The cover was designedby Kim Killion of hotdamndesigns.com.

7. Which is your favourite cover of all thebooks you have written?

We Shall Riseis my favorite cover. It captures the hero and heroine perfectly.

8. Is there anything you would change aboutyour book covers?

I was not crazy about the book cover for my first novel, The Broken. I would love to change that oneat some point, but for now, it works.

9. Would you have different book covers fordifferent countries?

Someday I hope to have books in different languages anddifferent covers so that they fit well within the culture of the country.

10. How did you comeup with the title for your book?

We ShallRise is a theme in this series. It’s the mantra of the lesser immortals(witches, sages, hybrids, shifters, demons, etc.) who have waged war againstthe pureblood vampires and lycans. After years of oppression, the enslaved arerising against their former masters. WeShall Rise is the battle cry of this war.

11. Is thereanything you would change about your book? And why?

No. I could make myselfcrazy changing things and second guessing myself, but at some point you have tolet go and trust your instincts. There’s no room for regrets and doubts.

12. Do you have abook trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

I did a book trailerfor my first book in this series, Lover’sBetrayal. I liked it, but I didn’t feel it was worth the effort. It’s anice to have, but I would rather spend more time writing then trying to createa book trailer.

13. Do you prefere-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

As an avid reader, I am addictedto my Kindle so I prefer e-books. I never thought I would love e-books as muchas I do, but the convenience of it makes it so much more appealing to me.

14. Are you aself-published / Indie author?

Yes.

15. Have you everread a book more than once? And if so what was it?

A few times. I love the Scarlet Letter and I have read thatcountless times. I also have read LoverAwakened and A Hunger Like No Othermultiple times. I love both those books. I actually have them as paperbacks ande-books.

16. Have you ever read a book just based on itscover?

A cover draws me in first and then I read the back cover blurb to see ifit interests me. A strong cover definitely gets my attention.

17. Has the quality of the cover of a bookever put you off of reading it?

Not the cover art, but if the description doesnot sound appealing on the back cover, I will not purchase the book.

18. What book areyou reading at the moment? And in what format?

I am about to start Lothaire by Kresley Cole. It’s an e-book.

19. Do you have anyadvice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been givenwhen it comes to writing?

As an author you have to be true to yourself. Writefrom your heart. You can’t write for other people. As much as we want everyoneto love what we produce, you can’t please everyone. First and foremost, youhave to feel good about what you do and you have to commit to your vision.Hopefully, others will enjoy your work as much as you enjoy producing it, butif you don’t feel 100% good about what you’ve created, others will not as well.

20.Where can your readers follow you?

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovers-Betrayal/211854535498762#!/pages/Lovers-Betrayal/211854535498762?sk=wall

Twitter:@jehopkinsauthor

Other: www.jehopkinsauthor.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shall-Rise-Misfits-Lore-ebook/dp/B005ZWPVZM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1321062225&sr=8-3

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/99501

Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/we-shall-rise-je-hopkins/1106957341?ean=2940013235366&itm=5&usri=j.e.+hopkins

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

Promotion: We Shall Rise by J.E. Hopkins

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000Z

We Shall Rise

By J.E. Hopkins

BookBlurb:

Warsurrounds him, yet for vampire Kaden Gaspard, there is no greater battle thanthe one his mind has waged against his heart. He knows he should stay away fromher. Reysa. The half-breed vampire warrior who had risked her life to prove hisinnocence for the seven murders for which he was accused, but had notcommitted. This stubbornly loyal woman who dedicated her life to her family ofmisfits - immortals shunned and abandoned by their clans for their impurity ofblood and genetic mutations. This courageous and valiant African warrior whoKaden fears could never love the monster that he is destined to be.

As Kaden and Reysastruggle to accept the undeniable bond between them, they must come together tostop the emerging terror that threatens to destroy all immortals. The lesserimmortals – witches, sages, shifters, demons, hybrids, charmers and foreseers –have declared war against the pureblood vampires and lycans who have used theirpurity of blood and greater strength to enslave the weaker races. No immortalis safe. This is a fight for freedom and a fight against genocide. There can beno true victor as death looms for themall.

Author Interview: Sabrina Sumsion

2012-02-11T06:00:00.000Z

Sabrina Sumsion has written Jasmine: Energy Book 1.

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

My name is Sabrina Love Sumsion and I call a small, rural town in Nebraska my home.

2. Do you have a pen name?

Kind of. I published a short story as Bree Canheal. I might keep that pen name for my adult literature and publish my YA works as Sabrina.

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?

Jasmine: Energy Book 1 is my most recent book. Summed up it is: Jasmine wants stability, friends and possibly love. Who knew aliens would complicate things?

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

I am working on the second book in the series. I’m at about 20K words as of today. I also have 3 stand alone books, another series and many short stories in various stages of creation.

5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

The idea of writing started as I worked as a literary publicist. Distressed at how many authors fell into scams and traps, I wrote Produce, Publish, Publicize to help authors navigate the publishing waters. I started that book about 5 years ago.

6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

I sure do. If someone is willing to share their opinion, I am willing to share my writing.

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

The cover slowly came together after working up several mock ups and getting feedback. The girl on the cover is my niece Emma. She posed for some pictures and I played around with them until I liked it. I played with a picture of lightning until it looked like a ball in her hands. It was a lot of fun to create.

8. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?

Jasmine: Energy Book 1. Mostly because it has my niece on there!

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

My husband bought me a Kindle for my birthday so I’m completely hooked on eBooks now. I still think there’s a place for paper books and I’ll still collect them but I like to snuggle up to my nook these days!

10. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

I am. I created a publishing imprint and both my books are released under that name. I have considered taking on other authors as well but I don’t think I’m in that place in my life yet.

11. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I have read the Dragon Lance Series, Brandon Sanderson’s books, the Harry Potter Series, the Dilbert Books and The Lord of Rings more than once. I’m re-reading Naya Nuki again with my children in Social Studies. There are some books that are just amazing and you have to read over and over again.

12. Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?

Definitely! It’s sad, I know, but as I’m looking at books in the bookstore, the cover affects which one I’ll pick.

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

My nook is filling up so fast! I finished Victorine Lieske’s The Practice Date and I’m on to C.K. Volnek’s A Horse Called Trouble. The Practice Date is on my Nook and A Horse Called Trouble is a paper back.

14. 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 ever is patience. The biggest mistakes in your publishing career come when you ignore the details and skip steps. Make sure to edit, find tons of beta readers and hire an editor to catch the last of your mistakes.

15. Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: www.sabrinasumsion.com

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

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5423245-sabrina-sumsion

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sabrinasumsion

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Sabrina-Sumsion/e/B006T0CIM8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

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

Cover Reveal: Awaited by Lynn Rush

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000Z

Awaited by Lynn Rush is the sequel to Wasteland and will be released in May 2012.

The voice is a powerful thing…
Russell Leonard is a centuries-old Guardian who’s lost faith in his purpose. So when he’s charged with procuring the first female Guardian in over two centuries, he can only hope it’s the red-headed beauty who’s been haunting his dreams for months. And if it is, he intends to claim her as his. But when he finds his dream woman, Annabelle is mute and bears no Guardian’s Mark.
He soon realizes she’s been tainted by an ancient evil. Russell must somehow release the secrets trapped within this delicate soul to help her tap into the only weapon powerful enough to silence a millennia-old demon - her voice.

My Opinion:

To be quite honest, I was disappointed with this cover, I expected something totally different. I loved the cover of Wasteland, and hoped that the cover of Awaited would not only be as beautiful but connected to the previous cover in some way as well, which it seems to me as though it isn't. Where the cover of Wasteland was vibrant, peaceful and angelic, the cover of Waited seems somewhat dull in comparison. From a glance at the cover I wouldn't expect the story inside to be about angels or guardians, I would expect something more along the lines of King Arthur.

Like the sound of Awaited? Add it to your wishlist on Goodreads!

Author Interview: Kristine Cayne

2012-02-05T17:53:00.000Z

Kristine Cayne has written Deadly Obsession.

1. What is your name and where doyou call home?

Helloeveryone! Thank you for having me onRai29BookReadNReview. My name is Kristine Cayne

I’moriginally from Montréal, but I now live inthe U.S. Pacific-Northwest.

2. Do you have plans for a new book? Is thisbook part of a series?

Deadly Obsession is the first in my Deadly Vicesseries. It’s currently planned to have five books in all. Here they are inorder: Deadly Obsession, DeadlyAddiction, Deadly Betrayal, Deadly Deception, and Deadly Negligence (title is tentative).

This image was my inspiration for RémiWhitedeer, the hero of Deadly Addiction.

3. Do you gift books to readers for bookreviews?

Yes, as partof the Bewitching Book Tour, bloggers are provided a free copy. I’ve alsooffered some free copies to readers on Goodreads.

4. How did you come up with the cover? Whodesigned the cover of your book?

The book cover was designed by the wonderfulScarlett Rugers www.scarlettrugers.com. I provided Scarlett with some generalguidelines of what I’d like to see on the cover. She suggested three conceptsand I picked this one. I could have gone with the more “traditional” romancecover—we all love a half-naked sexy man after all!—but I wanted to emphasizethe suspense aspects of the book as well. I think Scarlett came up with a goodcompromise.

5. How did you come up with the title for yourbook?

Thetitles are based on the central theme of each book. In Deadly Obsession, every major character in the book is obsessedwith something or someone. Looking at this photo of Nic Lamoureux, I canunderstand how he could become someone’s Deadly Obsession.

In Deadly Addiction, many of the charactershave an addiction of some sort. Each of the main characters in the third bookin the series, Deadly Betrayal, hasbeen, or will be, betrayed in a way that changes his or her life.

6. Have you ever read a book more thanonce? And if so what was it?

I’ve only reread a handful of books. The onethat stands out the most is Outlanderby Diana Gabaldon. Sigh. I. Love. Jamie Fraser. Two other books of note are:Cherry Adair’s Kiss and Tell, andLisa Kleypas’s Suddenly You. Thatbeing said, I’d love to reread the entire Black Dagger Brotherhood seriesbefore Lover Reborn is released, butI have to get my own writing done too

7. Has thequality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?

Certainly.Unless someone whose opinion you value has referred the book to you by, yourfirst contact with it will be via its cover. If the cover does not draw theeye, you will skip it in favor of the next book in the list.

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

I’m currentlyreading Fake Kate, a fabulous novelby UK author David Wailing in ebook format.

9. Where can your readers follow you?

I love chatting with readers! Feel free to friend/fan/follow me:

My blog: http://blog.kristinecayne.com

My website: http://www.kristinecayne.com

My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/KristineCayneAuthor

My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428452.Kristine_Cayne

My Twitter handle: http://www.twitter.com/KristineCayne

My New Releases mailing list: http://site.kristinecayne.com/Newsletter.html

Deadly Obsession isavailable at the following online retailers:

Amazon ebook(http://amzn.com/B006SP32Q0)

Amazon print(http://amzn.com/0984903402)

Amazon UK (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006SP32Q0)

Barnes andNoble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadly-obsession-kristine-cayne/1108117594?ean=2940013699441&itm=1&usri=deadly+obsession+cayne)

Smashwords (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/119155)

All RomanceeBooks (http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-deadlyobsession-668769-149.html)

Kobo (http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Deadly-Obsession/book-NknqJYU8LECdKUfPmCdabA/page1.html)

iTunes/iBookstoreUS (http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780984903412)

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

Promotion: Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne

2012-02-05T06:00:00.000Z

DeadlyObsession

Deadly VicesBook 1

By KristineCayne

When an Oscar-winning movie star meets adepartment-store photographer…

Moviestar Nic Lamoureux appears to have a playboy’s perfect life. But it’s a part heplays, an act designed to conceal a dark secret he carries on his shoulders.His empty days and nights are a meaningless blur until he meets the woman whofulfills all his dreams. She and her son are the family he’s always wanted—ifshe can forgive a horrible mistake from his past.

A Hollywooddream…

LaurenJames, a widowed single mother, earns barely enough money to support herselfand her son. When she wins a photography contest and meets Nic, the man whostars in all her fantasies, her dreams, both professional and personal, are onthe verge of becoming real. The attraction between Lauren and Nic isinstant—and mutual. Their chemistry burns out of control during a photo shootthat could put Lauren on the fast track to a lucrative career.

Becomes aHollywood nightmare

Butan ill-advised kiss makes front-page news, and the lurid headlines threateneverything Nic and Lauren have hoped for. Before they know what’s happening,their relationship is further rocked by an obsessed and cunning stalker who’llstop at nothing—not even murder—to have Nic to herself. When Nic falls forLauren, the stalker zeroes in on her as the competition.

Andthe competition must be eliminated.

Pure by Julianna Baggott

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000Z

We know you are here, our brothers andsisters.

We will, one day, emergefrom the dome to join you in peace.

For now. we watch fromafar, benevolently.

Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or muchabout life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of anold barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what islost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theatres, birthday parties,fathers and mothers to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damagedbodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over tothe militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged andweak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small.Pressia is on the run.

There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked.Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy,superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential menin the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybejust because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; hisbrother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Ormaybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become aswaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests hismother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to findher.

When Pressiameets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

I received Pure by Julianna Baggott from Netgalley to review. I really enjoyed reading this dystopian tale, it was well written and well thought out. I loved reading the mixture of perspectives from Lyda & Partridge, inside the Dome and Pressia & Bradwell, outside the Dome. The only part of Pure that I didn't like was the ending, for me it didn't fit in with the rest of the book, it seemed too simple and a bit odd. My favourite character was Pressia because of her resourcefulness and determination. I love the cover of Pure, the blue butterfly surrounded by ash within the Dome implies that whichever side of the Dome the characters are on, they are trapped in one way or another.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £8.99 (hardcover).

This Is Not Forgiveness by Celia Rees

2012-02-02T02:00:00.000Z

Caro

She's beautiful, impulsive. And Trouble.

Jaime

He wanted her to notice him. Can't believe she did.

Rob

Back from Afghanistan. Wounded. Secretive. Out of reach. Except with Caro. He lets her in.

Over the course of one summer, their lives collide and entwine with dangerous results.

The brightest flames always leave the deepest scars.

Everyone says that Caro is bad ...but Jamie can't help himself. He thinks of her night and day and can't believe that she wants to be his girlfriend. Gorgeous, impulsive and unconventional, she is totally different to all the other girls he knows. His sister, Martha, hates her. Jamie doesn't know why, but there's no way he's going to take any notice of her warnings to stay away from Caro. But as Jamie falls deeper and deeper under her spell, he realises there is more to Caro - much more. There are the times when she disappears and doesn't get in touch, the small scars on her wrists, her talk about revolutions and taking action, not to mention the rumours he hears about the other men in her life. And then always in the background there is Rob, Jamie's older brother, back from Afghanistan and traumatised after having his leg smashed to bits there. Jamie wants to help him, but Rob seems to be living in a world of his own and is increasingly difficult to reach. With Caro, the summer should have been perfect ...but that isn't how things work out in real life, and Jamie is going to find out the hard way.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading This Is Not Forgiveness. It was really well written and had me hooked from the start. I loved that different types of text were used for each individual character's perspective, I also loved the quotes that accompanied Caro's chapters. My favourite characters were Martha and Caro. Martha was one of my favourite characters because she wasn't afraid to voice her opinions and even her family weren't immune from her judgements. Caro was also one of my favourite characters because of her independence and resilience throughout everything that happens to her. I enjoyed reading about the rift between Martha and Caro (even before I knew the reason behind it).

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £3.99 (paperback).

Cover Interview: Devon Ashley

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000Z

1.How did you come up with the cover for your book?

Well, I wantedsomething simplistic and pretty. I happened to find a pic of a young woman thatresembles my main character Jenna, sitting pretty in a wedding dress. I made itshades of pink to resemble her prom dress and added a slight cloud effect to makeit a little more dreamy (since one of Jenna's relationship occurs indreamland).

2.Who designed the cover of your book?

I pretty muchcreate all my covers. I've been unemployed the past year so paying someoneto do it for me just hasn't been in the budget.

3.Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?

Probably thisone cause I actually got to make a pretty one for once. My Immortal Archivebooks I like to be simplistic and mostly black.

4.Is there anything you would change about your book covers?

Well, they arewhat they are and I'm actually pretty happy with them, but I'm sure if Ihanded the project over to a real designer they'd come up with somethingfantastic that would drop my jaw and blow my mind. As for FIB, I would love tochange the background and have it look more like the in-between world Jennaexperienced in chapter two.

5.Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

I'm a sucker fora beautiful cover, so yeah, I've fallen for this.

6.Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?

Well, I try notto let the cover impact my decision whether or not to read something, but let'sbe honest, we're all guilty of it at some point. I won't name books but therehave definitely been a few I have yet to read cause the cover didn't graspmy attention enough to get me really excited.

7.What is your favourite book cover?

Of all time?Hmm....I like the Hush, Hush and the Chemical Garden book covers.

8.Would you have different book covers for different countries?

I can understandthe reasoning behind it, but nah...I personally won't do it.

9.Have you ever bought a specific edition of a book because of it’s cover? (Forexample a UK, US or Canadian version)

YES! I actuallyhave the first edition, first prints of the clothbound UK Deluxe HarryPotter books. I liked them best so those were the ones I collected. And it justso happens that the first few books only had like 200 hundred printed sothey're now worth more than I originally paid. :)

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

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

2012-01-30T14:00:00.000Z

Become immortal or die trying.

It's always been just Kate and her mum - and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerising. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld - and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy - until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

At first I wasn't keen on reading The Goddess Test because of some of the reviews I had read, but I actually really enjoyed reading this book! I loved Aimee Carter's modern twist Greek mythology! My favourite character was Diana Winters, Kate's mum was my favourite character because despite everything that appears to be going on in her life she still has time to listen to her daughter's worries & problems. Diana was also my favourite character because of her determination and faith. I really like the cover of The Goddess Test! The image alone is great, but coupled with the text and the Greek patterns it's amazing and suits the book perfectly!

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £4.61 (paperback) and £4.38 (kindle e-book).

Author Interview: Joshua Goldfond

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000Z

Joshua Goldfond has written The Hunting Of The Bubblenuff.

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

Joshua Goldfond. Astoria, NY.

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?

"The Hunting of the Bubblenuff: A Fabian Vermeer Story". A fantasy/satire/YA story in which an short, awkward Inquisitor hunts monsters with his tall, kindly female bodyguard. (17)

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

I have a couple of ideas, but for the time being I'm just trying to get this book out there.

4. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

I've been writing in some form or another since I was a kid.

5. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

Certainly. If anyone is interested, you know how to reach me...

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

The cover was designed by a talented cartoonist named Geoff Vasile.

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

The title is a spoof of a Lewis Carroll novel called "The Hunting of the Snark", which I would also recommend.

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

I generally prefer printed material, but I've started getting more into eBooks. I released this book as an eBook so that it was cheap and accessible to readers.

9. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

I am self-published on this book. I guess that makes me an indie author.

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

Right now I'm reading "Let the Great World Spin" by Colum McCann, and "420 Characters" by Lou Beach.

11. Where can your readers follow you?

Twitter: TheOculusOnline

Other: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hunting-of-the-bubblenuff-joshua-goldfond/1108109776?ean=9781105047244&itm=1&usri=bubblenuff

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Bubblenuff-Fabian-Vermeer-ebook/dp/B006MNKMRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326250233&sr=8-1

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

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

2012-01-29T14:00:00.000Z

Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way. But just as her powers are increasing, Damen’s are waning. In an attempt to save him, Ever travels to the magical dimension of Summerland, where she learns the secrets of Damen’s tortured past; a past which he has always kept hidden from her. But in her quest to cure Damen, Ever discovers an ancient text that details the workings of time. Now Ever must chose between turning back the past and saving her family from the accident that claimed their lives - or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows sicker every day...

I didn't enjoy reading this book as much as the first, for me there wasn't enough action spread throughout the whole of the book. The link between the Buttercups on the cover and the actual story were quite vague and confusing. I didn't know until I researched it later but Buttercups represent immaturity, and although the cover is beautiful I think something like a Forget-Me-Not flower would have been more suitable (because it represents true love and would also symbolise Ever's longing for Damen to remember her). I didn't really have a favourite character in this book because for me Ever was a bit too desperate & needy, and Riley wasn't around enough.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £4.12 (paperback) and £3.58 (kindle e-book).

Evermore by Alyson Noel

2012-01-29T07:00:00.000Z

After a horrible accident claims the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom can see people's auras, hear their thoughts, and know someone's entire life story by touching them. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities, she has been branded a freak at her new high school-but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste.
Damen is gorgeous, exotic, and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head-wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can peer into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. And she has no idea who he really is... or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is that she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

Whilst at first I wasn't very eager to read this book, (because of it being classed as a romance), I really enjoyed reading it! I loved the hidden meaning behind the red tulips and white rosebuds! My favourite character was Riley Bloom. Riley was my favourite character because of her mischievous, bubbly nature. I like the play on words within the main character's name, Ever Bloom as in, forever in bloom (because of the immortal parts in the book). I really like the cover of Evermore, the person in shadows represents Ever and her past and the bright, red tulips represents part of the story and how it brightened her life at that time.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £4.11 (paperback) and £3.90 (kindle e-book).

Excerpt: Pride's Run by Cat Kalen

2012-01-27T19:30:00.000Z

Excerpt:

California Wine Country
August 23rd, six days until full moon

The click of the lock at the top of thestairwell is my only indication that morning is upon me. My ears perk up and Ilisten for the coming footfalls. The weight on the stairs combined with thecreaking of each wooden step will let me know which handler has come for us thistime, which unlucky puppet has drawn the short end of the straw and is stuckwith letting the dogs out, or in this case, the werewolves.
Sure, he’ll come sauntering down thestairs sporting a brave face and looking at me with cold, dark eyes meant tointimidate. But the wolf inside me can smell his inner fear. Despite the factthat I’m the one caged, underneath the handler’s cool, superficial shell he’sthe one who’s truly afraid.
A long column of light filters down thestairs and I blink my eyes into focus as the bright rays infiltrate the pitchblack cellar. I don’t really need to blink. Not with my exceptional vision. ButI do it anyway because sometimes I simply like to pretend I’m a normalseventeen year old girl, one who can’t see in the dark. It’s nonsense, I know.I’m not fooling anyone. Least of all myself.
The door yawns wider and before thefirst heavy boot, soiled with old blood that he’ll pass off as wine stains,hits the top step, my senses go on high alert. I never know what morning willbring—or who will bring it.
A breeze rushes down the stairs aheadof the handler, carrying the aroma of the grand estate with it. I push past themetallic scent of dried blood to catch traces of grape juice in the air, acommon smell on the majestic vineyard—that and illegal drugs, the estate’s realsource of income. Going beyond those familiar fragrances, I breathe deeper andget hints of fresh bread baking in the upstairs kitchen. It must be Thursday.Mica, the estate’s cook, always bakes on Thursday.
In my human form I roll onto my sideand lean toward the smell. Wistfully, my tongue darts out and brushes over mybottom lip. There is something about that scent that always entices me andbefore I can help it I envision myself eating a warm slice covered in richcreamy butter, crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside.
My nostrils widen, but I know the breadisn’t meant for me and not even one delicious crumb will pass over my dry lips.Not unless Mica sneaks it to me. As much as I’d love to taste her offerings Idon’t like it when she takes chances for me. Disobedience is far too risky forthe aging housekeeper. Despite that, my stomach growls in response to the aromaand I fight off the cravings. I can’t hope for bread when it’s unlikely thatI’ll even be given a scrap of food today, especially if I can’t please him.
My master.
A boot hits the second step—thehandlers always descend slowly—and as I stretch my legs out on my dustymattress I hear the waking groans of Jace and Clover stirring in their owncages beside me. I glance their way, and that’s when my attention falls on theone empty cage in the cellar. My mother’s den. I breathe deep and fight off apang of sadness that I cannot afford to feel.
I turn away from the empty cage andstare at the gray cement walls. I can’t bear to look at her den any longer. Itonly reminds me of how they killed her and how all the pups were forced towatch—to learn that disobedience comes with a price. Guilt and sorrow eat at meto think that she’d died trying to free me.
When step number five creaks, Idiligently try to shake off the memories. The handler is close which means Ican’t think about my mother right now. I push all thoughts of her aside,knowing that right now I have to think about my father and what he taught mebefore the master killed him. Never let them see your fear.
I harden myself.
Prepare.
Before my master’s puppet even reachesthe bottom step, I know it’s the one they call Lawrence, the handler I hate themost. The one with a weak mind, strong back, teeth like baked beans and beadyeyes that fit his ugly rat face.
He likes to call me kitten. I have afew choice names that I’d like to call him in return, but I always bite theinside of my cheek to resist the urge. Partly because I’d be whipped and partlybecause Miss Kara educated me and taught me all about manners. I realize thatan educated wolf with manners might sound laughable. In my line of work,however, education and manners are as lethal as a bear trap to those I hunt.That’s how I lure my marks, how I bait my prey. A pretty face and good grace goa long way for a trained killer like me.
My glance wanders to my leg, the onepeeking out from beneath my ratty blanket, and my eyes are drawn to the longjagged scar tracking the length of my calf. I grimace. Even with my educationand manners, I never forget what I really am. I’m never allowed to.
“Hey kitten,” Lawrence says. Most wouldthink the nickname is a play on my birth name, Pride. But I know it’s thehandler’s way of cutting me down, to find control where he feels none. Myparents called me Pride because I was their pride and joy. Lions live in apride and since lions are cats…
He tosses a collar and chain into mycage. “Leash up.”
I take note of the gun in his holsterbefore my glance locks on his. As I give him a good hard stare, he flinches.The movement is slight, but I notice it. Dressed in my knee length nightgown,long hair loose around my shoulders, I might look like an average seventeenyear old girl—harmless and innocent—but we all know I’m not.
Even though Lawrence keeps his faceblank and stares down at me with those dark eyes of his, he reeks of terror.The scent is like a mixture of hot sweat and rotting compost. Oh, it’s notpretty by any means. Nevertheless, the werewolf slumbering restlessly inside mefeeds off his fear, thrives on it, so I inhale and draw it deep into my lungs.
Without taking my eyes off his, I takemy time to leash up. My movements are slow and deliberate as I position thecollar. Metal grinds metal and the sound cuts the silence as I secure it aroundmy neck. The handler winces. So do the older, more obedient wolves that I bunkwith.
Jace cuts me a glance, chocolate eyesnow milky from old age warn me to behave. I realize he’s doing it for my owngood, but this morning I’m cold and hungry and in no mood for Lawrence’sinsults. Clover makes a noise to draw the handler’s attention away from me, andall sets of eyes shift to her.
As Clover tries to pacify Lawrence,averting her gaze in a show of respect and making small talk about the weather,Lawrence opens my mother’s former cage and pulls out her cot. He gives it agood hard shake and the breeze stirs the dust on the unfinished boardsmasquerading as our ceiling. The particles dance in the stairwell light beforefalling to the cold, cement floor.
When Lawrence tosses the cot into acorner I stiffen. It can only mean one thing. My mother has been gone for alittle over a year now, and I know the master rarely keeps a cell empty forlong, which makes me wonder when and how he’s going to fill it?
Who will he breed?
I cringe at the thought of bringingpuppies into this world, but know it’s not something I have to worry about. Themaster would never breed a wolf like me. My mother always said I was asurvivor, the only pup in a litter of three to make it, but hey, a runt is arunt. Thanks to Darwin and his theory of ‘natural selection’ a runt is aheritable trait that a pack can do without. When it comes to caninereproduction, only one motto dictates: runts need not apply.
Deep in the bowels of the estate’sbasement, the master keeps other wolves, separating the strong and young fromone another. I’m smart enough to understand that he distances us so we can’tconspire against him or speak telepathically. Wolves can only use telepathywhen in animal form, however. Well, most wolves that is. Oddly enough, I alongwith Stone, an alpha wolf two years my senior are able to communicate while inour human forms.
Sometimes the master does in-housebreeding, sometimes he sends us out to one of his associates—other drug-lordswho also harbor werewolves. It’s like he’s running a regular old puppy mill inhere. Except his puppies kill for him. Which begs the question, what does mymaster have in store for me today?

Promotion: Pride's Run by Cat Kalen

2012-01-27T17:29:00.002Z

Pride’s Run
By Cat Kalen
Genre: Paranormal YA

Blurb:
Seventeen year old Pride is atracker—a werewolf with a hunger for blood. Taught to trick and to lure, she isthe perfect killing machine.
Kept leashed in the cellar by a masterwho is as ruthless as he is powerful, Pride dreams of freedom, of living anormal life, but escape from the compound is near impossible and disobediencecomes with a price.
When she learns her master intends tobreed her she knows she has to run.
But Pride soon learns that if she is tosurvive in the wild, she must trust in the boy who promises her freedom, thesame boy she was sent to hunt.
With life and death hanging in thebalance the two find themselves on the run from the Paranormal TaskForce—officers who shoot first and ask questions later—as well as her master’shandlers.
Can Pride flee the man who has held hercaptive since birth and find sanctuary in the arms of a boy who has capturedher heart? Or will her master find her first?

BuyLinks

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Prides-Run-ebook/dp/B0062O0B3E/

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/101322

Barnes and Noble: Coming Soon.

All Romance Ebooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-pride039srun-625540-176.html

Hollow Pike by James Dawson

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000Z

Something wicked this way comes... She thought she'd be safe in the country, but you can't escape your own nightmares, and Lis London dreams repeatedly that someone is trying to kill her. Lis thinks she's being paranoid - after all who would want to murder her? She doesn't believe in the local legends of witchcraft. She doesn't believe that anything bad will really happen to her. You never do, do you? Not until you're alone in the woods, after dark - and a twig snaps... Hollow Pike - where witchcraft never sleeps.

I was sent an ARC copy of Hollow Pike to review by James Dawson, and I absolutely loved every moment of reading it! I found this book to be a bit like a paranormal version of Mean Girls or Pretty Little Liars. My favourite characters were Lis and Laura. Laura was the classic popular girl, that everyone both admired and hated and Lis was the new girl. Laura was one of my favourite characters because of her sharp tongue and fierceness. Lis was also one of my favourite characters because of her independence and determination. I love the cover of Hollow Pike! The colours are amazing, as are the aspects of the image with hidden meanings such as the branches and the birds.

Available at Amazon.co.uk to pre-order for £5.39 (paperback) and £12.74 (hardback).

Birthday giveaway!

2012-01-22T14:50:00.000Z

Since it's my 16th birthday on the 29th of February, me and my mum (from JeanzBookReadNReview) decided to host a giveaway that would end on my birthday.

So we are giving away one paperback copy of Forgotten by Cat Patrick along with a bookmark to a winner from the UK, and we are also giving away two bookmarks to another two winners internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Through My Letterbox! 22/01/12

2012-01-22T07:30:00.000Z

What came through my letterbox this week:

Fated by Sarah Alderson (paperback)

I enjoyed reading Hunting Lila so much that my mum bought me this book by Sarah Alderson as well!

The Future Of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler (paperback)

Both me and my mum had heard about this book on Razorbill and liked the sound of it, so we bought from our local Asda.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (paperback)

Both me and my mum had requested the second book in the series, Goddess Interrupted on Netgalley, so my mum ordered the first book for us both to read as well.

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz (paperback)

Again both me and my mum had requested the second book in the series, Spellcaster on Netgalley, so my mum ordered the first book for us both to read as well.

The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker (paperback)

Me and my mum were kindly sent an ARC copy of this book to read and review by Susanne Winnacker!

Unbound by Emily Goodwin (e-book)

Me and my mum were kindly sent an eARC copy of this book to read and review by Emily Goodwin!

Author Interview: Kiera Cass

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000Z

Kiera Cass has written The Siren and The Selection.

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

I am Kiera Cass, and I live in Blacksburg, VA. It's a small town. We have a lot of cows.

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

The Selection is the first book in a trilogy, and I'm so excited about where it's going. I'm in the process of editing the second book right now!

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

The brilliant minds at HarperTeen designed the cover for The Selection, and I genuinely don't think it could be any better! Early on, I pitched ideas to my editor, and I'm so glad they didn't pan out! They were awful compared to the final product.

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

I like REAL books. I like the smell and the feel. I do prefer paperbacks, just because they travel well.

5. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

Originally, yes! The Selection is with HarperTeen, but in 2009, I self-published a fantasy/ paranormal book called The Siren. I still really love that story!

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

Keep learning! There's so much going on behind the scenes of making a book, so get online and see what other newbies are going through and learn as much as you can!

7. Where can your readers follow you?

Website: kieracass.com

Youtube: youtube.com/user/kieracass

Twitter: twitter.com/kieracass

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

Promotion: The Mers by Ami Blackwelder

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000Z

The Mers: AMermaid Dystopian

By AmiBlackwelder

Book 1 MerChronicles

What lies beneath the surface?

One hundred years from now, the world has changed and brought withit, new forms of life.

Who are the Mers? Who is Mira?

Mira always knew she was different. Growing up with Mers, she never quitefit in. When Mira breaks the rules and takes Niren across the border thatdivides Ellis Island and New Jersey, a border that divides two vastlydifferent worlds, she thought the journey to find out who she really is wouldbe an easy one.

But as the world in Jersey proves to be a convoluted mix of Aristocratswho hate the Mers, Pirates who want to sell them, and Magi who want to usethem...finding her true identity will be a challenge, especially when her best friendNiren is a Mer willing to fight to the death.

Author Interview: Jack Blaine

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000Z

Jack Blaine has written HELPER12 and Twitch.

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

My name is Jack Blaine, and I live in theUnited States.

2. Do you have a pen name?

I do! A few of them.

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

My latest book is called Twitch, and it willbe out by the end of February. It’s a companion novel to Helper12. It follows the story of a minor character in Helper12 and explores herexperience in the same dystopian future.

4. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you beenwriting?

I just always wrote. I wrote poetry, andshort stories, and then I started writing books.

5. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

I don’t generally. I do send reviewcopies to certain review blogs, but that’s it.

6. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of yourbook?

I do my own covers. It’s one of thethings I love to do and it helps me with the writing. I find thatthinking about the cover often brings forth lots of details about the book thatI can incorporate into the story.

7. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?

I can’t decide between the two I’ve designed sofar. Helper12’s cover appeals to me because there is an element form thebook that doesn’t exist in real life—the tattoo—that is captured on thecover. I’ve always loved that in book covers—seeing something that existsonly in the imagination brought to life. Twitch’s cover appeals to mebecause the woman IS Twitch—come to life in that tough but tender expression.

8. Is there anything you would change about your book covers?

Nope. I think they are both fine the waythey are now.

9. Would you have different book covers for different countries?

I think the book covers for Helper12 andTwitch are universal. It is fun to see different interpretations though.

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

I titled both books after their maincharacters. Lucky for me the main characters had interesting names.

11. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?

Oh, there always is something, isn’tthere? But once the books are published and read, you have to remain mumabout that. For me, it’s mostly stuff about details, moments I might havewanted to explore more fully. But nothing substantive, to be sure.

12. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on booktrailers?

I don’t have book trailers for Helper12 or forTwitch. I would love to have, but I can’t seem to find the time, and Idon’t think my skills would do them justice.

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

I still prefer paper, whether it’s hardback orpaperback. But I get the appeal of ereaders.

14. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

Yes. I also have traditionally publishedbooks (under a different name, and no, I won’t tell) and have enjoyed bothexperiences in different ways.

15. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I’ve read The Road by Cormac McCarthy severaltimes. Also Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

16. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

Nope.

17. Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?

I have to admit that, yes, if a cover seemsbadly made, I tend to seek other books instead.

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

Just finished A Gift Upon the Shore, by MKWren.

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

Best advice is to learn all you can aboutpacing and character development, and keep practicing. Also, have fun!

20. Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: http://jackblainebooks.blogspot.com/

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3417562.Jack_Blaine

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jackblainebooks

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/helper12-jack-blaine/1103017648?ean=2940012925152

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Blaine/e/B0055L2PKW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1325620057&sr=8-1

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

Author Interview: P.R. Mason

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000Z

P.R. Mason has written Entanglements.

1. What is your nameand where do you call home?

My name is Patricia Mason and I write youngadult urban fantasy and paranormal romance under the name P.R. Mason. I alsowrite steamy romance as Patricia Mason. My home is the weird and wonderful cityof Savannah, Georgia. I was born and raised in the Midwest. Andwhile I loved my friends and family there, and had an established professionalcareer, once I'd visited Savannah in 2001, I couldn't resist its siren call.I'd always dreamed of completing a novel and Savannah just seemed to be theinspirational muse I needed.

2. Do you have a penname?

My most recent two releases, Entanglements andFated Hearts are under the name P.R. Mason.

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

Twenty or less.

That's so hard. Okay, here goes: Entanglements- Opening a vortex sucks! Kizzy Taylor must enter a dangerous dimension to saveher stepsister, but will she get home?

Twenty words exactly!

4. Do you have plansfor a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I just released anovella entitled FATED HEARTS, which explores the question of predestination.Here's the blurb:

EVE hasalways played by the rules, afraid to take chances. HOLDEN wants to changethat. She's certain they've never met before...or have they? Holden seems sofamiliar, but who is he? What is he? Yesterday her biggest challenge was tryingnot to bomb on her SATs. Today, paranormal forces have transformed an ordinaryhigh school dance into a test of fate vs. free will and loving Holden could be Eve'send.

A sequel to Entanglements is also in the works. RESISTANCE takes upthe story of a fighter in the human resistance who, along with heralchemist/vampire hero, must defeat an army of soul sucking golems. I expect torelease the sequel in March of 2012.

5. Do you gift booksto readers for book reviews?

Absolutely, Fated Hearts will be FREE fordownload on January 25th. I'm hoping readers will check it out and, if theylike it, leave a review on Amazon.com. I'd also love to give an ebook copy ofEntanglements to a randomly chosen reader who enters a comment to this post.

6. How did you comeup with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

Tara of Fantasia Frog Designs(fantasiafrogdesigns.wordpress.com/) was the fabulous artist behind my bookcover.

7. Which is yourfavourite cover of all the books you have written?

The cover for Entanglements is my favorite. Ilove the gothic feel of it. As I was writing the book I imagined that Kizzy(the heroine) looks exactly as she does on this cover. In fact, I had writtenthis passage for the novel:

"Mom had always said I should have beenborn on the Fourth of July because I was like a firecracker, always going off.I'd had a habit of darting in one direction or another, with this activity orthat project. Even my hair, a garish red, exploded out of my head in a riot ofcurls if I didn’t studiously flatten it with the strongest flat iron money couldbuy."

So the depiction of Kizzy on the cover wasabsolutely perfect.

8. How did you comeup with the title for your book?

This probably sounds strange, but the name camefrom the quantum physics theory of entanglements. Scientists have found that a particlemay be tweaked and second particle will react even though it may be miles awayfrom the first and even though there is no discernable connection between thetwo. It's theorized that the connection exists in an alternate dimension ofwhich it is believed there are at least seven. I began to wonder whether peoplecould also be connected through alternate dimensions.Savannah is known for being the most hauntedcity in America. However, it is not as widely known that there are many allegedvortexes in Savannah. When I combined this with the quantum mechanics theory,the plot was born.

9. Do you prefere-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

I have to say my ereader has taken over frompaperbacks as my favorite format. Downloading an ebook not only satisfies mytaste for immediate gratification but once I'm done, I can store my favoritesfor re-reading without cluttering up the house.

10. Have you everread a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I've read and reread a number of books. TheHarry Potter books of J.K. Rowling and J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhoodseries come to mind.

11. What book are youreading at the moment? And in what format?

I'm in the midst of reading the George R.R.Martin series that started with Game of Thrones in paperback. I'm also readingLinda Andrews' apocalyptic romance/thriller called Redaction via Kindle.

12. Do you have anyadvice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been givenwhen it comes to writing?

Read a lot, write a lot and learn your craft. The book "The Fire in Fiction" by DonaldMaass is amazing. And I love Michael Hague's books. But I think the mosthelpful book I've ever read on fiction writing is "Save the Cat" byBlake Snyder. Although it's about screenwriting, the principles are just asapplicable to novel writing.

13. Where can yourreaders follow you?

Blog: http://www.agirlwithacomputer.blogspot.com

Goodreads authorpage: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5259792.P_R_Mason

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ - !/PRMason

Website: http://www.prmason.net

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/P.R.-Mason/e/B005RCKCQS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/PatriciaMason

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

Promotion: Entanglements by P.R. Mason

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000Z

Entanglements

By P.R. Mason

Blurb:

TeenKIZZY TAYLOR is just hoping for an evening of fun when she joins her friends ina spelunking expedition through an under-city tunnel. But fun turns bizarrewhen Kizzy accidentally opens a vortex and her stepsister is swept through toan evil alternate dimension. The only way to rescue her stepsister is to reopenthe vortex and go in after her. But is her new boyfriend, ROM CALIXO, going tohelp Kizzy or try to stop her? And if she can get past Rom, will she be able toget back home?

AmazonPaperback AmazonKindle Smashwords BN

The Baby Merchant by Kit Reed

2012-01-17T17:31:00.000Z

Among careerists who postpone parenthood, fertility problems abound. Adoptions have always been difficult and now America's borders have been closed by the Centers for Disease Control. Babies are high end commodities in this economy, microchipped at birth to protect them from theft.
Tom Starbird rescues "unwanted" babies--but he's tired of meeting wealthy would-be parents' demands for "perfect" children. Tom is shutting up shop when Jake Zorn, the Television Conscience of Boston, blackmails him into doing one more job.
Desperate to find one last perfect baby, Tom finds the lovely and very pregnant Sasha Egan. Stalked by her unborn child's father, on the run--Tom guesses she will be glad to be rid of her burden. Neither he nor Sasha could predict that the baby she never wanted is the one thing in her life she will do anything to keep.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Baby Merchant. Whilst both Tom Starbird and Sasha Egan were either unwillingly or unknowingly involved in Jake Zorn's search for a baby, they had starkly contrasting opinions and lives, which made reading from each of their perspectives fascinating. My favourite character was Sasha, because despite being indecisive and inexperienced she remained determined to make sure her child would have the best care... whether that meant him being with her or with another family. I really like the cover of The Baby Merchant it depicts the story within perfectly! The baby in the case represents the business like manner with which Tom Starbird treated the babies that he rescued.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: Travis Lee

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000Z

Travis Lee has written The Journey Through Nanking.

1. What is yourname and where do you call home?
My name is Travis Lee, and I currently live inthe United States, though part of me willalways belong to China.

2. Do you have a pen name?
No.

3. What is the name of your most recent book andif you had to sum it up in 20 or lesswords, what would you say?
The Journey through Nanking - A girl lost fromher family in a warzone must conquerorher fears in order to survive.

4. Do you have plans for a new book? Is thisbook part of a series?
I've written some since then, and I'm writingone right now. I have a few I'm going totry to sell, and others I'll self-publish. No, this book is not part of a series.

5. Do you gift books to readers for bookreviews?
Absolutely.

6. How did you come up with the title for yourbook?
I drew the title from what happens, on a basiclevel, in the book.

7. Is there anything you would change aboutyour book? And why?
No. Nothing.

8. Do you have a book trailer? And what areyour thoughts on book trailers?
I'm not well-known, so I don't think creating abook trailer would be worth it. If a booktrailer helps a writer sell more books, thenI'm all for it.

9. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks,hardcovers or audiobooks?
No preference. There are some really kickassaudiobooks out there, such as anythingread by Frank Muller.

10. Are you a self-published / Indie author?
Yes.

11. Have you ever read a book more than once?And if so what was it?
I reread The Alchemist quite a bit. Ditto forThe War of Art. Both those books help mewhen I'm down.
12. Have you ever bought a specific edition of abook because of it’s cover? (For examplea UK, US or Canadian version)
No. In fact, I'd say a cover does not influence meto buy a book.

13. Has the quality of the cover of a book everput you off of reading it?
No.

14. What book are you reading at the moment? Andin what format?
Native Son, by Richard Wright. Paperback.

15. Do you haveany advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes towriting?
If you know you're meant to write, then do it,no matter what. There are people who say theydon't have enough time to write, but I think they're not trying hard enough. No matter how big a family you have orhow many hours you work, you can find time towrite. It may be difficult, but if itfulfills you, it's worth it.

16. Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: http://www.travis-lee.net

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TL1138

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5423344.Travis_Lee

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TL1138

Other: http://www.lostlaowai.com/blog/author/travis/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Travis-Lee/e/B006RXSEC0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/travislee

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

Fangs Rule by Amy Mah

2012-01-14T08:30:00.000Z

The guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A - Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire.

* What is fashionable to wear when eating out?
* Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp.
* Should you let a boy bite you on the first date?

Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems.
Example: When you get an urge to bite:
We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal, Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time.
Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don't be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don't just snarl at him, just bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you.

I was sent this book to review as part of a Bewitching Blog Tour. Although it was quite funny and charming, I was disappointed with Fangs Rule. I was looking forward to reading a longer story rather than a short A to Z of vampire life. I love the colours and the illustrations within this book, I just would have liked to have seen more of a story accompany it.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £9.99 (paperback) and £3.08 (kindle e-book).

Guest Post: Amy Mah

2012-01-14T06:30:00.000Z

Who am I? well I am in my 20s and got into writing by accident, I kinda look Chinese but never been to china nor have my parents so I say I am oriental by looks and then people think I look like a carpet …….sigh

I just love anime and manga art and have lots and lots of anime films, people say I write my books like an anime film so any filmmakers out there please get in touch.

When people ask about writing style I never know what to say as I just write and people just get me, er…….. and that is a sarcastic and cynical viewer of life

Just take a look at my website www.FangsRule.com

Intro to the book

The author Amy Mah (Vampire) is a well known blogger, that writes and blogs as a cynical teenage vampire:

Fangs Rule

Being a vampire sounds like it should be a cool thing to be as a teenage girl, like sleeping during the day and enjoying a night life with friends, huh, no one had warned me that it also meant having to suffer Teenage Hormones for so long! I am stuck as a teenager the years may pass but I am the same age! And as to the rules, so many rules, and vampire uniforms! Guys have long fancy cloaks that they are always tripping over and as to the Girls uniform, it is a 18th C Nightdress! The old male vampires expect a girl to walk about wearing just a see through nightdress with no underwear on!! as if that is ever going to happen!, they have seen far too many horror films! Life as a teenager is normally a living hell but even more so when you have fangs. The world is just out to get me, and not just by people trying to stake me because I have better teeth than they do!

Promotion: Fangs Rule by Amy Mah

2012-01-14T03:00:00.000Z

Fangs Rule: A Girls Guide to Being a Vampire

By Amy Mah

FANGS RULE a girl’s guideto being a vampire …. is a young Adult book for anyone between Puberty andSenility as it takes a close up look at life as a female teenage vampire ineasy to follow A to Z advice for the reader, the book is also full of manga artwhich helps show the human world what life is like in a vampire world……….

Giving helpfuladvice such as how to explain to your Mom that as a teenage blood curdlingdenizen of the night you would like to paint your cave bedroom black withouthaving a shouting match over why you don’t like the way she painted thestalagmites bright pink to go with the large stuffed pink bats hanging from theceiling.

Everything isexplained from how to polish your fangs to fashion tips and ways of climbingacross a ceiling wearing a nightdress without showing your underwear.

Fangs Rule is amust for every teenage vampire and from these pages you will see why Amy says“Vampires Don’t Sparkle! …. They Bite!

Hi! My name is Amy Mah Vampire and here are somehelpful hints from my book: Fangs Rule: A Girls Guide to Being a Vampire

Going out on adate: Yes we all go thought the same difficulties of what to wear, the wardrobewill not shut but I still do not have anything suitable, so after hours ofsearching in the end I decide to wear black as it will match my comfy shoes, okso I have more shoes than a dictators wife but only one comfy pair and they areblack, why comfy shoes? Well I have no idea where we are going so what the heckshould I wear!

Now comes the datebag, why can’t a girl just go out, and when I say a girl I mean me, why do Ihave to look like I’m going for a 10 day vacation and not just a night out.

So let’s open thedate bag and check if everything is there.

1. Cell phone fullycharged.

2. Spare cash andcredit card.

3. Packet of mintsfor after eating smelly food….er…………foreigners

4. Chap stick….well you may kiss him and …….. it goes with the mints ok?

5. Make up mirror,why take a mirror you ask, ..er …well if I get ship wreaked I can use it tosignal for help, look it is just needed ok!

6. Packet oftissues just in case you cannot find a washroom when out.

7. Keys large bunchand no I do not know why luggage keys are on the same ring with my house keys.

8. Sun glasses, hatand 100% sun block just in case you stay out early.

9. A spare pair ofpanties in case I sleep over ……… er not that I am planning to sleep over … erforget it ok! Look I said stop giggling and forget it!!!!

10. Precautions andprotection, nowadays it is not just a boys reasonability for protection and soa girl should also take her own protection if needed, personally I take a canof Mace and a 10 inch kitchen knife and if that fails I sink my teeth into theneck!

Getit: AmazonKindle AmazonPaperback

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000Z

Unrequited love is hard enough when you're a normal teenager, but when you're half human, half mermaid, like Lily Sanderson, there's no such thing as a simple crush. Especially when your crush is gorgeous (and 100% human) Brody Bennett.
The problem is mermaids aren't the casual dating type - the instant they kiss someone, they "bond" with them for life. When Lily's attempt to win Brody's love leads to an enormous case of mistaken identity, she finds herself facing a tidal wave of relationship drama.

I loved every moment of reading Forgive My Fins! From beginning to end it was quirky, fun and light-hearted. I thoroughly enjoyed Lily's underwater quips and references. My favourite characters were Lily, Shannen and Peri. Shannen and Peri were my favourite characters for many of the same reasons, they both care a great deal about Lily despite each only knowing her for one half of her life, (Peri for her life under the sea and Shannen for her life above it, on land). Lily was my favourite character because of her quirky personality, loyalty and slightly cheesy fishy remarks.Despite Forgive My Fins being about a mermaid, I didn't feel it was too cliché at all, I enjoyed the perfectly balanced mix of chick-lit and paranormal.
I love the whole jacket of this book! The blue under the sea themed cover image alone is amazing but the cute "doodled" shells and bubbles make the whole book jacket even more magical.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £4.61 (paperback) and £4.38 (kindle e-book).

The Glimpse Webisodes!

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000Z

Do you live in the UK? Are you between the ages of 13 and 18?

Because this month, Faber will be launching open auditions for a special online series of fictional video diaries that will be a prequel to debut author Claire Merle’s dystopian thriller The Glimpse.

They're not looking for an actress with experience. Anyone between 13-18 can send in an audition filmed on an iphone or webcam.

Fancy participating and want to know more about The Glimpse Webisodes? Take a look below.

Q. What inspiredthe idea of the webisodes?

A. I wanted to dosomething different and fun. As a teenager I hoped to become an actress as wellas a writer. Then after I left uni, I worked for 8 years in the British FilmIndustry, made a couple of short filmsand wrote lots of film scripts. Making a set of prequel video diaries broughtall those elements together – and I love the idea of having a side story thatwill explore things that are hinted at in The Glimpse, but that we would neverhave learnt about this character’s life otherwise.

Q. Whichcharacter will be featuring in the webisodes?

A. 16-year-oldTamsin Strike who is headstrong, loyal and something of a rebel.

Q. When you werewriting The Glimpse did you already have a vision of how the featured characterwould look?

A. In the bookTamsin is described as having brown hair and brown eyes, and I did have a roughvisual idea of her. But her energy and personality are far more important tome, and that’s what we’ll be looking for when we cast the video diaries.

Q. How manywebisodes will be made?

A. Around 25.

Q. How long willthe webisodes be?

A. Each webisodewill be under 3 minutes, probably close to 2 minutes each, though some areshorter than others.

Q. In the futurewould you consider having more webisodes for other characters?

A. Yes. It’s apossibility, but we don’t have anything planned at the moment.

Q. How will thewebisodes tie in with The Glimpse?

A. 17-year-oldAna Barber is the main character in The Glimpse. 16-year-old Tamsin Strike isAna’s best friend. At the start of The Glimpse, Tamsin and her family have beenmissing for 7 months and Ana has never discovered what happened to her friend.The webisodes take place just before Tamsin vanishes and provide some clues towhat really happened.

Q. Will thewebisodes act as a prequel and supply more information about things that happenin The Glimpse? Or will they provide sneak peeks?

A. The webisodesare their own story, like a prequel. They don’t provide any sneak peeks ofscenes in The Glimpse. It’s all stuff that happens before.

Q. Do you have abook trailer?

A. Yes, but Idon’t think it will be released until around March.

Q. Why did youchoose to hold auditions in the UK?

A. The Glimpse isset in London in the near future, so Tamsin is English. We want an actresswith an English accent and we’ll be filming in London. Those who get through tothe second round of auditions will be asked to come to London for a recall.(For the actual filming we will be providing accommodation if the actressdoesn’t live in London.)

Q. Will theperson chosen to participate in the webisodes feature on the cover of TheGlimpse?

A. No. The finalauditions will be held in March and the girl who’ll play Tamsin will beannounced mid March. The cover has to be ready before then. So timing wise itwouldn’t really work out.

Why not add The Glimpse to your Goodreads wishlist?

Stay updated by liking Claire Merle's Facebook author page, Goodreads author page and following her website!

Author Interview: Claire Merle

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000Z

Claire Merle has written The Glimpse.

1. What is yourname and where do you call home?

Hi ! My name is Claire Merle, I was born in Oxford,England and now live in Paris, France with my French husband and 2 young sons.

2. Do you have apen name?

No.

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

THE GLIMPSE is a heart-pounding dystopian thriller foryoung adults.

4. Do you haveplans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

THE GLIMPSE is the first book in a duet. I’m currentlywriting the second (and final book), The Fall. After that I’ll be working on afantasy novel for young adults.

5. What or whoinspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

I’ve alwaysloved writing. I’ve been doing it ever since I can remember learning towrite !

6. Would you havedifferent book covers for different countries?

I think it’squite exciting having different book covers for different countries, but that’snot really up to the author. It’s the publisher that decides what goes on thecover.

7. Do you have abook trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

I love booktrailers. They can go a long way in evoking the ambience of a book. A booktrailer has been made for The Glimpse, but I don’t think it’ll be out untilMarch.

8. Are you aself-published / Indie author?

No, mypublisher is Faber & Faber.

9. Have you everread a book more than once? And if so what was it?

Amongothers : ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier, ‘Tender is the Night’ by F. ScottFitzgerald, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen, ‘1984’ by George Orwell.

10. What book areyou reading at the moment? And in what format?

I’m currently listening to the audio book ‘Life as weKnew it,’ by Susan Beth Pfeffer and currently reading ‘The Road’ by CormacMcCarthy. They’re both pretty intense. But I’m greatly enjoying each of themfor different reasons.

11. Do you haveany advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have beengiven when it comes to writing?

Never give up.

12. Where can yourreaders follow you?

Facebook page:www.facebook.com/theglimpse

Goodreadsauthor page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12367267-the-glimpse

Twitter:http://twitter.com/ClaireMerle

Other:www.clairemerle.com

Amazon:(Available for pre-order) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glimpse-Claire-Merle/dp/0571280536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325647084&sr=8-1

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

Crossed by Ally Condie

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000Z

Fighting for truth
Escaping for freedom
Rebelling for love?

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

I didn't enjoy Crossed as much as I thought I would. I missed reading from the perspective of someone within the Society, and I missed reading about some of the characters that were in Matched, such as Bram and Xander. My favourite character in Crossed was Eli, because of his innocence and naivety. Cassia wasn't one of my favourite characters because of her reliance and faith in the Society, despite the harm that the Society inflicted upon her and her family. I love the cover of Crossed, I really like the colours that have been used and how the image of the girl escaping from the glass sphere, represents Cassia's escape from the Society.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £5.99 (paperback & kindle e-book).

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

2012-01-05T11:00:00.000Z

Every tiny act of defiance adds up.

Maybe this one snowflake can start an avalanche.

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

This book was kindly sent to me to review from Sara Grant. I really enjoyed Dark Parties! I liked reading about the concept of the Protectosphere and the effect it had on the society it contained. The idea that all of the citizens of Homeland were variations of one another and that any form of individuality was suppressed fascinated me! My favourite character was Neva, she stayed true to herself and didn't give up, even when her friends did. I really liked reading about the meaning behind Neva's name and how the snow theme was maintained throughout this book. Although I like the cover of Dark Parties, I would have preferred it to look less computer generated and for it to have represented more of the story within.

Available at Amazon.co.uk for £5.99 (paperback & kindle e-book).

Author Interview: Tom Jackson

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000Z

Tom Jackson has written The Devil's Legacy.

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

Hi Rachel, my name is Tom Jackson, and although I originate from coldand wet Manchester, England (and am proud to call myself a Mancunian), I havelived in hot and dry Athens, Greece with my wife and daughter for almost 35years.

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

The Devil’s Legacy- a contemporary mystery with flashbacks to the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries -is, in fact my first published book.

The decision to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece leadsto the opening of Pandora’s Box and the unleashing of terrible secretsthreatening the very fabric of British society.

3. What was the inspiration behind your novel? Whydo you feel so strongly about the return of the Parthenon Marbles?

Many years ago I attended a conference here in Athens on theRestitution of the Parthenon Marbles. The keynote speaker at the event was thelate Jules Dassin (the film director and husband of Melina Mercouri). Imust admit that my initial attendance at the conference was somewhattongue-in-cheek. Like the vast majority of British nationals I had littleknowledge of the exact sequence of events leading up to the Parthenon Marblesbeing owned by Britain, and housed in the British Museum. For me they weremerely another collection of antiquities we had acquired a couple of centuriesago. We owned them! Why should we just hand them back? What was the big deal?

However, the conference stimulated my curiosity, and Ibecame interested in the actual events surrounding the removal of the Marblesby Lord Elgin’s agents. This led me to undertake considerable research here inAthens and in the UK - including a visit to the archives of the British Museum.This research in turn led me to the undoubted conclusion that the Marbles hadbeen removed illegally, without any proper authority. In fact, the man actuallyresponsible for the removal, Hunt, admitted quite openly at the time that hewas able to remove the Marbles only through a combination of ‘cajolery, threatsand bribery’! The bottom line is that I felt, as an Englishman, I must dosomething to rectify the errors of our ancestors.

There have been many publications of a purely academicnature regarding the removal of the Marbles, however, I am not aware ofanything fictionalising the event - and thus felt that my novel may well offera uniquely interesting and thought-provoking perspective. As well as a good andfun read!

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

I am considering an idea for a sequel. Also I am thinking aboutsomething a little different - a trilogy set in 19th century Greece.

5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you beenwriting?

I took pleasure in writing from an early age. I think myfirst attempt at a short story was around the age of ten. I believe that mydesire to write stems from reading. Every Monday I would visit the locallending library and stock up with five or six books to keep me going for theweek. My preference is undoubtedly for the cocktail of adventure/mystery/crime.For example, I enjoy Agatha Christie, Alistair McLean, Robert Ludlum, FrederickForsyth and Ken Follett. Although I do have a decided passion for historicalnovelists such as Jane Austen, C.S. Forester, John Buchan, and naturally,Dickens.

6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

Indeed I do.

7. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of yourbook?

The focal point for the novel is the theft of the Parthenon Marbles overtwo hundred years ago, and the secrets surrounding the conspiracy are hidden inPandora’s Box. So the Parthenon itself, and the Box on fire with elements fromthe story escaping like smoke seemed highly appropriate. The concept of thecover was the result of a family pow-wow - my wife is an artist. The greatcover design was by Laura Shinn in the States.

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

Each of the chapters is prefaced by a quotation from theworks of the famous Greek poet, Constantine Cavafy, and I thought at first ofusing one of these as the title. However, the theme of ‘Legacy’ runs throughthe book on different levels, and whilst one of the characters in my novel isactually referred to several times as a ‘Devil’, again the Devil could haveseveral connotations in the context of my novel.

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

I am something of a traditionalist. I like the feel of the paperback in myhands. However, I am developing a taste for ebooks, and now have a Kindlecourtesy of my daughter and her husband. I think I am one of the believers -ebooks are definitely the future.

10. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

Yes.

11. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

Too many times to recall. I think that every time you re-read a bookit’s like visiting an old friend. You know what to expect, you will enjoy theexperience, yet there is always something new to discover . . . appreciate . .. enjoy.

12. Have you everread a book just based on it’s cover?

No.

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

Funnily enough over Christmas I just wanted to put my feet up and relaxwith an old friend. So I read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (for at least the hundredthtime) and I’m just about to re-read ‘The Manchester Man’ by Mrs. Linnaeus Bankswhich is set in early 19th century Manchester. I do have the paperback version.Although it is a little known work of fiction (and some of the working-classdialect in the first chapter or so can be difficult to follow initially) it isworth the effort.

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

Keep writing. Stay positive. Don’t despair. Rejection is not failure . .. it merely tests your own resolve.

15. Where can your readers follow you?

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/99678

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5390400.Tom_Jackson

Goodreads book page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13222949-the-devil-s-legacy

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Devils-Legacy-ebook/dp/B006QA3GLI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1325060164&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-devils-legacy-tom-jackson/1107395591

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/people/@/152698424831830

The Devil’s Legacy Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/people/@/152698424831830

I have also juststarted a Blog

Blog: http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/TomJackson

Thank you so muchfor taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into yourwriting world!

Author Interview: David Englund

2011-12-30T14:00:00.000Z

David Englund has written Upsetting The Tides.

1. What is your name and where do you callhome?

David Englund. I currently live in Fargo, North Dakota.

2. Do you have a pen name?

I don’t but I thought about it for along time. My main character’s name isClark Jackson. I was going to go withJack Clarkson myself to have some fun with it.

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

Upsetting The Tides. How would a normal person with no military orscientific training deal with finding a portal to other worlds?

4. Do you have plans for a new book? Isthis book part of a series?

Actually, I have already written thenext two books which are now in editing and I have started the fourthbook. There are so many worlds out thereto visit, I think I could write Clark stories for the rest of my life.

5. What or who inspired you to startwriting? And how long have you been writing?

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching andreading stories my entire life. I foundit to be an absolute blast to make up my own stories.

6. How did you come up with the cover? Whodesigned the cover of your book?

John Berdahl was great to work with. I wanted readers to get the impression thatthere is an abundance of worlds for the character to venture to.

7. Which is your favourite cover of all thebooks you have written?

I really like the cover for the upcomingthird book in the series (displayed on my blog). I am extremely excited about that story lineand I feel like the cover conveys the image that I want (The first two storiesare exciting too).

8. How did you come up with the title foryour book?

I made a list of about 150 possibletitles and I kept coming back to this one. I must have asked a hundred people for their favorite off of the list. There was no consensus so I finally decided togo with my favorite one.

9. Is there anything you would change aboutyour book? And why?

I think I will always lament overaspects that I could have done better or differently, especially now thatreviews are starting to come out. Thething is, I liked the energy that went into that story. I had so much fun writing it and I think itshows. I didn’t want to overdo the tinkeringand possibly lose that feeling.

10. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

Yes, I am self-published. I am learning that self-published books aregetting a bad rep for not being professionally edited. That’s too bad. Everyone needs editing. I would be embarrassed if readers were to seethe mistakes I make before Wanda goes through my work.

11. Have you ever read a book more thanonce? And if so what was it?

I have read Tom Clancy’s Clear and Present Danger twice and L.Ron Hubbard’s Battlefield Earth acouple of times. I could read both of themagain.

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

I am finally reading The Hunger Games in paperback. So far, I am thoroughly enjoying it.

13. Do you have any advice for otherwriters? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes towriting?

I’m guessing that there aren’t manyexisting writers out there that need my advice but I would like to saysomething to everyone in general. Don’tbe afraid to write. We all have a storyinside us. Let it out.

14. Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: www.davidjenglund.blogspot.com

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/215495.David_Englund

Amazon: http://amazon.com/dp/B005ZLLU8U

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

Author Interview: John Podlaski

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000Z

John Podlaski has written Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel.

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

My name is John Podlaski. My family and I reside in Sterling Heights, Michigan- USA

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?

My book is called, "Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel". Young soldiers are "different" or "changed" when returning home after their first war. Cherries will show you why.

3. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

Actually, my wife can take the credit. Thirty years ago, my mother gifted us with a shoe box containing every letter I had written home while serving in the Vietnam War. We read through the many letters and a personal diary I carried - my wife, intrigued by it all, had a hundred questions. She suggested that I make a short outline based upon the letters and diary and then try to flesh it out so her questions could be answered. I started this project on a manual typewriter and carbon paper, intending to write something no longer than a term paper. However, as more questions and requests for clarification were made, the "term paper" grew. Editing, during this time, required an entire chapter to be retyped in order to maintain proper structure. In early 1980, Atari came out with a game console that offered a word processor, the ability to store data on floppy disks and a dot matrix printer. Purchasing this, I spent the next three months duplicating all the key strokes of the paper into this new computer, then finding it much easier to edit and add to the story.

The manuscript was completed in 1986 and then shopped around to various publishers and entered into contests at various colleges; the story was a finalist at Washington State University's International Literary Awards. I finally located a publisher who was willing to take a chance on my story providing it was rewritten to a third person perspective.

Six months later, the rewrite was half complete and already exceeded the length of the original. I began working a lot of overtime on my job and found that there wasn't any time available to continue my project - this continued for the next year. At that point, I lost interest in the project all together - boxing everything up and moving them to the garage, where they sat for the next twenty years.

In 2009, my wife and I attended our 40th high school reunion - the school was small and we only had sixty students in the graduating class...at least two thirds of them had attended. The last reunion attended was the 20th, and I had forgotten that I had donated two copies of my original manuscript for them to read and pass around. So, I was quite surprised when they asked about the status of that manuscript from long ago. When I told them them I stopped the project shortly after that last reunion, they were relentless in their efforts to get me to pick it back up. This persistence continued for the next two or three weeks before I gave in.

The floppy disks could not be converted to Microsoft Word without spending quite a sum of money. My daughter, Nicole, said that if I could print out everything saved, she would get it all into Word. Six weeks later, she handed me a memory stick with both versions.

Nine months later, April 20, 2010, "Cherries" was born as an e-book on Smashwords.com and later as POD on Amazon.com and other platforms.

4. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

Yes. I will gift the e-book version in exchange for reviews.

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

Smashwords.com offered a list of cover designers to authors to help with the cover. I contacted the owner of DigitalDonna.com and we collaborated on a book cover design. She is highly recommended and has exceeded the expectations of everyone I had referred to her.

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

My original title was "The Ingenuous Soldier" which I thought was appropriate at the time, because my story is about about the innocent, scared, naive, young teenage soldiers who go to war. One publisher, a Vietnam Veteran himself, suggested that I change the name to "Cherries", the moniker used to depict that same group of soldiers in Vietnam - The New Guy!. The name stuck!

7. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?

It's funny that you ask this, because every time I read the novel, I find places where I can further elaborate or change some of the wording. After making three separate changes to my story during the last year, I was strongly encouraged to "stop" and move on. Otherwise, there will be no end. So now, it is what it is!

8. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

Yes, I have a trailer available on my blog, U-Tube and also on my Facebook fan page. I think it's a great way of getting the word out about your work. However, the quality of the trailer can also be a turn off if was not well thought out and put together professionally. It's like the movies at the theater - the trailer has to hook you and pull you in.

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

I have book cases and cardboard boxes filled with books and always enjoyed reading them - hardcover was preferred over paperback. However, I purchased the larger Kindle over a year ago and absolutely love it! Now my preference has shifted to e-book above all others. Since I travel a lot on business, I have also found the audiobooks enjoyable - especially on those long drives from one state to another. I have recently purchased a professional microphone and am planning to record "Cherries: and have it published as an audiobook too.

10. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

I am a self-published / Indie Author!

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

I am currently reading an e-book titled "Devil's Gate" by Clive Cussler.

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

Only to persevere! Don't give up...there is no other feeling in the world like holding a printed copy of a book that you wrote.

13. Where can your readers follow you?

Blog: http://cherrieswriter.wordpress.com

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

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3772926-john-podlaski

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/pdoggbiker

Other: http://www.lulu.com/browse/search.php?search_forum=-1&search_cat=2&show_results=topics&return_chars=200&search_keywords=&keys=&header_search=true&search=&locale=&sitesearch=lulu.com&q=&fListingClass=0&fSearch=cherries+-+a+vietnam+war+novel&fSubmitSearch.x=12&fSubmitSearch.y=4

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003R4Z5U6

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/13437

Other: http://www.authorsden.com/johnpodlaski

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